Forbes has compiled its own list of the 10 best retirement havens, based on a wide variety of criteria ranging from safety to retiree-friendly visa requirements to medical care.
According to the study, Austria tops the list as the best retirement haven. Austria scores with high standards in lifestyle and medical service, elegant architecture, classical music and trams that run. Vienna offers the highest quality of life on the globe, according to Mercer, one of the sources for the top 10 list, and medical insurers say its private clinics are world-class. Salzburg, Graz and Kitzbühel and surrounding hamlets have much to offer those who love mountains and the outdoors. Look at Austria as a lower-cost Switzerland.
Thailand holds the second position for being the best place for retirees considering its comfortable warm climate and best quality health care at reasonable cost within Asia. Thailand is perfect for living on modest budgets. The uncertain politics is something to bear in mind.
Italy scores the third position. It scores high on quality of life, medical care, and even cost of living and climate for retirees residing in the Southern parts of the country. But its complicated taxes and bureaucracy require patience.
Panama has almost everything and takes 4th place. Well known for its low taxes, the country also offers year-round sun, massive discounts for seniors, quality private hospitals, a dollar economy and great accessibility from the US and Europe. Panama City is also considered safest of all Central American cities and last but not least it’s a great business centre in Central America not only because of the famous Panama Canal.
