By a South African living abroad since 2018
Most people think living abroad is for the wealthy. That you need a six-figure salary, a remote tech job, or a trust fund to pack up and see the world. I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true.
I left South Africa in 2011 unoffically and made it official in 2019 without a plan, a budget, and an open mind. Since then, I’ve lived in — or spent significant time across — Costa Rica, The Netherlands, and Curacao. I’ve learned what $5,000 a month can actually buy you in each of these places.
I’ve done some further research and here are a few more countries, rated from A to D, A being the Best of course, that once could live a great life on $5000/month.
Here’s my breakdown.
First, the Foundation: How to Actually Fund This Life
Before I get into the countries, I need to address the elephant in the room: none of these places have meaningful job markets for expats. You’re not going to move to Medellín and find a local employer waiting for you.
The secret to making this lifestyle work is building income that follows you — not income tied to a desk, a city, or a country. That means:
- Starting an online income that pays you no matter where in the world you wake up
- Building multiple income streams so you’re never dependent on a single source
- Investing in systems that continue to earn while you sleep, travel, and live
I built this over time. First one stream, then two, then more. Once your income is location-independent, the $5,000/month budget becomes a powerful tool — because in most of these countries, that budget doesn’t just cover your basics. It funds a genuinely luxurious life.
Now, onto the countries.
🇨🇴 Colombia (Medellín) — Grade: C
The pitch
Medellín gets a bad reputation that’s largely rooted in history, not the present day. The Medellín of Pablo Escobar is not the Medellín of today. Modern Medellín is a vibrant, young, infrastructure-rich city with incredible weather, stunning views, and a cost of living that makes your jaw drop.
When you’re there, $5,000 a month gets you a beautiful three-bedroom home overlooking the entire city — plus a nanny, a private chef, a homeschool teacher, and extracurricular activities for the kids. And you still have money left over.
The peso is weak against the dollar (this is why you have to earn in USD), which means your purchasing power goes incredibly far. The food is great. The people are warm. The infrastructure is genuinely first-world.
The reality
I still give it a C. Here’s why.
Safety is an ever-present concern in Medellín. You live in a bubble — neighbourhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are relatively safe — but step outside that bubble and you can feel like a target very quickly. Some people eventually get armed escorts, a bulletproof vehicle, and security at home.
Can you live like royalty on $5,000 in Medellín? Absolutely. But will you be looking over your shoulder every single day? Also yes. That trade-off isn’t worth it for everyone — and itisn’t worth moving from SA to this.
🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey — Grade: B
The pitch
Istanbul surprised me more than almost anywhere else on this list. The purchasing power here is extraordinary. On a $5,000 budget, Istanbul might actually be the best value for money of any city I’ve visited.
The Grand Bazaar alone is worth the move — it’s the oldest covered market in history and an endless sensory adventure. But beyond that, Turkey offers hot air balloon excursions, yacht rentals, jet skiing, underground tunnels, skiing in the mountains, world-class cuisine, and easy access to the rest of the country via cheap one-hour flights. You will genuinely never get bored.
The reality
Istanbul earns a B, not an A. The poverty is difficult to ignore — large numbers of refugees from Syria and other conflict zones are visible throughout the city, and some areas feel genuinely unsafe, particularly at night. The city is also enormous, incredibly crowded, and traffic can be maddening.
If you’re a traveller at heart and want maximum value for your budget with a rich cultural experience, Istanbul is hard to beat. Just go in with realistic expectations about the challenges that come with a city of its scale and complexity.
🇭🇷 Croatia (Dubrovnik & Split) — Grade: C
The pitch
Croatia looks like a film set. Everywhere you walk, you feel like you’ve stepped inside a history book or stumbled onto a Game of Thrones location (because you have). The people are exceptionally warm, outgoing, and surprisingly easy to connect with — English is widely spoken and locals are genuinely curious about foreigners.
Split and Dubrovnik both offer stunning hillside or waterfront properties at prices that are very reasonable on a $5,000 budget. The culture is family-friendly without being stale, and Croatia sits at an ideal hub for exploring the rest of Europe.
The reality
Croatia earns a C primarily because of how isolated it feels. The “liveable” zones are very small — you’re essentially limited to the main areas of Split or Dubrovnik, both of which lean heavily into tourism. Venture outside those pockets and there’s not much there for expats.
There’s also a cultural flatness that took some getting used to. Grocery stores stock almost exclusively Croatian brands. There’s a noticeable isolation from broader global culture. It’s a wonderful place to visit — and perhaps a decent short-term base — but as a long-term home it feels like a very small bubble.
🇹🇭 Thailand — Grade: A
The pitch
Thailand earns the top spot because it simply has everything, and it gives you the freedom to choose your own adventure.
Want the energy of a major city? Bangkok. Want mountains and a digital nomad community? Chiang Mai. Want world-class beaches? Phuket or Koh Samui. Want a quieter island vibe? Krabi. You can wake up in a beach town, catch a one-hour flight, and be in the middle of a buzzing metropolis by lunchtime.
The service culture in Thailand is second to none. Staff in hotels, restaurants, and residences are genuinely attentive in a way that’s rare elsewhere. The cuisine is extraordinary — and even after months there, you’ll still be discovering new dishes. Your dollar goes a remarkable distance here, and the quality of accommodation and experiences does not reflect the price you pay.
Thailand also has one of the most established long-term expat communities in the world. You’re not just a tourist passing through — you can put down roots, find your people, and build a real life.
The reality
Thailand is not without its quirks. It has a more relaxed attitude toward certain lifestyle choices — gender norms, nightlife, substances — which can be either a draw or a deterrent depending on who you are. Some areas are more “adult-oriented” than others, so it’s worth researching which part of Thailand suits your lifestyle before you commit.
But overall? Thailand is the full package. It earns the A.
🇬🇷 Greece — Grade: D
The pitch
Greece is stunning. The islands are genuinely among the most beautiful places on earth, and Athens carries 2,500 years of history in every stone. There’s nothing quite like sitting on a terrace in Santorini watching the sun melt into the Aegean.
The reality
Greece gets a D, and most of that comes down to one thing: it’s not a practical place to live on a $5,000 budget.
The islands are tourist traps. A single cocktail can cost $30. You’ll burn through your budget in days just trying to exist in the way the destinations are designed for. The islands are a perfect long weekend — not a home.
Athens is a more realistic option as a base, but the city runs hot (uncomfortably so in summer), is significantly overcrowded, and has struggled visibly with the effects of large-scale immigration. The original Greek cultural identity feels diluted, and the city is covered in graffiti. It’s not a city that feels welcoming or vibrant right now.
Greece is a holiday destination, not an expat destination. Visit — just don’t live there.
🇻🇳 Vietnam — Grade: B+
The pitch
Vietnam wasis the biggest surprise.
Most people come here expecting it to be cheap and underdeveloped. They’re completely wrong. Vietnam — particularly Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc — is modern, clean, family-friendly, and incredibly well-maintained. The beaches are world-class. The food is extraordinary. The service is excellent. And on $5,000 a month, you genuinely live like royalty.
The infrastructure in major cities has developed rapidly, and the country clearly has serious ambitions. Costs are low, quality is high, and the natural beauty of the country is unmatched.
The reality
Vietnam earns a B+ rather than an A for two reasons: the language barrier is real, and the expat community — while growing fast — isn’t quite at the level of Thailand or Bali yet.
In countries like Thailand, there’s a deeply established expat ecosystem. In Vietnam, you may feel more like a well-treated tourist than a long-term resident. That’s changing, and it’s changing quickly — but it’s not there yet.
Watch this space. Vietnam could easily become an A-destination within the next few years.
The Final Rankings
| Grade | Destination | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| A | 🇹🇭 Thailand | The full package — city, beach, mountains, community |
| B+ | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Best-kept secret — exceptional value, growing fast |
| B | 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey | Maximum bang for your buck |
| C | 🇨🇴 Colombia (Medellín) | Luxury on a budget — if you can handle the safety trade-off |
| C | 🇭🇷 Croatia | Beautiful but isolated |
| D | 🇬🇷 Greece | Visit, don’t live |
The Bottom Line
Living abroad on $5,000 a month is not just possible — it’s a genuinely elevated lifestyle in most of these destinations. The question isn’t whether you can afford the life. The question is whether you’ve built the income that allows you to live it anywhere.
Start with one income stream. Build a second. Keep going. Then decide where in the world you want to wake up.
The world is wide open. You just have to be ready for it.
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Have questions about expat living or building location-independent income? Drop them in the comments below.