where in the????
Trending Topics
Aug 23rd, 2006 | 05:49 PM
#8
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Look in small or middle sized towns in the higher elevations of the SE.
You can easily get an apartment for under $500 (a quarter of your budget) and sometimes a rental house. Higher elevation = cooler temps = less A/C needed = lower power bills
That leaves $1100 a month for the rest of your expenses. If you already have a car for transportation, you can easily do it on 20K - and can do it on 20K with a modest car payment. Don't count on public transportation in these areas.
You can easily get an apartment for under $500 (a quarter of your budget) and sometimes a rental house. Higher elevation = cooler temps = less A/C needed = lower power bills
That leaves $1100 a month for the rest of your expenses. If you already have a car for transportation, you can easily do it on 20K - and can do it on 20K with a modest car payment. Don't count on public transportation in these areas.
Aug 23rd, 2006 | 06:35 PM
#16
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 26,155
Likes: 0
On a serious note, there are people in this country who live on $20K/year. It's possible they consider their lifestyle "comfortable," but that could be because they've never known any other way of life. I don't know what your standard of living is now. But it sounds like you want a nicer lifestyle than that of the people I mentioned above. That will be a challenge indeed, but I wish you luck.
Aug 23rd, 2006 | 07:16 PM
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
The key word is "comfortably".
I don't believe it's possible to do that for $20,000. You can go somewhere where the cost of living is very low, but that probably means giving up some comforts. You don't want a rural area or a mobile home (both of which are the cheapest options). You could live in a 3rd world country for $20,000 easily, but that would mean giving up some stuff - so I doubt that would fit the "comfortable" standard.
What amenities do you consider necessary, and what can you do without?
I don't believe it's possible to do that for $20,000. You can go somewhere where the cost of living is very low, but that probably means giving up some comforts. You don't want a rural area or a mobile home (both of which are the cheapest options). You could live in a 3rd world country for $20,000 easily, but that would mean giving up some stuff - so I doubt that would fit the "comfortable" standard.
What amenities do you consider necessary, and what can you do without?
Aug 23rd, 2006 | 11:09 PM
#19
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
my dad has already done this research. for his retirement from a retirement, during which he is still engaged in small business projects.
in this upcoming costa rican retirement, there will be no work, other than the responsibilities of caring for himself, his wife, and their property, and being part of their community. this upcoming stage of his life will consist moving from one day to the next in a relaxed and open manner, meeting his obligations, and helping those whom he is able to help along the way.
in this upcoming costa rican retirement, there will be no work, other than the responsibilities of caring for himself, his wife, and their property, and being part of their community. this upcoming stage of his life will consist moving from one day to the next in a relaxed and open manner, meeting his obligations, and helping those whom he is able to help along the way.
Aug 24th, 2006 | 02:37 AM
#20
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
I'll never knock anyone who lives in a mobile home. Its a very cost effective way to live. You would have to live in the South (rural) to avoid the huge gas bills we have up here in the North. I'd say $20,000 before taxes would be hard, after taxes it is possibility. Also remember that many Northern states have way higher taxes on just about everything vs. the SE USA.
