Over the past three decades, the number of Americans who want to retire overseas has tripled—that’s according to a recent Monmouth University poll. Among them is a growing community of U.S. veterans.
According to John H. Davis, an author, veteran advocate, and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, veterans are particularly suited to expat life.
“Serving in the military provides you with a unique comfort with change, resiliency in unfamiliar surroundings, and diverse perspectives,” says John.
“Veterans are adaptable, adventurous, and after navigating foreign countries, eating diverse cuisines, and experiencing different cultures they’ve practically earned a PhD in cultural immersion.”
As is the case for most retirees, a move overseas can be transformative. Benefits can include a lower cost of living, a more laidback lifestyle, a more favorable climate, and a chance to pursue your passions and reinvent your life.
For veterans, there are other key factors to consider too.
“As well as taking into account practical needs such as where one can live well on a military pension and other personal preferences, for most veterans countries with an already existing veteran expat population will go to the top of the list,” says John. “They will also want to consider health care options geared towards veterans and locations where veteran programs and organizations are established.”
Taking those factors into account, here are three destinations where U.S. veterans can enjoy a comfortable retirement.
1. The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one of the most affordable spots in all of the Caribbean. It’s blessed with beautiful beaches, lush jungle, mountain getaways, and offers an easy path to residency. It’s also close to the U.S. and allows expats full ownership rights of real estate.
Indeed, it’s where John and his friend, fellow retired veteran and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, Keith Pyron have chosen to call home. They’re part of a 20,000-strong community of retired veterans in the DR.
“There are veteran health care centers around the island, catering specifically to American veterans who accept the Foreign Medical Program of the Veterans Administration,” adds John.
“The Dominican people are very welcoming, friendly, and love to have a good time. It’s the birthplace of Bachata, baseball is king, and it’s the only country in the world with the Bible on its flag.”
Of course, as with anywhere there are some downsides to life in the DR. Power outages are not uncommon and certain areas are prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, but for most, the positives here far outweigh the negatives.
“I’ll tell every veteran, this place saved my life,” says Keith.
2. The Philippines
The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has much to recommend it to retirees including stunning white-sand beaches, established expat communities, and an extremely low cost of living—on average around half that of the U.S.
During World War II, more than 250,000 Filipino troops fought under U.S. command. A treaty, signed after WWII ended, led to the establishment of U.S. military bases within the country. In addition, The Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) was built by the U.S. in Quezon City as a gift of gratitude to those Filipino soldiers who served.
For U.S. veterans living in The Philippines today, the VA Manila Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic—the only VA clinic outside the U.S.—provides health care and benefits.
Another big draw for The Philippines is that English is one of the country’s official languages and is widely spoken. Plus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion operate posts in the country, making it a great option for veterans.
3. Panama
Panama has long been a haven for expats, from mountain town Boquete to beach town Bocas del Toro to bustling Panama City, there’s truly something to suit everyone in this diverse isthmus.
U.S. veterans have a long history with Panama and many veterans that served there opted to stay on or return in retirement.
In Panama City, you’ll find every modern convenience, impressive infrastructure, world-class health care, and a welcoming community of English-speaking expats. Plus, Panama uses the U.S. dollar and offers a gold-standard visa program for retirees—the pensionado—and you don’t need to be of retirement age to qualify.
If you’re 18 years of age or above and receive a monthly income of at least $1,000 you may qualify. You also need to provide a police record check and a health certificate as part of the application process but generally speaking it’s quick and straightforward.
Plus, the Panamanian people are welcoming, you can find a climate to suit your preferences, and a move there can cut your cost of living considerably.
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