Start Here: Get Oriented Before You Go Further
If you’re curious about retiring abroad but not sure where to begin, you’re in the right place.
Most people jump straight into destinations, costs, and logistics — and end up overwhelmed or stuck.
This site is designed to help you think clearly before you start making decisions.
A short exercise to help you decide what comes next.
If You Want to Understand the Bigger Picture
If retirement feels further away than it should — even though you’ve done everything “right” — you’re not alone.
The Retirement Lie is a short book that explores why traditional retirement assumptions no longer work for many people, and why so many feel boxed in before they ever explore alternatives.
Read The Retirement Lie
What You'll Find Here
Whether you’re early in the process or already exploring specific options, you’ll find practical resources here to help you evaluate overseas retirement calmly and realistically.
The focus isn’t on chasing perfect destinations; it’s on building a retirement that works.
Retiring Abroad 101
Start with the basics. Learn why retiring overseas could be the best decision of your life—and how to start planning.
→ Read: Thinking of Retiring Abroad? 7 Key Questions to Ask First
Destination Guides
Explore 20 of the best countries for retirement. Get the facts on cost of living, healthcare, residency, climate, and lifestyle.
→ See: Country Profiles
💸 Cost of Living & Budgeting
Wondering how far your money will go? Get real-world budgets and financial insights.
→ Explore: Sample Expat Budgets
❤️ Healthcare & Safety
Understand your healthcare options abroad and how to stay healthy and safe in a new country.
→ Read: Healthcare in Portugal: What to Expect
Residency & Visas
Find out how to legally retire abroad—with the simplest residency paths for each country.
→ Read: Top 5 Easy Retirement Visas
→ Coming Soon: Interviews with Real Retirees
Expat Life & Community
Learn what daily life is really like overseas, from people who've done it. Connect with folks just like you, looking for a better retirement lifestyle.
→ Read: How to Make Friends Abroad After 60
→ Coming Soon: Interviews with Real Retirees
Get the Most Out of This Site
If you’re new here, this is the easiest way to get oriented and start exploring at your own pace:
Grab your free Retirement Destination Comparison Chart: a simple, side-by-side comparison of popular retirement destinations, covering costs, healthcare, residency basics, and lifestyle considerations.
Join the mailing list for practical insights and updates. The Smart Retirement Dispatch is a bi-weekly email for people exploring what retirement can look like beyond the traditional path.
Explore blog posts by topic or destination
Start Exploring
This isn’t some travel fantasy, it’s a practical alternative that more people are quietly choosing.
I’ve spent years researching overseas retirement options for myself, and I created Smart Retirement Lifestyle to share what actually matters when you’re planning your next chapter.
Take what’s useful. Ignore what isn’t. Move at your own pace.