Can an average American live like a King in some Latin American countries?

[kratz]

Hey guys,

My friend let's call him Chris. Was a middle class(not sure if he could qualify as working class) in the United States with his monthly salary less that 5k. He was a very average guy here and lived with roommates in a big city let's say LA. He wasn't a "baller' or anything like that. However, he moved to Colombia now he lives in a huge house, has a chef and post videos of having parties at his house. He has become part of what is called a "gringo bubble." He's case is not unique I have met other Americans who moved to Panama or other Latin American countries and they live a much higher standard of living. Which has lead me to wonder.

1-How much do most people in Latin America make on average monthly?
2-Is the cost of living much lower?
3-How much do most professionals make?

[kratz]

I read about a guy that started teaching English in Colombia for $5 a lesson. He claimed he made it after a year or so he had enough clients to charge more or teach in groups (I don't remember). There are a lot of expats in Colombia who were teaching English as their primary income. They don't make a lot of money, but the cost of living is cheap. For instance a beer was like 50-80 cents.

However, Costa Rica has the highest proportion of American expats relative to it's population in the world.



You need to take a TEFL certification program (around $2500) through an agency and they have placement options based on desirability. It's seniority based, so you won't be getting Uruguay, Argentina, or Costa Rica.

Finally, a post where you are being reasonable. I was wondering since it seems the cost of living in other countries is much cheaper. I've had a friend who moved to Eastern Europe and his lifestyle was also higher. I'm not thinking of moving anytime soon but I was wondering since it seems that the rest of the world(not only Latin America) is much poorer than the USA.

[samario]

Well, Colombia is cheaper for people whose income is measured in US dollars and there's a big American expat community over here. So, yes. If they have a permanent income in US dollars, they will be well off in Colombia.

[HelloGuys]

Algo así; aquí el dólar vale demasiado; con que ganen como 1000 dólares al mes, aquí pueden vivir "decentemente" y con 1500 ganan igual que un médico especialista promedio en el IMSS

[luc2112]

Finally, a post where you are being reasonable. I was wondering since it seems the cost of living in other countries is much cheaper. I've had a friend who moved to Eastern Europe and his lifestyle was also higher. I'm not thinking of moving anytime soon but I was wondering since it seems that the rest of the world(not only Latin America) is much poorer than the USA.

In Brazil with 1000 dollars a month, he would live reasonably (middle city) in middle class. But this income would have to come from the USA ( retirees).
Most prefer Mexico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic due to its proximity to the USA.

[luc2112]

1-How much do most people in Latin America make on average monthly?

what exists is a minimum salary of BRL 1200 month is very little even for one person, would pay a cheap rent and eat.
U$ 1000, equals + - BRL 4000 much better

2-Is the cost of living much lower?

Doctor, dentist and private university (have free of charge from the government) is cheaper than in the USA. Automobile, fuel, eletronics and food USA is cheaper, houses, water, electricity seems the same, if you do middle class equivalence

3-How much do most professionals make?

What profession? it is very variable here and depends on the city. Latam has less jobs than the USA, this is the biggest problem

[kratz]

what exists is a minimum salary of BRL 1200 month is very little even for one person, would pay a cheap rent and eat.
U$ 1000, equals + - BRL 4000 much better



Doctor, dentist and private university (have free of charge from the government) is cheaper than in the USA. Automobile, fuel, eletronics and food USA is cheaper, houses, water, electricity seems the same, if you do middle class equivalence



What profession? it is very variable here and depends on the city. Latam has less jobs than the USA, this is the biggest problem

I appreciate your answers!
1-How would someone live who make $5k a month? One single person, no family.
2-Professionals(Lawyers, Teachers..etc)

[Daco Celtic]

[luc2112]

I appreciate your answers!
1-How would someone live who make $5k a month? One single person, no family.

U$ 5, 000 is equivalent to + - $ 20K BRL (local currency), it would be upper middle class, this house costs 1 million dollars in the most expensive neighborhood in my city.




















$ 5000 BRL a person lives as a middle class comfortably in my city (400K inhabitants). Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo capital have higher costs.

2-Professionals(Lawyers, Teachers..etc)

U $ 3, 000 BRL to U $ 6, 000 BRL, a professor with a doctorate is 10, 000 BRL

[luc2112]

This house costs 500, 000 BRL (226 MTs) U$ 125,000