COMMENTS

21 responses to “5 Best Countries to Grow Old In”

1. I have never seen such dumb comments in my life. Is this Dummy Central? One comment contradicted itself as if written by a dumb or demented older woman. Sad if true. However, let’s get real and out of “rosied up” FakeBook culture. No wonder women are sometimes dismissed as Blanche Dubois types living in a fantasy world. Older people need to hear the truth about old age and learn how to best deal with the difficulties of old age and the inevitable.

   Reply to Merl

2. The problem with the Netherlands is involuntary elder euthanasia. I wouldn’t eve visit the country even though two of my grandparents came from there.

   Reply to Richard Delightful

   1. Are seniors required to agree to euthanize themselves?

      Reply to Merl

3. I think islamabad Pakistan is a great place for retirement.its very safe,great weather,great and affordable private health care, English speaking doctors nurses and most of the city.very affordable rents,and very cosmopolitan.downside is too much negative media coverage about pakistan.but it’s capital islamabad is totally safe and fun.for 1200 dollars a couple can retire in 2 bed apt with a full time maid and decent healthcare coverage.100 embassies and international staff add to the cosmopolitan atmosphere

   Reply to Adeel

4. What about Malta? Many Americans retire there .

   Reply to Theresa Mitchell

5. @Carrie. I just want to add to your comment about NYC. There are surprisingly affordable places to live there. I was considering a job there a few months ago and began looking at condos in the Bronx. Was shocked at how affordable the newly remodeled, very up-to-date the properties were. And the neighborhoods appeared to be very nice, family oriented environments. I encourage anyone looking to relocate to consider that as an option. Beautiful views of the Hudson, relatively easy access to Manhattan – theater, museums, etc., and I’m positive there are seniors groups that are more local. Also, have several friends who live a little further up the Hudson in smaller communities. Their photos are stunning – postcards. The only “complaint” I hear from them is food can be pricey.

   Reply to grace

   1. Grace could you please tell the average cost of the property you looked at?

      Reply to Danny kenny

      1. I don’t see the Philippines. You’re a senior at 60 and can apply for the seniors discount card. By law all seniors get a 20% discounts and medical insurance is free for seniors. After one year you are eligible for permanent residency

6. I have heard so much about. United states health system and the horror stories the unaffordable healtn insurance caused. I see so many older people working just to receive health benifets. If you can afford a great health plan in retirement America is a great place to grow old only if you have a great plan. The affordable health care is a step in the right direction and contrary to what some people believe it is not a socialist program. I live in Canada and I love the comfort I get of not having the worry of not having a health plan

   Reply to Danny

   1. Of course you might have to wait 2 Years for a hip replacement in Canada. That would mean 2 Years of pain.
      My husband is Canadian and we realized that he would not be alive today under the Canadian medical system. Because of our yearly check ups, he has caught two major diseases early enough to survive them. He also got to choose the best specialist in the country.

      Reply to Carol

      1. Carol
         First of all I have never heard of anyone who has waited 2 years for any surgery. Second of all read all these replies and tell me USA medical system is better than Canada’s.

7. I definitely agree that the United States should not be on there. Sure seniors get the occasional parking space and discounts, but their really not set unless they have a job that allows them to get a large nest egg. Our nursing homes try, but too often they fall horrendously short: https://seniorplanet.org//seniorcarefranchiseinfo.org/.

   Reply to Stephanie Marlow

8. I am definitely loosing my battle to continue to
   afford living in my home.

   I don’t have any savings left and my social
   security payments are very inadequate.

   My health causes me the most problems and
   I cannot take on a full time or part time job.
   All of this makes “retirement” a very stressful
   unhappy time for me.

   I have thought about moving to another country in hopes of finding a kinder reality.

   I have never lived outside of the US. Can
   someone give me some information and
   advice regarding the process and the
   feasibility of doing this.

   Reply to LosingHope

   1. I don’t know where you live or what your options are but I’m thinking of getting certified to teach English, moving out of the country and teaching in another country. It’s virtually impossible to live here anymore unless you’re wealthy.

      Reply to Grace

      1. Grace, not all countries require you to have a TEFL. In Egypt it is as simple as having a college degree. Thailand is requiring a Tefl… so check first. Also in any country, don’t take the job unless that countries immigration approves it first. The company if legitimate will gladly write you a letter of sponsorship and even send someone with you to help with your immigration status.

         Your salary should help with most of your expenses, but not eliminate them.

   2. Greeting

      it is important to realize that moving to a new country can be an isolating experience. That said a couple would be an advantage in relocating to a new country. Your English language skills however really don’t help much, so you must learn the local dialects and or simply rent a translator to set things up for you.

      Once you have legal status in a country, be prepared for biases against you. I have pensinado status in Panama and I had to call in the tourist police once or twice to convince the person wanting my money, that I was allowed a discount….

      You will find food and entertainment and public transportation to be very affordable, but it is of a different standard than you might like. You have to give up the ideal that it will be easy, it can be very difficult and frustrating at times. You have to learn not to get upset and roll with the punches.

      There are many more con men out foraging for your money and often very little to nothing the local police can do to help you when your taken advantage of. I was rented a house in a small village in Panama for 50 dollars US,but was rudely woke up one morning by the irate real owner…. He continued to rent me the house, but we went to the local housing office to first prove his ownership. I got taken advantage of, but keeping my temper in check it worked out well for me in the end.

      Reply to Mali

9. This idea, this thought, this historic consciousness about growing old, I believe is a conversation we have been maintaining and as a result we grow old. I got a contrary thought; we grow, we expand and we become that which we desire and want all the time without fail. That’s it period.

   And the best place to do that is to live within and to do so with full transparency.

   Reply to Oscar Carter

   1. Nice, positive, enthusiastic bull! I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed the maturing process of your personal physical plant, but even you will grow old and rot regardless of what ‘pollyanna’ conversations you entertain in your own interior delirium. Remember your own writing the next time you’re hurriedly being taken to the doctor or the emergency room. You will have a little difficulty recalling your “everythings coming up roses” lyrics. In spite of your rosy attitude, you’re inevitably headed down the slippery slope of demise. In case you haven’t noticed, its an inescapable part of the process. Maybe you should work for Hallmark.

      Reply to Nr Mi

10. Sorry, the category was “country” and I commented on NYC as being the best. NYC is larger than some countries, I know, but a city is a city and a country is a country! Sorry.

    Reply to Carrie

    1. Carrie, no worries! We agree that NYC is a great place to be a senior – especially with rent stabilization/control.

       Reply to Barbara, Senior Planet editor

11. New York City is a great place to be after retirement…..transportation is easy and affordable and inclusive; cultural institutions are first-rate; senior programs abound; healthcare and hospitals are some of the best in the country…….all you have to do is be able to afford the rent or buy a co-op……THAT isn’t so easy.

    Reply to Carrie