10 Best Places to Retire in Asia

For all of you who are planning an exotic retirement, we bring you the 10 best places to retire in Asia. Asia is a wonderful continent, containing lots of countries and places that are ideal if you want to retire abroad.

There is a bunch of stereotypes about Asian countries, especially among Americans and Europeans. Most people think that in the Middle East every country is involved in some kind of war, that Central Asia countries are filthy and poor and that people in East Asia only eat rice. These are all extreme examples, and they shouldn’t be trusted. Most countries in Asia have a high standard of living and the countries of East Asia (alongside Singapore) are among the most technologically advanced countries in the world.

We know that choosing a place to retire is a major life decision. It gets even harder if you are thinking about choosing a new country to spend the rest of your life. The thrill of trying something new gets confronted with the fear of the unknown. This is why we are here to help you out. We already gave you insights in 10 best places to retire in Africa, now we move to Asia.

To find out the 10 best places to retire in Asia we have decided to use The 2016 Annual Global Retirement report in which countries are ranked separately in 10 different categories that are important to retirees, such as healthcare, buying and renting, visas and residents, costs of living, entertainment and amenities, etc. Among the best countries to retire, 5 were from Asia: Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Using more lists provided from Investopedia, we tracked down 19 best places for retirement in all these countries separately. After that, we decided to make 3 separate rankings of these 19 places according to the cost of living + rent index (taken from Numbeo), average temperatures through the year and rainfall from the wettest month (taken from Holiday Weather). Places that had a low cost of living + rent index, optimal temperature and low rainfall and more physicians got more points. After that we awarded each city with points based on the ranking, summed the points from all rankings into Retirement Score and got what we were looking for.

10. Cebu, Philippines

Retirement Score: 12

Cost of living + rent index: 26,81

Temperature and rainfall: 82,4F (28C), 170mm

Cebu is the oldest city in the Philippines, and was the first capital of the country. Average temperatures in Cebu go from 30°C (85°F) in May to 27°C (81°F) in January. When it comes to the cost of living and rent, Cebu is the most expensive city among the top retirement places in the Philippines.

9. Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Retirement Score: 16

Cost of living + rent index: 25

Temperature and rainfall: 78.8F (27C), 250mm

The only Cambodian city that managed to get his place on our list, Sihanoukville has almost optimal temperatures through the year with moderate rainfall. The city has beautiful beaches and resorts, without being densely inhabited. It has a population of 90,000 and is still to be discovered as a touristic destination.

8. Nha Trang, Vietnam

Retirement Score: 17

Cost of living + rent index: 25

Temperature and rainfall: 78,8F (26C), 240mm

Vietnam is a highly popular retirement destination, and Nha Trang is among the favorite places in the country. Almost ideal temperature through the year and little rain are a guarantee that you will enjoy your retirement days. Like in most Vietnamese cities, the cost of living and rent is affordable.

7. Dumaguete, Philippines

Retirement Score: 18

Cost of living + rent index: 24

Temperature and rainfall: 82,4F (28C), 130mm

It can be sometimes hot in Dumaguete, but at least rainfall is quite right. Nicknamed The City of Gentle People, Dumaguete is something of an educational center of the Philippines. Recently, the city is becoming quite of a touristic attraction, especially among Europeans.

6. George Town, Malaysia

Retirement Score: 18

Cost of living + rent index: 24,48

Temperature and rainfall: 78,8F (26C), 375mm

Malaysia managed to get a place on our list of 10 best places to retire in Asia with a cheap version of Kuala Lumpur. Unlike Malaysia’s capital, George Town has a significantly cheaper cost of living and rent, while still offering a unique experience. The city is also known as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City.

5. Da Lat, Vietnam

Retirement Score: 19

Cost of living + rent index: 22,5

Temperature and rainfall: 82,4F (28C), 555mm

If you don’t mind more rain and mist than you are used to, Da Lat is a warm recommendation for your retirement pick. It is known as a city of eternal spring and according to our source, Da Lat is the second cheapest city on our list.

4. Baguio, Philippines

Retirement Score: 20

Cost of living + rent index: 21,85

Temperature and rainfall: 68F (20), 650mm

After the second cheapest, we present you the cheapest city. If budget plays an important part in your pick, then Baguio will fit in just right. This is of course if you don’t mind the low temperatures and high rainfall that span across the entire year.

3. Da Nang, Vietnam

Retirement Score: 20

Cost of living + rent index: 24

Temperature and rainfall: 78,8F (26C), 550mm

The only thing that ruins the whole ideal picture of Da Nang could be the rain from September through March, but Da Nang usually has the right climate. Average temperatures don’t tend to go too low or too high, and the city has a lot to offer being an important touristic destination.

2. Krabi, Thailand

Retirement Score: 23

Cost of living + rent index: 22

Temperature and rainfall: 84,2F (28C), 298mm

High temperatures and lots of rain characterize almost every city in Thailand. The one thing that sets Krabi apart is the low cost of living and rent. If you are determined to make Thailand your retirement destination, Krabi is your pick.

1. Tagaytay, Philippines

Retirement Score: 21

Cost of living + rent index: 23

Temperature and rainfall: 78,8F (26C), 375mm

It looks like the Philippines dominate our 10 best places to retire in Asia. Tagaytay is a city that offers everything you could ask for an ideal retirement place. The cost of living and rent are more than affordable for anyone’s pocket, with optimal temperature through the whole year and tolerable amounts of rainfall. Tagaytay is also an important touristic destination, due to its outstanding scenery and the cooler climate compared to other cities in the Philippines.