The Place
We share enough to be transparent, while avoiding over-exposure. The exact location will be shared with members and serious candidates first.
What we are looking for
The location must work for people who plan to live there into their 70s, 80s, and beyond. Our criteria, in order of importance:
- In nature — green, quiet, beautiful surroundings; space to garden, walk, and breathe.
- Close to quality medical care — a good hospital within a reasonable drive, plus local clinics and pharmacies. This is non-negotiable for a 50+ community.
- Close to an international airport — so family and friends can visit easily, and so we can travel without an ordeal.
- Not too far from the sea — ideally close enough for regular swims and seaside days.
- A safe, welcoming legal and social context — LGBTQ+ rights, residency options for foreigners, and everyday acceptance on the ground.
- A climate we can live with — warm, but manageable as we age; pleasant homes matter more than postcard weather.
Why these three countries
We have narrowed our search to Spain, Thailand, and Panama. Each offers a different balance of healthcare, cost of living, climate, residency options, and LGBTQ+ legal context. The final decision is still to be made—we are visiting, comparing, and evaluating day-to-day reality as we go.
Spain
Pros: Excellent healthcare (public and private), among the best in the world; marriage equality since 2005 and broad social acceptance; EU stability and rule of law; long coastlines (Mediterranean and Atlantic) with many natural areas close to the sea; good international airports (Málaga, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona…); non-lucrative visa route for retirees from outside the EU.
Cons: Higher cost of land and living than the other two; more regulation and bureaucracy for building; cooler winters in many regions; popular coastal areas can be crowded and expensive.
Thailand
Pros: Marriage equality in force since January 2025—the first in Southeast Asia; excellent private hospitals, a top destination for medical care at reasonable cost; dedicated retirement visas for people 50+ (O-A / O-X); low cost of living; tropical nature and beautiful coasts; international airports (Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai); established LGBTQ+-friendly communities.
Cons: Far from Europe and the Americas for visiting family; foreigners cannot own land directly (structures require care); hot, humid climate year-round with monsoon seasons; language barrier outside expat hubs; public healthcare not aimed at foreigners—private insurance is a must.
Panama
Pros: The well-known Pensionado (retiree) visa with real discounts on healthcare and services; US dollar economy; good private hospitals in Panama City; tropical nature and two coastlines (Pacific and Caribbean); international hub airport (Tocumen) with direct flights to the Americas and Europe; lower cost than Spain; Spanish-speaking.
Cons: No marriage equality, and legal protections for LGBTQ+ people are weak; social attitudes vary, especially outside cities; quality healthcare is concentrated around the capital—rural areas are far from good hospitals; land tenure and due diligence require care; humidity, storms, and insects demand constant building maintenance.
How we will decide
- Extended visits in each country, in different seasons, before committing.
- Checking actual drive times to hospitals and airports from candidate sites—not estimates on a map.
- Talking to local LGBTQ+ residents and expat retirees about daily life.
- Legal and tax advice on residency, property, healthcare coverage, and inheritance for each option.