The percentage of people older than 55 who want to leave the country has more than quadrupled since 1974, to 17%, according to polling from Monmouth University and Gallup. Experts on international living say much of that shift has taken place in recent years. Things started changing around 2017
I am guessing the huge baby boomer generation has been fueling the increase of Americans living overseas.
France: Thanks to US-France tax treaties, the country doesn’t double-tax US-sourced income, Kuenzi explains. While there are some nuances, he says, “living in France and paying only US tax rates—that’s about as good a deal as an American can get anywhere in the world.” After three months as a resident in France, you can access the national health-care system, says Alex Ingrim, chief executive officer of Liberty Atlantic Advisors, which provides financial advice to expats.
Costa Rica: The country is politically stable and offers a wide range of real estate options, including affordable condos and coastal estates. There’s also a large expat community and a health-care system strong enough to attract medical tourists, says Mohr-Elzeki of Henley Partners.
With the right paperwork, Kuenzi says, Americans can avoid being taxed by Costa Rica on their US income.
The article also talks about Spain, Panama, & Italy.
Sure this isn’t a click bate story or at least one with a lot of if’s/and’s and but’s? I’m not even sure 17% of people over 55: have that kind of money AND need to move for health care reasons and / or like the WX in Spain or Panama but not Florida and Texas and / or need to fine a lower COL place.
People with that kind of bread already have no problem with Cost of living, better climate & access to local health care. in this country. The weather? Oh, move to Spain but Florida’s too much of a stretch? (How many over 55’s are in that batch?) Local health care? Hey, maybe leave the old house in Bugtussle and move closer to the city. (And how many over 55’ s are in that demographic?)
Just sounds like a “made for the internet” story. And if it’s Boomers who are fueling this the numbers should fall off a cliff here shortly.
I’ve long looked at Costa Rica but in recent years, it has seen an increase in crime and a lack of investment in infrastructure (largely due to the increase in population destroying their roads). It also has become more expensive there.
I would still keep it in the top 5 but Belize is starting to look more attractive. English is common in Belize and it has some of the same benefits and ease of relocation as Costa Rica.
I would also add Roatan - an island in the Honduras as a potential destination.
There is a significant number of people, both retired and not retired, that move abroad because of a lower cost of living combined with a desire for adventure.
There are over 1200 episodes of House Hunters International (a covid favorite of mine) reflecting this trend. Many of those that make the move are what I would consider poor or absolutely low income.
I was living in Costa Rica. I moved back to Portland, OR.
I was lonelier in Costa Rica with a girlfriend than I am here in the US without.
If you are a B-type personality who likes living at the end of a jungle road and going to the market with a basket under your arm after walking your 5 dogs then CR is for you. There are exceptions so as with any expat idea, visit first several times.
Portugal looks nice, the Captain loves it but then again I have neighbors here in PDX that moved back.
I lived in CR for 18 years and moved back here to be near grand children and “enjoy” using Medicare.
Never did I walk to the market with a basket under my chin!
I lived in the Central Valley, sent my youngest to an English speaking high school, had the most gorgeous home and garden.
It can be very lonely if you don’t make ex-pat friends. The language is hard to over come for a while, as are the laws. These things caused me stress, but there is an aura of tranquility there that we def don’t have here.
For 2026, a married couple living off qualified dividends and capital gains can realize about $150,000/year in the 0% bracket, assuming that’s their only income.
Tax free, and French nationalized health care – sign me up.
Maybe great schools but what profession are your kids going into should they stay when they grow up? CR pays about 1/4 of what any profession pays in the states.
I got no problem with speaking Spanish language. Grandfather was first American Ambassador to CR, circa 1928. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Digital nomads get paid US rates, not CR rates. Of course, AI may be coming for some of those jobs but a lot of online jobs with video conferencing can be done remotely with decent pay.
