1. China - Wuhan - I travelled to this second tier city in the Hubei province every weekend when I taught Business English in another third tier city at Jingmen few years back.
It has a population of 12 million and even boast of a newly-constructed MRT which rivalled ours. It is an educational hub and many language schools are set up here so if you have IELTS diploma, you can easily find a teaching job in any of the many language centres there
They pay close to 100 yuan an hour which is about $20.
The city also contains China's top three universities and many of the country's top professors can be found here.
The only setback is the extreme warm weather during summer as its one of the four Chinese ovens. It's winter is also cold and temperature of zero and below is common. When I was there during a rare snowing frenzy, the whole city was blanketed in white and it looked beautiful.
The people are rather fierce here though and straight talking so you don't mess with them. There are also very few Singaporeans living here.
I have also been to Shanghai, Shenzen and Beijing and could never stay comfortably in these cities for more than a few days each time.
To get to Wuhan, take a plane to Guangchow and board the 400-yuan one-way-ticket bullet train which is a speedy 4 and half hour ride.
The food in Wuhan is always spicy hot though.
Retirement satisfaction - 7/10
2. China - Jingmen - I taught business English in this beautiful third tier city of 2 million for a year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The old but spacious 3-bedroom apartment I stayed in only cost 500 yuan a month in rent which is about $100.
People here are very relaxed and seldom rushed.
It has a KFC, Macdonald and many posh nice western restaurants which served steaks at 30 yuan about $6.
It only has a 200 m long shopping belt and on weekend it is filled with shoppers in their fashionable best.
The city is also famous for its tea houses for mahjong gatherers especially during summer when the heat can get to you.
Many people here work in the dams of the Three Gorges. Its difficult to land a job here even for the locals unless one has the right connections.
The weather here is better than Wuhan and its seasons are milder. Snow still falls during winter but probably won't last more than a few days.
To get to Jingmen, you need to take the state train from Wuhan which costs around 40 yuan about $8. The journey takes about 4 hours plus and you can book on the spot at Wuhan train station.
There is hardly any Singaporean residing here but you live like a king with $1000 every month in this beautiful backward city.
Retirement satisfaction - 8/10
3. China - Hainan - I have been to Hainan only once few years back and like it's vibrancy and close proximity to Singapore.
It is only less than four hours by plane to Singapore and I believe many Singaporeans are currently residing there.
It is splitted into two parts - the touristy Shai Ya and main city Haikou which is quite filthy.
The Hainanese will surely like to retire here due to ancestry reasons and the city should have a large Singaporean community by now.
The cost of food is rather affordable and most meals in restaurants cost less than 50 yuan. Rental is also affordable at an average of 1500 yuan a month for a small apartment unit.
Its tropical climate similar to ours also make this a popular retirement spot for many Singaporeans.
Retirement satisfaction - 7/10
4. Indonesia - Jakarta - many Singaporeans are afraid to visit Jakarta for all sorts of reasons.
Many thought that its a dangerous city with a high crime rate which is untrue.
I have stayed in this 18-million-population strong capital city for a year and despite its famed traffic hiccup, it has much to offer.
It has many modern amenities not unlike that of ours but priced at almost half the price and you could truly live an expat for $1000 a month. The exchange rate now is 9400 to a dollar.
The service is tiptop and could even beat that of the Thais and people are generally friendly and polite.
I have stayed in a 2-bedroom apartment for less than $600 a month and cab fare seldom topped $10 even if its an hour ride.
There are plenty of entertainment spots and they don't cost a bomb like in Singapore.
Many Singaporeans I know have stay on permanently in this vibrant city after marrying Indonesian wives.
Retirement satisfaction - 7/10
5. Indonesia - Bandung - I visited Bandung only once and quickly fall in love with the small 500,000-strong city. It is surrounded by mountains and nature all around and the cool temperature appeals to many settlers.
It has several big hot water spring spots and people here seldom hurry you.
Night can be cold with temperature falling to 18 or 19 deg C and probably the only place in Indonesia whereby people go around in a jacket or pullover.
Many Indonesians from Jakarta travel to the resort city over the weekend or public holiday to shop and unwind.
It has several good night spots and prices are much cheaper than in Jakarta.
Many ang mohs resided in Dago which is at the foot of the mountain and it looks very touristy.
It has the same problem as Jakarta and the traffic jam can be a massive headache. However, rental is even cheaper here than in Jakarta.
Live like a king on $1000 a month budget.
Retirement satisfaction- 8/10
6. Indonesia - Batam - Many Singaporeans like Batam due to its close proximity and simple lifestyle. Its like Singapore in the 80s and a few elderly men in their 60s have lost their CPF to the Indonesian women there.
After gambling was outlawed few years back, Batam seems to have lost its sparkle and it has never really regained its vibrancy since.
However, if you like a simple backward lifestyle within a S1000-a-month budget, Batam still has much to offer.
It has several solid shopping malls and movie ticket is less than half of ours. Food is also cheap and clothing even cheaper if it is made in Indonesia.
But its too sleepy and unhappening for me...
Retirement satisfaction - 6.5/10
7. Malaysia - JB - I knew of several friends who migrated to JB even though they have young children studying here still.
They would wake up at 4am in the morning and ferry them in a car pool to school daily. They would then go to work after that.
Many could rent out their HDB flat and often rent big private house in JB for themselves due to our better conversion rate. The stress-free lifestyle and space they enjoy in JB more than compensate for the daily hassle of shuttling between JB and Singapore.
Food however could be pricey due to the proximity to Singapore and many prefer to cook at home or drive further up if they want to eat out.
The recent report on higher crime rate in JB has robbed the city of its flavour among Singoreans as a retirement spot. There is also nothing much to offer in terms of entertainment and the recent toll charges on vehicles going into Johore is also a dampener.
Not my personal choice spot for retirement as its too close to Singapore...
Retirement satisfaction - 6.5/10
8. Malaysia - KL - I used to like this capital city but not any more due to its escalating crime rate.
From KL, one can travel to Cameroon, Gentings or Fraser Hill which have better cooler weather.
I seldom hear of Singporeans retiring in KL these days and I believe many simply go there for a short holiday or enroute to gamble in Gentings.
Never consider it as one of my favourite retirement spot.
Retirement satisfaction - 6/10
9. Thailand - Bangkok - I have known of several friends who travelled to Bangkok several times in a year to shop and unwind. I am sure some will eventually retire there when the time is right.
Its vibrancy and affordability have endear this capital city to many.
The Thai service is also always intoxicating and their people often friendly.
Whenever Singaporeans want to take a long break, they always think of Thailand as its nearby and very affordable.
The only setback is its political climate and their many coups have put people off.
I have not personally stay in Bangkok long enough to discover for myself if its a good retirement spot for myself though.
Retirement satisfaction - unknown
10. Australia - Sydney - Australia has always being my preferred spot for migration/retirement though my divorce has cut short the lifelong dream.
Unless you have lots of money or PR, it is a place which is beyond many Singaporeans to retire.
It is more expensive to stay in Sydney than in Singapore and the rental can set you back by A$800/month for a room in the suburb.
One needs about A$3000 to retire comfortably in Sydney, the costliest city to stay in Australia.
Cities like Perth or Adelaide are more affordable to retire in Australia.
However, Australia now has 30,000 Singaporeans residing in the continent and my guess is the pool can only grow larger as many Singaporeans now explore ways to leave the dismal city state which is very over-populated.
Retirement satisfaction - can't afford.
Gilbert Goh
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/goh.gilbert/posts/10153216611568975