Where is it possible to survive off 300-350 € a month ?
Posted by berfdayboy@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 134 comments
Got some good advice and also lot scepticism about this on /frugal.
Im from Estonia and its pinching pennies but doable to live off it even in Tallinn. But i need a change of scenery and a new beginning. And as i have no obligations nor roots holding me down I figured might as well hit the road since i was never able to travel in my early 20s and teen years.
Id like to at least sleep alone, dont mind sharing a toilet or a kitchen, and have enough money after rent + food to afford a gym membership.
Not planning to exist like this forever of course, just have it be possible to do and should i come to enjoy the place, id be able to slowly learn the language, integrate and find work etc.
EU is preferable obviously, but dont really care one way or another. Would be nice if the people werent cold and uncaring and were english friendly.
My idea was to take it slow for a handful of months, be social and self improve (gyms, workshops, courses, etc) and to feel out if im suitable to live there. If not, can always come back home.
Plan B is volunteer work or some special cultural exchange/wwofing etc.
Have looked into EU Solidarity Corps, Erasmus and Woofing. If anyone has any similar orgs to suggest or have experience in this stuff id be very happy to hear it.
Also if anyone can recommend other subreddits/forums/discords i could ask advice on this id be very glad. Thanks
nomadmochilero@reddit
In my experience: Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, probably Argentina now.
Other countries in Central America, Brazil countryside perhaps.
Organic_Armadillo_10@reddit
From prices I've seen I'd say Sri Lanka and India are probably the mos likely to survive in so little a month.
For Europe I'd say €350 a month is not doable - that would probably barely even cover food.
StatisticianFirm3979@reddit
It's possible if you sleep in the streets...
Subziwallah@reddit
You can live quite well in India on €350 a month. That's a bit over Rs1000 per day. You can adjust your lifestyle to live as cheaply as you have to, but on that budget you can rent a place or stay in hotels and eat in cheap restaurants as often as you want.
trippyfreezer@reddit
Mexico it really depends on where you're based. Eastcost is impossible to survive on that budget
ricky_storch@reddit
Anywhere in Latin America would be impossible.
trippyfreezer@reddit
Very tight but you can survive in Colombia on 300
ricky_storch@reddit
Everything adds up. I've lived here in Colombia for years and can't imagine how people are recommending the guy to travel halfway across the world without speaking the language to survive on 300 w no long term visa.
Lamda_Nomad@reddit
I can see what you mean with the language and visa issue, but don't locals survive there on less than that every month?
ricky_storch@reddit
$300 is about minimum wage or less depending on the country and is a rough life. More often than not that multiple people earning a wage living in the hood together, staying w family etc.
AmeriocaDaGema@reddit
Somebody said "the food will come." Umm... actually it won't if you can't pay for it. It sucks to be broke and hungry far, far from home.
ricky_storch@reddit
And 0 safety net..
trippyfreezer@reddit
Completely agree 👌🏽
laureire@reddit
More like $600 in South America. I hear Bolivia is best for frugal value.
simonbleu@reddit
That would be the minimum for what I would consider a decent salary in argentina, though, as a local, you *can* live with half, I mean, most of the country does (well, has to)
ricky_storch@reddit
Yes i would say $600 could work
Major-Cauliflower-76@reddit
Not in big cities it wouldn´t be.
ricky_storch@reddit
Big cities are even more expensive than small towns.
oldraykissedbae@reddit
I second Brazil. Especially outside of a major city. You will live a working class life style. It’s kinda affordable but wouldn’t be able to do as much. You can stay in Brazil for a max of 6 months.
tyranitsar@reddit
Central America is by no means that cheap. I was there for half a year in 2022. Mexico or south America are fairly cheaper.
SnooTangerines7525@reddit
You must have been to Costa Rica! Nicaragua and El Salvador are still cheap, Guatemala and Panama getting a bit more expensive, Costa Rica should be in the US for the amount things cost.
tyranitsar@reddit
I went to all the countries in Central America. Nicaragua and El Salvador were the cheapest, but the other 6 countries were not as cheap as people are making them out to be (compared to south America or SE Asia). Of course they are cheap compared to the US/Europe, but Guatemala for example is around twice the price of Mexico and Costa Rica is almost on par with Western Europe, in my experience.
SafetyNoodle@reddit
Albania and Georgia are both relatively close to home by plane, much lower COL than Estonia, and have very liberal visa regimes.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Sound good. Any specific must-see locations in mind ?
2freetocare@reddit
Lol there is no way you could survive in Albania with 300 euros, thats the minimum amount you could use for food and groceries on a monthly basis excluding rent which depends on the city you go to, starting minimum 250-300.
simonbleu@reddit
*possibly* Argentina, in teh way that you can, but as a local and not precisely one having an awesome life. Less tight than current OP lifestyle? Sure, but still tight
Subziwallah@reddit
You skipped over India. Also, Indonesia and Thailand are livable on your budget. You'll need to budget airfare though.
Aromatic_Cap_4021@reddit
Bolivia
SunnySaigon@reddit
Welcome to Vietnam
enswl@reddit
Having visited Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh there is no way a foreigner would even come close to this cost.
Can you even find a place to stay for this budget? As a local yes maybe when you lived there all your life.
Vietnam is no longer a cheap country to travel. It is relatively cheap compared to Europe for example, but cities or areas where tourism plays a part is no longer what it used to be.
Don't get me wrong, Vietnam is a great country, but please be realistic with suggestions and hopes when people are looking for genuine advice.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Would you have any comments on the non touristy parts of the country ? Or do you think wwoofing or other such "work to get a roof over your head and warm food in your belly" type activity is a better play when it comes to Vietnam ?
enswl@reddit
Sorry I don't know how to do that there, not saying its impossible, I just don't know.
If I went there now to chill, I would consider Da Nang as you get good value for your money. But my needs are somewhat a little different.
In general, my advice would be to look for places where you can find rent for your budget. The food will come, there is a lot of affordable street food in Vietnam.
What helps me budget my trips and to see the reality - I check youtube videos, there are a lot of people traveling and sharing the prices of what they are paying.
Something to consider too - have they brought back a longer visa option? If not, visa runs will eat your budget in no time in your case.
gibfunxckorxh@reddit
It’s reasonably doable for 350 id say. Visiting and living somewhere is a whole different level of knowledge lol.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Id be happy to hear some location.
pakiet96@reddit
Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi can be quite pricey but these are obviously the biggest cities with most social life where rent is probably the biggest issue of your budget. You can also try Da Nang, beach city with a big expat community.
Source: am Vietnamese.
yeetskrrt69420@reddit
What does rent cost in da nang for a decent place?
tinfoil_toast@reddit
I visited Vietnam for the first time just before Covid and Da Nang was my favorite. Such a nice laidback vibe with the extra bonus that crossing the road doesn’t feel like a death-sport, unlike Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.
SunnySaigon@reddit
Ho-Chi-Minh city is a great place to start out . Can message me for details
CheekNo850@reddit
Wait is Vietnam not a shithole?
kennclarete@reddit
It is not
LadyboyLoveLongTime@reddit
Isn't there lots of communist flags flying around?
kennclarete@reddit
And?
LadyboyLoveLongTime@reddit
That's a huge problem.
CheekNo850@reddit
Damn. Literally all I know about it is the war…and COD.
SunnySaigon@reddit
thats a common misconception prob shouldn't be downvoted
ricky_storch@reddit
Nope
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Any orgs you might recommend or have heard good things of ?
Muffy81@reddit
Pm me and I can recommend you volunteering in a community in Northern Germany
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Any chance u got my pm ? reddit deleted all my conversations apparently inluding one where a guy sent me a good rental site so ive no clue.
singeblanc@reddit
Long term house / pet sitting?
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Thought house sitting was like s rich people thing. Is it like full on cleaning it or just taking care of it like you would your own home ?
singeblanc@reddit
It varies a lot.
Sometimes I've been spending hours moving horses between paddocks and stables, walking dogs, chopping firewood.
Others I've literally been making an otherwise empty property look lived in.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Yeah that sounds like a pretty cool thing. Any info on where to find reputable hosts or is there a page specifically for house sitting ?
singeblanc@reddit
The big boy is trusted house sitters, but it's expensive.
Mind My House is cheaper. There's also Nomador.
snuggle_love@reddit
IC.org has a Google map of thousands of intentional communities around the world that you can volunteer at and, as you build trust, possibly live full time for very very cheap.
I traveled to thirty countries staying at different beautiful communities and returned to a lakeside solar powered castle in Switzerland to live another year
AndrewithNumbers@reddit
Workaway / Worldpackers are decent. Not every place is equally good but plenty are good enough.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Worldpackers seems quite nice. Ive been a bit sceptical about wwofing cause it seems very focused on the whole organic part. Not that im against it but just seems like a niche thing as a focus. Cant comment on homesteading part as i dont really know much about it.
AndrewithNumbers@reddit
Worldpackers and such are for way more than WOOFing (which indeed is focused on the organic thing, it’s the second O).
doyourbestalways@reddit
Can you really just do that?
ricky_storch@reddit
For the most part - yes. Depends on a lot of things
Tough-Bonus-848@reddit
Myanmar
DeltaEqualsC@reddit
TEFL or workaway? Live somewhere and teach English or work for your room and board?
SnooTangerines7525@reddit
Rivas or San Jorge Nicaragua
DeWayneMcGee@reddit
What about Yemen?
seacucumber98@reddit
In your parent's home
LadyboyLoveLongTime@reddit
I am glad your parents had a real good marriage.
LadyboyLoveLongTime@reddit
Bangkok
Not_A_Great_Human@reddit
Hell, homeless people survive off much much less
NomadicWarrior2023@reddit
India or anywhere in South East Asia. Also checkout www.Workaway.info for volunteer in exchange for room and board opportunities. Goodluck.
TrondroKely@reddit
I could get by on that much in Montenegro and Albania but it was also pinching pennies. I've lived on that much in Nepal and Vietnam pretty easily. Only issue there is visas. Like, I could only get a visa for Nepal for 3 months and last I checked Vietnam was only one month. I'm from the US and I know visas are different depending on where you're from.
uw888@reddit
Could you do a break down of costs you had in Montenegro and which location? I'm very interested.
TrondroKely@reddit
I will say this was a few years ago and I have heard that prices have gone up since then. I was also there for 3 months in late winter/early spring and things are usually more expensive in the summer. I was staying in Stoliv which is about 7 km from Kotor Bay. The bus into Kotor runs regularly and is about 1 Euro each way but I would often walk it because it's along the water and so pretty. It's a very small town and I really enjoyed it. I rented an apartment in a family home, so the son lived on the top floor, me in the middle and the parents on the bottom floor for 150 Euros a month. I had my own bathroom, kitchen and balcony. I found the place on Airbnb but was able to chat with them and arrange a much cheaper price if I paid in cash. I spent about 200 Euros a month on food. Although I love cooking so I rarely ate out. But when I did it was roughly 5-8 Euros for a meal. For entertainment there was a lot of hiking in the area, which I loved. And I sat by the water a lot. Kotor has a nice Old Town area and museums and stuff.
LanguageAble1156@reddit
Welcome to Ukraine!
simonbleu@reddit
Argentina but.... not the best life, just an average one and the average person kinda struggles a lot. It is one if not the safest country in latam, at least statistically for muders, but is not what I would deem safe, at allr, so is someting to have in mind. It is very big and quite pretty though and people are quite keen to socializing imho. I had a friend that emigrated from germany and when she bringed two german friends, even though yeah, we were all teenagers at the time so it was kind of a "best scenario", they did not spoke the language and yet they made friends; A little sidenote is that is a bit chaotic right now because of hyperinflation and elections next month.
So, anyways, so you have an idea of what to expect if you come (though, for further questions like where to exchange money without loosing half of it, go to r/argentina) an apartment starts at about 150euros a month. If you cook and live by yourself you can eat with half of that and if you buy a car that is also more or less what I believe you would be spending (perhaps a bit more). Take out is generally 3-15 euros depending on the place (a pizza or a big good sandwich). You can easily spend twice that though, specially if you want a more "touristy" or "uni student maintained by their parents" kind of lifestyle, so, again, you would be a bit tight but you *can*
WinnieCerise@reddit
Moldova.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Any cities in particular that would be a good way to experience Moldova ?
WinnieCerise@reddit
A one-room apartment in Chisinau costs about 550 US dollars, and in the suburbs - up to 310 dollars. At the same time, you can find a studio apartment for up to $200.
meatytarian@reddit
The rural side of Cebu, Philippines
hypolaristic@reddit
With fiverr or how would you do it?
meatytarian@reddit
Filipinos use Starlink wheb in rural areas. Some connection issues once in a while (probably during typhoons) but overall, it’s better than fibre outside city
ayyoayyayyo@reddit
I'm from India, I can live 2-3 months with that money.
triary95@reddit
Not in any major Indian city though
itwontkillya@reddit
false if you consider Kolkata to be a major city, true otherwise.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
On the other thread someone mentioned Indore, Roorkee and Calcutta as viable options. Any word on those ?
FlippinFlags@reddit
Most of Latin America and SE Asia could work.
ricky_storch@reddit
Latin America no way. That's basically a local minimum wage and he's got no visa.
FlippinFlags@reddit
You can rent a nice room in downtown Mexico City for $100.
$150 on food.
Very walkable city and public transportation is cheap, or get on the world-class bicycle program.
I've done it myself, very doable.
eastsider_nyc@reddit
This is absurd and incorrect. A room in a shared apartment in downtown Mexico City (assuming you mean Cuauhtémoc, etc) would run for a minimum of €300, and realistically closer to €500-700.
You can check out Oaxaca which has a lower cost of living and is beautiful. But the budget you have is not something that’s possible almost anywhere in Latin America. Idk how you’re doing that in Estonia unless you live a primitive caveman lifestyle.
FlippinFlags@reddit
1-2 minutes walk from the main park in Historico, the neighborhood just South of the park.
Nope, wrong. I paid $100 a month.
I also paid the same thing in Colombia $100 a month for a nice big room in a nice, clean safe house with great roommates.
SE Asia, the same thing, but that $100 could get you an actual private studio apartment with its own bathroom. A few years ago I was paying $50 a month for a big studio in a nice touristy beach town.
And was paying $200 a month for a high rise condo with an ocean view and amazing pool in the best neighborhood in the city.
I'm sure you're like the other guy, a know-it-all who can't believe people live for a lower budget than you.
ricky_storch@reddit
$100 for a nice room in Mexico City lol.
FlippinFlags@reddit
Yes for a nice room in a nice place in downtown Mexico City.
Yes, $150 is enough for food per month if you eat street food or know where the locals go for inexpensive full meals.
The only difference between Latin America and SE Asia is that you'll most likely go from renting a room in Latin America vs being able to live completely alone in SE Asia on that same $300 a month budget.
Oh yeah, forgot I also lived on $300 a month in Colombia living exactly the same as Mexico.
Just because you can't see yourself doing it, doesn't mean lots of other people could and ARE doing it right now.
ricky_storch@reddit
Lol
FlippinFlags@reddit
So you're telling me you can't rent a room in Latin America for a $100 a month?
And you can't eat for $150 a month?
The answer is yes to both.
Therefore I'm telling the truth and it is possible.
Stop spreading false information about things you clearly have no experience doing yourself.
Just because you wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, doesn't mean it's not possible.
ricky_storch@reddit
As a foreigner with $300 a month to survive absolutely not. Please post a link to one of these $100 rooms online in CDMX. Otherwise what do you suggest, he walk around Tepito or some other shitty barrio with his backpack and sleep on the street until he finds one ?
$150 a month sure, cooking his own food. A comida corriente in the city at this point is 50-60 pesos minimum. He's not going to buy soap, deodorant, get haircuts, get a cell phone plan and God knows what else a Human needs to live.
FlippinFlags@reddit
No need to walk around.
Negotiate on Airbnb before you arrive.
Then walk around once in the city it you want to find another place.
No need to stay in a bad area.
I stayed in downtown Historico right next to the main park
$50 for haircuts or whatever else is needed.
Yes you can survive without Spanish or any network.
Stop acting like this makes a difference and just because you want to spend less money you all of a sudden need these things to survive.
ricky_storch@reddit
Irresponsible as fuck and pure imagination.
FlippinFlags@reddit
I've been to Mexico 10+ times without knowing any Spanish.
Stop gatekeeping.
SalamancaVice@reddit
Not even the basics? Directions, food, drink, how much, please thank you etc?
FlippinFlags@reddit
Just gracias basically.
ricky_storch@reddit
Not gatekeeping - suggesting you shouldn't move half way across the world to an expensive capital city with less than a 17 year old kid working at a convenience store.
SalamancaVice@reddit
Can you breakdown your 350EUR a month living cost in Tallinn? How much are you paying for rent/food/expenses etc?
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
~170€ for rent (room, shared everything else with utilities priced inie) leaving 180€ which is ~5€ a day left over. Staple food being ramen 0.30€ a pack and on expiration groceries and produce with a -50% discount. The rare occations i ate out i went for the daily special for 5-8€. Drank water from the tap.
Aggressive_File2979@reddit
I hope you have enough for toilet paper, soap, shampoo, razors etc.. if you are cheap on those there is a problem
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Thats a fair point i didnt consider. But still, survivable.
SalamancaVice@reddit
That is some impressive budgeting, fair play.
How do you spend your days? Any particular free activity, study, work etc that you like to do?
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
I spent just around a month there to attend a workshop and the rest of my time just either on my phone watching movies/shows and chatting or drawing, playing my guitar, taking walks and other low cost activity with the things i already had access to.
Libraries are also good way to spend time and they have free wifi typically. Didnt go myself but there are a few outdoor gyms as well. The one i regret not knowing was a very well rated bjj gym that offers 11 days free training for a first timer. Would have been pretty dope.
Not really an extrovert and it wasnt that long a stay so no comment on nightlife or anything like that.
Worrybrotha@reddit
You can not survive with 350 euros in Tallinn if you have to pay rent. I am guessing OP still lives with his parents.
KB-say@reddit
See OP’s costs listed in response to a question above.
CommanderCorrigan@reddit
10 years ago maybe, certainly not anymore.
KristjanArvan@reddit
Mine vabatahtlikuks. Mõnes väga üksikus riigis mittemidagi tehes võid selle rahaga vegeteerida. aga sa ju ei taha mittemisagi teha?
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Tõsi tõsi. See 350€ pigem see halvima juhul kas saad elada kuniks juured alla saan ja sissetuleku leiaks. Alati saab muidugi ka koju pageda.
Purple_Storage2429@reddit
come to nepal
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Certainly on my list for tourism. Getting a flight seems like a pain, while 500€ isnt a huge the 34 hour flight with 20 hours spend waiting in Dubai is certainly a damper. Also i kinda feeling like rooting myself to a single location there would be a disservice to all it has to offer. Any specific locations or cities youd def recommend ?
Remarkable-Put518@reddit
I can tell where it's not possible to live decently on that value : Portugal.
Although you mention survive, which can be interpreted very differently.
phizikkklichcko@reddit
Ukraine lol
jatawis@reddit
Turkey? Their average salary is around 350 €/month.
Several-Box2976@reddit
South africa
DrowRanger6@reddit
Cebu, Philippines
TheRastafarian@reddit
India for sure.
BentPin@reddit
Taiwan/countryside in Japan.
Sad_Manufacturer5931@reddit
Taiwan and even rural Japan are not cheap
SafetyNoodle@reddit
Taiwan is very cheap for a developed country, but unless you are a student living in a 2-4 bed dorm with a scholarship in a smaller city you'll struggle to even scrape by on that sort of budget.
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
I looked into NICE and Wwofing in Japan as well cause Estonians under 30 have a special visa that allows up to a years stay (allowed to work) or 3 months tourist stay (no working).
xToxicInferno@reddit
Yeah, ops written English is great. Could likely get a job as a English teacher in Japan, pay won't be great but should be liveable and opens up more opportunities. Though I'm not sure if they hire non-native English speakers. Though be super careful to not get taken advantage of, as some of the schools that will sponsor you can be super predatory
kathand97@reddit
Not sure what it would be like coming from a different country or as a non-native speaker as you said, but I know someone who just left to teach English in Japan and her living expenses are paid for on top of getting a salary. I believe the program is only for a year though.
valeyard89@reddit
Met some retirees living in Ecuador... $180/mo rent. But they were out in the sticks a 5 hr ride from Quito.
pinkeyeinparis@reddit
maybe you could build a Time Machine
orange_1999@reddit
a school
BetYouWishYouKnew@reddit
Workaway is a similar scheme to wwoof, but i had more success finding hosts. That was nearly 10 years ago though
Whippoorwill88@reddit
In prison
berfdayboy@reddit (OP)
Norway here i come !
ToshibaTaken@reddit
This comparison website may aid in your quest: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
Secret-Grand6484@reddit
I live here in Garowe. North Somalia. Very cheap. Plentiful food. I have enough to put away money in savings. 😎
Ninja_bambi@reddit
Survive, virtually everywhere. About a billion people in the world live on $1 a day or less, another billion or so on $2 or less. With 10+ euros a day you're way above the poorest people if not average income. Even in expensive countries, eating supermarket food and living a homeless lifestyle is possible on 300 euros a month. Surviving is no problem, living a fulfilling life on that budget is a different matter.
If you go the wwoofing route you get free accommodation and food so in theory you don't need any money at all.