Retiring in Guam? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Paperwork: You won’t need to apply for a visa or file any kind of special paperwork to live in Guam. As long as you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you’re good to live on the island indefinitely. (And if you’re not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the visa requirements for Guam are the same as for the rest of the U.S.) 

Language: The island of Guam has two official languages: English and Chamorro, the language of Guam’s original inhabitants. You’ll also find a number of other languages spoken on Guam, but a majority of Guam’s inhabitants speak English. In other words, you won’t have to learn a new language (but you’ll probably get a lot out of learning about Chamorro culture once you arrive on Guam)!

Currency: No need to worry about changing currency or fluctuating exchange rates. The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Guam.

Medical Care: Finally, you’ll be able to use your Medicare benefits in Guam. Medicare doesn’t usually cover healthcare costs outside of the U.S., so this can be a huge benefit to choosing Guam over a foreign country. Additionally, since Guam is a U.S. territory, it will be relatively simple for you to continue receiving Social Security benefits, which can get more complex if you’re residing outside the U.S.

Living on Guam also comes with upsides for retirees of all nationalities.

Pluses for Seniors Who Want to Retire to Guam

A Warm, Sunny Climate

No more shoveling snow. No more shivering in your winter coat. In fact, no need to even own a winter coat! The temperatures in Guam hover around a mean of 81°F throughout the year.

And rather than measuring seasons by temperature, you’ll use precipitation as your yardstick. Guam essentially has two “seasons:”

• Guam’s dry (and sunny!) season lasts from about December–June.
• The wet and rainy season goes from about July–November.

When you retire in Guam, you can trade in your winter coat for a light jacket to keep you dry during the rainy season. All of your other winter-weather gear, you can leave behind!

A Convenient Jumping-Off Point for Travel

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the Asia-Pacific region, Guam is the perfect home base. You’re just hours from several top travel destinations, making it easy for you to fulfill any travel dreams you might have put off.

Below, you’ll find the most common direct Asia-Pacific flights from Guam, with many more destinations available via connection:

• Guam > Tokyo: ~4 hours
• Guam > Manila: ~4 hours
• Guam > Seoul: ~5 hours
• Guam > Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia: ~ 2 hours

Cheaper Real Estate Than Hawaii

Many retirees find their dreams of settling in Hawaii dashed by high real estate prices. Currently, the typical home value in Hawaii is $858,106, according to Zillow. If you have your heart set on a single-family home where your friends and loved ones can stay when they visit, you might find that Hawaii is out of your budget.

However, on Guam, you can find a single-family home for the price of an Oahu condo:

• The median price for a single-family a home on Guam is ~$415,000.
• The median price for a condominium on Oahu is ~$500,000.

Of course, your mileage will vary from property to property, but it’s highly likely that your real estate dollar will go much further in Guam than Hawaii.

Benefits for Eligible Military Veterans

If you’re a veteran, you may already know that there’s a large military population on Guam. As a result, you’ll find many military discounts throughout the island, which often mean somewhere around 10% off with your military ID.

Additionally, if you have commissary and exchange privileges, you’ll be able to shop at the various base locations on the island. You’ll find much cheaper prices there than in local grocery stores. By the way, you’ll also have access to some of the cheapest gasoline on the island, so your savings will rack up quickly.

As a military retiree considering retiring to Guam, you might find the Retiree Activities Office (RAO) a useful resource. You’ll find their contact information on their website.

A Potentially Lower Tax Burden

Guam residents pay personal income taxes to the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation. Those taxes are based on the same income tax laws and tax rates as the Internal Revenue Code that governs federal taxes on the U.S. mainland.

In other words, if you move to Guam from the U.S. mainland, you’ll pay the same in federal income taxes, but you’ll pay that money to the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation, not the IRS.

However, Guam doesn’t levy any city, county, or local taxes on personal income. If you live in one of the 42 states that charges its residents tax on their personal income, moving to Guam could mean a tax break for you. For example, if you’re a resident of New York City, currently paying income tax to both New York City and New York state, your total income tax bill would be considerably lower on Guam.

(Unfortunately, residents of Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming won’t see much of a difference in this arena.)

Guam residents also benefit from the fact that Guam has:

• No sales tax
• One of the lowest effective property tax rates in the U.S.

To sum it up, the lower tax burden Guam levies on its citizens can help make up for the island’s higher cost of living. (More on that topic in a moment!)

A Slower Pace and a Warm, Friendly Atmosphere

Like most islands, Guam moves at its own speed, one that’s slower than many parts of the U.S. mainland. As a retiree, you may enjoy the unhurried pace on Guam, whether you’re driving, shopping at the grocery store, or enjoying a laid-back meal at a restaurant. If you’re coming from a busy area on the mainland, you may need to exercise your dormant patience muscles. However, we suspect you’ll soon relax into this new lifestyle with ease!

Additionally, the Chamorro culture that underpins life on Guam is well-known for being friendly and welcoming. You’ll find that the kindness and friendliness you put out on the island will be returned to you in spades. As a result, Guam can be the kind of place that starts to feel like home quickly, even as a new arrival to the island.

Now that you know some of the more compelling reasons to retire on Guam, let’s talk about where to live on the island.

Must-Knows for Guam Retirees: Potential Downsides

Before you take the leap, there are a couple potential downsides to consider so you get the full picture of what it’s like to retire on Guam.

#1: The Cost of Living Can Be Significant

24%

higher than the mainland U.S.

The cost of living on Guam has been estimated to be around 24% higher than the mainland U.S. The Guam Chamber of Commerce estimates that monthly expenses for a household of two come out to a minimum of ~$2,900, plus transportation expenses.  

Before you commit to retiring on Guam, put together a realistic budget that takes into account:

• Housing costs (monthly rent or monthly mortgage)
• Utilities, including water, electricity, gas, and cable/Internet
• Food, including groceries and eating out
• Transportation, including the cost of shipping your car to Guam or buying one when you arrive, plus gasoline
• Entertainment and recreation
• Medical costs

By running the numbers, you’ll confidently decide on your retirement destination, knowing it aligns well with your budget.

#2: Distance from Your Friends and Family

If you’re lucky enough to already have a community on Guam, you’ll settle into retired life on Guam easily. However, if you’re leaving friends and family behind on the U.S. mainland, living on Guam can make it hard to stay in touch.

Getting home for a visit isn’t a simple matter of a quick drive. Guam is part of the Mariana Island chain, an isolated set of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Just to get to Los Angeles, California from Guam, you’re looking at 12+ hours of flight time (at least) and 17+ hours of travel time. And those flights aren’t cheap—at least $1,300. In other words, any trip to the U.S. mainland will require a significant investment of time and money.

15 hours

time difference between ChST and EST

Additionally, Guam’s time zone can make it challenging to call or FaceTime friends and family. Chamorro Standard Time (ChST) is 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. In other words, when it’s noon on Guam, it’s 9:00 pm the day before in New York City.

This can make it tricky to schedule a time to catch up, so you’ll need to stay flexible.

Here’s the bottom line: If you decide to retire on Guam, it will be up to you to make the effort to stay in touch with your friends and family on the U.S. mainland. It won’t be simple, but if you commit to maintaining your relationships back home, you can make it work.

#3: Consider Your Healthcare Needs

As we mentioned earlier, you’ll be eligible to use your Medicare benefits on Guam. However, if you have serious ongoing health issues, you’ll want to weigh carefully whether Guam is the right place for you.

In a survey conducted by Guam Business Magazine, respondents on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands had the following to say about the healthcare on their islands:

• 47.5% rated it as “adequate”
• 50% rated it as “poor”
• 2.5% rated it as “excellent”

Additionally, while 45.24% stay on island for the majority of their healthcare:

• 14.29% indicated they go off island for the majority of their healthcare, and
• 35.71% said they stay on island for regular checks but go off-island for anything serious.

Consider these numbers food for thought while planning your golden years. As a retiree, it’s essential you get the care you need to enjoy your retirement in good health.

The Best Places to Live on Guam

The island of Guam is made up of 19 villages, each with its own mayor and its own particular character. Ideally, you’ll want to explore a few of them before making a final decision on where to live on Guam. 

To jumpstart your research, we’ve shared a few of our favorites below, with both their Chamorro and English names: 

Barigåda/Barrigada – This centrally-located village is a great fit for retirees looking for convenient, easy living. In Barrigada, you’re close to plenty of amenities, as well as several major roads, so you can get almost anywhere quickly. 

Inalåhan/Inarajan – For those looking for something a little quieter, take a look at Inalåahan. You’ll find this village on the southern side of the island, far from the busy hub of Tumon. There’s plenty of history to explore in this area, as well as a number of natural wonders like the Salaglula Pools. 

Tamuneng-Tomhom/Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon – Some retirees dream of an active retirement, one that means living right in the middle of the hustle-bustle. If that’s your ideal scenario, take a look at Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon, the focal point of Guam’s tourist trade and commerce. You’ll also find plenty of beautiful beaches in the area.

Mangilao – If you plan to golf regularly during your retirement, Mangilao will put you close to one of the best golf courses on Guam, in the Onward Mangilao Golf Club. You’ll also find a fair amount of new construction in Mangilao, if you’re looking for a piece of real estate that move-in ready with plenty of updated features.

Finally, you might also find yourself wondering how you’ll spend your retired years on Guam. Let’s take a closer look on what kind of activities you’ll find on Guam.

What Is There to Do on Guam? Ideas for Retirees

Even though Guam is only 212 square miles large, you’ll still find plenty to do on the island, especially if you’re game to slow down and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.

First, don’t miss our top 10 list of things to do, attractions, and activities on Guam to give you a sense of what awaits you on the island.

Additionally, we’ve added a few recommendations below for retirees:

• Hit the beach – Guam has between 40 and 50 beaches (depending on how you count!). If a sunset stroll or a sunrise dip in the ocean appeals, you’ll have plenty of gorgeous beaches on Guam to choose from.

• Explore local history – Guam has a long and interesting history that starts with the arrival of the Chamorro people, whose culture infuses the island today. Additionally, the island played a crucial role in World War II and continues to be a strategic location for the U.S. today. History fans, military buffs, and those curious about the cultures of the Pacific Islands will find a lot to explore in Guam.

• Explore Guam’s fascinating culture – Throughout Guam’s human history, arrivals from other locations, colonization, immigration, and even wars have shaped day-to-day life on Guam. Immerse yourself in Guam’s rich culture and complex history—and discover a side of the island some people never experience.

• Look below the surface – Guam has some incredible coral reefs and some even more incredible marine life in its surrounding waters. Grab a snorkel for a relaxing exploration of Guam’s colorful undersea world—or your scuba gear, if you’re certified.

• Enjoy Guam’s natural beauty – Whether you do it by car or by foot (it’s called “boonie stomping” on Guam), the island has plenty of amazing natural landscapes to enjoy: coastal views, waterfalls, rivers, and more. Take the Pagat Cave trail, explore the Guam National Wildlife Refuge—and discover many more adventures once you arrive.

Guam: The Perfect Spot for Retirees?

Finding the right place to retire rests on your own personal vision for your golden years. Do you want to slow down and take it easy? Stay active in a place with lots to do? Hone your skills within your favorite hobby—or discover a new one to keep you entertained? Choosing a place that makes it easy to meet those goals is your ticket to a happy and fulfilling retirement.

While no place is truly perfect, we think Guam comes pretty close! If you decide to retire here, we’d be happy to help you with a safe, easy, and affordable move. Just reach out to one of our Guam-based experts for a free quote to get started.