14. Malaysia

Retiring to Malaysia is a great alternative for seniors who are worried about high costs of living. Take renting a one-bedroom condo in Kuala Lumpur, which comes to around $500 per month, or Penang for just $252!

The capital city is known for hosting a trove of free activities from hiking trails, to going for a walk through the Perdana Botanical Gardens to even going to the top of the Petronas Twin Towers for astonishing views. Meals can cost as little as $3 or $18 for dinner for two.

The rest of your retirement funds could easily go towards sightseeing and visiting various parts of the country!

One thing to keep in mind is the climate. Here, temperatures range between 77 degrees Fahrenheit and a humid 95 throughout the year on top of a monsoon season that lasts from October to March.

In terms of health care, Malaysia offers superb and efficient private clinics at surprisingly low prices!

How to retire in Malaysia

Unlike for Slovenia, you don’t have to jump through a series of complicated hoops if you want to retire to Malaysia. Their “My Second Home” program has helped many people, American retirees included, to settle down there.

Moving here will require you to be careful with your finances. For starters, you’re going to need around $86,150 in offshore liquid assets while your monthly income should be $2,500 in order to get approved. Then, you’ll have to open up a “fixed deposit” account and hold $37,000 for a year. The government will require you o to maintain at least $24,600 for the duration of your stay.

It is also recommended for retirees to be extra careful with their money, especially cash. It’s best not to carry too much with you and, if you can, avoid the eastern Sabah region. The same goes for tourist-heavy destinations. It’s best to not have too many valuables on you when out for a stroll.