We’ve all had the feeling when travelling: the desire for it to never end. That’s where living abroad comes in. It offers the chance to immerse yourself in a foreign country and culture on a long-term basis, and appreciate the little details. After one too many two-week holidays, I started spending longer in each destination – and here are my top five countries where your money goes further.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
While Bosnia and Herzegovina is very much part of Europe, the prices won’t make you feel that way. Rent in the central hubs of Sarajevo and Mostar is half what you’d pay in Western European counterparts, and I regularly ate at cafes for less than $5 per meal. Speaking of food, one of my favourite parts of the country is the price of fresh produce: my weekly market shop had entirely organic ingredients, yet never exceeded $30.
There’s a delightful, slower pace of living in Bosnia & Herzegovina, the type which makes you plant roots. Combine it with locals who are always keen for a chat, cheap inter-city transport, and a rich combo of nature and city-dwelling, and you’ve got premium living on a budget.
Nicaragua
This is one of the cheapest countries I’ve stayed in Central America, somewhere you can easily live for under $1,000/month. I did exactly that in the vibrant beach town of San Juan del Sur, a place with some of the best surf in the world and the liveliest bars I’ve frequented. You’re never far from a good time, and there’s a strong community of digital nomads who’ve set up there. Regardless, the locals will always make you feel welcome, sharing the country’s fruits, vegetables, and a few shots of local rum.
The cities have plenty to offer, too, and I did crazy things like volcano boarding for less than $20. It’s a great alternative to the slower pace of life the Pacific surf towns offer, and it means Nicaragua has something for everyone.
Lithuania
I remember sitting in a pub in Kaunas, enjoying some of the best craft beers I’ve ever had. After four or five, I started worrying about what I was about to pay for the privilege – thankfully, it was $12 in total. Lithuania offers a modern, high-quality standard of living without breaking the bank. Everything from healthcare to public transport felt comparable to places like Germany or the UK, but at a fraction of the price. I couldn’t believe the quality of the supermarkets, bars, and the level of cleanliness in the streets.
There are plenty of co-working spaces for less than $5 per day as part of a push to bring in digital nomads, and you can stay in a Vilnius flat for less than $500 per month. The capital is youthful and lively, with a great music scene – importantly, it’s also a very safe place to live. If you want to experience everything from frigid Baltic winters to summer lakehouses in the hills, this is the place for you.
Kyrgyzstan
The great outdoors. Switzerland on a budget, as I like to call it: you can’t avoid lakes, mountains, forests and deserts in Kyrgyzstan. It’s increasingly a hub for outdoorsmen, people who want to keep the wilderness close by without paying a fortune. Count me in that category – I stayed in Karakol, a place with wonderful accommodation for $300/month, but with easy access to some of the most scenic trekking I’ve experienced. Infrastructure is far beyond what most expect, and in cities like Karakol and Bishkek, you can easily work as a digital nomad; it’s becoming a hot spot for travel influencers to settle.
Rent, food, and transport are all cheap. Chinese-inspired cuisine costs less than $1 per meal in some places, and a cross-country shared taxi costs only $8. Kyrgyzstan holds a special place in my heart, and it’s a country I encourage everyone to visit. You’ll probably end up staying longer than you intended.
Sri Lanka
In terms of value for money, it’s very hard to beat Sri Lanka. Delicious food? Yep. Cross-country trains? Of course. Varied landscapes? Well, you can go from the beach to the mountains to rolling tea plantations within 50km. None of this will break the bank, and you can get kottu (a unique and delicious local dish) for a couple of bucks, or a train right the way from Colombo to Ella for $10.
The island’s climate is practically split in two, meaning that in the off-season for one area, you can simply go to the other. You’ll get beach vibes part of the year and spiritual inland living the other. A truly colourful and sensory experience, Sri Lanka will steal your heart, not your money.
To sum it up…
Budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. These countries prove you can enjoy a high quality of living without constantly stressing over money, whether you’re looking for city living, beach towns, or natural splendour. These spots offer it all, and at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the West – trust me.
