Why not make retirement life’s ultimate reward by spending those golden years relaxing in an ocean breeze on an exotic island? It’s a goal more possible than many realize. Take a look at this list of the world’s best islands to retire to and the estimated monthly income needed to live comfortably.
Mallorca, Spain
The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca lies off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. This western Mediterranean island has a coastline dotted with harbors, marinas, and rock-lined coves. A couple can live comfortably in this year-around mild climate on $2,500 monthly.
Malta
Malta is a tiny island nation with ancient walled cities and country farm homes. It’s in the Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. Malta is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 155 miles of coastline and a mild climate all year. Couples can live here on $2,600 per month.
Penang, Malaysia
The island of Penang is off the coast of Malaysia. It’s been a favorite of expats for years. Once an outpost of the British Empire, Penang’s population speaks English making it a great island for retirees. It’s in the middle of Southeast Asia and easy to travel to exotic places like Bali, Thailand, and Cambodia. Live in luxury here on between $1,500 and $2,500 a month.
Ireland
Some don’t think of Ireland as an island, but it is a large picturesque one full of verdant river valleys, seascapes, and mountains. Most cities and towns in Ireland are within easy reach of golden beaches along the blue-green Atlantic. The Irish speak a lilting version of English, another reason to make The Emerald Isle an alluring place to retire to. A couple can live quite well here on a budget of around $2,800 a month.
Roatan, Honduras
A colorful escape in the Caribbean, Roatan is now more than simply a diver’s paradise. This island haven is quite livable at just 50 square miles. The tiny island has a jungle interior and is surrounded by a reef teeming with marine life and white sand beaches. Even though Honduras is Spanish-speaking, most Roatanians speak English due to its colonial relationship with Great Britain. The Caribbean is surprisingly affordable and a couple can live comfortably on $2,000 to $2,500 a month.
