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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?

#541

Post by fsckboy »

serious answer, I have no idea how feasible: Live on the street in LA or SF! There are tents and campers parked all over the place with people living in them, and just because they are currently populated mostly by the aggrieved doesn't mean you need to be aggrieved.

The cost of a van/camper is not crazy, internet in LA and SF is easy to come by, cheap food is plentiful if you're willing to accomodate your diet...

and there's no lock-in or insane sunk cost. "What could go wrong" for you in a country like Georgia has a lot of unkowns, vs in LA you'd pretty much know how to figure it out. Visiting friends and family, deciding to bail, etc. all easier.

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

#542

Post by ohashi »

wsc981 wrote: post #47

With my girlfriend and daughter I live in Thailand (Thai countryside) and we have a budget of about 50.000 THB per month, or about 1.300 USD. We own our house, so we don't pay rent and we don't have any loans. This budget doesn't include costs for health insurance, which I pay separately. I think a single guy could live on quite a bit less, but has to pay some rent. For about 250-300 USD per month you can get a decen…

Buying a scooter would be a better idea if the goal is saving money. They don't seem to depreciate that much, rent where I was like 2-3k/month, I bought one for 17k.

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

#543

Post by ornornor »

birdyrooster wrote: post #407
turtlebits wrote: post #391

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m sure the numbers are skewed highly by expats who’s employers pay for them to live there. I still remember my parent’s rent when they lived in HK- 13k USD/mo.

What in the world? That's incredibly high!!

Not the poster you’re replying to, but it’s not atypical for expats being sent there by their company to live in luxury housing with staff etc. I think this is partly done to entice the expat to move his whole life and family for the company but also to hook the expat up with living way above the standard they could normally afford and so they’re more docile and less likely to quit or make waves.

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

#544

Post by johnmw »

Markoff wrote: post #487
nishnik wrote: post #96

You can live in almost any city in India for less than 1k USD per month. In Bangalore (Tier-1 City), rent for a 1-bed-hall-kitchen apartment will be around 200 USD. Add 10 USD per month for high speed internet. Another 100 USD per month for a dedicated maid and cook. Add 200 USD for all kind of grocery. That will be around 500 USD per month of living expenses. You can live in Varkala/Goa (if you love beaches) and Dha…

yeah, good luck working with daily power outages

If you are planning on working in India, Hyperjuice[1] is your friend (or similar).

[1] https://www.hypershop.com/collections/hyperjuice

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

#545

Post by ornornor »

jt2190 wrote: post #232
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.

Every time I hear about the US healthcare system I’m amazed at how dehumanizing and user hostile it is.

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

#546

Post by joelwallis »

You can definitely live in Brazil with 1K USD/month.

And nowadays it's even better because the USD-BRL rate is about 5-something. For a comparison, 1K USD is about what I spend every month to live - and I definitely don't cook beyond just breakfasts and some snacks/sandwiches. So I lunch in restaurants every single day, I live in a quite comfortable apartment, etc. - I mean, I'm not "stretching myself to spend as minimum as possible". In fact, 1K USD is about 4x the BR minimum wage, and about 2-3x the "common" income of people.

I live in Fortaleza, a very sunny city which is close to some incredibly beautiful beaches. Search for "jericoacoara" on Google and you'll know what I'm talking about (Jeri tends to be a bit expensive tho, due to heavy presence of tourists - but not much).

Fun fact: it's quite common to hear about gringos coming around and deciding to stay. You'll find some French and Italian restaurants in Jeri and/or Jijoca - and lots of gringos, of course.

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

#547

Post by EL_Loco »

pelasaco wrote: post #539
EL_Loco wrote: post #510

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have a family, by any chance? I've been thinking about moving to Portugal, some smaller town but not too far from Porto or Lisbon, but I don't really know how much a family would need. (I have a wife and 2 kids)

I have family, but they are based in Germany, but everything depends IMO if your kids are able to speak Portuguese or not. That for sure would impact your budget for education. Living in Setubal/Almada, you can plan a 700-800 euro/month rent, 300-500 for supermarket, 100-300 transportation and then education in case your kids need a private school. The costs with transport may vary if you have to commute daily to Lis…

Hey, thanks for the reply! My kids are fluent in Portuguese and I would probably enroll them in public schools. So you think a 2500 monthly budget for a family of 4 would be doable? (I raised your estimates to account for emergencies, healthcare, etc - btw, sorry for bothering you)

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

#549

Post by codethief »

anm89 wrote: post #402
codethief wrote: post #394

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Niiice, looks like you're living my dream :) > I arrived back here for my fourth trip about a week ago with no plans to ever leave. Which neighborhood are you planning to move to? > If you are in town write me an email Will definitely do!

I'm in Provenza bt I'm trying to move out towards Santa Elena/Retiro

If I may ask, why are you planning to leave the city? Any reasons in particular? (Crime / noise / traffic / …)

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

#550

Post by pelasaco »

EL_Loco wrote: post #547
pelasaco wrote: post #539

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have family, but they are based in Germany, but everything depends IMO if your kids are able to speak Portuguese or not. That for sure would impact your budget for education. Living in Setubal/Almada, you can plan a 700-800 euro/month rent, 300-500 for supermarket, 100-300 transportation and then education in case your kids need a private school. The costs with transport may vary if you have to commute daily to Lis…

Hey, thanks for the reply! My kids are fluent in Portuguese and I would probably enroll them in public schools. So you think a 2500 monthly budget for a family of 4 would be doable? (I raised your estimates to account for emergencies, healthcare, etc - btw, sorry for bothering you)

Yes, you will be able to survive, for sure. Some studies (2017, https://sicnoticias.pt/economia/2017-07-04-Que-rendimento-e-... ) suggest that EUR 2.200/month would be enough (depending on your long term plans, kids ages and extra needs).
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