The concept of moving abroad in retirement is usually associated with adventure, good food and the freedom to explore other parts of the world.
But the main factor that motivates people to actually spend their later years abroad is often affordability.
Outside the United States, you can live for far less in many cities based on their respective cost of living, weather, options for residency and several other dynamic factors.
As the greenback has gained against the euro top destinations in Asia and Latin America offer the combination of low cost of living, mild climates and proximity to other main destinations that might appeal to retirees.
Cost of living in Hua Hin, Thailand: $975 a month
American dollars will go pretty far in Thailand, where retirees could live for roughly less than $1,000 a month. (A one-bedroom apartment can be rented for about $400.) Retirees would find golf, spas and amusement parks, but the main draw is the beach. The city has a strong community of expats from European countries that U.S. retirees can befriend. People age 50 and up can qualify for long-stay visas if they show they have a pension of about $1,900 a month or open up a Thai bank account and deposit at least roughly $23,400 about two months before they apply, according to the study.
The health care system there is also both advanced and affordable making it so that some people may choose to forego medical insurance and pay for treatment and checkups as they need it. (Generally, the options are to buy health insurance local to that country or to buy a global policy that works in multiple countries but is more expensive.)
The savings found abroad can be substantial, but as with most destinations on the list, people will need to be motivated by more than money when they decide to make the move. For some retirees, the distance from family and the changes to standard of living may outweigh the low costs.