5. Crete, Greece
The biggest island in Greece and the fifth biggest in the Mediterranean, Crete offers more lifestyle options than your typical island… from cities like Chania and Heraklion to pristine wilderness, charming beach towns to snow-capped mountains, and ancient olive groves to mountain villages.
Crete is an affordable place to live, and because the island is so big, there’s enough room for budget flexibility. Outside of the cities, rent can be as little as $500 per month.
Around the main population zones, locals speak English at a passable level and there are expat communities spread out across the island with the biggest found in Chania and Heraklion. While most expats are older folks from the U.K. and Germany, there’s also a fairly large community of American expats here because of the U.S. naval base in Souda Bay, made up of 350 commissioned and enlisted personnel.
Greece offers several paths to residency. The residence permit that most retirees use to live here long-term is an independent means visa called the Financially Independent Person (FIP) Permit. The basic requirement to qualify is showing that you receive €3,500 (about $4k) per month. This residency permit is available for two years and is renewable.
4. Gascony, France
The historical capital of Gascony, Auch, is about a seven-hour drive south from Paris. “Nestled in the sedate southwestern corner of France, between Bordeaux and the Pyrenees and close to the Spanish border, this safe and peaceful region is a true hidden gem,” write the editors at Live and Invest Overseas.
A studio apartment in the region can be rented for under $500 a month or a house with a garden for around $800. You can dine out at a local bistro for around $30 for three courses and a drink.
Crime is exceptionally low across the board—far below national and urban French averages. Violent incidents are rare and petty crime is declining regionally. “Simply put, Gascony is one of France’s safest rural regions and it’s highly unlikely that crime would affect your life living here,” the editors write.
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