Hungary named one of the world’s best places to retire

No matter how much you love your job, most people can’t wait to wave goodbye to office politics, workday stresses and hellish commutes, particularly when the alternative offers endless days of sunshine, delicious cuisine, exploration and adventure. But people are no longer waiting until they get to their late sixties to make the most of life. In recent years the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) has gained real momentum.

According to this approach, extreme saving and investment could mean retiring in your forties or even late thirties. To do so, the formula emphasises saving as much of your income as possible, living exceptionally frugally and paying off all your debt. But once you’ve managed this, where should you live? We’ve rounded up 50 of the best places in the world to retire.

To compile this list, we’ve rated the cost of living, quality of life, ease of getting a visa or residency permit, and restaurant and rent prices. We’ve also taken into consideration good weather, healthcare, hospitality, language barriers and the range of things to do. To make the cut, we’ve been ruthless with ensuring that destinations must offer a good mixture of everything. So, if quality of lifestyle is rocket high but the chances of getting a visa or residency permit are slim, it won’t make the list. Ready to retire early? It’s time to pack those bags.

Read alsoCan you guess the 3 favourite dishes of Hungarians?

Budapest by autumn. Photo: pixabay.com

Hungary is seventh on the list

Hungary might not be as cheap as it was a decade ago, but compared to most of Europe the prices are staggeringly low. In fact, according to our index, the cost of eating out in Hungary is the second lowest in Europe. Quality of life is good too (137.15) and it’s relatively easy to get hold of a visa or residency permit. Most retirees choose to live in historic Budapest, around Lake Balaton or in a small charming city like Egér or Pécs. Healthcare is good, but dental care is even better.

A night in Budapest. Photo: pixabay

Slovenia is first

Historically, Slovenia has been skipped over in favour of Italy, Austria and Croatia, but in the past few years this fairytale setting has slowly seeped into our consciousness. Now, it’s the best place in the world to retire, and it’s not difficult to see why. Between its endless forests, alpine villages and colourful capital, there’s plenty to keep retirees occupied. Expats can enjoy a relatively low cost of living (47) and a high quality of life(169.04). Visa and residency permit barriers are low too. Plus, English is widely spoken and temperatures are mild, with sunny summers and cosy winters. Pack your bags!

Check out the full list HERE

Read alsoHungary named the country with the 10th lowest divorce rate across the world

Source: enjoytravel.com