British expats looking to move overseas might be dreaming of spending retirement on a beach with crystal clear waters. International Living has now named the best island in the world for retired expats.
The best island in the world for expats to retire to is the beautiful Mediterranean country of Malta.
The tiny island is a top tourist destination for British tourists and it’s not hard to see why Britons are drawn to its shores.
Malta has an incredible 300 days of sunshine a year, so retired expats are likely to be able to spend many days at one of the island’s stunning beaches.
Keeping fit in old age is simple on Malta as the island has many breathtaking coastal walks for hiking.
READ MORE: Spain: UK tourist cancel thousands of reservations
Malta is also home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites including the charming capital city of Valletta.
Built in 1563, Valletta has hundreds of historic monuments for expats to explore as well as a wide range of restaurants.
The Mediterranean diet is often regarded as one of the world’s healthiest. Expats looking to avoid any bad effects of old age will be able to benefit from the island’s fresh fish and vegetables.
The island is also home to seven Megalithic temples which date back as far as the Bronze Age.
DON’T MISS
Malta’s waterfront Spinola Bay is extremely popular with international tourists. One tourist said on Tripadvisor: “Lovely walk around the bay that is dotted with good quality restaurants. Water is crystal clear.”
According to research from International Living, a retired expat couple can live comfortably on £1,962 per month.
The island is very walkable and has a good transport system so retirees can manage without needing a car.
Malta’s healthcare is globally renowned and the WHO ranked the island’s health services as the fifth best in the world.
The second best island destination for retirees was the paradise destination of Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic islands.
Mallorca enjoys a warm climate for most of the year and has some of the world’s best beaches.
Property prices vary across the island but retired expats who are willing to live further away from the touristic areas could pick up a bargain.
Budget flights from the UK to Mallorca are very frequent and reasonably priced so expats will be able to visit family easily.
The third best island destination for expat retirees was Penang, a stunning hotspot off the coast of Malaysia.
According to International Living, an expat retired couple can live a life of luxury in Penang for less than £1,887 per month.
Penang is known for delicious food and a buzzing cultural scene. Many local residents speak English which should help British expats to settle in easily.
Top island destinations for retired expats (InternationalLiving)
- Malta
- Mallorca
- Penang
- Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Ireland
- Roatan,Honduras
- Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Isla Colon, Panama
- Bali
- Koh Samui, Thailand