Who among us aging doesn't need cheap?
After all, even if we're fat and happy right now with the max in Social Security, a pension, and investments, all that might not be enough.
We could get hit with a whopper of continuing cost for medial care, including for a spouse.
We could live to be 100+, with inflation galloping.
We could be forced to take in grandchildren and rear them, right up through college.
There are threats to eventually reduce the monthly Social Security payment.
And, investments, they could downsize or even go poof.
Most of the time when we think "cheap," we are focusing on the cost of housing.
How much we spend on other items such as groceries and recreation can be adjusted to our individual budget, no matter where we live.
But to avoid being homeless, we have to pony up what the market rate is in that location. Call that The Price of Entry.
The good news, reports Think Advisor, is that there are myriad locations outside the United States with cheap housing. According to GoBankingRates, here are the top ones:
Romania
Ecuador
Croatia
Turkey
Bulgaria
Serbia
Vietnam
Mexico
Philippines
Indonesia
Columbia
Pakistan
Malaysia
India
Sri Lanka.
The cost of housing in these particular nations ranges from about $180 to $500 a month.
Ironically, though, the nation that is getting the most media attention for cheap - Ecuador - is more expensive for housing than my apartment on the west side of Toledo, Ohio. The average monthly nut for an apartment in Ecuador, according to GoBankingRate, is $480.80.
In my residential development, rents range from $400 to $475 a month for a one-bedroom, with free covered parking. But since a shopping center is across the street and a bus to downtown stops right in front, a car isn't necessary. Electricity for light, heat, and air-conditioning runs about another $40 a month.
It's interesting to note that in Toledo, as well as Youngstown, OH, rent has been declining.
Once we older Americans nail down a cheap way to keep a roof over our heads, we can open ourselves to the unique joys associated with aging. They range from not caring what others think to learning to love ourselves as we are (ditch the self-improvement resolutions).
Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.
Comments