International Master-Planned and Gated Communities
There is something intriguing about life outside of the United States. If you’re looking for a retirement destination or a second home location, international options deserve to be looked into. Though moving anywhere new is an adventure, creating a life in a different country takes that adventure to another level. So, before you jump on the next plane, take a minute to decide if this is what you’re looking for in this next chapter of your life. Learn about what makes international living a great contender so you can make your ideal living dreams come true.
The Allure of International Living
First things first: the destination. With some of the best retirement communities in countries like Mexico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Belize, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica, the draw to an exotic location is sometimes hard to ignore.
- Mexico has beaches, warm weather, and incredible archaeological sites. A low cost of living also makes this a desirable destination.
- The Dominican Republic’s beaches, with its white sands and crystalline waters, are highly regarded. Its tropical climate soothes the soul.
- Panama has its beaches, too, but its cosmopolitan capital and its accepted currency, the US dollar, make it convenient and appealing.
- Belize provides lush jungles and the Caribbean Sea as a backdrop. Explore the ancient ruins and immerse yourself in its rich culture.
- The Bahamas can lure you in with its clear waters, a tropical climate, and its unique attraction of swimming pigs.
- Costa Rica is a stunning natural paradise bustling with wildlife, a warm tropical climate, and other features that make it a relaxing destination.
Why Choose an International Community?
Locales aside, international destinations offer retirement communities with resort living amenities. Amid stunning views, you’ll find golf communities with challenging courses. If you’re looking for different floor plans or home types, master planned communities offer selections to choose from, including homesites, condos, and townhomes. Plus, you have the ability to live comfortably on a budget, thanks to lower cost of living and certain tax-friendliness of some places.
Some Things You’ll Need - and Need to Know
When looking for a retirement or second home location, researching the types of communities and the activities available in the broader areas is important. We all know that we can’t just hop on a plane, land in our chosen location, and automatically call it “home.” There are essential steps to take to ensure you can properly live internationally, and that includes applying for visas. Make sure you’re able to get quality healthcare, too; you may need to think about getting health insurance to cover any medical needs. Other things to take into consideration are weather, safety, and travel.
Research and Explore the Best International Communities
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Click to explore the following International communities. Request information from multiple communities by selecting the checkboxes to the right and completing the form below.
Serenity Beach Resort – Bahamas
Serenity Beach Resort is located 30 minutes south of Marsh Harbour, Abaco in the Bahamas. Serenity Beach is a master-planned luxury resort and residential community featuring private residences, luxury boutique hotels, multiple restaurants, and bars across 120 pristine acres. With almost 3,000 ft of beach frontage on a sugar-white sand bay that is 2 miles long. Dining can be enjoyed beachside at the grill or ridge-top in the clubhouse with our executive chef. All of your activities are hosted by the guides and Serenity Beach team to include Bonefishing, Sailing, Island Hopping, Sunset cruises, Deep-Sea Fishing, Scuba diving, Snorkeling, Swimming with Nurse Sharks, Feeding the swimming pigs, and Nature Hikes.
Mirum Elounda Villas – Greece
Mirum Elounda Villas is an exclusive seafront complex of Mediterranean-style ultra-luxury villas set in a stunning boutique development facing the historical Spinalonga Island.
The villas feature open terraces, panoramic windows, landscaped gardens, and private heated swimming pools. Each villa is designed to take maximum advantage of panoramic sea views. The generously proportioned villas (5-6 bedrooms) sit on large plots of at least 4,000 sq m. All come with generous indoor-outdoor spaces that have a contemporary feel and inviting private pools. Each villa also has a gourmet kitchen, but you can request private chef dinners. Furthermore, the complex has direct access to a private beach and jetty.
Sample the Mediterranean lifestyle by renting one of Mirum Elonda Villas. With a seafront location, exclusive access to amenities and service from 5* Hotel, these rental villas provide you with the luxury vacation of a lifetime.
NYA Costa Rica
Nya brings the beach to you in an innovative 900-hectare community designed to bring everything you love about Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and everything you need to live, work, and play into a master plan designed for the 21st century.
Alongside our beachfront residences, our master plan includes sites for the country’s first crystal lagoon, hotels, a state-of-the-art sports facility, restaurants, retail, entertainment, and free trade zones to be developed during multiple phases.
Nya fuses entertainment with a commitment to sustainability and local culture. Offering the first beachfront condominiums in Liberia, Guanacaste, you can recharge on spectacular white sand beaches and turquoise clear waters powered by Crystal Lagoons®, enjoy exhilarating water sports, discover the beautiful flora and fauna of Guanacaste, and spend a fun evening out with friends and family while just steps from your front door.
Nya is strategically located less than 10 minutes from the Guanacaste International Airport, the best private schools, hospitals, and grocery stores. It is also centrally located between Guanacaste’s pristine beaches, world-class marinas, national parks, and volcanoes.
Aquamar Vilamoura – Portugal
Living and enjoying life in the Southern Region of Portugal – Algarve is a delightful experience that combines the best of both worlds: a relaxed, sun-kissed lifestyle and a vibrant, culturally rich environment. Here’s a description of what it’s like for people who call the Algarve their home:
Nestled along the southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve is a haven for those seeking a life of tranquility and beauty. Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of palm trees and the scent of saltwater in the air. The region’s Mediterranean climate ensures that sunny days are the norm, allowing you to embrace outdoor living throughout the year.
Your days in the Algarve are filled with endless possibilities. You can start by savoring a leisurely breakfast at a seaside café, where the freshly baked pastries are as warm as the smiles from the friendly locals. As the day unfolds, you might choose to explore the stunning coastline, where golden beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, offering a serene backdrop for swimming, surfing, or simply basking in the sun.
For those with a penchant for culture, the Algarve offers a treasure trove of historic towns, each with its own unique charm. Stroll through cobbled streets lined with colorful buildings, discover ancient castles perched on hilltops, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of traditional Portuguese festivals and fado music that resonates with the soul.
Food lovers will find themselves in culinary paradise, with fresh seafood served at quaint beachside shacks and Michelin-starred restaurants alike. The Algarve’s cuisine is a tantalizing blend of flavors, where grilled sardines, succulent octopus, and aromatic cataplana dishes take center stage. And don’t forget to pair your meals with a glass of locally produced wine or a refreshing sip of medronho, the region’s famous firewater.
The Algarve isn’t just about leisure; it’s also about well-being. Spend your afternoons exploring nature reserves, hiking along rugged cliffs, or teeing off on world-class golf courses. The Ria Formosa Natural Park, with its intricate lagoons and birdlife, provides a peaceful escape for those who appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
Montejo Plaza – Mexico
Montejo Plaza is a unique luxury community for retirees and active adults who want to enjoy the year-round sunny weather and everyday hospitality of life on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The garden-style condominium homes and penthouses at Montejo Plaza are available in a choice of four spacious floor plans. The two- and three-bedroom models offer wide balconies with sweeping views and access to the rooftop garden terrace with a pool and lounge. Additional amenities include a complete fitness center and courts for tennis and pickleball.
Montejo Plaza is the area’s only residential community that features its own private beach club, a relaxing oasis on the oceanfront that’s just a 15-minute drive away. The nearby city of Merida is the capitol of the Yucatan state and is considered one of the safest places in Mexico. There you’ll find shopping centers, restaurants, theaters, museums, and top-rated medical facilities, while the surrounding countryside is a nature-lover’s paradise with hiking trails through the lush rainforest.
Request more information below to find out what you need to know about Montejo Plaza on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Lucero Golf & Country Club – Panama
Lucero is a luxury retirement and residential community located in the beautiful highlands along Panama’s Pacific coast. If you’re seeking a more natural lifestyle in a tropical setting with premier amenities, Lucero could be your destination of choice.
The private Lucero Golf & Country Club features the region’s only championship golf course, a spectacular layout by designer Michael Poellot with ocean and mountain views from the bent grass fairways and greens. Additional Lucero clubhouse amenities include fine dining at the Seasons Restaurant, an outdoor deck with lounge surrounding the infinity pool, and a tennis center with clay courts.
Lucero homesites with sweeping views range from half an acre up to 2.4 acres in size. Single-family homes, duplex villas and spacious condominiums are also available. If you want to explore the Lucero lifestyle first, new riverside and fairway villas, as well as unique luxury treehouses, are now offered as rentals with upscale conveniences like high-speed Internet connections.
Best of all for those who want a greener lifestyle, the entire Lucero community has been designed to the highest environmental standards. Minimal tree removal, rainwater collection for irrigation and rooftop solar panels are all part of Lucero’s natural plan. The surrounding countryside is home to traditional farms that produce fruits, vegetables and the area’s signature coffee beans, while the adjacent Amistad National Park is a 500,000-acre protected tropical wilderness with hot springs and world-class hiking trails.
Request more information below and you’ll be taking your first steps on an adventure of a lifetime at Lucero.
The Mayan Garden – Belize
The Mayan Garden is an exclusive retirement community for residents age 50+, located in the English-speaking country of Belize, C.A., a perfect tax haven for retired expats. Our exclusive private community can only accept up to 24 residents to join and live within the 20-acre residential jungle garden property. We are immersed in a natural setting with access to many conveniences and amenities, offering our residents a very comfortable, easy-going yet higher quality of life. Our community is designed to offer residents an independent way of life with many benefits to service and assist in every way possible for enrichment, safety, health, convenience, adventure and relaxation. The Mayan Garden is family-owned with a mission is to Offer Affordable Retirement Housing With a Wholesome Enriching Lifestyle.
The community offers its residents an all-inclusive living rental package that includes their rent, utilities, room furnishing, housekeeping, Concierge, Security, Medical Faculty, Chef-prepared Meals, Classes, Weekly Events, Activities and many more on-site services. Our Amenities include an indoor pool, sauna, hot-tub, yoga studio, gym, and pet friendly walking trails.
Where To Go From Here?
With so many appealing places to land, the choice will be a tough one. But once you’ve narrowed down potential destinations, look at the communities in those locations and make plans to visit by setting up a discovery tour. Once you get a taste of the lifestyle, it’ll be even easier to decide if an international retirement or relocation destination is right for you.