Are you overwhelmed with overcrowded cities, the super bustling streets, the expensive rents and the life mortgages? Well, there are places in the world where you can live with less money and there are beautiful and exotic places that make you want to pack up and move, if not for life, at least for a while. There are two basic rules for finding low-cost destinations. The first is that if you find a cheap place to travel, it will be inexpensive to live. The second is that, wherever you are the cheapest places will be further away from the big cities and the crowds. Of course, “cheap” is a very relative term and what it can be inexpensive for some people maybe it would not be so much for others. So, if “cheap” means spending a few dollars a day, then these places in Asia and in Central America can be very interesting.
Thailand
Thailand is one of the most favorite tourist destinations. You can find there the sun throughout the year, some exotic food, beaches and very amazing prices. The accommodation is about 20 euros a month (100 euros if you are on the coast) and the monthly food expenditure is about 150 euros. It is possible to live in paradise with a very low salary!
Cambodia
If you think about Cambodia’s history, the bloody regime of Pol Pot and the poverty, you would not dare to call this country a paradise. Moreover, this country does not have great beaches as its neighboring Thailand but if you do not care about that, you can live in the capital, Phnom Penh, for less than 250€. In addition, you can eat at a restaurant with less than two euros, and fast foods are even cheaper. Additionally, you should add in your expenses the extra costs of the visa (250 dollars per year). It is also possible to live in the area of Angkor with a smaller budget.
Philippines
This country has areas like Cebu, which is one of the most developed provinces in the country, where there are apartments to rent for 100 Euros a month. The food is as cheap as in Thailand and Cambodia and a large beer costs about 50 cents. On the other hand, Philippines offers a special Visa for the pensioners living in the country which can be obtained at the age of 35 years old but it is necessary to enter more than 34,000 euros in a bank there. From the age of 50 you should have deposited the amount of 6,800 Euros and demonstrate a monthly pension of 540 euros if you are a single person or 680 euros if it is a couple. Malaysia offers something similar which is called “my second home program.”
Costa Rica
We jump now to the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica is the Republic of Central American, being more developed and politically stable. A few euros are enough to survive in Costa Rica which can be a real pleasure. The country has 12 different climate zones and an abundant wildlife. The most characteristic is the tropical and warm climate and the sympathy and friendliness of its people. You can get an excellent meal in the restaurants for 3 euros or even less, you would pay less if you buy the food in the local markets and the hawkers. For example, a bunch of bananas costs around 30 cents and a pack of snuff costs around 90 cents. In general, the prices in the supermarkets are 30% higher than in the local markets and street stalls. It is possible going as far as renting an entire house for 150 euros a month, although the prices in the capital are higher.
Belize
In spite of its beautifulness, Belize is much unknown in the touristic world. Your dreams of being in a paradise for a bargain price also can come true in Belize which is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. It has everything: great beaches, a subtropical climate and varying faunas. The official language is English. It is a perfect place for diving enthusiasts. The coral barrier of Belize offers 127 offshore islands where you will find one of the best preserved marine ecosystems in the world. The cost of living there is similar to Costa Rica. A large house in the Cayo District, which is an hour by car to the Northwest of the capital, can cost around 210 Euros a month (70 € per month if accompanied by a couple of friends). The food is cheap if you buy it locally. The imported material is generally 50% more expensive, therefore, if you want to spend less money you should shop at the local markets and the street vendors. To make a long story short, if you are 45 year old or older you can consider the possibility of retiring in Belize since there is a program for retired people who can afford to live a lifestyle free of taxes, which will help you save more money.
By Paula.P.M.B
