3 Best Safe Budget Countries to Retire Overseas

Chun, a Malaysian travel enthusiast, shares her experiences traveling the world before and after meeting Dan. She recommends Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, as safe and budget-friendly retirement destinations due to their low cost of living, accessible healthcare, and English proficiency. Traveling is exciting and challenging but rewarding as it provides a deeper understanding of the world beyond online portrayals.

Chun's Travel Journey

• 00:00:00 Chun, from Malaysia, began dreaming of traveling the world at 14-15 years old, inspired by travel media. She had traveled to 11 countries before meeting Dan, including Southeast Asian nations, Korea, China, Iran, and some European countries. Her travels involved work as a runway model, holidays, and meeting friends.

Travel Experience

• 00:02:23 Chun's initial travels were exciting and slightly daunting due to language barriers, yet fascinating due to cultural differences. She found humor in how word meanings can differ across cultures. Her experiences since traveling with Dan have included 37 countries across various continents.

Favorite Travel Destinations

• 00:03:56 Chun's favorite region is South America, especially Peru and Guatemala, as it felt like stepping back in time, particularly with the indigenous communities. Her second favorite region is Europe, due to the different food choices, healthy options, and the unique cultural experience, particularly enjoying coffee in outdoor cafes in the winter.

Southeast Asia as Safe and Budget-Friendly

• 00:05:22 Chun considers Southeast Asia the safest region for travel, finding it easier and safer compared to Latin America and Europe. She recommends Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia as the cheapest countries to retire in, citing their low cost of living, good hospitals, and English proficiency making it easy to communicate.

Tips for Aspiring Travelers

• 00:09:21 Chun advises aspiring travelers to find online work to support their expenses. She also suggests using various online tools to research accommodation, transportation, and activities in their destinations. Traveling requires research and planning, and common sense is essential for safety.