Budget. It'a all about the budget.

We are some (8) years away from a semi retirement life. I have ~ million air miles and been to many places outside the US. I have zero interest in buying and for all the reasons posted above plan to rent in different countries 1 year at a time. IMO 6 months does not afford enough time to learn the area. That said I am experienced enough to not start with a loser city/locale. I love the prices, food, and people of many South East Asian countries but would not consider even renting there. Like Hugh I can't do humidity and TBH I don't have much confidence in the structure. An important consideration as a senior. Been all over Europe and would not hesitate to rent there...love me some Bavaria and Southern countries. Going to checkout Belize for diving. Maybe a condo. Much love for Aruba and Bonare.

I will be in Bali late July this year. We hope to be acclimated to this humidity hell after 5 weeks in Beijing as well as some parts of southern China and Hong Kong where the humidity will be intense. I think Bali will really kick our butts. Will report back

Gonna get lots-o-btiching from wife and kids about the heat

i'm actually thinking about some beach community in Taiwan. minimum humidity. my retirement money will go far as eff. my wife has dual citizenship. the government will assign in-home assistance to us when my hands cant reach my ass.

couple that with a small condo in a nice community here in the States. maybe up in Oregon?

come back here for dental work and to practice my English :). go there to point at food items on a menu and practice my broken ass mandarin.

Vash,
We have some nice places that are cheap: Medford, Prineville, Forest Grove, Corvallis come to mind. Come on up!

I have had a passing thought on Puerto Rico, but the infrastructure and crime problems kind of put a damper on that. Same issues with Belize. YMMV, I am far from an expert on either country.

Another thing to consider in Australia's East Coast. You don't have to be in big ole Sydney. there are lots of fantastic towns along the coast within driving distance to the big smoke.

New Zealand's north is very nice, slightly more complicated than Australia, and you don't want to end up in Auckland. Traffic, other drama.

NZ's Queenstown and the surrounding areas are very nice. Lots to do.

Your USD buys about a dollar fifty Australian or Kiwi and the standard of living is much the same.

Wait a minute.............
 

A Californian calling some other place "freaky"? Come on now!