Which Country Would You Go to Escape The Cost of Living?

BluebirdV on 11/06/2023 - 10:54

If you were to pick a country to live in and still maintain a high standard of living, which one would it be?

Countries like Türkiye or Argentina come to mind. Inflation has eroded both currencies.

India and Nepal are supposed to have a low cost of living. How about the lifestyle? Mountain climbing appeals there as it would in the other countries mentioned.

Also, how about visa considerations?

I guess being a digital nomad one could keep having an income.

Interested to hear different perspectives.

Travel

Comments

    • Ok computer on 15/06/2023 - 08:34

      Yeh, I did that. The ongoing AGW exacerbated natural disasters are a real bummer ( to say the least) my local town is still recovering from last years knockout blow. Not looking forward to another round of fires in 24/25. Overall government support is waning as you'd expect. My house insurance is insane!!!
      Kinda wish I'd stayed in the city.

  • Ghost47 on 11/06/2023 - 14:24
    +12

    Somewhere in SE Asia probably.

    I thought about this myself the other day, I could essentially quit my job, take my money and leave the country and then retire overseas if I wanted to.

    • The tiger on 12/06/2023 - 08:10
      +4

      Try Malaysia. They provide Second- home policy. Cost of living is far cheaper . More beaches near your home - Penang.

    • BigBirdy on 12/06/2023 - 09:23
      +9

      Try Thailand. Despite their regular coups, they're probably the best 'western-values' (democratic, egalitarian, freedom, etc) fit among the warm Asian countries. Malaysia has too many social, racial, sexual and religious issues, and a culture of corruption & nepotism.

      • Griffindinho on 12/06/2023 - 15:57

        And you don't think Thailand has it's fair shair of corruption?

        • ChatCPT on 13/06/2023 - 23:14

          Shair sir? No. Share? Perhaps

        • UnternamenBernhard on 15/06/2023 - 07:23

          Of course every country has. How are Australian politicians retiring as millionaires after lower than market rate salaries? Yes poor struggling multi-millionaire Keating, Rudd, Crean, anyone Labour, Unions…

          • Griffindinho on 15/06/2023 - 09:43

            @UnternamenBernhard: Thailand had a former billionaire as a PM, although was found to be corrupt and fled the country. Also has a history of military coups. Not ideal for a functioning democracy.

  • Tiredman on 11/06/2023 - 14:37
    +3

    Will be spending 6 months a year next time in Malaysia when I retire. Reason? I have properties there and it's cheap, a food paradise and a great base to explore the rest of Asia.

      • ChatCPT on 13/06/2023 - 23:15

        Boohoo. Go cry to your mommy

    • ninnypoop on 12/06/2023 - 23:01
      +1

      Are you a Malaysian citizen? Are you currently renting the properties or do they sit empty? I'm interested in the idea of owning property abroad and wondering how it all works.

      • UnternamenBernhard on 15/06/2023 - 07:25

        generally non citizens have no ownership rights as a legacy of colonial rule- which is based in their Constitutions. You have long term lease 25 years (ie all the hotel franchises) and ownership of strata title.

    • JamesLucas on 14/06/2023 - 15:22

      Which part of Malaysia?

  • FocusRider on 11/06/2023 - 17:53

    New York

  • Wiadro on 11/06/2023 - 18:46
    +4

    korea, the northern one.

    • TigerWoops on 12/06/2023 - 17:08

      everythings free even a prison cell.

  • Vulgar on 11/06/2023 - 19:08
    +10

    Maybe Malaysia if I could get residence. Their taxation is territorial so any income from shares or property from Australia or elsewhere is not taxed. Also a plus that a lot of them speak english in the capital.

      • ChatCPT on 13/06/2023 - 23:16

        What’s your profession? Other than professional bitcher/racist?

      • The tiger on 05/07/2023 - 09:42

        Don’t you worry. Despite what you said about “Manglish”, after some time of staying there you will definitely understand what they speak because soon you will be assimilated as one of them.The more sensible worry is the weather which is hot and humid all year round. Unless you move to Kuala Lumpur which is very closed to Genting Highlands where you can visit from time to time or rent an apartment there ( if you are a retiree) to enjoy the cool weather there.

    • BluebirdV on 12/06/2023 - 11:20
      +2

      Do you still have to pay tax on shares and property in Australia if you live in Malaysia?

      • Ridiculous Panda on 12/06/2023 - 12:09
        +3

        Yes.. unless you fake your own death.

        • s1Lence on 12/06/2023 - 17:41
          +6

          hmmm, go on…

      • leiiv on 12/06/2023 - 17:02

        You either pay tax as a resident (cheaper) or a non-resident/foreigner.

  • iridiumstem on 11/06/2023 - 19:35
    +15

    As someone who is an immigrant, there is a saying that I remember, immigration is done by people who believe their problems will magically disappear in other countries. While I don't think that's a fair comment, moving somewhere else will have its own negatives.

    My father was deployed to China bramch as one of a executive board member of a global company. We had money and the company paid for things like drivers, schools, and accommodation. We had the money, but I dont say we necessarily had a happy life there because of the pressure, isolation, and stress.

    Right now, I frankly want to take a long break, but I can't because I am barely staying afloat as is. When you are overseas and start feeling the weight of not having that support network, it hits you hard. Real hard.

    Having somewhere to come back to, and living temporarily overseas would not be bad though. I wouldn't mind a month vacation in Vietnam since I've heard it's cheap there.

    • UnternamenBernhard on 12/06/2023 - 00:15
      +1

      I think you suppose people are less thoughtful than they are.

      • iridiumstem on 12/06/2023 - 02:11
        +17

        I have seen enough people underestimate these things, or not think about these as most people live around their support network (be in same city, same country etc).

        When you have no one around and get so sick that you have to go to hospital, that's when things hit you hard. It is one thing to hear it and completely different thing to experience it.

        It's not, I know more than you, but more, I've experienced these and they can definitely hit you harder than you anticipate it if you haven't experienced it.

    • Sambo69 on 15/06/2023 - 00:19

      I have lived on three continents and 4 countries while growing up (7-24yo, all English speaking) I would add that the politics in Australia are far more civil than any other "western" country. We don't see it here. The squabbles in parliament are insignificant. Australians are all basically clumped around the "middle" in political terms. Anyone too far left or right gets marginalised very quickly. I actually think this is the crazy, imperfect Parliamentary System of Gov working exactly as intended. It's not like it's a millennially aged system right (no human has come up with a better system, they are all flawed)!?

      Australia has a top 5 in places to live and earn, as well as raise a family in my book (no1 for that). We are, actually, a "lucky country". Loads of minerals to rely on for economic stability and physical distance from the US (e.g. we're not Canada (my home)). Of course we align with them. We'd be stupid not to.

  • GoldStar on 12/06/2023 - 07:13
    +2

    Cairns- unsure on how the economy is there now? Yes, it is a tourist reliant city but the weather, food is nice. Unsure on housing & living- tourist I would guess it’s expensive.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 12/06/2023 - 12:13
      +6

      Only lizards and camels would say Cairns weather is nice and literally nobody would say the food is nice there compared to big cities.

      • belongsinforums on 13/06/2023 - 00:06
        +1

        kek

      • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 15/06/2023 - 07:43

        The food there is a lot more limited than in the big cities, but the quality of ingredients is far higher, and, given the large local Asian population, you get far better Thai food for example, and seafood is generally much better than down South. So you won't get amazing variety, but you'll eat very well, indeed the variety of fruit there can't be found elsewhere in the country.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 15/06/2023 - 17:22

          Yeah the food might be good for a tourist who is staying for a week or two. Any longer than that, and you’ll run out of options and be eating the same food too often.

          Restaurants in cities like Melbourne and Sydney have so much competition and can’t afford to drop the ball like smaller towns where you have one or two Indian restaurants for example.

          You are definitely spot on about fresh produce though. I was only thinking restaurants.

    • Brianqpr on 12/06/2023 - 13:19
      +1

      Lovely around there if you can take the heat. Definitely need a good air conditioner to sleep well.

  • ForkSnorter on 12/06/2023 - 07:27
    +6

    If you're young, I think it's worth doing a working holiday anywhere overseas, regardless of whether you want to escape the cost of living here.The experiences you gain doing a working holiday, or just working overseas, will give you a different perspective, and maybe change your life quite a bit. There are heaps of countries with working holiday agreements with Australia.

  • Sinnerator on 12/06/2023 - 08:03
    +14

    20 years ago I would have said your crazy, today I will probably book a one-way ticket out of here before you do

  • Motek Benzona on 12/06/2023 - 08:24
    +19

    Wife is Thai. I would move there in a second ( not to tourist areas) but unfortunately due to my son's disability and various other factors it will never happen

    We did actually have plans in place to move about 10 years ago I had work lined up the whole thing and then we found out about him and had to cancel it all

    Honestly.. I feel trapped in Australia these days it is not a pleasant place to be where i live

    • RiseAndRuin on 12/06/2023 - 21:56
      +2

      Agreed 100%, however my main concern would be the availability and cost of health insurance in Thailand when you get past a certain age.

  • electronicbits on 12/06/2023 - 08:57
    +3

    Thailand … Specially if you can work remotely.

  • No and then on 12/06/2023 - 09:04
    +2

    In the past I would say Bangkok but I'm starting to like Chiang Mai more and more. It almost has everything Bangkok has. It just needs a metro to alleviate some of the congestion as there are many narrow streets with high traffic.

    Also, the coffee culture is amazing in northern Thailand. Diminishes Australia's dominance in that area.

    The price difference between the two cities is very much notable as well. Almost half the price for most things.

    Then there are amazing scenery and awesome people. There's not much left to love about Australia. The only thing left that I could think of is better work conditions and higher pay.

    • Amazingly on 12/06/2023 - 13:04
      +1

      … just head south to the beach during their nasty burning season!

    • whapkaplit on 13/06/2023 - 14:41

      Chiang Mai is fantastic, if I ever do the expat thing that'd be my first choice. Great mix of modernity and tradition, so you get to be immersed in a foreign culture while still having access to the creature comforts of home. Chiange Mai has a big scene of expats and digital nomads so it would be pretty easy to make friends with people doing something similar to you.

    • Mister Popo on 13/06/2023 - 21:42

      Visited Chiangmai last year - loved the vibes, seems like a very easy place to live.

  • SydneySwan on 12/06/2023 - 09:06
    +1

    Argentina is a great place to live on an Australian income. Finland is not cheap but it is top of the happiness league although the winters are a bit tough. I would definitely live there again.

  • backpaqer on 12/06/2023 - 10:08
    +4

    WA. They don't think they're part of Australia

    • Aleigh123 on 13/06/2023 - 09:55

      Literally just had a conversation with my friends and created a (fake) conspiracy about how WA is actually an off-shore Australian territory (as a joke).

    • ganymede on 14/06/2023 - 13:01

      Shhhh! Quiet! We are full here in WA.

      • BluebirdV on 17/06/2023 - 07:55

        Went to WA in 2009. Mind blown how expensive it was then compared to the east. Mining boom maybe. Ended up going to Bali and Lombok for a month to escape from the cost of living there. Climbing Mount Rinjani in Lombok was the highlight of the trip.

  • 2esc on 12/06/2023 - 10:39
    +1

    Australia.

  • LFO on 12/06/2023 - 11:01

    Language barrier??

    Cultural barrier??

    Adaptation barrier??

    Cost of living "might" feel very insignificant then.
    There are better motivators to seek a life in another place.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 12/06/2023 - 11:08
    +17

    As someone whose visited ~70 countries and lived in 4… I wish more Australians knew just how great we have it; EVEN after we're 'suffering' through cost of living increases (it's far for a 'crisis', at least not broadly and 'suffering' is probably too strong).

    What's frightening to me is that this sentiment adds political pressure to 'ease' the cost of living though increased spending… a 'solution' which actually exacerbates the issue in the long run and is also the very reason we're in this predicament to begin with (Government spending during COVID, $300b added to the economy).

    If you want to escape the cost of living, reduce your expectation for luxuries like a coffee machine, Dyson Vac, Smashed Avo (lol) and a PS5. Or, if you can't hack that…move away from Sydney and Melbourne (or inner City BNE/PER); You can get new a house for 250k-300k where I live. There is no other country (perhaps Norway?) where you will find it better

    • BluebirdV on 12/06/2023 - 11:33
      +2

      Have you lived in Ecuador? Sounds like paradise… https://internationalliving.com/countries/ecuador/cuenca/?fb…

      • The Wololo Wombat on 12/06/2023 - 12:35

        Nice! ~25% of the population on <$5.50/day + below the poverty line! Kappa!

        • BluebirdV on 13/06/2023 - 07:43
          +2

          True, that's why your money goes a long way there and you can buy a lot more there than you can in Australia.

      • s1Lence on 12/06/2023 - 17:44
        +1

        not sure if srs but ecuador is poor af

      • R4 on 12/06/2023 - 20:49

        The humidity is killer.

        No thanks.

        • BluebirdV on 13/06/2023 - 07:44
          +1

          Ecuador is 2500 metres above sea level.

      • 7ekn00 on 14/06/2023 - 12:25
        +1

        Hehe, looked at Ecuador instead of Texas (tax benefits are amazing) - me and mine are just not good at learning languages :/

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/06/2023 - 12:19
      +3

      Was just about to post exactly the same thing. Most Aussies don't realise how good we have it here.

    • Hansi on 12/06/2023 - 18:37
      +3

      My overseas born / AUS raised mate did his first overseas (Euro) trip with family. One month and 20k later he couldn’t wait to come home and realised how good we have it.

      As an immigrant and having lived in a handful of countries prior, I enjoy living in Aus. If you want to live in hot climate move N, if you like it colder move S. If you like cities, well, choose one. If you like the country-side, there’s plenty to go around.

    • umoddbro on 13/06/2023 - 03:20
      +1

      This, I've travelled and lived in many parts of the world for work and leisure and nothing beats the feeling of coming back home to Australian soil. We have the best weather in the world, one of the most politically stable countries, even though cost of living is increasing (but thats the same with most of the world) we have some of the highest median income. Learn to live below your means and do some budgeting.

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 15/06/2023 - 07:28
      +1

      You're right that we have it good, and that many people crying victim right now are overdoing it (though those on lower incomes are indeed in crisis - typically only the wilfully ignorant dismiss what's going on in real estate). But to dismiss issues of affordability with the tired old trope of smashed avo and coffee is just flat out wrong. People aren't going to the few remaining cheap places like yours because there's no work for them there, and the lifestyle is often not great (e.g. outback), to say nothing of being near family and friends.
      Cities are where most economic activity happens, and regions can't support big migrations anyway - just look at the destroyed rental markets in regional cities and towns, who now can't get workers.

      Young generations spend on luxuries because the option of buying a house has been stolen from them.

    • bargainerpro on 19/06/2023 - 15:50

      250-300K for a house? Can you share more details? Thanks

      • The Wololo Wombat on 20/06/2023 - 12:27

        Search QLD towns between 4-10k population :)

  • shaybisc on 12/06/2023 - 11:24
    +1

    "You can get new a house for 250k-300k where I live."

    Where is that?

    • BluebirdV on 12/06/2023 - 11:26
      +1

      Maybe Mundubbera, QLD.

      • The Wololo Wombat on 12/06/2023 - 12:43

        A little bit nicer than Mundubbera haha. Also, when I say new, I mean ~5-10 years old.

    • Ultimate Gattai on 12/06/2023 - 15:25

      It's been a long time since I last saw those prices in my area, lol.

    • MakkhiChoos on 13/06/2023 - 13:42

      Toorak.
      You meant yearly rates, right?

  • BluebirdV on 12/06/2023 - 11:34
    +3

    Anyone recommend Ecuador? Sounds like paradise. https://internationalliving.com/countries/ecuador/cuenca/?fb…

    • Ghost47 on 12/06/2023 - 19:09
      +1

      South America is amazing. Ecuador is pretty wicked. Good idea.

  • shaybisc on 12/06/2023 - 11:54
    +11

    Something that I have long feared is happening now. The Sydney people are cashing out their insanely inflated capital gains, moving to the country, and insanely inflating house prices everywhere anywhere near the coast.

    • greatlamp on 12/06/2023 - 16:36
      +1

      And it's only going to accelerate as people nearing retirement in Melbourne/Sydney find they can move to rural Australia with a better quality of life and a large bank account

    • Ghost47 on 12/06/2023 - 19:11
      +2

      I thought this has been happening since COVID.

      • MITM on 12/06/2023 - 20:50
        +3

        It’s been happening for decades.
        Sell house. Move north. Buy house & cars. Money left over to buy a job.

        • foursaken on 14/06/2023 - 15:35

          Huh?

          Oh is that what SEACHANGE means?

          (profanity), now I know what my parents went through. I thought I was so smart too.

          • MITM on 14/06/2023 - 20:58
            +1

            @foursaken: Sold my house and now - see, change leftover.

  • hasher22 on 12/06/2023 - 12:02
    +1

    I'd prob be happy in Thailand if I earned 40k Aus there…. Purely to escape cost of living.

  • paloverde88 on 12/06/2023 - 12:05
    +3

    Congo republic $10 a day to live like the prince/ princess of Congo complete with straw skirts, lifted up on jute covered chair with peacock feathers fanning you from side to side

    • Daabido on 13/06/2023 - 21:14

      I could probably stretch to $15 a day. What do I get then?

  • pogichinoy on 12/06/2023 - 12:08

    Switzerland

    • The Wololo Wombat on 12/06/2023 - 12:38

      Nah - they have us beat for 'mean' wealth per adult, but not median! I'd say median is more reflective.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wealth_pe…

    • Stromae on 12/06/2023 - 20:39
      +4

      As someone living in Switzerland I approve this choice. Inflation rate at 2.2%, interest rate at 1.5%. High income. Swiss francs exchange rate at all time high, 1 franc = 2 aussie dollar almost. Strong government, strong migration controls, direct demoncracy, highly skilled workforce, low crimes, great public schools for the kids, free tertiary education. Public servants jobs are reviewed every 3 jobs n get laid off if their job is not needed.

      • payless69 on 13/06/2023 - 09:43

        But hey 11% of their bastards have to live outside their country. It is half the size of Tasmania. With 27 tax systems and 29 school systems blue collar workers starting at 6am. Germans flocking there like the pest. After all even a checkout chick can earn 5 times as much. Refugee's from the East can keep their 200k+ cars and collect 4k per mo free money!

        • Stromae on 13/06/2023 - 15:46
          +4

          So true except for the refugee part. If you dont lift and try to lean, they will kick you out. 27 tax systems means the people have the power, not the federal government. It also means you can lower your taxes by moving into a house across the road.
          You pay taxes as a family unit and not as an individual. State pension is for everyone, not just those who didnt know how to save money in their lives.
          If you lose your job, you get 80% of your income in unemployment money and this is all from private insurance claim and not taxpayer money wasting scheme called centrelink.
          If your super company doesnt manage your money and it drops below a certain level, there are state imposed sanctions on them.
          Fiscally, this is how australia should be.

          • payless69 on 13/06/2023 - 21:59

            @Stromae: Last August I did some exploring of its centre. Tried some Airbnb's and used all public transport.
            If you know where to shop I found groceries better value for money. Where else can you buy a 500ml can of beer from 50cents?
            Just like a JR rail pass you can buy stuff like the Tell pass and enjoy 10 days of unlimited trains, funiculars, ships and endless cable cars. No gates on platforms and graffiti everywhere. Some low tax areas have even such low power costs that solar is not much of a topic.
            Enjoy!

      • Thaal Sinestro on 14/06/2023 - 05:43

        You're doing a good job of upselling Switzerland. The Swiss are evidently doing something right, to have such a strong currency with such a low interest rate and low inflation.

        However, because it's currency is so strong, an Australian moving there with their life savings would be at a disadvantage. Also, if you moved to Switzerland on a Australian income, you would struggle. It is only worth it, if you are being paid a local wage or pension. This thread is more about moving to a country with lower costs where your Australian savings/wages/pension are able to purchase more than they can in Oz, such as India, Philippines, Malaysia, Argentina, Slovakia.

        • shaybisc on 14/06/2023 - 08:43

          Let's all move to Switzerland or maybe Monaco if you don't like the cold.

          • payless69 on 14/06/2023 - 16:47

            @shaybisc: You just need a postbox to have an address in Monaco. Amazing small city but the whole coast is wonderful.

            • MITM on 14/06/2023 - 21:00
              -1

              @payless69: There’s no sand on the “beaches”. No thanks.

        • payless69 on 14/06/2023 - 16:53

          Health insurance is the killer in Switzerland, you pay like half your rent and the excess is huge, from the first 3k to a mandatory 10% with idiotic medicine prices. Most rentals come with unflexible leases, depending on the state you may only have 2 moving days a year and need to give 3 month notice. Cars are cheap but parking expensive and endless traffic jams.

    • paloverde88 on 14/06/2023 - 12:56
      +1

      You mean Swaziland

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