6 Reasons Why Malaysia Was Named 3rd Best Place To Retire In 2014

In the 2014 edition of its annual Global Retirement Index, American magazine InternationalLiving.com places Panama at the top of the list of the best places to spend retirement.

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A total of 24 countries are listed in the magazine's ranking, which is based on the analysis from its correspondents around the globe. Each destination is evaluated across eight areas with an effect on everyday life, including real estate, climate, cost of living, entertainment and healthcare.

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"The average temperature is 82 F all year round, and you’ll find some of the best beaches in the world here."

"Malaysia is the best place to retire in Asia right now, and there’s no sign of that changing."

"Infrastructure here is First World and you’ll have no problem finding high speed Internet or cable TV (Packages cost from $30 a month). If you chose to drive you’ll find the roads are excellent. And when you move to Malaysia you can import a car—and your household goods—duty free."

"You can buy freehold and there’s no limit on the number of properties you can own either, just a minimum purchase price set by the local government (it’s $163,500 in Penang)."

"Penang Island, in the north east and Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital in the south, are medical centers of excellence."

"The hospitals are top-notch and the physicians speak English, having been either been trained or completed their postgraduate studies in the U.S. or UK—which makes the cost of health care all the more incredible. You can see a specialist without any need for an appointment for as little as $11. Just turn up. It’s the same with dentists."

"Whether you live in bohemian Penang or Kuala Lumpur, the country’s hip capital, you’ll meet friendly locals who are happy to stop and chat and welcome you into their home. People are accepting, just ask the international mix of expats all on the same journey as you and happy to share."

"A full-time, live-in maid costs just $400 a month, and single older expats hire maids with nursing abilities, who care for them in the comfort of their own home."

International Living is a publishing group founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1979 as part of Agora, Inc. headed by Bill Bonner. International Living monthly newsletter covers topics including retiring overseas, living abroad, international real estate, investment and travel, while an "IL Postcard" is emailed daily to readers.