Choosing to live in a new place is one of the hardest decisions that you can make. The change of lifestyle and environment is one thing that you have to consider. The most important thing that you will ever have to keep in mind is the cost of living in these places. You have to make sure that you can afford to live in a new place before you make your decision. Find out the cost of rentals, food, transportation costs, clothing expenses and healthcare costs. These are the primary things that you have to consider if you want to make sure that if you want to live in a certain place. Aside from these, you can even choose where to live based on the things that you can do in a certain place. No matter what factors you may consider for these locations, you still need to think of the cost of living in the destinations where you want to go to.
Ecuador
Ecuador is a country in South America that has one of the most accessible locations. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Colombia and Peru, lying directly on the equator. The wildlife is something here with a megadiverse ecosystem; you will find it such an interesting place to live in. Aside from these, the Copataxi is located here which is the highest active volcano. There are also a lot of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you will see scattered all over Ecuador.
As for the economy, trading is a big industry here with the abundance of the different natural resources here. You do not have to worry about anything as it is among the most urbanized areas in the whole of South America. The economy has stabilized, making life better when you live here. Ecuador uses the USD ($) as their currency and commodities are practically cheaper here so you will not have to worry about expenses.
Renting an apartment will cost around $400 per month. This price will not only give you a regular apartment but a very nice one. You will always find cheaper apartments here but if you want a great place to live in, you more or less have to spend this price. Transportation is another thing that you have to consider. Owning a car will not be a problem since gasoline costs around $0.46 per liter. As for public transport, a single-way ticket will only cost around $0.25. Cab rides will cost you around $2.25 for a 5km distance which is practically very cheap. You can practically live on a $40 transportation expense here in Ecuador. As for your monthly utilities including electricity, internet, water and telephone bills, you can pay for all of them at $70 per month. Food and drinks are pretty cheap in Ecuador since you can live on $150 per month for these. Healthcare in Ecuador has a first-class standard so you can entrust you health here. A visit to the doctor will only cost around $20. You will definitely find it very convenient when you live in Ecuador. You will practically enjoy life when you get here.
Honduras
Honduras has one of the most beautiful sceneries that you can ever go to. In here, you will find a lot of jungles, mountains, beaches, coral reefs coastlines and ruins from the Mayan civilization. For a country with this reputation you can expect that the natural resources here are very abundant. This country produces a lot from timber, iron, gold, ore, lead, zinc, coal, fish, and hydropower. The economy of Honduras may not be improving rapidly but you can trust that it is stable. The currency of Honduras is the Honduran Lempira (HNL) which has an exchange rate of 1 HNL equivalent to 0.05 USD and 0.04 EUR. As for the cost of living here, you can expect it to be a lot cheaper.
Rent here is pretty affordable. You can already get a decent place for $300 with great amenities and a good location. Transportation is one thing that you can rely on in Honduras, with pretty much $40 you can already go around Honduras for a month. The bus fare one-way ticket costs $0.70 only. For a cab, you may spend around $3.50 for a 5km distance. There is the Tuk-Tuk taxi ride that costs only $1.50. For monthly utilities, people find it very cheap since most people pay $60 at least for their monthly dues. This is inclusive of electricity, internet and cable TV or telephone bills. Maid services in Honduras are affordable for everyone. Maids serving on a full-time basis have a salary of $200 per month but for a daily maid service, you can pay them $8 per day. For your food budget, set it at $200 for both groceries and eating out. There is nothing to worry about when spending for healthcare because a single visit can cost around $5 to $15. Shopping here in Honduras will not leave you feeling guilty. With a shopping budget of $90 per month, you will be able to shop for a lot. Staying in Honduras is not a hard decision to make. Since the cost of living is very cheap, you can live with a monthly budget of $700. You will enjoy life and the beauty of nature without experiencing a hard time.
Panama
Panama is one country in Central America where a lot of immigrants prefer to live in. A country that is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, you will find this place paradise. Looking at the map, Panama actually forms an isthmus which serves as a bridge between North and South America. This has brought nothing but the rapid growth of its economy. Since it has a strategic location, it has become an international business center. Adding to this, the economy of Panama has improved because of the success in commerce, entrepreneurship, trading and tourism. The currencies used in Panama are the Balboa (PAB) and the US Dollar. The value of the PAB is the same as the USD but it is only used for coin denominations. Even if this is the case, the cost of living in Panama is very cheap which is why it has become a great destination for most immigrants.
Housing in Panama is very cheap. Renting an apartment will cost you around $200 per month. For high-end apartments, these are priced at $1000 per month but it is already fully-furnished so there is nothing that you have to worry about when you pay for an expensive apartment here. Transportation costs will cost you around $50 per month. The bus will cost only around $1 to $2 per ticket. If you want to pay for a monthly pass, you can get at a value of $15 of unlimited rides. As for taxi rides, this is not considered as a luxury here because for $2 you can actually get anywhere in Panama. As for the monthly cost for utilities, you can spend at least $100 for your electricity, internet, water and bills. This value is actually affordable, but considering that you are in Panama, this is a really expensive price for you. One thing that you can get here is a maid service. It is common here in Panama so you can easily hire a full-time maid for $200 when you need one. For food expenses, a $150 budget is all that you need per month for food, drinks and dining out. Clothing is very cheap in Panama so you can shop until you drop without spending so much here. Panama is not just a great place to visit but it is one great place to live in. If you want the best life for an affordable price, you can find it here in Panama.
Austria
You may be familiar with Austria as the winter sports capital of the world. This country, which is landlocked by neighboring countries Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Switzerland, is located in Central America. Even if you are here in Austria, you will be able to enjoy the great view f the Swiss Alps. Austria has been influenced by the German culture though it still has its own identity as a country.
There is a high cost of living here in Austria. Since the economy is doing great in Austria, life here is pretty good. Since there are a lot of industries and firms located here, the economy has been rising in an upward direction. Austria is still part of the Eurozone which means that the residents here are using the Euro (€) as their currency.
Housing in Austria is a bit expensive. Residents just choose to rent an apartment so that they have a more affordable option for finding a place to life. Renting will only cost around €800 per month which is a cheap price for accommodations in Austria. If you can, you can find apartments which are cheaper but these are usually outside the city center. Transportation costs are very affordable in Austria. A taxi ride will only cost you around €13 for a 5km ride here. Taking the bus is still the cheapest way to go around since the one-way fare will only cost you around €2 and for the monthly pass, it costs around €50. Monthly utilities may be expensive here. Some people pay around €160 for their electricity. Add to this the water bill, telephone bill, cable TV and internet, you can expect to pay around €250 per month for your monthly utilities. Food expenses cost around €400 per month here in Austria. This includes your groceries as well as the budget for dining out. A doctor’s visit here costs around €60 so you need to make sure that you stay healthy when you are here. Shopping will often leave you bankrupt when you do it here in Austria. Save some money on your shopping expenses if you can.
Croatia
Croatia is one of the loveliest countries that you will ever see in Southeast Europe. With the diversity of its geography, you will be amazed at what awaits you in Croatia. This has caused the tourism industry in this country to improve. As for the economy or Croatia, it is actually performing well. Through the years, Croatia has indeed built up its own culture that is very unique, making life more enjoyable when you are here.
The currency of Croatia is the Croatian Kuna (HKR).The exchange rate of the HKR is at 1 HKR is equivalent to 0.20 USD and 0.14 EUR. Compared to the other Western European countries, the cost of living in Croatia is around 10% to 20% less. This is what makes it such a good options when you choose to live in Europe.
Housing in Croatia is affordable for most people. Apartment rentals depend on the location and the size that you choose. Cheap apartments cost around $300 to $500 for an apartment. High-end and more expensive apartments cost around $1500 to $3000. Transportation costs around $100 per month. A monthly pass for the bus costs around $60 but for a one-way ticket is around $2. As for the train, you can expect to pay $3 for a single ticket. Taxi cabs cost around $13 for 5km distance driving. Public transportation is very accessible here in Croatia. Monthly utilities in Croatia are practically cheaper as low as 20% compared to other countries. Electricity and water bills cost $90 per month. With the inclusion of the internet, phone bill and the cable TV, you can spend around $200 per month. Food and drinks here costs around $150 per month when you spend in the grocery. Eating out, meals can cost around $6 for the fastfood meals. Croatia healthcare is the best. You can expect the best of healthcare from Croatia. A doctor’s visit costs around $30 and the insurance may cost around $90 per month. For clothing costs, you can spend around $150 per month. Croatia is indeed a more affordable place to live in but with a budget of $800 per month, you can already live here in Croatia.
Mexico
Mexico is a hot spot for all travelers. This place has one of the best locations making this a great place for a vacation. This country in North America is surrounded by Guatemala, Belize, Pacific Ocean and The Caribbean Sea. One thing that is remarkable about Mexico is the strong Hispanic influence that is evident here. You will see a lot of deserts, mountains, pyramids, food and art that are unique to Mexico. The economy of Mexico is very strong (11th worldwide) which makes it a stable country to love in. There are a lot of businesses here including trading, telecommunications, manufacturing and power generation. The currency used in Mexico is the Peso (MXN). The value if the Mexican Peso is Mex$1 is equivalent to $0.08 USD and 0.05 EUR. Living in Mexico is actually very affordable. If you want a nice location that can give you a great life, you can always find it here in Mexico.
Housing in Mexico is something that you can afford. The regular price for apartments here cost around $150 to $200. People can pay for $100 for a two-bedroom apartment. Try living in the city when you want the best accommodations here in Mexico. As for transportation, you will never have a problem when you live here in Mexico. Public transportation is quite accessible and affordable. Bus fares, trains fares and taxi rides will cost your around $3 here at the most. There are so many transportation vehicles that you can ride here but no matter which one you take, you will not really find it very affordable. For your monthly utilities, you will find it cheap is Mexico. Spending around $100 per month for your monthly utilities is not really an impossible job for you. Maid services in Mexico will only cost you around $160 per month. Doctors in Mexico are paid $25 per visit but since they are mostly trained in the US and Europe, you can guarantee quality healthcare provided.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is one place that you would really want to see. Life will never be complete if you have never seen the beauty of this Central American country. It is surrounded by Costa Rica, Honduras the Caribbean sea and the Pacific Ocean, This country also has the bigger biodiverse ecosystems in the world. The economy here has been dependent on the abundance of the natural resources that they have here in Nicaragua. This country has its own currency, the Cordoba (C$). The present exchange rate of the Cordoba is at 0.047 USD and 0.032 EUR. The cost of living in Nicaragua is very cheap when you compare it to other countries.
Housing in Nicaragua is very cheap. All that you need to spend $100 for an apartment rental here. This price is already enough for you to find a decent home when you are here in Nicaragua. There is no need to spend for an expensive housing unit in Nicaragua. Transportation in Nicaragua is never a problem for residents. Bus fare prices are at $2.50 on the average for a one-way ticket. The flagdown rate of taxis cost around $0.50 only so there is no problem when you want to travel farther destinations when you are here. Monthly utilities will cost you around $250 per month. Maid services cost cheap when you are here. Most full-time maids are paid $280 per month so you can practically afford one if you want. Food and drinks are very cheap in Nicaragua. Groceries will only cost around $120 per month. If you love eating out, you can add at least $50 per month on your food budget. Healthcare is one thing that is quite expensive since a typical doctor’s appointment will cost around $80. With insurance, this can actually be a lot cheaper.
Philippines
The Philippines will give everyone the adventure that they want in their life. This country is a small archipelago with 7,107 islands is located in Southeast Asia. Filipinos are proud of their vast natural resources. This has also made this country a top tourist destination wonderful sight and places that can be seen here. The most popular places that tourists visit here are Boracay, Manila, Cebu and Bohol. For residency, Manila and Cebu City remains as a popular location for immigrants. One factor that makes this a wonderful place is the mix of cultures that has influenced the country. This has caused the Philippines to create its own culture that is very interesting.
Housing in The Philippines depends on where you love. A fully-furnished apartment in the Philippines costs around $150 to $200 per month. On the average, apartment rentals in the Philippines actually cost around $400 to $1000. The transportation system in the Philippines has actually improves. Taxi rides are the most expensive form of public transportation here. The flag down price of taxi cabs cost around $0.60 and the addition of $0.05 per km passed. The MRT is the most convenient form of public transportation since a ticket will only cost $0.33 per ride. Buses costs around $2 for the fare and jeepneys would have a $0.15 fare rate per ride. Monthly utilities in the Philippines cost $200 to $250 per month. The biggest factor here is the electricity bill. The less you spend, the cheaper it will be. As for the internet cost, you can expect to pay $49.95 per month on a high speed connection. Telephone bills and mobile phone bills cost around $35 each for their monthly bills. Maids are common here as a job which is why you can easily find maid services here. Salaries range from $60 to $100 per month for full-time maids but it depends on their work. The less work that they have, the less pay they get. Food expense in the Philippines costs around $150 per month which includes dining out and grocery expenses. Life here is practically cheap; just make sure that you find ways in which you can save for your expenses in the Philippines.
Spain
Spain will always be known as a fun place to be in! Place like Madrid, Pamplona and Barcelona really make a good impression on this country. This European country is located in the Iberian Peninsula, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and Portugal. Spain and its economy have been doing great as it ranks among the top 10 in the world. This is all because of the foreign investors that are attracted to its economy. With tourism good here, it has definitely done a good effect on Spain’s economy. The currency that Spain uses is the Euro (€) and you can expect things to be a little pricey in this side of the world.
Housing has been greatly affected by the recession. This has caused housing to be quite expensive here. Luckily, there are a lot of apartments for rent in Spain. The only thing that you have to do is to actually look for a cheap housing unit. There are apartments which cost around €350 per month but these are located in farther places, away from the city. If you choose a location near the city, process would increase to €1000 to €3000 per month. Transportation is available in Spain. Taking the bus is a convenient way to go around. The ticket costs around €2 for a single trip. Monthly passes are affordable and cheaper since you would only have to spend around €45 for a ticket. For the monthly utilities that you use here, a €300 per month budget is already enough. This will include electricity, internet, water and phone bills monthly. Food in Spain is one of the best that you would want to try out. When you start your groceries, you spend around €350 a month. Dining out, meals can cost you around €15 per meal that you get. A visit to the doctor is quite expensive. It will usually cost around €50 to €100 per visit depending on the years of experience of the doctor. Clothing expenses are quite costly here so make sure that you do not spend so much on these when you live in Spain.
Thailand
Thailand is probably the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia. This country is known for its cuisine, culture, scenic spots, beaches and the people here. Thailand seems to be an interesting place which is why there are so many tourists who flock here. Tourists frequent destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. With this kind of setting, living here will not be a hard decision to make. The greatest factor and is the cost of living and this country has a low standard of living which makes life a lot more enjoyable here. The currency used in Thailand is the Baht (THB). The exchange rate of the THB is at 1 THB equivalent to 0.03 USD and 0.021 EUR. Living here permanently is not a hard decision to make.
Renting an apartment in Thailand will only cost around $100 to $300 at the most for an average apartment unit. Apartments with this price already give you a fully-furnished space. This already includes a private bathroom as well as a living room. For high-end apartments, these would already cost around $1000 or higher per month. Transportation in Thailand is available anywhere since it is a tourist destination. You can spend for $30 per month for transportation. Buses here cost around $0.20 for a one-way ticket. Ad for private buses, these give you a ride to anywhere at a flat rate of $0.75. Taxi cabs costs around $1.05 for the flag down rate. There are cheaper options of such as Tuk Tuk Cabs, SonTaw, ferry boats and motorcycles. Monthly utilities cost around $180 per month in Thailand. With electricity, water, internet, and telephone bills, you can pay for everything with this amount. Hiring a mad is not a problem in Thailand because there are practically lot of maid services available here. You can pay $240 per month for a maid service. Eating is one thing that you will enjoy here. Not only are the prices available, but food really tastes great. You can practically indulge in local food as well as other cuisines in Thailand for only $100. Groceries can cost around $150 per month. Visiting a doctor is actually cheap with $13 which is actually affordable. Shopping for Bangkok is one thing that you can enjoy. You can actually shop here without spending for so much. Thailand is indeed a great place to live in. If you are looking for a cheap place to live in, Thailand is the place for you.
Cost Of Living Countries Around The World:
tell me about puerto rico as far as cost of living etc.. thanks, rebecca
I would like to know if there are incentives to retire in Honduras? I always hear about the incentives in Panama however, never hear about any Honduras incentives. Also, are the retirement incentives better in Belize?
I want to go to Luxembourg in the spring, I really enjoy reading about it, I want to know more about the people of Luxembourg how they live and where they live
A group of us want to go to Nicaragua in five months, I really enjoy reading about it, People and Places in Nicaragua are truly fascinating
Hi – I am researching to make a final decision for retiring overseas also.
However, someone on here inquired about Belize….well my friend, who has been there, told me that in order to retire in Belize you had to have a income of $2,000 mo to do so. He said it would great to visit, but for the Low-cost of living you needed to go somewhere else…I still say it is Panama.