For many retirees considering making a move overseas, weather is a priority. The cost of living and the cost of real estate are also important, of course. But a desire for a more temperate and comfortable climate is often a primary motivation behind making a move abroad. You can swap the snow, ice and freezing temperatures of North American winter for regular sunshine and pleasant weather all year long.

Better weather not only makes for more comfortable living but can also mean health benefits. Living in a place where it’s never too cold or too hot means not having to sequester yourself part of the year behind closed doors. And not having to invest in heat or air conditioning means lower utility costs, as well.

The world’s best all-year weather is found near the equator, at about 5,000 feet. Given that criteria, great year-round weather retirement options are limited. Here are three of the best options in the Americas.

1. The Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba, Ecuador.

Average daily high: 76 degrees

Average daily low: 59 degrees

Seasonal variation: +/- 2 degrees

Elevation (at the river): 5,000 feet

Located high in the Andes of southern Ecuador, Vilcabamba is a small town surrounded by towering Andean peaks and lush valleys. The village itself is home to a few hundred people, while the surrounding area is home to perhaps 5,000 or so.

Vilcabamba is best for those looking for a small town or rural lifestyle who also appreciate the outdoors. With its 12-month growing season, year-round pleasant weather and fertile soil, it’s also a great choice for retirees interested in a self-sustaining lifestyle.

The area became famous about 50 years ago for having the world’s highest concentration of people over 100 years old, and Vilcabamba was subsequently studied by international organizations trying to determine why. The theories vary from something special in the water to a giant magnetic vortex. Most of these claims are in dispute, but there’s no denying that a lot of very healthy, very old people live here. Perhaps it has something to do with the clean air, pure mountain water and hilly terrain, which leads to lots of aerobic exercise.

The area has attracted expat retirees from around the world, because of its great weather, healthy lifestyle and low cost of living and, especially, of real estate. You could buy a charming Ecuadorian adobe house, beautifully restored to Western standards, on a property planted with lemon, orange, papaya, banana and passion fruit trees, for just $75,000.

2. Santa Lucia, Honduras.

Average daily high: 76 degrees

Average daily low: 55 degrees

Seasonal variation: +/- 4.4 degrees

Elevation (at the lake): 4,925 feet

Santa Lucia in the mountains of central Honduras is a little-known valley with a quaint, picturesque village as its centerpiece that offers near-perfect weather and peaceful living.

Santa Lucia is situated at about 5,000 feet in the hills surrounding Tegucigalpa about 20 minutes from the country’s capital and its international airport. The town looks almost medieval with its narrow, winding cobblestoned streets, stone walls and old Spanish architecture. It’s reminiscent of Toledo, Spain, just south of Madrid. The sparkling white church lies at one end of town. At the other end is a wooded town park with a small lake at its center. In the tall, green mountains that rise up around the town large luxury homes are hidden among the trees.

A short drive down the valley from Santa Lucia is the better-known town of Valle de Angeles. This is an artisan village with souvenir shops, coffee houses, a stately colonial church overlooking the town square and 100-mile views of stunning and dramatic mountainscapes. The scenery is comparable to the U.S. Rockies and the Sierra Nevada around Lake Tahoe. Valle de Angeles is a much greater tourist draw than Santa Lucia, which is more residential. Both offer great weather year-round.

3. Medellin, Colombia.

Average daily high: 82 degrees

Average daily low: 62 degrees

Seasonal variation: +/-1.4 degrees

Elevation (at the river): 4,900 feet

In addition to being a great-weather destination, Medellín is a top lifestyle choice. This is one of the most pleasant and comfortable cities in the world, with top-notch infrastructure and a Euro-chic vibe. The upscale neighborhood of El Poblado is walkable, safe and attractive, with lush parks and lots of trees. The city is clean and bright with an abundance of restaurants, cafés and nightlife. Living here you’d lack neither convenience nor diversion.

The cost of living and of real estate in Medellin is a bargain, especially when you consider the quality of life you’re buying. In addition, everything in Medellin is currently available at a discount for dollar-holders. The U.S. dollar buys more Colombian pesos today than it has in more than seven years.

At the current exchange rate, you could buy a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in one of the best neighborhoods in the city, Catay, just two minutes’ walk from Parque Lleras, for as little as $100,000. A one-bedroom apartment in a similarly appealing location could be purchased for as little as $70,000.

Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group.

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3 Overseas Retirement Spots With Great Weather originally appeared on usnews.com