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Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 4:05 pm
by frugal
Hi,
can you please help me to know which are the best COUNTRIES on earth to live at LOWER COST ?
Tks
Regards
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:28 pm
by ns3
Here's an article that rates the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand as the top three. I will be retiring eventually in the Philippines myself as it is my wife's home country.
http://internationalliving.com/2013/10/ ... of-living/
In the western hemisphere I've heard good things about Costa Rica and Belize. Been to the latter but not the former yet.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:44 pm
by Mountaineer
frugal wrote:
Hi,
can you please help me to know which are the best COUNTRIES on earth to live at LOWER COST ?
Tks
Regards
The United States of America if you restrain your desires and live modestly and do not try to unnaturally prolong your life.
... Mountaineer
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:56 pm
by ns3
Mountaineer wrote:
The United States of America if you restrain your desires and live modestly and do not try to unnaturally prolong your life.
You can make an argument for America as one of the best countries to live in for a lot of reasons but I can't see LOWER COST as one of them.
And also, what would the immigration issues be for a foreigner wanting to retire in the U.S.A? I'm not sure Americans are all that welcoming to foreign retirees unless you have a lot of money.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 7:12 pm
by Gosso
Portugal.

Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 6:47 am
by Mountaineer
ns3 wrote:
Mountaineer wrote:
The United States of America if you restrain your desires and live modestly and do not try to unnaturally prolong your life.
You can make an argument for America as one of the best countries to live in for a lot of reasons but I can't see LOWER COST as one of them.
When I wrote my response I think I was focused on the word "best", my eyes read "lower cost" but my brain interpreted it as "best value".
When I think of somewhere I'd want to live, cost does play a role, but I think of the whole package (generic model for evaluating options - you can change the words to fit the situation): quality, services, effect in use, and cost. When I consider all those things, the United States wins hands down - my opinion of course!
If you really want ONLY lower cost, then probably somewhere in the interior jungle of Brazil or sub-Saharan Africa would be it.
... Mountaineer
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:53 am
by dualstow
I lived in Thailand for the better part of a year and my money went a long way.
I would not move there now even if my wife wanted to. Too much political turmoil.
Also, I don't remember any of my Thai except "garlic squid" and "not too spicy."
Funny, I just found my old Bangkok bank book yesterday while preparing for a temporary move to an apartment. Nice memories.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:33 pm
by Kriegsspiel
I think some of the countries in eastern Europe would be very cool. Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and that. I like colder weather though.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:33 am
by doodle
Mountaineer wrote:
frugal wrote:
Hi,
can you please help me to know which are the best COUNTRIES on earth to live at LOWER COST ?
Tks
Regards
The United States of America if you restrain your desires and live modestly and do not try to unnaturally prolong your life.
... Mountaineer
Did a lot of thinking about this and have traveled and lived in many different countries. USA is best value for money by a long shot.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:19 am
by ns3
doodle wrote:
Did a lot of thinking about this and have traveled and lived in many different countries. USA is best value for money by a long shot.
I'm not sure but I think the OP is not an American citizen so retiring here would be problematic as there is no such thing as a retirement visa. The law currently only allows you to stay for six months. I have a lot of friends that visit Florida from Canada for the winter and they all tell me that's the deal.
You can always overstay your visa, become an illegal immigrant and wait for the next amnesty to become a U.S. citizen, of course.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 10:47 am
by Libertarian666
Kriegsspiel wrote:
I think some of the countries in eastern Europe would be very cool. Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and that. I like colder weather though.
My understanding is that Austria is very expensive, and also doesn't have much provision for foreigners settling there.
I hear Panama and Ecuador are excellent choices for quality of life and low cost.
Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 5:14 am
by frugal
Hello,
to live a good life with 1000€/month any suggestions?

Re: Best LOWER COST Countries to Live
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:32 am
by Libertarian666
frugal wrote:
Hello,
to live a good life with 1000€/month any suggestions?
Panama or Ecuador.