Retirement in Asia will undoubtedly provide you with exotic experiences and unexpected adventures. Culture shock can be exciting and invigorating for some people, while it can be frightening for others.Here’s a look at 10 best places to retire in Asia.
1. Hua Hin, Thailand
Hua Hin has a large foreign community and is located along a sheltered beach on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand. On a limited budget, a retiree can maintain a high standard of living, including days on the city’s golf courses and regular dinners at first-rate restaurants. The local medical care is of high quality, and you’re only three hours from Bangkok, which has some of the best hospitals in the region.
2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, is a city of contrasts. Foreign visitors are warmly welcomed in this former British colony. Health care is excellent, public transportation is cutting-edge and efficient, and tap water is safe to drink. Beautiful beaches are just a short drive or flight away, and cool mountain retreats are less than an hour away.
3. Da Lat, Vietnam
Da Lat, located at 4,900 feet in the Lang Biang Plateau, was discovered by 19th century French colonists seeking relief from the heat and humidity of Vietnam’s cities. Da Lat is lush with greenery, and the lake views are reminiscent of an Alpine ski resort. The mood is serene and contemplative. The city’s most appealing feature is its year-round temperature of 62 degrees.
4. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu is one of the most livable beach cities on the planet. KK, as it is abbreviated, is secure, clean, peaceful, and well-organized. The 800,000-strong population has access to every amenity, brand name, food variety, and entertainment option imaginable. The most significant practical benefits are the low cost of living and the high quality of health care provided at a low cost. Water is central to life, and retirees can spend their days snorkelling, diving, boating, and ferrying from the city centre to neighbouring islands.
5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand, has been enticing expats from the west with its low cost of living, pleasant weather, rich history, and distinct culture since the 1800s. Modern Chiang Mai has expanded beyond its ancient walls to include mega malls, multinational grocery and department stores, and other 21st-century conveniences. The most significant advantage of retiring in Chiang Mai is the low cost of living and accessible health care.
6. Udhagamandalam, India
Botanical and rose gardens, parks, lakes, a golf course, and several historic buildings from the early 1800s abound in the town. The best way to get a feel for the area is to ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site that slices through the surrounding hills and provides views of terraced tea estates as well as the area’s famous strawberry, plum, and peach cultivation. Udhagamandalam, also known as Ooty, is an appealing option for a low-cost hill country retirement.
7. Da Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang, one of Vietnam’s most populous cities, manages to be both forward-thinking and provincial at the same time. This is a fast-paced city of skyscrapers, bridges, and shopping malls, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, energy, and enthusiasm. Da Nang is surrounded by natural beauty, with clean, fine-sand beaches running the length of the city and jungle-covered hillsides as a backdrop.
8. Bali, Indonesia
Bali has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful tropical islands. The jungle is lush and green, with volcanoes rising into the clouds and terraced rice fields cascading down valleys. Even the smallest villages are adorned with multi-tiered Balinese temples. Never far away, the ocean offers world-class diving, surfing, snorkelling, parasailing, and other water sports.
9. Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard
Thailand’s eastern seaboard, also known as the Chonburi Coast, is only a two-hour drive from Bangkok. Today, this region of Thailand is home to one of the most diverse expat communities in Southeast Asia and attracts visitors from all over the world.
10. George Town, Malaysia
One of Southeast Asia’s most livable destinations is the Pearl of the Orient. The low cost is a big part of the allure. The country’s health-care system is excellent, and it is safe and stable. The city is exotic and comfortable, and life here is both traditional and modern. There are numerous restaurants serving delicious and reasonably priced gourmet food, as well as at least a dozen museums and other places to enjoy high culture.