Can you really retire abroad on $2,500 a month? We break down what that budget gets you, where it can work, and how to find your true retirement number.
When we first started testing numbers, $2,500 looked like a ticket to freedom. A simple apartment, local food, a bit of travel sprinkled in — it seemed possible. And in places like Chiang Mai or smaller towns in Portugal, it really can be. But once we factored in our love of bigger apartments, regular wellness routines, and the occasional splurge, our sweet spot shifted closer to $3,500.
So how do you know if $2,500 is your number?
The best way is to picture your days abroad. Imagine waking up in a sunlit apartment, heading to the local market for fresh fruit, hopping on public transport, and grabbing street food for dinner. That’s one version. Now imagine a central apartment, more dinners out, a gym membership, private healthcare, and maybe a couple of weekend trips — suddenly the budget looks very different.
Here’s where the research comes in. Don’t just trust the lists of “cheap countries.” Instead, look at:
- Housing: Check Airbnb or local rentals in the areas you’d actually live
- Food: Local grocery prices tell you more than any headline
- Healthcare: One of the biggest wild cards — research expat insurance and routine costs
- Transportation: Will you rely on buses and trains, or budget flights?
It’s easy to see how $2,500 could cover the basics — or feel tight depending on your choices. For us, it’s the difference between just getting by and living the lifestyle we dreamed about when we retired.
That’s why we built the Slow Travel Budget Spreadsheet – so you can plug in real numbers, test your lifestyle, and see if $2,500, $3,500, or even $5,000+ is what matches your freedom.
Early retirement isn’t about chasing the lowest number. It’s about knowing what kind of life you want and making sure your budget supports it. For some, $2,500 is perfect. For others, it’s a starting point. The key is figuring out your number before you leap.