If you’re headed for retirement soon, there are a few international destinations to consider that may not be on your radar just yet.
In late 2024, International Living, a website helping expats live their best lives abroad, shared its annual list of the six up-and-coming retirement regions to watch in 2025. It created the list by asking its massive network of contributors to scout the best hidden gem locations that are “poised today to gain international recognition in the years to come and worth your attention in 2025.” It added that the six destinations “offer all the essentials—friendly communities, comfortable climates, and excellent value—but with the added appeal of being ahead of the curve.”
On that list was the Peloponnese region in Greece.
Located along the southern end of Greece’s mainland, the Peloponnese is the perfect mix of coastal elegance and city charm. It provides easy access to the nation’s capital of Athens, which is just a quick two-hour drive as well as plenty of beaches along the Mediterranean.
“Covering approximately 8,320 square miles—slightly smaller than Massachusetts—the Peloponnese is divided into seven major regions: Achaia (north), Corinthia (northeast), Argolis (east), Arcadia (center), Laconia (southeast), Messenia (southwest), and Elis (west),” International Living contributor Lynn Roulo explained. “It is particularly famous for its ‘three legs,’ or peninsulas, each with its own character and landscape.”
In the Peloponnese, you’ll find plenty of Greece’s famed ancient sites, like Epidaurus and Mycenae, mixed in with quaint villages and sandy beaches galore (including the luxurious Costa Navarino beach community). And while its rugged charms remain, it’s a destination that’s certainly on the rise.
So, what makes the Peloponnese such a compelling place to retire? Its cost of living is more affordable compared to other European destinations. International Living noted that expats can live comfortably on less than $2,500 per month, depending on their lifestyle. For example, in Kalamata, the second most populous city in the region, an expat could rent a 750-square-foot apartment for as low as $530 per month. According to International Living, in smaller communities, that number can drop to $320.
However, the area’s best feature is the more than 1,200 miles of coastline, including Blue Flag beaches, which are highlighted for their sustainable efforts.
“Despite not being an island, its picturesque beaches and seaside villages rival those of Greece’s most famous island destinations,” International Living added.
Other destinations that made International Living’s list of up-and-coming retirement destinations are The Azuero Peninsula in Panama, the southern coast of Spain, Montenegro, Northern Portugal, and the southern region of Costa Rica.
You can read more about each of these places on internationalliving.com.
