As I approached retirement some 17 years ago, and having already visited over 40 countries, I opened my mind to the entire world for settling down. I briefly considered Malaysia because of the warm climate and low cost of living (seemed everyone I knew had a cook and a driver), but rejected it because it was too far away, I didn't speak the language, and the culture was too foreign for me.
I seriously considered Ireland after a dozen vacations there, and was attracted to the beautiful scenery and friendly English speaking people. I even looked at some land, but rejected Ireland because of the cool wet climate, high taxes, and liberal government.
Finally I decided that the good ol' USA had the greatest freedoms and best standard of living - the question was where? I eliminated the top third of the country because it was too cold for me, and the bottom third because it was too hot, humid, and buggy. Next I dropped the entire center of the country because it was too flat and had weather extremes, and then nixed the west coast because of the cost of living, taxes, and politics. That left the mid-Atlantic.
Finally I settled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. Bought a house on a ridge a few miles outside a small, eclectic, one stoplight mountain town (Floyd) with some incredible views. Here I have moderate weather with four seasons, and the friendliest people I have ever met (I came from NJ). Established my large vegetable garden and installed a heated in-ground pool with a large patio and pavilion, and at 73 am happy as a clam. Even bought a cemetery plot here!
This is from my front porch.