What are the cheapest countries to emigrate to and work in while maintaining a good quality of life?
The lower cost of living in certain countries drives many French people to emigrate every year. It’s true that having the same quality of life with expenses halved or tripled is tempting. In some cases, it’s possible to live abroad on the equivalent of the RSA in France.
If you want to change your life, set up your own business on the spot or on the Internet, or work by correspondence, it can be interesting to go to these countries to get started and limit your operating costs for a few years. These destinations are also countries where you can find a respectable quality of life and a stable state. Going there on vacation can be a little costly, but staying there to work can be a very good plan. Here’s a closer look at these exotic countries where it’s good to go to work (while avoiding the tourist spots, of course…).
1. Thailand
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Day2505
You may not be able to live in a comfortable seafront apartment on €500 a month, but it’s quite possible to find apartments for around €100 a month in the north (towards Chiang Mai) and others for €150 a month closer to the coast.
What won’t cost you anything in Thailand is food. In the street, you can eat for €1 or €2, and a €150 monthly food budget is more than enough. The rest of your expenses will allow you to do a little traveling or shopping in this magnificent country. Thailand is a very good country for leisure activities.
2. Cambodia
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Nhut Minh Ho
Cambodia is not often thought of as a tourist destination, let alone as a destination for emigration. Even though many people may be reluctant to move to Cambodia, it’s an excellent place to live on a budget. Often cheaper than Thailand because it’s less touristy, you can live in the capital Phnom Penh for less than €500/month.
Knowing that Cambodia is a country of the future, going there to live can be a good initiative. The city is becoming increasingly popular with foreigners, and housing prices are rising, but it’s still possible to find an apartment for around €200 a month. Eating out in Cambodia will cost you between €1.50 and €5! No fast food or big international chains, Cambodia is a country with a change of scenery… and one to discover! Note that Laos and Vietnam are countries in the region roughly equivalent to Cambodia in terms of cost of living and quality of life. Don’t hesitate to find out more about these countries if you’re looking for a change of scenery!
3. Philippines
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Sean Hsu
Here’s another economical and exotic destination: the Philippines. The capital Manila is a bit expensive, but other provinces like Cebu are very developed and it’s really easy to find a place to stay.
Alcohol, tobacco, food – 200€ a month will cover all these expenses. All in all, it’s possible to live in the Philippines on around €500 a month, the equivalent of the RSA in France. What’s more, the Philippines offers a special visa for those who want to settle there permanently. If you’re over 35 and have a $50,000 deposit in a Philippine bank, or over 50 and $10,000, you’ll be eligible for this visa.
4. Costa Rica
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Galyna Andrushko
You don’t need a lot of money to live in the Central American country of Costa Rica. With over 12 different climates in the country, Costa Rica has something for every type of traveler.
In San José, the capital, you can live on very little – one of the cheapest cities in the world. You can easily live on less than €500/month if you rent a house or a large apartment with friends. If you move away from the city, you’ll find increasingly cheaper rents, down to well under 400€/month.
At a restaurant, a good dish will cost you less than 6€. A pack of cigarettes will cost you around 3€. Learning Spanish is possible for a French person in just a few months, and you can take courses at reduced prices (which is more difficult in Thailand or elsewhere…).
5. Belize
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Aleksandar Todorovic
If you want heavenly scenery and an ideal climate, Belize is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. Heavenly beaches, a subtropical climate and, a big plus, its official language: English! If you like diving, Belize also boasts one of the world’s most beautiful aquatic ecosystems.
As for the cost of living in Belize, it’s pretty similar to Costa Rica. For a large house an hour’s drive from the capital Belize City, you’ll pay around €350/month, which can end up being around €100/month if you share the rent with a few friends.
If you’re over 45, Belize allows you to live tax-free for the rest of your life with the Retired Person’s Incentive Program. Belize’s only problem may be its somewhat capricious climate, with a violent rainy season and hurricanes that hit the coast quite often.