Why test retirement abroad before moving
A short stay gives you a chance to notice a different daily routine before deciding on a move. Treat it as a test, not proof that a place will suit you permanently. Compare what matters to you rather than assuming a listed accommodation rate is your whole budget. This is not financial advice; consult your own advisor.
A week in Durrës, Albania ($500/month)
Durrës, Albania, is listed at $500 per month. That is a monthly accommodation rate, not a quoted price for a week. A free trial week is a separate invitation for those who qualify under our Free Stay Rules. Use a short stay to consider whether the routine fits, without treating it as a promise of ongoing housing.
A week in Yunnan, China ($900/month with 3 meals)
Yunnan, China, is listed at $900 per month with three meals a day included. That monthly rate is separate from a free trial week and the optional Yunnan 10-Day Stay.
$350 per person for a 10-day stay, with accommodation (two people per room) and three meals a day included.
US citizens can use China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit with an ordinary passport and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region; stays longer than 10 days need a regular visa
How a free trial week works and where it applies
A free trial week is available only at participating homes per our Free Stay Rules, to those who qualify. It is NOT a separate retiree program. It is ONE week, not ongoing housing, and a stay is not guaranteed. It does NOT apply in Sarasota: stays there are 30+ nights with no free week.
The Laid-Off Pass is the application path, not an indication that retirees automatically qualify. Read the Free Stay Rules before using that path. A trial gives you time to consider a next step; it does not commit you to a move or promise a permanent home.
Read RG Mo’s story, explore the homes, and check the Free Stay Rules before applying. Our Privacy Policy explains how application information and videos are handled.