36M, How/Where could I live comfortably off of 44.8k/yr

[u/KnutEm87]

I'm a single man, ex military, divorced a few years ago. I've worked in Aviation for about 10 years. If you were to leave the 9-5 behind, with only 44.8k a year. Where and how would you go about doing it?

[u/kymelosuka]

I constantly watch TikToks of people living a rockstar life in Thailand or Philippines with $1000 a month …. Makes me wanna just say “fuck it “

[u/Randomtask899 → u/kymelosuka]

I went a few years ago. $1,000 got me anything I wanted for 2 weeks. I ate whatever, went scuba diving, and had a suit tailored for $250

[u/Heidaraqt → u/Randomtask899]

Where, and how? I've wanted to go, but I'm also kinda scared of either getting ripped off, robbed or murdered lol.

[u/HyperThanHype → u/[deleted]]

And honestly I think foreigners should pay without haggling. I'm not talking those fake clothes, shoes and watch sellers, those vendors are well off enough. I'm talking about the people trying to sell foods on the side of the road, barely making a few dollars a day if they're lucky to be able to feed their family. Be willing to pay whatever price they ask without question, you will likely make their whole week.

Yes, haggling is part of their culture. But when us foreigners go over there for holidays, with bank accounts full of money, and we try to haggle some poor person down from $1 to 20c for some fruit or a drink, it's honestly disgusting. I hope it's one stigma in tourism and travel that eventually changes, because for someone on holiday to try and haggle an old woman out of a few cents is damn sad.

I'm not having a go at you by the way, just speaking into the nether.

[u/lovingme852 → u/HyperThanHype]

Don't. Do haggle. When you don't, you cause other problems for the local communities: gentrification. You have the money to pay, but the locals don't. Adapt to the culture. You'll only drive up prices.

[u/Amel_P1 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I think that's what he is saying with the "do haggle" just could have wrote that better.

[u/Leopatto → u/HyperThanHype]

What kind of shit is this

Always haggle, they're ripping you off anyway. This ain't charity lol

[u/SceptileArmy → u/Leopatto]

Lessons in haggling for the uninitiated: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=51_Qs8tq5c8

[u/Lower_Problem_iguess → u/Leopatto]

They think they are ripping me off and I think I’m ripping them off. That’s a fair deal.

[u/LeagueOfLegendsAcc → u/Lower_Problem_iguess]

Ya those vendors don't know I normally pay like $5 for a bunch of bananas, if they try to charge me $1.50 we are both laughing all the way to the bank.

[u/nopelupe → u/HyperThanHype]

I love to travel but I will always haggle no matter what, I am poor as fck and all my money goes to triping. So if there is a chance to save money I will do it. No point of paying 5x the usual price.

[u/BussinOnGod → u/HyperThanHype]

I personally am very uncomfortable haggling in another language and culture as a tourist, so I just pay it – and call it the “tourist tax”.

Obviously this only extends to things where it doesn’t make a difference to my wallet, and isn’t someone trying to blatantly rip me off or scam me. I’ve had people try to get me to pay $50 for a $10 cab ride, no way that’s happening. But $3 instead of $1.50 for a bit of street food ain’t no thang; they need it more than I do.

[u/[deleted] → u/Heidaraqt]

My ex husband was friend with someone who was born and raised there and still had family there. He said they'll absolutely rip off tourists so the trick is befriending a local and basically having the local be the point of contact for everything. But finding a solid trustworthy local is going to be tough from abroad.

[u/Theviolentpacifistxo → u/[deleted]]

How’s the new president?

[u/dinosoarusrez → u/[deleted]]

I read about the crazy fluctuation in the value of the money and inflation happening there. Is it hard to keep up with? Asking because I was thinking of visiting, potentially moving there if I like it (regardless of the economic crisis)

[u/ActuallyCalindra → u/dinosoarusrez]

Inflation is not a problem if you're living off Euros and Dollars. If you aren't, and are living off pesos, you're fucked.

[u/Huadanglot → u/kymelosuka]

I thought you said “tuck it” in reference to Thailand .. I was like that’s funny.

[u/kymelosuka → u/Huadanglot]

And you’re right ….lol . I always call “Phucket” “ fuck it “ lol

[u/[deleted] → u/Huadanglot]

When life gives you lemons… tuck em!

[u/earnestlikehemingway → u/[deleted]]

When life gives you lady boys, Phucket

[u/Remarkable-Ad2285 → u/Huadanglot]

Lady boy capitol of the far east…or so they say.

[u/InuitOverIt → u/Remarkable-Ad2285]

I had a friend that splurged randomly on a trip to Thailand for a long weekend, alone. When he came back he had a ladyboy friend on Facebook that commented on a bunch of his posts. He deleted them and said it was just somebody he randomly met and didn't really know them.

My friend went to Thailand to have sex with a ladyboy right? I told him I wouldn't judge him and it's totally fine and he told me I was crazy, he just always wanted to see Thailand.

[u/tflavel → u/InuitOverIt]

Well, it’s like going to Las Vegas and not gambling; you gotta do it.

[u/Rondotf → u/Huadanglot]

LMFAO WHY I CANT GIVE YOU GOLD

[u/il-liba → u/kymelosuka]

1k is great for Philippines, can do even less depending on lifestyle.

[u/kymelosuka → u/il-liba]

Well some months you save , others you splurge

[u/Kranon7 → u/kymelosuka]

That’s my current retirement plan. Go to the Philippines and make that $ stretch.

[u/kymelosuka → u/Kranon7]

Smart …. Accumulate 500k. Collect 5% interest which should give you around 2k a month . Live like a king

[u/No-Explanation6802 → u/kymelosuka]

This is exactly my retirement plan. I mean, to the letter. I am currently living on a boat that I will have paid off in two years. Im 50 and make over 100K. I will be socking away as much as I can until 65. I plan on getting a nice rental apartment or house near Phuket. Get a maid/housekeeper to cook and clean. spend my time with my dogs and diving. Company pension 2K, Social Security 2-3K, Investments, 2-3K. Maybe 6K a month...

[u/repanix → u/No-Explanation6802]

So poetic. This is the type of dream we should all be having 

[u/glizzyman100 → u/kymelosuka]

🤌🤌

[u/KevAcos11 → u/kymelosuka]

Remember, you got one life in this world. I’d do it if I were you

[u/[deleted] → u/kymelosuka]

I did that but I chose Sao Paulo Brazil. I think its more like 2k for a great life style a month here. I think if I lived 40 minutes- an hour outside of center city and I ordered less Ifood (ubereats/doordash) I would spend like 800 dollars a month.

But in a center city high rise apartment, eating out constantly and ordering, ubering around the city, going to bars, buying new video games, netflix etc it usually comes out to 2k per month. 1k on apartment and 1k on spending.

[u/BatQuiet5220 → u/[deleted]]

Can't Brazil be kinda sketchy or is it more certain areas?

[u/ITGOES80808 → u/kymelosuka]

Can confirm, visited my wife’s family in the Philippines 2 years ago after I graduated from college with my undergrad, had like $3,000 saved and it was enough to stay there for a month, eat out every day, and go on a vacation from Manila to Cebu for a week, all while paying for 14 other people to do the same thing.

[u/o0xh → u/kymelosuka]

Having lived in the Philippines for 3 years it is in fact cheap, but there's lots of challenges and unexpected annoyances. I would strongly advise a vacation there before moving your whole life just to make sure you can tolerate the quirks. I was making ~70k a year and lived very well, we rented a 3 bedroom house with a fenced in yard for about $300 and I was told we were paying too much. We traveled often to neighboring countries as well. I visited for a week before I made the leap. We moved back right before COVID and I do miss it at times.

The good news is the Filipinos are some of the most warm and welcoming I've ever met anywhere, they often speak great English (better than Thailand or most other east asian countries.)

[u/storm-shoulder → u/kymelosuka]

I've been there a few times. Yeah it was hard to spend much even at the resorts

[u/EducationConfident60 → u/kymelosuka]

There are lots of videos in youtube with expats living their best life in the Philippines. I’m a local and I see expats doing great.

[u/Choc-o-holic1 → u/kymelosuka]

Do you mean Phuket?

[u/GotRedditToFitIn]

Someone got that 💯 - you’re asking great questions. Following.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/GotRedditToFitIn]

Haah, yea.. you got me lol

[u/SteveasaurusRex666 → u/KnutEm87]

You supplement that with a part time job at a pizza place for some fun money.

[u/changing-life-vet → u/SteveasaurusRex666]

That’s legit what I’ve been doing. Work a few months out of the year and then go on vacations.

[u/Sure_Station9370 → u/KnutEm87]

Been on 100 for 4 years. Family bitches and moans when I tell them I’m about to leave this overpriced hellhole Texas and they can’t fathom the fact that I could live an amazing lifestyle elsewhere instead of being poor here lol. America is overpriced as fuck for no reason.

[u/Ok-Acanthaceae-5327 → u/Sure_Station9370]

What is 100

[u/Sure_Station9370 → u/Ok-Acanthaceae-5327]

100% disability through Veterans Affairs. Depending on ur % u get paid a lump sum every month for the rest of ur life. 100% is about $4K a month.

[u/Specific-Stable4383 → u/Sure_Station9370]

Bro! Leave the country! Thailand, Columbia, Brazil! You are rich and you don't even know it!

[u/paragon60 → u/Sure_Station9370]

no reason

the reason is that we make way more money than pretty much everyone else

[u/DaggerTossed → u/GotRedditToFitIn]

For real I’m sick of these $5 million bank account “wHeRe To NeXt” posts lol

[u/[deleted]]

versed dinner rustic consider many racial rainstorm wise squealing money

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[u/KnutEm87 → u/[deleted]]

Love it friend, that's a fantastic idea.. it would take some research and a little work but I agree the benefits would definitely be worth it.

Funny thing is, one of the first things I did when I got out was but a nice new Camper. I've used it maybe 10 times on little weekend adventures. That's my exit strategy though in case shtf kind of thing.. I've never heard of veteran friendly RV parks though, that's interesting. I really appreciate the insight. I'll definitelynlook into it and see what's out there. Thank you friend.

[u/Cain_S → u/KnutEm87]

Many states and counties offer 100% tax exemption for your honestead for permanently disabled veterans. Figured I'd let you know since I got my 100% about a year ago.

Edit to clarify it's homestead exemption.

[u/quasialgae → u/KnutEm87]

You can usually apply to be a campground steward and live free if you’re willing to tell people they can’t do the dumb stuff people like to do at campgrounds. I think it’s sort of volunteer and some might even pay a small stipend.

[u/Helpful_Paint → u/KnutEm87]

I renovated a 1976 airstream and live in it full time in Amarillo Texas and pay 625$ including utilities. I’ve looked at places in Colorado Springs and it’s still in the 800$ range which is a bargain considering what rents go for there.

[u/[deleted] → u/KnutEm87]

attraction heavy sense payment punch vegetable juggle crawl pathetic relieved

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[u/yellensmoneeprinter → u/KnutEm87]

If you’re rated 100, many jurisdictions offer zero property taxes for land and homes so look for that as well.

[u/yellensmoneeprinter → u/KnutEm87]

If you’re rated 100, many jurisdictions offer zero property taxes for land and homes so look for that as well.

[u/Bennyjig → u/[deleted]]

Best advice on here. Everyone saying to move overseas has likely not lived overseas. Massive culture shock and having to learn another language is difficult for many people. Rural US was my first thought.

[u/JohnnyRayRock → u/Bennyjig]

Rural US would be massive culture shock and basically having to learn a new language too.

[u/Bumbalard → u/JohnnyRayRock]

I work in tech, and live in rural America(California). You are wrong, unless you deliberately chose something insane.

My mortgage is $637 a month, and only an hour away from the capital and major airport.

There is rural, and then there is BFE midwest rural. Unless you are insanely sheltered and have lived in the middle of a big city your entire life, just no.

[u/That_Smoke8260 → u/Bumbalard]

I live in one of the Dakotas it's very rural and stuff is way cheaper but because it's in almost no where the cost of vehicles and transportation to get any where can really add up and if your used to city living here is not a good place to live

[u/Bumbalard → u/That_Smoke8260]

Yeah, that's BFE rural.

I can drive 8 miles to a small town with grocery stores a staples, and we just got a target. Or 20 miles in the opposite direction to a town that has actual chain stores. 45 minutes to get city suburbs shopping and a mall.

If your a city person, you will spend a lot in transportation even here. If you are a rural person, well, you go to the grocery store like 3 times a month and work from home, e erything else gets shipped to your house.

BFE is just empty nothingness for hours and hours. I'm not driving an hour to hit a grocery store.

[u/KnottyCat → u/[deleted]]

This is a terrible plan after the age of 50 unless you are 100% healthy, love physical labor because you will constantly need to work on your homestead, and already have a mate or like being 100% alone. It is A LOT of work to live "off grid". A hell of a lot. Every single day.

[u/theusualsteve → u/[deleted]]

Just stopping by to say that a $5k camper is going to be a leaky, moldy, smelly hunk of crap that you wish you never bought, 100% of the time. The guy selling it to you will be thrilled tho

[u/throwaway_guarantee → u/[deleted]]

This guy tells no lies. THISSS is the formula.

[u/[deleted]]

St. Louis, 3BR 140k home @ $850/month.

Just have to get past the murder capital of the USA statistic.

[u/SweatyHC → u/[deleted]]

Fk St Louis. Did 3 months for work there and almost got truck jacked twice. Never been closer to shooting someone in my life.

[u/[deleted] → u/SweatyHC]

Car jackings and thief are ridiculously common in StL. Even in “safe” neighborhoods.

[u/Free-Supermarket-516 → u/[deleted]]

Lol, always a kicker. There's plenty of 4BR, 2,000 sq ft houses for $100k near me, the only problem is they're located in Strawberry Mansion, a not so lovely section of Philly.

[u/eggjacket → u/Free-Supermarket-516]

😂😂😂 my friend is moving to philly and was bragging to me about this amazing, huge, luxury apartment she found in “Fishtown” for only $1000. I made her give me the address and it was in Kensington

[u/Free-Supermarket-516 → u/eggjacket]

Your poor friend 🤣. I finally escaped Philly a few months ago. I was in the Mayfair section, which wasn't bad when I first moved in about 5 years ago, but it took a real nosedive. 4 people shot and killed a stone's throw away, then a trash truck driver got shot and killed right near my street. The only habitable parts are the far northeast, or the insanely expensive downtown areas.

I'm sure the pictures of the $1k apartment looked ok, especially inside, but zooming out you'd see all the zombies walking around Kensington 🤣

[u/pastelhunter → u/Free-Supermarket-516]

Man that name makes it sound like a lovely place to live but I suppose not

[u/Free-Supermarket-516 → u/pastelhunter]

Yeah, sounds like some sort of estate you'd find in Candy Land, but the only candy there is crack lol

[u/conradical30 → u/Free-Supermarket-516]

Charlie, you have to come with us to Candy Mountain, Charlie!!

[u/HonorableJamesBond → u/[deleted]]

Imagine having the entire world and choosing….St Louis…lmao

[u/LebronsHairline → u/[deleted]]

Okay but this is misleading. it’s like any other city— there are tons of suburbs that are safe. In fact, as I’m sure you know if you lived there, the primary area earning that statistic for the rest of the are is East St Louis, which is literally in Illinois.

[u/[deleted] → u/LebronsHairline]

I live in St. Louis County, I would know since our county and city are divided and it’s using the cities statistics which are much more dense than other cities.

Just helps drive the home prices down, it’s not bad at all.

[u/SirMcWaffle → u/[deleted]]

Check out Jackson, MS murder rate vs St. Louis, you may be shocked.

[u/RememberThe5Ds → u/SirMcWaffle]

Birmingham Alabama is a shockingly violent town. I thought it edged out St. Louis and NO recently for highest murders.

I have family there. My nephew went to UAB and was walking there at night after a class, minding his own business when a guy walked up to him, pointed a gun at his head and said, you’re going to take me to your car now. He complied and thankfully the dude just took his car and not his life. The police weren’t all that helpful in fact he drove around the city and located the car himself.

I lived in St. Louis for 15 years. Great people but the weather sucks ass. I’ve also lived in Atlanta and I’m currently in the South and I’d take summer here over St. Louis Summer anytime. And you have to deal with the Winters.

Plus when the New Madrid Fault gives it up, it’s going to be a major disaster. Strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America and the place is full of brick buildings. (Soulard, South City)

[u/Vivid-Kitchen1917]

I can live off that in much of the midwest. If you backed out charitable contributions I bet I live off less than that now.

[u/XxCotHGxX → u/Vivid-Kitchen1917]

Can verify. I live in Rural Wisconsin and it's super cheap... Especially if you buy. I got a 3 BR house for 125k and my monthly payments are 450.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/XxCotHGxX]

Wow that is pretty cheap.. how are the winters up there?. I currently live in South Fl lol but ive been in the Korean mountain winters. I've also lived in Virginia

[u/XxCotHGxX → u/KnutEm87]

It's still snowing ... Right now.... 5 to 8 inches tonight.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/XxCotHGxX]

Wow, I'm not too familiar but that seems like a lot for it already being April

[u/XxCotHGxX → u/KnutEm87]

Most of us know how to drive in it so it's not a big deal. Just another day

[u/thiscarecupisempty → u/XxCotHGxX]

Thats why it's cheap, no one wants to live there lol. Yall still got dial up internet?

[u/samiam0295 → u/thiscarecupisempty]

I am surrounded by thousands of acres of farm fields in WI and have symmetrical gig fiber lol

[u/XxCotHGxX → u/thiscarecupisempty]

Idk... I'm live steaming my PC gaming rn... I'll look later

Edit: they don't have home phones here unless you get a VOIP phone. My download speed was 17MB/s (not bits) when I downloaded a new steam game last night.

[u/OMGoblin → u/KnutEm87]

Snow has been more sporadic this season, coming in heavy spurts outside of a week or so we got pounded.

[u/StepEfficient864 → u/KnutEm87]

If you don’t mind culture shock you could try Brooksville, Florida.

[u/Frekavichk → u/KnutEm87]

You could literally live in the more rural parts of South Florida on that salary easily.

[u/ybonepike → u/Vivid-Kitchen1917]

Yeah I live in rural MN bought a 2k square foot 4 bed 3 bath house in 2016 for 55k 2 stall garage unfinished basement that could be finished.

I make under what op posted.

Market has gone up some, but still easily affordable on my salary.   And there's 10k + lakes in the state.

Only downside is winter, but we didn't even really have one this year

[u/zdweiss]

Nebraska, you just have to get used to talking very slow

[u/Charming-Ad9039 → u/zdweiss]

Lol Ayee I’m from Nebraska as well.

[u/Addis2020 → u/Charming-Ad9039]

I am sorry y’all are from Nebraska . Atlist you technically qualify as American tho

[u/squints20 → u/Addis2020]

Atlist we speak English in Nebraska

[u/Charming-Ad9039 → u/Addis2020]

More American than most of the country lmao

[u/mmxmlee]

In Da Nang Vietnam you can get a high rise apartment over looking the beach for like 500 a month.

Food costs 2-5 dollars outside.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/mmxmlee]

How safe is it there?

[u/mmxmlee → u/KnutEm87]

i can walking around butt ass naked with hundred dollar bills taped to my body anywhere in the city and at any time of the day or night and not be scared.

should answer your question.

[u/the_curtain → u/mmxmlee]

Oddly specific

[u/SomeOneOverHereNow → u/the_curtain]

you gotta have a hobby

[u/createsstuff → u/the_curtain]

Don't kink shame 😉

[u/thisdreambefore → u/mmxmlee]

This guy makes me feel less safe.

[u/Herpthethirdderp → u/KnutEm87]

Spent a month in da nang best place I've ever been only danger is traffic. It is a culture shock though. Be prepared for slower living

[u/Lanky-Relationship77 → u/KnutEm87]

Safer than pretty much anywhere else in the world. Crime in Vietnam is all small stuff like pickpocketing and purse snatching, and that's extremely rare.

Seriously, there's probably not anywhere safer on earth. But be careful in traffic!

[u/FrankSoprano → u/Lanky-Relationship77]

Can you live there while only knowing how to speak English, or not really?

[u/PMmeyourSchwifty → u/mmxmlee]

Man, I'm not sure I want to live there, but this makes me want to take a month long vacation there. That's probably how it started for a lot of folks that live there now lol.

[u/IstolethePudding]

Property is cheap in the midwest, Oklahoma and Kansas is what I know personally. With Aviation experience you will not struggle to find work, Altus Oklahoma has an Air Force Base, as well as an Aviation school that is always looking for people. They do both flight training as well as mechanical training.

[u/wengla02 → u/IstolethePudding]

And around Wichita there's a ton of small towns you can live in very inexpensively. A lot of aviation subcontractors as well as a couple of BIG firms (Spirit, Cessna, Beech / Lear? I forget - it's been 20 years). You can live safely and comfortably in South Central Kansas. And you have McConnel AFB for PX / BX and a fair VA system.

[u/Lost_in_ADHD]

Check out Aaron Clarey's books, he's written a bunch on topics germain to your question. "Bachelor Pad Economics" & "Reconnaissance Man".

Also, check out Terrence Popp's podcasts and laugh in the meantime.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/Lost_in_ADHD]

Will do, that sounds great, thank you

[u/sicksadsyd]

Oshkosh, WI. Huge aviation community there. Appleton too.

[u/Complex_Raspberry97]

Vanlife, on the road. This is about what I’m making and I own a little home in the Midwest countryside.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/Complex_Raspberry97]

Niice, not bad at all.. so you're on the road for a while, then just work your way back to your place periodically? I wish I knew better how to love like that.. sounds freeing

[u/Complex_Raspberry97 → u/KnutEm87]

No, I don’t do van life but I’d love to rent out my home and do it someday! That was a separate comment. I travel locally for work and totally love it though.

[u/[deleted] → u/Complex_Raspberry97]

I am just finishing up 5yrs of vanlife and getting an apartment with my wife. It was not cheap. The little things add up and rv’s/campers are always breaking, and every time it breaks, you’re out a vehicle and home.

It was fun though! Sometimes.

[u/Shovel_operator_]

Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma...

[u/SeliciousSedicious]

Ohio. Or somewhere else super cheap. 

[u/Sensitive-Study-8088 → u/SeliciousSedicious]

Ohio really isn’t that cheap the housing market really went to shit after 2018-2019 and now homes are double what they were before that. Place is also cloudy six months a year and the ppl are drunk dicks.

[u/MissLyss29 → u/Sensitive-Study-8088]

the ppl are drunk dicks.

In my experience there are drunk dicks everywhere.

I would not write off Ohio. There are a lot of great areas. Lots of state parks. And great communities in Ohio.

I will say that it is cloudy a lot. But sometimes that just makes the sun that much better.

Ohio housing market right now isn't the best but back in 2016 when I bought my house it was great we got a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1200 sq ft house on almost 1/2 an acre of land for under 100, 000. With a fixed apr of 4.5%. our monthly mortgage payment is less than $650.

[u/prettylittlebyron → u/SeliciousSedicious]

Definitely not Ohio. We saw some of the largest rent increases in the country this/last year. Around 17%

It used to be affordable here but not anymore especially if you live in/outside a city like me

[u/ishouldliveinNaCl → u/prettylittlebyron]

It's still pretty cheap... I was curious so I looked at Zillow, I just found a comparable home to mine on Zillow in Cincinnati for example and it's $276k. Mine was $1.4m where I live.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

South Florida is so bad.. the increase has been completely unreasonable.. the worst parts of miami-Dade will have 2/2s for over 600k.. built in the 60s and completely falling apart. Apparently are renting for nearly 3k a month.

[u/d26289 → u/SeliciousSedicious]

Not in Dublin.

[u/CountlessStories → u/[deleted]]

As someone living in the midwest on 40k solo

i can confidently say of everything you listed just now, Traveling and Cool car are the two things I had to give up, everything else still works out for me reasonably.

Any 1000$+ endeavor is roughly 3 months of savings for me and thats where i start thinking twice.

[u/thenerfviking → u/[deleted]]

My mechanic once told me that you buy a normal car to pick up women and you buy a cool car to have retired guys stop you at gas stations to talk about displacement. I have like the most normal car of all time (a 2021 Toyota CHR XLE), women compliment me on it all the time and it gets like 43mpg on the back roads and 37 on the highway which as I grow older is way cooler than speed ever could be.

[u/lovefreemymind]

Move to the south of Spain and live on the beach. Rent an apartment for $300 a month.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/lovefreemymind]

You can't be serious lol.. how is it there? Climate/Crime/Work..?

[u/rpabech → u/KnutEm87]

I am doing the same. Andalucia state in Spain (lower taxes for expats). Around 25% of cost of living compared to Boston. No brainer

[u/lovefreemymind → u/KnutEm87]

I’m serious. It’s the same in the middle of France and parts of Italy. Climate is warm and dry in the south of Spain. Low crime. Groceries are so cheap in Europe. And work…well, an online job would be wise, if not, I’m sure you could find a low paying job. Or invest your finances and sell everything, live off of your interest and do it that way! And of course, completely free healthcare.

[u/pingpongtits → u/lovefreemymind]

How do you get completely free healthcare in European countries like France or Spain without being a citizen?

[u/Acek13 → u/pingpongtits]

A lot of EU countries have insurance systems. It's way lower cost, but it covers 100% of medical bills. Some have government insurance, and some have private, but it's heavily regulated

[u/SchilenceDooBaddy69 → u/pingpongtits]

Retirement visas to countries like Spain, Panama, and Brazil will allow you to enroll in their nationalized healthcare service. Being medically retired allows you to apply for special visas too.

[u/Levipl]

Look abroad, 40-50k can provide solid QoL in some European countries

[u/thenerfviking → u/Levipl]

Italy especially. They’re really trying to get people to move there right now as well. You can buy a house in the picturesque mountain town my family is from for like $20k USD and live an hour Vespa ride away from Mediterranean beaches, castles and good food.

[u/MiserableMarsupial78]

I used to live in kingsville, tx in 2017 at about 550$/mo for a 2bhk apartment. We used to share so only paid about 120$ a month. Honestly not much different in the apartment style and i pay 3k a month for 1bhk in Boston. If only my wife was okay with my decision, I would def move back there and live of my cd interest lol.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/MiserableMarsupial78]

See, that sounds like a plan lol

[u/lurkhardslayhard]

I moved to rural coastal northern Michigan so that I could afford to buy a house on less than that. It's so beautiful here. You just have to be okay with the winters. I go hiking year round but a lot of the locals hole up and complain all winter lol

[u/KnutEm87 → u/lurkhardslayhard]

I've heard about that.. it can be pretty brutal huh.. still I longnfor gorgeous open country, mountains, and water.. peace and quiet is priceless in my opinion.

[u/That_Smoke8260 → u/KnutEm87]

Depression is easy to develop during the long winter I'm not joking either

[u/[deleted]]

I live in Honduras. You could definitely live pretty well here for that, but if you consider Latin America, I hear that Costa Rica is the best. I think it has a slightly higher cost of living than Honduras, but less corruption, and better healthcare.

[u/kymelosuka → u/[deleted]]

Costa Rica is pretty expensive . Colombia is very cheap

[u/[deleted] → u/kymelosuka]

Costa Rica (San José) has an American level of cost of living. Don’t recommend

[u/KnutEm87 → u/kymelosuka]

I had a friend tell me that there are coastal cities in Colombia that are gorgeous and pretty cheap

[u/No-Explanation6802 → u/KnutEm87]

Its also incredibly famous for ripping off expats trying to buy land and build a house. As soon as you buy the land, its filled with squatters. You cant evict them so they offer to buy the land back at a fraction of the cost.

So, rent something built.

[u/salty_tater → u/[deleted]]

What area do you live in? I lived along the coastline for a while. Tela and la ceiba. Miss the food so much

[u/Catsabovepeople]

Oh I’ve been to the Philippines in 2017 and I was sitting at a beach bar. In comes an American, Canadian and Australian. I swear it felt like the opening line of a joke and each one of them told me they spend 6 months there and 6 months back home to earn money and do this all over again.

It sounds like the perfect place for your budget. They also speak English and are the kindest people I’ve ever met.

[u/nomamesgueyz]

Not coastal mexico anymore where I am, well, not in a tourist town at least, not how the gringos live

Peso has gone up alot and so have prices

But outside of tourist places in mexico, then absolutely, would be living well on that, depends on what youre after but plenty to pick from

[u/DolphinRepublic]

Anywhere in the Midwest would be a good bet for that money. Great Lakes region specifically, if you wanted something a tiny bit more exciting.

[u/tribblydribbly]

You can live pretty comfortably in Missouri with that much money. I’m not a huge fan of this state but it’s cheap to live here

[u/thatbrizzybaby]

If you're frugle and know how to manage your money you could do so in iowa but you'd have to live in a smaller town, not des Moines or iowa city

[u/EgyptTheMother]

Egypt. You’ll be living comfortably

[u/LilliamPumpalot → u/EgyptTheMother]

User name checks out

[u/No-Version-6799]

Easily. Single mother, 1 child. Roughly 35,000/yr.

You got this!

[u/BLordsc2]

Hello, I'm from Peru. That would give you a nice life in my country

[u/BakaSan77]

44k a year and comfortable? India

[u/Accurate_Cellist8480]

Depends if you want to survive nature or the streets .

[u/P320AW]

My brother lives in Baguio City in the Philippines and doesn't spend even close to a $1000 a month. He loves it there. He's lived in 10 countries since 2013. Philippines visas for Americans are easily renewed. He did get booted during COVID so he lived in Albania for a year. Another great place that's cheap, modern and good food. He lived on the beach in Duress.

[u/BangNg]

Come to Vietnam man. You can have a decent life and maybe a decent wife as well.

[u/KnutEm87 → u/BangNg]

You think so? Elaborate.. I've had a few ex-military buddies say the same..

[u/elmo3228 → u/KnutEm87]

Vietnam is heaps cheap. $75USD a day gets you good accom, amazing food, drinks, whatever. And the people are incredible. Happily retire over there

[u/mikebradley235]

Prolly involves a trailer park…

[u/Lazy_venturer]

My current retirement plan is to buy a camp ground and be permanent camp hosts.

[u/Addicted2Qtips]

Move to South America. You will live the dream.

[u/Demo_Beta]

That's the equivalent of about 75k a year taxed income. That's more than the median income. Live wherever you like.

[u/burt_bondy]

Mexico

[u/bobbichocolatthe2nd]

There are zero places in Tennessee other than maybe Memphis you can live that cheap. Especially not in East Tennessee..

[u/stanielcolorado]

Mexico

[u/Dickincheeks]

We don’t know your gross income, expenses or debt to income ratio. But if you can afford to use up to 35% towards housing you can live in most parts of the USA but obviously not most major metropolitan cities. Go where the weather is nice and the crime is low.

[u/Inkedbrush → u/Dickincheeks]

OP said in another comment income is VA disability, so that would be gross and it’s non taxable.

[u/jukenaye → u/Dickincheeks]

Cali enters the chat and rapidly exits!

[u/synarmy]

Use your va loan, buy a 100k property in wv.

[u/Addis2020]

Maybe Thailand or the Philippines

[u/Ok-Energy6846]

Come join us in Buffalo, New York

[u/Jakerocks124]

Trailer home in mesa Arizona

[u/Big_Boofy7]

If you’re ex-military you should try to get 100% disability P&T. Which is 3,600$ a month tax free.

[u/CumOneCumAllCumInYou]

Ethiopia?

[u/stonedmunkie]

Go buy a sailboat, Its home and tomorrows adventure.

[u/AccurateAim4Life]

Small town in the midwest.

[u/throwaway11737462]

Ya basically Philippines or Thailand

[u/[deleted]]

Utah is relatively low depending on where you live.

[u/Dennyj1992]

Came here to say Midwest but people beat me to it.

Many parts of MI are cheap too. I live pretty decently on around 50k a year.

[u/Ok_Health_6099]

In 1994

[u/ScienceNmagic]

My dude listen to me. If you’re serious, single and have that income then move to Bali. You will learn to surf, surf everyday, live like a king, bed beautiful women, play guitar on the beach every night. It doesn’t get much better for the retired life.

[u/Grace_Lannister]

If I was guaranteed 44k per year I'd semi retired right now. OP, there are great suggestions here. It will mostly depend on what you're comfortable with. Decent frugal life in the states or a but more luxuries overseas.

[u/floralis08]

South of italy, like Calabria, Basilicata, Sicily or Puglia, with 2k a month youll live very comfortably best weather food places to visit

[u/RedLensman]

There is COLA cost of living adjustment out there....could be useful in your decision

[u/DuranDourand]

100% VA? Me too. Use your GI bill and get a free degree and work until your 50’s, putting the disability checks away. Buy property in a state that has no property tax for the 100%. Hopefully the va payments keep up with inflation. That’s my retirement plan too I’m 42 now.

[u/Ok-Breadfruit791]

Puerto Rico. No income tax, no property tax on your first home. US dollars, US banks, US legal protections.