5 countries where a low social security check buys a middle-class life

If I were If I were single today and had a single today and had a below- below- average Social Security benefit, I would average Social Security benefit, I would average Social Security benefit, I would move to one of move to one of move to one of these five countries to these five countries to these five countries to live an live an live an average average average life. Now, in life. Now, in life. Now, in 2026, the average 2026, the average 2026, the average Social Social Social Security benefit in the United States Security benefit in the United States Security benefit in the United States is about is about is about $2,000 per month. $2,000 per month. $2,000 per month. But if your But if your But if your paycheck is below paycheck is below paycheck is below average, say average, say average, say $1,200 a month, $1,200 a month, $1,200 a month, living in the US means a living in the US means a living in the US means a very strict budget. very strict budget. very strict budget. But what if that same But what if that same But what if that same $1,200 could get $1,200 could get $1,200 could get you a comfortable you a comfortable you a comfortable middle-class life middle-class life middle-class life abroad? So if I abroad? So if I abroad? So if I had a low had a low had a low Social Social Social Security benefit and wanted to Security benefit and wanted to Security benefit and wanted to live a live a live a middle-class life middle-class life middle-class life abroad, I would choose abroad, I would choose abroad, I would choose one of these five countries one of these five countries . I won't name . I won't name . I won't name you a country unless you a country unless you a country unless Chun and I have been there Chun and I have been there Chun and I have been there personally and personally and personally and felt safe. felt safe. felt safe. I left the United I left the United I left the United States 19 years ago, and States 19 years ago, and States 19 years ago, and I have now lived in 78 I have now lived in 78 I have now lived in 78 countries. Let the countries. Let the countries. Let the countdown of countdown of countdown of countries begin. countries begin. countries begin. Number five, Albania. Number five, Albania. Number five, Albania. Chun and I spent time in Chun and I spent time in Chun and I spent time in four cities while we four cities while we four cities while we were in Albania in were in Albania in were in Albania in 2024. I have 2024. I have 2024. I have detailed videos and detailed videos and detailed videos and written reports on written reports on written reports on two of these cities. Of all the two of these cities. Of all the two of these cities. Of all the countries I've been to in countries I've been to in countries I've been to in Europe over the past 40 Europe over the past 40 Europe over the past 40 years, Albania years, Albania years, Albania really really really stands out in my stands out in my stands out in my memory. Albania has a memory. Albania has a memory. Albania has a youthful energy and youthful energy and youthful energy and sense of opportunity sense of opportunity that we haven't experienced that we haven't experienced that we haven't experienced in many parts of in many parts of in many parts of Europe. Young people Europe. Young people Europe. Young people can open can open can open restaurants for less than restaurants for less than restaurants for less than a third of what it would a third of what it would a third of what it would cost in cost in cost in Western Europe.

Western Europe. Western Europe. Albania had a fresh Albania had a fresh Albania had a fresh sense of excitement. sense of excitement. Tirana, the capital of Tirana, the capital of Albania, had glass Albania, had glass Albania, had glass skyscrapers alongside skyscrapers alongside skyscrapers alongside ancient temples ancient temples , monuments, and a , monuments, and a , monuments, and a rich history that rich history that rich history that we enjoyed we enjoyed we enjoyed learning about on the spot. And learning about on the spot. And learning about on the spot. And it seemed that our it seemed that our it seemed that our money was money was money was being spent being spent being spent much more efficiently in Albania much more efficiently in Albania . To get a . To get a . To get a retirement visa in retirement visa in retirement visa in Albania, you must Albania, you must Albania, you must show around show around show around $1,200 per month in $1,200 per month in $1,200 per month in social social social security or security or security or pension and have a one-year pension and have a one-year pension and have a one-year rental agreement with an rental agreement with an rental agreement with an Albanian Albanian Albanian landlord. Another landlord. Another landlord. Another option is a option is a option is a property purchase visa, property purchase visa, property purchase visa, which requires 20 m² or which requires 20 m² or which requires 20 m² or more for each person more for each person applying for the applying for the applying for the visa. We visa. We visa. We interviewed expats interviewed expats interviewed expats living in Albania. living in Albania. living in Albania. Their cost of Their cost of Their cost of living ranges living ranges living ranges from about from about from about $500 for one person $500 for one person $500 for one person to $2,200 per to $2,200 per to $2,200 per month for two people. month for two people. month for two people. If you write " If you write " prove it" in prove it" in prove it" in the comments below, I will the comments below, I will the comments below, I will give you links to give you links to give you links to people in Albania people in Albania people in Albania we we we interviewed with these interviewed with these interviewed with these numbers. For a numbers. For a numbers. For a middle-class life for a middle-class life for a middle-class life for a single person with a single person with a single person with a low low low social social social security payment, I would security payment, I would security payment, I would probably live about a probably live about a probably live about a mile from the center of mile from the center of mile from the center of Tirana, the capital of Tirana, the capital of Tirana, the capital of Albania. I just really Albania. I just really Albania. I just really love the love the love the energy there, the energy there, the energy there, the amazing amazing amazing architecture, the architecture, the architecture, the diverse nightlife, diverse nightlife, diverse nightlife, and the great and the great and the great little coffee shops and little coffee shops and little coffee shops and retail boutiques that retail boutiques that retail boutiques that can be found all over the can be found all over the can be found all over the city.

city. city. Furnished Furnished Furnished short-term short-term short-term rentals on Airbnb start at $ rentals on Airbnb start at $ rentals on Airbnb start at $ 675 per month, 675 per month, 675 per month, including including including utilities, depending on the utilities, depending on the utilities, depending on the area and season. To area and season. To area and season. To find a one-year find a one-year find a one-year lease on a furnished lease on a furnished lease on a furnished one-bedroom one-bedroom one-bedroom apartment for around apartment for around apartment for around 500 per month plus 500 per month plus 500 per month plus utilities, you will utilities, you will utilities, you will have to have to have to use my use my housing search methodology. Write " apartments" in the comments apartments" in the comments apartments" in the comments to find out about it. to find out about it. to find out about it. Beach lovers Beach lovers Beach lovers should visit should visit should visit Saranda in Albania, which is Saranda in Albania, which is Saranda in Albania, which is opposite southern opposite southern opposite southern Italy and overlooks the Italy and overlooks the Italy and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Adriatic Sea. Adriatic Sea. The cost of living that The cost of living that The cost of living that my my my guests talk about is not your guests talk about is not your guests talk about is not your cost of living. You will cost of living. You will cost of living. You will have to go have to go have to go there in person to there in person to there in person to find out about your find out about your find out about your real real real living expenses. So, number living expenses. So, number living expenses. So, number four on our four on our four on our list is the Philippines. I list is the Philippines. I list is the Philippines. I spent several years spent several years spent several years in the Philippines in 23 in the Philippines in 23 in the Philippines in 23 different cities, and I different cities, and I different cities, and I wrote reports and made wrote reports and made wrote reports and made videos about each one. videos about each one. If you love If you love snow-white beaches, snow-white beaches, snow-white beaches, bright coral bright coral bright coral reefs with schools of fish, and reefs with schools of fish, and reefs with schools of fish, and magnificent waterfalls, the magnificent waterfalls, the magnificent waterfalls, the Philippines will be Philippines will be Philippines will be your personal paradise.

your personal paradise. your personal paradise. The Philippines offers a The Philippines offers a The Philippines offers a year-round tropical year-round tropical year-round tropical island island island lifestyle where your money lifestyle where your money lifestyle where your money has significantly more has significantly more has significantly more purchasing purchasing purchasing power. English is power. English is power. English is widely spoken there widely spoken there widely spoken there , you , you , you are greeted by some of the are greeted by some of the are greeted by some of the kindest and kindest and kindest and most hospitable people most hospitable people most hospitable people in the world, and many in the world, and many in the world, and many Westerners Westerners Westerners find find find love here in retirement. love here in retirement. love here in retirement. The Philippines is one of the The Philippines is one of the The Philippines is one of the easiest places in easiest places in easiest places in the world to the world to the world to buy a ticket and buy a ticket and buy a ticket and fly to without a fly to without a fly to without a visa. visa. visa. Upon arrival, you are Upon arrival, you are Upon arrival, you are given 30 days and given 30 days and given 30 days and can stay for up to can stay for up to can stay for up to 36 months by simply 36 months by simply 36 months by simply paying a monthly paying a monthly paying a monthly renewal fee. Then renewal fee. Then renewal fee. Then visit a neighboring visit a neighboring visit a neighboring country and fly country and fly country and fly back to the Philippines back to the Philippines back to the Philippines to start the entire 36- to start the entire 36- month process over again month process over again month process over again . No . No . No proof of income proof of income proof of income or bank or bank or bank deposits. But if deposits. But if deposits. But if you want to get you want to get you want to get official official official residency, you have residency, you have residency, you have several options several options several options depending on your age. For depending on your age. For depending on your age. For individuals aged 50 and over individuals aged 50 and over individuals aged 50 and over with a bank with a bank with a bank deposit of 15,000 in the deposit of 15,000 in the deposit of 15,000 in the Philippines and Philippines and Philippines and a pension of 800 per a pension of 800 per a pension of 800 per month, an month, an SRRV retirement visa can be obtained. And if you SRRV retirement visa can be obtained. And if you don't have a pension, you don't have a pension, you don't have a pension, you just put a little just put a little just put a little more in the bank—30,000.

more in the bank—30,000. more in the bank—30,000. They also have visas for They also have visas for They also have visas for younger people. We younger people. We younger people. We interviewed interviewed interviewed expats living expats living expats living in the Philippines when we in the Philippines when we in the Philippines when we were there. The average were there. The average were there. The average cost of living cost of living cost of living is between 1,500 and is between 1,500 and is between 1,500 and 3,000 per month, but 3,000 per month, but 3,000 per month, but some frugal people some frugal people some frugal people can spend can spend can spend around 1,000 per month around 1,000 per month around 1,000 per month or even less. If or even less. If or even less. If you write "prove it" in you write "prove it" in you write "prove it" in the comments below, I'll the comments below, I'll the comments below, I'll provide a link to a provide a link to a provide a link to a webpage with people webpage with people webpage with people we interviewed we interviewed we interviewed who live who live who live on about 1,000 a month. To on about 1,000 a month. To on about 1,000 a month. To live middle class live middle class live middle class on a small pension or on a small pension or on a small pension or assistance, I would probably assistance, I would probably assistance, I would probably choose Roxas City. choose Roxas City. choose Roxas City. It seems like a It seems like a It seems like a small city, but there are small city, but there are small city, but there are enough people there, enough people there, enough people there, 180,000, to 180,000, to 180,000, to keep keep keep life interesting. There's a great life interesting. There's a great life interesting. There's a great shopping mall, a shopping mall, a shopping mall, a great public great public great public market, hospitals, market, hospitals, market, hospitals, nightlife, and lots of nightlife, and lots of nightlife, and lots of friendly, friendly, friendly, smiling people. smiling people. smiling people. Furnished Furnished Furnished short-term short-term short-term rentals on Airbnb start at $ rentals on Airbnb start at $ rentals on Airbnb start at $ 575 per month, 575 per month, 575 per month, including including including utilities. So, to utilities. So, to utilities. So, to find an annual rent for a find an annual rent for a find an annual rent for a furnished furnished furnished one-bedroom one-bedroom one-bedroom apartment for around apartment for around apartment for around 350 per month plus 350 per month plus 350 per month plus utilities, you should utilities, you should utilities, you should use my use my use my housing search guide.

housing search guide. housing search guide. If you are in the Philippines If you are in the Philippines If you are in the Philippines and love cool and love cool and love cool weather, you should weather, you should weather, you should visit the mountain visit the mountain visit the mountain city of Baguio. city of Baguio. city of Baguio. Lovers of Lovers of Lovers of white sand beaches should white sand beaches should white sand beaches should go to Siquijor go to Siquijor go to Siquijor or Puerto Galera. And or Puerto Galera. And or Puerto Galera. And fans of big cities fans of big cities fans of big cities should pay attention should pay attention should pay attention to Metro Makati. The to Metro Makati. The to Metro Makati. The countdown continues. countdown continues. countdown continues. Thailand, number three. Thailand, number three. Thailand, number three. Janice has spent Janice has spent Janice has spent several years several years several years traveling around traveling around traveling around Thailand over the Thailand over the Thailand over the past past past decade. I decade. I decade. I created detailed created detailed created detailed videos and reports about 12 videos and reports about 12 videos and reports about 12 cities in Thailand. cities in Thailand. cities in Thailand. Thailand is the first Thailand is the first Thailand is the first Southeast Southeast Asian country I Asian country I Asian country I fell in love with. Thailand fell in love with. Thailand is an exquisite collection of is an exquisite collection of is an exquisite collection of extremes: from extremes: from extremes: from spicy food to spicy food to spicy food to magnificent Buddhist magnificent Buddhist magnificent Buddhist temples and limestone temples and limestone temples and limestone cliffs rising cliffs rising cliffs rising from turquoise water to the from turquoise water to the from turquoise water to the very heavens. And very heavens. And very heavens. And the friendly people of the friendly people of the friendly people of Thailand make the Thailand make the Thailand make the whole world a better whole world a better whole world a better place. Thailand was the place. Thailand was the place. Thailand was the last country last country last country I visited before I visited before I visited before leaving the leaving the leaving the United States in United States in United States in 2007. Bangkok is 2007. Bangkok is one of the best one of the best one of the best tourist hubs in the tourist hubs in the tourist hubs in the world. Every self- world. Every self- world. Every self- respecting respecting respecting airline has airline has airline has international flights to international flights to international flights to Bangkok. And almost Bangkok. And almost Bangkok. And almost every one of my adventures in every one of my adventures in every one of my adventures in Thailand started Thailand started Thailand started in Bangkok, although in Bangkok, although in Bangkok, although I ended in I ended in I ended in many of my other many of my other many of my other favorite cities in the favorite cities in the favorite cities in the country. My first country. My first country. My first memories of memories of memories of retiring abroad retiring abroad retiring abroad involve studying the involve studying the involve studying the different Thai different Thai different Thai retirement visas. I am retirement visas. I am retirement visas. I am 66 now, but when I 66 now, but when I 66 now, but when I first read about the first read about the first read about the Thai retirement Thai retirement Thai retirement visa, I was not visa, I was not visa, I was not old enough to old enough to apply for it. I apply for it. I apply for it. I remember reading at 45 remember reading at 45 remember reading at 45 that I that I that I couldn't retire couldn't retire couldn't retire in Thailand yet because I wasn't 50 yet.

in Thailand yet because I wasn't 50 yet. Many people Many people complain that the complain that the complain that the Thai retirement Thai retirement Thai retirement visa is constantly visa is constantly visa is constantly changing, but I changing, but I changing, but I completely disagree with that completely disagree with that completely disagree with that . 21 years ago, I . 21 years ago, I . 21 years ago, I remember being able to remember being able to remember being able to retire in Thailand retire in Thailand retire in Thailand at age 50 if at age 50 if at age 50 if I had a pension of I had a pension of I had a pension of $2,000 a month $2,000 a month $2,000 a month or equivalent or equivalent or equivalent passive income. Or I passive income. Or I passive income. Or I could retire in could retire in could retire in Thailand at age 50 Thailand at age 50 Thailand at age 50 , putting , putting , putting about $25,000 about $25,000 about $25,000 in a in a in a Thai bank account. Thai bank account. Thai bank account. Both of these visas are still Both of these visas are still Both of these visas are still available today. available today. available today. In addition, they have In addition, they have In addition, they have five other types of visas five other types of visas five other types of visas for people of different for people of different for people of different ages and life ages and life ages and life circumstances. So don't circumstances. So don't circumstances. So don't believe the negativity believe the negativity believe the negativity you hear on the internet you hear on the internet you hear on the internet today. Negativity is today. Negativity is one of the fastest one of the fastest one of the fastest ways to increase ways to increase ways to increase income on social income on social income on social media. So when you media. So when you media. So when you hear whiners hear whiners hear whiners saying that saying that saying that everything is lost in Thailand, they are everything is lost in Thailand, they are everything is lost in Thailand, they are just leading you by the just leading you by the just leading you by the nose to make a little nose to make a little nose to make a little money. We money. We money. We interviewed many interviewed many interviewed many expats living all over expats living all over expats living all over Thailand. Thailand. Thailand. Their living expenses Their living expenses Their living expenses range from 600 to range from 600 to range from 600 to 3,500 per month. If you 3,500 per month. If you 3,500 per month. If you write “prove” in write “prove” in write “prove” in the comments below, I’ll the comments below, I’ll the comments below, I’ll give you links to give you links to give you links to people in Thailand people in Thailand people in Thailand we’ve we’ve we’ve spoken to who spoken to who spoken to who have these numbers. To have these numbers. To have these numbers. To live a live a live a middle-class life as a middle-class life as a middle-class life as a single person with a single person with a single person with a small social security small social security small social security benefit, I would choose benefit, I would choose benefit, I would choose any of the small or any of the small or any of the small or medium-sized cities like medium-sized cities like medium-sized cities like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Krabi or Koh Lanta.

Krabi or Koh Lanta. Krabi or Koh Lanta. Furnished Furnished Furnished short-term accommodation short-term accommodation short-term accommodation through Airbnb starts at through Airbnb starts at through Airbnb starts at $500 per month, $500 per month, $500 per month, including including including utilities, depending on utilities, depending on utilities, depending on the area and season. the area and season. the area and season. To find a one-year rental for a To find a one-year rental for a To find a one-year rental for a furnished furnished furnished one-bedroom apartment for one-bedroom apartment for one-bedroom apartment for around $300 or around $300 or around $300 or more per more per more per month plus month plus month plus utilities, you utilities, you utilities, you need to use need to use need to use my housing search technique my housing search technique my housing search technique . Beach lovers . Beach lovers should visit should visit Hua Hin, Thailand, on Hua Hin, Thailand, on Hua Hin, Thailand, on the Gulf of Thailand the Gulf of Thailand the Gulf of Thailand . The cost of . The cost of . The cost of living that living that living that my my my guests talk about is not your guests talk about is not your guests talk about is not your cost of living. cost of living. cost of living. Be sure to do Be sure to do Be sure to do a a a site visit to check site visit to check site visit to check your personal your personal your personal cost of living cost of living cost of living before making any before making any before making any final changes. final changes. final changes. Be sure to Be sure to Be sure to get my get my get my free free free e-book where e-book where e-book where I discuss the important I discuss the important I discuss the important things I arranged things I arranged things I arranged before leaving my before leaving my before leaving my home country, like home country, like home country, like backup banking backup banking backup banking and and and free communication free communication free communication with family. Additionally, with family. Additionally, with family. Additionally, Saturday Saturday Saturday emails will keep emails will keep emails will keep you up to date with the issues you up to date with the issues you up to date with the issues facing facing facing expats abroad. expats abroad. expats abroad. Now we continue the Now we continue the Now we continue the countdown of countdown of countdown of countries. Number two, countries. Number two, countries. Number two, Vietnam. Chang and I Vietnam. Chang and I Vietnam. Chang and I lived all over lived all over lived all over Vietnam, from north to Vietnam, from north to Vietnam, from north to south. We have south. We have south. We have detailed videos and detailed videos and detailed videos and written reports on 11 written reports on 11 written reports on 11 cities in this country.

cities in this country. cities in this country. It's hard to convey It's hard to convey It's hard to convey how much Vietnam how much Vietnam how much Vietnam has captured our hearts over the has captured our hearts over the has captured our hearts over the past 5 years. past 5 years. Vietnam restricted Vietnam restricted access to Western access to Western access to Western tourists until the mid-to- tourists until the mid-to- late 1990s. At that late 1990s. At that late 1990s. At that time, tourism time, tourism time, tourism was was was mainly concentrated in a few mainly concentrated in a few mainly concentrated in a few large cities, such as large cities, such as large cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Until Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Until Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Until six or seven years ago, six or seven years ago, six or seven years ago, most people most people most people continued continued continued to visit only to visit only to visit only Thailand. But today Thailand. But today Thailand. But today Vietnam is visited by Vietnam is visited by Vietnam is visited by over 20 million over 20 million over 20 million tourists a year, and this tourists a year, and this tourists a year, and this figure is growing by 20 figure is growing by 20 % every year. Whereas % every year. Whereas % every year. Whereas Thailand receives Thailand receives Thailand receives about 30 million about 30 million about 30 million per year, and this figure per year, and this figure per year, and this figure is decreasing by is decreasing by is decreasing by about 7% each year. about 7% each year. about 7% each year. In addition, the Vietnamese are In addition, the Vietnamese are In addition, the Vietnamese are perhaps the most perhaps the most perhaps the most entrepreneurial people in the entrepreneurial people in the entrepreneurial people in the world. When you walk down world. When you walk down world. When you walk down the street, almost the street, almost the street, almost every second every second every second house house house has a business on the ground floor. So has a business on the ground floor. So has a business on the ground floor. So they love they love they love tourists because they tourists because they tourists because they make money from make money from make money from all this tourism. all this tourism. all this tourism. Our favorite cities in Our favorite cities in Our favorite cities in Vietnam are Danang, Vietnam are Danang, Vietnam are Danang, Nha Trang, and Dalat. But there are Nha Trang, and Dalat. But there are Nha Trang, and Dalat. But there are other cities that you other cities that you other cities that you simply must simply must simply must see while in see while in see while in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hoi An.

Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hoi An. Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hoi An. We love We love We love Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine. It's currently our It's currently our It's currently our favorite food in the world. Are favorite food in the world. Are favorite food in the world. Are you ready for some bad you ready for some bad you ready for some bad news? There is news? There is news? There is no retirement visa in Vietnam. no retirement visa in Vietnam. no retirement visa in Vietnam. Expats who Expats who Expats who retire in Vietnam retire in Vietnam retire in Vietnam simply make visa-free simply make visa-free trips to neighboring countries trips to neighboring countries trips to neighboring countries every 90 days, every 90 days, every 90 days, getting a new visa and getting a new visa and getting a new visa and returning back. returning back. returning back. Fortunately, there are visa agents in Fortunately, there are visa agents in Fortunately, there are visa agents in cities like Ho Chi Minh City, cities like Ho Chi Minh City, cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi Da Nang, and Hanoi Da Nang, and Hanoi who, for who, for who, for $150 per person, $150 per person, $150 per person, will take you by will take you by will take you by bus to the border bus to the border bus to the border and back every 90 days, and back every 90 days, and back every 90 days, so you can so you can so you can extend your visa extend your visa extend your visa four times a year. We four times a year. We four times a year. We interviewed interviewed interviewed expats all over expats all over expats all over Vietnam. According to them Vietnam. According to them Vietnam. According to them , the cost of , the cost of , the cost of living there living there living there ranges from $500 to ranges from $500 to ranges from $500 to $2,200 per month. $2,200 per month. $2,200 per month. If you write " If you write " prove it" in prove it" in prove it" in the comments below, I will the comments below, I will the comments below, I will give you links to give you links to give you links to these YouTube interviews about these YouTube interviews about these YouTube interviews about the cost of living. To the cost of living. To the cost of living. To live middle class live middle class live middle class in Vietnam on a in Vietnam on a in Vietnam on a small pension, I would small pension, I would small pension, I would rent an apartment rent an apartment rent an apartment about half a mile about half a mile about half a mile from the expat area in from the expat area in from the expat area in Da Nang. For the most part, Da Nang. For the most part, Da Nang. For the most part, we enjoy living we enjoy living we enjoy living like locals in Da Nang, like locals in Da Nang, like locals in Da Nang, but we like to visit the but we like to visit the but we like to visit the expat area to expat area to eat eat Western food a few times a month.

Western food a few times a month. Short-term furnished rentals Short-term furnished rentals through Airbnb start at through Airbnb start at through Airbnb start at $575 per month, $575 per month, $575 per month, including including including utilities, depending on the utilities, depending on the utilities, depending on the area and season. To area and season. To area and season. To find a yearly rent find a yearly rent find a yearly rent for a furnished for a furnished for a furnished one-bedroom one-bedroom one-bedroom apartment, you will apartment, you will apartment, you will need to need to need to use our use our housing search guide. Write " apartments" below. Those apartments" below. Those apartments" below. Those who love who love who love cool mountains cool mountains cool mountains should visit should visit should visit Dalat, Vietnam if the Dalat, Vietnam if the Dalat, Vietnam if the coast is coast is coast is too hot for you. too hot for you. too hot for you. The cost of living I The cost of living I The cost of living I assume is not your assume is not your assume is not your cost of living, so be cost of living, so be cost of living, so be sure to take a sure to take a sure to take a test drive test drive test drive before making any before making any before making any final decisions. final decisions. final decisions. Also, don't try to Also, don't try to Also, don't try to retire on a retire on a retire on a low income if low income if low income if you have no other you have no other you have no other resources. You resources. You resources. You need significant need significant need significant savings to savings to savings to help yourself in the event of an help yourself in the event of an emergency. A emergency. A small monthly small monthly small monthly pension alone will not pension alone will not pension alone will not provide the immediate provide the immediate provide the immediate cash resources cash resources cash resources that may be that may be that may be needed during an needed during an emergency. Now it's emergency. Now it's time to name time to name time to name the last country. After the the last country. After the the last country. After the last country, I last country, I last country, I will share a link will share a link will share a link to my video where I to my video where I to my video where I explain how I determined my explain how I determined my emergency savings amount emergency savings amount before moving before moving before moving abroad. So, the last abroad. So, the last abroad. So, the last country is Cambodia.

country is Cambodia. country is Cambodia. Siem Reap in Cambodia Siem Reap in Cambodia Siem Reap in Cambodia has a sense of calm, has a sense of calm, has a sense of calm, stronger than anywhere else stronger than anywhere else stronger than anywhere else in the world I have been. in the world I have been. At least in part, At least in part, this is because Siem Reap is this is because Siem Reap is this is because Siem Reap is adjacent to the adjacent to the adjacent to the largest largest largest temple complex temple complex temple complex in the world—Angkor Wat. in the world—Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat was Angkor Wat was probably the most probably the most probably the most populous populous populous city in the world in the 13th city in the world in the 13th city in the world in the 13th century, when century, when century, when its its its slow decline began, and slow decline began, and slow decline began, and by the 15th century by the 15th century by the 15th century AD it was almost AD it was almost AD it was almost completely abandoned. completely abandoned. At that time, it was At that time, it was larger than Beijing, larger than Beijing, larger than Beijing, China. The center of China. The center of China. The center of Siem Reap now has Siem Reap now has Siem Reap now has many international many international many international restaurants and restaurants and restaurants and five-star five-star five-star hotels that thrive on hotels that thrive on international tourism . However, the cost of . However, the cost of . However, the cost of living in Siem Reap living in Siem Reap living in Siem Reap remains relatively remains relatively remains relatively stable because stable because stable because it is not overrun by it is not overrun by it is not overrun by Western retirees Western retirees Western retirees or digital nomads or digital nomads or digital nomads like other parts of like other parts of like other parts of Southeast Southeast Southeast Asia. There are still Asia. There are still Asia. There are still decent furnished decent furnished decent furnished apartments within walking apartments within walking apartments within walking distance of distance of distance of Siem Reap city center for Siem Reap city center for Siem Reap city center for prices starting at $250 prices starting at $250 prices starting at $250 per month plus per month plus per month plus utilities, utilities, utilities, but don't expect but don't expect but don't expect to find them on Airbnb. Our to find them on Airbnb. Our to find them on Airbnb. Our favorite cities to favorite cities to favorite cities to live in Cambodia are live in Cambodia are live in Cambodia are Siem Reap, Kampot, and Siem Reap, Kampot, and Siem Reap, Kampot, and Battambang. Some Battambang. Some Battambang. Some prefer prefer prefer the capital, Phnom Penh. It's a the capital, Phnom Penh. It's a the capital, Phnom Penh. It's a fascinating city, fascinating city, fascinating city, worth a visit, worth a visit, worth a visit, but, in my opinion, but, in my opinion, but, in my opinion, too crazy. In too crazy. In too crazy. In Cambodia, retirees Cambodia, retirees Cambodia, retirees can get a can get a can get a one-year, renewable visa one-year, renewable visa for about for about $300. There $300. There $300. There is currently no is currently no is currently no official official official minimum monthly minimum monthly minimum monthly pension requirement for this visa, however some

pension requirement for this visa, however some pension requirement for this visa, however some visa agents advise visa agents advise visa agents advise showing an income of showing an income of showing an income of $1,000 to $1,500 per $1,000 to $1,500 per $1,000 to $1,500 per month for greater month for greater month for greater certainty. We certainty. We certainty. We interviewed expats interviewed expats interviewed expats living in Cambodia living in Cambodia . Their . Their . Their living expenses range living expenses range living expenses range from about $600 to from about $600 to from about $600 to $1,600 per month. $1,600 per month. $1,600 per month. If you write "prove If you write "prove If you write "prove it" in the comments, I will give it" in the comments, I will give it" in the comments, I will give you links to you links to you links to interviews from all the countries interviews from all the countries interviews from all the countries I talk about. I talk about. I talk about. To live middle To live middle To live middle class on a small class on a small class on a small social assistance, I would social assistance, I would social assistance, I would probably settle within a probably settle within a probably settle within a 10-minute walk of the 10-minute walk of the 10-minute walk of the center of Siem Reap. center of Siem Reap. center of Siem Reap. Furnished Furnished Furnished short-term rentals short-term rentals short-term rentals through Airbnb start at through Airbnb start at through Airbnb start at $600 per month, $600 per month, $600 per month, including including utilities, depending utilities, depending on the area and season. on the area and season. on the area and season. To find a one-year To find a one-year To find a one-year rental for a furnished rental for a furnished rental for a furnished one-bedroom one-bedroom one-bedroom apartment for around apartment for around apartment for around $250 per $250 per $250 per month plus month plus month plus utilities, utilities, utilities, you'll need my you'll need my you'll need my housing search guide. housing search guide. Visa and entry regulations are Visa and entry regulations are constantly changing. constantly changing. constantly changing. Be sure Be sure Be sure to check to check to check with with with your your your country's embassy for any country's embassy for any country's embassy for any country you country you country you wish to visit. Do not wish to visit. Do not wish to visit. Do not trust Chat GPT or trust Chat GPT or trust Chat GPT or other third parties other third parties other third parties as visa as visa as visa regulations regulations regulations are constantly changing. Also are constantly changing. Also , adjust any , adjust any , adjust any cost of cost of cost of living figures for living figures for living figures for inflation.

inflation. inflation. Check out the description below Check out the description below Check out the description below the video to find the the video to find the the video to find the "Prove It" link to the "Prove It" link to the "Prove It" link to the expat interview expat interview expat interview and my guide to finding and my guide to finding and my guide to finding housing. Don't try to housing. Don't try to housing. Don't try to retire retire retire abroad on a low abroad on a low abroad on a low income unless you income unless you income unless you have other resources. have other resources. have other resources. You need significant You need significant You need significant savings in savings in savings in case of an case of an case of an emergency. A small emergency. A small emergency. A small monthly pension will not monthly pension will not monthly pension will not provide the immediate provide the immediate provide the immediate cash resources cash resources cash resources needed in needed in needed in the event of an the event of an the event of an emergency abroad. emergency abroad. So watch this So watch this video to learn video to learn video to learn how I determined the size of how I determined the size of how I determined the size of my minimum my minimum my minimum emergency savings emergency savings emergency savings to cover the risks of to cover the risks of to cover the risks of living abroad.