Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#1

Post by whitepoplar » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:24 AM UTC

I'm a single 31yo guy looking move somewhere new for 1-2 years. I'd like to have a studio/1br to myself, cook most meals, use public transit (no car), and have enough of a budget left for a decent social life. I'm pretty frugal by nature, but enjoy the odd creature comfort. Any recommendations for cities that would satisfy this lifestyle on $2k USD per month (net)? My budget isn't fixed, so can always go a bit higher, but would prefer to stay at/under $2k if possible. Thanks!

Some places I had in mind: Athens, Belgrade, Bucharest, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Mexico City. Anyone have experience with any of them?

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#2

Post by ggm » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:31 AM UTC

Montevideo. Some options a bit limited there but good internet and handy access to B.A. along with a congenial climate.

For much of NZ/AU, this is too low for rent unless you can find a share house. Assuming you did, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington might work. That said, a LOT of money goes on rent.

Turkey and Greece aside, I don't think the core EU economies will work out. If you go to the more recent entrants on the fringe (Czech republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia) you'd be in budget.

Much of south-east Asia would be fine on this. Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala-Lumpur, Chang Mai. Or Indonesia. You won't keep head above water in Beijing or Tokyo on this income, I can't speak for other cities in region.

Many economies now have digital nomad visa, its $2k class cost but then gives you rights to be there beyond 90 day tourist visa.

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#3

Post by version_five » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:34 AM UTC

What kind of lifestyle are you talking about? You can live lots of places for 2k a month in a "student" lifestyle, ie single with roommates, no car, cook most meals, and still have a decent amount of disposable money.

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#4

Post by whitepoplar » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:38 AM UTC

version_five wrote: post #3

What kind of lifestyle are you talking about? You can live lots of places for 2k a month in a "student" lifestyle, ie single with roommates, no car, cook most meals, and still have a decent amount of disposable money.

I'd say "lavish frugal" (if that's even a thing)...a small studio/1br, cooking most meals but with the occasional+ night out, no car so looking for good public transit/walkability, etc. This would likely be something I'd do for a year or two...nothing permanent.

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#5

Post by whitepoplar » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:41 AM UTC

ggm wrote: post #2

Montevideo. Some options a bit limited there but good internet and handy access to B.A. along with a congenial climate. For much of NZ/AU, this is too low for rent unless you can find a share house. Assuming you did, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington might work. That said, a LOT of money goes on rent. Turkey and Greece aside, I don't think the core EU economies will work out. If you go to the more recent entrants on th…

Thanks! Tokyo is $2k+ per month, even living frugally?

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#6

Post by ofou » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:47 AM UTC

Santiago of Chile for the city, Viña del Mar (Valparaíso) for the beach, Puerto Natales if you like nature.

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#7

Post by f0e4c2f7 » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 12:50 AM UTC

This won't replace the first hand reccomendations in this thread but there is a website that is going to feel like it was made just to answer your question if you haven't heard of it.

https://nomadlist.com/

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#8

Post by byoung2 » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 1:08 AM UTC

whitepoplar wrote: post #5

ggm wrote: post #2

Montevideo. Some options a bit limited there but good internet and handy access to B.A. along with a congenial climate. For much of NZ/AU, this is too low for rent unless you can find a share house. Assuming you did, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington might work. That said, a LOT of money goes on rent. Turkey and Greece aside, I don't think the core EU economies will work out. If you go to the more recent entrants on th…

Thanks! Tokyo is $2k+ per month, even living frugally?

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Tokyo

Looks like $1200 even without rent

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#9

Post by sayonaraman » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 1:10 AM UTC

Bratislava

2-bd start at around 500 EUR/month utilities included, but can go higher if you choose a good location and bigger apartment. For 600 EUR you should be able to find a solid one, with luxurious ones in good location starting at 750 EUR/month.

Good internet speed, friendly people, european culture, quick flight or train ride to anywhere in Europe, pretty girls.

Re: Ask HN: What're some great cities to live for $2k USD per month?

#10

Post by user_named » Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 1:14 AM UTC

whitepoplar wrote: post #5

ggm wrote: post #2

Montevideo. Some options a bit limited there but good internet and handy access to B.A. along with a congenial climate. For much of NZ/AU, this is too low for rent unless you can find a share house. Assuming you did, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington might work. That said, a LOT of money goes on rent. Turkey and Greece aside, I don't think the core EU economies will work out. If you go to the more recent entrants on th…

Thanks! Tokyo is $2k+ per month, even living frugally?

If it's $2k rent, you can definitely live on that without issues in Berlin, Tokyo, Beijing. I've lived in each of these places and you'll be fine. You may even be able to get by on $2k including food and transportation, depends on the exact type of housing you choose.