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When it comes time to leave the nine-to-five behind and head off into the sunset (so to speak) you may be at a loss as to what to do with the rest of your life.  You might have plans to travel, start your own small business, volunteer, or spend more time with your family.  But considering that your income is about to become a lot more limited (especially if you lost funds during the recession) you might not have the money to enjoy your retirement the way you had planned.  However, if you find that you’re living in a situation you just can’t afford, there are ways to stretch your retirement dollars.  Here are just a few locales that could offer you the carefree retirement you’re looking for.

1. Nicaragua.  Believe it or not, the Central American country has come a long way in the last couple of decades, cleaning up the drug problems that permeated the world news to create a place that is safe, comfortable, and looking to take in retirees.  As of last year, they implemented a foreign retiree residency program to help international retirees make Nicaragua their home away from home.  Housing prices are realistic (even for beachfront property), the cost of living is low, and the government encourages small business.  For the person looking to retire in style, Nicaragua has a lot to offer.
2. Malaysia.  Although Thailand also has a lot to offer foreigners looking to retire (with low prices on everything from housing to food to services), Malaysia goes the extra mile by making it extremely easy for retirees to gain legal residency status, something that many Asian nations are not too keen to offer.
3. The south of France.  Although Paris is not the cheapest place in the world to retire (not by a long shot), there are regions in France, especially in the scenic southern portion, where retirement on a budget is possible.  Whereas you can expect to pay upwards of $2,000 a month for an apartment in Paris, you could buy a house in southern France for less than $100,000 (a lot less, in some cases).  You will also enjoy the laid back atmosphere of rural living, tons of outdoor activities, and of course, incredible health care, which is not only offered to citizens, but foreign retirees, as well.
4. Florida.  It may be cliché, but if you’re looking to retire in the U.S. you could do worse than the southernmost continental state.  The weather is undeniably hot and humid throughout much of the year, but you won’t ever have to deal with cold winter storms again.  And the fact that there is no state income tax is a bonus if you plan to use your extra time to start your own business.
5. Right where you are.  You don’t need a regional directory to tell you that the place you currently reside is awesome!  If you own a home and you can afford to continue living there (even on a truncated retirement income) then there’s really no reason to uproot your entire life (especially since this is a terrible time to sell a home).  Remain close to friends, family, and an area that you are intimately familiar with.  If you’re content, there’s no reason to move upon retirement.