So, you're an American about to retire, and you're thinking it might be nice to live abroad. You've found a desirable country, and you've done your homework: visas and residence, check; cost of living, check; health care, check. But one question remains: Will I fit in with the locals? How long will it take? International Living understands this concern, and includes it as a factor in compiling its annual Global Retirement Index, a tool to help people looking to live abroad. The index's Fitting In and Entertainment category points to locations where it is easiest for retirees to get comfortable quickly, make friends and connect in the community. It considers the character of the expatriate community, whether English is widely spoken and how easy it is for a single person or member of the LGBT community to acclimate. "It's important to feel comfortable in your new home abroad," Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living, said in a statement. "Of course, part of the adventure — and the attraction — of retiring to a new country is discovering new customs, new foods, new people. "But at the same time, settling in can be a challenge. And in some places, it's simply easier to do than in others." See the gallery for the five countries International Living ranked highest on a 100-point scale as the easiest destinations for retirees to fit in. READ MORE:
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Michael S. Fischer
Michael S. Fischer is a longtime contributing writer for ThinkAdvisor. He previously reported on trade and intellectual property topics for the Economist Intelligence Unit and covered the hedge fund industry for MARHedge and Reuters News Service.
