- - 6 Cities Where You Can Retire in Great Weather for $1,500 a Month

Jake SafaneFebruary 1, 2026 at 4:08 AM

0

Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com

Nearly half of retirees feel like they didn’t save as much as they need for retirement, according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Yet even if you didn’t save as much as you hoped, you may still be able to live a very comfortable retirement if you’re willing to move.

In particular, if you move outside the U.S., there are lots of beautiful places where you can enjoy great weather and communities on a $1,500 monthly budget, whether you’re retiring alone or with a partner. Note, however, that some countries have visa requirements based on proving you have the resources for a higher monthly income, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend that much once you’re there.

With that in mind, some of the best places to retire with this budget.

Cuenca, Ecuador

This charming city is located high up in the Andes Mountains, with cobblestone streets in the city center and a thriving arts community. In addition to being a lovely place to retire, it’s also very affordable.

“A retired couple in Cuenca can cover housing, food, and private healthcare on $1,500 per month or less. Cuenca reminds me of Lisbon on a budget, and using the U.S. dollar means not having to worry about exchange rates. Plus, Cuenca’s weather is basically a perfect 70 degrees Fahrenheit year-round,” said Jen Barnett, co-founder at Expatsi, which helps U.S. citizens find places to live abroad.

Read More: Retirement Net Worth: How Your Savings Compare to the Average Retiree

Find Out: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home

Campeche, Mexico

Campeche is a historic port city that has beautiful pastel-colored Colonial buildings and well-preserved walls built to fortify the city against pirate attacks in the mid-17th century. It’s also a great option for retirees on tighter budgets.

“This town is less expensive than nearby Mérida, but shares its renowned safety stats, colonial architecture, and Gulf coastline. You’ll rarely see a cloudy day in Campeche, but be prepared for the spring and summer heat, with daily temps in the 90s. A couple can live here on as little as $1,200 [per] month and spend days playing golf, fishing, enjoying white sand beaches, or sampling local cuisine,” said Barnett.

David, Panama

There are several affordable places to retire in Panama, but David, a city in the western part of the country, stands out as one of the top picks.

“Panama is popular with retirees for the laid-back lifestyle and friendly visa programs,” said Barnett.

“Many have settled in nearby Boquete, which has caused the cost of living to increase there, but you can save here in David while having better access to shopping, dining, and healthcare. Temps stay in the 80s nearly year-round,” said Barnett.

Sarandë, Albania

While many affordable retirement spots are in Central America, it’s also possible to find some places to live in Europe for $1,500 per month.

For example, Sarandë, also called Saranda, “is just across the water from Corfu, Greece, but you can live here for much less. Lock in an annual rental to avoid seasonal spikes, and enjoy [the] beautiful coastline with four distinct seasons and the region’s famous Mediterranean cuisine,” said Barnett.

Kalamata, Greece

While some areas of Greece are a bit pricey for retirees, the seaside city of Kalamata on the Peloponnese peninsula is a great budget-friendly place to consider.

In particular, Kalamata and the broader Peloponnes region have “all the key factors that international retirees often look for: A mix of city access, with all the amenities that one may need, and semi-rural areas, guaranteeing privacy, relaxation, and access to beautiful villas,” said Federica Grazi, founder and managing director at Mitos Relocation Solutions, which helps retirees move abroad.

She also noted that the area has strong infrastructure, with “year-round access to services, unlike many tourist islands that quiet down in the winter, as well as high-quality public and private health care. All of this can be accessed for less than $1,500 a month. A three-bedroom apartment in the city center averages about $750, and a delicious, healthy Greek meal costs around $25 per person.”

Brindisi, Italy

Italy also tends to have a great Mediterranean climate like Greece, and there are many parts of Southern Italy in particular that are warm and accessible for retiring abroad, said Grazi.

For example, a three-bedroom apartment in Brindisi averages about $800 a month, providing access to gems such as Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Lecce and Otranto, she noted.

Other financial incentives also make this area a great place for budget-friendly retirement, while providing a great lifestyle.

For instance, “Italy allows expats to register with the public healthcare system for a yearly fee of approximately $2,500, with no age restrictions, which is a good option to consider for those that are not eligible for or want to save on more expensive private healthcare policies,” said Grazi.

More From GOBankingRates

Mark Cuban Warns 4 Key Industries Could Crumble in the Next Recession

How Much Groceries Cost Americans 10 Years Ago vs. Today

How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires -- and How You Can, Too

6 Safe Accounts Proven to Grow Your Money Up to 13x Faster

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Cities Where You Can Retire in Great Weather for $1,500 a Month

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Money”