Living it up in the Third World.
Discussion
Partner and I were having a moan about our early starts, dark mornings, the weather, the traffic etc and the conversation moved on to what life would be like if we rented out our houses (we're old so no mortgages) and lived off the money like kings in the Third World. If we got bored we could always work (nurse and QS).
Could it be done? And where in the World would be the best option?
Could it be done? And where in the World would be the best option?
Hainey said:
KungFuPanda said:
I'm Vietnamese and even the pound has dropped by approximately a third against the local currency since Brexit.
Vietnam is incredible. I've had many a good night in the Black Pearl in vung tau.Malaysia's worth looking at. Not KL, as that's close to western prices, but around Saba and som of the eastern provinces.
We visited Belize earlier this year - that was proper cheap and really friendly people. You could do well there
I live in Bali.
Probably the most expensive place in Indo, outside of Jakarta.
Wife and I could easily live here on less than £1k a month and still have a great lifestyle.
If you really wanted to do it even cheaper - and I've met some who do - you could live in a decent room with A/C and kitchen for £100 a month. Eat local or cook your own- £3 a day.
A good friend of mine rents a split level apartment here in a hotel, two bathrooms, fully serviced, nice bedroom on the mezzanine, access to the pool etc. £500 a month, in London I would say at least £3,000.
When I first came out here I shared a house with friend above, she rented a villa with three double bedrooms and a pool for $10,000 a year.
We have a live in maid - for less than I was paying to have a cleaner for one afternoon a week back in St Albans.
Walk along beach to the large fish market and it fish just off the boat, two big bags full of tuna, squid and other fish; for less than two tuna streaks from Tesco.
Petrol, - we can fill up the car for about £10. Eat out at great restaurants in Seminyak it's still half what I would pay in U.K.
The weather....generally 30c amd you quickly get used to it. Sea is always about 25C.
I have no idea why more people don't do this!!
Even getting back to UK I can do door to door (parents are in IOW) in 24 hours, so it's not much of a pain.
Stop moaning and make a move!
Probably the most expensive place in Indo, outside of Jakarta.
Wife and I could easily live here on less than £1k a month and still have a great lifestyle.
If you really wanted to do it even cheaper - and I've met some who do - you could live in a decent room with A/C and kitchen for £100 a month. Eat local or cook your own- £3 a day.
A good friend of mine rents a split level apartment here in a hotel, two bathrooms, fully serviced, nice bedroom on the mezzanine, access to the pool etc. £500 a month, in London I would say at least £3,000.
When I first came out here I shared a house with friend above, she rented a villa with three double bedrooms and a pool for $10,000 a year.
We have a live in maid - for less than I was paying to have a cleaner for one afternoon a week back in St Albans.
Walk along beach to the large fish market and it fish just off the boat, two big bags full of tuna, squid and other fish; for less than two tuna streaks from Tesco.
Petrol, - we can fill up the car for about £10. Eat out at great restaurants in Seminyak it's still half what I would pay in U.K.
The weather....generally 30c amd you quickly get used to it. Sea is always about 25C.
I have no idea why more people don't do this!!
Even getting back to UK I can do door to door (parents are in IOW) in 24 hours, so it's not much of a pain.
Stop moaning and make a move!
Tannedbaldhead said:
Partner and I were having a moan about our early starts, dark mornings, the weather, the traffic etc and the conversation moved on to what life would be like if we rented out our houses (we're old so no mortgages) and lived off the money like kings in the Third World. If we got bored we could always work (nurse and QS).
Could it be done? And where in the World would be the best option?
We have been 'living it up in the third world' for six years now, built ourselves a house, all the toys etc, but the very fact it is so backwards is a pain in the arse sometimes. Anyway, wife and daughter have had enough, we're back off to the first world soon.Could it be done? And where in the World would be the best option?
You can live a lot cheaper than we did, eat fish heads and rice, live in a hut on the beach, but..........it wears thin pretty bloody quickly.
It's definitely doable, I have been very comfortably living in Galapagos, Ecuador for the past 6 months on a modest income. The only fly in the ointment is keeping legit in terms of visas and residency, but in most cases there is some sort of way through if you know people.
I'd strongly advise getting an English teaching qualification, I went for the gucci one which took a month of hard work and a grand but there are loads out there. There is a market for private lessons virtually anywhere you go and it's a very useful string to your bow.
My friend moved to Ibiza a few years ago. His advice was invaluable, namely that you need to be 'on the ground' to make things happen. He started with a bit of teaching work and has gradually built up a number of nice little sidelines, so it can be done. You just have to be open-minded, tolerant and patient.
But yeah, the cultural stuff sometimes gets tiring!
I'd strongly advise getting an English teaching qualification, I went for the gucci one which took a month of hard work and a grand but there are loads out there. There is a market for private lessons virtually anywhere you go and it's a very useful string to your bow.
My friend moved to Ibiza a few years ago. His advice was invaluable, namely that you need to be 'on the ground' to make things happen. He started with a bit of teaching work and has gradually built up a number of nice little sidelines, so it can be done. You just have to be open-minded, tolerant and patient.
But yeah, the cultural stuff sometimes gets tiring!
The neighbours either side of me were very good friends and both moved to Thailand about 5 years ago. Had houses built out there next to each other. They both had Asian girlfriends, so I assume Thai. They weren't on particularly high salaries (one worked on the railways), so I assume most of their income is from their UK properties. One still owns his, so would still be getting rental income - one sold about 3 years ago. They were in their 50s I think, so basically early retirement.
Hainey said:
KungFuPanda said:
I'm Vietnamese and even the pound has dropped by approximately a third against the local currency since Brexit.
Vietnam is incredible. I've had many a good night in the Black Pearl in vung tau.I've been in Vietnam for about 10 years now all told. Live in central coastal area.
Most things are still cheap ( apart from cars and bikes unfortunately ). I don't think I'd want to live anywhere else now. Love the place.
The thought of coming back to the UK for anything other than a flying visit , no thanks. Especially reading the Council thread. When I think some things over here are down right selfish and ignorant , they pale significantly in comparison to the w
s that are becoming all too common place in the UK. 
I did 7 years one block from the beach, we used to go for a swim and breakfast on beach a few mornings each week, played tennis. (no squash courts)
Lots of fruit and fresh fish.
Good beer civilised bars with live bands.
It may sound strange but as it was in the tropics I missed the long summer evenings when it would stay light 'til almost 10.
There the sunset was always around 7 (every day!)
I missed those summer evenings in, or just outside English pubs.
It was cheap, but not as cheap as many imagine.
If you have a modest amount and don't really fancy dodging falling coconuts then maybe consider Portugal.
Property is a bit of a minefield though.
Lots of fruit and fresh fish.
Good beer civilised bars with live bands.
It may sound strange but as it was in the tropics I missed the long summer evenings when it would stay light 'til almost 10.
There the sunset was always around 7 (every day!)
I missed those summer evenings in, or just outside English pubs.
It was cheap, but not as cheap as many imagine.
If you have a modest amount and don't really fancy dodging falling coconuts then maybe consider Portugal.
Property is a bit of a minefield though.
jdw100 said:
I live in Bali.
Probably the most expensive place in Indo, outside of Jakarta.
Wife and I could easily live here on less than £1k a month and still have a great lifestyle....
Out of interest, what do you do in Bali?Probably the most expensive place in Indo, outside of Jakarta.
Wife and I could easily live here on less than £1k a month and still have a great lifestyle....
I'd like to think that, once our girls have finished school/Uni, Mrs RC & I can sell up and f
k off somewhere warmer. I fancy being a diving instructor.jdw100 said:
I live in Bali.
Probably the most expensive place in Indo, outside of Jakarta.
Wife and I could easily live here on less than £1k a month and still have a great lifestyle.
If you really wanted to do it even cheaper - and I've met some who do - you could live in a decent room with A/C and kitchen for £100 a month. Eat local or cook your own- £3 a day.
A good friend of mine rents a split level apartment here in a hotel, two bathrooms, fully serviced, nice bedroom on the mezzanine, access to the pool etc. £500 a month, in London I would say at least £3,000.
When I first came out here I shared a house with friend above, she rented a villa with three double bedrooms and a pool for $10,000 a year.
We have a live in maid - for less than I was paying to have a cleaner for one afternoon a week back in St Albans.
Walk along beach to the large fish market and it fish just off the boat, two big bags full of tuna, squid and other fish; for less than two tuna streaks from Tesco.
Petrol, - we can fill up the car for about £10. Eat out at great restaurants in Seminyak it's still half what I would pay in U.K.
The weather....generally 30c amd you quickly get used to it. Sea is always about 25C.
I have no idea why more people don't do this!!
Even getting back to UK I can do door to door (parents are in IOW) in 24 hours, so it's not much of a pain.
Stop moaning and make a move!
What are the visa restrictions for doing something like that?Probably the most expensive place in Indo, outside of Jakarta.
Wife and I could easily live here on less than £1k a month and still have a great lifestyle.
If you really wanted to do it even cheaper - and I've met some who do - you could live in a decent room with A/C and kitchen for £100 a month. Eat local or cook your own- £3 a day.
A good friend of mine rents a split level apartment here in a hotel, two bathrooms, fully serviced, nice bedroom on the mezzanine, access to the pool etc. £500 a month, in London I would say at least £3,000.
When I first came out here I shared a house with friend above, she rented a villa with three double bedrooms and a pool for $10,000 a year.
We have a live in maid - for less than I was paying to have a cleaner for one afternoon a week back in St Albans.
Walk along beach to the large fish market and it fish just off the boat, two big bags full of tuna, squid and other fish; for less than two tuna streaks from Tesco.
Petrol, - we can fill up the car for about £10. Eat out at great restaurants in Seminyak it's still half what I would pay in U.K.
The weather....generally 30c amd you quickly get used to it. Sea is always about 25C.
I have no idea why more people don't do this!!
Even getting back to UK I can do door to door (parents are in IOW) in 24 hours, so it's not much of a pain.
Stop moaning and make a move!
I'm retiring in 4 years and want to spend the winter months in various hot countries, and possibly even settle somewhere for maybe a decade.
98elise said:
What are the visa restrictions for doing something like that?
I'm retiring in 4 years and want to spend the winter months in various hot countries, and possibly even settle somewhere for maybe a decade.
Have a look at Belize. British colony, lots of tax breaks and dirt cheap to live - depending on what your looking for, there are some small rural properties inland around Belmopan, or your typical massive seaside villas full of orange Americans on Caye Caulker and then pretty much everything in betweenI'm retiring in 4 years and want to spend the winter months in various hot countries, and possibly even settle somewhere for maybe a decade.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff