How We Gather and Use Country Data

When you're deciding where to spend retirement, you need numbers you can trust - not marketing estimates, not figures some blogger pulled from a 2019 forum post. The data on this site comes from specific, documented sources.

We don't hide behind "according to research" or "experts say." Here's exactly how it works.

Where the Numbers Come From

We track three categories: cost of living, visa requirements, and healthcare. Each has its own primary sources.

Cost of living figures come primarily from Numbeo - a crowd-sourced price database updated regularly that reflects what people actually pay. We pull specific data points: one-bedroom rent in the city center, utilities, groceries, dining out, local transport, and internet. Every figure includes a source URL and a verification date.

Visa requirements come from official sources first - immigration ministry websites, consulate pages, and official retirement program documentation. When official sources are unclear, we reference established expat advisory organizations that specialize in visa guidance. We record the specific visa name, income threshold, cost, and duration.

Healthcare data is the hardest to pin down. We use OECD Health Statistics for countries in that database, supplemented by regional insurance providers and expat health resources. Quality ratings draw from U.S. State Department assessments and international health organizations.

How We Handle Conflicting Data

Sources disagree sometimes. One site says rent in Lisbon averages $1,200, another says $1,500. A visa rule changes mid-year and not every database catches it.

When conflicts come up, we prioritize official sources first, then the most recently updated data, then sources with the strongest track record. If we can't resolve a conflict confidently, we either skip the specific claim or report the range and flag the uncertainty directly in the content.

How Often We Update

Cost of living data is refreshed every three months. Healthcare and safety information is reviewed quarterly. Visa requirements are checked quarterly - and immediately when we hear about policy changes.

Every country page includes a "Last Full Review Date." Individual data points also carry their own date stamps so you can see exactly when a specific figure was last verified.

What We Don't Cover

If we don't have reliable data on something, we don't invent it. Gaps get acknowledged, not filled with speculation. We also don't provide tax advice - situations vary too much by individual. We'll note whether a country has a tax treaty with the U.S. and whether retirement income is typically taxed locally, but that's where we stop. You need an expat tax accountant for specifics.

You also won't find us publishing:

• Personal anecdotes presented as universal truths
• Speculative predictions about future visa or tax policy
• Unverified claims from forums or social media
• Estimates for countries we haven't fully researched

When You Should Verify Things Yourself

Always confirm visa requirements directly with the relevant consulate before you commit to anything. Immigration rules change - sometimes with little notice. Our data gives you a starting point, not a final answer.

Cost of living also varies significantly within countries. Our figures reflect major cities or established expat areas. A beach town in Mexico won't cost the same as Mexico City. Healthcare quality similarly depends on region and facility - when we rate a country's healthcare as strong, we're talking about major cities and private hospitals.

You're not comparing weekend trip options. You're evaluating where to live for potentially years. The difference between accurate and inflated cost estimates could mean the difference between a comfortable retirement and real financial stress - which is exactly why we're transparent about how this all works.