OT: Cheap countries to escape for a year any recommendations

[TODouble2]

that list is crazy. I could understand spending time in a cheap location like Southeast Asia, or Columbia. But Pakistan? Nigeria? lol unless you’re from those countries that’s the craziest shit I’ve ever heard

 

[TheOtherOne55]

Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are all good options. Food is really good and cheap too. People are so friendly in Cambodia. Philippines is another good option. Lots of cheap places there.

This. All the other places on that list are trash. I've known several people who took month long vacations to cambodia/laos and allll raved about how beautiful and cheap it was.

Another spot on the list is Serbia. Shot 2 commercials there last year and it was cheap, peaceful and beautiful.

 

[OldManLogan]

Puerto Rico. US territory, not that expensive, beautiful, super friendly- and a good amount of people speak enough English to make getting around easy.

Short flight from the us, plus can be a solid base to explore the Virgin Islands etc.

 

[EaglesNation]

Colombia is very cheap and plenty of stuff to do over there

 

[my_way]

Colombia is very cheap and plenty of stuff to do over there

Seriously? After that pm you just sent fuck out of here

 

[Shelby]

If I’m looking at mid range options I’m going to assume $450 is overly generous figure so realistically I’m looking at a range from $600-1200 which would make a tight budget on $1500. And that’s probably not taking into account utilities, furniture and WiFi.

Looks like Thailand is a no go unless I decide to shorten the trip to 3 months.

If shortening the trip to 3 months is an option, I'd probably opt for that.
There's a massive difference between 3 months and 12 months in so many ways.
Maybe do half in Thailand and half in Cambodia.
I'd do some premium Youtube pre-search on expat living / cost of living on these two so you have a decent understanding of what you're getting into
There are tons of videos with this type of content on those 2 countries (and pretty much everywhere else too, and if you can't find it, that probably means don't try to live there, at least in peace).
I've been to both Thailand and Cambodia and was considering living in one or the other but that was 20+ year ago
In 2005 I was on my third trip there, en route to Cambodia from Thailand (was in Pattaya for a night or two) and got randomly bitten by a stray street dog, and that changed the whole trajectory of the trip / experience (had to stay in Pattaya to get rebandaged daily, get the series of rabies shots, etc. - all of that seemed a little questionable to get done in Cambodia at the time so I stayed put)
So also factor into your plan the possibility of random shit like street dog bites or whatever other random stick God wants to put in your spokes
Some of those other countries you listed sound like more stick than spoke.
Super optimal would be visiting (whatever country) first before committing but that doesn't sound like it's in the cards for you right now

 

[Campeon]

The old Soviet state of Georgia is a good place to go i've read. But i personally like the Caribbean...

 

[hawkmoon]

Even if you think you know the country it can be hard to understand the difference between an extended visit and living.

I've been in Japan 20+ years now and I see a lot of tourists coming in saying the they love the place. Everyone is so nice. Everything is so cheap.
They want to buy an Akiya house and turn it into a bed an breakfast.
They'll do a side job as a Youtuber.
They will figure out the language later.

I see plenty of people who have been here in Japan a good while and still bitch and moan about anything not to their liking.

Do a LOT of research.
Visit for an extended stay.
Try to see life as a local, not a tourist.
Be realistic.

 

[KingOfSushi]

Kind of sucks, I really just want to go somewhere and just relax for a year no stress.

You and all the rest of us, my man.

 

[Elvia1023]

Come to Vancouver canada. That 1500 will last you 36hrs

I could even do that in Thailand in 36 hours with some of the adventures I go on when I am drunk

 

[control]

I could even do that in Thailand in 36 hours with some of the adventures I go on when I am drunk

Yeah I was spending like $300 a day in Thailand, and that was 20 years ago.

 

[cage99]

You want laid back people just go to NOLA. Can’t get much more laid back than that. Eat, drink, eat some more, smoke some weed, drink some more, plenty of music, etc… To stay in the city though it’ll cost more than $1500/mo. Plenty to see and do while here all within walking distance.

The Marigny/Bywater are neighborhoods just off the French Quarter where you could find a cheap small rental. Gonna be a shotgun style home with less than 1000sq/ft. Still gotta be mindful of your surroundings though. Just gets hot as balls here from May to October…

Another option is on the Westbank in Algiers. It’s still Orleans parish and looks like you’re in the city. However it has a small city feel. Plus it’s a short ferry ride across from the quarter. Another bicycle or walking distance area. Same housing situation with shotgun style homes, old, etc. Realistically $3K/mo and you’d live comfortably. That’s biking/walking everywhere, no car.

Cage

Cage

 

[alfresco]

Even if you think you know the country it can be hard to understand the difference between an extended visit and living.

I've been in Japan 20+ years now and I see a lot of tourists coming in saying the they love the place. Everyone is so nice. Everything is so cheap.
They want to buy an Akiya house and turn it into a bed an breakfast.
They'll do a side job as a Youtuber.
They will figure out the language later.

I see plenty of people who have been here in Japan a good while and still bitch and moan about anything not to their liking.

Do a LOT of research.
Visit for an extended stay.
Try to see life as a local, not a tourist.
Be realistic.

True story. Always wanted to live in a small hill town in Tuscany. (My wife’s family is from there.) At least half time. Did a bunch of research, visited half a dozen times but it is an entirely different cat . . . vacationing vs living. It not all rainbows, lollipops and unicorns.

 

[my_way]

You want laid back people just go to NOLA. Can’t get much more laid back than that. Eat, drink, eat some more, smoke some weed, drink some more, plenty of music, etc… To stay in the city though it’ll cost more than $1500/mo. Plenty to see and do while here all within walking distance.

The Marigny/Bywater are neighborhoods just off the French Quarter where you could find a cheap small rental. Gonna be a shotgun style home with less than 1000sq/ft. Still gotta be mindful of your surroundings though. Just gets hot as balls here from May to October…

Another option is on the Westbank in Algiers. It’s still Orleans parish and looks like you’re in the city. However it has a small city feel. Plus it’s a short ferry ride across from the quarter. Another bicycle or walking distance area. Same housing situation with shotgun style homes, old, etc. Realistically $3K/mo and you’d live comfortably. That’s biking/walking everywhere, no car.

Cage

Cage

That’s actually a place I looked at for possible domestic moves.

Of course, if I’m moving domestically I’m going to be working and still going to school so my budget would end up in the $3.5-$4k range. I would definitely have to visit and spend a few weeks there just to get a feel for the culture.
Based on what I’ve read on other forums it seems like it would be a great change from where I am now.

Las Vegas, NV is another place I’ve looked at but I would have to visit first.
And then, Sacramento, CA where I was born and raised. All family live there and whenever I go back to visit I feel a sense of ease, like all my usual anxiety and paranoia just seems to disappear and I can be more personable. The only thing that’s keeping from moving back is the high cost of living. Also, setting up a place to live and moving my stuff there is going to cost a lot. Unfortunately at this time I can’t afford that.

 

[Dr Claw]

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.

Dominican Republic is cheap and easy to get to you can also overstay as long as you like and just pay a fine when you leave. The local women will throw themselves at you and prostitution is legal most women want to date you while you stay and cook your meals clean up your house and basically play wife. Additionally, steroids are legal and available everywhere with lots of gyms. Did I mention the weather is great year round and there are tropical beaches

 

[slesh]

Even if you think you know the country it can be hard to understand the difference between an extended visit and living.

I've been in Japan 20+ years now and I see a lot of tourists coming in saying the they love the place. Everyone is so nice. Everything is so cheap.
They want to buy an Akiya house and turn it into a bed an breakfast.
They'll do a side job as a Youtuber.
They will figure out the language later.

I see plenty of people who have been here in Japan a good while and still bitch and moan about anything not to their liking.

Do a LOT of research.
Visit for an extended stay.
Try to see life as a local, not a tourist.
Be realistic.

This is fantastic advice. When you’re a tourist in a new place you become enamored with everything because it’s new and different. New and different aren’t always really what you want long term…