Cheap developed countries

[admin]

I was reading about Greece. There is a lot of real estate for sale now because the government introduced property taxes that didn’t exist before. The government needs revenue.

Riga, Latvia is aparently really cheap with an apartment in the city center under $100k. Rents starting at 250 euros per month. That’s really cheap compared to USA.

Romania would be a borderline developed country with homeownership the highest in the world. Over 90%.

I’m thinking that when I have time, I can just travel and rent Airbnbs for extended periods. I love the travel options these days. The internet is wonderful!

[NeetaT]

I would compile a list of countries that don’t require a visa. Peru is one. Visas are a pain. It cost me $250.00 and a waiting period for a visa to Brazil. Some countries like to hit back at the U.S. in the same way the U.S. hits them for visas.

[FlyerInHi]

I speak bastante Spanish but im not crazy about Latin America because of the culture of violence. It’s like the USA but poor.

I like Mexico because it’s just next door so proximity compensate for other negatives.

Not crazy about Southern Europe. Too many scams and pick pockets.
The Baltic countries are cheap but boring.

I like Asia because the food is great and there is better safety and no violence even in poor countries.

[The-Shoveler]

“I like Asia because the food is great and there is better safety and no violence even in poor countries.”

Not quite true, but they do have much better control over the news that does get out.

[barnaby33]

Speaking as someone who’s married to a Peruvian and really loves Medellin (or at least used to) Latin America can be great for stretching your dollars and living above your income level. However there are no free ham sandwiches and violence is a key.

I will say though that generally Peru is safe in terms of violent crime and Lima in particular is safe so long as you stay in the better parts of the city.

For cheap and developed I’d look at Uruguay. The major drawback is it’s a LOOOOONNNG way south.
Josh

[spdrun]

What’s wrong with Czech Republic? They’re also nice because they’re fairly socially liberal.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=barnaby33]

For cheap and developed I’d look at Uruguay. The major drawback is it’s a LOOOOONNNG way south.
[/quote]

I have never been, but Uruguay sounds beautiful.

Other than consumer goods, the USA is one of most expensive places to live. So as Americans with USD, we have many options.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=spdrun]What’s wrong with Czech Republic? They’re also nice because they’re fairly socially liberal.[/quote]

Yes. Czechkia is very nice. How could I forget since I read a book about the Petschek Villa (American Ambassy Residence).

[gzz]

Most of the Midwest and South are just as cheap as these places. Plenty of $600 a month apartments and $120k 4 bedroom houses in good suburban school districts.

Eastern Europe really isn’t that cheap because they had a 50 year period without much construction of private detached housing.

I checked out the small town my great grandparents came from in rural Slovakia. Prices were 50k for dumps and 150-250k for nicer modern places. These areas have declining populations so wouldn’t be good investments. If you want to visit, best to airbnb.

[spdrun]

You can buy a 100 square meter (1000 sq ft) apartment in many Eastern European cities for about $200,000. You’re in the middle of a walkable city with good public transit and nightlife, not in some Southern or Midwestern backwater.

[FlyerInHi]

gzz and spd, excellent points…

I would say that if you want to move to Europe, then buy in a European capital city centre where you have access to everything.

$200k is not bad if you compare to a condo in the downtown of a “shithole” American city like Knoxville. it’s actually nice. but i’d much prefer to be in Europe. Comparing a capital city centre apartment to a typical suburban American house is apples to oranges.

Gzz, you’re spot on with your posts before that Americans rents are much better than the rest of the world. And Airbnb is a good option. For what I get in rent on a ordinary condo in Vegas, I can rent an apartment anywhere in the world. When I have extended free time (who knows when that will be), that’s what I will do.

Also great point about shrinking population. It’s not a good a place to invest where population is decreasing
For those who like quiet and boring small towns, there are good deals to be had in many parts of the USA and Europe, even Japan.

I like warm capital cities…. I can picture myself in Europe in the summer and Thailand in the winter with a stay in San Diego or Hawaii in between.
I want to visit Montevideo, Uruguay. The ability to rent on sites such as Airbnb has opened up a whole lot of travel possibilities that previous generations didn’t enjoy.

[gzz]

“You’re in the middle of a walkable city with good public transit and nightlife, not in some Southern or Midwestern backwater.”

Plenty of Midwest and South cities have large walkable city centers and 200k apartments or even large Victorian rowhouses. Is Bratislava or Ann Arbor more of a “backwater?” St. Paul or Vilnius? Minsk or Madison? Depends on the person!

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=gzz]”You’re in the middle of a walkable city with good public transit and nightlife, not in some Southern or Midwestern backwater.”

Plenty of Midwest and South cities have large walkable city centers and 200k apartments or even large Victorian rowhouses. Is Bratislava or Ann Arbor more of a “backwater?” St. Paul or Vilnius? Minsk or Madison? Depends on the person![/quote]

Good point. An American town with a good university is better than some places in Europe. Plus the salaries are triple in USA.

Hungary and Poland have their own versions of Trump so it might be “scary”. Belarus sounds depressing. Maybe Airbnb for a couple months might be fun.

However, I wouldn’t want to live in places like Pensacola, Oklahoma City, Waco, Spokane, etc… Yes, it depends on the person!

Good point overall. I think I suffer from the-grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side syndrome.

For rental income, growing US cities are a good bet. Use the income to spend time anywhere in the world you may like.

[scaredyclassic]

old people generally wanna live near their doctors

[The-Shoveler]

[quote=scaredyclassic]old people generally wanna live near their doctors[/quote]

LOL What ever it is you want to do, do it when you are young enough.

Its something I think people who have not had to take care of a aging parent don’t get until its a little too late.

Best laid plans of mice and men.

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