The dream of living a comfortable life abroad and having your life free of the chains of living expensively is turning into a reality for an increasing number of remote workers, digital nomads, and retired expatriates.
This easy lifestyle around the world is brought about by what is known as geo-arbitrage, a strategic and competitive advantage of making money in a better economy (such as the US or Western Europe) and spending it in the country where cost of living is considerably lower.
For instance, on a monthly budget or income of $2,000, one can easily live in a place with a high quality of life but where cost of living is not high.
This guide unlocks ten countries where you can live comfortably on $2,000 a month, breaking down the costs, offering explanations of visa options as well as the methods of legal residency and some of the important safety factors, enabling you to make an informed choice about relocating abroad.
Top 10 Countries Where You Can Live Comfortably on $2,000 a Month
1. Portugal
With its beautiful cities, picturesque coastline and agreeable climate, Portugal has emerged as one of the first choices by expats interested in a low-cost and relaxed European living.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: You should be able to afford a one-bedroom apartment in a non-major (Braga or Coimbra) city at a price of 700-1,000 dollars. Lisbon and Porto will be more expensive, around 900-1,200 dollars.
- Food: Single-person groceries may cost between 250 and 350 dollars a month. Food is not expensive, and a complete meal at one of the local restaurants will cost about 10-15 dollars.
- Transport: There is a good system of transport, which is cheap. It is approximately 40-50 dollars a month.
- Health: The state of healthcare is good in Portugal, and citizens are required to pay depending on their income. Also, there is affordable insurance in the private sector that ranges between 50-100 dollars a month.
- Leisure: Watch Fado performances, visit historical places or have fun in the beautiful beaches. The cost of the leisure activities is usually pocket-friendly between $100 and $200 per month.
- Visa & Residency: Portugal has the D7 Visa, which is preferable to retirees or people with passive income, as they have to present evidence of adequate financial resources. Remote workers can be specifically addressed with the Digital Nomad Visa launched in late 2022. Residency may result in permanent residency which later on turns into citizenship.
- Safety: Portugal is rated as one of the safest nations in Europe because there are low rates of crime in the country.
Portugal, with its charming cities, stunning coastline, and warm climate, has become a prime destination for expats seeking affordability and a relaxed lifestyle in Europe.
2. Mexico
Mexico has a rich culture, wide range of landscapes and the cost of living in Mexico is very cheap, especially in areas not surrounded by tourists.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: An apartment with one bedroom in a comfortable area can be rented for between 400 to 700 dollars.
- Food: The groceries may be as cheap as 200-300/per month. The street food is cheap and delicious (2-5 dollars a meal), and the restaurant meal is usually 10-20 dollars.
- Transportation: Public transport (buses, metro) is extremely cheap, usually only 0.5- 1 $ per trip. Ride-sharing and cabs are also not expensive.
- Healthcare: There is a publicly available healthcare system, but most expats prefer to have affordable private healthcare (approximately 50-100 dollars a month) to receive superior services and shorter queues.
- Leisure: There are plenty of leisure activities, including visiting ancient ruins, going to colourful markets and lively festivals, and these activities are generally cheap at about $100 -150.
- Visa & Residency: Mexico has a wide range of residency visas, such as the Temporary Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa; they are usually granted on an economic solvency basis. The digital nomad choices are getting more available as well.
- Safety: Although certain regions are characterized by a high crime rate, most expat-friendly cities are safe places and open to all people. Conduct a study of certain locations.
3. Thailand
Thailand also known as the land of smiles is a country that offers the most beautiful landscape coupled with the very cheap cost of living, especially in Northern Thailand.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: The rent of a one-bedroom apartment can cost a minimum of 300-500 dollars in Chiang Mai. Bangkok will cost more, approximately between 500 to 800 dollars.
- Food: It is ridiculously inexpensive to eat in local markets and street stalls, food is about $2-$4. Monthly groceries can be 150-250 dollars.
- Transport: The buses and songthaews (shared taxis) within the city are exceptionally cheap. Grab (ride-sharing app) and taxis are not expensive either.
- Healthcare: There are good and inexpensive privately owned hospitals, and most expats prefer to pay a very low monthly fee to get private insurance.
- Leisure: Massages, visiting the temples, cooking classes, and checking out nature are all quite cheap, around 100-150 dollars.
- Visa & Residency: Thailand has long-stay visas, such as the Retirement Visa (over 50 years old), and LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa, which is eligible to well-to-do global citizens, highly-skilled and remote workers, with a financial requirement.
- Safety: Thailand is not too dangerous to tourists and expats, but petty crimes are possible in the places of crowds.
4. Colombia
The low cost of living, the rich culture, and the geographical diversity have made Colombia one of the most popular destinations for remote workers and retirees around the world.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: A one-bedroom rent in a nice area in Medellin or Bogota can cost between 350-600 dollars.
- Food: Groceries are cheap, and average around 150-250 dollars a month. Menus (menu del dia) are real bargains priced at 3-5 dollars during lunch.
- Transport: There is good public transport that is extremely inexpensive (approximately 0.65 dollars per trip in Bogota). Ride-sharing and taxis are also cheap.
- Healthcare: The healthcare system in Colombia is among the highly-rated systems, and both public and private healthcare are provided. The cost of the private insurance can be as low as 40-80 dollars a month.
- Leisure: The cost of visiting museums, listening to local music, coffee farms among others can be about 80-150 per month. Quite a number of attractions are free or extremely cheap.
- Visa & Residency: Colombia has introduced Digital Nomad Visa that mandates the provision of a foreign income to be able to stay in the country. They also have retirement visas.
- Safety: Colombia has been doing very well in the area of safety, especially in large cities frequented by expats. Nevertheless, it is also good to watch your back and not go to some places.
5. Malaysia
Malaysia has a combination of cultural diversity, modern amenities, and natural prettiness at affordable cost. Kuala Lumpur and Penang are some of the popular expat destinations.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: An apartment with one room located in Penang or elsewhere out of central Kuala Lumpur may cost 400-700 dollars.
- Food: The food is very diverse and low cost, with meals being available at hawker centers as low as 2$ -5$. Food is about 200-300 dollars per month.
- Transportation: Kuala Lumpur has good transportation, with ride-sharing services being cheap. Possession of a car could be costly in terms of fuel prices.
- Health care: Malaysia possesses top-notch medical clinics and hospitals at a very low price compared to the West. The amount of money spent on health per capita is approximately 450 a year. Personal insurance is suggested and cheap.
- Leisure: This can also be done on a monthly budget of 100-200 dollars by trying different foods, visiting the national parks, or shopping in the modern shopping centers.
- Visa & Residency: A long-term visa is available to eligible foreigners through The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program which has a set of financial requirements. Introductions to digital nomad visas are also being introduced.
- Safety: Malaysia is a normally safe country, and there is a low crime rate.
6. Ecuador
Ecuador offers a fascinating landscape of the Andean mountain range, rainforest in the Amazon and Pacific coastline. Retirees and expats are especially fond of such cities as Cuenca.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: An apartment with one bedroom is available in Cuenca at 350-600 dollars.
- Food: Groceries are extremely cheap as they can cost as low as 150-250 a month! Local markets have fresh produce available at a very cheap price.
- Transportation: Public buses are very cheap (something like three cents a ride). Taxi services are also cheap.
- Healthcare: Ecuador has both state and privately run healthcare system. Most expats either go to private clinics or use out-of-pocket payments that are considerably lower than those in Western nations. There is private insurance at a cost of 50-100 dollars.
- Leisure: Visiting the national parks, studying Spanish, or attending local festivals will cost between 80 and 150 dollars a month.
- Visa & Residency: Ecuador provides many opportunities to receive a visa, such as the Pensioner Visa which is available to retirees who have a minimum passive income.
- Safety: Petty crime is possible in bigger cities, which can be a problem, otherwise, it is a safe destination. Study particular fields.
7. Vietnam
Vietnam also provides a good culture, breathtaking scenery, and a very cheap living standard which makes it a desirable place to work in as an expat.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: A 1-bedroom apartment in such cities as Da Nang or Hoi An could be obtained at the price of 300-500 dollars.
- Food: Street food is a must and very cheap, usually between 1-3 dollars each meal. Groceries are also quite cheap at about 150 to 250 dollars per month.
- Transportation: The main method of transportation is the motorbike. Taxi services and ride-hailing applications are extremely affordable.
- Healthcare: Government hospitals are simple and most expats resort to seeking medical care in a private clinic or hospital, yet this is also quite cheap in comparison with the West. It is advisable to have private insurance.
- Leisure: Among the most inexpensive activities are visiting temples, tasting the local food, or taking excursion tours, normally between 80 and 150 dollars.
- Visa & Residency: Vietnam does not offer a type of digital nomad visa, but a large number of remote workers come on tourist visas and renew them.
- Safety: Vietnam is very safe with crime rate being low generally.
8. Greece
To people dreaming of European atmosphere and life in the Mediterranean, Greece provides surprisingly low-priced possibilities, at least outside the Athens area and the most visited islands.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: A bedroom apartment may be rented for $400 to 700 in smaller towns or in less popular islands. In Athens, this may cost between 600-900 dollars.
- Food: Groceries stand at about 250-350 dollars. Dining at the local tavernas is quite enjoyable and very affordable as the meals can be obtained at a price of about 10-15 dollars.
- Transport: Public transportation in big cities is inexpensive. The ferries between islands may stack up, yet the local buses are very inexpensive.
- Healthcare: Greece has a state-owned healthcare system, though most expats prefer to use it by having private health insurance. Prices are reasonable, though they vary.
- Leisure: Ancient sites, the beaches or anything as simple as drinking coffee in a local kafenio can be enjoyed at the rate of 100-200 dollars per month.
- Visa & Residency: Greece has a Digital Nomad Visa that involves having an income, and also a Golden Visa that requires an investment.
- Safety: Greece is a relatively safe country, especially in areas located beyond big city centers.
9. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has an attractive lifestyle called Pura Vida, which means rich nature, landscape, cool beaches, and relatively good standard of living at a rather affordable price, particularly when compared to North America.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: A one-bedroom apartment is available at 500-800 dollars, but this is not the case in high tourist attractions. It might be higher in San Jose or in coastal towns.
- Food: Groceries may be between 300 and 400 dollars. Majority of the local restaurants (or what the locals call as sodas) are cheap and a meal will cost anywhere between 5-10 dollars.
- Transportation: The cost of transport to and fro by the buses is low. In bigger towns, there are taxis and ride-sharing.
- Healthcare: Costa Rica has one of the best public medical care systems ( Caja ), and as an expat, one can join the system by paying a certain percentage of income reported annually. There is also good and cheap private healthcare.
- Leisure: Surfing, hiking or visiting national parks can be done on a budget, approximately 100-200 dollars.
- Visa & Residency: Costa Rica has a Rentista Visa (to those who have passive income), and a Pensionado Visa (to retirees). A Digital Nomad Visa was also introduced recently.
- Safety: Costa Rica is safe with minimal occurrences of petty crime, particularly in expat-dominated sections.
10. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of the cheapest states in the European Union, with an extensive history, excellent nature and unbeatable low price of living.
Cost Breakdown:
- Rent: It is possible to rent a one-bedroom apartment in cities such as Plovdiv or Veliko Tarnovo at a price of between $300 and $500. In Sofia, it may even be 400-700 dollars.
- Food: Groceries are extremely cheap, generally 150-250 dollars a month. It is also cheap to take meals out since a local restaurant meal would cost between 7 and 12 dollars.
- Transport: There is good and low-cost transport.
- Healthcare: There is a public system of healthcare, and the privatized services are also affordable and available in Bulgaria.
- Leisure: It can be spent by visiting historical places, in nature, or just lying in one of the cafes and spending between 80-150 dollars.
- Visa & Residency: Bulgaria has a number of long-stay visas. Citizens of some other countries may find it simple to live there in future as an EU member.
- Safety: Bulgaria is usually secure, having a minimal crime rate.
Making an Informed Decision
Although a comfortable life in these countries can be provided with a monthly budget of 2,000 dollars, it is important to take into account a few things before relocating:
- Visa and Legal Residency: Every country has certain criteria under which a long-term stay is permitted. The most important thing is to research the digital nomad visas, retirement visas, or other residency options.
- Access to Healthcare: Know your healthcare options, is it best to go to the local healthcare system or private ones.
- Safety and Security: Most of these countries are safe areas, but there are certain spots that may have increased crime. A lot of research and common sense are always a good idea.
- Expenses: When making out your budget always incorporate a cushion of unexpected expenses, e.g. medical emergencies, transportation, or initial set-up costs.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a foreign country is an experience that may turn one into a different person by providing the chance of being adventurous, personal development, and living a much better life at an affordable cost.
Through good research and planning, remote workers, digital nomads, and retirees will be able to find their dream haven in any of the top ten relatively cheap and friendly destinations.
