Living in an foreign country for months at a time gives a person the ability to work and enjoy the new surroundings. Designing, writing, programming, teaching English, or working in the hospitality industry is an ideal way to make a living abroad. Many are even choosing to retire in these faraway lands because the cost of living is more affordable than living in the United States. Here’s 9 inexpensive and interesting places to consider:
->**Thailand**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $300** **Average Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $70** Thailand is one of the top choices for expats. Most of the people in urban areas speak English. The'Land of the Smiles' offers rich cultural heritage and attractions such as temples, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and beautiful monuments. It's also home of the world's largest Buddha in Ang Thong.
->**Vietnam**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $300** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $50** Vietnam offers idyllic beaches, tropical forests, markets, plus an abundance of inexpensive locally grown fruits and vegetables. Foods like rice and noodles are also cheap. Getting a meal will cost you less than $5 and a Vietnamese beer is only $1.
->**India**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $150** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $40** Spiritual seekers and outdoor adventurers will find what they are looking for in India. It's a land of rivers, plateaus, beaches, and deserts, and filled with wonders of Eastern religion and history. It's also very inexpensive to eat and live.
->**Nicaragua**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $150** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $40** Nicaragua offers something exciting for everyone; island paradises, colonial towns, jungles, and bustling centers. The waves have been attracting surfers there for years. Public transportation costs less than $10 a month and gym membership averages only $30.
->**Nepal**<- **Average. Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $90** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $30** Situated between India and Tibet, visitors of Nepal can experience subtropical forests, visit ancient temples, trek Himalayan peaks, go on a jungle safari, and follow the footsteps of Buddha. You can live and eat very cheap and still stay in touch with the world. Internet is only $20 a month.
->**Panama**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $450** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $75** Panama is a tiny country about the size of South Carolina with 1,800 miles of Caribbean and Pacific beaches. Go inward to the Gamboa tropical rain forests and you'll see why many are calling Panama home. Rent and food only sets you pack about $525. If you happen to get injured or sick, no worries, a doctor visit only costs about $35.
->**Guatemala**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $320** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $120** Even though it’s the largest country in Central America, it’s not any bigger than Tennessee. Its warm people, Mayan ruins, volcanoes, jungles, and beaches will make you wonder why you didn’t come sooner. Living and food will cost you under $500 and a monthly transportation pass is only $20.
->**Malaysia**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $223** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $50** Malaysia is mixed with Malay, Indian, Arabic, Chinese, European, and Peranakan cultures. Its landscape is filled with temples, churches, mosques, and historic monuments. Malaysia is also home to the the world's largest twin towers, Petronas Twin Towers. A 6-hour train ride from Kuala Lumpur will take you to Singapore for only $20. Some of the extra dollars you save on rent and food, can be spent on shopping. But if the city gets too busy for you, escape to Taman Negara, the oldest rainforest on earth.
->**Bali**<- **Average Monthly Rent (1 Bedroom): $350** **Average Monthly Utilities (Water, Electric, Heating, Garbage): $40** The land of a thousand temples is attracting more westerners these days. Beautiful terraced rice fields, volcanos, snorkeling in Amed, white water rafting in the Ayung River, and warm friendly people will make you want to stay forever. The traffic is the only downside. You'll never complain about LA's traffic again. It's easy to upgrade your life in Bali, getting a maid and a driver for a month will cost less than $75.
