Best Places For Singles To Retire Overseas

Retirement is no longer what it used to be in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to who you'll be spending your golden years with: many post 50s may not be retiring as a married couple.

Whether through gray divorce, never marrying or an unfortunate death, more post 50s and baby boomers are single than previous generations. But that doesn't mean their retirement options have to be limited, according to retirement expert Kathleen Peddicord. Retiring overseas is a viable choice for single retirees looking to mix and mingle in vibrant expat communities, she wrote in an email to Huff/Post50. The best places for singles to retire overseas can offer low cost of living, fun activities and interesting people to spend time with.

But what should single boomers who want to retire abroad look for that's different from couples retiring overseas?

"Couples have each other for activities, company, and support so they can go most anyplace. Singles should look for locations with established expat communities and activities and events to help them integrate and stay active," Peddicord wrote. "Safety is [also] a top concern for single women thinking about retiring overseas."

Connecting with an expatriate community doesn't have to be intimidating either for singles who want to retire overseas.

"Online forums can be a good place to start, a good way to meet new people in the location before visiting or moving," Peddicord told Huff/Post50, "but beware that online forums can attract expats with too much time on their hands looking for a soap box.

"Volunteer groups are a great way to connect on the ground, with both the expat and the local communities," Peddicord continued. "Another good idea is to seek out hobby groups. For example, a friend who has lived in four different countries always finds a runners' group first thing upon arrival in her new home. She likes to run...and enjoys the company of others who like to run, too. Another friend is a musician. He travels everywhere with his guitar. As soon as he arrives in a new place, he asks around for a bar with live music. He shows up with his guitar and chats up the musicians. Inevitably, one thing leads to another...and he's made new friends...and, usually, been invited to play along. If you like to play bridge, play golf, whatever, try to find a group focused on that hobby in the place where you're relocating."

Peddicord gave us five of the best places for singles to retire overseas. Tell us your thoughts in the comments section.