Unless you are over (I think) 55, it’s pretty hard to get low income housing. Unlike food stamps, housing is not an entitlement and the demand far exceeds the supply. I tried several years ago, but the Section 8 waiting list was closed (as it is 95 percent of the time). When the waiting list was finally opened last year, a lottery was held and 8,000 people competed for 3,000 spots on the waiting list, so 5,000 people applied and didn’t get anything, and will have to wait at least several years until the waiting list is opened again.

While “low income housing” is very unpopular because it evokes images of crime and drugs, and nobody wants it in THEIR neighborhood, low income ELDERLY housing is extremely popular because nobody considers elderly people a danger, and such housing allows (upper) middle class people to claim that they’re not the NIMBYs some people make them out to be.

So it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see low income elderly housing in, say, Scarsdale or Pound Ridge.

Additionally, if someone’s income is low one can qualify for low income housing. There is housing specifically for low income retirees. These places aren’t necessarily in bad neighborhoods, even my town in overpriced Westchester county, NY has one. To qualify one doesn’t need to be very poor. Someone with 200-300K savings may qualify since their income – Social Security+interest on 300K may still be low enough.

Are there any countries where an unskilled American worker can move to and actually improve their standard of living?

I used to think not, but I’ve noticed a bunch of European countries are welcoming foreign guest workers.

One opportunity that many people do not consider is the Peace Corps. Many people who join are in their 50s or 60s.

You will have very little expenses — maybe just maintaining your home back in the US and for some regional travel. Your health care and living expenses are covered and you receive typically good support from the regional office. Plus, language and cultural training. Finally, at the end of your service you receive a payment — something like $250 for each month of service. A term is typically two years but you can extend for an additional year.

So the Peace Corps could give you up to three years of nearly free “retirement.” Obviously you have to do a job, but usually it is interesting and 50 hour work weeks are not required. You will meet interesting people and get to see a part of the world in depth.

After the two years in the Peace Corps, you will also have better skills and information to follow the retire abroad advice. It is like retiring abroad on training wheels. Another advantage is that it helps transition you into retirement which is difficult for many people.

Check out PeaceCorps.Gov to find out more information. (I don’t work for the Peace Corps but was a volunteer.) YO must be a US citizen, but I believe that other countries have similar organizations.

Retirees might not be crazy about leaving the States, but at some point they’ll have to make a decision between being an expat or being unable to afford the lifestyle they want (or any lifestyle) in retirement.