(QCOSTARICA TRAVEL) Following is a list of cities around the world to live rich withoug much money, so that you can bring your dreams to life.
Notice that Costa Rica did not make this list!
1. Alicante, Spain
Alicante is a city that has mastered the art of frugal living. They’ve done it without sacrificing any beauty or quality of living. It’s a beach city on Spain’s Costa Blanca and is famous for its wonderful climate, great food, stellar entertainment, relaxing lifestyle and lack of significant tourism. It’s a place that won’t disappoint. Renting a one bedroom apartment in the city’s center runs you about $550 a month. Public transit is around $40 a month. A good bottle of wine is $5 and a good domestic beer is a dollar. Spain’s minimum wage is $5.82 an hour.
2. Mendoza, Argentina
Right smack in the heart of Argentina’s wine country is the beautiful city of Mendoza. The local economy is strong and there is much demand for fresh, new businesses. If you’re looking to start a business, Mendoza is the place to do it. A one bedroom apartment in the city’s center runs you about $380 a month. To buy a one bedroom apartment is about $60,000. A good bottle of wine is $4 and a good bottle of domestic beer is $1.40. Argentina’s minimum wage is $8.35 an hour.
3. Bali, Indonesia
This is a low-cost living heaven located in Asia. Bali has a hopping nightlife, vibrant tourism economy, and is a great place to set up shop. Rent on a one bedroom apartment in the city’s center is $300 a month. A good bottle of wine is $12 and a good bottle of domestic beer is $1.60. Minimum wage is $1.20 an hour.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai has one of the nicest climates in all of Asia. It’s a mountain town rich in culture, good food, and friendly neighbors. It’s a place where you can make your dollar stretch pretty far too. A one bedroom apartment in the city’s center is $250 a month, a good bottle of wine is $13 and a good domestic beer is $1.30. Thailand’s minimum wage is $2.87 an hour.
5. Corozal, Belize
This is the city for folks who want to kick back and relax. It’s a hot spot for meditation and yoga, has beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants, and it’s very affordable. A one bedroom apartment in the city’s center runs you $190 a month. Buying a two bedroom apartment costs around $115,000. A good bottle of wine is $12 and a good domestic beer is $1.50. The minimum wage in Belize is $2.92.
6. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico has many little gems of places to live on the cheap, but Vallarta beats them all in my book. It’s naturally beautiful, very romantic, but has heavy tourism. Renting a one bedroom apartment in the city center costs $450 a month. Buying a traditional townhouse costs $55,000. A good bottle of wine is $7.50. A good domestic beer is $1.25. And the tequila is dirt cheap. Mexico’s minimum wage is $.89 an hour. Good luck.
7. Ojen, Spain.
Back to Spain! Ojen has multimillion dollar villas and also incredibly affordable living. Renting a one bedroom apartment in the city’s center runs you $330 a month. A traditional townhouse costs $100,000. A good bottle of wine is just $4 and a good domestic beer is $1.25. Spain’s minimum wage is $5.82 an hour.
These cities are beautiful, fun, and affordable! Each one brings its residents something a little bit new and exotic. Have you visited or lived in any of these cities? Let’s hear about it in the comments below!
Source: Yatzu.com
Yes, Yes we know Costa Rica has shot themselves in the foot. Government steals to much, over taxes gas, electric and car insurance that they never pay a claim out. Lets not forget the MONOPLY on all utilities, phone, electric, insurance companies the Government owns. NOW the medical insurance CA HAAAAA. Is a joke.
Yes Costa Rica is long been off the list UNLESS you have a decent savings/income/ pension then life is good here, but not for those that want to come and live on $2,000 a month. WELL you can if you don’t own a car and walk and live in a slum like home with not much in furniture and do with out Internet and Cable.
Why come here. GEE the USA Government will support you on Welfare and free medical( Medicaid). You will live better in the USA on your $2,000 dollars. Stay in the USA if you are looking for Cheap….
You might be a candidate for a lifestyle and attitude adjustment.
IMO, $2000 a month is far too much income for a foreigner to have in Costa Rica. Many have that much and more, but I’ve yet to meet one who hasn’t gotten themselves and others in trouble with their extra money. Of course, once they let their money get them in trouble, they naturally blame others, but it’s inevitably their own damn faults. If ever there was a group to whom the saying “more money than sense” applies, it’s the gringos in Costa Rica.
Look, Ticos make it on $800 a month for a family, $1200 is professional’s income, and you whine about scraping by on double this?
You’re right though about your car. That’s probably where you are wasting your money. If you joined the 75% of locals who don’t have one, you might have a lot more money–and discover that you don’t even need (or want) one. I’m 8 years car free and tickled about it. Have you even tried it?
You may think that the Caja is a joke, and you’d have to stand in line behind me to complain about it, but it’s only fair to acknowledge that it is a bargain, and actually has good aggregate outcomes (life expectancy etc.). Try finding anything as life-saving good for as low a cost anywhere else in the world. Your payment multiple for the same thing would be over five times as much in the US.
And BTW, doctors start out working in the Caja at around $1300 a month, a good bit below your impossible-to-live-on $2000 a month. Granted, GPs in Costa Rica may be only glorified nurses by US standards, but even nurses in the US have starting salaries three times higher.
Given your attitude, you may prefer the US. There many people share your ignorance. For instance, there actually isn’t either a capitalized Welfare or Medicaid in the US for people with $2000 a month incomes, although lots of Americans believe this. Welfare, which was ended anyway, only enrolls poor people caring for children. Medicaid eligibility varies by state, and in many states the cut off is less than half the povery line. Yes, if your income is above $500 a month, sorry, no Medicaid. In fact, people living below the poverty line (around $1000 a month for a single person in the US) aren’t even eligible for Obamacare in the red states.
Fact is, you’re fucked on $2000 a month in the US–unless you want to live in a small farm town or Detroit. Try either, if you wish, and then get back to us to complain about Costa Rica.
And BTW, Costa Rica doesn’t tax foreigners, besides the sales tax and motor vehicle taxes. I gather the latter are important to you, and you feel you are over taxed for your enjoyment of driving. I hope the feeling continues long enough to persuade you to leave, because I for one would rather not have your several tons of murderous and polluting steel coming at me when I’m trying to cross the street–and this is without my knowing your attitude, which is another reason I’d prefer you to leave.