The cheapest places to live in the world. $500 a month
By dorotix, July 1st 2009 in Travel News Comments (325)
StumbleAre you tired of busy cities, crowded streets, high rents and almost non-affordable mortgage? Well...there are places in the world where you can live well for less. The cheapest places to live are also the most beautiful and exotic destinations. So why not make your dreams come true, pack your bags and move to one of those paradise locations, if not for a lifetime, then at least for a year or two?
There are two simple rules to follow while searching for low cost destinations. Firstly: if you find a place cheap enough to travel to, then most probably you will also find it cheap to live in. Secondly: wherever you are, the further from the big cities and large agglomerations, the cheaper it gets.
Of course 'cheap' is a very relative concept, and what is cheap for you may not be cheap for people living some place else in the world.
But if 'cheap' means spending just a few dollars/euro/pounds a day, then these locations in Asia and Central America may interest you...
THAILAND
This could be your home. By rene ehrhardt
Have you ever been to Thailand? Do you remember that feeling of paying $1 (€0.70) for a glass of beer? Did you ask yourself then what it would feel like to pay that much for a drink back home? Or the other way round... what would it feel like to enjoy such prices on a daily basis? If your answers are yes, yes, yes ...then why not consider moving to the Land of Smiles for a while?
Life is short and, really, no one forces you to spend your days sitting in the office with a computer as your best friend. Think about sandy beaches, constant sunshine and excellent food and realize that you can have it all for less than $500 (€350) a month.
Of course this amount will not pay a beach apartment but you can easily find cheap accommodation in places as beautiful as Chang Mai, up north, where you will pay around $30 (€21) a month for a small flat. Nearer the coast, a room in the apartments runs at roughly $90 (€63) upwards.
Chang Mai by Dj Badly
Cooking at home will cost you nothing as fruits, vegetables and meat at the local markets fall into the budget category. If you are too lazy to cook then try excellent Thai food from street-side food stalls. You can get spicy chicken with rice or noodles for around $1 (€0.70). Spending around $200 (€142) for food a month, you still have around $200 (€142) spare to enjoy local trips, restaurants, parties and some small shopping.
CAMBODIA
Angkor Wat. By Jon 2
Thinking about Cambodian history, the bloody regime of Pol Pot and poverty, no one would dare to call the country a paradise, but in terms of living cost Cambodia rivals Thailand. It does not have as great beaches as its Thai neighbor but, well, it is not all about beaches, right? You can easily live for less than $500 (€350) in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh.
As there are more and more foreigners living in the town, the accommodation prices are getting higher – it would be hard to find something below $200 (€142) a month, but you can always reduce this cost by sharing a flat with a friend or some long-term travelers.
With $300 (€213) left, you can easily get by in the country. The food prices are similar or lower than in Thailand. Eating in local restaurants will cost you around $2 (€1.40) a meal and $1 (€0.70) a beer but if you really aim to trim your budget, you can try food from street stalls- simple but delicious. Traveling by tuk tuk will cost you several bucks/euro a day.
Getting around by tuk tuk. By tajai
Living in Phnom Penh, the town of no McDonald’s and Starbucks, may be a life changing experience for you. Be aware that Cambodians are extremely poor but modest people, so treat them with respect. Getting to know a few natives may help you to understand the complex history and tough life in the country. You can always teach English or get involved with some non-governmental organizations to help change the reality around you.
For visa details read an article at www.shelteroffshore.com
You will find similar costs of living in nearby countries such as Vietnam
and Laos
.
PHILIPPINES
Such beach on a daily basis? Why not...By Eric Uano
Another exotic destination where life will cost you not more than $500 (€350) a month is the Philippines. Following the rule of getting away from big cities, Manila is not an option, as a rent prices start at $360 (€255) a month. But if you head for Cebu, one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, with sandy beaches, golf courses and great shopping, you can get an apartment for $150 (€106) a month. In other bustling towns, such as Damaguete City, you can easily rent a room for around $40 (€28) per month.
Food is also cheap. $200 (€142) a month will be absolutely enough to provide you with all necessities including alcohol and tobacco - a big glass of beer and pack of cigarettes cost $0.55 (€0.39) and $0.80 (€0.57) respectively.
Ricefields in the Philippines. By Sekitar
Moreover, the Philippines offer a special resident retiree visa
that you can get as early as at the age of 35, but you need to deposit $50K in a bank there. At the age of 50 and above you have to deposit $10K and prove a monthly pension of $800 single ($1K couple).
Malaysia
, has a similar retiree offer called My Second Home
program.
COSTA RICA
Surfing in Costa Rica might be an option...By Saaron83
Just a few dollars/euro would be enough to survive in Costa Rica. And surviving in Costa Rica may be just a pleasure. The land has 12 different climatic zones and abundant wildlife, but in general, the weather is hot tropical and the natives (called Ticos) are very spirited and friendly people.
Prices in San José are low - the cost of goods and services is among the lowest of all cities throughout the world. You can easily live on $500-$600 (€350-€425) a month if you share a house or flat with a partner or a friend.
Obviously the further away from San José, the lower the cost of housing. Around 75 km (50 miles) from the town you can rent a small or medium house for $250 (€177) a month.
In the restaurants you can have an excellent meal with desert for about $4.00 - $5.00 (€2.8-€3.5). And if you buy food at local markets and from the street vendors, you pay less- a bunch of bananas will cost you $0.50 (€0.30) or less. Cigarettes are only about $1.20 (€0.90) per pack. In general, the prices in supermarkets are 30% higher than on the local markets and street stalls.
Street stall in Costa Rica. By Angela Rutherford
While in Costa Rica you can learn or develop your surfing skills as the coast has great breaks and excellent surf conditions. And if you're not too lazy, you can learn or practice your Spanish. Lessons will cost you much less than back home or in Spain.
To find out more check the blog
by Tim, who has lived in the country for several years. It seems that he knows a lot about living in Costa Rica.
If you seriously think about moving to Costa Rica, you should also read ‘Living Abroad in Costa Rica’
by Erin Van Rheenen, who herself moved to live there and wrote from experience. The book explores the country’s history and culture, describes the nation and, of course, suggests a reconnaissance trip to Costa Rica before you decide to move.
BELIZE
Belize sunset by Gold44
Your dream of a personal heaven for a bargain price may also come true in Belize, which is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. It has it all: great beaches, subtropical climate, and diverse wildlife. The official language in the country is English – that makes things simpler, doesn’t it?
The country is also a paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling lovers .The Belize Barrier Reef offers 127 offshore Cayes (islands) where you will find the best preserved marine ecosystems in the world.
The costs of living are similar to those in Costa Rica. For a large house in Cayo district, a one-hour drive west from Belize City, you may pay $300 (€210) a month and if you share with two other friends, it is only $100 (€70)!!!
Groceries are cheap when bought locally. Imported stuff is in general 50% more expensive so if you want to trim your budget, you should shop at local markets and buy from street vendors.
If you’re 45 or more you may consider retiring to Belize. The Retired Person’s Incentive Program
may allow you to live a tax free lifestyle, which should definitely help you save up a few bucks.
Storm approaching the coast in Belize. By Grant Heller
Before you pack your bags, be aware that the country has dry and wet seasons so the weather is not always as perfect as you wish. The wet season starts in May and ends in October – it rains all the time and the hurricanes may occur, so if you want to spend just a few months in the country, go between November and April.
And don’t forget that the best things in life are for free. Living abroad for less than $500 a month is great but what counts most is the people you meet, friends you make, experience you acquire, places you see, tastes and smells you learn to recognize.
There are also countries in Europe and Africa where you can live for $500 a month. So keep checking the blog... the article is coming soon.
P.S. At the time of writing, the exchange rate was $1 - €0.71.
Bali is also a cheap place to live
Of the central american destinations you mentioned, Costa Rica and Belize are the most expensive. Better live in luxury in Guatemala!
I've been to all of those places and you are so far from reality it's not even possible to rationalize with you
what about india?
I've been looking at a couple of the places you mention, but it is difficult to work out accommodations from overseas. Any advice on how you can do so without overpaying?
Also your numbers for rent in Thailand seem off.
Bali is exoticly beautiful and cheap. You should put it on the list
Awesome!! Thanks for the great list. Looks like I'll be packing to Costa Rica
I am from the Philippines, if you are a westerner, if you live here you will not know the difference since our culture is somewhat adopted from the western. We'd been ruled by Spanish and the americans, both culture are mix today.
Another is the language, we speak english...
Just spent the last 5 years in Thailand, Cambodia and The Phillipines. You CANNOT live in Any of these places on $500 a month. No way, no how.
Vote for Indonesia...hahahaha
Teacher’s average salary in Thailand is $400 per month... so I guess it is possible for anyone to live on less than $500...
My friends got mugged in Belize... not fun
would someone then post some information about the same countries about a bare minimum how much it really costs to live there.
Depressing. I can barely afford to live in my own country (Philippines). LOL.
As a 6 year expat in The Land Of Smiles, I have to correct your Thailand living expenses.
First off, a single room even in the cheapest parts of Thailand is going to cost you upwards of 70 dollars. On the beach you can rent a dirty bamboo hut for around 100 dollars a month. But anything decent is going to cost at least 200 a month.
A beer is no longer anywhere near $1, for this price you'll get a can from 7/11. If you're going to sit down and have a beer, expect to pay $2 - 6 dollars.
Thai street food is indeed around $1 dollar a dish. But you can forget about cooking at home on that budget. For a start the place you rent for 100-200 dollars a month will not have a ktichen. Then you'd have to buy in bulk to beat the street food prices, so unless you wanna eat chicken fried rice every meal for a week, cooking at home is gonna cost you more.
Also I have to add, these prices are usually only available to the seasoned Thai visitor or expat. If you can't talk Thai, you can forget it. Expect to pay double on pretty much everything mentioned above (except street food, which is usually a standard price for Thai's and foreigners.)
I live in Chiang Mai Thailand and for $30 a month an apartment would be a crappy tent in abandoned building. Figure at least $120 for decent accomodations and I pay about $300 for great quality. It's true food and other things are cheap there
Thank you!! Just helped me plan my next vacation
"Teacher’s average salary in Thailand is $400 per month... so I guess it is possible for anyone to live on less than $500..."
perhaps if you are a Thai national, even then as a teacher you'd should be earning around 500.
$400
The only people who can live on 500 a month in Thailand are the Thai's. And for this they share a single room with four people, only ever eat street food, drink one perhaps two beers a night, work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Yes its possible, but I wouldn't suggest hopping on a plane to Thailand to live that kind of life.
as a Costa Rican, I will tell you that is just not true. Unless you are a pig.
Chang Mai is indeed cheaper than coastal towns.
I paid $750 a month for a decent (not luxurious) 2 bedroom in Rayong for 3 years. Did not include utilities.
The Phillipines I payed $450 a month for an ex- Navy personal 2 bedroom home in Subic Bay. Had to have bars on all my windows and steel doors. Also had a 24 hour armed guard. People still got robbed regularly. Safety is an issue for foreigners in the Philippines.
Cambodia is tough to find western standard apartments. Cost is about the same as Thailand.
You better put aside at least $200 a month for health insurance in all these countries and extra money for prepaid airvac insurance in Cambodia.
i agree
Here is a realistic breakdown of a semi western style lifestlyle in Thailand.
Rent:
$750+ for a seaview 1 bedroom apartment with a common pool
$750 a month. No seaview 2 bedroom. Western Kitchen and bathroom. Aircon in all rooms
$500 a month Small 1 bedroom with aircon and Western Kitchen.
$350 a month for Studio with aircon and not quite western standard kitchen on the patio outback.
$200 a month for a Thai dump with a sqaut toilet and no kitchen. Electric will be spotty.
Divide these by 2/3 rds for Chang Mai, Chang Rai.
Divide by 1/2 for most is Issans major cities.
Multiply by 1.25 to 1.50 for Puket.
Pattaya, Rayong and Hua Hin will all be about those prices.
Double whatever price you come up with for everything else. Food, Bike rentals etc etc.
Add some money for health insurance and $100 a month for visa runs.
This story is a load of uninformed garbage -- the author either hasn't been to SE Asia at all or is simply making up complete BS. I've lived in three of the countries she mentions and she is so far off point on all three it is beyond a joke.
Is there any quality control on this site or do you simply publish rubbish in order to get comments from people who actually know what they're talking about?
outstanding list!!!thailand is a great place to visit!!thanks for great information!
dont forget that in Thailand you can only stay up to six months a year with the new visa laws. You need a retirement, business or spouse visa to stay a full year now. All are not easy to get. LOS is becomming LOH - land of hassles.
I had a spouse visa in Thailand. Now you have to show a combined income of around $20,000 a year. Not 20k in a bank account. Income as determined by whatever Immigration agent you are lucky enough to pull that year. If not, it's 3 month visa runs to Cambodia or Laos and crossing your fingers once a year in Singapore for a 1 year visa.
The business Visa are a total joke now. Big buck in lawyer and account fees every year.
Could have changed in the last 6 months. God knows they completely changed the visa rules at least 3 times in the 5 years I lived there.
No more easy 1 year visas from the Us Consulates. Retirees having to stick 800,000 baht in a Thai bank each year. Can't get concurrent tourist visas in ANY Asian consulate any more. Closest place is now Perth. Used to be able to goto Laos or Penang, Malaysia every 3 months. That is if the airport wasn't under siege. Lol *joke*
I'd move to Cambodia next week if they had a decent hospital.
I have alot of freinds in Cebu, Phillipines. Always getting robbed.
Looking at South America now. Getting hard to find anywhere with the precipitous drop of the US dollar.. Argentina ? Dominican Republic ?
Guatemala ? Parts of Mexico ? Dunno..
I live in Poland where many young and older people earn $500 a month...and they often have to support the whole family...The minimum wage in Poland in 2009 is $400 and Poland belongs to EU so it should be of higher standards than Asian countries, right? Well...if it is possible to live on less than $500 in Eastern and Central Europe...it might be also possible in Asia and Central America
You seem to delete comments that hurt the post. However, I am actually trying to help you make it better. It is an eye sore to read the article with all the grammatical and spelling mistakes. Please fix.
nice article! I've been to thailand and it was a freakin blast! china is another place you can live for less than $500 a month, but you won't find many places as beautiful as the pictures you showed on this article
I have considered Costa Rica to be my next long-term destination, but that's a few years off, after I'm done with Asia
Erm, Internet?
The Ukraine is crazy cheap and relatively safe. Even though Poland is in the EU it still uses the Zloty and it has a favorable exchange rate with the dollar right now. Definitely check out Poland. Nice people, smokin hot women, and beer is cheap.
dorotix, you made a mistake by writing this article ... now, I'll have my wife allways saying: "See? That's what we need!".
Just kidding!
Great article. Man, just a dream ... that can, and should, be REAL!
What about Nilesville? It's perfect the shrelms are nice. Masey Shrelmers performs his great hit reebsburger in mases mouth.
As someone living in Thailand, I think your costs are waaaaaaay off.
I live in Bangkok and I pay about $700 a month and though I could have a place for half the price it would be small, no pool (and believe me, you want a pool), out in the middle of nowhere where you have to take a bus or motorcycle taxi just to get to the BTS line, etc.
I'll give you that I kept my western standards in finding a new place. I could save a couple hundred by downgrading a little or moving farther out of the city center but my price is not radically expensive.
And as someone also mentioned, beers run about 70 baht ($2) in a cheapie Thai bar or at some happy hour but expect to pay about 100 (around $3) at most restaurants and bars that feature no entertainment (bands, girls, or whatever). If they do have a band or it's a bar with girls then you're looking at 150 ($4.30) or so.
Also as has already been mentioned, if you don't speak Thai you'll be hanging out in farang (foreigner) areas which are more expensive. You'll have a terrible time if you try to go to Thai bars and hang out with Thais who don't speak any English. So you'll gravitate to bars geared for farangs with English speaking staff and you'll pay extra.
Amazing. I have been to Thailand and Cambodia and agree that both are quite beautiful places and the people are amazing.
RT
www.anonymize.tk
What about india
Costa rica is beautiful but no where near cheap. Even in mal pais- one of the more remote parts of the country - apartments started around $400/mo in 2005. I was most recently about 30 min from jaco in December and prices were on par with the US- imperial cost ~$6.00/6pack or $2-$3 in bars and meals typically ran around $8 for casado or alot more if you wanted something less local.
Don't get me wrong- I love CR but I wouldn't classify it as one of the cheapest places to live. I would recommend Nicaragua if you're looking for a cheap central american destination...
Has the person who wrote this even ever cracked open a Lonely Planet? Perusing the Latin American one, you'd quickly see that CR is NOT the cheapest country in the region.
That said.. I live in the US, in a pretty big town, and splitting a place with my girlfriend, I spend no more than $500 a month... Furthermore, I imagine the hourly wage one can make here, is out of reach for the majority of those in the countries mentioned, making life even more difficult.
Wow! I've been to half of these places and your pricing is optimistic to the point of fantasy. While these places are very much less expensive that so many other "western" destinations, they still cost quite a bit more than you have cited. At least when comparing similar living standards.
Someone already stated that the cited rent was correct for a tent or thatched roof hut. But, for less primitive accommodations, rent is far higher.
Also, I must ask if English is your first language? The writing in this article is atrocious for a native English speaker. If however, your first language is Thai, then you did a great job even if it was inaccurate.
You should add Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Maldives to this list.
The expat experience in CR is not as rosy, retirees from the US have been moving there for decades and the prices have been going up on everything for a long time. That people are a bit resentful is what I've felt while there. Its a pain driving up and down beautiful country and finding countless "locked in" neighborhoods with Uzi packing guards at the gates, these are mostly for foreigners. Safety has become an issue for expats as well, the reality is you'll stick out, where ever you go, speak the language. Robberies and such against expats have also been on the rise in CR.
I really find this article to be extremely irresponsible writing. To anyone considering moving to any of these places, please do your research and start taking language courses.
Sorry friend, but 1 hour west of Belize City puts you into the middle of the jungle: no beachfront, no diving/snorkeling.
I live in Cozumel, Mexico and I rent a "Western level" 1-bdrm apartment in a great part of town for ~$300/month. Surfing, kite boarding, snorkeling, and diving are a 15 minute drive away. Prove a foreign income and you can get a 1 year renewable visa. I could go on....
I can't help but point out I could live in most us cities for less then 500 a month. There are tons of crappy efficiencies with loads of better living conditions all over the states. Plus, only getting 25 to 35 hours a week at a minimum wage job here earns you over 800 a month after taxes. Many of the countries you listed I would consider dangerous for a foreigner to live.
Cozumel!! Yeah!!!
Colombia also has lots of places where you can live with less than $500USD. Colombia is pretty much better than Costa Rica.
Three billion people live on less than $2 per day. There are plenty of places in the developing world where one can live on less than $500 a month.
Got me excited then as I have about $60,000 and am 35 - but after a bit of reasearch
AGE / DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS
All foreign nationals below 50 and at least 35 years of age are required to deposit the amount of US$75,000.00 with any PRA short-listed bank. Those aged 50 and above are required to deposit
US$50,000.00. Former Filipinos are required to deposit US$1,500.00. The deposit amount of US$50,000.00 shall be required from an applicant who is at least 35 years of age and belongs to any of the following:
Costa Rica is SUPER expensive for being in Central America. Like a previous "guest" wrote, try Guatemala or Nicaragua...both equally as beautiful, if not more, with friendlier people and less expensive accomodations.
How about living in the empty quarter, it will cost you nothing (eat sands and sleep on sand dunes).
Consider that for a change!
I've been to some places in Mexico where I wish that 500 per month was possible...there are places there.
Here in the Central Valley of California, the cost is low...especially now.
http://idgoback.com/places/travel/mcfarland-california
WHAT AN IDIOT. It's amazing what nonsense is published on the web. I've been to most of the said destinations, and most of this guy's statements are false. I doubt the author has ever picked up a budget travel book, let alone traveled out of his own area. I suppose you could rent cardboard boxes for some of the prices mentioned.
I have lived in Thailand and Dominican Republic. I agree with all of the comments stated. Unless you live and eat like the locals, it is expensive. I speak both languages and will tell you that they charge the Franges double. If it was better in these countries I would be there today. If you want unstable goverments, visa runs every month at costs of $25 to $100 US dollars, hot humid conditions, insect bites, sewer smells, unsafe drinking water, people begging you for money 24/7 and prices higher than this person stated "UP TO YOU". No #%&@# way can you stay in these countries stated for $500.00 US dollars or less. The person that wrote this article has no clue what so ever. owenalott@ymail.com
What locations in America are the best places to live where jobs are plentiful, low crime rates, ideal temperatures and taxes are low?
I believe than costa rica is the best option.
You can live for 500, but some retired american with $2000 can live with luxury
CostaRicaCenter.com
CostaRicaCenter.com
what about Egypt...
malaysia, great food, $500 a month is possible
why not cuba......its prety, save and cheap.
I want to live in all of them!
FYI: If you decide to you don't want to live in the country anymore, that $50,000 deposit is released back to you at $1,000 a month. My brother lived in Costa Rica and he is still getting his money back $1,000 at a time.
Ha ha... Wake up dude! 500$/month is a fricking treasure!
moron...
I wouldn't say the prices are beyond fantasy, but they are extreme indeed. I've been to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. I managed to live in Bangkok for 400 euros a month, but although the living conditions suited me fine, it would not be imaginable for everyday life... I was living as a backpacker/local in substandard guesthouses, eating street food, and almost no booze/smoke. On the other hand, same budget accomodated for trips in the area, and visiting is one of the reasons to move away, right?
However, as the author stated, it all depends on what you call "cheap"... Some people are accustomed to certain standards that they will not be able to change, or cope with less. Think of what is really necessary to you, and see how much that costs to maintain, and you'll get a better ballpark figure of what your budget should be.
I wouldn't say the prices are beyond fantasy, but they are extreme indeed. I've been to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. I managed to live in Bangkok for 400 euros a month, but although the living conditions suited me fine, it would not be imaginable for everyday life... I was living as a backpacker/local in substandard guesthouses, eating street food, and almost no booze/smoke. On the other hand, same budget accomodated for trips in the area, and visiting is one of the reasons to move away, right?
However, as the author stated, it all depends on what you call "cheap"... Some people are accustomed to certain standards that they will not be able to change, or cope with less. Think of what is really necessary to you, and see how much that costs to maintain, and you'll get a better ballpark figure of what your budget should be.
Egypt is by far the cheapest place to live!
I have a one year visa in thailand and am living very well on about $300/month. $150 for a 3 room cottage and the rest on food and daily incidentals.
I am very satisfied with my life and can't see any reason to spend more than that.
This article is true only for backpacker-style living standards, this means poor food quality, insect bites, discomfort, bad night's sleep, etc.
people, stop kidding yourself. there is no free lunch. if something is cheap it means its low quality. you will pay for it in sickness, stress or discomfort.
eqypt is an awful place. not polite and pushy people that haze tourists. its the worst 'popular' tourist destination in the world.
india wasn't meantioned because everyone knows you can live on less than $500 per day there as with most of africa and the local cardboard box on skid row. sure you can get a meal in india for $2 bucks but the visit to the doctor afterwards will cost $25, so how do you define cheap? the fact is that Western living in loser countries actually costs MORE.
Beautiful, but I think India also needs to be mentioned.
i am an american who has lived in thailand for most of the past 8 years, and there is NO WAY you could live there for $500 a month. not unless you were living with a bunch of Thais and getting most things for free.
Its not Damaguete, its Dumaguete, and its possible to live in Dumaguete for around $500 a month, that is if you're not planning on diving or whale watching. The town is small, you can explore the whole downtown area by foot in about an hour--just don't do it alone at night. There are bike rentals at hourly rates. Decent housing starting from about $65/month. Its a small university town with most of the population being students, hence most commodities are in "student prices".
The thing here in the Philippines is that you should know a local to do some negotiations for you as many places charge foreign nationals differently from the locals. English isn't a problem to many. Roadsigns, menus, major publications and groceries are labeled in English. Doesn't hurt to learn a few words in the language too.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Kurdistan portion of Iraq.
wtf Iraq, I'm all set with that. Sounds like all the guest should write the next one, sounds like they know whats the best
I lived in Thailand for much less than 500 bucks a month. It was a secluded Island where we caught/grew our own food and sold pot on the mainland to idiots like YOU. It was a shame about that shark, though
(
man i live off the equivalent of $650 a month and im in the UK! Im sure it can't be that hard to live in one of these countrys for peanuts.
millions,MILLIONS, of Americans live in the US on their disability/social security checks for around 650 per month. Granted, some services are subsidized further but honestly there are Tons of places in Mexico,South and Central America where you can live a simple "Western" lifestyle for $500 a month. 'Shack on the beach and all the beer you can drink for 300 a month all over Mexico. Sling a few bags to Euro tourists and live like a king. Cheap drugs, food and alcohol are the norm.
In Australia, I live in a shared house for $266 a month, about $210 USD. The full cost of rent for the house is $800 a month. That is for a house that is 10 minutes from the city. $240 a month for food and you're set, I don't see why people need to move overseas to pay more than what they are paying at home.
Nepal is one of the cheapest place. you can live with 300 $ in ine month
http://www.monterosa-nepal.com
How about living in Croatia Europe for 500-600$ a month. No problem here renting appartment for 200$, people speak english, the best looking Mediteranean seacost. We have few USA basketball players here. Check it out.
I've just returned from living in Chiang mai, Thailand for 3 years. An apartment there is more like $300 per month.
The USA would be nice, but Bumbling Barack and Corrupt Nancy have ruined it
Heaven And Hell are among cheapest in the whole world ...kakakkakka
Last one to leave America, please turn off the lights and don't let the door hit you on the back side.
It is all relative. While the numbers are on the low side it is doable but as previous posters mentioned: the less you spend the more comfort and quality you give up.
I got back from thailand 2 weeks ago and I could live on 10bucks a day but that is the cheapest guesthouse (they are actually cheaper than apartments), 3 meals of street food (w/ a bottle of water), 8 cigs, and 1 large Chang per day only from 7-11. It gets old if you arent careful. $30/day is far more comfortable, double it if you like to get drunk in farang bars, take girls home, don't eat Thai food or need an A/C room. If all of this describes you, you are going to be spending a lot more.
On a tenner a day,iIf you have to do laundry, give up beer. Want to buy a used book? cut out beer and cigs. Want to have a western breakfast? fast thru lunch and give up the beer.
An update: Marlboro is not sold in BKK's duty free shops. And for all cigs only the 1st carton is duty free coming into the US. After that you pay about $10/carton in duty. (Thanks Prez.)
how about japan? LOL
500 usd is not a small amount to live in turkey too. You can find a decent fully western style flat for about 200 usd for long term accomodation in coastal towns and cities if you get some help from a local. western style stores and supermarkets are all over the country and prices are same for everybody. you can afford food shopping in local markets for about 200 a month except meat. meat is expencive, about 10 usd for 1 kg. and if it is really a indicator a beer from store is 1i5 usd and 3-5 usd in modest bars.
Nicaragua.
And I've already said too much...
here is another place in central california where you can live very cheap. delano,California is the table grape capital of the world...you could even hook up and work part time in the grape picking and packing season...would be quite an experience!
http://idgoback.com/places/travel/delano-california---93215
How about Paraguay? The capital is one of the most affordable cities in the world
I've travelled through Central America. Costa Rica is relatively expensive and dangerous. As other posters have mentioned, Nicarauga is a better option or my favorite - Panama. Panamanians are friendly, the country is beautiful and it is relatively cheap.
I think this article demonstrates the perils of internet research, but don't bag the writer too much, it's a thankless task
Belize is possibly the biggest shithole ever. If you've ever been to Belize you know that every 14 year old is carrying around an AK 47 and trying to jack your shit. It may have a pretty deck somewhere on it that someone may have taken a picture of, but otherwise it is dangerous and disgusting.
Costa Rica is a beautiful, beautiful country. Went for a month, did community service. Spectacular!
There is no such word as "firstly"; possibly
the writer meant "first"? Yeah, that's a
tough one.
Great country went to Casa Girasol in San Jose for a week to have an initiation of Costa Rica, we met the most wonderful people ever and the best organized tours that picked us up every morning we felt just so in love that we decided to stay and here we are.
Firstly is a valid word - check out the Oxford College dictionary. Secondly, I want to say that Belize is rated very highly by most travel publications - perhaps the writer was thinking of Fort Bliss, Texas, where people do carry weapons.
NO - Japan is very expensive, from what I hear. I speak Japanese a bit. With regard to these various places, don't forget that the language barrier is a great hindrance.They tell me that the louder you speak English in Thailand, the less they understand!
I'm surprised that Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania aren't on this list. each one is cheaper than Costa Rica in my experience.
I live in Cuba - and although a previous posts suggests it is cheap, it is not.
Surprisingly, to rent a room in a house for a month will cost you upwards of 600-1100 dollars a month. This is what I paid my first two years there, now my rent has gone up to 1200 dollars a month.
Visa runs are expensive and the bureaucratic red tape is a nightmare.
Now if you are a Cuban... you can live on next to nothing. Life is different there for locals and foreigners.
africa don't exist or u only like westerned countries;
burkina faso for french speakon or ghana
for english spoken are much more cheap and
cool, Thailand is nice but thay just want u're
money and they're racist, sorry but that's my
expirience
cebu,philippines more cheaper esp in moalboal,cebu,they have one of the best diving piscaddor island...locals are friendly.
In all the answers, why has no one mentioned what the US govt is working on for ex-pats....visa restrictions, limitations on foreign bank accounts, possible difficulties in returning to the US. Take a look at the bills in Congress and see what our lawmakers want.....difficult restrictions and legal ways to force expats to return to the US so the government can collect more taxes....Short stays may be fine in any of the countries in discussion...but check the US Dept of State warning lists....some areas such as Mindanao in the Philippines are totally off limits for US Citizens due to the kidnappings and murders that are becoming more frequent there. Ditto for Egypt, parts of Guatemala and Mexico. Even high-scale, once-safe places like Dubai are rife with crime these days.. Do your homework well before you leave and check visa restrictions, medical facilities, legal problems. While living in a foreign country, I saw many a US citizen's car impounded, US citizens thrown in jail on trumped up charges, busts for drug use which did not occur...etc. etc. Forewarned is forearmed!
I have been to all of the places mentioned in this article within the last two years. It should not be used as any sort of guide or resource. It is almost entirely incorrect and has been written by someone with very little worldly experience of anything but air conditioned internet cafes, or so it would seem.
agreed.
Ooh, I want to go to Thailand. Granted, part of it are the asian. It would be wonderful living near the coast. Imagine that, living comfortably without being rich. Although, Costa Rica isn't that bad but may need to brush up my Spanish porque no lo entiendo mucho
India definitely needs to be mentioned, the state of goa, where beer costs Rs 20. thts abt $0.50. has to make it on this list... ask any of the expats who have been livin there for years and years....
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Cheapest-Places-Live-World-50-t277761.html
Monthly expenses also depends on how much you pay for your prostitute. You can't keep living in Thailand forever cos you will get bored with 4 feet girls.
Hi, my name is Jim. I live and work in southern Thailand and have been here for 5 years now. I welcome any questions about life here. http://jimsjournal.blogspot.com
Someone mentioned Romania. I live there and can't manage it on less than $500 per month. But plenty of Romanians do. That's about the average salary here, and all my Romanian friends earn much, much less. But I would imagine that it depends on whether you're truly prepared to live like a local or not. In Romania, if you don't mind sharing a 2-room apartment (one bedroom, one living room) with up to three other people, then less than $500 a month living cost is no problem!
for those of you sitting on a fortune, please standup.
I lived very well in Honduras for $300 per month. This included 2 rooms with private bath, two prepared meals per day and cleaning and laundry service. That was in 1997.
Although it was 10 years ago, I lived in Brazil in a small flat for about $350 per month. That included my meals and transport.
Geez! So many cynics... (To the OP) Next time, do your research and post pictures of yourself in each location... I am an American living in Bangkok. I live well on 2 grand a month. But you can easily live on $1,000.00 dollars/month. $500.00 or less is possible but less than ideal. The choice is yours really....
Happy Trails...
Geez! So many cynics... (To the OP) Next time, do your research and post pictures of yourself in each location... I am an American living in Bangkok. I live well on 2 grand a month. But you can easily live on $1,000.00 dollars/month. $500.00 or less is possible but less than ideal. The choice is yours really....
Happy Trails...
The best part of this is the feedback! Excellent real-life advice from people who really have been there. Thanks guys. Oh! You can forget South Africa @ $500 a month ..... you are going to need at least 4 x that. Feel free to mail me (a local) if you want any information. tantrawiz@yahoo.com
Scariest part about this article is that someone might actually read this and believe it to be accurate. You think that Philippines beach is public? Even if it is public, you think it's typical? This article says more about the author than it does about the destinations.
Beautiful photographs and so many cynical, yet probably accurate comments. Some of the comment writers need to realize that visiting a place on vacation is not the same as living there. Until you've rented and furnished an actual apartment, bought groceries, called a plumber, filled a prescription, and done the myriad other quotidian humdrum things that go along with 'existing' in the modern world, you really don't know anything about a place.
I cannot speak about Asia since I've never lived there, but I know from experience that you can live cheaply and well in places like Tunisia, Morocco, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Poland.
There is also more to live than merely existing - I am sure I could eke out an existence underneath a highway overpass in NYC for less than $500 per month. However, I like to be a participant in my local culture whatever form it may take -- opera, theater, football (soccer), literature, cuisine, politics, charities, etc.
I have worked extremely hard my entire life and can easily afford to sit mindlessly on a tropical beach somewhere and have scantily-clad natives bring me drinks. However, that type of sybaritic existence is repugnant to me. I want to LIVE not merely exist.
I lived in a studio with a nice kitchenette in midtown Sacramento, CA during 1999-2000 for $375 a month and paid all my expenses with an easy part time job. I rode my bike everywhere, didn't own a car, had access to bars, classes, libraries, and the Bay Area was only a bus or train ride away. I don't know why people think they need to fly to Australia or Croatia to live simply. You should have a better reason for going abroad than just being a cheapskate and not working.
In response to your curiosity, let me advance the theory that some of us want to experience different cultures, languages, traditions. It is interesting to see how other people live and share in that. Before I was 30 years old I spoke at least 5 languages and was only hungry for more.
Nowadays, as a grown up man taking his grown-up place in the world, I need a bit more than just a studio apartment but it was absolutely all that I needed in my 20s and 30s.
One important aspect you raised which was not addressed in the article was the fact that Americans cannot work overseas - most countries have EXTREMELY strict work permitting policies. Unlike the States, where I routinely hire armies of H1B visa-carrying Indians, Russians, Chinese, etc The rest of the world is essentially a closed labor market, with a few exceptions made for those in Academia.
I've lived in Belize the last 11 years, own my house and truck and easily get buy on $500. a month.
BELIZE CITY is dangerous, rest of country only minor crime.
My house in Maya Beach is for sale $299,000. for info and pics e-mail divingpelican@gmail.com
I visit the Caribbean island of Dominican Republic where the weather is tropical and the resort was luxurious at charlisangels adult vacations. Visit them at www.charlisangels.com for information regarding the resort.
Philippines it is! Friendly People, safer than any city in the USA if you stay away from Manila, plenty of beaches. I spend 200 bucks for two bedrooms on the beach. If you eat out, its about three hundred bucks a month. Utilities and beer are extra. I would say 800 bucks would get you by pretty well if you shopped for your own food and did not own a car.
Philippines is a great country if you like to get laid by 18yr old bargirls for 1000 pesos/night. There is a large expat community in Angeles City where the US air base used to be.
Average monthy rent for a 2/3 bedroom house is about 15,000 pesos. Most of the expats are alcoholic, fat and full of shit.
Come to India. If you want, you can live with all that is must under $200 and even $50 at some places. All you have to do is search for such a place and you will find many.
oh yeah! i forgot about all those cute 18 year old bar gals. they are gorgeous and legal! no problem with morality, unless you are one of those fat born again farts. make luv not war! And its a great deal for both partners....t about all those cute 18 year old bar gals. they are gorgeous and legal! no problem with morality, unless you are one of those fat born again farts. make luv not war
I am working hard at trying to live in 'costa rica on my $700 a month social security check... tough to do..i share a house with a gringo who smokes so i'd rather not but still looking to find right mix..
Ha! Actually one can live and travel for nothing ( my brother did & just google travel the world for free), but it also depends on how comfortable and safe you want to be.
You don't even mention the unbearable heat and mugginess & rainy season in that part of the world or the poverty or political unrest.
We live on less in rural Spain in the winter than friends did in Thailand. It seems the real monthly rental for a decent place ( even according to several in the comments) is more like 700/750 a month for a 1 or 2 bedroom.
One can find that easily in rural Europe or USA with a lot more luxury! LOL!
We've stayed the last 3 winters in a gorgeous 15th century village in Spain. Can walk or take mass transit anywhere. We pay $650./month for a brand new, sea view, 3 bedroom, 2 bath with washing machine, dishwasher, nicely furnished, huge terraces, pool, high speed cable internet etc etc village house. We are 5 minutes away from one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and 1 hour from Granada.
You do not have to be in the far east to live cheap!
First time here, great site with contributions from everyone and a India Tourism Officer. LOL
we can live in any country with U$500 but if it wil be a decent life is another story. I cannot believe a person can live well with that amount of money.
MEXICO TIENE HOSPEDAJE DESDE 90 AL MES Y COMIDAS DESDE 1.80 EN EL CENTRO DE LA CAPITAL Y EN EL INTERIOR DE LA REPUBLICA CLARO QUE ESTAMOS HABLANDO DE DOLARES PUEDEN IR Y VERIFICAR!!!!!
I see that a LOT of people are arguing with the prices that are listed in this article, WITHOUT realizing that the article does NOT say how much LUXURY is available... it just simply points out that the prices for accomadations EXIST...
Also, the point must be made that the prices are listed for SMALLER CITIES, and NOT the main cities that most people visit, or research on the web...
Peace...
The majority of the people posted here are complete idiots... i guess it's an accurate representation of society as a whole. Fact of the matter is, and while i haven't been to some of them, it's very doable to live on $500 a month in the countries listed. Just because you spent $2000 a month in said countries doesn't mean that you've got anything relevant to say or that you're an expert in any sense of the word.
Try to understand that some people are happy to sleep in a bamboo shack and share bathroom facilities... and no it doesn't mean you're going to get sick. If you want a clean room with heating/cooling then pay more and leave the cheap living discussion to the people who don't need to be treated like a princess.
"If you want a clean room with heating/cooling"...that's funny. A living environment that is clean is being treated like a princess? That's a luxury to you?
Many of the people commenting here have actually lived in these countries. The author has obviously not.
I could live in Manhattan on less than $500/month, if I don't mind sleeping on the sidewalk and getting meals from a restaurant dumpster. I really don't think that's the kind of lifestyle most people are looking for.
the four feet girls in Thailand are called ewes i the US
Vizag in east coast of India is the best place for retirees. One can rent a 2 bed room apartment close to beach for $150-00. In $350-00 you will get beer/beach/greenary/excellent transport and other facilities.
Crime is minimal and people are very friendly.Most people understand and speak english.You can learn local language Telugu in a month.
You are not permitted to walk nacked.You are expected to respect local culture.
After living in west for more than three decades I feel like I want to go there and retire for rest of my life.
In Malaysia, for about USD150, you could get an entire house for rent... 3bedrooms, kitchen...the works, no more than 15 minutes from the nearest town.
"In response to your curiosity..." Were you talking to me, of the Sacramento comment? But I'm not at all curious about you, nor do I care about your reason for doing whatever it is you did.
Costa Rica and Belize are the most expensive countries in Latin America and on par with Brazil. You didn't mention a single African nation--by far some of the cheapest in the world. You also didn't mention India. This list is ridiculous.
cool!!!
This lists fails to mention the great deals on offer in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a buyer's market.
so... these places are probably the most dangerous to live in; i'm assuming. i only have experience of the philippines, but i think it can apply to all.
I live in chiang Mai and wonder where the cheap place you mention is. It costs more than the rates you quote--assuming you want to have a shower, wear clean clothes etc. You will want to eat some western food too.
north and northeast states in brazil are cheap also
I lived in Cuba for 3 years and did just fine. I smuggled in VCRs and Satellite receivers and made a killing. $50K every 6-8 weeks. Had to pay off the customs guys but it can be done... and the girls with their boyfriends.... I mean their cousins, well that's what they tell the foreigner.
I thinking Ecuador, great climate year round and can live there for about $800 a month.
admit it, you've never been to any of these places have you. For $500 a month you will have to live like an absolute loser
i live off E750 a month in Netherlands. 250 for 3 room apartment. 250 basic foods. 250 clothing, transport, drinks, etc.
Let me guess, your the white guy that scammed me for about $20 in baht. Let my guard down on a British guy in Pattaya, where i was always on guard on the locals.
Only way you live at $500 is in squalor and/or have found a unique way to make extra income like that drunk/alcoholic with the 'passport got stolen scam'.
Now you could make it on $500 in the bare minimum of western standards, as in rare treat, but then whats the point of living if your stuck in a nipa hut with no aircon, and at best a few ice cooled beer on those few treat days you can afford.
To 99% of the comments above: It's easier to put someone down than to up your own game and take a risk/adventure, isn't it?
Living in San Jose, Costa Rica for $500 is impossible unless shacking up with three or four people. Outside of there near where I live is Dominical, Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, it's more likely. But like the article says, the further from SJ the better your chances.
I also have a blog on Costa Rica here: http://www.sellingcr.com/crblog
I also stayed in Philippines. It is really cheap & best place to live. But will not find the cheaper flights there. Before you start planning compare the flight & hotel deals at various travel compare engines like hotwire.com, Tripmama.com, orbitz.com etc.
what you wrote is utter nonsense. You obviously haven't lived in Costa Rica or Belize. LOL!
I live very happily in Bangkok on $500. I just watch my money.
- I live in a nice foreigner apartment on Sukhumvit with a gym, a pool, wi-fi, and security ($300/month).
- Eat inexpensive and healthy street food.
- Buy cheap beer from local shops or 7-11.
- No prostitutes or other stupid things most ex-pats waste all their money.
So I have no idea what the people above are saying that this is impossible. Because I'm doing now, as we speak!
i really don't give a rat's behind about what some people call living on five hundred a month. after being in more than a few locations..including philippines, thailand, korea and japan....i just know you are going to need at least 20 bucks a day to go out of your house and do something. Thats 600 bucks a month. Add that to the five hundred cuz ur gonna be buying stuff for yourself and your gal. Also you need maintenance money for clothes, electronic upgrades, vehicles. etc. So, if you like cheap places like cambodia, thailand, philippines and india..and u want to have true independance...figure about 1100 bucks a month...seriously. final answer.
Just want to say... it seems people are criticizing the article's accuracy. I'd say live in Albania. The capital city is getting expensive, but it's only 30 minutes from the beach, with cheap health care (I went to get a basic check up from a doctor and paid $5. He also checked my heart with some heart machine. Also got an x-ray for $40). The people LOVE Americans, and it's quite safe. If you got out of the capital, you can find great prices. You can border cross to Kosovo and Macedonia every three months, and you can stay pretty much indefinitely. Of course, official laws don't allow this, but no one actually follows laws in Albania... and that's not a joke.
I think you could live by yourself, happy, on $500/mo. With a wife, you'd need around $800. add another $200/kid, but it's nice living with that much.
It's no the critic who counts, nor the man who points out where the strong man stumbles or the the doeer of deeds could have done them better - THE CREDIT BELONGS TO THE MAN IN THE ARENA, WHO KNOWS THE BLOOD AND SWEAT AND DUST
I went from being a rich driven bastard thinking you can't live on less than a $150k a year to shacking up with locals in mudhuts in cameroon herding cattle for my lodging and food for over a year - it beats the hell out of investment banking
on my way to borneo now. It can't be done, it should be done says the old people who never had the balls
I salute those who have the guts to dream and the balls to act
SO THAT OUR PLACE WILL NEVER BE AMONG THOSE COLD AND TIMID SOULS WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN VICTORY NOR DEFEAT
Well, in Vietnam the standard of living is lower
then Thailand but the cost of living is higher , & must costlier .
For less than $500US even the local people are having a hard time to get by , ( in the smaller cities ) in Hanoi or Saigon ... LOL
this guy ( the author ) is a joke and a half .
its a fact that Philippines is one of the cheapest place to live in the world. But aside from its cheapness, Philippines is the most beautiful Place to live on earth.It has the cities that are safe, cheap clean and beautiful. Philippines has many entries in the SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD.
The fact you can live in less than $500 a month in Laos.
Cost of living in Laos
I wonder how many shots you would have to take (vaccine and booze) in order to actually sleep in the places within your stated budgets. Feed the roaches to the rats and bring on malaria.
I would join in with the bashing of this article but I just can't expect that much from a blogger.
Chang Mai is definitely the destination for the junky trying to stretch his dope dollar.
Thailand is one of the cheapest place to live and a wonderful vacation destination. Wildlife, beaches, delicious cuisine all make for a great trip.nice list!
www.thetravelerszone.com
You could be in living in the silicon valley of India, Bangalore for $500 a month. Here's the break up
$150 - $200/- a independent 2 bedroom house, living, dining, kitchen, with 2 bathrooms attached or a 1 bedroom flat will cost you
$40 services of a maid for a month to do the dishes, clothes and clean the house.
$50 you can eat out 3-4 times a month (i.e, @ Rs. 500 per meal for 2.) or go to the movies
$20 Electricity
$5 cable connection
$20 Telephone & Internet services
$18 Milk & Newspaper daily delivered at your door
$100 for all your groceries for 2
--------
$453
you still left with $ 47 for the rainy day
end of the day its how much you want to stretch your dollar.
in my eye there are 2 cheap country to live. for food indai is cheapest palace because if you have 1$ you can eat as much as you want and nepal is cheapest palace to stay. in nepal you can get room in 150$ per month in small guest house. also you can get food in 6$ ( breakfast,lunch, and dinner) so if you have 330 $ then its enough for one month for food and sleep
http://www.nepalpackagetour.com
Any ideas where aside from all the talk where the cheapest place to live in the world is? Please help.
Indonesia? Does anyone have any comments on teh cost of living in Indonesia?
I live in a small Mexican fishing town, on the Pacific Ocean on $500.00/month....It's a paradise.
You do have to search for your price range. I have AC, cable TV, 3 rooms, with a kitchen that has s stove, fridge and all the cooking utensils. Warm showers are wonderful at times.
As someone had already mentioned in the thread, Vizag on the east coast of India is an ideal place for a person who is sick of living amongst the crowds. You can enjoy the benefits of a city life while not being left out of nature.
People are great and very friendly. English is common. Everybody minds their own business and the city is pretty safe even if you don't adhere to the strictest standards of law.
With $500 a month, you can have a decent living while enjoying the lifestyle you get in the west if your montly income was over $5000.. Travel to the place... google the pics of Vizag or find it in wikipedia. No traveler leaves this place dis-appointed. I wasn't.
Actually in Provinces of Philippines you can live for 400 a month
Yes it depends the quality you wish.
200 for rent for a nice apartment (Province)
imagine this way I was there in 2008
Went to Mindanao (Not Truly Safe for Americans where I Went)
Cheap hotel Clean Great Service 400p a day
food 100p-300p a day Depending how you eat.
Houses I Visited Ranged from 1kp to 15kp
Electric about 500p-1000p
internet 995p
you do the math.. 48p avg per 1 USD
Depends the province you goto.
Manila yes WIll Be very expensive.
Even Some Squatter area's look nicer then some hotel Rooms.
I lived (for 2 years) on less than $500/month in Mainz, Germany. My room in a Wohngemeinschaft right in the Innenstadt cost $140/month (now it's about twice that, but still doable).
I have also lived for years on less than $500/month in San Diego CA, Cupertino CA, Long Beach CA, Phoenix AZ, Atlanta GA, and am pretty sure I could do it in ANY city. You just need to make lots of friends very fast. Take one of those courses where you learn how to connect with people, practice that, and the world belongs to you...
I lived in Thailand for 2 years. Don't be fooled by the smiles. The place is hell on Earth.
I am costarican, live in a rural beach town with no services but electricity, pay no rent and cannot live with $500 a month.
i live in timisoara-romania and life is nice for 500!
I agree with the Author and have also visited a lot of the Countries mentioned. Of course someone could live on USD500 per month when the majority of locals live on less than USD2 per day. However comfort and more importantly security will be sacrificed to live on this. For example in the Phillipines a one bedroom chalet in Manilla with electricity in a rough area may cost USD50 per month. Where as a one bedroom apartment in Makata a safer upmarket area with 24 hour security (necessary for a foreigners peace of mind) would cost anything between USD450/700. My point is that Westerners can never live by local standards. Higher prices are charged to Westerners and more attention is payed to Westerners by undesirable charachters, I am sure this is different however off the beaten track (away from major cities and tourist areas). Knowledge of the local language can help to buy food cheaper.
Belize is VERY dangerous. My friend got pulled over there and the policemen stole their money and passports. NOT a safe place to live.
Cost is directly related to comfort and security. I only need very little comfort to live and be satisfied, but my wife requires much more. I just returned from Central America, and found Costa Rica way too costly. Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Nicarauga and the southern part of Mexico are great for the price and weather. I found the places safe and the weather great. The Phillipines (Cebu) and other South East Asia countries have beautiful women but these places are my last choice due to the weather (too humid) and insects. South America is my second choice. I am now learning to speak spanish, and found everyone in Central and South America so friendly and helpful. I bought a 4bd house in Guatemala and now looking to buy another house in Uruguary or Ecuador. If you have not visited Central and South America, then you are missing out on the best vacation value around. I plan on living Guatemala for six months and Ecuador for the other six months. But as one reader wrote, you can live on less in Ridgecrest, Delano, Hanford and other California cities as long as it is not near the coast.
Hi everyone,im from Philippines .In my own opinion i think you can live with 500$ with the standard like the locals but if you come form western country i think this is not sufficient for having a descent life you used to be.
Don't forget about Paraguay! Royhayhu Paraguay!
Hello, I have lived in most of the countries mentioned over a 25 year span. It is important to seperate the travelers from the tourists. It tkaes imagination and business savvy to live cheap no matter where you desire to live. I have friends that make Cambodia expensive
?
I have returned to Canada for a year of fresh air and arranged free accomadations by the ocean as the rich are afraid of loosing everything they have. I will be returning to Thailand where I have worked a deal for a new condo for $ 250 a month. If you have the will you will find the way!
I think it's sad that people who choose to live in a country other than the states are considered "ex-pats" where you're from. How bout just a globetrekker, or.. hey.. human being.. belonging to the world...
It varies with Thailand and Cambodia. Now a days prices have jumped up quiet a bit. I recently came back from Cambodia and eating on the streets cost at least 3-5 bucks a meal. You can in fact eat for 1$ but it won't get you much satisfaction. More so appetizers and the living expenses depends if you want air conditioner or a fan or even have them personally do your laundry for which costs additional.
Zimbabwe, man. That's the place. Oh, yeah. $200 per capita annual income. You can live on very little there. The money you save would permit you to take frequent trips out of the country - and boy, would that be necessary. Of course, in general, the cheaper the place you find to live, the more you will need to spend on trips out of the country in order to maintain your sanity. Something to consider.
this was very helpful. I plan on going to the phil. when i am off probation.
if you want to find the cheapest place to live , find the countries with the lowest income , and after that select what you want - healthcare, cheap food, cigarettes, andy beaches,safety and so on
Hello Everyone.
I Think in every country there are regions expensive and other regions unpopolated and cheap.
I know the Philippines and if you go buy the meat in the mall it will cost you more than in US.
But, if you stay in the province and you buy the meat in the street, plenty of flies, not refrigerated, you can pay cheap. The question is which is your life standard. According to a research, the more cheap country to live in Europe is Italy. Of Course not in Rome or in Venice. But if you go in the South Italy you can live with about 400 Bucks per month and you have FREE acces to Hospitals and FREE drugs when you are sick.
So, Consider a Cheap European Country.
Mexico - lived in one in 'town' (state of Hidalgo) that costs $150 usd/month for 3 bedrooms & bath (with hot & cold running water) - American style kitchen & living room & dining room. The washing machine set me back $100 - but it beats scrubbing jeans on the cement wash board. The other place is on top of a mountain in the Sierra Madres - purchased under agreement with a local - property taxes $40/year for about 200 totally useless acres. (well, not totally if you like pulque & goats & a daily diet of cactus - but poor producing garden - like Maine - gardening on a rock with 1/8'' top soil.). Electric bill is about $15/month - water delivery - $30/month. Gas nearly double US prices, but has stabilized in the past year. Phone calls home - $1/minute. Live-In maid - $120/month - she gets 4 days off/month - every other weekend. Food not an issue except jonesin' for Mt. Dew. Smokes $14/carton. Clinic visit $5 (used to be $3) - private physician $20/visit. Propane for cooking $30/month or free open fire cooking. $300/month for two of us is comfortable. $500 would be luxurious. I teach ESL in the winter (when living in town is warmer than the mountain top) - private students about $800/month total income. 4 months of teaching is more than enough to live on when I have to pay rent. On the mountain, always private students - and cheap (usually trade) - trying to give something back to the community. Not looking forward to the coming restrictions from the current administration regarding travel and funds. Also, unrest in northern states, am now flying back for visa rather than driving.
these are mostly poor countries...
the cost of living for one month here in the Philippines is likely to be more than suggested.. Especially if you look distinctly like a tourist, (i.e. your have a fair complexion) and have not experienced life in third world country before. But for the seasoned savvy traveler this culture is one to have much fun with
I live in the Dominican Republic for about $2K per month, in Santo Domingo. I got sick and almost died down here a while back, ran up a rather large hospital bill. You should really examine healthcare in addition to price.
The benefits of the DR are great. They don't care at all about immigration; it's the wild west. The downsides that no one mentions, how about no electricity 12 hours per day? I've lived in 6 countries in the past 5 years. If you're looking for price, try Colombia. I had a 10th floor penthouse in the Suba subdivision for $400 per month, 3 bedrooms, furnished, included everything - gas,electric,phone, DSL, Direct TV, water. A whole chicken with boiled potatoes is $3. You can survive and have food and smokes delivered for $500. WIth an extra $500 you can have some fun. Bogota is cold, and they do take immigration very seriously.
I live in Costa Rica, and I can tell u its very cheap to not only rent but buy a nice house. It's so preatty here , and everyday things are cheap compare to other countries I actually think Costa Rica should be the first one here on the list. People here are very friendly and nice. I have visited several of these other countries and I didn't find a nice desent place as cheap as they tell you here. I also have friends living in these countries and they have said there is no way you can find a nice place at tlhat price. So, go to Costa Rica you wouldn't regret it. Just make sure to go to the right places, because its not a perfect county. I honestly don't think there's one out there!
Great site, I am currently in Asia (5 years now) and have to survive on 250 dollars a month for a family of three! It's possible everywhere - mind you I don't drink, and my wife hates shopping!
Enjoying this thread, just finished reading through it all.
I spent most of last year living in Hua Hin, Thailand. I had a beach front 2 bed, 2 bath large condo with all western luxuries (cable,air con, large sea view balcony,full kitchen,plasma tv, large pool, gym, etc) inclusive of all bills + cleaner $600 per month. There is accommodation obviously a lot cheaper, eg 2bed thai style house 10mins drive out of town for only $300 per month. If all you need is a room in a guesthouse then $200 is possible. So its definitely possible to live on $500pm.
Great people, superb long sandy beach and all your amenities in a more traditional Thai town. Not as crazy as Bangkok or Pattaya, Phuket is too expensive now. I would recommend Hua Hin, the king of Thailand spends most of his time there, he has a beach palace residence and lives there most of the year. Crime isn't a big problem, not like some other (touristy) places in Thailand or Philippines.
I'm thinking of tring Vietnam/Cambodia soon any more info. would be apprieciated.
I have been living on about 100,000 USD a year for the last six years in UK and Singapore. Busy professional lifestyle, flew business class, stayed at five star hotels, and dropped US$200-300 per head for dinner.
But before all that, I spent several years bumming and chilling out around the world. I lived very well for significantly less than US$500 a month in various countries in Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia.
I would not say that my 100,000 a year life in Singapore/UKwas necessarily happier than my 6,000 a year life in
There's been a bit of inflation since, but I've done my homework...I'd still manage nicely on $500.
But before did, spent several years bumming around
I have been living on about 100,000 USD a year for the last six years in UK and Singapore. Busy professional lifestyle, flew business class, stayed at five star hotels, and dropped US$200-300 per head for dinner.
But before all that, I spent several years bumming and chilling out around the world. I lived very well for significantly less than US$500 a month in various countries in Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia.
I would not say that my 100,000 a year life in Singapore/UKwas necessarily happier than my 6,000 a year life in the developing countries.
There's been a bit of inflation since, but I've done my homework...I'd still manage nicely on $6000 a year. 6,000 is still double to triple the average income in beautiful countries like Guatemala, Indonesia, Morocco, Philippines.
Only those suffering from a poverty of imagination and adaptability cannot live for 6000 in those countries.
Laos is worth considering. Cheaper than thailand to live by a rough figure of 25 to 35% however life is more simple, less luxury goods and amenities. Health care system is non existant (need to cross the border for that).
If you like the simple life it is a great country. . . . Heaven on earth. . . . . .Incredible people.
Visas are easy to renew indefinately using the bribe system!
I have been to many of these places and you can live on much less then $500 a month in most of them, but it would not be a vaction. I live in Idaho (USA) now and can buy a draft beer for $0.75 each. In Belize it is never cheaper the $1.50 mostly $3.00. P.S. I lived for $10 to $15 a day in Guatamala for one year, that would be the best place to try and eak by.
I had lived in over 30 countries across different continents, but I am still serching a country cheaper than India where you can live quite comfortably with less than $ 400 a month even in a city like Delhi and further away may be less than $ 300 if you go to some other cities of India. For food you pay almost nothing. Most of the fresh fruits & vegetable wl cost you less than $ 1 per kilo. Cheapest travelling of world by tarin pay less than $ 10 to travel Delhi - Mumbai( aprox. 1100 KM distance) with a ordinary sleeper birth. Local tansport less than 10 cents per ride. Unlimited internet access $ 15 month, cable $ 8 a month. Presently I am living in Jamaica - so expensive even $ 1500 p.m. not enough. Looking ahead a cheaper place than India - may be it is existing somewhere will love to be there . Nepal, Bhutan, Mynmar, Combodia, Vietnam and some far east countries may be cheaper.
I think the moral of this story is to do your own research or you are going to have very big shock when you get there......
Wow. Just... WOW !¡!¡!¡! I have never seen so much cluelessness in my life. 1st of all,, if you people are planning on retiring in a different country,, WHY RENT ?¿? Buy a small piece of land and build a house on it. I have never seen such ignorance in my life. All this bitching and complaining about paying a lot of rent for an apartment with no kitchen. What morons. I have no idea about Asia,, I've never been there. But I know Latin America like I know my own rear-end. I did a lot of investigation in Mexico and central America. I found places like Progresso Heights in Belize that is on a big lagoon, in a PRIVATE community with security, great fishing (lagoon, rivers, creeks etc) 160 x 95 foot lots, great for planting fruit trees, quiet, safe, comunity pool and comunity clubhouse. The only bad part is the electric bill and gasoline. The rest is great. The cost of the land there is around $15,000. The cost of building your home is from $40-$100 x square foot (depending on your arcitect and negotiation skills). Belize City is not too safe, so stay away from there. There's another planned community called Flowers Bank that is EVEN CHEAPER !¡! You can get a lot from about $9,900. The community is smaller and a bit less undevelpoed. There's more people in Progresso Heights. And it's on a river, not a lagoon. Just do the research people,, that's why God invented Google.
Sorry for the bad spelling guys,, it's late and the martinis are starting to get to me. By the way,, Belize is far more beautiful than mexico, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Although Belize might not be as dirt cheap, it is safer, and there aren't as many racist people like in mexico. In Belize, there are blacks, whites, brown, mixed and any other color you can think of. The official language is English, although more people speak Spanish as a first language, but most people have some understanding of English. The population of Belize is around 300,000 people. IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY !¡! So you don't have to worry about any smog like in mexico city, or other big cities. The biggest city is the ex-capital, Belize City, with around 1/4 of the countries population. Belize is great people,, check it out.
Are you kidding me? I live in Costa Rica and this article is way off base. It is NOT cheaper the farther you get from San Jose. Just depends on where you are. If you go to Guanacaste or just about anywhere on the Pacific coast it is much more expensive than in San Jose. I live on the Pacific coast in a very small town and prices here are much higher than in San Jose. And there's no way someone can live on $500 a month in Costa Rica. I own my own home so I don't have a mortgage and I still spend about $800 per month and I'm pretty frugal. And I have friends living in Thailand that have told me about the cost of living there - again this article is way off the mark.
Believe it or not, Hawaii on the outer islands is pretty cheap, if you're willing to live in the country in a "coffee shack". Food needs to consist of fresh fruit (most available alongside the road) and fresh fish (also purchased from someone selling it along the side of the road). Employment is a challenge at the present time, however.
I have lived in Hong kong for the most of my life and actually it depends on what you call "cheap ",I mean when was earning 5000 a month ,i was most of it (Hk is second most expensive city in the world) but now coz of the economic downturn ,I can live on 1K a month ,but I would love to spend a few months in thailand until i found a job job again
All these people live over here why don't I run into any of you? Thailand is wonderful but it's closer to $1000 a month and I don't drink. Cambodia is the place I'd live now but I don't want to learn another language. If I was under 35 I'd move there and never come back.
We in India have innumerable places of interest for the guys with shoestring budget
cebu is one of the beautiful and not expensive to live in asia.you can have everything here.mall,dine,beach,culture
There are a lot of countries in south America who you can live whith less than 500$ bucks
http://www.photofunny.net
I do not see Thailand such a bargain. Of course of you get out off the beaten track you can get cheaper stuff, but still if you are used to western confort, no way you make it with such a budget.
Pues nada, me lo guardo en "favoritos" y cuando me jubile venderé todo y me iré a uno de estos sitios a vivir. ¡¡¡ Voy a ser el rey !!!
i,ve been to thailand phuket and i loved it. go back next month. the people there are so friendly and its cheap. thailands awsome .
It is possible to live in Thailand for less than $500 a month, comfortably, if you are not trying live in near tourist destination places. I just move in a brand new condo motel in Udorn for 300/Mo.
i've traveled quite a bit in my 20's and 30's then got caught up pursuing the almightly dollar and forgot what life's about. now ready to roll again out there. Seems the most important thing is whats important to you as an individual. I want to meet a beautiful catholic latin woman and start a family some place new. I'm 40 now and dated a 28 yo woman from paraguay in years past... still remember all her stories... thats where I'm headed, any comments?
I would like to say that Thailand is not the deal as is stated here $1 for a beer you must be joking what about $6. renting is very expensive and add to that electric bills which is the same as the UK is not more. I have been here for about 7 years now and its time to look else where. I strongly recommend you don't just get on the plane for a cheap life out here. And don't forget the Visa costs.
I would like to say that Thailand is not the deal as is stated here $1 for a beer you must be joking what about $6. renting is very expensive and add to that electric bills which is the same as the UK is not more. I have been here for about 7 years now and its time to look else where. I strongly recommend you don't just get on the plane for a cheap life out here. And don't forget the Visa costs.
Where is the best places to pick up nice girls? No hookers lol.
I am a single mom who wants to explore the world with my son for a yr or more. I use to travel overseas a lot when I held a job as a flight attendant. But thats long gone now. What advice do you have for me wanting to move over seas temporary?
research mancora, peru or atacames , ecuador for a cheap and fun beach town, if you dont mind cold weather try cusco, peru or arequipa, safe, very cheap and full of history
Bolivia is the cheapest contry in South America, I got a room for 3/day in down town.
Food for a dollar ...
The girls there
are not beautyful.
All interesting indeed, well I live in Cape Town, South Africa at the moment, a truly great place to retire youngh with 40' and take it easy - having worked and lived in Germany, USA, UK and Ireland.
I agree, it ain't cheap no more then it was when i arrived here 6 years ago, but all over the world the cost of living has gone up. Its still affordable, paying $500 for a house with pool and a maid, plenty of space and the beach with beautiful mountains just minutes away. The cost of living is much cheaper then Europe and most other 1st world countries, $10-$15/day - eating out for 10 bucks or less. Of course it all depends on what you can afford or want to spend on your lifestyle. For my part, I don't want to live in some dirty shappy place with some 3rd world standards. Here at least, I can enjoy 1st world service and standards, with others doing the real hard work and I have the freedom to decide every morning what I like to keep busy or not busy with and enjoy life. This is of course, if you are making between R20000 - 30000 month with half a months work or less – then you got what you aimed for.
Frankly, I am living it right now, with plenty of time on my hand to relax, thinking back how it was working my ass off for some big IT companies. Just follow your dream not the money, and all will fall in place, as it did with me leaving the rat race for good.
If you have questions about SA Life, feel free to email me:
rockford66@yahoo.com
I need to answer on thiss one. I am an American living in Thailand. I have been here for 1 1/2 years now. I have traveled to many countries in the past and by "far" this is the most fuc#^% up place i have ever been in. The people treat Westerner's like absolute sh*&, the government is corrupt, it is full of liars, thiefs and cheats. It really should be called "Lieland". Nothiong here is real. I am looking around here now for another place to live. Don't come here, you are not safe. Many Westerner's are killed here all the time and the government does nothing to protect us.
A lot of experienced viewpoints in one place.
But I have to disagree with Chris from NYCs assumption that you are an idiot if you dont buy land and a house in whatever third world paradise you choose to relocate. First, the need to own property seems to be an American compulsion (I'm American - and a real estate investor, Ive even written a book on the subject.) But buying property in a country that you know well (you are a native) is risky and cost intensive enough. Most people can barely asses accurate land and home values in their own country, let alone a foreign one. The chance that you will vastly overpay, for whatever you get (from meager accommodations to luxury) is great. In addition, what do you know of the local building standards, material standards, or the soundness of the legal system to redress any legal or liability issues that you may have? As a foreigner, you will likely be overcharged for everything. If you dont care about the actual value of the property, but the personal value that it brings to you, than that is another consideration altogether.
Second, for what you would pay in rent for a similar property per month (lets say $250 for a decent house in a third world location) is it worth laying out $80-300k++ usd just to say that you own something? For all that extra risk, and decreased liquidity, you gain all the responsibility and liability for taking care of the property. You can no longer just hop to another location if things go bad, and you may never be able to recover what you put into it should you decide to sell.
Its hard enough to own property in the country of your origin. Think twice before you "invest" in the third world.
You tell us the location, but I have another question, what about the cheapest and best beach to live on in Thailand? Let me know,
merry.whitney@yahoo.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/merrywhitney13
Seriously I have just read some of the most retarted things ever. For all you out there thinking Thailand is more expensive then what this site says, let me give you a breakdown of what my wife and I live in.
First of all we have a 3 bedroom, two story house, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, 2 aircons running non-stop. If you are ready for the facts then read on!
We pay 7,000 baht a month for rent, utilities, etc. In USD that is about 220 dollars. Then there is the cost of our food...we can get buy with a huge bag of rice for 1,450 baht (around $30.00). Then there is our fuel expenses and yada yada... $500 dollars a month can get you a comfortable life in southern Thailand.
If anyone thinks I am off on what I have written...tough luck, those are the facts. So to all who are interested in being in Thailand, have at it, just dont get mad when your new name is Falong.
does falong mean retarded
?it's hilarious that you called others something you can't spell!
I live in Wibsey a village close to Bradford UK,Morgage free,£20 a week on food at Morrisons,internet, phone out 8 times a month Direct debits Mx3,2 trips to Thailand total 3 months up to date gadgets,only £130 per week,Beat that--------
ewu in esan central of edo state is also a cheap place to live less than $300 a month.
visit the philippines, number one in hospitaly and 3rd english speaking country in the world. we have 7,107 island to visit! we are forward to see you here! welcome!
This has been a very enlightening educational read. I am glad to hear of the experiences of real-life people, and would like to hear more on locations in Poland.
Also, I would be interested to hear about the conditions, weather, types of work, etc both in Poland and Albania. I am in Austin TX of Polish descent, but I do not, regrettably, speak Polish.
It can easily be done in the Mexican cities I've lived in/visited. I'm currently paying $300/month for a beautiful 1 BR loft style apartment with a huge patio, all utilities included (fresh water, electric, gas, internet). I could get an apartment for about 1/2 the price but I've been living budget for a while so I wanted to splurge.
I had an apartment in Merida that was about 1/2 that (though it was louder because of traffic).
Food, if you shop at the local markets, is cheap. I can make a huge salad out of fresh veggies, pasta and tuna that will cost me less than 50 MXN (@ $4 USD) and last for 3-4 meals.
I eat out fairly regularly and I've still never spent more than $550 in a month here in the last 10 months and that was while I was doing all the tourist stuff and staying in hostels/hotels.
As for the guy who says you're stupid for renting, I say you're stupid for tying yourself to a bit of land. Why in the heck would I want to buy? I want to TRAVEL not grow roots. Just because people want to live a different lifestyle than you do doesn't make them stupid, it makes them different.
Cost of living really depends on the person's lifestyle, way of life and what he is willing to pay. Any place on earth could be cheap or expensive. How much are you willing to pay?
i think thai is still cheap, not as cheap as lets say 10/15 year ago. But when I compare things back home (Ire), e.g. a pizza from beach restaurant, costs 4 euro in thai - back home would be double. A beer in beach restaurant - about 2 euro - back home, something like 4.20 euro. Food on street is cheap - under a euro - and probably a hell of a lot nutritious than say a wedges and chicken frm a hot deli back home. Acccom in a private room in bangkok with T.V , air con, shower - eight euro. A shared room in a dorm back home - at least 15 euro. A hooker back home for half an hour 150 euro - in thai 20 euro for much more time.
Yes I do believe that they charge 'Farang' more than the locals - which is bad
Hi!!! Guys upon reading all this and comparing all the prices in the world....My best & Cheaper part of the world is INDIA only....You can leave and Medium Class Life in India for Just $100...Amazing...Yes..Leaving in a Bed Space or Sharing cost you just $18 / Month..Average Food for you cost $1 / Day...Even its cheaper if you cook yourself...Other $2 for your Soaps,Shampoos,,Oil etc...You can have go to Theatres 4 times a month @ the cost of $1 / ticket..All this come around $ 55 only...The rest $ 45 can be used by any way...Amazing....
(Note the Average Earnings for a Medium class Family in India is Just $100...With this they manage a whole family)
I want to try living in a new place - country! I need to experience more - which place would be the safest for a single young woman...?
If the only expense you are taking into consideration is living costs and food then you can live in fort lauderdale florida for 500 a month. Shit, I have a 4 bedroom house that i pay 300 a month for my bedroom. I am about 5 mins from downtown and 5 mins from the beach. If you eat at mcdonalds or burger king you can eat off the dollar menu for 5 bucks a day. So in short, food and lodging here is 450 a month and my house and burger king every day is better than anything you will get anywhere else in the world for 500. Plus i have air conditioning, a pool and internet. forget thailand. women are free here if you have any game....lol
I will agree. I live in Albania and it is very cheap. I pay 100 dollars renting a house in the capital and the food is very cheap. At most I spend 300 dollars a month. Italy and Greece are very close and there are fairres and buses leaving from Albania to Italy or the capital to Ahtens Greece for 25 Euros. The food is natural and delicious.
I have been to most of the places listed. Are they that cheap--not for most people but if you look around you can do much better. For example, Thailand you can get a small studio apartment with AC in Bangkok for around $250 (Thai friends have them-with 1 year lease). When I was there in May I found a long term hotel room (clean, small, with bath and AC) for 6000 B / month. 2 blocks to subway. Only Thai lived there then but owner was happy to show it to me (for next time). Western Breakfast you can get for 70 B ($2).
China is cheap too--I spent 2 months there earlier this year as well. Best thing is to talk to friends who live in these places--friends from there not westerners who over pay for everything.
At least Thailand is safe even when they have airport delays.
I have been in Costa Rica for 6 years and live in a fairly small city about 50 KM from San Jose. 5 years ago you could live well on $100 a month. Now, it is really tough. Inflation typically runs 12 to 15% annually here in CR, and has for many years. And the Government recently changed the requirements for 'rentista' residency from $1000 to $2000 per month.
Does that suggest anything to you?
TYPO ! That should be $1000 a month in the second line. OOPS!
i lived 4 years in Philippines,,.....8 months in xian city in china,,,i have been in Ghana (africa) 2 months...in poland last year(accomodation cheap, food expencive-DINNER cost 4 dollars in restarant)..iN Ghana i payed for room 1 dollars and food around 1,5 dollars...but it was 2005...the best place i love was Xian city..beautiful place on earth and girls so beautiful...but hard to pick up...hookers cost a lot -30 dollars per hour.....In Philippines I been in Cebu,,dirty city...but not so expencive,,,outside of city i rented 2 bedroom house for 80 dollars..as you see not so cheap in comparrision to Ghana...i was bitted almost to death in Bohol island...because I am White...Ghana girls-look like chocholates,,very friendly, cute and they like to marry Whites,,,,Mostly Brown and Black people everywhere,,not many Whites..they are friendly,,not rasists like Afromericans...The best was Xian in China,,rent costed me 50 dollars a month,food 3 dollars a day,,beer big bottle i payed less than 1 dollar,,but it was in 2004,,,Xian is fantastic but winer bitter cold,,,people nice,,friendly,,safe place..but i still think of Ghana...i have beed too short there,,,I love Ocean there,,,I got aurthetism ,,,,pain bones i could not walk properly,,,After 2 months in Ghana I am fine....this country is safe for visitors..my girl in Kumasi city was pretty and ask me only 50 cent a day,,,but I did not wana pay and keep her,,,She was too silence person..and she did not cook for me...i fire her...
Well South Africa YES you can easily manage. 500 usd means 3750 Rands. Here You can get a
house for about R 2500 with every thing and if you share with one its lets say 1500 rands and 1750 for food is quite enough. Probably you can buy it in resturants (take away). R 100 for food is enough today in 2009. but if you booz everyday gal friend and other nonsense its gona add up the price. But in 500 USD you can manage easily. Remember Im staying here for 5 years I spend 3000 Rands (shared flat) incl. Driving a 1300cc car and cooking at home.
Thanks.
What about Pakistan?
Die in a bomb blast. come on people die in lot of ways car accident sickness aeroplane crashes etc. I think i can take a chance.
Sucks !! world is full of poor people...
Having been employed by both the US government and the private sector in Latinoamerica, I have a "bit" of insight that the average tourist might not maintain, or that the average US citizen might NOT "want!" Serving in education for more than twenty-five years, my perceptions have been molded by time, my travels, education (my own, as well as that which I have aided my students, peers and friends to acquire), and, finally by means of the quest, and oft times fulfillment of life's myriad of processes and experiences. Without fail, I love life! Hence, "WE" must urge the vital and correct "critical mass" to accept empowerment. It is critical that we remain diligent, that we continue to share mutually beneficial information by all means possible, including semi-public forums on the world wide web, that we attempt to disseminate our insights and findings in a variety of tongues and languages, and that we learn to live dynamically, ever-changing and never allow ourselves to merely "exist" accepting 'force majeure'--trust me they are awaiting our surrender.
That stated, it must be asserted that one can NOT live in Latin America for $500 per month.
Belize IS A SHIT HOLE,PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY IF YOU GIVE THEM $ ALL THE COUNTRY WANTS IS u.s. $ IT'S A JOKE BEEN THERE 3 YRS.
any thoughts on malaysia?
You can live in Detroit for less than $500/mo. and get season tickets to the Lions games!
there is one country which is very cheap. its name is Nepal. in Nepal if you have 200$ then its enough for single person.
Best Regard
http://www.travellingtonepal.com
I live in Newport Beach, California for around $750 a month. Found a nice apartment with an ocean view for only 500/month. Me and my roommate rent the top part of a house out but it's nice. Granite counter tops, neighbors have ferrari's and aston martins. You can find cheap accomodations anywhere you want if you look hard enough. $500/mth rent and this city was named the second most expensive zip code to live in in America....
Morocco is very cheap outside of Casablanca and Marrakech..You can live in lovely cities like Agadir,Fez, Meknes or the south for 500 USD very confortably...Ridiculously cheap food ..Eating out..roasted leg of chicken with rice, french fires and a side of beans or lentils cost 1.5USD in nice snack-restaurant..salador bowl of delicious soup:.0.5 USD..rent 100-150USD a month for a nice 1Bedroom Flat..Very safe country with great atlantic and mediterranean coast.and very cheap delicious fish..all of this at only 14 kilometers south of Spain through the strait of Gibraltar....This is the best kept Secret in the world....I have been living here for the past 10 years on less than 500 USD a month and loving it!!! also , beautiful, friendly women averywhere
)
Bangkok is really a cheap travel. For shopping spree, this is highly recommended with its very low low prices.
My husband and I lived very comfortably on about $150 a month in Ecuador. $80 for a nice, two-bedroom apartment with a yard for our dog in the center of a tourist town. $10 a week on FRESH groceries at the local market. About $30/month on transportation and fun or the occasional dr. visit (10 dollars without insurance!).
I know the key was that we paid ECUADORIAN PRICES though, as my husband is Ecuadorian. They would have charged me the double "gringo prices" if he had not made all our financial transactions!
These comments are among the most depressing things I've ever read. It makes me ashamed to be a 'westener'. Get over yourselves. Of course it is 'possible' to live on less than $500 no matter where on this earth you are. People do it everyday... all their lives. Part of the travelling experience is to CHANGE your lifestyle and experience the culture of these countries.
You do not NEED mod-cons, in fact you'll be a better person once you realise that. And I'm tired of reading about safety... so, you know someone who knows someone who got mugged in (insert any non-western country)... well I've been mugged here (UK) ... it happens... everywhere!!
Sorry for the rant but these comments have brought me down. Westerners need to get down of their pedestal.
You can live in a lot of these places cheap but don't expect to live like you do in the U.S. If you earn like a local you live like a local.
For the people telling they spent X years living in those countries, what is your revenue source ? Do you work there ?
Stop arguing about these poor countries guys( and gals)! Come to the island of Mauritius $1= MUR 35!!! Cheap, Safe and Sunny !!! We speak English and French too...
Muy poca gente escribe sobre Marruecos, recientemente he heredado un apartamento en Rabat, soy español y estoy planteándome vivir allí, puede alguien informar sobre commo se vive allí, cuanto cuesta el seguro de salud...
And in Mauritius there's plenty of work too!!!
I CAN LIVE IN MY COUNTRY(VENEZUELA) FOR LESS THAN $300 A MONTH, PICTURE THIS ONLY FOR A GALLON OF GAS IS 0.2CENTS, AND YOU CAN SPEND IN FOOD $130 A MONTH AND THIS BUYING BEERS AND A LOT OF MEAT AND CHICKEN, YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND DON'T PUT ANY NICE JEWERLY ,GOLD OR SILVER, AND BE NICE AND ALWAYS WARE NORMAL CLOTH, PLEASE THIS IS FOR YOU TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE AND NOT TO GET IN T TOROUBLE. ANYBODY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT VENEZUELA PLEASE ASK ME AT: rodriguesluis2006@yahoo.es
Can I know some place i the world where there is mist almost a large part of the year? And rain? I love rain. I want to build a shed at a green place, have tea and watch the rain. Trance is so alive there if u know what I mean.
The information given in this article sounds very different from what I know. So I will just tell you my personal experience.
I traveled Thailand, Malaysia and India back in 2000-2001, for about 9 months. I know costs have gone up, but I will tell you what I paid then.
In Thailand, I was able to live on about $450-500 a month. This was living in cheap hotels with the squat toilet. Often I was right on a beautiful beach though ! Hey it's backpacker style ! I ate in restaurants every night. I didn't drink that much. Alcohol is the one thing that seemed to not be much cheaper than in the US. A little cheaper but not much. If you are going out to bars a lot you will spend a lot more. My costs include all traveling by train, bus, and boats. However I would increase my amounts as costs have gone up now. So I could probably do the same now for around $600-650.
In Malaysia, costs for the same type of travel were just slightly less than in Thailand. Maybe $450 a month. I'm thinking I could get by on $600 a month there now. Go to the Perhentian Islands ! Incredible.
India is dirt cheap. I traveled all over India for about 4 1/2 months. It was probably less than $300 a month. Extra low budget hotel rooms though. It's not a vacation in India. Fascinating place to see and experience, but not a vacation like some of these other places. Wherever you go, someone will always be trying to sell you something, or begging for your change. I'm sure I could do it for $400 a month or less these days. I took a train from one side of the country to the other side, for ten dollars ! Ha ! Cool place though, India, if you are looking for a very different perspective.
Have fun.
Southeast Asia is cheap, its true, i spent usd 300 in a month (year 2006) but Costa Rica is quite expensive!!! with usd 500 you can live only 10 days, i think. please check, thank you!
all of these prices beat 1200.00 us dollars a month for a 700 sq ft apartment... and lets not forget utilities and food. I am so ready to get out of the USA. If anyone is looking for an honest travel companion/roommate email me at rm2681@gmail.com
Mohammed (Dec
- you want to live in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Panama is very wet and in Bocas it rains constantly. In fact, Pan-a-ma mean "constant downpours." (just kidding).
Thailand gets to be a hassle because of the language difficulties - in that respect India and Phillipines and even Indonesia are better.
I can handle Spanish, though, and like Colombia - was there for the third time recently and it is a very pleasant place other than having to deal with the federal police when traveling.
Mexico can also be quite cheap - no big city has cheaper rent per quare foot than Mexico City. Agree Belize is a dangerous shithole. And all of Mexico and most of Central America are pretty filthy and full of garbage - in South America the people take a little more pride in their surroundings.
Best countries to live in though are US and Australia!
Did some other web searching to give myself a better picture of the "current" economic climate for living out of the country. The information below is as of October 2009. Hope this helps some of you -
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/RetireInStyle/the-worlds...
What most people here don't seem to consider, when talking about how cheaply you can live in all these tropical paradises, is the visa complication. Making a visa run every three months is fine for a while, but eventually you have to get legal, if you really want to live somewhere. And I think you'll find that the cost, not to mention the nuisance, of dealing with this bureaucratic requirement will make your cheap utopia somewhat less of a bargain.
If you really want to live somewhere, that shouldn't deter you, of course. Just remember there's a difference between backpacking and retiring.
(I'm not exceeding the $500 a month budget by much here in Vancouver, by the way. Biggest economy: no car, just a bicycle.)
I live in Poland and it is very cheap. I pay 300 dollars renting a flat in Krakow and the food is very cheap - 170/m. At most I spend 500 dollars a month.
It's true
I want to know can you live in the philippines for about 1000 a month.no car and say in cebu=maybe a 2br -1 bath with maid=just eating out maybe 2 times a week at a medille of the line place=can someone give me a monthly breakdown of exp. and how far is the beach from there and how much is medical exp. for a average 45 year old man? thank Steve
Hi,
I am in the middle of writing a documentary about retiring over seas in inexpensive countries and I need to speak with a few samples of people for my film who have successfully retired. What I am looking for is people between the ages of 25 to 45 that have retired in third world countries like Thailand, Costa Rico, and etc. If you know anybody that would be willing to talk with me I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Pete Dawood
Sorry forgot email
my email BCEwork@gmail.com
How much are prostitudes in those cheap countries ? I like very big butt and no shave underarms and puss and butt hole.
mauritania is the cheapest country..200 USD a month is enough !!
Noah Vail, I find it hard to believe you're living in Vancouver for $500 a month with any sort of comfort when the average apartment starts at $1200 let alone your food & other living expenses.
Must be in rehab , living at home or on the streets. No, a hostile isn't considered living....existing maybe.
Can someone shed some more light on living in Brazil?
Thank you for this fun article. It really gets me dreaming!!
I am an Indian. I strongly disagree with john l. statement which was posted on Jul 4, 2009 9:35 PM. As he mentioned that affording food for $2 INDIA will end up with doctor. Have you ever been to India ? If not I would like to help you understand the living conditions in India.
If a $2 meal will take you to Doctor. Do you know India has a population of more than 26 million people live India. How can they survive ?. You can get best quality food for $1. You can survive having this food for more than 80 years.
How quickly the things changes, nearly eight months ago, i had pasted a comment here that India is one of the cheapest place to live and one can live in a city like Delhi under USD 500 per month. Dramatically things have changed and evrything have become nearly three to four times expensive in India with in last eigth months and I don't think even USD 1000 p.m. will be enough to live there with little comfort in any city of India. Rightly not a correct place to live. One of the most expensive place to live among developing countries and I feel sorry for the poorers of India those account above seventy percent of toatal Indian population earning less than four USD a day, just a litre of unhygenic milk and a Kg. of sugar each cost nearly a USD. There is extreemly gross desperity between rich and poors. Organizing C'mnwlth Games - any justification?
Dr. Anil Khari, M.D. - Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.
Mr. Anand please don't get irritated by comments and views of readers, and learn accepting the truth. Less than a year ago I also had an openion that one can live in India in a city like Delhi under USD 500 p.m. was a real truth and a dream of past now. With in last eight months the prices have sharply gone up ( 3 - 4 times) and even USD 1000 p.m. not enough to live with basic comfort for a family with two kids. Mr. Ananad think 80 % of indian earn less than USD 4 a day and remaining 20 % earn between USD 100 - 10000 a day or even more. We hv to accept the truth that life for poorer is extreemly hard in India. Meal for less than a $ 1 is available but with fair chances of landing you to doctor with AcGE. We 20% are enjoying at the cost of 80% Indians. Lets pray for those 80% as they are also human beings and our fellow Indians.Dr. Anil Khari, M.D. - Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.
Jamaica is a paradise for foreigners.
Rent in gated community:$275
Food (local) : $220
Transportation: $60
Entertainment:$70
Live in Jamaica, I can't wait!!!
Steve,
You can get a place in Cebu for around 250us, anything less than that would be living in squalor. There is Mactan Is. just outside Cebu, they have condos and apartments for 350us, it is very close to the beach and it is secured. Food is cheap if you buy it in the local markets. Budget around 200-250us. You can get a live-in help for 60us or have somebody come once a week to clean and do laundry for 4-5us. Like any place in the world, you need to be careful whom you hire. You don't want any undesirables. My sugestion is to check: livinginthephilippines.com website. they have a breakdown of the cost of living in the philippines. Also join thier forum, get some info, help and make friends. Most of them are expats. It is hard to do it on your own in other countries specially if you don't speak the language.
Quote:
"admit it, you've never been to any of these places have you. For $500 a month you will have to live like an absolute loser"
Was Gandhi a loser, you effin' moron?
My definition of loser is someone who defines himself by the money he spends or the commodities he owns, that is you.
Somebody who lives happily in prison is not a loser. He's just someone who knows how to be happy in a situation you wouldn't be happy in. A more emotionally capable and skilled individual.
But most people in civilized countries have no emotional skill whatsoever. They really are losers, whatever they think isn't the truth, obviously.
can someone who lives or has lived in the philippines / thailand / vietnam recently email me jdd2@live.co.uk as i have a few questions about living there. thanks in advance
hi
plz tell about cheap places in us to live , also safe places
Well ,I can tell you this for living in the Philippines. I pay rent 3 bed room house nice, aircon only in bed rooms-5,000php about $115.00 us dollars per month. water-400php, electric-1,800php,food-10,000php, drinking water-300php, cooking gas-150php, gas for motor bike-500php, This is 18,150php ,about $405.00 per month. This is for 2 people. But I spend about $600.00 per month live very good.
I agree with many people here. You can live cheaply, but are you confined to your living status? Is status really what everyone worries about?! What about love? or living for what makes you really enjoy life? like dating, sex, food, and all other activities. Im a college student... doing the average robotic everyday things a college student would do. But maybe I don't want to put 1/2 my life behind a desk with my face crammed in a book. Don't get me wrong, I love to read as I just acheived my second 4.0gpa this semester. But LIFE is short, shall I not see the world? My question is where is the best place to go for great food,sex, and cozy living arrangments with the nicest and hottest women!
p.s. im male!
i'm engineer in indonesia. my salary is about $ 500. I can live, can take credit for a house, still be able to travel to bali (just dont have the time), having fun.. Most of the others salary are about $100 to $200.. And I still can save some money
For real people, everyone lives different. You cant get by on $ 500 a month? lol wtf get the spoon out of your mouths, for real people who want to travel Thailand, there are loads of cheap/clean guest houses with sat tv, internet, air con, starting from $3 a night, if your a super budget traveller like me, you can get by on $6-8 a day for food and lodgings, obv i dont smoke anymore
or drink much, so these are not included .
Also you can rent a very nice room/apartment, with AC, TV, luxury bed, wardrobes, fridge from 1800 baht per month for a 14 x 14 m room upto 5000 baht per month for best 20 x 16m room
sorry that was meant to be 4x4 metre room not 14 lol and 6x4 metre room
I see prices have doubled in Costa-Rica since
I was last there back in 1990. I find it one of the
most beautiful places in the world and also my
favorite.
This story is compiled of uniformed rubbish! You cannot live in these places for that price with any reasonable level of comfort. $500 a month? That's $16 a day! Sure if you want to live like Gandhi in a backpackers dorm room eat one street meal a day and drink only water. Forget about any entertainment and oh, by the way, you won't be able to afford being sick or to the dentist. How would you even be able to buy a new pair of shoes if you needed to? Get real or get a job so you can afford a decent life and not have to eat cat food!
Russ: you ever actually done this? im here now and yes i live in a nice room for 92 pounds a month, check it, thats the most expensive in the block, $10 a day can go far unless all you care about is hookers and booze, so ignorant
check my apartment out http://www.thaiapartment.com/ServicedApartment/Phet_Park_Resident_Detail.asp#
its no ritz, but is that disgusting living?
I have been reading all the comments. I think we all dream to much of something better. I just come back from thailand for the 4th time. The country is changing and not for the better. Im trying to be sensible and look for work in oz. Skills shortage there and perth full of asian chicks. Salarys can be high. Civilised and then have vacations in bangkok soi cowboy...yeah man! Do it in style and have a little isaan chick back home in perth keepin the bed warm...most likely with one of your friends while your gone but whos perfect!
Its in our nature to want something for nothing or next to nothing. We try and beat the system. But at what price? sacrifices! I would not dare try and live in thailand on 500 a month. Damn hell no! Thats worse than thinking a bar girl loves you. Street food gives you shits! 1 beer a day is no life! Shitty room with manky shower and no aircon! Nana rejects at 4.30am. God it just sounds worse by the minute.! I salute any person who can live on the cheap and be truly happy on 500 a month. I could do it but only if i wore orange and became a monk!
zun, there are good country to live, but the main thing is whether you can stay in the country and not always on the border have as thailand. thailand life is cheap, but you get no visa for a long time. Only if you are reiree
From what I have read in my opinion the Ukraine would be the cheapest places to live and I am sure it out performs the cities listed above. First of all, it has all four seasons and a Black Sea for all your summer vacations. Now the city I would be talking about has 1.5mill population called Kharkov where I'm from. Rent in main downtown city life is $250-350 Euro style apartment (basically top notch), outside city by metro you can rent for as little as $100 for 1 bedroom. And condos for purchase are $500-1500 per square meter in a newly built building (100sqm plenty of space=50k to 100k USD) Now this is city life, you have museums, theaters, movies, attractions, clubs, stores, malls everything you can think of it has it. Local beer as low as .40cents and the "Name Brand" like Stella for 0.80cents. Keep in mind that their bottles are 0.5 liters not the 12oz like in USA. To eat at a Cafe for a full meal with desert and tea $4-6 dollars per person. And to buy your own food at supermarket is just beyond imagination cheep.
Hookers cost $25, Club entree fee $3-6, Movies $5, Opera Tickets $2-5 depending on show, ADSL as low as $5 I forget the speed but I was paying $22 for a 2mbps line, Cell phone $22 for unlimited everything data, text, voice, images everything, Cable TV $5, Settlite TV with channels in English, French, Germany whatever you speak over 500 $18, Electricity $5 for every 100kilowats, Dentist visits $10 for cleaning, any filings drilling pennies on a dollar like $2-3 bucks, Doctor visits $10, pills, medicine mad cheep, Taxi $3 includes 5km and 0.12cent for every additional 1km. And again this is city life for 5km in city you pretty much covers a lot. Now this is city life move just outside it and prices drop significantly I mean cut all that by 3 or 4. Now compare all this to a vacation spot with nothing but palm trees, constant rain and a sandy beach that you have to travel too cause you ant got a beach front penthouse. Now a life like that would get boring in a heart beat. My uncle is retierd and he gets $778 a month and he moved back to Ukraine and he loves it he said $500 would be plenty for me but he get $778. Now in the summers you can go to Krim area part of the Ukraine, to Black Sea. Rent $5-25 per person per night depending on the location and type.
You seriously need to check out the Vanabode lifestyle. It enables you to travel the most geographically diverse country in the world (America) and live anywhere you want for $20 a day and you can do it forever! My wife and I have been out for 4 years now.
what is the vanabode lifestyle?
Consider this:Well you know ya got to make them sacrifices to get er done....
I've been looking in to this moving thing since
2004...stay put for awhile more.
I live in Costa Rica. I make $900 and live quite well. My rent is $200 a month and I pay about $200 a month for living expenses. I don't have any bills (cell, car, mortgage, credit card). So, the rest is mine to keep. I've lived in CR for three years and have had to leave every 3 months to renew my visa. I live near San Jose. It's not the safest place to live, so you really have to be careful. I'd recommend other cities like Gracia, which is a small town outside the capital. This place is cheap but you have to be flexible. I rent a room in a house. I have hot water and use of the kitchen. I have electric, water, internet and use of the phone for local calls that is included in the price. I know how to cook, but you can eat out fairly cheap too if you know where to go. A beer here costs about $1 because I live near a college campus, which is always cheaper than most places. Other than the safety issue, it's a fairly nice place to be for a couple of years. I'm looking now to move on to the next place though. I've been here long enough. The last place I lived was in China for two years. That was cheap too but anything having to do with a hospital in rural areas was just too scary!! CR is very cheap for medical and dental. I paid $12 for a full physical exam! My friend had a cap put back on for $10! China is very cheap too, but SCARY! Hope this helps. Craig's list is a good place to look for places to stay but you can find cheaper places on a board at a university or supermarket. That's how I found this place.
He viajado por varios de esos paises y el bueno bonito seguro y barato no existe.Tampoco paraisos aunque halla lugares muy bonitos.
Los paraisos pueden estar en lugares cercanos a donde vivimos con buena compañia,buena comida,seguridad...
Pero me gusga esta pagina de soñadores vivir bien con poco,mas que irse muy lejos puede ser una forma de vivir.
Pero a quien no le gusta el exotismo y encontrar esos lugares.
SEGUIRE BUSCANDO.
The cheapest country in the whole world to live is the united kingdom. If your an immigrant and get in then all the british tax payers pay for you. You will get money, maybe a posh hotel and if you get a job you pay no tax for one year. Read the papers. You can even protest march around london and also if you get a lady pregnant can get a free council house and all bills paid.
No wonder all the foreigners come to the promised land. Now us english are leaving. Thanks gordon brown. And guess what? Any where we go wont help us! I will end up in a stick hut in penang with a girl with flipflops calling me hansum man and asking when you buy me ring? Still better than uk unless your a foreigner. So all foreigners come here now because us whites are leaving. We been taxed to death to pay for you people. Our stupid system of democracy and free speech has ruined our nation. The worst thing is i remember when the english were giants. Now we are shit on!
I think you people are missing the requirements to live in a foreign country, you cant just move wherever you want to, most of europe wont let you live there, un less you dump a ton of money in there economy, to retire in thailand you have to be over 50 yrs old, have an income of $1800 a month or have $24,000 deposited in a thai bank, or you can marry a thai girl and then you only need an income between you and your thai wife of $1,200 or $12,000 in the bank
Madagascar is best when i compared to INDIA
Good Business, people, environment...... Its Nice
Does Belize even have government? lol
The acronym 'lol' has really got to go. I beg you...
you guys are homeless
The homeless must be put in camps.
Just move to Canada... it's already turning into the Third World slums this article showcases.
yes i agree , come to England U.K and live for free , we will happily pay for free translators , free legal , free house , free hospital health care , dentist , education , plus the more of you there is the more we pay , we pay you money every week , if you have a disability we will give you a brand new car........i am not even joking ITS true .
Costa Rica is not cheap at all, was there last year and found it expensive compared to colombia or ecuador where I spent 6 months in these two beautiful countries
does anybody know what is chile like safety wise and is it cheap to live in ?
but england is the new land of the jews, if you were lookin at the U.K. it would have to be any where but england!!!
i think people for somereason or another are underestimating the prices for living in these countries...go on craigslist right now ..and see the rents ...the guy from thailand who claims to feed his family only on a bag of rice? get a life...
from what i gather from reading all the postings ...places like poland seem the best bet..about 50% of the people think bangkok ,and thailand suck while the other 50 think its great. i want to go to vietnam but looking at the rents they are the same as here in vancouver , bc 500 -800 for a decent one bedroom. i think these countries are starting take advantage of the influx of expats and adjusting thier rents accordingly. My intuition suggests that cheap paradises are fading fast but nicaguara , columbia are still avaliable.
dont come to canada ...the weather sucks ...try new zealand or austraila..better pay ..better weather...and for that nerd that said mauritania was cheap? get a life ..its been the hawaii of europe for years...its an island ..everything is imported...i think some people on this site have less than noble motives when giving advice...ie..tourism officers..
Phillipines is a nice place with hospitable people..
Here's a no doubt futile reply to "Alberta," who says:
"Noah Vail, I find it hard to believe you're living in Vancouver for $500 a month with any sort of comfort when the average apartment starts at $1200 let alone your food & other living expenses.
Must be in rehab , living at home or on the streets. No, a hostile isn't considered living....existing maybe.
Can someone shed some more light on living in Brazil?"
No, I'm not in rehab, or on the streets, or in a "hostile." Yes, I am living at home. Where do you live?
I own my own home, so after I pay my taxes and buy groceries, I usually find my bank account depleted by less than $500 a month. Inevitably contingencies arise and I am forced to spend more on occasion, but my grocery bill last month was $100. Do you find that hard to believe, too?
I have lived in Brazil, many years ago. No doubt before you were born, so I won't attempt to shed any light on what it's like to live there now. Rio was a dangerous city when I was there, and I'm sure it still is, but don't miss it. Brazil is a big,beautiful country. Go there.
I am 50 years old with 400k. Where can I live out the rest of my life without ever working again? Looking for warm climate with good ocean fishing. Oh yeah, must have good marijuana and no worry about the cops.
Barney, Vancouver will suit you just fine.
Buy my condo for 300k and you'll have enough left over to spend the rest of your life smoking some of the best, salmon and otherwise.
$500 a month, even after you've squandered some on the local dope, will do you just fine.
And you're only 15 years away from the Old Age Pension, if you do go a little over budget or things go somehow awry.
Plus if you ever need post-sale advice, you can always call me in Ceylon, or Thailand, or Portugal, or ...
What locations in America are the best places to live where therevare low crime rates, ideal temperatures and taxes are low?
... jobs are not plentiful but you can live on $1,500.00 a month, including rent, groceries, transportation, cel, cable, beaches, 75 cents to $1.20 beer, plenty of rum, super bowl and just 1 1/2 hour from US continental?
Stable government, english, spanish spoken, surfing, free beaches, snorkeling, diving, deep sea fishing, hunting, nature, casinos, cannabis, and YES! security, US and international banking, great communications systems, high speed internet, property affordable...complete paradise...friendly people..etc, etc
I do not know why you people are looking so far from your shores... (US I mean)
Check out Isabela, Aguadilla, Rincon, Aguada, Mayaguez (in general, the West Coast) of Puerto Rico!!!! -
Note: forget about the East and San Juan....
Please,
Do your Research, and if I am wrong, let me know...
lewizmenz3@gmail.com
Thanks
if you want to live human life you need 2k amonth in thailand..cambodia over $1000 ...and almost most aisa cost you close to that
Philippines is the great of all.. you can see the Natural resources there..
A lot of Islands.....and friendly people!
and its not hard to communicate to the people there...100% Its great
Thailand and Philippines is cheap places to leave..
All the negative comments are probably right. It's safer to stay at home in the US and watch the walls of freedom crumble around you than take a chance and search for a better life. Anyways, you need to get back to your jobs, and I need to get back to the beach. My advice - life is short, live it!