Low costs… great weather… excellent healthcare for a steal. There are lots of benefits to giving overseas living a try.

But what if you haven’t decided yet which overseas retirement haven you prefer? Or you don’t even know yet if this go-abroad strategy is for you?

Thinking of Retiring Overseas? Try Before You Buy!

The great news is that retiring overseas doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing game. You don’t have to move to a new country forever. With fights around the world becoming more frequent (and cheaper), testing the waters for your overseas retirement is now easier than ever.

The kicker? You can test-drive overseas living (for a month… or three… or six) for less than it costs you to live at home: As little as $1,500 a month for a couple, all in.

Today, I’d like to share 2 amazing getaway locations that you can test drive for less than you think. Then, when you’re ready, you can check out our FREE report that has even more details about these top 5 travel destinations (from which you may never return!)

In this report, we’ve pinpointed the 5 best places for you to test-drive your retirement overseas. From beach towns to idyllic lake-side retreats… from close-knit mountain communities to metropolises bustling with culture… we’ve got them all covered here.

You can get your copy FREE right here and see all of our top 5 getaway locations

Let’s Talk About What Makes an Amazing Getaway Location

Our featured getaway locations all share one thing in common: They’re easy. Easy for you to call home—for however long you want. In all five, you’ll find affordable short-term rentals (as little as $500 a month).

Each of these havens has an established expat presence. So not only will it be easy for you to meet and make friends, but you’ll have no problem finding fellow English-speakers.

We’ve selected places where the climate is great (think 60s F all the way up to the 90s F) throughout the year. Places where you can enjoy rounds of golf, take your boat out on the lake, hike through cloud forests, or stroll on the sparkling sands of a tropical beach.

Excellent healthcare, if not in the town or city itself, is (at most) 90 minutes away by car – and always more affordable than the U.S.

No need to worry about insurance; if you have to pay the doctor a visit, you can just pay out of pocket while you’re there.

So, where are these amazing locations? Let me give you a couple of examples!

Relax in Lake Chapala, Mexico

The area around Lake Chapala, in Mexico, has the “perfect climate”—not too hot, not too cold. That’s thanks to the cooling breezes that drift across the lake itself, as well as the latitude (about the same as Hawaii) and elevation (about 5,000 feet).

January is the coolest month, with temperatures ranging from about 50 F at night to about 70 F or more in the daytime. May is the warmest, with highs typically in the mid- to upper-80s F and lows of about 60 F.

Easily accessible from the U.S. and Canada, this affordable getaway location features stunning views, vibrant wildlife and plenty of activities for the active (and not-so-active) among us.

So, how much does life on one of the most spectacular lakes in the world cost? Would it surprise you to find out that it is possible to live around Lake Chapala for $1,500 to $2,500 per month? No, this isn’t just the cost of rent… this is what retirees like you are spending – all in – to enjoy life in paradise.

Find out more about Lake Chapala and our 4 other top affordable getaways in our free report.

Enjoy Life in Jaco, Costa Rica

All of the places we’ve selected have a great climate (think 60s F all the way up to the 90s F) climate throughout the year. Places where you can enjoy rounds of golf, take your boat out on the lake, hike through cloud forests, or stroll on the sparkling sands of a tropical beach.

One such town is Jaco, Costa Rica. Jacó’s short distance from the capital, San José, is really what sets it apart from other beach towns and creates an intriguing blend of local culture, tourist activity, and a diverse expat community. If there is a beach town for testing the expat waters, this is it.

But, Jaco is far more than just a nice place to relax in the sun… by day, you can explore the local cultural hotspots and restaurants and, by night, you can lace up your dancing shoes and sample Jaco’s vibrant night life.

There’s also a large enough expat community in Jacó to allow you to meet like-minded types. “There are several pet groups, walking groups, and other organizations to be a part of,” says one expat, Pat. “It’s easy to meet people and blend right in.”

Find out more about Jacó and our 4 other top affordable getaways in our free report.

I hope that you found this sneak peek into 2 of our top 5 affordable getaway locations useful! Please check out the full report and let us know if you have any questions!

You can get your copy FREE right here and see all of our top 5 getaway locations

Which cities or countries around the world would you consider retiring in? Are there any places that you would like to take for a “test drive?”

Jennifer Stevens is the Executive Editor of International Living, a publication that has—since 1979—been showing folks like you how to retire earlier, better, and more affordably abroad. You don’t have to be well-heeled to travel and live like you are…you simply need to know the shortcuts.