5 Surprising Gay Cities for Retiring Abroad | Queer Money Ep. 622

5 “Sleeper Hit” Gay Cities to Retire Abroad (Affordable, Safer, and Surprisingly Fabulous)

What if your dream retirement is hiding in a gay city you’ve never even thought to look at?

In this episode, we’re going off-script and sharing five surprising gay cities for retiring abroad—places that are shockingly affordable, quietly queer-friendly, and built for real life (not just a two-week vacation).

No, these aren’t the usual suspects like Lisbon, Mexico City, or Valencia. These are the gay cities that deliver on what most LGBTQ+ retirees actually want: safety, healthcare access, affordability, and community—without the “big-city price tag.”

✅ What you’ll get in this episode

1. 5 unexpected gay cities that are great for retiring abroad
2. Rent + cost-of-living reality checks (with U.S. city comparisons)
3. The real queer vibe: low-key, inclusive, livable
4. Visa + residency options for Portugal, Ecuador, Italy, Spain, and Thailand
5. Why we’re overweighting affordability in our gay cities research (because… math)

🔥 Key Takeaways

1. The best gay cities for retirement aren’t always the most famous—sometimes they’re the most livable.
2. “Queer-friendly” doesn’t always mean rainbow flags everywhere—it can mean safety, acceptance, and ease.
3. If affordability is your #1 concern, you’ll want to look beyond the “glam” cities and toward sleeper-hit gay cities.
4. Visa planning matters: most countries want you to arrive with stable income (investments, pensions, remote work, etc.).
5. Retirement abroad gets easier when you plan around cost of living + healthcare access (not vibes alone).

👉 Get Your Next Step: Happy Gay Retirement Calculator

If you’re thinking about retiring abroad—or you’re not sure if your money will last—start here:

✅ Happy Gay Retirement Calculator: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to retire where you can be yourself... fully?

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