International Living released its list of the safest places to retire in 2025, determined by the combined scores from the Global Retirement Index and Global Peace Index. These destinations offer a high level of safety, and notably, every listed spot ranks significantly higher than the U.S. in terms of peace. Executive editor Jennifer Stevens emphasizes the credibility of the list, mentioning that recommendations come from correspondents with firsthand experience. Notably, Portugal is highlighted as a leading choice due to its low violent crime rates.
"When readers ask about safety abroad, the answer is almost always 'yes, it's safe'-if you choose the right place," Jennifer Stevens, the executive editor of International Living, shared.
"Our international correspondents and regular contributors live in and regularly visit the places we recommend. If we don't feel a place is safe for a 'regular person' to go about their 'regular life' day-to-day, then we don't recommend that place," says Stevens.
"Violent crime is virtually unheard of," Terry Coles, who has lived in Portugal for seven years, shared in International Living's report.
Every single one of these destinations ranks (much) higher than the U.S. in the Global Peace Index, which ranked all the way down at No. 132 in the 2024 rankings.
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