20 Affordable Places for Canadian Snowbirds to Retire

Panama continues to be highly ranked as an international retirement destination. Along with the balmy winter weather, the Canadian dollar goes far, and healthcare is highly affordable. As a bonus, this quaint beach community is located only an hour from bustling Panama city.

The Mexican town of Campeche, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, had been under the radar for snowbirds, but no longer. One of the world's few World Heritage cities to be located on the sea, Campeche has a small-town feel despite boasting a population of 300,000. That means retirees will enjoy all the conveniences of living in this highly affordable city that is reputed to be one of Mexico's safest. Another good option in Mexico is Puerto Vallarta.

Combining mild year-round temperature with a bustling arts-and-culture scene, Bilbao is close to beaches while boasting a surprisingly low cost of living.

Boquete is located in the heart of Panama's "food basket," where retirees will discover a laid-back lifestyle and warm weather and bargain prices.

The economic crisis that drove down Argentina's cost of living and housing market has proven to be good news for snowbird retirees, who will be greeted in Buenos Aires by a cosmopolitan city bursting with vibrant culture and beautiful architecture, with a surprisingly low cost of living. It's even be voted one of the world's 20 sexiest cities.

Thailand has long been renowned as one of the least-expensive retirement destinations in the world, and Chiang Mai is highly recommended. Not only is it home to an estimated 17,000 expats, the city also enjoys a more temperate climate than other parts of the country, and is rich in culture and history.

A former British colony, Belize still maintains strong ties with the U.K. (English is the official language) making it an easy place for Canadian retirees to navigate. Known for its gorgeous beaches, laid-back lifestyle and affordability, Corozal earns high marks for snowbirds.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca is rated as one of the world's best places to retire on a budget, with one of the lowest costs of living in Latin America. Cuenca is known as the country's cultural centre, and is home to an orchestra, art galleries, theatre and more. You can comfortably retire here for under $2000 a month.

Located just outside Penang, George Town is a safe and affordable destination for Canadian snowbirds, where English is widely spoken, a vibrant cultural scene and plenty of inexpensive restaurants to satisfy even the most hardcore foodie.

This U.S. territory is often overlooked by Canadian snowbirds, but it offers a lot of benefits for retirees. Featuring a similar climate to that found in Hawaii, housing prices are less than half of what you'd pay there — although the island's close proximity to North Korea is definitely not a plus.

A charming 15th-century Portuguese village, Lagos is full of inexpensive restaurants and stunning architecture, with nearby beaches and an affordable cost of living.

Located about 75 miles from Guatemala City, year-round spring-like temperatures prove to be inviting for snowbird retirees. Known to be retiree-friendly, this gorgeous lakeside community has plenty to offer and wildly affordable prices — rents for a studio apartment with a view of the lake can be as low as US$300.

Boasting more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Arequipa is less than a two-hour drive from the coast, making it easy to head out for a beach excursion. Meanwhile, the city itself is known for high quality restaurants, fine dinging, colonial architecture and affordable prices.

And if you retire and find yourself still itching to work, here are the 20 best jobs for retirees.

Malta is becoming an increasingly popular destination for retirees, and it's easy to see why. Featuring close proximity to the neighbouring islands of Sicily and Corsica, Malta is renowned for gorgeous beaches, historic sites, plentiful sunshine, great health care and low crime, accompanied by a staggeringly affordable cost of living, so you don't have to be rich to end up here (though it sure doesn't hurt if you figure out how to retire a millionaire).

The first thing most people think of when they hear the words "Medellín, Colombia" are cocaine cartels and Pablo Escobar. The truth is, Pablo's been dead for a long time now, and Medellin is no longer under the thumb of the cartels. In fact, the city is said to be safer than ever, boasting a mild wintertime climate and an array of cultural activities along with extreme affordability. Find out which other Colombian city made it onto our list of the top 20 up and coming destinations every Canadian needs on their radar in 2018.

France is not a country typically associated with affordability, but the town of Pau is worth taking a look at. Bursting with Old World charm, a mild climate and easy access to mountains and beaches, Pau is surprisingly affordable — which is why it boasts a thriving expat community of retirees who have discovered one of Europe's best-kept secrets.

Described as a "mini-Miami on an Ecuador budget," this charming beachfront community is reputedly one of the most affordable in Latin America, where retirees can live comfortably on US$1,500 per month while enjoying beautiful weather and white sand beaches. If beaches are important to you, find out which beach destinations are Zika-free.

Near the border to Costa Rica, San Juan Del Sur is an affordable option for Canadian snowbirds with a penchant for beachside living. And affordability? One couple who retired there peg their monthly living expenses at just US$1,000 per month.

Known for its mild climate and affordable cost of living, the mountain town of Tlaxcala is far from the cartel-related problems that we associate with Mexico, and also boasts a rich cultural scene. While you're not near the beach, the mountain views are spectacular, as is the colonial architecture.

Costa Rica remains one of the top retiree destinations for Canadian snowbirds due to its affordability, spectacular weather and stunning beauty. For those who like the feel of sand between their toes, the funky beach town of Tamarindo has plenty to offer, with plenty of modern amenities in a laid-back atmosphere.