10 Cheapest Countries to Live In

Did you dream of studying abroad all your college life but couldn’t? Do you still daydream of your life abroad where you can ditch the 9-5 and have a better lifestyle? Do you want to go on adventures while your work doesn’t kill you?

We know the pain, we get it. It could be for a number of reasons, finance is always a major one. Well, now is your time to shine! You don’t have to win a lottery or take loans, grants to go abroad. 

“Then how?”

Let us spill the secret: You can consider working abroad! This may sound like a big decision but hear us out. There are many cheap countries where living and working won’t cost you a fortune. You don’t have to empty your pocket but instead you can make good money and have the life you want! When you might be traveling the world, enjoying adventures, and making a good living, why toil away in a crammed up office? Don’t worry about the list of countries that are cheap, we have got you covered. Read on to find out!

Is Living Abroad Really A Childsplay?

One of the main incentives for many people to move and seek work abroad is a reduced cost of living. Additionally, there are lots of high-paying professions, allowing you to live in a low-cost place while still stretching your budget even further. Make sure you do the required background check and travel paperwork for every country you decide to work in, in order to do so securely and productively.

Let’s look at the countries:

• Vietnam

Vietnam is still a cheap place to live, despite the fact that costs are rising every year. It is any budget traveler’s dream if they wish to live and work in an exotic location without spending a fortune. Vietnam is a place for travelers seeking adventure as well as beautiful landscapes to explore and delectable native cuisine.

Ho Chi Minh City is the most costly city in Vietnam, followed by Hanoi. For less than $1,300 per month, a couple can live comfortably in either of these two locations. The costs of living will be significantly lower if you reside outside of Vietnam’s two main cities, in areas like Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Vung Tau.

Teaching English is the most sought-after occupation for foreigners in Vietnam. English teachers have a lot of employment options, and other in-demand jobs include:

• Real Estate Broker
• Foreign Language Instructor
• Tour Operator
• Investment Consultants
• Medicine and Surgery

• Costa Rica

Because of its lush jungles, sunny beaches, and welcoming residents, Costa Rica is likely the most well-known nation in Central America. The pura vida (pure living) way of life is contagious in this country. And since Costa Rica is one of the least expensive countries to live in, you won’t have to go broke while residing and working there. 

Travelers are particularly content at Arenal, Jaco, Tamarindo, Escazu, and Heredia if city life is what you’re all about. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Playa Jaco ranges from $400 to 530 per month.Healthcare is also first-rate and reasonably priced, and domestic aid is generally accessible. Additionally, Costa Rica has a high literacy rate. Software development, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, ecotourism, and ecotourism have emerged as Costa Rica’s top sectors. 

Other additional in-demand professions are:

• English teaching 
• Environmental protection and volunteer work
• Tourism
• SCUBA diving trainers

• Ecuador

There are many affordable places to live and work in South America, but Ecuador is one of the best. Ecuador’s inexpensive cost of living makes it possible for people to travel more frequently, pick up new interests, and generally lead better lives. With pricing unheard of in North America and Europe, Ecuador has plenty to offer everyone. It  is an excellent destination for anyone looking to relocate and work overseas, even if many people are drawn there for tourism.

One-bedroom flats in the heart of Quito can be had for as little as $300 per month. This makes life in the capital feasible when combined with low food and transit costs. The cities of Guayaquil, Quito, Vilcabamba, and Loja are also popular with migrants relocating to Ecuador.

In-demand jobs in Ecuador are:

• Surgeons/Doctors
• Lawyers
• Marketing
• Accounting

• Mexico

In Mexico, things are easy. Beautiful beaches, first-rate medical care, a thriving cultural scene, and a reasonable cost of living may all be found there. When Mexico is only a hop, skip, and a cheap flight away, why go further than you have to? 

From tacos to tamales, ceviche to aguas frescas, the food is not only mouth wateringly delicious but also incredibly affordable. Living expenses can be much lower than in Western cities if you stay away from tourist traps like Cancun or Playa del Carmen and choose more regional locations like Merida or Guanajuato. Here are some in-demand careers in Mexico:

• Industrial engineering
• Digital marketing
• Veterinary medicine and zootechnics
• Architecture
• Nursing
• Accounting

• Bulgaria

If the high cost of living in nations like France and Italy discourages you from working and living abroad in Europe, focus your attention on Eastern Europe. Bulgaria is one of the least expensive places to live in Europe and has swiftly gained popularity among visitors. 

In Mexico, the average monthly cost of living can be between $600 and $2,000, with a good lifestyle costing roughly $1,000 for a single person.

Among the in-demand jobs in Bulgaria:

• Machine manufacturing
• Tourism
• Transportation
• IT 
• Agriculture

• South Africa

If you are one of those who want to move and work abroad but are worried about the spoken language, South Africa is your country! If that wasn’t enough, the southernmost country in Africa also has one of the world’s most diverse cultures and ecosystems. You won’t get bored in South Africa because the country offers everything from safaris to whale viewing, river rafting to zip lining.

South Africa offers very affordable living. Migrants will be happy to learn that South Africa has a cost of living that is more than 40% lower than France. Housing costs have decreased, and the increase in wealth is commendable.

A family of four would require R30,775 a month (excluding rent), whereas an individual would require only R8,875. Here are some well paying jobs in South Africa:

• Specialist Doctors
• Chartered Accountant
• Actuarial Scientists
• Architect
• Judges

• South Korea

Although South Korea isn’t the most affordable place to work and live, it made this list because of the highly competitive earnings and the frequent inclusion of free housing in programs, which greatly lowers the cost of living. Even accounting for Seoul, the national capital, it is the cheapest. Busan, Incheon, and Daegu are prominent cities outside of Seoul for working professionals. It’s a terrific place to work, save money, and travel because of the beautiful and varied scenery, amazing food, and nice locals.

For good reason, South Korea is a favorite location for English teachers looking to work abroad. There, English teachers earn a high income and have competitive work benefits, which frequently cover paid lodging and travel expenses. One should be prepared to spend between 30 and 40 percent of their monthly wage on a decent property.

In-demand fields for jobs in South Korea:

• IT
• Manufacturing
• Careers related to Health and Science
• Careers related to Research, and Technology

• China

While China may not be your traditional work abroad location, it is possible to work there and earn a very good living. There are numerous jobs available and higher salaries than in many other Asian nations. Additionally, the economy is booming. If Beijing or Shanghai aren’t your cup of tea, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chengdu are well-liked cities with plenty of amenities. Many work abroad programs will offer events and even throw in free Mandarin classes, so you might even end up learning a completely new language while there. China is an amazing nation to explore.

China has a lower cost of living than the U.S. and most of western Europe, with the exception of entertainment. Housing is inexpensive. The cost of and access to transportation are both low. Depending on whether you prefer a foreign physician or a local medical staff, healthcare expenditures can differ. Here are some in-demand jobs:

• Teaching
• Trade/Commerce
• IT/Tech
• Writing/Media
• Engineering
• Hotels and Tourism

• Thailand

Thailand is the ideal location for living and working due to its clean waters, fascinating culture, and delectable cuisine. Thailand is also among the safest and least expensive places in the world to live, which is the cherry on top. Thailand has a lot of locations at affordable prices. You could potentially live a lot cheaper, as low as $1,000 to $1500 a month

But prices can be rather high in areas with a higher influx of visitors. Nevertheless, it’s a reasonably priced nation.

Some in-demand jobs in Thailand:

• Teaching
• Mobile / Web Developer or Marketing Expert
• Real Estate Agent / Manager
• Freelance Writer

• Georgia

This eastern European nation, which is frequently mistaken for the same-named US state, is starting to establish a reputation as an inexpensive and welcoming location for international employment. Due to its easy visa process, Georgia is growing in popularity as a home away from home for expats. In the country’s capital, Tbilisi, a monthly pass to the city will only set you back $10, while a trip to the movies will only set you back about £5. 

Your rent will be less than the average monthly food budget in Europe and North America with rent as low as $150 for a private room in a flatshare. Foreigners seeking to settle in Georgia will also find Kutaisi and Batumi to be extremely budget-friendly.

In-demand job profiles in Georgia:

• Psychiatrist
• Dentist
• Actuary
• Software engineer
• Scientist

Take Your Pick! Pack Your Bags! Get Going!

There are many wonderful, incredibly affordable nations where you can live comfortably and earn a living. Moving to a foreign country can help you improve your resume while also enhancing your knowledge of the world and its inhabitants. As easy as this sounds, working abroad is nothing short of an adventure that you will immensely enjoy. If you are confused about what country to choose, what course to do, which degree to get, you can talk to our experts at Mentoria!

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