The green card chasing thing is overblown in most instances too. From my experience the majority of regular girls don't really want to move abroad. The ones that do intend to obviously have some agenda or have ridden the foreigner carousel a lot. Even in rather desperate countries (Philippines) leaving family is still a big decision as samsam pointed out. A lot of girls may want to work abroad for awhile but living abroad permanently is not something most really want to do.


Girls who get all starry eyed about living abroad tend to be slutty. I know that's not the most scientific correlation out there but in many cases it's true. The more starry eyed the more likely she's had or will have lots of foreigner cock in her mouth.

^ I would tend to disagree, most pinays leave there kids and family for any opportunity overseas. Nothing wrong with it, that is how it is. Some girls are great at hiding it, but if given a chance they would be packed and ready to go at a moments notice. My ex was a hardcore America basher, guess where she is living now.

As for the OP, this guy ain't going nowhere.

Some of you guys suggesting places he has never heard, as if he would go to Ghana.

Should we be raising the threshold to at least $2,000 minimum with respect to having lots of feasible options for comfortable living?

Quote: (12-07-2015 03:55 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Should we be raising the threshold to at least $2,000 minimum with respect to having lots of feasible options for comfortable living?

I don't think we need to raise it to $2K. Obviously the OP himself asked for options at $1500, but even if we were just discussing this as a separate topic, I believe there are several, possibly more, feasible countries at or below $1500. I could compile a comprehensive data sheet on desirable cities in 3 countries and in 2 of them, Thailand and Greece, you could live a comfortable life for $1,500. Speaking of Thailand specifically, I don't like when people ask me if it is cheap to live here, simply because it is far more accurate to say there is a wide price range in all aspects of comfortable daily living. Many guys would jump all over me on this forum if I were to suggest that you could live comfortably for less than $1000 in many areas of Thailand, but you could. I don't choose to, but you could. For me one of the biggest advantages of living in Thailand is the lack of stress; not having to worry about a large monthly nut. Even though I have 2 apartments (BK and CM), I know if things went south financially the rent on my CM apartment, which is very livable with a separate kitchen area and actually nicer than the one in BK, only costs me $125 per month.

Quote: (12-07-2015 03:10 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Sorry for derailing the thread.

Nahh, you get a derail pass, you're good.

I agree with your thought that 2K might offer more options. Better just to keep the discussion on the same thread plus I think with some effort/planning 2k could be reduced to 1,500 in the same country (eat out less, etc.). These threads get started and stop, making them sometimes hard to find (I have tried).

Plus, the only reason this thread has some traction isn't because of the budget, but because the OP isn't keen on spending much time learning a language.

Quote: (12-07-2015 04:49 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  

I know if things went south financially the rent on my CM apartment, which is very livable with a separate kitchen area and actually nicer than the one in BK, only costs me $125 per month.

Damn!!!!!

CS,

In Asia, English proficiency is directly correlated with how much foreign dick she has taken. I've seen it time and time again. The Philippines is kind of the odd one out in that respect.

If you meet a Japanese, Thai or Korean with flowing Anerican English then you can bet that she learned it from a guy or several. Studied abroad? Sure, but what do you think she was doing during that time?

Barring say a girl who had an extremely expensive education, a highly conversational level of English is a red flag for me. There's a difference between textbook English she learned from studying and the latest American or British slang. Honestly it's pretty obvious once you have seen the patterns before.

As someone who learned a great deal of my foreign language proficiency from banging girls, I know how it works. Takes one to know one I guess!

It's not a deal breaker, but definitely investigate further. Personally, I agree with the sentiment that the language barrier is a good thing overall. Your wife can always learn English later. If she loves you she will try her best to catch up. I've experienced this a few times with Japanese exes - with one in particular I felt a pang of guilt when I heard how much she had spent on English textbooks. She was assuming the sale, the cute little thing.

Quote: (12-07-2015 03:55 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Should we be raising the threshold to at least $2,000 minimum with respect to having lots of feasible options for comfortable living?

1.5k is certainly more than doable, but I do think that 2k is a better number when you consider game, nice meals out, travelling around, visa costs, unforeseen events and flying home now and then. It all adds up.

Most of us here are not digital nomads spending 5 bucks a day. We work out, go on dates, buy nice clothes. I assume you occasionally want some of the finer things in life. What is doable and what is desirable are two different things.

But don't let that stop you. Personally I think you need to just pull the trigger sometimes and get out there.

Quote: (12-07-2015 07:24 PM)dreambig Wrote:  

Quote: (12-07-2015 03:55 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Should we be raising the threshold to at least $2,000 minimum with respect to having lots of feasible options for comfortable living?

1.5k is certainly more than doable, but I do think that 2k is a better number when you consider game, nice meals out, travelling around, visa costs, unforeseen events and flying home now and then. It all adds up.

Jesus christ, have some discipline.

I was living in *Singapore* (yes, that notoriously #1 expensive in the world one) and blowing about $1200 USD/month. There are many communities there living on just $1000 USD/month. Before that, I was living in Vietnam, and over the course of 9 months spent $2100 USD (!). That included trips, eating out every day, buying clothes / heaters / appliances. You have to severely shift your mentality because you think you won't be "happy" by living off basic necessities, but you actually can be - as long as you are surrounded by good people and hot bitches.

What do you think I did when moving to Honolulu? I could've gotten a nice private studio for $1000/mo. But guess what, visited an apartment that already had a couple girls and a Japanese guy, even a really adorable landlord, and chose to stay with them instead ($700/mo). Why, because it's the people around you that matters.

This kid is 25. Luxury can wait.
.

I have a buddy whos in vietnam for less than $500 a month

Quote: (12-07-2015 07:35 PM)Cyclone Wrote:  

Before that, I was living in Vietnam, and over the course of 9 months spent 2100 $USD (!). That included trips, eating out every day, buying clothes / heaters / appliances.

Not sure if serious. Did you even eat let alone game and lift?

Quote: (12-07-2015 03:29 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

As for the OP, this guy ain't going nowhere.

Some of you guys suggesting places he has never heard, as if he would go to Ghana.

So what? OP wanted "cheap cost of life, hot weather, thin easy women, OK infrastructure, quite safe with English language": Ghana came to my mind

Let's hope he goes there and posts about it... 25 years old friendly White dude from Zanesville, never went abroad, goes straight to Ghana. We would get some very interesting datasheet from him!

Let's motivate him with hot Ghanean nights!

Cyclone, how did you live on a monthly budget of $233? Can you break it down for us?

Quote: (12-07-2015 08:17 PM)dreambig Wrote:  

Quote: (12-07-2015 07:35 PM)Cyclone Wrote:  

Before that, I was living in Vietnam, and over the course of 9 months spent 2100 $USD (!). That included trips, eating out every day, buying clothes / heaters / appliances.

Not sure if serious. Did you even eat let alone game and lift?

Surrounded by girls. Game was mostly relationship game.
As said ate out every day, cheaper than cooking.
Lifting TBH was maybe 1x per week using shoddy equipment, $10/month

Quote: (12-07-2015 08:50 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  

Cyclone, how did you live on a monthly budget of $233? Can you break it down for us?

   

Theres my "breakdown" in 2012. I'm too lazy to repeat exactly the specific especially since this was covered extensively in another Vietnam topic, where a couple dudes on the ground were not too surprised by the numbers. Some fun facts for yall though:

- some local students were getting rent as cheap as $20/month
- haircuts were literally $1
- gas $2 to fill up your entire motorbike tank
- when yr foreigner, you get offered *lots* of free shit like weddings, business meals, invitations to free trips w/ government officials
- life was still harsh sometimes with no A/C, sleeping on piece of wood, using giant light bulb as heater in winter, old gym equipment, no real clubs, enjoyment of simple things like sports with the community

All i'm saying is, it's ridiculous to tell a 25 year-old that we need to "bump it from $1500 to $2000".. seriously? I feel that on RVF it should be common knowledge that a man adjusts (and yes be HAPPY) based on his immediate environment after a few months. It's an experience that all should go through as a passage of manhood. Of course, some RVFers here have been criticized for living this type of lifestyle for far too long, but 9 months is not even that long
As long as OP doesnt get complacent/lose motivation in his new environment he can pull out easily and move on to bigger things
.

^ That's pretty impressive lol.

I live in new 1BR condo very close to Thong Lo BTS, almost never eat street food, have a gym membership at an awesome gym (they aren't cheap in Bangkok) and shop at western supermarkets all the time and I spend less than $1,000 a month.

I rarely go out to clubs as I've been here so long that it's gotten a bit boring for me, but $1,500 anywhere in SEA is more than doable while having a high standard of living, especially as the USD has shot up in the past few months against almost every currency in Asia.

^^the guy came through with some numbers... at the very least, have to respect that.

Quote: (12-08-2015 01:37 AM)Afarang Wrote:  

^ That's pretty impressive lol.

I live in new 1BR condo very close to Thong Lo BTS, almost never eat street food, have a gym membership at an awesome gym (they aren't cheap in Bangkok) and shop at western supermarkets all the time and I spend less than $1,000 a month.

I rarely go out to clubs as I've been here so long that it's gotten a bit boring for me, but $1,500 anywhere in SEA is more than doable while having a high standard of living, especially as the USD has shot up in the past few months against almost every currency in Asia.

How much is your condo per month and how many square meters? Sounds like you got a good deal.

Not going to clubs saves a ton of money. It's real easy to blow $100 on a night out in BKK. Especially when that night ends at 6AM lol.

I could live ok in the U.S. on $1500 if I wanted to, let alone SE Asia. I don't know what some guys are doing to burn so much cash in places like the Phils or Thailand. But then again, I have no interest in going to western clubs and spending $100 in a night, no matter my income. I can't even remember the last time I did that. A great night out in Bangkok full of booze and women can cost $20 or less. Will there be any white people there? No.

Quote: (12-07-2015 03:29 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

As for the OP, this guy ain't going nowhere.

Some of you guys suggesting places he has never heard, as if he would go to Ghana.

rudebwoy:

Very judgmental statement for you to make. You think because I failed to pay attention in Geography class in HS I will never move abroad? Meanwhile, I'd be willing to bet over half this forum has income tied to a corporate/location dependent entity. I've been self-employed for 6 years. I'd say my lack of knowledge is compensated by my lack of dependence on someone else for my cash-flow.

Quote: (12-07-2015 08:18 PM)Going strong Wrote:  

So what? OP wanted "cheap cost of life, hot weather, thin easy women, OK infrastructure, quite safe with English language": Ghana came to my mind

Let's hope he goes there and posts about it... 25 years old friendly White dude from Zanesville, never went abroad, goes straight to Ghana. We would get some very interesting datasheet from him!

Going strong:

As I mentioned previously, I'm not attracted to/interested in African women. I am open to pretty much any other race/nationality. Just a matter of preference for me.

All the people questioning the ability to live in another country on 1,500 a month or less:

I live in a city that is in the top 30 by population in the entire US. I live on 1,500 USD per month or less, and have for several years. And I don't live on some cow farm in Iowa either, as mentioned above. I do cook and rarely eat out (about 3 times per month). I don't pay for a gym membership, as I practice P90X3 (great program, I recommend getting a used set on eBay to save $$$). I have my dumbbells, push-up bars, chin-up bar mounted in the doorway. I can do every exercise I need to work every muscle in my body. When traveling, I bring my fitness bands (yes, they look/sound girly/gay, but they do work). I can probably purchase or import a chin-up bar in whatever country I go to. Those of you who think you NEED a gym in order to work out need to expand your horizons and get rid of your limiting beliefs. How much you can squat/bench is NOT the best measure of your overall health/fitness, and you can do the same exercises without all the equipment. Just saying.

Now, there MAY be some expenses overseas I don't pay for that raise the price above my range. I've never lived abroad, so if that's the case, please do feel free to inform me. But if you like to live like a baller, don't push your lifestyle on everybody else. I'd rather live a comfy middle class lifestyle abroad than be rich in the states. And given the currency conversions in most third-world countries, I fail to see why that would be an issue.

Quote: (12-08-2015 01:46 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  

Quote: (12-08-2015 01:37 AM)Afarang Wrote:  

^ That's pretty impressive lol.

I live in new 1BR condo very close to Thong Lo BTS, almost never eat street food, have a gym membership at an awesome gym (they aren't cheap in Bangkok) and shop at western supermarkets all the time and I spend less than $1,000 a month.

I rarely go out to clubs as I've been here so long that it's gotten a bit boring for me, but $1,500 anywhere in SEA is more than doable while having a high standard of living, especially as the USD has shot up in the past few months against almost every currency in Asia.

How much is your condo per month and how many square meters? Sounds like you got a good deal.

Not going to clubs saves a ton of money. It's real easy to blow $100 on a night out in BKK. Especially when that night ends at 6AM lol.

Yeah my average night out was like 3k, then if I got hungry I could easy spew 500b at BK or something like that.

My 1BR is a little small at 41sq meters, but it's a proper 1BR (has walls, not a sliding door). No pool, has a crappy gym but very close to the BTS and all furnishings are new. I think for TL it's good value, but you can get much bigger for less a few stations out.


The room usually goes for 16-18k, but I've stayed here for a while in other rooms (studios) so got it for 15k.

Cyclone I have no idea how you were spending that little every month in Vietnam. Not saying I don't believe you, but Christ man were you ever eating meat? I spend more than your entire budget every month on food, and I almost solely eat cheap street food. Which city was this?

OP, I've only been to Cambodia and Vietnam but I think Vietnam meets a lot of your requirements. Saigon is where I am currently, but honestly I'm getting fed up with the big city. Not sure if you need a massive metropolis to be happy, but some of the smaller cities in Vietnam would probably meet your requirements too. Vung Tau is my favorite so far--about 250k people, adequate beaches, mountains, fucking cheap food and (new) apartments. Place has a ton of money flowing into it, it's basically a cleaner, quieter, safer Saigon.

In previous pages of this thread people were saying $1500 wasn't enough.

Now this page people are saying its more than enough.

Living in Vietnam for $233 a month is just beyond belief. True, perhaps, but why would I want to sleep on a wooden board without A/C? No thanks, I'll pass and spend a little more for a good deal in a 1 BR furnished rental.

It always depends on the desired lifestyle. I don't know what the OP means with "comfortably". If you want to live as cheap as possible you could easily live with 500$ per month in Bangkok. But then you would be limited to street food (200-300$ per month), an apartment outside of the center without amenities such as a pool or gym (150$) and only little nightlife (50$). But that would not be comfortable for me.

As a rule of thumb I usually calculate with 10$ per day for food in Asia. That's a bit more than 3$ per meal if you eat 3 times a day. For 3$ per meal you would have to eat streetfood or at the foodcourts in the malls though. A real restaurant is usually at least 5$ per meal with one drink. You can save money buy preparing your own breakfast. That leaves you with more money for lunch and dinner. If you like eating in fancy restaurants once or twice a week, calculate with 15$ per day for food.

Average apartments are usually between 200$ and 600$ in Asia. It depends a lot on the city and the location. Nightlife depends a lot on the country. Philippines can be very cheap, Bangkok is so so and Jakarta relatively expensive. To calculate your nightlife costs it is best to do a trial run for a week to see how much you spend per night out and then go from there.

Here is my monthly budget I am planning with when I am studying in Bangkok next year:

apartment: 400$ (near BTS or MRT and relatively central)
language course: 190$
nightlife: 300$
food and groceries: 300$ (food at the university cafeteria is dirt-cheap)
mobile costs: 50$ (this is high because I will still be paying the 30$ from my current contract)
gym: 25-50$ (don't know yet if there will be a cheap gym near my place)
transport: 40$ (for taxis, BTS and MRT)

Total: 1290$

With a budget of 1,500$ I could go out more at night and eat out at better restaurants. For me, 1,500$ in Bangkok is already very comfortable.

Quote: (12-08-2015 12:30 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

Surrounded by girls. Game was mostly relationship game.
As said ate out every day, cheaper than cooking.
Lifting TBH was maybe 1x per week using shoddy equipment, $10/month

OK so you don't really lift. I appreciate your honesty at least. I also assume that you ate below 1000 calories a day.

Seriously, I spend more than your entire budget just eating food in Bangkok (mostly cheap places).

What do you mean by "relationship game"?

Quote: (12-08-2015 12:30 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

- life was still harsh sometimes with no A/C, sleeping on piece of wood, using giant light bulb as heater in winter, old gym equipment, no real clubs, enjoyment of simple things like sports with the community

Why any Westerner would voluntarily want to live like this is beyond me. Upgrading your lifestyle is supposed to be one of the benefits of becoming a location independent man.

Quote: (12-08-2015 12:30 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

All i'm saying is, it's ridiculous to tell a 25 year-old that we need to "bump it from $1500 to $2000".. seriously?

As far as I'm aware, nobody even said that. I simply stated that here in Bangkok you'd want $1.5k for an OK lifestyle that includes eating out, going on dates, drinking in clubs, working out and so on. All the normal things that most of us want to be doing. $2k would be ideal. Afarang manages $1k monthly and doesn't go out anymore. Of course, if you live in a rural place this will come down somewhat.

$2k is not a necessary amount. It's an amount that would be optimal for guys wanting to score higher class women, do trips abroad, eat in nicer restaurants now and then, keep their wardrobe optimal and so on. All the things we aspire to around here. It's hardly the high life. I can assure you.

Yes, these amounts are above what it takes to survive. But seriously man? Survival is the benchmark now?

It's misleading to quote people such low amounts as if that is the norm to live on for foreigners. Not everyone wants to move to a 3rd world country and live like a dirty hobo. We want to upgrade, not downgrade. That's why the "$500 a month in Chiang Mai" attention-seeking bloggers get such flak around here.

Sure, I could move to the Philippines, share a cockroach-ridden dorm with some students and spend below $200 a month eating dogfood. Is that the kind of self-improvement we are aiming for?

Let me tell you man, $2k is far, far below what most expats (and some locals) are spending in this part of the world. I probably spend around $1.2-1.5k right now in BKK and consider myself to be fairly frugal. Hell, half of the Thai girls that I'm banging spend way more than me!

To the add to the above, the main benefit of SEA is the cheap accommodation. That is where you really save cost-wise. Street food is also cheap, but once you start eating better quality food then this isn't such a big saver anymore.

Guys shouldn't expect everything to be cheap just because it's Asia. That's not how it works. Many imported items actually cost much more.

Oh yeah and beer of course.

Props to anyone who can do Saigon on $250 a month. $1000-1500 is probably more realistic for most guys, though. My monthly costs (2014):

Apartment in D1 (really a private room/private bath with balcony in large shared house, shared kitchen): $310, including utilities and a/c, found it on Craigslist
Motorbike: $50, plus maybe $10 in gas
Nice gym: $50
Food: $300. You could make this $100 by eating nothing but soup and banh mi in the alleyways, but $300/mo will allow you a much more diverse and enjoyable experience, including dates.
Clothes: $100. You don't need to spend this much, but you can get tailored shirts in Saigon for like $17 each; it is a great place to upgrade your wardrobe cheaply.
Misc: $200. Phone, visas, weed, pharmacy, etc.
Overall, I was spending around $1100 or $1200 a month, living in D1, doing some traveling and going to the Gammer microbrewery pretty often. $1500 is very doable; under $1000 you are going to have to be very tight and minimalist. Also keep in mind that your first month or two you will spend more while you learn the lay of the land.