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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?

#351

Post by bobthechef »

rich_sasha wrote: post #219
fhood wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Haven't been, so I wonder how it compares with rural US, where, at least in some of the places I've been, people are quite intolerant in abstract, but almost universally friendly in person.

I think if people get to know you, they are indeed positively surprised that “despite” being foreign etc you’re actually nice etc. That wouldn’t be my concern so much. It would rather be the odd skinhead on the bus or in the street. The current government is also quietly accepting such behaviours, as it is their voter base, so the few “bad apples” feel they can act with impunity. I don’t want to overplay it, it’s not…

This is what I read in this response: "Is it safe to visit Poland? I hear you could get struck by lightening over there."

Also, the idea that the current government is quietly accepting skinhead violence is preposterous.

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

#352

Post by exochrono »

My family has a simple apartment in the outskirts of Tokyo, and we've occasionally toyed with the idea of renting it to foreigners for for cheapish (~$400/mo). If you don't go too crazy with fancy dining or anything like that, then I think living in Tokyo for ~$600 / mo isn't an insane proposition. Here's the website we created if you're interested - https://mitakahouse.omardiab.com/

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

#354

Post by holoduke »

It's all depending on your life style. Even in a low wage country you would need more than the average Joe makes in that country or you are used to Western standards. I lived Ukraine for some years. Many local Devs around me were making around 3k living a good life. But I needed much more. I wanted to travel a lot. I wanted to drive expensive cars. And I wanted to live in a fancy apartment. And I also didn't like to cook. So I went to restaurants and clubs a lot. I spend around 6k minimum a month. As a nomad you need to make min 8k a month to be sustainable and live good. As a developer not that hard to make.

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

#355

Post by bobthechef »

bingohbangoh wrote: post #92
burntoutfire wrote: post #19

Poland is doable if you stay out of major cities. You can rent a studio for $300 (incl. all utilities). Food, if you cook, will cost you $200-$250 ($300-$400 if you don't cook and want to eat out only). Wired Internet and cell phone will be around $20. State-provided health insurance is about $120 per month (this is "socialized medicine", so it provides everything with no deducible, up to treating cancer etc.), but c…

It should be said that you will need to make some effort to learn the local language. People will know enough English for you to get by, but it will feel very isolating. Learning just a little bit of Polish will make a world of difference, especially if you need to talk with a plumber or doctor (they're very unlikely to know much English).

Doctors?

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

#358

Post by jokethrowaway »

rwmj wrote: post #185
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…

The maths behind this is similar to UK leasehold. With a leasehold (which is a truly terrible system) you pay as if you're buying the flat, but actually you only have a lease usually with a very small annual payment and some management charges. The catch is the lease only lasts usually 99 years and for various legal reasons you have to renew it before it drops below 80 years, and that costs a bunch of money. Leasehol…

I disagree. The crucial difference is that you don't get your money back with a UK leasehold. It's basically renting with extra steps.

A freeholder is basically renting out a house for 99 years and the leaseholder has to pay all the rent upfront (+ renewal). On the upside, if the freeholder wants to sell the house he's required to offer it to the leaseholder first.

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

#359

Post by bobthechef »

soared wrote: post #334
burntoutfire wrote: post #19

Poland is doable if you stay out of major cities. You can rent a studio for $300 (incl. all utilities). Food, if you cook, will cost you $200-$250 ($300-$400 if you don't cook and want to eat out only). Wired Internet and cell phone will be around $20. State-provided health insurance is about $120 per month (this is "socialized medicine", so it provides everything with no deducible, up to treating cancer etc.), but c…

Visit Poland before making a decision. As an American their social culture can come off as very cold and rude.

That's because Europeans come across as cold and rude because Americans have a perpetual smile plastered on their faces. This causes Americans to come off as mentally deficient to Europeans.

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

#360

Post by pvaldes »

seeekr wrote: post #79
alexitosrv wrote: post #33

I suggest Colombia, you can find greatest rentals for less than 300 USD, and cheap cost of life and amazing food as well. Thinking in cities like Bucaramanga, Santa Marta, etc.

How's the crime and safety situation in Colombia recently? Many years back a good friend of mine lived there for a significant amount of time and it seemed quite unsafe.

In Colombia being able to pass by a Colombian is a must if you want to live in cheap places.

This means to assure that you can get a solid tan before the arrival, keep a low-key profile and try to keep your mouth shut in crowded places to hide your non Colombian accent, even if your Spanish is fluid.

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