15 Countries Where You Can Live Comfortably on Social Security

As one of the most popular countries in Europe, (not to mention the capital of high fashion), it may seem counterintuitive that France would be a budget-friendly place to retire. But according to the annual Global Retirement Index, there’s a case to be made here. “France has all the ingredients we look for at International Living,” according to the annual report. “Good food, good wine, haute couture, a good climate, unspoiled countryside, glittering culture, excellent health care, colorful traditions and history, and, as a bonus, the glamour and sophistication of Paris — arguably the world’s most bewitching capital.” But let’s talk dollars and cents. While you’ll find the cost of things like electricity, cable TV, and water bills similar to the United States, other costs are far less, says International Living. Outside of Paris and the Alps, the report says, housing costs are about 34 percent lower than in the U.S. International Living recommends sunny Montpellier, the fastest-growing city in France, and the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda, newly popular among North American retirees.

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