Lowest cost of living in Central/Latin America (crime, house)

[jtur88]

Nobody lists on craigslist unless the property is high-rent enough to make it worthwhile. Is he place you saw that price for a singe month, or on a long term lease? Sometimes places there that are offered to Gringoes are completely furnished, with maid service and use of a car. There are plenty of much cheaper places in San Jose, but it would be more expensive there than anywhere wlse in Central America. Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador are all very cheap. But in Bolivia, you wouldn't be able to tolerate the altitude, ecxept in Santa Cruz, which is not that cheap. I think you can rent very nice seaside villas in Dominican Republic very cheap.

[cabolissa]

I heard great things from a co-worker who just returned from visiting her family in Peru...

[NJB88]

Brazil is another idea, although they speak Portuguese. Joao Pessoa is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL, a fairly reasonable place to live in terms of expense, and the people are WONDERFUL. I haven't been to this city yet, but I have been to Brazil, and it's the closest thing to HEAVEN on EARTH as you can get. Just my opinion of course. Joaso Pessoa is also the second greenest city in the world- right behind Paris.

[Cornerguy1]

Great ideas, guys, but, unless they've re-drawn the maps in the last couple of days, neither of the countries is in Central America.

[tijlover]

In Bolivia, most of the returning retiring Bolivians like Cochabamba, it's much lower in altitude than Sucre or La Paz and not so horridly hot and humid as Santa Cruz. Tarija, to the south, is also a lot lower in altitude. I visited both these cities a few years back.

With me, climate would be the deciding factor, the perfect climate: never too hot to need an air-conditioner, never too cold to need a heater. And there's several cheaper places to go other than Costa Rica. I've traveled widely throughout Latin America and if I were to expat-it anywhere down there the closest I've come to finding that perfect climate would be the higher altitude areas (3000-4500 feet up) of Honduras, Nicaragua or even El Salvador. Guatamala City and Antigua is a litttle too high up (5000+ feet) as I found out on my last trip there in November, people walking around with leather coats on at night. I couldn't believe how cold it could get at night in Guatamala City, but then there was a strong breeze and windchill is windchill.

I have found that the real estate websites (bienes raices) are similar to real estate websites anywhere in the world, they're trying to sell the most expensive homes or rent out the most expensive apartments.

I had thought about Ecuador but that's not perfect climate territory for me. If you get onto weatherunderground.com it will give you all the data you need to help make your decision. Quito, at 9500 feet in altitude, is considered the city of eternal springtime, BUT, when you look at those temp's in January, potentially falling to the low 30's at night, that's not perfect climate. Do your research and research it well before making such a major decision.

[Gerardo Returns]

Originally Posted by NJB88

Brazil is another idea, although they speak Portuguese. Joao Pessoa is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL, a fairly reasonable place to live in terms of expense, and the people are WONDERFUL. I haven't been to this city yet, but I have been to Brazil, and it's the closest thing to HEAVEN on EARTH as you can get. Just my opinion of course. Joaso Pessoa is also the second greenest city in the world- right behind Paris.

I've heard and read so many beautiful and positive stories about northeast Brazil. I'm hoping to read what others have to say about the area, like the local people, real estate prices, lifestyle, tell me everything.

[NJB88]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Great ideas, guys, but, unless they've re-drawn the maps in the last couple of days, neither of the countries is in Central America.

The intial post was for CENTRAL/LATIN AMERICA. Latin America is CENTRAL and SOUTH America. So, Peru, Brazil, all were fitting of Latin America. Latin America is really the countires in which "romance languages" are spoken. Not trying to be too technical here, but I'm a big geography buff, and I know what I was replying to.


Gerardo- PM me and I can get you in touch with some people who can tell you more about Nordeste (Northeast) of Brazil.

Tchau!

[DBCC]

Suggestions:

Argentina has low cost housing and low cost of living. I would avoid Buenos Aires altogether as it will be comparable to prices in big cities of USA.
The interior is entirely different: A Three bedroom Apartment in the City of Cordoba/Villa Carlos Paz or a three bedroomed/two bathroom house can cost between U$400 and U$ 600 per month. It will, however, be a two year contract. A Family of four can live on less than U$ 800 per month, eating well at home and out at least four times a month.
Argentina boasts the seven climates of the world (from deserts to Glaciers)and you can virtually choose which climate is the best suited to your preferences.
Suggest you bring your own car with you. Cars are expensive and a O miles- cheapest model will cost you in the region of U$15000. Utilities are cheap. Schools and Universities are free if you have residence permit and speak Spanish.
I would not recommend Paraguay, Bolivia or Peru All of their infrastructures are inferior to what one is used to and in many cases precarious.
If you are looking at Brazil, Fortaleza and Belem are ideal and far away from the Crime of Sao Paulo, Brazilia and Rio de Janiero.
Chile is a good option and probably the most advanced and progressive country on the continent.
Just and opinion and if you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am a foreigner who has been living in Argentina for the last 24 years and has travelled extensively in South America. Argentina is still the best bet, if you are outside of Buenos Aires.
Take care and good luck with your search.
Dee

[DBCC]

As a footnote, if you are thinking to learn the language, it normally takes about three to four months to communicate and about 8 to become totally fluent for the younger learners (16-35) who have to deal with daily life. If you are older than this and isolate yourself this may take considerably longer. If I was going to do what you are considering on a low budget, I would consider smaller towns/locations where you would be forced to have greater contact with the people.
If you are a professional there are many companies in the USA seeking people for positions in Latin America so you could earn while you learn.....
Available for questions......comments, or to clear up concerns.
Happy Monday! ;o)
Dee

[DBCC]

One other thing. Fuel is approx U$ 0,75c a liter (4,2 liter = 1 Gallon) for Super. Diesel is the same price but cars can be U$4-5K more if running on this fuel. Seventy per cent (70%) of Argentines use LPG in their cars (Small cars approx U$3.00 per 60 miles - Medium about U$9.00 for 120 Miles, and many SUV/4x4's run on LPG with two or three tanks, plus the fuel tank for emergencies). Argentines do not drive, they just normally "aim" and hope for the best, very much aggressive and not defensive driving.
No speed limits are enforced although for the first time they are trying to put speed traps on the major highway between Buenos Aires/Cordoba cities. They are not being very successful as they do not have a coordinated Federal follow-up to recover fines.
Land taxes have recently risen almost 300 % in Urban and Closed Community (Gated estates) to try and refurbish funds lacking by local governments. They are still very low.
Home purchasing is very negotiable and offers can be made. Suggest one gets an attorney/lawyer to "oversee" all property transactions.
Vehicle and Home insurance are available at reasonable rates.
Schools do not offer transport for children, normally paid direct to transport company.
Adolescents normally have dinner at home on a Friday/Saturday night, depart near midnight to drink coffee with friends at local Coffee House, then go to discotheques at approx 2:00 am. Dancing normally lasts until 07;30 when they return home. Low crime rate/crimes of violence and they can walk freely without hindrance outside of major cities.
High incidence of alcohol abuse in adolescents between 14-18 years of age. Normally by 18 have "got over it" and become responsible due to being admitted to universities, and growing up!
Driving age: 18. Not really respected in small towns/cities.
Hope this helps to give you more info.
Regards
Dee