Where could you live comfortably on 80k a year?

[Anonymous]

Open to US and international locations.

Assume you can use the full 80k for living expenses, you don't have to save for anything. But the 80k would have to cover rent or a mortgage (assume you could put down 20%).

Defining comfortable as: live in a safe and pleasant neighborhood, doesn't need to be high end. Can easily afford groceries, cell phone, cable and internet. Can afford transportation within the region, either public transit if available or can afford to pay for parking/insurance/gas (assume you already have a car if it's necessary for getting around). Can afford basic entertainment -- maybe eating out at a mid price restaurant once a week, going to the movies occasionally.

80k doesn't have to cover travel, but access to a decent sized airport is a major plus.

[Anonymous]

Western, NY

[Anonymous]

OP again. Also does not need to be a SFH -- very open to condos and apartments, especially if in walkable neighborhoods with transit. Would need a 2 bedroom though.

This is for a couple with no kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Western, NY

Can you be more specific? Looking for specific cities/towns.

[Anonymous]

probably thailand

[Anonymous]

80k?! Is this a joke? That is not enough money to live comfortably anywhere that is not straight up third world. Like you will be living like a local with no ac and a squat toilet in Eastern Europe/Asia.

[Anonymous]

How about Mexico? Mexico City, Oaxaca, and San Miguel de Allende are beautiful cities with significant expat populations. Your standard of living would be quite high with $80k/year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:80k?! Is this a joke? That is not enough money to live comfortably anywhere that is not straight up third world. Like you will be living like a local with no ac and a squat toilet in Eastern Europe/Asia.

You are a joke if you think that's what 80k/year is

[Anonymous]

You need to think about healthcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to think about healthcare.

It's not for me and the couple has access to healthcare. They will have a copay through an employer plan but it's reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:80k?! Is this a joke? That is not enough money to live comfortably anywhere that is not straight up third world. Like you will be living like a local with no ac and a squat toilet in Eastern Europe/Asia.

Have you never traveled?

Drive two hours from DC into West Virginia and you will find many people with indoor plumbing and a/c living on far less than $80k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:80k?! Is this a joke? That is not enough money to live comfortably anywhere that is not straight up third world. Like you will be living like a local with no ac and a squat toilet in Eastern Europe/Asia.

Whoa, check your privilege there. $80k is a decent salary for the vast majority of Americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:80k?! Is this a joke? That is not enough money to live comfortably anywhere that is not straight up third world. Like you will be living like a local with no ac and a squat toilet in Eastern Europe/Asia.

OP here. This doesn't sound right. They can spend the full 80k on living expenses. I was thinking if we could find somewhere where you could get a rental for around 2k/mo would work, would adjust higher or lower depending on taxes, whether they'd need a car, etc.

I was expecting suggestions for smaller cities in the midwest, south, and rust belt, maybe midsize cities in Europe? They'd be open to Mexico for sure (one of them speaks Spanish very well) though I'm mildly worried about the heat.

[Anonymous]

Pittsburg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:80k?! Is this a joke? That is not enough money to live comfortably anywhere that is not straight up third world. Like you will be living like a local with no ac and a squat toilet in Eastern Europe/Asia.

You are a joke if you think that's what 80k/year is

You can live very nicely, with a/c and eating out a lot in South Korea for under $80K. And Seoul is super modern, more so than the US. I was super impressed with how clean and modern it was. Puts DC and NYC to shame.