[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Rob,

Mention the word Caribbean and most people think of Barbados, Puerto Rico, Antigua… crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. Great for a vacation, but moving there… just too expensive, right?

Not necessarily. The Caribbean isn’t restricted to just those few islands. By broadening your horizons, and your perceived idea of “the Caribbean”, you can still find a home at an affordable price.

These are places with Caribbean coastlines where you can purchase a house for a lot less money than you’d spend in Barbados, or even the US. Places where the cost of living won’t leave you penniless, and where you have every amenity that you have back home.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our top five recommendations for Caribbean island living that won’t break the bank… as well as two that just might.

You can find it on our newly revamped website, right here: 5 Best Affordable Caribbean Islands to Live On…and 2 to Avoid.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Janice,

Greece is a country that’s always been on our radar. But with recent developments regarding its economy, golden visa situation, and other factors, it’s a destination that’s rising in our estimation.

The quality of medical care in Greece is generally excellent, especially in major centers like Athens and Thessaloniki. In more remote parts of the country, you may find the level of English spoken by your doctor and the standard of care a bit more hit-or-miss.

Emergency health care in Greece is free regardless of nationality. For non-emergencies, most expats opt for some form of private health insurance, which provides better quality care and shorter waiting times than the Greek public system provides.

Pharmacies are abundant throughout the country—Greece has more pharmacists per capita than any other nation in Europe.

We have a detailed breakdown of healthcare in Greece, from an expat with personal experience, on our website here.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi John,

That really depends on where in Thailand you would like to live, and how integrated with the locals you plan to get.

If you’re living in one of the major cities, a popular tourist area, or a known expat community, you can get by with speaking English. However, when you move out of these areas English is not widely spoken, and some Thai language is needed.

Learning the language can improve your understanding of the culture, make it easier to communicate within businesses and officials, make new Thai friends, get better prices at markets, keep your brain active and help you find out what is happening in your town by being able to read or communicate with Thais.

It’s also respectful, and Thai people appreciate foreigners who try—even if you’re not especially fluent.

And that’s understandable, because the Thai language can be quite difficult for English speakers to learn. It’s a tonal language, which means individual syllables have a corresponding tone and may result in different meanings.

Most expats learn minimum greetings, polite requests, and thank you. That’s generally enough to get by in expat areas and to show willingness with the locals, given the complexity of the language to Western ears.

If you choose to go further than this, identify precisely why you want to learn Thai and to what level. Do you want to be at a beginner level and understand greetings and make polite requests? Are you aiming for advanced, detailed conversation in Thai? Do you want to be able to read and write?

Having a clear picture in mind can help you refocus if you lose your mojo. A clear goal will help you choose the right learning methods for you and your budget.

Fortunately, there are many resources online and a fantastic range of ways to learn Thai.

Initially, I would recommend an online program like ThaiPod 101. This site sometimes offers packages giving full access to their online programs from about $7 per month, and you can upgrade to receive online tuition.

The company also has a YouTube channel with lots of free lessons, which you can find here.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Aaron,

Your existing credit and debit cards will likely work in Thailand, but using them can be costly.

When you withdraw cash using a foreign card, you’ll be charged an ATM fee of about 220 THB (around $6.12; it will likely appear as part of the withdrawal amount and not as a separate fee on your statement).

Your bank back home may charge its own fees on top of this. Plus, many institutions may give a poor exchange rate and/or charge fees up to as much as 5%.

Credit cards can be used at larger businesses, but some add a fee or surcharge of up to 1.5% , and your bank may apply additional fees and charges.

Before leaving home, tell your bank representative that you’re planning on spending time in Thailand and discuss these fees. You may find that opening an account in a different bank in the U.S., Canada, or wherever home may be, can save you money when you get to Thailand.

Some banks—like Charles Schwab—have special offers for things like foreign ATM fee reimbursement, or better bill paying options, while others (like Capital One) may offer credit cards with no foreign currency fees. You’ll find it well worth your while to research these options exhaustively.

Be sure to check out our dedicated Thailand resource page before you visit.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Greg,

One big benefit to living in Thailand is its excellent, inexpensive healthcare. The quality, particularly in the private system, is as good as what you’ll find in the U.S. or Canada.

And prices are low. They’re a third to a half of what you’d pay back home for similar services.

In fact, because of the low cost of treatment, most expats do not bother with insurance for outpatient care. Inpatient-only coverage combined with a reasonable deductible can result in affordable monthly premiums for most people.

Some expats only purchase accident insurance, which is much cheaper than full health coverage. Others forgo medical insurance altogether and rely on the money saved from living abroad for unforeseen medical emergencies.

Expats don’t have access to Thailand’s public health scheme. But they do have access to three healthcare options: local clinics, private hospitals, and public hospitals.

Local Clinics

Local clinics are set-up for the resident population, but expats are also welcome. All are operated by well qualified and experienced medical practitioners. A consultation with an English- speaking doctor, treatment for any ailments, plus any required medications (which is usually dispensed by a pharmacist on staff at the clinic) typically cost no more than $14 a visit.

Private Hospitals

Outpatient departments at the major hospitals serve as an alternative to the local clinics. And Thailand has a large network of public and private hospitals. In fact, the country has 51 private hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the gold standard for hospital care.

In Bangkok and Chiang Mai’s private hospitals, you can expect a quality equal to standards in the U.S. There are also some very good private facilities in Hua Hin, Udon Thani, Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui where most primary and secondary medical care problems can be dealt with.

Public Hospitals

Public or government run hospitals are much less expensive than their private counterparts, but they are generally more crowded and sometimes less well-equipped. However, all the medical facilities in the country are staffed by well-trained doctors and nurses who provide excellent care to both expats and locals alike.

Read more about healthcare in Thailand on the dedicated page of our website here.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Trudi,

You won’t have any trouble finding alternative medicine in Italy.

Many Italians swear by their homeopath or acupuncturist. Erboristerie (herbal medicine shops) are practically everywhere, and the staff can put you in touch with local practitioners. You’ll also find herbal medicines and homeopathic products in major pharmacies. A para-farmacia is almost exclusively homeopathic.

Traditional remedies that have been passed down through the generations are still widely used and sold in Italy. For example, lemon juice is often used to treat colds, and garlic is a favorite remedy for high blood pressure and bronchitis. In some rural areas, stomach aches are banished with the help of a canarino—a herbal tea made from bay leaves and lemon rind… it gets its name from the canary-like color of the liquid.

If you do get sick, you’ll find all of the usual and alternative treatments easily, as well as another highly favored healing option…

Italy has dozens of healing spas. Known as terme, these mineral springs are said to have curative powers. Although, to be honest, more often than not, a visit to a spa is just an excuse for some luxurious pampering.

If you’re enrolled in the healthcare system and have a covered illness, you are entitled to one week of curative spa treatments each year. Your doctor will provide you with the prescription, indicating the proper mineral springs and spa cures.

You can find out more about the curative powers of thermal hot springs, along with a list of spas throughout Italy, from the Italian Federation of Thermal Industries and Curative Mineral Waters.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Robin,

When moving to Italy, it’s good to keep in mind the old phrase—less is more!

Italian Customs Officers, Dogane, are very thorough. Every box and every item must be accounted for, listed, described, and can be taxed. Therefore, it’s wise to move only used, personal items—not new items or things that can be purchased in Italy.

The Italian Customs Authority is protective of their country’s economic well-being and wants you to purchase what you need in Italy. Ordinarily, much of what you need to buy is available at less expense in Italy than the cost of shipping and customs duty.

The customs information forms in Italian are time-consuming and detailed. But once the documents are complete, your shipped items are delivered intact and complete.

To ship a container can cost between $1,150 to $4,850, depending on the size (20ft. to 40ft.).

The average delivery time is three to four months from the date of shipping from the U.S. to the date of delivery to your location.

If you’re buying a home in Italy you should consider that, most of the time, it will come furnished. Italians seldom take their furnishings, leaving most essential items behind, but this is case-by-case. Always ask what will be available.

You can find more information that will help your move to Italy on the dedicated page of our website.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Judy,

Great idea to rent for a year before making a more permanent decision. If you’re considering buying property in an area, it always pays to make sure it’s for you first..

The process for finding a rental in Spain is pretty similar to the way it is at home—albeit using different websites. One very useful website is Idealista.com. This aggregation site offers properties for sale and rent throughout Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

You can search the region you’re interested in and directly contact real estate agents offering long-term rentals. While the site has an English version (linked to above), be aware that not all the agents you’ll find through it will speak English.

In places like the Costa del Sol, and Costa Blanca—both popular with expats—you’re more likely to deal with English-speaking agents. But in other, more authentically Spanish parts of the country, some Spanish skills may come in handy.

Scan the properties available and create a list of potentials. Once you get to Spain, meet with your local contacts and tour the properties in person. It’s a good idea to let the property agency know your competence with the local language, so they can send a representative with reasonable English to meet you if needed.

I also recommend joining region-specific Facebook groups. Groups like Expats Costa del Sol, Expats in Málaga City, or Barcelona Expats can be great sources of rentals, as members often post looking to sublet or rent their places. These groups are also invaluable for connecting with people on the ground to ask practical questions.

The most important thing to remember is not to put down a deposit or send money without seeing the property.

Yes, this might mean the extra expense of staying in a hotel or an Airbnb while you narrow down your search. But better that than discovering the photos on the website don’t match up with reality… the supposedly “beachfront” property is anything but… or your neighbors play loud music into the night.

Most property managers and owners are honest folks, but better safe than sorry.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Joe,

Marijuana laws in Spain are complicated. Basically, private use is legal in your own home or on private property. Buying or selling marijuana is illegal and could land you in jail.

Medical marijuana falls under the same laws as recreational marijuana. Cultivation in your home is legal, but you can only have two plants that are not in public view.

It is legal to buy and sell paraphernalia, seeds, and hemp products.

CBD oil is legal (for topical use, not consumption) and widely available.

Although you may see people smoking openly on the streets, in the parks and on the beaches, don’t do it! You could be fined and/or sent to jail.

The legal way to use cannabis in Spain is to join a private, members-only cannabis club. These clubs are considered private spaces, so you can only enjoy your marijuana socially within the walls of the club. No weed can leave the premises and you cannot bring your own onto the premises.

Clubs are not allowed to advertise, so you will have to ask around. Some only allow Spanish citizens. Some require a referral from a current member. You pay a membership fee in cash and select from the products they have available. Some clubs have become sources of medical marijuana.

In Cataluña, marijuana use is legal but only within the context of the clubs. Beware of sellers telling you marijuana is legal on the streets of Barcelona. For all the rules, visit this website.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Carmel,

A good place to begin your search would be moving inland, and taking a look at the colonial highland regions. In the high Sierra region, the heat and humidity you find at many of Mexico’s beaches won’t be as much of a problem.

If you’re interested in living in this region, it’s hard to pick somewhere you’ll enjoy more than San Miguel de Allende; a charming, cultural hotspot, tucked away in the comfortable climate of the Mexican colonial highlands.

San Miguel’s air is crisp and clean, enjoying a moderate climate year-round, which makes for perfect t-shirt weather. Most days, the temperatures will linger around 70s F, while the nights are cool but not cold, sitting around the 50 F mark consistently.

Besides its ideal climate (in your case), San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico’s pre-eminent expat hubs. It’s incredibly popular for people with an interest in the arts. Its old town is a protected UNESCO heritage site, and there’s a ton of cultural activities relating to traditional festivals, art, music, and food to enjoy all year long.

San Miguel’s nickname is “the heart of Mexico,” and it’s easy to see why. It’s the perfect way to combine the beautiful weather Mexico has to offer, without suffering the same level of accompanying humidity you often find at the beach, while immersing yourself in an old colonial town that’s distinctly and truly a Mexican cultural haven..

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Franklin,

Congratulations on your choice of Porto as a potential overseas destination. I hope you’re having fun on your exploratory trip.

With so much to do in the city, it’s a safe bet. Porto has something for everyone—from touring the local football stadium to handmade azulejo tile workshops; from visiting the soaring Cathedral to finding the perfect brunch spot on Rua de Cedofeita, Portugal’s “second city” is a delight.

Due to its history and ongoing international business presence, Porto has a welcoming attitude toward expats. So you shouldn’t have much trouble finding some expats in the city.

There are several international organizations in the city, for example, InterNations Porto, that hold expat events specifically designed to connect people from all over the world who have relocated to the city.

Another fantastic resource you shouldn’t overlook is Facebook. There are plenty of expat Facebook groups in the city, and many of the people you’ll find there are happy to offer advice, answer questions, and even get together with new or potential members of the Porto expat community.

Many of these groups are private, but simply requesting to join and explaining why (usually through a series of questions in the request process) is enough to get you in. Closed groups merely prevent the expats involved being spammed by businesses, and shouldn’t be interpreted as a desire to keep people out.

You should look into Porto Expats, Porto Internationals, and Porto Internationals: Expats & Locals.

Best of luck with your visit!

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Sasha,

Considered the oldest city in Portugal, Braga is located in the north, about 20 miles east of the wind-surfing destination of Esposende.

Like so many cities in Portugal, Braga’s history was influenced by Roman occupation, and the city’s architecture and landscape vividly recall those ancient days. The magnificent Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, a sacred pilgrimage site, sits perched on a hill and is accessed by a spectacular staircase or the world’s oldest water-powered funicular.

The population of almost 200,000 is primarily Portuguese, but there’s a sprinkling of residents from Brazil, Africa, China, and Eastern European countries. The University of Minho adds diversity to the populace as well, with Erasmus students coming from all over Europe and the Far East.

That youthful influence gives a lift to an otherwise very traditional city, and many of the younger locals speak passable English. This, and the fact that many shopkeepers and restaurant owners cater to tourists, makes Braga an easy spot for expats to adopt as their own.

Braga’s climate is moderate. In summer, temperatures average around 69 F, while in winter that falls to around 47 F. December is the wettest month, with rainfall of about seven inches—similar to nearby Porto’s.

For all its richness, life in Braga is reasonably affordable. A couple can rent a two-bedroom apartment, enjoy the city’s youthful vibe, and live nicely for $2,200 per month or $26,000 a year.

Read more about Braga in the in-depth exploration of Portugal in your monthly International Living, here.

[Jennifer Stevens]

Hi Wilma,

Thanks for reaching out with your question. Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, which, along with its great climate, makes it a popular expat destination.

Accommodation, which will arguably be the greatest cost for most expats, varies around the country, but is generally reasonable.

In the capital, Lisbon, you can find rentals for around $650 a month for a simple one bedroom in the central neighborhoods of Chiado, and the Baixa. You can get more comfortable one-two bed apartments in these neighborhoods starting at around $1,000 a month. This is still a real bargain, relative to the cost in some other European capital cities.

In the south, the Algarve is a particularly popular destination for expats and tourists alike, so there you can expect to pay significantly higher rates.

Basic utilities, such as electricity, heating and water for a mid-priced apartment can come out at about $80 a month. Depending on where you are, you may need to pay additionally for more heating during the admittedly mild winter, or more likely, for air-conditioning during the hot summer.

The cost of food is also low in Portugal. Many cities and towns enjoy an assortment of impressive local markets boasting a wide variety of fresh local meat and produce. Many of these markets will stock excellent, locally produced wine and olive oil, reducing the cost of typically expensive items. A couple could pay a grocery bill starting from $200 a month but could be more, depending on personal choices.

Dining in restaurants doesn’t need to break the bank either; lunch specials cost only about $9-$12 for a full sit-down meal. You can get a dinner for two, with wine, for around $30 in many places.

Healthcare is also a mere fraction of what you could expect to pay in the U.S. A visit to the doctor, for example, through public services costs as little as $5, and even going to a private service will only set you back around $50. Similarly, most medications are going to be significantly cheaper in Portugal than the United States.

As reasonable budget for a couple living in most suburban areas of the country would be around $2,500 per month, housing included.

Get a more detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Portugal on our newly revamped website.

[Author]

Posts