As time quietly slips away, retirement feels like a door opening to a new chapter. Many people cherish visions of a leisurely life, looking forward to spending precious time with their families. After decades of hard work, they can finally pause to share stories and meals with their children and grandchildren, savoring the warmth and tranquility of family bonds. However, the tides of the era are quietly changing people's retirement choices. In recent years, more and more retirees are choosing to cross borders, embarking on their retirement lives in foreign lands to explore a different kind of twilight years.
So, how does one choose a comfortable and livable retirement destination? A recent research report indicates that based on a survey of expats who have retired abroad, 6 key factors were identified as evaluation criteria. These include: annual sunshine levels; average life expectancy; cost of living index; average accommodation costs; average transportation costs; and the percentage of the population aged 65 and over.
Based on the assessment of these six key factors, all countries were ranked comprehensively. Greece and Portugal took the top two spots.
Greece
Overall Ranking: 1st
Life Expectancy: 81 years
Population aged 65+: 23%
Average Annual Sunshine: 2,773 hours
Accommodation Cost: £307.66 (Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center)
Cost of Living Index: 54.6
Transportation Cost: £26.68 (Average monthly cost for a transit pass)
Greece is world-renowned for its beauty and romance, featuring the deep blue Aegean Sea, historical architecture flowing with ancient civilization, a laid-back lifestyle, a Mediterranean climate, and over 300 days of sunshine per year. Furthermore, Greece has a sound healthcare system, with an average life expectancy of 80.3 years, exceeding the OECD average of 79.5 years and ranking among the top in the world. The quality and service of the Greek healthcare system are world-class, making it very welcoming for those planning to retire there.
Portugal
Overall Ranking: 2nd
Life Expectancy: 81 years
Population aged 65+: 23%
Average Annual Sunshine: 2,806 hours
Accommodation Cost: £524.09 (Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center)
Cost of Living Index: 45.3
Transportation Cost: £35.58 (Average monthly cost for a transit pass)
Portugal enjoys mild weather and abundant sunshine all year round, with a forest coverage rate of 35% and PM2.5 levels in the single digits, making it a natural oxygen bar in Europe that is highly suitable for living. Portugal boasts rich tourism resources and a diverse cultural atmosphere, and has been named the "Best Travel Destination in Europe" for several consecutive years. The Portuguese love walking along the Atlantic coast, drinking, surfing, and enjoying endless leisurely time; Portugal is a paradise dedicated to families enjoying life.
Portugal is very suitable for retirement; it is known as "Europe's Backyard" and is a favored leisure retirement destination for the European nouveau riche. Bordering the Atlantic coast with over 800 kilometers of coastline, it receives up to 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, with an average temperature of around 20°C—it does not freeze in winter, and it is not too hot in summer. In Lisbon, daytime temperatures in winter are around 10°C, which is very friendly for the middle-aged and elderly.
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