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Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

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Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#231

Post by seanmcdirmid »

ethbr0 wrote: post #158
dharmab wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reads like a Ponzi scheme, if you consider the tenants as investors.

In a country with the third highest population density in the world and a solid advanced economy? (discounting city-states and low-population states) There are worse places to make that bet.

If everyone makes the same bet, it can still lead to disaster (real estate must rise! Let's all speculate on real estate! --> eventual disaster).

Or let's put it this way: a rational bet is something like, this thing is worth $50 now, it will be worth at least $100 later. An irrational bet is one like "this thing will be worth more over and over again!" If everyone things like that, then the thing's price will keep rising until the bubble bursts.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#232

Post by jt2190 »

kaycebasques wrote: post #66

One thing I'll mention for US citizens. Aetna's Mobile Healthcare Plan seems fairly reasonable. I'm paying around $300 a month total for coverage for my partner and me (most comprehensive coverage, highest deductible). Apparently it's still valid in the US so long as you spend the simple majority of your time outside of the US (i.e. 6 months abroad). https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/individuals/health-pla...

In the U.S. it’s not enough to have health insurance: You also need to make sure that the healthcare providers you care about accept it.

Furthermore, there’s a wrinkle to watch out for where “renewing” a policy is actually “buying a new policy”. A new diagnosis under the current policy then becomes a disqualifying “pre-existing condition” when trying to get the new policy.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#233

Post by postsantum »

FabHK wrote: post #157
Leftium wrote: post #11

I live in Korea. Some months my total expenses are as low as $400 while living comfortably. If I spent $1000 in a month, I spent a lot of money. I'd say my average monthly living expenses are $600-$800. My main expenses are food/entertainment, and I eat out a lot (50% of meals). Housing is probably the biggest living expense. I take advantage of Korea's interesting rental system called Cheonsae: Basically, if you put…

Just for the record, I don't think that South Korea is particularly cheap. As OP demonstrates, one can live there for USD 1000/month, but that really holds for most countries. While the US is in the top 5% in terms of nominal GDP per capita, South Korea is in the top 15%. For cheap, yet comfortable and safe, I'd aim around the median, eg Indonesia or Georgia. ETA: Nomadlist suggests €1,925/mo for Seoul, €1,530/mo for…

Nomadlist is often way off on their estimates. I'd suggest using it for inspiration only and then see prices on Numbeo

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#234

Post by rmason »

Detroit - In 2021 30.6% of the city's population lives below the US federal poverty level. For a single person that's $16,000 a year.

Pros - Large spirited startup community

Negatives - High levels of crime. Snow and cold weather in the winter months.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#235

Post by m0zg »

FabHK wrote: post #157
Leftium wrote: post #11

I live in Korea. Some months my total expenses are as low as $400 while living comfortably. If I spent $1000 in a month, I spent a lot of money. I'd say my average monthly living expenses are $600-$800. My main expenses are food/entertainment, and I eat out a lot (50% of meals). Housing is probably the biggest living expense. I take advantage of Korea's interesting rental system called Cheonsae: Basically, if you put…

Just for the record, I don't think that South Korea is particularly cheap. As OP demonstrates, one can live there for USD 1000/month, but that really holds for most countries. While the US is in the top 5% in terms of nominal GDP per capita, South Korea is in the top 15%. For cheap, yet comfortable and safe, I'd aim around the median, eg Indonesia or Georgia. ETA: Nomadlist suggests €1,925/mo for Seoul, €1,530/mo for…

You don't have to live in the capital of Georgia (or Korea for that matter). Just a little outside the capital is already much more reasonable. You also don't have to maintain 100% "western" standard of living either, seeing that you aren't in the West. Very few people in Georgia make 1000+ euro, and they're doing OK with less. In rural Georgia you'd be living like royalty with that kind of monthly spend. It's also beautiful, and people are real nice. The only thing to watch out for is, of course, the internet.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#236

Post by js2 »

echelon wrote: post #165
kaycebasques wrote: post #66

One thing I'll mention for US citizens. Aetna's Mobile Healthcare Plan seems fairly reasonable. I'm paying around $300 a month total for coverage for my partner and me (most comprehensive coverage, highest deductible). Apparently it's still valid in the US so long as you spend the simple majority of your time outside of the US (i.e. 6 months abroad). https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/individuals/health-pla...

Is there something like this for domestic health insurance (ie. no time abroad)? Is there any risk they would drop you if you or your partner had a major illness or injury?

An ACA plan + Federal tax credit if you're between 100% and 400% of Federal poverty level.

https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-fami...

https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#237

Post by fernandopj »

pelasaco wrote: post #130

If you want to have a great experience, I would suggest South of Brazil (something like country from Rio Grande do Sul or Santa Catarina), Buenos Aires in Argentina, or my favorite spot Montevideo, Uruguay. In the 3 options, you can live well with 1k USD and have one of the best times of your life, without a super huge cultural shock. Have fun!

+1 about South of Brazil. USD 1k with BRL as it is, it's more than enough to get an entire middle-class apartment for yourself and pay for all utilities in any neighborhood. (I'd not recommend largest southeast cities because you could feel "back" in L.A. traffic).

As I've experienced trying to rent a place in SF, in Brazil even largest cities are _waaay_ easier. You'd have to talk directly to an owner (since it would be difficult for you to prove income) but it wouldn't be a problem finding them and renting for less than a year.

Language will not be a problem, there's a startup scene if you feel like talking shop, and plenty of places to see and visit. You'd have all the infrastructure to stay for a long time.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#238

Post by freediver »

wil421 wrote: post #151
dbancajas wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So if you're non caucasian it's a big NO?

Lol. All I can say is that if you’re Muslim or of African decent it’s not gonna be the same as a Caucasian. Many do not believe in political correctness. Not that Europe abides by that like the US does but also not something you’d see in the UK, France, or Germany. Even Indian coworkers had "issues" there. I have childhood friends who came to the US during the Yugoslav wars in the 90s. When I mentioned them my cowork…

I would disagree. What is important to know is that in this region of the world discrimination (if at all present) is in general not based on the race/color of the skin - and this is in general true for the rest of Europe too.

In Europe, discrimination, when it happens, is usually based on national or religious differences. All wars Europeans ever fought were over national or religious reasons.

In Serbia generally racial discrimination is not present, nor is a topic of any conversation in media or society (certainly not to any extent like in US). There was a war between serbs and bosnian muslims and serbs and kosovo muslims (note national/religious connotation) some 20 years ago, and some people may have 'hard feelings' about it, but in general that's the end of it. Still, being a Muslim in Serbia is IMO a 'better' experience than being one in USA (maybe also because 5% of population of Serbia is Muslim vs ~1% in USA).

Re: Ask HN: Where can I live off 1k USD per month?

#240

Post by ptudan »

Lionga wrote: post #214
tpm wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depends on what you count as major cities; the second biggest city in any EE country will be much cheaper than the capital. But in Eastern Europe you also get health insurance much cheaper than in the US.

Not true for Romania, where Cluj is more expensive than Bucharest. Also not true in Germany where Munich is more expensive than Berlin. Probably not true in most countries.

Is cluj really more expensive? Maybe for the average Romanian, but expat areas in Bucharest are the priciest in the country, last I checked.

I'm half Romanian and have been considering doing what OP is doing for a while. Cluj was probably going to be my choice, in case I wanted to hire any students.

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