5 Countries Where You Can Live in Paradise for Under $2,000/Month
5 dream spots where your money goes further
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Everything Is Expensive
At least that’s what it feels like, when I visit friends and family back home in Germany.
A dinner out costs more than a flight. Groceries are up. Rent is ridiculous. And for what? Short gray days, long commutes, and not much joy left after taxes.
But there’s another reality. One that exists just a plane flight away.
In some of the world’s most beautiful places, $2,000 a month gets you a private apartment, daily fresh fruit, morning swims, and time to actually live.
Here are 5 countries where you can live simply for under $2,000/month.
What Does $2,000/Month Really Cover?
Before we dive into the countries, it’s worth clarifying what this budget actually includes and why it’s enough for more than just scraping by.
In each of these locations, $2,000 per month can support a complete, comfortable lifestyle for a single person. Not luxury, but certainly not hardship either. It’s the kind of life where your needs are fully met, and there’s room for enjoyment, connection, and even a few upgrades.
Here’s what’s typically included.
Rent
A clean, private one-bedroom apartment in a safe, central area. Often furnished, with features like air conditioning, a balcony, or shared amenities such as a pool or garden.
Food
Local groceries for cooking at home, daily coffee or smoothies, and eating out a few times a week. This includes both local restaurants and the occasional Western meal.
Transport
Affordable options like public transport, rideshares, or renting a scooter or motorbike. In many cities on this list, you’ll rarely need a car. Walkable neighborhoods and good infrastructure make getting around simple.
Lifestyle
The budget can stretch to cover things that make life enjoyable: gym memberships, yoga or fitness classes, co-working spaces, and short weekend trips. Even extras like massages, haircuts, or casual entertainment are often within reach.
Connectivity
Fast, reliable internet at home and in public places. Local SIM cards and mobile data plans are affordable and easy to set up, making it simple to stay online and work remotely.
Healthcare
Basic healthcare is accessible and low-cost in most of these countries. While major emergencies or long-term coverage may require separate insurance, routine medical needs and dental care are typically affordable out of pocket.
Of course, lifestyle and comfort levels vary from person to person. Some people live well below this number, others might stretch slightly above it. But across the board, $2,000 per month is a solid benchmark for living fully, not just frugally, in the places you’re about to see.
Colombia
Colombia offers one of the best cost-to-lifestyle ratios in Latin America.
Medellín, often called the City of Eternal Spring, combines warm weather, lush green hills, and a modern urban vibe. Rooftop pools, botanical gardens, cable cars over the city, and a thriving community of expats and digital nomads give it an almost resort-like feel at everyday prices.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Rent ranges from $400 to $700 for a furnished one-bedroom in a safe, central neighborhood. Food comes in around $250 a month if you mix local markets, casual meals out, and the occasional Western restaurant. Transport is efficient and affordable with the metro and rideshares costing roughly $50. Add another $300 to $400 for lifestyle extras like the gym, co-working, nightlife, or weekend getaways, and your total monthly spend stays comfortably between $1,300 and $1,800.
Best Cities and Areas
Medellín is the obvious choice, especially for remote workers, thanks to its year-round good weather, strong infrastructure, and active international community. Santa Marta is a quieter, coastal alternative, offering beaches, nature, and a slower pace.
Visa Notes
Most nationalities receive a 90-day tourist visa on arrival, which can be extended to 180 days per year. For longer stays, Colombia offers digital nomad and freelance visas with relatively low income requirements and a straightforward application process.
Vibe Check
Colombia is fast, vibrant, and social. It’s great for solo travelers, digital workers, and anyone who enjoys culture, movement, and a touch of chaos. If you like dancing on rooftops, meeting people easily, and having both city energy and nature close by, Colombia delivers.
Mexico
Mexico offers a rich mix of affordability, culture, and convenience, especially for those coming from North America.
Whether you’re drawn to the energy of Mexico City, the creative buzz of Oaxaca, or the beach-town rhythm of Playa del Carmen, you’ll find modern infrastructure, great food, and a welcoming community of locals and expats. Life here can be vibrant and dynamic, with strong local traditions blending effortlessly with international influence.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
A furnished one-bedroom apartment in a good neighbourhood costs between $500 and $800. Food is inexpensive and flavourful, with local markets, tacos on every corner, and a growing scene of cafés and restaurants. Expect to spend about $300 per month on food. Transport, including public transit and rideshares, comes in around $50 to $100. For gym memberships, weekend travel, co-working spaces, and entertainment, an additional $300 to $400 keeps things comfortable. Most people live well here for between $1,400 and $1,900 per month.
Best Cities and Areas
Mexico City is ideal for those who want world-class culture, architecture, and nonstop energy. Oaxaca is a favourite for creatives and food lovers looking for a slower pace and deep cultural roots. Playa del Carmen offers year-round beach life and a large community of digital nomads.
Visa Notes
Tourists can stay for up to 180 days on arrival, making it one of the most generous visa policies in the world. Many long-term travelers simply leave and re-enter every six months, while others apply for temporary or permanent residency with minimal hassle.
Vibe Check
Mexico is diverse, social, and full of contrast. It’s great for foodies, creatives, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs. If you want a place that’s deeply rooted in culture but full of life and possibility, Mexico gives you a lot for your money.
Thailand
Oh Thailand. My home base. Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for remote workers and expats, for good reason.
It combines stunning natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and a deeply rooted culture of hospitality. Whether you’re in the mountainous calm of Chiang Mai, the beach towns of the south, or even parts of Bangkok, the cost of living stays low while quality of life stays high.
Add in world-class food, a strong wellness culture, and friendly locals, and it’s easy to see why people come for a few months and end up staying for years.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Rent in Chiang Mai can range from $300 to $600 for a furnished one-bedroom in a safe, central area. In Bangkok, expect closer to $700. Food costs are remarkably low. You can eat out daily and still spend under $250 a month, especially if you enjoy Thai cuisine. Transport is efficient and affordable, with scooters, metros, and ride apps keeping costs around $50 to $100. Extras like gyms, massages, co-working spaces, and weekend trips typically come in at $300 to $600.
Total monthly costs usually fall between $1,200 (North) and $1,800 (Bangkok) depending on your location and lifestyle.
Best Cities and Areas
Chiang Mai is a favorite among remote workers for its peaceful pace, affordability, and creative community. Bangkok offers urban energy, incredible food, and great connectivity. Koh Lanta and Koh Phangan are ideal for a more relaxed, beach-focused lifestyle without the chaos of major tourist hubs.
Visa Notes
Thailand offers a range of visa options. Tourists get 30 days on arrival, extendable to 60. Many expats use education, volunteer, or elite visas / DTV to stay longer. Visa runs are common, but longer-term digital nomad policies are beginning to emerge.
Vibe Check
Thailand is ideal for wellness seekers, creatives, and remote workers who value a mix of calm and community. The pace is slow where you want it to be, lively where you need it to be, and the overall energy is one of ease. It’s a place that makes life feel lighter.
Portugal
Portugal offers a laid-back European lifestyle that’s still affordable.
With its mild climate, stunning coastline, strong safety record, and charming cities, it’s become a favourite for remote workers, retirees, and solo expats alike. Whether you’re wandering through the tiled alleys of Lisbon, enjoying a glass of wine in Porto, or surfing in the Algarve, life feels slower, warmer, and more human. There’s a deep sense of quality here, without the high prices found elsewhere in Western Europe.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Lisbon or Porto typically starts around $800, but more affordable options exist in smaller towns or shared accommodations. Groceries and dining out are reasonably priced, with a monthly food budget of around $300. Public transportation is efficient and costs around $50 to $70. Extras like gyms, cafés, co-working spaces, and short trips can bring the total to about $1,700 to $2,000 per month.
The further you are from the city centres or tourist zones, the more your money stretches.
Best Cities and Areas
Lisbon is the cultural heart and a top choice for digital nomads, offering stunning architecture, cafés, and co-working spaces. Porto is smaller but equally rich in charm and history, with a creative, slower pace. For sun-seekers, the Algarve provides coastal living, outdoor activities, and a relaxed rhythm of life.
Visa Notes
Portugal’s D7 visa is one of the most accessible long-stay options in Europe, especially for those with remote income or passive earnings. It grants residency and access to public services, and eventually leads to permanent residency or even citizenship.
Short-term stays are also easy, with a 90-day Schengen visa available to most.
Vibe Check
Portugal is ideal for people who value balance between city and nature, solitude and connection, tradition and progress. It’s well-suited for solo expats, couples, and anyone looking to slow down without disconnecting. Life here is calm, thoughtful, and quietly inspiring.
Indonesia
Indonesia, and particularly the island of Bali, has become a global magnet for remote workers, creatives, and wellness seekers.
It offers a unique mix of tropical beauty, spiritual atmosphere, and a thriving international community. From jungle hideaways in Ubud to beach life in Canggu, the rhythm of daily life is slower, softer, and more intentional. It’s a place where routines are built around nature, not clocks, and where it’s easy to feel both relaxed and inspired.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Rent for a furnished one-bedroom villa or apartment with modern amenities typically ranges from $400 to $700 outside the most tourist-heavy zones. Food is affordable and healthy, with a good balance of local “warungs” and Western cafés. Expect to spend around $250 to $300 per month. Scooter rentals and fuel are cheap, keeping transport costs under $50. Add $300 to $400 for extras like yoga, gym memberships, co-working spaces, and weekend getaways. Overall, a monthly budget of $1,200 to $1,700 is enough for a full, balanced lifestyle.
Best Cities and Areas
Canggu is the heart of the Bali digital nomad scene, filled with cafés, gyms, surf spots, and co-working hubs. Ubud is quieter and more spiritual, known for its wellness scene and deep connection to nature. Other islands like Lombok and Nusa Penida offer more off-the-grid options for those wanting a simpler lifestyle.
Visa Notes
Indonesia’s visa options are improving. Tourists can enter on a 30-day visa-on-arrival, which can be extended once. Longer-term digital nomad and second-home visas are available, though they require some paperwork and planning. Visa agents are commonly used and can help simplify the process.
Vibe Check
Indonesia is ideal for slow-living enthusiasts, creative professionals, and anyone drawn to nature, reflection, and community. Life here has a softness to it, one where days start with surf or sunrise yoga and end with coconut water and sunset views.
To sum it up
To make it easier to compare, here’s a side-by-side look at the five countries featured in this guide.
Use this table to get a quick feel for what each place offers, and which one might suit your lifestyle best.
Whether you're chasing sunlight, slower days, or simply a better return on your energy, there’s a version of life out there that feels less like survival and more like freedom.
Sometimes, all it takes is a flight and a fresh perspective.
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This is a good guide. I wonder about healthcare/health risks in these places.
Thanks for this simple and straightforward breakdown. There’s a lot of this kind of thing on the stack but this post was the most accessible. Really. Thanks !