With gas and grocery prices soaring, many are looking abroad for cheaper living. While it may be getting harder to live in the US without sacrificing luxuries, there are still many countries where you can live comfortably without breaking the bank. So, let’s look at 15 countries where you can live in luxury on a budget.
Portugal
How about some coastal living with fresh seafood and good wine? Areas like the Algarve and Porto are surprisingly affordable, with great healthcare and excellent weather. Portugal is very welcoming to foreigners. If you work remotely, you can get a digital nomad visa, which allows you to work from home. There is also a thriving expat community.
Uruguay
Uruguay is another country where your money will go further than in the States. It’s a great place for expats to live, with beautiful beaches and excellent public services. Check out Punta del Este for an area where you can live in coastal luxury, with abundant local produce and wines to try.
Costa Rica
If you are looking for natural beauty, Costa Rica has it all. This Central American country has stunning beaches, rainforests, and volcanoes that you can explore for little or no cost. Homes are very affordable, and the emphasis on sustainable living keeps living costs low. There is also a wide range of food, with locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and seafood available at reasonable prices.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a popular choice for travelers and a great place to live well on a budget. Daily living costs are exceptionally low, and eating out at the most high-end restaurants is significantly cheaper than in the US. Many expats employ nannies and cleaners due to the low cost, and private healthcare is highly affordable. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the most popular destinations.
Panama
Panama could be the perfect place to live if you want to spend more time on the beach. Panama City has affordable beachfront properties, and Boquete is the place for a quieter life in the mountains. The Panamanian government has programs to attract expats, including tax relief schemes on foreign earnings and the Pensionado Program, which supplements living costs for foreign retirees.
Morocco
Morocco is a great place to live in luxury. Traditional Moroccan houses with internal courtyards are highly affordable in Marrakesh, and domestic help is widely available at affordable prices. Bustling markets offer local produce at great prices, and dining out is far cheaper than in the West. Morocco also has excellent transport links to Europe, making it a budget-friendly destination for exploring.
Greece
Greece is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations thanks to its year-round warm weather and Mediterranean cuisine. It’s also an affordable place to live, with coastal villas and high-end apartments available for far less than in the US. The lifestyle is laidback, and so much produce is produced locally, meaning that quality seafood and wine are available at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.
Mexico
Mexico is an excellent option if you want to reduce your living costs while remaining close to the US. Eating out—including restaurants and incredible street food—is highly affordable, and private healthcare is inexpensive and readily available. Housing is also cheap; you can acquire a luxury villa for a fraction of the cost in most Western countries.
Bulgaria
Europe is a popular destination for expats, and with so many countries to choose from, make sure you don’t overlook Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s income tax rate of 10% is the lowest in Europe, so you will get to keep more of your money no matter how much you earn. Daily living costs are very inexpensive, and housing is extremely affordable.
Peru
Peru is a great place for expats to live. Luxury accommodation is readily available in bigger cities like Lima and Cusco, and the low cost of living means your money will go much further. Well-established expat communities make socializing and making friends easy, and day-to-day living and private healthcare are highly affordable.
Croatia
Croatia is difficult to beat if you want Mediterranean luxury on a budget. Not only are coastal apartments and villas far cheaper than those in nearby countries, but groceries, utilities, and transport are also inexpensive. The public and private healthcare systems are some of the best in Europe, and domestic help is affordable and readily available.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is one of the most popular destinations for travelers, so it is very welcoming to foreigners. Its infrastructure and amenities are designed for international visitors. Luxury experiences that are out of reach at home, including villas, spas, and fine dining, are affordable, and daily living costs are inexpensive.
Turkey
Turkey boasts world-class cities, including Istanbul and Antalya, with thriving expat communities and a much lower cost of living than the US. Turkey is welcoming to foreigners, with low property taxes and simple paths to residency, while government schemes make it easier to buy property. Healthcare is excellent and affordable, while dining out is significantly cheaper than in the US and other European countries.
Colombia
Colombia used to have a bad reputation, but it has become a safe, friendly place for expat communities in recent years. The Colombian government actively encourages foreign investment, so if you are considering starting a business, this could be the place for you. The quality of life is excellent, with incredible food, growing infrastructure, and low daily living costs.
Thailand
If you are looking for the highest possible standard of life for your money, Thailand may be the place for you. Major cities like Bangkok are ideal for English speakers, with English schools and social events. It is common for foreigners to hire domestic help because it is so affordable, and eating out at high-end restaurants is cheap enough to do regularly.
