OT: Cheap countries to escape for a year any recommendations

[my_way]

No political reasons just tired of people here in general. Thinking about somewhere in South East Asia or South America.

 

[Astro95]

Thailand seems to be the destination.

 

[luki7788]

this is not a section for such questions

 

[NEMSZ]

No political reasons just tired of people here in general. Thinking about somewhere in South East Asia or South America.

By “here” I assume you mean the US?

As someone who’s traveled a decent amount to Central/South America and Europe (I’m also a dual EU citizen) and actually lived and seen how the locals live in a lot of these places, I can tell you; and this is depending on what you’re looking for or your lifestyle;

“Cheap” comes with its costs.. Efficiency, corruption, safety, conveniences, health care, transportation etc..

I speak from experience when I tell you, I’ve spent months at a time in places that are praised by some people as being “so cheap and amazing” when they go on vacation like Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru etc but LIVING there is a whole different story.. I started to miss the US and the small things I didn’t even notice I took for granted REAL FAST.. It is not what seems on IG or on vacation when you’re living the day to day..

Europe might be a different story depending on where you go, places like Paris and Barcelona and Berlin etc have turned into 3rd world shit holes.. There’s some places I could definitely live, but it’s definitely not “cheap”… Depending on your financial situation but I’m talking about places like Marbella Spain (or the south in general, Mallorca Spain, Prague, Vienna, South of Portugal..

There’s some really beautiful places in Europe where it’s very nice, super safe, good health care, first world “conveniences” for lack of a better term etc.

Sure, in places like Colombia you can live super great on $1,500-$2k a month, but you’ll find out real fast living the local life why everything is so cheap in my context above.. Where as in Spain or Portugal for example, to really enjoy it to a high level in a really nice place where you don’t have to worry so much about those things you’d probably need $4k-$5k a month and you can live great and splurge without really looking at your bank account. That’s including a really nice apartment or villa, food, going out, transportation etc and you’ll probably have money left over again depending on your lifestyle.

 

[my_way]

this is not a section for such questions

There’s a tits and ass thread in the same section soo…

and a Netflix thread and many more I can include

 

[thethinker48]

Antarctica

Just you, some nerds from different countries and polar bears

 

[my_way]

By “here” I assume you mean the US?

As someone who’s traveled a decent amount to Central/South America and Europe (I’m also a dual EU citizen) and actually lived and seen how the locals live in a lot of these places, I can tell you; and this is depending on what you’re looking for or your lifestyle;

“Cheap” comes with its costs.. Efficiency, corruption, safety, conveniences, health care, transportation etc..

I speak from experience when I tell you, I’ve spent months at a time in places that are praised by some people as being “so cheap and amazing” when they go on vacation like Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru etc but LIVING there is a whole different story.. I started to miss the US and the small things I didn’t even notice I took for granted REAL FAST.. It is not what seems on IG or on vacation when you’re living the day to day..

Europe might be a different story depending on where you go, places like Paris and Barcelona and Berlin etc have turned into 3rd world shit holes.. There’s some places I could definitely live, but it’s definitely not “cheap”… Depending on your financial situation but I’m talking about places like Marbella Spain (or the south in general, Mallorca Spain, Prague, Vienna, South of Portugal..

There’s some really beautiful places in Europe where it’s very nice, super safe, good health care, first world “conveniences” for lack of a better term etc.

Sure, in places like Colombia you can live super great on $1,500-$2k a month, but you’ll find out real fast living the local life why everything is so cheap in my context above.. Where as in Spain or Portugal for example, to really enjoy it to a high level in a really nice place where you don’t have to worry so much about those things you’d probably need $4k-$5k a month and you can live great and splurge without really looking at your bank account. That’s including a really nice apartment or villa, food, going out, transportation etc and you’ll probably have money left over again depending on your lifestyle.

Colombia was one on the list, I’ve seen mixed reviews though. Thailand and Cambodia seem to be a favorite for cheap and nice places to go. The visa situation those places seem to gotten stricter as of recently though. So I’m looking for alternatives, I heard good things about Argentina.
Some other ones might be Albania and other countries in Balkan region

 

[luki7788]

There’s a tits and ass thread in the same section soo…

and a Netflix thread and many more I can include

such threads should also be moved to other sections but it does not depend on moderators

 

[my_way]

such threads should also be moved to other sections but it does not depend on moderators

Interesting, you never mentioned it in those other threads.

 

[Performance Based]

I have spent substantial time throughout SE Asia and South America. Need more details to legitimately answer your question. Annual budget, what level of comfort are you used to and you would like to maintain, food likes/dislikes, what are you looking to pursue as far as work/hobbies?

I fought Muay Thai at a fairly high level for over a decade and have several years in total living in Thailand. Obtaining a Visa or just doing a Visa run to the border and popping back in are not difficult in the slightest. Many of the gyms even offer "Fight Visas" as long as you maintain a membership.

If I was looking for a high quality of life on a limited budget and have a family I would highly recommend Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and stay in district 7. Saigon Sports club is one of the nicer gyms in the city and is a 5 minute drive away.

Under no circumstances would I really recommend Colombia unless you are fluent and already have a friends/logistical support network in place.

Other mentions would be Japan, Croatia, and Finland if you have ample budget.

 

[Liter O' Test]

do not go to south america

 

[my_way]

I have spent substantial time throughout SE Asia and South America. Need more details to legitimately answer your question. Annual budget, what level of comfort are you used to and you would like to maintain, food likes/dislikes, what are you looking to pursue as far as work/hobbies?

I fought Muay Thai at a fairly high level for over a decade and have several years in total living in Thailand. Obtaining a Visa or just doing a Visa run to the border and popping back in are not difficult in the slightest. Many of the gyms even offer "Fight Visas" as long as you maintain a membership.

If I was looking for a high quality of life on a limited budget and have a family I would highly recommend Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and stay in district 7. Saigon Sports club is one of the nicer gyms in the city and is a 5 minute drive away.

Under no circumstances would I really recommend Colombia unless you are fluent and already have a friends/logistical support network in place.

Other mentions would be Japan, Croatia, and Finland if you have ample budget.

I’m planning for a year long trip based on a limited budget of $1500 monthly I get from VA. That’s not including travel costs, visa extensions, unexpected logistics etc. So there’s $7-10k I would have saved by the end of this year for unexpected BS and fun.

As far as comfort, having my own space of privacy is mandatory. AC and good WiFi is something I prefer. The size of the place isn’t a big deal I don’t care for luxury as long as it’s something modern. Convenient access to food and a gym preferably. I’m not big into drinking and clubbing, maybe once a month at most. Most of my time traveling in Europe at 21 yrs old for instance, I spent walking around, working out, eating good food and hookers. I’m not sure what I would do this time around, but it’ll probably be similar, less hookers and more exploring, and gaining some peace of mind.

Lastly most important part is the culture and peace in general. I need a huge break from American culture and people. Major aspect of my choice are the people wherever I go. I do not want to be reminded of anyone back home. I need to be around a completely different culture that’s not westernized. Just decent people who appreciate a simple life and can learn to relax.

 

[control]

I’m planning for a year long trip based on a limited budget of $1500 monthly I get from VA. That’s not including travel costs, visa extensions, unexpected logistics etc. So there’s $7-10k I would have saved by the end of this year for unexpected BS and fun.

As far as comfort, having my own space of privacy is mandatory. AC and good WiFi is something I prefer. The size of the place isn’t a big deal I don’t care for luxury as long as it’s something modern. Convenient access to food and a gym preferably. I’m not big into drinking and clubbing, maybe once a month at most. Most of my time traveling in Europe at 21 yrs old for instance, I spent walking around, working out, eating good food and hookers. I’m not sure what I would do this time around, but it’ll probably be similar, less hookers and more exploring, and gaining some peace of mind.

Lastly most important part is the culture and peace in general. I need a huge break from American culture and people. Major aspect of my choice are the people wherever I go. I do not want to be reminded of anyone back home. I need to be around a completely different culture that’s not westernized. Just decent people who appreciate a simple life and can learn to relax.

$1500 a month??

 

[my_way]

$1500 a month??

Hence cheap, I heard it can go long ways in South East Asia. If it’s not then I’ll find out the hard way.

 

[NEMSZ]

Colombia was one on the list, I’ve seen mixed reviews though. Thailand and Cambodia seem to be a favorite for cheap and nice places to go. The visa situation those places seem to gotten stricter as of recently though. So I’m looking for alternatives, I heard good things about Argentina.
Some other ones might be Albania and other countries in Balkan region

I don’t recommend Colombia at all.. I’ve spent quite a bit of time there, my wife is from there..

They don’t like foreigners or Americans because of the increase in cost of living because of the influx of remote working expats.. A LOT of people go there for the prostitution and drugs which gives them an even worse reputation..

Even in nice places it can be very unsafe, my wife and I were going to a movie at Santa Fe mall in Medellin, literally in the heart of Poblado, the nice upper class area, I’m from Miami, so like saying Brickell in Miami, and there was a literal mini gun fight down the street that we heard but was just out of sight.. An unmistakable back and forth of gun fire.. Do you think the cops showed up to investigate? Anyone? Nope.. If that were to happen in my city, cops would have a square mile blocked off in 2 minutes and it would be swarming..

Just this past Christmas, the morning of, there was a woman who was thrown out of a car behind my sister in law’s apartment (in another “nice” neighborhood) unconscious that had been drugged/raped. When the cops and fire department showed up, do you think they took her to the hospital, checked her, did a rape kit and blood test to see what she was drugged with and who could’ve done it, did any investigation at all?? NOPE!! The police literally looked at my wife when my wife asked and they literally said VERBATIM “She wanted to go out and party and be irresponsible, then this is what she gets.”

There is no law and order there.. You always have to watch your back for thieves. The service is garbage in 99% of places. No one cares about anything.. The cops are SUPER corrupt and will also steal from you if you don’t know fluent Spanish and how to deescalate a situation. The socioeconomics there are turbulent at best with the socialist/communist government always changing things for the people and the laws. Etc etc..

If you know fluent Spanish and have some contacts there that you can hang out with and get to know the areas, if you can afford to stay in a nice hotel or a nice Airbnb in a community with security etc then you’ll probably be ok for the most part, if you ever have an emergency or something like that and of course you’ll have to watch out for being hustled or petty thieves etc..

But if you’re planning on just going there, speaking broken Spanish or none at all, getting a cheap rental somewhere, even in the “nicer” areas like Poblado, Envigado, Sabaneta and just winging it and leave it to “adventure?” I would highly recommend against that..

They will smell the “gringo” on you in 2 seconds and you’ll be a target if you don’t know where to go, what to avoid etc…

If you’ve got a $1,500 +/- budget then I would recommend what @Performance Based said and try Thailand..

Ive never been but hear amazing things from friends who have lived there for years at a time. One of my best friends and coach lived there for 3 years and loved it. My other buddy whos a retired pro who fought for ONE FC lived there for 9 years.. I hear nothing but great things..

 

[my_way]

I don’t recommend Colombia at all.. I’ve spent quite a bit of time there, my wife is from there..

They don’t like foreigners or Americans because of the increase in cost of living because of the influx of remote working expats.. A LOT of people go there for the prostitution and drugs which gives them an even worse reputation..

Even in nice places it can be very unsafe, my wife and I were going to a movie at Santa Fe mall in Medellin, literally in the heart of Poblado, the nice upper class area, I’m from Miami, so like saying Brickell in Miami, and there was a literal mini gun fight down the street that we heard but was just out of sight.. An unmistakable back and forth of gun fire.. Do you think the cops showed up to investigate? Anyone? Nope.. If that were to happen in my city, cops would have a square mile blocked off in 2 minutes and it would be swarming..

Just this past Christmas, the morning of, there was a woman who was thrown out of a car behind my sister in law’s apartment (in another “nice” neighborhood) unconscious that had been drugged/raped. When the cops and fire department showed up, do you think they took her to the hospital, checked her, did a rape kit and blood test to see what she was drugged with and who could’ve done it, did any investigation at all?? NOPE!! The police literally looked at my wife when my wife asked and they literally said VERBATIM “She wanted to go out and party and be irresponsible, then this is what she gets.”

There is no law and order there.. You always have to watch your back for thieves. The service is garbage in 99% of places. No one cares about anything.. The cops are SUPER corrupt and will also steal from you if you don’t know fluent Spanish and how to deescalate a situation. The socioeconomics there are turbulent at best with the socialist/communist government always changing things for the people and the laws. Etc etc..

If you know fluent Spanish and have some contacts there that you can hang out with and get to know the areas, if you can afford to stay in a nice hotel or a nice Airbnb in a community with security etc then you’ll probably be ok for the most part, if you ever have an emergency or something like that and of course you’ll have to watch out for being hustled or petty thieves etc..

But if you’re planning on just going there, speaking broken Spanish or none at all, getting a cheap rental somewhere, even in the “nicer” areas like Poblado, Envigado, Sabaneta and just winging it and leave it to “adventure?” I would highly recommend against that..

They will smell the “gringo” on you in 2 seconds and you’ll be a target if you don’t know where to go, what to avoid etc…

If you’ve got a $1,500 +/- budget then I would recommend what @Performance Based said and try Thailand..

Ive never been but hear amazing things from friends who have lived there for years at a time. One of my best friends and coach lived there for 3 years and loved it. My other buddy whos a retired pro who fought for ONE FC lived there for 9 years.. I hear nothing but great things..

That’s some intense shit I didn’t know about Columbia. The corrupt police and extortion is a no go for me. With how shitty it can be here just for an American in some parts of the U.S. I can only imagine it’s 10x worse as a foreigner overseas. When I mention crime aspects to others who travel to South American they vehemently defend those countries and say “just use common sense and avoid dangerous areas” Based on your post it seems like that kind of shit can happen anywhere anytime. Low life criminals and thieves don’t bother me too much, it’s more so authority figures that worry me as I’m completely powerless in those situations.

The more I research the more I look towards Thailand. It has everything that I want for an escape, but it seems like due to the massive influx of remote workers and “aspiring influencers” it’s driving up prices and making visa requirements more strict and a headache for those who want to stay longer than 90 days. I heard of people doing “border runs” which seems kind of sketchy and something else Thai government is cracking down on.

 

[slesh]

I would probably get that bowling ball removed from your deltoid before I take any vacations…

 

[alfresco]

I don’t recommend Colombia at all.. I’ve spent quite a bit of time there, my wife is from there..

They don’t like foreigners or Americans because of the increase in cost of living because of the influx of remote working expats.. A LOT of people go there for the prostitution and drugs which gives them an even worse reputation..

Even in nice places it can be very unsafe, my wife and I were going to a movie at Santa Fe mall in Medellin, literally in the heart of Poblado, the nice upper class area, I’m from Miami, so like saying Brickell in Miami, and there was a literal mini gun fight down the street that we heard but was just out of sight.. An unmistakable back and forth of gun fire.. Do you think the cops showed up to investigate? Anyone? Nope.. If that were to happen in my city, cops would have a square mile blocked off in 2 minutes and it would be swarming..

Just this past Christmas, the morning of, there was a woman who was thrown out of a car behind my sister in law’s apartment (in another “nice” neighborhood) unconscious that had been drugged/raped. When the cops and fire department showed up, do you think they took her to the hospital, checked her, did a rape kit and blood test to see what she was drugged with and who could’ve done it, did any investigation at all?? NOPE!! The police literally looked at my wife when my wife asked and they literally said VERBATIM “She wanted to go out and party and be irresponsible, then this is what she gets.”

There is no law and order there.. You always have to watch your back for thieves. The service is garbage in 99% of places. No one cares about anything.. The cops are SUPER corrupt and will also steal from you if you don’t know fluent Spanish and how to deescalate a situation. The socioeconomics there are turbulent at best with the socialist/communist government always changing things for the people and the laws. Etc etc..

If you know fluent Spanish and have some contacts there that you can hang out with and get to know the areas, if you can afford to stay in a nice hotel or a nice Airbnb in a community with security etc then you’ll probably be ok for the most part, if you ever have an emergency or something like that and of course you’ll have to watch out for being hustled or petty thieves etc..

But if you’re planning on just going there, speaking broken Spanish or none at all, getting a cheap rental somewhere, even in the “nicer” areas like Poblado, Envigado, Sabaneta and just winging it and leave it to “adventure?” I would highly recommend against that..

They will smell the “gringo” on you in 2 seconds and you’ll be a target if you don’t know where to go, what to avoid etc…

If you’ve got a $1,500 +/- budget then I would recommend what @Performance Based said and try Thailand..

Ive never been but hear amazing things from friends who have lived there for years at a time. One of my best friends and coach lived there for 3 years and loved it. My other buddy whos a retired pro who fought for ONE FC lived there for 9 years.. I hear nothing but great things..

For real. True story.

I have spent some, no a lot, that is to say very little time in CO. And what is saw was less than desirable.

Am sure there are many fine people and places for sure. Yes, like you said, be mindful and do your due diligence.

 

[my_way]

I would probably get that bowling ball removed from your deltoid before I take any vacations…

Definitely a priority sir, I’m getting samples drawn from that area next week so they can fully examine and confirm it’s not full blown sarcoma. Malignant or benign once they know they can proceed with surgery.

 

[Liter O' Test]

That’s some intense shit I didn’t know about Columbia.

when I was there at one point a foreigner was being murdered on a weekly basis, including a guy I had drinks with that ended up stabbed to death shortly after we parted ways, and the druggings aren't reported, they dont drop X dose of a pharmaceutical in your drink, they just throw some scolopamine in it, it grows there. I know a guy who was drugged on three seperate occasions, fortunately he is 350lbs and didn't OD. Two foreign girls were stabbed and were almost raped 150 meters from the hostel they were staying at, and the hostel covered it up... Not because its bad for business, but because they don't care and its your fault, what a society. When these things happen people just GTFO, you won't hear the stories. Oh and they know about bitcoin now so if you have crypto apps on your phone they are going to torture you to get it.
The people who downplay the crime are naive people that have 0 situational awareness and narrowly avoid being taken advantage of by sheer accident during their week long stay.