If you enjoy spreading a dollar thinner than a Stretch Armstrong while traveling like me, then you’ll enjoy this one. Travel is something that’s part of my life, no not like it holds a dear little place in my heart, I mean I’m traveling more than I’m not at this point. While I like to think I do alright financially, I definitely don’t do well enough to be going to crazy expensive places and living the good life. I actually prefer to go cheap/interesting places so I can bend my spending power in my direction.
I also especially enjoy slow travel, meaning I like to go somewhere for a month or two, really get to know the place and then move on. This is how you get to know the locals, see the true culture and get an authentic feel, but there is nothing better than getting to do all that and spending next to nothing! I lived in Mexico and Argentina in major cities and paid no more than two or three hundred dollars per month for a room in a nice apartment, winning! Check out 3 of the cheapest cities to live in the world and maybe you’ll save Paris for a few years.
Asuncion, Paraguay
Considered by many to be the cheapest city in the world, Asuncion is somewhere you could retire at age 25. The city is pretty geographically isolated in the middle of South America, and this distance from the “outside world” shows. It was once a pretty rich country, but many wars ended up killing a huge chunk of the male population, so don’t be surprised if you see more women than men around (not such a bad thing). 65% of the population is under the age of 30 as well making it a pretty young feeling city.
You will also hear more Guarani (the indigenous language) being spoken than Spanish as it is an official language of Paraguay along with español. Most people are bilingual in the city, but if you head out to the countryside, make sure to make a local friend to bring a long to translate!
Prices are so low in Asuncion that you might actually feel like you’re stealing. The most expensive hotels in the city cost no more than $40 or $50 dollars a night, and you can expect to find an apartment rental in the downtown area for around $125 – $150 per month. But don’t plan on working there and living the good life, the average salary is only about $200-250 per month, so better to set up an international money transfer and work a little extra at home and send over your home currency.
Lublin, Poland
After a recent trip to Poland, I was shocked to see how cheap Krakow was, and the locals were telling me how they were even jacking up the prices for the Euro Cup 2012. After a little more research, I came across another city in Poland, Lublin, that is known for being even cheaper! This little gem is the 9th largest city in Poland and has held significant positions in the country’s history and development.
Numbeo says that beers only cost about a buck, a good meal is less than five dollars and you can rent a nice apartment in the city center for under $350. While Lublin is more expensive than Asuncion, I think it makes up for it with infrastructure, beautiful architecture and things to do besides drink and dance salsa (ain’t nothing wrong with that though).
Karachi, Pakistan
If you want an epic living abroad experience, Karachi, Pakistan is the place for you. It’s massive, with a metro population over 13,000,000 people. Long the cultural and economic capital of the country (the political capital is now Islamabad), this coastal metropolis has plenty to see and do.
It is one of the most diverse cities in the world with people flooding in from all over the region to find work and live a better life. What’s even more special about Karachi is that even a homeless person in America could beg for enough money to make it there. An apartment in the city center rents for less than $90/month, a bus ticket costs less than 20 cents and you can eat a decent meal for 2 bucks. Sounds like the perfect place to escape for a while!
While alcohol is technically illegal in Pakistan, you can find plenty of hotel bars even clubs and taverns happy to whet your whistle, just don’t get caught or you could face 80 lashings, ouch!
Ever lived somewhere dirt cheap and worth a visit? Share the wealth!
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You could boomerang and sleep on a futon in your parents’ office room. Just kidding.
Just One Boomer recently posted..Eire (No, Not Pennsylvania) — Ireland, The Emerald Isle
I’m currently staying in Nepal for four months, mainly in an attempt to save some money over that period. It’s incredibly cheap: I’m paying right around $100 per month for my hotel room in Kathmandu and you could get by with much less than that if you choose to get an apartment and move outside the city center. Of course you have to give up such luxuries as running water and electricity for large parts of every day…
Daniel McBane recently posted..Singapore Jungle–Exploring the Heart of Darkness
Oh wow! Yea, I think I’d be willing to splurge on the $100 usd for running water….and electricity haha
wow thats damn cheap , 100 for one month of living there !!
I know right, you could work like half a day in the western world and pay your whole monthly rent there!
This put some new pins on my “places to consider” map! Have a feeling most of the travel blogging world would be interested in this post
Nice one.
Jenna | Follow Ben and Jenna recently posted..Our own Sunday travel section (why we do what we do)
Awesome! Maybe we can share a ten cent beer in one of them sooner than later!
Sure I vote for Nepal! I went 2 times. Last one stayed 4 months. I lived in a beautiful room with kitchen on top of a guest house with the view of Arnapurna mountains and gorgeous lake for around 100USD a month.
Peaceful place, amazing people. Highly recommend.
Dan recently posted..Carnaval 2013: já escolheu o seu destino?
Thanks for sharing Dan. Definitely heard Nepal is an amazing place, thanks for adding it to the list!