Want to Move Abroad Without Going Broke? Here Are the Most Affordable Countries in 2025
When I first started daydreaming about ditching my old life and heading overseas, I saw myself lounging at some beachside café, espresso in hand, sun baking my face, pretending to answer emails while the ocean did its thing in the background. Reality check: my bank account looked more like a sad meme than a travel fund. Oof.
But hey, plot twist—turns out you don’t actually have to be rolling in cash to pull off the whole “expat living my best life” thing. Honestly, there are a bunch of countries where you can live like royalty on what, back home, barely covers your rent and a couple of sad takeout dinners. Remote worker? Retiree? Just bored and want out? There are options, my friend.
So, here’s the lowdown on where you can stretch your dollars (or euros, or whatever) the most in 2025—straight from my own experience and a bunch of research I wish someone had handed me sooner.
1. Vietnam
Vietnam is, no joke, the MVP of budget living. Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City—take your pick. You get wild street food, killer coffee, and apartments that don’t cost your soul.
– Rent: $300–$500/month for a slick pad.
– Street eats: $1–$3 and honestly, you’ll probably dream about the food later.
– Coffee: Outrageously good, under $2.
Between the scenery and the chaos of motorbikes, it’s kinda impossible to be bored—or broke.
2. Mexico
If you’re from North America, Mexico is basically your affordable backyard. Mérida, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, even some corners of Mexico City—you’ll find culture, color, and tacos that’ll ruin you for Taco Bell forever.
– Rent: $400–$700/month.
– Monthly budget: $1,200–$1,500 (and that’s not living like a hermit).
– Plus, it’s super close to the U.S., so family guilt-trips are manageable.
Want beaches? Colonial charm? Hipster coffee shops? It’s all there.
3. Portugal
Portugal’s been blowing up for expats, and I get why. Lisbon’s pricey now, so look at Coimbra, Braga, or Faro for the chill Euro lifestyle without the Lisbon price tag.
– Rent: $500–$800/month outside the big cities.
– Healthcare: A+ and not going to bankrupt you.
– Visas: The D7 (passive income) or Digital Nomad visas are a breeze compared to most places.
Also: epic beaches, friendly people, and weather that’ll make you forget winter exists.
4. Georgia
Tbilisi is popping off lately. Digital nomads, artists, wanderers—everyone’s sniffing around Georgia. Their “Remotely from Georgia” visa gives you a year to figure out if khachapuri is your new favorite food.
– Rent: $250–$500/month.
– You can get by on less than a grand a month.
– Many nationalities get in visa-free for up to 365 days.
Mountains, wine, and a completely underrated food scene. Why is nobody talking about this place more?
5. Bulgaria
Wanna be in Europe without selling a kidney? Bulgaria. Sofia’s got a fun vibe; Plovdiv is more your “take it easy” kinda spot.
– Rent: $300–$500/month.
– Visas: Not impossible.
– Nature: Skiing, hiking, all the mountain stuff twenty minutes out of town.
Still kinda a secret, but whoops, cat’s out of the bag now.
6. Colombia
Medellín, aka “City of Eternal Spring.” Used to have a dodgy rep, but now? Totally livable, super friendly, and affordable.
– Rent: $400ish for a one-bedroom.
– Food: Cheap and ridiculously varied.
– Great transit, good healthcare, art everywhere.
Views for days, music on every street corner, and locals who’ll make you feel at home after two conversations.
7. Thailand
Chiang Mai is the OG digital nomad hotspot. If you want cheap eats, lush landscapes, and a whole tribe of remote workers, this is it.
– Rent: $300–$500/month.
– Living: $800–$1,000 covers you.
– Loads of coworking spaces, yoga, and all the smoothie bowls your Instagram can handle.
Visas are doable, especially if you’re retiring or working remotely, and you’ll probably get addicted to the whole “slow life” thing.
What does affordable really mean when moving abroad?
Yeah, rent matters, but so does everything else. Don’t forget to check:
– How much you’ll cough up if you get sick (healthcare)
– Can you get around without a car? (walkability, transit)
– Is the paperwork a nightmare? (visas)
– Are you gonna need Google Translate 24/7? (language)
– Is the currency stable, or bitcoin-on-a-bad-day?
– Safe enough to walk home at 2am? (infrastructure, safety)
The sweet spot? Living somewhere that lets you breathe easy—financially and literally—without sacrificing all your creature comforts.
Bottom line: you don’t need to win the lottery or sell off your childhood Pokémon cards. Pick your spot, plan a little, and you can totally swing life abroad. Every country here has its own flavor, so go with what fits you—not just what’s cheapest. At the end of the day, the best place? It’s where you feel like you actually belong—and maybe where the coffee doesn’t suck. Check out Outplore for more of this!
