Revealed: World's Best Retirement Haven 2009

For the past 17 years, every September we rank and rate 30 countries under eight separate categories to give you the results of the best retirement havens in the world. This year, Ecuador comes out on top. (The categories are: property prices; special benefits for retirees; cost of living; culture; health care; infrastructure; safety; and climate.)

Most long-time International Living readers know that Ecuador has been one of our favorite locations for overseas retirement for many years. In fact, we ranked Ecuador as the world’s best retirement destination in 1999, due to the amazing values created by a series of calamities—economic, political, and natural—that the country weathered in the previous two years. In 2008, Ecuador was the second best place to retire, just behind Mexico. This year, the country moves up to first position once again.

The other countries to make it into our top five in 2009 are, in order of ranking: Mexico, Panama, Uruguay, and Italy.

We realize it’s a broad statement to make one country, as a whole, a top retirement haven. While all the countries in the top five of our Annual Retirement Index make great retirement destinations, hitting high scores in every category across the board, we’ve taken a slightly different approach this year. We asked our roving editors to choose one destination within each country as the best city or town to retire to.

These editors are our experts on the ground. They know, through experience of living there, each country inside out. The world's top retirement haven, therefore, is not Ecuador…but a town in Ecuador—named on the September magazine cover in the above photo (blurred out unless you're a magazine subscriber.) You can learn everything you need to know about this town…the best place to retire in the world…right now for just $1.

Also in your September issue, our property expert, Ronan McMahon says that if you think you can no longer afford the retirement or second home you planned, you’re wrong. In fact, in some instances, it just got 50% cheaper. You just need to know where to look—and that’s where Ronan comes in. Turn to page 8 to find out where you can get the best beach deals in Latin America from $50,000.

Steenie Harvey spills the beans on the tricks to the travel writing trade. “Think like a travel writer,” Steenie says, “and you can make $1,000 from your vacation postcards.” See page 10 of your issue for more.

Suzan Haskins writes about the diver’s paradise of Cozumel, where you can buy property from $65,000. Cozumel, located off the coast of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, is a true Caribbean island with palm trees swaying in the breeze, powder-fine white sand, and warm neon-blue waters teeming with marine life. Plus, you’ll find all the amenities you’d need here. See page 12 for Suzan’s full report.

Also this month, read how an economic crisis creates opportunity in Argentina’s wines; let an Italian mamma teach you how to cook; find out why Borneo—the world’s third largest island—pulsates with mystery and adventure; take Lee Harrison’s tips so that you get the most out of IL’s annual retirement index; discover where the jewelers go to buy their pearls; and find out which country is the happiest nation in the world.

As you can see, your September issue is packed with articles. In fact, in September alone we give you 73 globetrotting ideas on travel and retirement…real estate and investment--any one of which could help you start a new life in paradise. To celebrate the winner of the Annual Retirement Index we're allowing you to try International Living Magazine for just one dollar.

For the next six days only, you can use this link to pay $1 to get instant access to the special September Retirement Index issue (and every article I mentioned above)…plus instant access to every article in every issue we've published during the past 100 months in our members-only archive--that’s less than 1 cent per issue! You better hurry—this offer is only open for 6 more days.

Laura Sheridan
Managing Editor, International Living Magazine