Over the weekend, I spoke at the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show. After my presentation, someone came up and asked, “What’s the best place for Americans to live internationally for cheap?” I told them I wasn’t quite sure but I know Mexico and Thailand are popular. A day later, I was reading the Los Angeles Times and lo and behold there was a story from one of my friends (Jen Leo) titled “Dreaming of the expat life? Here’s a cost-of-living calculator that can help make it happen.” How fortuitous was that?
As Jen says, “Earth Awaits website helps you get a financial picture for what the amount of money it would take to live abroad. Indicate your monthly budget, family size, accommodation size and location, your economic style of living (Very Lean, Lean, Modest, Ample, Opulent), drive rate and pollution preference, and the Earth Awaits will suggest destinations around the globe.”
The site tracks tons of information for over 600 cities around the world. It will give you a general cost breakdown but if you want increased data, monthly memberships range from free to $6 a month or $48 annually.
I priced out what $3,500 a month would get me with an opulent lifestyle and low crime and found several places around the world. It even listed the broadband speed, which you know is very important. Give it a whirl and let me know in the comments where you would like to live!
