It’s a fair question for a blog about life over 50, and one I sometimes ask myself. According to the World Population Review, Costa Rica is the place:

“This vibrant paradise invites retirees to a life where lush rainforests meet pristine beaches, and wellness is a way of life, not a goal.”

What’s more 98% of energy is renewably sourced, so us Boomers needn’t feel as guilty about past emissions. It’s also home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, where 100^th birthdays are not uncommon.

Portugal comes in second, and while it’s part of the EC it’s still cheap. $3,000 is reckoned to be enough for a month. It also has an abundance of good, cheap wine.

But if $3,000 is beyond your budget consider third place, Mexico, where you can get by on half that amount. Panama is next. That’s right, Panama! If you are my age you may baulk at the suggestion – General Noriega and all that doesn’t seem that long ago – but apparently, it’s very nice.

I prefer no. 5, Spain, which is actually cheaper, but more than Mexico. Interesting that these are all Iberian in some way or other.

Your retirement budget is of course relative – to how long you’re going to live, so it’s worth considering the local Homicide rate before making any decisions. On that basis, those with a small budget should choose Mexico over Spain.

Homicide Rate per 100,000

Spain                          0.62

Portugal                     0.79

Panama                     9.39

Costa Rica                11.26

Mexico                       29.07

Being dead, your financial worries are over, so maybe other crime rates are more relevant. Here, Costa Rica comes crashing down – it has the highest rates of sexual violence and robbery in the world.

Next thing to consider is whether you will be sufficiently mentally aware to enjoy your surroundings. Fortunately, all these countries score well on ‘happiness’ which is important. The latest World Happiness Report shows a link between ‘Well Being’ and reduced cognitive decline:

“These studies have found that people with higher well-being have better memory and thinking abilities,15 experience less declines in memory and thinking abilities,16 and are less likely to develop dementia.17 For example, a research study conducted at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago, United States, found that people with higher well-being appear resilient.”

Over 60 Happiness out of 10

Portugal                     5.57

Panama                     5.69

Mexico                       6.29

Spain                          6.36

Costa Rica                6.93

By comparison, leader Finland scores 7.91, and Australia does pretty well at 7.3.

But will you still have your teeth? Global dentistry varies greatly and while the condition of retired teeth is a result of all those preceding years, it makes sense for those long in the tooth to be aware of local dental health. Taking the measure of edentulisim – toothlessness to us non-dental folk, which has a great bearing on your overall health, Spain is ahead of the rest. Well ahead of Australia too for that matter.

But, my gums, though receding are holding on to my teeth and I think I’ll be staying here in Avalon. I can’t help feeling that if you broke down Australia’s score by postcode, 2107 would be up in the 8s. All that’s missing is a little Iberian zest, but I think I have that covered. The soon-to-be-available 2023 Avalon wines – plural, we’ve added a red and a white – are all made with Iberian varieties. Perhaps a philosophy of ‘mañana’ is the way to go?