Last updated: 8/2008

ndia? Is it the lure of a strange foreign land, a prospect of a lower cost of living, or a burning need to get away from excessive materialism? These are questions that differ across individuals. However, the bottom line is that overseas retirement can be the perfect choice for you provided the destination is chosen wisely.

Statistics will quickly tell you that approximately 4 million Americans live abroad ? and this is excluding all the military and embassy personnel! Out of these 4 million, about a quarter of them are said to be retirees.

An increasing number of developed nations around the world face threats of crime, extortion and a general saturation of material comforts. However, merely considering the financial benefits can prove to be a sure disaster. There are a whole lot of factors to consider before selling everything and moving to a whole new location altogether.

India has always remained a mysterious land shrouded with exotic stories and tales. It has never ceased to amaze foreigners who visit it year after year ? some in search of adventure, some in search of their souls. India?s spirituality and ancient civilization has always inspired the West, so much so that today Yoga has become a status symbol in the West.

There are two Indias ? one which is still developing and rural and the land of farmers. Then there is the other India ? modern, cosmopolitan, one which is struggling to unleash its reins and be at par with the rest of the world. India is a land of great contrasts and divides, yet it is a land where neighbors leave no stone unturned in helping each other, people greet you with a smile no matter where you go and everyone forgets differences of caste, religion and affluence in times of crisis. Many foreigners have visited India as tourists and remained to settle down here ? there is something about the land that beckons them and fulfils their sense of being.

In your search for the perfect retirement destination, India can prove to be the ideal choice for you. India has evolved over the last few years, from a mere place for sightseeing, to a place where foreigners prefer to settle down permanently. Year after year, more and more foreign nationals choose India as their retirement destination.

There are several reasons for this. India is a liberalized economy, boasts of a sound democratic system, a well established judiciary and a stable infrastructure. In the recent past, due to the economy turning global, more and more multi national companies are setting up base in India. With the result, an increasing number of foreign nationals have begun making India their home, at least for a while. There?s been an influx of foreign consultants, specialists, educators, trainers etc.

If you?re choosing India as your retirement destination, there may be several questions you may ask yourself:
Where do I find a place?
How do I ensure my health is safeguarded in the long term?
How to get visas?
What are the best products in the market?
How can we get domestic help?
How do we furnish our