1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Yes, it became an expat haven nearly a half-century ago, and it’s more expensive than it used to be. Still, having been there twice in the past couple years, I’m not sure I’ve met more 50+ folks being reinspired by their new habitat, both culturally and artistically.
2. Marrakech, Morocco. You can check a lot of boxes living here. Learn French and Arabic. Live on the African continent. And still, be just a 3+ hour flight away from Paris. Stay healthy as it’s a walker’s delight of a city. You can experience an aesthetically rich, ancient culture and a growing expat community from all over the world.
3. Georgetown, Malaysia. One of the best-preserved old cities in Asia, this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site is so full of soul it will fill your soul. Best of all, you’re not far from the palm-fringed sandy beaches and a backdrop of lush rainforest—also, great food for almost no money.
4. Medellin, Colombia. Forget its drug-lord past and enjoy the perfect spring-like weather all year. There’s a vibrant entrepreneurial community here to get you reinspired and offer you some mentorship opportunities. Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, so it’s a great country to roam. It may also have the best-looking people on the planet. The World Health Organization ranks Colombia’s health system above Canada and the U.S.
5. Valletta, Malta. The three-island, 122-square-mile nation of Malta, with a population of just over 400,000 people, is an affordable paradise in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a safe and stable place with a high standard of living and impressive health care. As a bonus, English is almost universally spoken.
6. Penestanan, Bali, Indonesia. If you want to reinspire yourself spiritually, this island offers so much. Surrounded by lush green rice paddies and close enough to Ubud to experience some of the city culture, Penestanan is a popular, health-oriented ex-pat neighborhood where you can learn how to make jewelry or balance your chakras.
7. Guanacaste, Costa Rica. While there are numerous spots that ex-pats are finding in this stable democracy and peace-loving culture, this is the warmest and driest part of the country. Considered the “Switzerland of Central America,” it is known for its safety and neutrality and, of course, its tropical and adventure sports offerings.
8. Occitanie, France. The quintessential French country village, Saint-Chinian, feels like it comes straight out of a storybook, and it’s much less expensive than Provence and the Côte d’Azur. It’s also centrally located. You could go to Spain for lunch or jump on a train to Paris for dinner.
9. Porto, Portugal. Sizable expat population and friendly locals. Portugal is the second least expensive country in Europe, the fourth-safest country in the world (Global Peace Index), and offers a climate, beauty and culture that is attracting more and more folks over 50.
10. El Pescadero, Mexico. My new hometown is equidistant from Cabo and La Paz, but feels wholly different, partly due to its farmland and tropical habitat, which isn’t typical for southern Baja. Phenomenal food culture, pristine nature and adventure sports, and a spiritually curious ex-pat community (including a Buddhist enlightenment stupa on a local farm that will open in the next year) make this tiny Todos Santos suburb a new hotspot.

Where will you go to reinspire?