10 Best Places for Gays to Retire
Vacationer contributor Jon Bailey and his husband Triton Klugh are 2 Dads with Baggage, and they’ve rounded up a list of some of the best places for LGBTQ+ folx to retire.
As the new year begins, it’s always a good time for reflection. My husband Triton and I talk about the things we’d like to do differently, and changes we’d like to make in the coming year. As you get older, the conversation sometimes focuses on the exciting light at the end of the tunnel – retirement. We certainly don’t intend for life to stop because there are no plans to sit on a couch all day, napping as we wait for our early bird dinner. In today’s world people are staying active well into their 80s, and we intend to do the same. However, we may plan to do it all from a more exotic location.
Lately, we’ve been thinking a lot about retirement. Perhaps there’s a tiny bit of daydreaming going on, but in reality, we have started researching in earnest. We’ve asked friends, googled until our fingers were cramped, accessed numerous expat message boards, and traveled multiple times to our favorite spots. With so many LGBTQ+-friendly options for retirement, we decided to compile a list of destinations around the world that welcome queer retirees.
Methodology for Choosing Our 10 Places to Retire
Triton and I have been together for 27 years, so we’ve come to some agreement on our ideal place to retire. With a few exceptions, we’re in sync on our habits, likes/dislikes, and priorities. We did our research and made a list of possible locations for our retirement, ranking them according to seven primary factors we felt were most important to selecting a city.
The 7 Primary Factors
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
The city we choose has to be open and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community with a sizable group of people like us for social interaction, activities, and support.
Culture
The city must have an interesting, vibrant cultural scene that includes performing arts, museums, and local events which will facilitate connections in the community, providing transplants the chance to mingle with like-minded locals.
Affordability
Find a destination within a country where the U.S. dollar is worth more than the local currency, which would allow you to afford more. Housing and necessities can add up when living on a fixed income, so expensive cities like Singapore or Zurich may not be a viable option.
Healthcare
When considering a new location or country, we have to prioritize the quality and cost of the local healthcare, medical expertise, and hospital systems as we head into our gay golden years.
Accessibility
The location should be easy to get to from a major airport or transportation hub, to ease the hassle of traveling to see family and friends and vice versa. Ideally, we’d like to live in a central location within a walkable town rather than live outside of a city or town.
Weather
For us, weather is an important factor in our happiness when choosing a destination. We want to live in a temperate climate where it’s not too hot, cold, or humid – all factors to consider for energy costs and ease of living.
English Spoken
Although we’re excited to work on our language skills, it feels important to find English-speaking locals to help ease us into our newfound home. Other retirees and expats who speak English are a plus!
Based on the seven key guidelines listed above, we created a point system to rank each destination. We rated these factors on a scale from 1 to 5 with 5 as the best rating. The maximum number of points for any place on the list is 35. So, after a ton of research, without further ado, we’re revealing our ranking of the Top 10 best places to retire that will hopefully inspire other LGBTQ+ folx to consider these welcoming destinations as their new home.
2 Dads with Baggage’s 10 Best Places to Retire in 2024
10. Cartagena, Colombia
Perhaps a surprise entry, Cartagena is becoming a new hotspot for retirees looking for a colorful, exciting, and exotic locale to call home. This city wins big on affordability with an average cost of living estimated at less than $1,500 per month for two. This seaside enclave and its LGBTQIA+-friendly neighborhood, Getsemani, has become a welcoming destination replete with charm, beauty, and interesting historical landmarks. Of course, the tropical climate and gorgeous beaches are additional reasons for retiring here.
Point Total: 25
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (4)
Local Culture (3)
Affordability (5)
Healthcare (4)
Accessibility (3)
English Spoken (3)
Weather (3)
9. San Jose, Costa Rica
With its pura vida vibe and dedication to environmental sustainability, Costa Rica is one of the most popular places for migrating Americans right now. San Jose, its progressive capital city, offers a worldly mix of culture, cuisine, and nightlife. San Jose is the center of commerce for the country, a distinction that attracts international visitors, sophisticated cultural institutions, and advanced educational opportunities, including multiple universities that bring the energy and excitement of a college town. It’s also a friendly place where it’s common to pass by locals on the street and be greeted with a smile and a warm ‘hola’ or ‘hello’.
We found that San Jose is affordable, especially if you want to rent an apartment in a nice area, which is an average of $600 per month for 900 square feet. As with any country where English is not the native tongue, we recommend learning Spanish to help ease your way into this lovely and approachable city.
Point Total: 26
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (4)
Local Culture (4)
Affordability (5)
Healthcare (3)
Accessibility (4)
English Spoken (3)
Weather (3)
8. Nice, France
Visitors from all over the world are attracted to the South of France’s romantically inviting vibe, sundrenched beaches, warmly lit vistas, and picturesque hamlets. LGBTQ+ retirees will enjoy the live-and-let-live approach to life in Nice. The city’s beachfront location and cosmopolitan sophistication make it the most culturally diverse area in this region, where a wide range of languages are spoken, and non-French visitors are common. However, Nice ranks lower on the affordability index because it is a popular place to live and retire, with an average cost of living of $3,000 per month.
Point Total: 27 (tie)
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (4)
Local Culture (4)
Affordability (3)
Healthcare (4)
Accessibility (4)
English Spoken (4)
Weather (4)
7. Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Scottsdale has been attracting more wealthy visitors and retirees recently, despite its fairly high cost of living, which is 13% higher than the national average. If you can afford to move to Scottsdale, it has all the makings of an ideal retirement lifestyle and a bustling LGBTQIA+ community when combined with its next-door neighbor, Phoenix. Championship golf courses, world-class shopping and dining, and a healthy outdoor lifestyle continue to beckon those who love the warm Arizona sun. Healthcare options are extremely good in this area, with world-class hospitals and medical groups that consistently rank high in terms of quality care.
Point Total: 27 (tie)
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (4)
Local Culture (4)
Affordability (2)
Healthcare (5)
Accessibility (4)
English Spoken (5)
Weather (3)
6. Merida, Mexico
Ranked as the safest city in Mexico by CEO World Magazine for several years, Merida is attracting LGBTQIA+ retirees because of the city’s heritage, charm, and lively community of expats. Located in the jungles of Yucatan, where it can be hot and humid, Merida is a walkable city that features a sophisticated art scene and has a welcoming and accepting vibe that includes more than 20 LGBTQ+-friendly-friendly bars, restaurants, and businesses.
In general, most of Latin America is more affordable than most of the US. Merida’s cost of living is approximately $1,800 per month including a nice three-bedroom apartment downtown. The city is known for its good healthcare options including highly-rated doctors and hospitals. The benefit of joining the national healthcare system here is the low costs and expenses.
Point Total: 28
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (4)
Local Culture (4)
Affordability (5)
Healthcare (4)
Accessibility (4)
English Spoken (4)
Weather (3)
5. Sitges, Spain
A popular gay vacation destination, Sitges attracts LGBTQ+ visitors who enjoy a coastal beach town with a diverse community. American and British retirees choose Sitges as their new home because of its moderate climate and its proximity to bustling Barcelona. A walkable city, Sitges has a laid-back, relaxed feel and an energetic party vibe that attracts a steady stream of LGBTQ+ visitors throughout the year, especially in the summer.
During the town’s shoulder tourist season, it’s usually quieter and it’s also in a great location to explore nearby towns. Spend a day or more immersed in Barcelona’s culture and culinary experiences – all just a 40-minute train ride away. The cost of living here is higher than some, but retirees with a resident visa can live comfortably with access to free healthcare.
Point Total: 29
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (5)
Local Culture (4)
Affordability (4)
Healthcare (4)
Accessibility (4)
English Spoken (4)
Weather (4)
4. Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Montreal has an allure that some queer folx easily overlook because of its chilly winters. However, retirees can navigate the cold temps via the city’s more than 20 miles of underground tunnels and walkways. Montreal has an array of cultural options that make it an appealing destination, including world-class museums, state-of-the-art performing arts venues, and public art literally everywhere. The culinary scene here is also off the charts, perhaps due to the diverse people from a variety of cultures who call this city home.
Although not as affordable as some other international locations, Montreal makes up for its average living expenses of $2,500 per month. Once you establish residency, you have access to free healthcare. Montreal has a large, accepting, and active queer community. If retiring to a city where long winters are not a concern, then you may want to consider Montreal.
Point Total: 30 (tie)
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (5)
Local Culture (5)
Affordability (3)
Healthcare (4)
Accessibility (5)
English Spoken (5)
Weather (3)
3. Palm Springs, California, United States
A gay mecca dating back to the famous Old Hollywood era, Palm Springs could not be more different than the city it shares a tied score with – Montreal. Live music is very popular in Palms Springs (and nearby area, think Coachella) as well as the mid-century modern architecture and furnishings that give the area a nostalgic throwback to the 1960s.
In case you didn’t know, Palm Springs has the highest per capita gay population in the world, with more than 50% of its residents identifying as LGBTQ+. As it continues to grow in popularity, Palms Spring’s cost of living has increased to an average of $2,800 per month, which is lower than other towns and cities in California. The local airport and airlines provide retirees with the flexibility to hop on direct flights to visit other cities in the US and Canada, and Los Angeles is just a two-hour drive away.
LGBTQ+ retirees have been attracted to the city for decades because of the local carefree lifestyle and sunny weather. Warm days and balmy nights make for easy living, and for people who don’t like to wear a lot of clothes, it’s an opportunity to show and see some skin. Summer temps can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks in a row.
In terms of healthcare, Palm Springs has good, world-class options for medical care and hospitals. A bustling airport ties Palm Springs via direct flights to places around the US and Canada, and Los Angeles is just a two-hour drive away.
Point Total: 30 (tie)
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (5)
Local Culture (4)
Affordability (3)
Healthcare (5)
Accessibility (4)
English Spoken (5)
Weather (4)
2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam had its open and welcoming reputation before the dimly lit streets of the Red-Light District became a popular hangout. It’s probably the least affordable option on our list with an average cost of living around $3,500 per month. Amsterdam is a great home base for LGBTQ+ retirees who can afford it and want to explore more of Western Europe.
The picturesque City of Canals offers a variety of cuisines and diverse cultures, and it is home to rich architectural history and famous museums, such as the Van Goh Museum and Anne Frank House.
Amsterdam has accessible public transportation via the metro, trams, buses, ferries, trains, and bicycles. A major hub, Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport makes it easy to visit the US and other global destinations. We gave Amsterdam lower points for weather due to its brisk winters; however, of all the destinations on our list, this one offers the most cosmopolitan living for the bougie set.
Point Total: 31
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (5)
Local Culture (5)
Affordability (3)
Healthcare (5)
Accessibility (5)
English Spoken (5)
Weather (3)
1. Lisbon, Portugal
For the past couple of years, Portugal has been getting a lot of attention, especially its capital city, Lisbon, a city similar to San Francisco when it comes to its vibe and layout. Lisbon is an ideal mix of culture, sophistication, and down-to-earth magnetism. Expats find its laid-back vibe appealing. With tons to do during the day and at night, Lisbon is rich in cultural attractions, unique architecture, and flavorful cuisine.
The average cost of living in Lisbon is about $2,200 per month, making it still somewhat affordable. LGBTQ+ folx have a wealth of reasons why they should consider retiring in Lisbon, including the apparent healthy Mediterranean lifestyle, temperate weather, and super-friendly locals.
Point Total: 32
LGBTQIA+ Friendly (5)
Local Culture (5)
Affordability (3)
Healthcare (5)
Accessibility (5)
English Spoken (5)
Weather (4)
Find out more about Jon and Triton on their website, or follow 2 Dads with Baggage on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Find out more about living abroad and expat life from firsthand experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans currently living in Mexico, Canada, Spain, and Portugal. Plan your move abroad with a pre-move checklist. Also, check out our candid interview with a gay couple who moved from Washington, DC to Medellín, Colombia. Get great advice and tips on what you need to know before you begin your life outside the United States.
