Living Abroad Guide
Discover affordable countries for long-term travel, remote work, digital nomad life and building your next chapter abroad.
Living abroad does not have to be expensive. For UK travellers, students, remote workers and digital nomads, choosing the right country can make long-term travel much more realistic.
The best affordable countries combine lower living costs with good accommodation options, strong lifestyle appeal, reliable internet and travel opportunities.
Thailand is one of the most popular affordable destinations for long-term travellers thanks to low living costs, great food, beaches and strong digital nomad communities.
Monthly budget
£800–£1,500/month
Best for
Budget travel, beaches and city life
Popular places
Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket
Bali offers tropical living, coworking cafés and a strong remote work scene, making it popular with digital nomads and creators.
Monthly budget
£900–£1,700/month
Best for
Remote workers, wellness and creative lifestyle
Popular places
Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak
Vietnam is one of Asia’s best-value destinations, with affordable accommodation, vibrant cities, coastal towns and strong travel appeal.
Monthly budget
£700–£1,300/month
Best for
Low costs, food culture and adventure
Popular places
Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Portugal is not the cheapest option globally, but it remains one of Europe’s better-value choices for sunshine, lifestyle and remote work culture.
Monthly budget
£1,300–£2,200/month
Best for
Europe, sunshine and remote work
Popular places
Lisbon, Porto, Lagos, Madeira
Spain offers strong lifestyle value, especially outside the most expensive city centres, with warm weather, food culture and excellent transport links.
Monthly budget
£1,500–£2,600/month
Best for
Beach cities, nightlife and culture
Popular places
Valencia, Malaga, Barcelona
Mexico is popular with remote workers and long-term travellers thanks to its climate, food, culture, beaches and relatively affordable lifestyle.
Monthly budget
£1,000–£2,000/month
Best for
Warm weather, beaches and digital nomads
Popular places
Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, Oaxaca
| Country | Monthly Budget | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | £800–£1,500/month | Budget travel, beaches and city life |
| Bali, Indonesia | £900–£1,700/month | Remote workers, wellness and creative lifestyle |
| Vietnam | £700–£1,300/month | Low costs, food culture and adventure |
| Portugal | £1,300–£2,200/month | Europe, sunshine and remote work |
| Spain | £1,500–£2,600/month | Beach cities, nightlife and culture |
| Mexico | £1,000–£2,000/month | Warm weather, beaches and digital nomads |
Cost of living is only one part of choosing where to live abroad. You should also consider visa rules, healthcare, internet quality, safety, accommodation options and whether the destination suits your work or study plans.
Some countries may look cheap on paper but become expensive in tourist areas. Always research local neighbourhoods, seasonal price changes and longer-stay accommodation before committing.
Thailand, Vietnam and Bali are often among the most affordable destinations for long-term travellers and remote workers.
Thailand, Bali, Vietnam and Portugal are popular options because they combine lifestyle, internet access and international communities.
Some parts of Europe can be affordable, especially outside major capital cities. Portugal and Spain can offer good value compared with many other Western European destinations.
Explore destinations, search travel options and discover work abroad inspiration with Kuafu.
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