Starting to look for possible retirement locations

Hola expats,

Hubby and I are thinking of an overseas early retirement in 2-3 years. We’re just starting the investigation process and I am looking for tips on where to focus. Obviously we’ll visit and spend some time first, but I would like to start narrowing down the list! Here are our priorities:

1.    Access to good medical care if the need arises – we both have family history of cancer and heart disease. This includes vet care for the dogs.
2.    Safety – want to be able to walk down the streets in our town/city without fear of getting robbed, or having our house broken into every time we leave.
3.    Culture/Environment – would like other expats around to start building a base of friends. We like to go to cafes and sit outside and drink wine, or coffee, or whatever. We like a nice restaurant every once in a while.
4.    Housing – we have 3 dogs so we will need a house, not an apartment/flat. We’re not extravagant but we’d like a nice place to live. We’d like it to be walkable to a town.
5.    Climate – hubby needs a warm climate. Cold and damp are not his friends. I think that takes Cuenca off the list :-(
6.    Shopping – while day-to-day shopping would be in the local market, I would like there to be stores within an hour or two where you can buy nice furniture, appliances, household goods, etc.
7.    Budget – living comfortably/nicely for about $3,000 USD/month.
8.    Legal – hubby uses medical marijuana. Need a place that is tolerant of discreet, personal use.
9.    Internet.

A little about us:

I have moved around a lot for work so we don’t have a close friends base. Our parents are deceased, we have no kids, and we can live without seeing extended family on a regular basis. So there’s really nothing keeping us in the US.

My “fantasy” vision of living as an expat means having a nice house with a big porch or deck where we can sit outside, drink coffee, read, hang out, enjoy the view. A pool would be awesome, but I don’t know how realistic that is! Would want to go to town a few times a week to be sociable, sit in a café, people-watch. Make friends to have over for dinner from time-to-time (I love to cook). Have opportunities for part-time volunteer work. Take some road trips. Think “European charm” without the European price tag.

Why am I thinking of leaving the US? Commercialism and media. I am disgusted by billboards everywhere, out-of-control consumerism, political BS and drama, etc. Don’t get me wrong – I like nice stuff! Not a hippie or off-the-grid type! But there’s a happy medium. Christmas is ruined for me…it’s supposed to be a fun holiday to share with family and friends, decorations, etc. but now people start obsessing over Christmas shopping in September. Thanksgiving has been ruined by Christmas shopping which now starts on Thanksgiving instead of “Black Friday”. I’m really just disgusted with American consumerism. We focus on “stuff” and not people/relationships. We work 50-hour weeks to afford all this “stuff” and have no time/energy to enjoy it.

So, after reading this insanely long introduction, please start suggesting places to research further and why. My initial interest is Antigua, Guatemala, or maybe Lake Atitlan (Panajachel?). Also Medellin, Colombia has been recommended.

Thank you!!!