Living in cheaper foreign countries

[Debp]

Just wondering if anyone ever considered going to a cheaper foreign country to live.

I can't do it. I'm a senior citizen who is a caregiver to my mom.

But it seems one could really stretch their budget living in some other countries.

I have been looking at videos about the cost of living in India. An American guy got a nice, two bedroom apartment for only $167 a month! (Video 3 years old but still practically nothing for rent!) He gets a haircut for only $1.32! Groceries, everything so cheap there.

Anyone adventurous enough to move to a cheaper country?

 

[Augustin56]

There are several other countries that are far cheaper to live than the U.S. Ecuador is very popular, especially Cuenca, which is at an evelvation of about 8300 ft. and on the equator. So, there are no seasons. Every day is like Spring weather. And you can live there on about 1/3 the cost of living here, depending on where you live in the U.S. (Sometimes much less.) Here's a good video on it:

 

[Pathfinder7]

I was in Brazil..years ago..
- on the mission trip.
---
It seems..living cost is much less than US.
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During the trip, we had the buffet..everyday.
- Excellent food..
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*Due to some factors (age..etc)..I cannot live/move there.

 

[JohnDB]

There are serious issues with your logic.

Commodities are still market price and often more expensive. Things like gasoline or diesel are not cheaper. (Unless in a OPEC nation under dictator/communist rule)

Medical care....usually poor to non-existent. Things that are "routine" and normal in American health care are a big deal in most "cheaper " nations. The needed procedures and medicines to save your life might not be so readily available for when you need them.

Security concerns....
Because you will be viewed as a "rich American " all sorts of troubles can be had by being a resident. A "safe room" is not exactly that safe. Being proficient with firearms and even having video proof of the local law enforcement being part of illegal activity towards you is not a guarantee of you being able to make a case for your innocence. Spending months in a foreign country's jail is not exactly fun.

There is a lot of concerns with being an American living abroad....lots of people are expatriates and live inexpensively....but there are trade-offs.

 

[Augustin56]

There are serious issues with your logic.

Commodities are still market price and often more expensive. Things like gasoline or diesel are not cheaper. (Unless in a OPEC nation under dictator/communist rule)

Medical care....usually poor to non-existent. Things that are "routine" and normal in American health care are a big deal in most "cheaper " nations. The needed procedures and medicines to save your life might not be so readily available for when you need them.

Security concerns....
Because you will be viewed as a "rich American " all sorts of troubles can be had by being a resident. A "safe room" is not exactly that safe. Being proficient with firearms and even having video proof of the local law enforcement being part of illegal activity towards you is not a guarantee of you being able to make a case for your innocence. Spending months in a foreign country's jail is not exactly fun.

There is a lot of concerns with being an American living abroad....lots of people are expatriates and live inexpensively....but there are trade-offs.

Gasoline in Ecuador is about $1.80/gallon. Health care in the major cities is rated better than the U.S., and many of the doctors are trained in the U.S. With regard to security concerns, would you live in Chicago or L.A.? Anywhere you go, you have to know where the dangerous zones are and stay away. Ecuador's major crimes are mostly theft. If you're not careful, they'll steal anything not guarded.

 

[dev553344]

When I worked in California there was a co-worker that would live in Tijuana and commute to work everyday for the cost of living. He probably lived like a king down there. But it is dangerous living down there, especially if you have money.

 

[Debp]

When I worked in California there was a co-worker that would live in Tijuana and commute to work everyday for the cost of living. He probably lived like a king down there. But it is dangerous living down there, especially if you have money.

Last week on the news they said a lot of people are moving to Mexico City. They tend to live in a couple of areas so you see a lot of Americans in those neighborhoods.

Funny thing is some of the locals are posting signs wanting the foreigners to go home. Kind of the reverse as we get a lot of illegal immigrants here.

 

[Debp]

Here's the American guy who moved to India and pays only $167 a month for a two bedroom apartment!
Video is three years old.

They do have good doctors in India.

 

[Debp]

This is very interesting....India.

 

[lforrest]

Just wondering if anyone ever considered going to a cheaper foreign country to live.

I can't do it. I'm a senior citizen who is a caregiver to my mom.

But it seems one could really stretch their budget living in some other countries.

I have been looking at videos about the cost of living in India. An American guy got a nice, two bedroom apartment for only $167 a month! (Video 3 years old but still practically nothing for rent!) He gets a haircut for only $1.32! Groceries, everything so cheap there.

Anyone adventurous enough to move to a cheaper country?

This is where it may be beneficial to have moved to a rich country for work and return when retiring. This way you would have roots in both countries.

 

[Debp]

This is where it may be beneficial to have moved to a rich country for work and return when retiring. This way you would have roots in both countries.

I know two ladies from Guatemala or maybe it was El Salvador. They worked here for many years and when retired they moved back to their home country.

Yes, their Social Security will go much further there. But the cost of living here in Los Angeles is so terribly high that they really had no choice.

One of them temporarily has come back here for a year trying to help her cousin out with the rent. They all kept the same apartment in order to avoid moving into a new apartment....those rents are unaffordable to all of us....only the professionals or rich can afford them.

 

[Debp]

One of my cousins (used to live in Arizona) moved his family to Guatemala. They were all taking Spanish. I heard from his mother that he planned to buy a home and have a business there. (He had sold his Arizona business.)

But then the Pandemic broke out! And Marshall Law was going to be put into place. So they fled Guatemala! He bought a home in West Virginia.

 

[BlessedPeace]

I'll stay in America.

 

[Bob Estey]

Just wondering if anyone ever considered going to a cheaper foreign country to live.

I can't do it. I'm a senior citizen who is a caregiver to my mom.

But it seems one could really stretch their budget living in some other countries.

I have been looking at videos about the cost of living in India. An American guy got a nice, two bedroom apartment for only $167 a month! (Video 3 years old but still practically nothing for rent!) He gets a haircut for only $1.32! Groceries, everything so cheap there.

Anyone adventurous enough to move to a cheaper country?

I'd want to live somewhere where people understood English.

 

[Augustin56]

I'd want to live somewhere where people understood English.

Try Belize. English is the main language there.

 

[Bob Estey]

Try Belize. English is the main language there.

They are a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. I might be a little uncomfortable with a hereditary monarch.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

Spending months in a foreign country's jail is not exactly fun.

If one finds themselves in jail... it's time to start a prison ministry!

 

[JohnDB]

If one finds themselves in jail... it's time to start a prison ministry!

I'm not Joseph or a Paul....

I am a miserable old man so I'm more like a Moses....

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

I'm not Joseph or a Paul....

I am a miserable old man so I'm more like a Moses....

Well, then you'll miss opportunities to win some of the other prisoners to the Lord.

Too bad to hear life is so bad that you are miserable. Sad.

 

[BlessedPeace]

I'm not Joseph or a Paul....

I am a miserable old man so I'm more like a Moses....

And we know what happened to him