10 best warm places to live in the world, ranked by cost, climate and visa options for Canadians

The good news is that you don’t have to be ultra-wealthy to live somewhere warm and sunny.

In fact, there are plenty of destinations around the world where you can enjoy great weather without breaking the bank. Many of these places offer a lower cost of living, solid healthcare systems, welcoming communities and, of course, endless amounts of vitamin D.

From charming beach towns in southern Europe to tropical destinations in Southeast Asia, there are quite a few locations that check all the boxes.

So if warm weather is high on your priority list, you are definitely not alone. Let’s take a look at some of the best warm places in the world.

Methodology

We didn’t just look at the best weather reports; we took the time to consider what things would matter if we were to pack up our bags and move there. We also factored in different lifestyles such as digital nomads, young families and retirees.

We also considered several factors that influence the quality of life in sunny destinations:

• Climate: average temperatures, sunshine hours and mild winters
• Cost of living: affordability for retirees, expats, remote workers and even young families
• Health care quality: access to reliable medical services
• Safety and stability: crime rates and political stability
• Lifestyle: access to beaches, culture, food and outdoor activities
• Expat friendliness: visa options and existing international communities

After weighing all of the above, we came up with the following list of the best warm places to live in the world. If you are considering a move to a warmer climate, this list is for you.

Best warm places to live in the world

1. Lisbon, Portugal

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Lisbon tops the list of the best warm places to live in the world. In recent years, Portugal has been one of the hottest travel destinations, but there are plenty of people who are calling it their new forever home.

Lisbon offers a little of everything for people who love Europe. Portugal’s capital has more than 300 days of sunshine per year on average. Day-to-day costs are moderate by European standards, though rent has climbed sharply and Lisbon is now among Portugal’s priciest cities. This city has the perfect balance of culture, history, friendly locals and warm weather.

Best of all for Canadians, the Portuguese are fluent in English, making the move an easy transition. For those looking for a new life in Europe without the high costs of other major cities, Lisbon is the perfect compromise and a wonderful place to live.

• Estimated monthly cost: About CA$2,950 for one person. That’s €800 in living costs plus €1,093 for a one-bedroom outside the centre, according to Numbeo (June 2026).
• Healthcare: Legal residents can register with Portugal’s Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), but many expats add private insurance.
• Why retirees love it: Walkable neighbourhoods, high English proficiency and direct flights to Canada.
• Visa requirements: Visa requirements: D7 (passive income) visa. Applicants need passive income, such as a pension, of at least CA$1,441 (€920) a month for a single applicant or CA$2,162 (€1,380) for a couple. Applicants should also expect to show savings equal to 12 months of that income (€11,040).

2. Valencia, Spain

Up next is Lisbon’s Iberian cousin, Valencia. Although it does not get the same fanfare as Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia ranked first in InterNations’ 2024 Expat City Ranking, a survey of expats in 53 cities.

The fact that Valencia is famous for its oranges tells you everything you need to know about the city’s warm Mediterranean climate. On top of the year-round heat, Valencia is much more affordable than the other major cities in Spain, making it a perfect destination for that fresh start in Europe.

The infrastructure is surprisingly modern, the food is delicious (especially if you like paella), and the beaches are always just a few minutes away. Feel free to visit Barcelona or Madrid, but when you want to settle down, head for Valencia.

• Estimated monthly cost: About CA$3,200 for one person. This is based on €759 a month excluding rent, plus a one-bedroom in the centre at €1,286.
• Health care: Non-lucrative visa (NLV) applicants must secure comprehensive private Spanish health insurance.
• Why retirees love it: A sunny Mediterranean climate, flat and walkable layout, top-tier healthcare and vibrant coastal lifestyle that remains significantly more affordable and relaxed than Spain’s larger cities.
• Visa requirements: Non-lucrative visa (NLV). Applicants need passive income of at least CA$3,760 (€2,400) a month plus CA$940 (€600) a month for each dependant.

3. Athens, Greece

There are few cities in the world with a richer history than Athens. If you love visiting Europe for its cultural history, this city needs to be on your list of places to travel to. But does that make Greece’s capital a great city to live in? Absolutely.

Everybody knows about the scenic landscapes and cities in Greece, and Athens is no exception. Its warm Mediterranean climate produces an average of more than 270 sunny days per year. The summers are hot, and the winters are mild, making Athens a great place for those who love getting outdoors all year.

Like Lisbon, Athens — and Greece in general — is much more affordable when it comes to the daily cost of living. The food is incredible, and the locals are friendly, making Athens truly one of the best warm places to live in the world.

• Estimated monthly cost: Central one-bedroom rent alone is about CA$975, based on €625 in May 2026.
• Healthcare: Private insurance is required for the Financially Independent Person (FIP) permit
• Why retirees love it: Affordable cost of living, year-round Mediterranean sunshine, world-class historic culture and easy access to both high-quality healthcare and idyllic island getaways.
• Visa requirements: Financially Independent Person (FIP) permit. It requires at least CA$5,483 (€3,500) a month in passive income, plus 20% for a spouse. Holders must live in Greece at least 183 days a year, which generally makes them Greek tax residents.

4. Bali, Indonesia

Is there any city in the world that has gained more popularity in the past few years than Bali? Everyone from digital nomads to lifestyle seekers to luxury vacationers is heading to Bali in droves, and for good reason.

Given its location in the world, it should come as no surprise that Bali is hot year-round. Temperatures typically range between 26 and 31 degrees Celsius, giving a nice tropical climate without excruciating heat.

Also, despite the ads you might see for luxury resorts, the rest of Bali is still very livable, and most importantly, very affordable. Come for the picturesque beaches and wildlife, and stay for the relaxing lifestyle. Bali is a true tropical paradise that is cheaper than most people think, and it will never have a snowy driveway to shovel.

• Estimated monthly cost: Prices start at about CA$825 for a 1-bedroom apartment (outside city centre)
• Healthcare: Indonesian immigration requires proof of a valid health and medical insurance policy during the retirement visa application process.
• Why retirees love it: Remarkably low cost of living, tropical climate, warm hospitality and a laid-back lifestyle enriched by spiritual culture and accessible wellness living.
• Visa requirements: Retirement KITAS (E33F), a one-year renewable permit for applicants 55 and older. It requires retirement income of at least US$3,000 a month, a bank balance of at least US$2,000 over the past three months and a local sponsor. The five-year Silver Hair visa (E33E), for applicants 60 and older, requires the same monthly income plus a deposit of at least US$50,000 in a state-owned Indonesian bank.

5. Chiang Mai, Thailand

We stay in Southeast Asia for one of the most affordable cities on our list. Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, yet it feels much slower-paced and more relaxed than Bangkok.

Don’t let the heat get to you. Thailand can get incredibly warm for most of the year, although Chiang Mai is known to get cooler breezes from the mountains during the winter months. One trip to the local food markets and you will be hooked on the city’s diverse cuisine. All it will take is a bowl of authentic khao soi (coconut curry noodle soup) to know that you made the right choice.

If you think a move to Thailand is drastic, you might change your mind when friendly locals and a large expat community welcome you with open arms. If you are on a budget, Chiang Mai should be one of your top choices.

• Estimated monthly cost: About CA$1,450 for one person. This is based on 19,325 baht a month excluding rent, plus a one-bedroom in the centre at 15,350 baht.
• Healthcare: The Non-Immigrant O-A visa, applied for from Canada, requires health insurance coverage of at least 3 million baht (about CA$124,500). Retirees who instead convert to a Non-Immigrant O retirement visa inside Thailand aren’t subject to this requirement.
• Why retirees love it: Low cost of living, rich cultural heritage and a vibrant, welcoming expat community set against a relaxed mountain backdrop.
• Visa requirements: Non-Immigrant O-A visa, for applicants 50 and older. It requires 800,000 baht (about CA$33,200) in a Thai bank, a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht (about CA$2,700) or a combination totalling 800,000 baht a year.

6. Medellín, Colombia

Everyone knows the background of Medellín, but more people are starting to pay attention to it as a travel destination. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, Medellín has a much milder climate than most of its South American neighbours. Year-round temperatures range from 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, rarely reaching unbearable heat.

Medellín is a bustling urban centre with a rapidly emerging tech and startup scene. An affordable cost of living and increasingly modern infrastructure make Medellín a surprisingly attractive place to settle down for retirees and young workers alike.

• Estimated monthly cost: About CA$2,150 for one person. This is based on 2,328,009 pesos a month excluding rent, plus a one-bedroom in the centre at 2,520,312 pesos.
• Healthcare: The visa requires a dedicated health or medical policy that covers emergencies, hospitalization and crucially, medical repatriation.
• Why retirees love it: Spring-like year-round climate, highly affordable cost of living, top-ranked healthcare system and modern, accessible public transit nestled in a lush Andean valley.
• Visa requirements: M Pensionado visa. It requires a lifetime pension of at least three times Colombia’s minimum wage, or 5,252,715 pesos (about CA$1,900 to CA$2,000) a month in 2026.

7. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the world, and it’s also a wonderful place to live. Most of us imagine tropical resorts when we think of Mexico, but the nation’s capital has a relatively mild climate for most of the year.

Like other global metropolises, Mexico City is a sprawling urban landscape that seemingly goes on forever. It also has one of the deepest cultural experiences you will ever encounter, with incredible food, a vibrant arts and museum scene and a surprisingly efficient and modern transportation system.

Mexico City has become a popular destination for expats and digital nomads thanks to its affordable living costs and strong, big-city vibes.

• Estimated monthly cost: Rental prices start at CA$1,077 for a one-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre.
• Healthcare: Temporary and permanent residents can voluntarily enroll in the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico’s public health system. Annual fees are set by age. For those 60 to 69, the 2026 fee is 20,600 pesos (about CA$1,550). Some pre-existing conditions can disqualify applicants, so many retirees also carry private insurance.
• Why retirees love it: Vibrant arts and culinary scenes, warm climate, accessible world-class healthcare and rich cosmopolitan lifestyle that remains remarkably affordable.
• Visa requirements: Temporary residency through economic solvency. Each Mexican consulate sets its own income and savings thresholds and updates them regularly, so check the requirements at the consulate where you’ll apply.

8. Algarve, Portugal

The second entry for Portugal on our list is the world-famous Algarve region along the country’s southern coast. The Algarve is considered by many to be one of Europe’s most beautiful regions and is widely known as one of the sunniest on the continent.