Cheapest countries to retire (for $1000/mo or less)

We just saw another list recommending cheap places to retire abroad, but it may not be possible to actually LIVE in several of them, even if they have a low cost of living.

So in this video, we’re going to unpack this list and give you a few options that might work BETTER if you’re on a tight budget.

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We are not responsible or liable for your use of the information contained in our videos, articles or linked from our web pages. We do our best to provide timely and accurate information. However, news, laws, guidelines, rules, regulations, etc. are often open to interpretation, change frequently, and sometimes we make mistakes. You must do your own research and consult professionals who familiar with your unique situation before making any travel or moving plans.

[GeraldLarkin-kk]

I've lived in Thailand for 11 months now. Entered on a 30-day tourist visa and immediately hired a Visa Agent for a retirement "O" visa.
Yes, you can live here on $1000/mo as a single person.
* I avoid commenting, but you two are so helpful and you requested help.❤

[myfriendgoo]

Health care quality is a big problem with Cambodia. I would also point out that in all the countries in that region (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines...been to all of them) that while your risk of violent crime is low, you have a much higher risk than in developed western countries of stupid, ordinary accidents. Getting hit by a reckless motorcycle driver, slips & falls, car accidents, fires in places that aren't nearly up to western fire-safety standards, and so on.

[lb]

I live in Mexico and it has become very expensive down here with the super pesos constantly raising in value and higher inflation. And the visas requirements are now unachievable for most.

[corinto]

I recently traveled to my home country, Nicaragua, after 8 years. With $1, 000 you will be merely surviving. It used to be that 1K would go a long way, not anymore. You won't find a nice apartment or house in a good neighborhood for less than $300. Add utilities, food, and cell service. In addition, you will need a car because public transportation sucks unless you live in a city like Granada and walk most places. Not to mention a gallon of regular gasoline is almost $5. It is cheaper than most large US cities and with 2K a month is doable. Living in a poor country like mine with $1, 000 or less doesn't seem attainable.

[quinnrivera]

Vietnam gives you 90 days, Thailand, gives you 90 days, Malaysia gives you 90 days, then go to Cambodia or Indonesia. Or both for 90 more. Lather, rinse, repeat. All short flights. All very affordable. Just pack light. You’re gonna be wearing shorts and tshirts and flip flops. One suitcase. One backpack. That’s all you need. Rent. Don’t buy. SE Asia has real value. It’s safe. Good medical care that’s affordable either in the country you’re in or a short flight to Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore.
Call it slow travel or whatever. You just have to keep moving if you don’t want to deal with all the rules to get the retirement visa. For me that’s good anyway. Thailand is great. Fun. Beautiful women. Party vibe. And all that. But Malaysia is very cool as well. Completely different and it’s right near door. English speaking. Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit. Different kind of nightlife. But still fun. Very conservative compared to Thailand.
I’m in Thailand now. My time is running out here. Gonna pack up the condo and check out Vietnam next. Da Nang and Na Trang areas first. I’ve heard you can keep renewing the 90 day e visa. Also have heard you can just keep renewing the 30 day visa on arrival or whatever.
You just gotta keep moving. Since Covid and with the rise of remote work/digital nomad these countries frankly do not want Americans scraping by on social security. They want wealthy people who did well with 401ks and all that. So if youre blue collar like me you got to keep moving. Which I don’t mind doing.

[kyaghleah]

P.S. Big cities in Asia tend to be very polluted in my experience. Thanks again!!

[Vladimir-jcxx]

Two years ago we have retired to Bulgaria with my wife and two cats and live quite lavishly on 1, 800 USD per month. So if we are talking about $1, 000 budget per family it is a stretch, but for $1, 000 per person - your are getting incredible lifestyle in one of the safest EU countries that is a NATO, EU, and Schengen-zone member. Bulgaria provides a specific retirement visa. Internet here is all fiberoptic and actually is much faster and more reliable than we had in US. We heard a lot about southern part of Albania (Saranda) and are going to check it out next month. We love a 1-year visa for Americans in Albania, but not sure we will be happy in a country which is not EU or NATO member and where you must mostly pay cash because CC are not widely accepted. Everybody is different and is looking for different things in their retirement. I like swimming in a warm water, so we have seriously considered retiring to Cozumel, or to Costa Rica, or to Ecuador, or to Thailand, or to Malaysia, or to Indonesia. But we found a place that better fits that (swimming) and visa requirements and/or our budget. Here we can swim in a crystal clear sea water (not as turquoise as in Saranda, Albania or in Ko Samui, Thailand, but still very nice) for 4 months, and for the rest of the year in a swimming pool with warm mineral (smell-free and healing) water that are located in our condo complex and is free for residents, or in one of the spa centers located nearby. There is no absolutely perfect place on the earth, especially if you have $1, 000 per month limitation, but so far we are quite satisfied about our decision to retire cheap to Europe

[johnyoungieyoung]

Love your channel. I live in Philippines comfortably on less than $1000/month but I do own my own home. I live a good life, eat well (away from any tourist areas and expat hotspots) Visas are fairly easy to get and there is good healthcare available in Manila. I think you can qualify for the SRRV for $10, 000 now. English isn't widely spoken in the province though, I speak enough Tagalog. I have residency it requires a "check-in" once a year and a small fee like $20 but you have to pay to leave!!! They are always changing the tourist visa requirements, you used to have to renew it every 2 months and leave every year. I think you can get 6 months now and leave every two years as a tourist. I know people who have been here 20 years on tourist visas. The SRRV Visa is actually better than the 13A spousal visa as I don't think you have to pay to leave.

I like your channel as you guys dared to "look behind the curtain" and see the USA for what it is and you had the balls to leave. A lot don't even see it. The wage slaves living in the rat-race and healthcare hostages. Good job.

[philipdauzat]

The Phillipines doesnthave a 3yr visa, but you can stay there for 3yrs by extending your tourist visa, then you have to leave for 24hrs.

[hokiedevil]

Albania is not as cheap as it was two years ago. I spent last summer on the coast there and spent about the same as I do in Bucharest. Still less than $1600 a month for a couple! It is also pretty dirty and hot in the summer. I love the country, especially the nature and history, but it is somewhere that you need to visit first before deciding if it is for you

[janajoujan]

I think you two provide the most useful retiring/living abroad information out there.

[lindadorman]

One issue with Malaysia is they've changed the terms of their visa program several times since suspending MM2H in 2022 and the approval process has been transferred back and forth from immigration and tourism departments. I know people who waited for a year to get approved, only to have their application denied or terms changed. Also, why would anyone deposit $100K into a Malaysian bank and forego interest rate growth from high yield savings accounts, stock market or real estate investments in the US?

[maletu]

THANK YOU for reviewing from perspective of viable visa options, I am SO TIRED of lists that don't do

[kennethkilpatrick]

Here's the secret to the Sarawak option. Get in using their version and you can use it to live on mainland Malaysia. You just have to come back to Sarawak a couple weeks a year.

[dougs]

In the Philippines there is no “three year” visa. You can renew a regular tourist visa periodically and you don’t have to leave until 3 years are up. I did that in 2019. After that I got a permanent resident by marriage visa (13-A). If you want to find that on the bureau of immigration site look for tourist visa renewal not visa type. There is no requirement to return to your home country. There is no time limit to remain outside the Philippines. I got a super budget round trip ticket to Taipei and got right back on the plane after 4 hours. You still need an additional ticket to exit the Philippines just like going there for the first time.

[traceymarshall]

Albania was a suprising nice place to visit. And all of those coffee shops in Tirana

[RomanFranklin-lrri]

Ijust turned 44 and realized I haven't done much to prepare for healthcare costs in retirement. With rising medical expenses, I'm starting to worry about how to manage those expenses later in life. My goal is to retire by 55, but I feel behind when it comes to planning for healthcare

[johnnytx]

I am in the Philippines. The rule for Americans, western countries, and some other countries. Visa upon Arrival for 30 days, then 29 days. After that, you can extend from 1, 2, or 6 months (6 months not guaranteed) up to a total of 3 years. The reason you don't see it on the government website is on a tourist visa, the LIMIT is 3 years. You must do a visa run at the end of the 3 years. I have been here almost 2 years, thus far.

[MarcusOS]

I have two big problems with most of these countries.

First are the temperatures (and humidity) in most of these countries.

My second issue is how difficult it is to learn the languages that are commonly used in each country.. Spanish is relatively easy, but when you get to Thai (a tonal language) it's way above my abilities.

[beehive]

Thanks guys! I do want to "slow travel" for a while, but eventually WE ALL have to have a place to "retire" and live long term. I don't want to have to do a visa run or continue to country hop after 70.

Any chance you could do a review of affordable countries that have: 1) retirement/senior homes for people that need to be taken care of (dementia, etc.) AND 2) good affordable medical care (so affordable medical insurance since U.S. Medicare doesn't cover retirees in other countries)? So many Americans won't be able to afford to be in a quality home here in the U.S. (why do we "warehouse" older people here?).