BALTIMORE, May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Movie
producers and directors pick exotic locations with extraordinary
scenery for their movies. Everyone has seen these lush jungles,
deserted beaches, breathtaking mountains, quaint villages, and
bustling cities on the big screen. But the settings for these
idyllic bits of cinema are real places that, in many cases, offer
high-quality, low-cost lifestyles for retirees.
In a new report, International Living correspondents detail five
of the most stunning movie- set locations on the planet, which also
afford a luxurious and highly affordable lifestyle for North
American expats and retirees.
Italy
International Living Italy correspondent Valerie Schneider says that if all the world's a
stage, then Italy is a natural as
its beautiful backdrop.
"The dreamy landscapes from Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Lake Como have been used in so many
films it would takes pages to list them all. But my region of
Basilicata has quietly emerged as
a favored shoot location, especially for those needing ancient
streets for Biblical era or fantasy flicks.
"Matera, Europe's oldest city,
has been the stand-in for the Holy Land in many a movie, most
famously The Passion of the Christ and The Nativity Story. It also
featured prominently in the recent remake of Ben Hur, in Quantum of Solace and Wonder Woman,
as well as several Italian movies. The city's old quarter, the
Sassi district, exudes an ancient feel among its network of
pedestrian lanes and rock-built houses.
"Closer to my home, enchanting Castelmezzano has seen several
film crews for Italian movies and TV shows clamoring among the
rocky mountain peaks, and its unique lofty aerie shows off well on
the screen."
And in Italy, explains Valerie,
a Hollywood budget isn't required
to live the good life—depending on the region a couple could live
well on a monthly budget of $1,829.
Bali
As International Living Bali correspondent Josephine Brierley says, "Let's face it, the
Bali you encounter when landing at
the international airport is far removed from the idyllic setting
depicted in Eat Pray Love.
"Released in 2010, many still flock to the village of Ubud for
their own Eat Pray Love experience. Much of the movie was filmed in
and around Ubud, featuring the terraced rice fields and the village
streets. The iconic beach scenes were filmed at Padang Padang,
situated 15km away from Ubud on the Bukit Peninsula. Unfortunately,
you'll never find the beach bar, as it was specially created for
the film. And sadly, Ketut Liyer, the healer who was featured in
the movie, passed away in 2016.
"Still, there are many others now offering psychic-healing
readings."
Josephine says that an Ubud experience can be had by visiting
the Tegallalang Rice terraces or by taking the Campuhan Ridge
Walk.
"And for the bold, take a walk through the Monkey Forest. The
cheeky monkeys are even taking their own selfies these days!"
The tropical climate of Bali
has enticed retirees for many years and it offers a relaxed, simple
lifestyle with world-class dining at very affordable prices. Here,
retirees can enjoy a comfortable life with a budget of around
$1,500 to $1,800 per month.
Costa Rica
Kathleen Evans covers
Costa Rica for International
Living, a destination that has been the scene of many a film.
"Jurassic Park was famously filmed in Costa Rica. The local rainforests and jungles
are the perfect setting for a paleolithic flick, and the dinosaurs
look right at home. Pay attention to the opening sequence. When
showing the fictional Isla Nubar,
they show a full shot of Costa
Rica's Isla del Coco.
"In Spy Kids 2, Island of Lost Dreams, Costa Rica's most popular National Park,
Manuel Antonio Park, was chosen as
the Island of Lost Dreams. Any scenes depicting the island are shot
inside this popular park, with a few select scenes based around the
Arenal Volcano.
"Paddington Bear tells the story of a family who tries to adopt
and raise a bear from Peru, but
any home-based shots are actually quite far from Peru. Costa
Rica was chosen as the filming location due to the dense
rainforests and magical plants.
The best news, says Kathleen, is that all this natural beauty
costs less than many might imagine. A couple can enjoy a great
retirement in Costa Rica on
$2,000 a month.
Mexico
International Living's Mexico
correspondent Jason Holland says,
"Much of the inspiration for the Pixar movie Coco came from Mexican
traditions. And the town was modeled after several different towns
in Mexico.
"And of course, Night of the Iguana was filmed in Puerto Vallarta and really kickstarted the
town's popularity as a tourist destination.
"The movie Predator (the original from the 80s) was filmed in
the jungles outside Puerto
Vallarta.
Jason says that Mexico is such
a large country that costs of living for retirees can range widely,
but it's possible for a couple to live very well on $1,890 per month.
Vietnam
International Living correspondent Wendy
Justice lives in Hanoi. She
says that Halong Bay is one of the most photographed areas in
Vietnam and has been featured in
many major motion pictures.
"The most recent and famous one was Kong: Skull Island. Three
more, Pan, Life, and Indochine, were all filmed at least partly in
Halong Bay.
"Hanoi has also been featured
in many major films, including The Quiet American.
"Since there was a major war in Vietnam, there have been a ton of war movies
made that are set there; many of the more recent ones were, in
fact, filmed on location."
Vietnam is one of the
highest-value and lowest-cost retirement destination in the world.
According to Wendy, couples can still live well (depending on where
they settle) on as little as $1,000
per month, or even less.
More information on movie-set retirement destinations can be
found here: 5 Places to Live Like a Movie Star…Without Their Bank
Balance
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About International Living
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