There are cheap places to retire in the US. People have regrets moving far away from home when a spouse dies or when they have major medical problems. And when you get up in age that’s almost guaranteed to happen.
you’re stuck about 30 years ago. There is first class medical care in Central America for pennies on the dollar. Many American doctors moved down there the last 15 years in fact. Central America has huge “medical tourism” industry....for a reason.
There is also no where in this country where you can live this well for 2-3K a month - a couple can do that in Central America - often on the beach or in the mountains on a lake. You don’t need a car to live in many of these places, because the economy is built on town squares and pedestrians.
About 40% have regrets - meaning about 60% do NOT have regrets. And those with regrets can always come back. We’re not talking about renouncing citizenship....