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Author Topic: How far does the dollar go in these countries  (Read 7650 times)

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Offline Zon

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How far does the dollar go in these countries
« on: June 11, 2010, 08:52:30 PM »
We have had some good current dialogue on country comparisons that primarily has taken WOMEN into consideration.  Although very important, there are other considerations too:
- safety
- lawfulness versus corruption
- positive and negative gringo stereo types
- and economic.

I had spent the last couple months in the Dominican Republic.  Even when I was in the middle of the country, in very poor places, I found myself spending 4 - 5 bucks for a Dominican lunch - the island is not cheap!   A beer was always 2 bucks - sometimes 3. Meanwhile I have friends living in Bogota, Medellin, and Cali for as little as 1300 dollars a month.  Most are budgeted at about 2 K per month and live well.  I have one friend that lives on 3,500 and lives a lifestyle that would be hard to replicate in the US for 7 - 10 K.   So, whatever else, Colombia is rather cheap for the lifestyle you can buy.

WHAT ABOUT ... Peru; Brazil; Ecuador? 

Now that I am starting to believe that the women of Peru are not all short with a straight figure, I think I am most interested there ... but, please post if you have experience in any South American country.  It is good to become less Colombian centric.

« Last Edit: June 11, 2010, 09:00:04 PM by Zon »

Offline braziliangirl

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2010, 11:30:41 AM »
I'll do a more detailed post later, but here are some indicators to give you an idea about the cost of living:

Lunch: Brazilians make big lunches... Maybe something like an American dinner. You can have a decent meal with some drinks for less than $15. You can take a girl to a place that will impress her and spend less than $60 for you both.
Beer: But i did a little research and a large bottle (600ml) of the best ones (Skol or Bohemia) in a nice bar is something less than $3. At the clubs they just sell the small ones, which we call long neck (about 350ml). It costs from $2.50 to $4.50.
Living: a single person can live a decent life with $3k, having a good car (for Brazilian standards, that are way lower than the American), owning a house, eating out and partying once in while.
And let's not forget the Big Mac index: $6

(all prices converted to USD)

Offline Woody

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2010, 11:44:21 AM »
Living: a single person can live a decent life with $3k, having a good car (for Brazilian standards, that are way lower than the American), owning a house, eating out and partying once in while.

So pretty much the same cost of living as a US city with a population of 250k to 750k.

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2010, 11:44:21 AM »

Offline braziliangirl

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2010, 12:02:30 PM »
Yes... Brazil is not cheap.

Those prices are from one the big cities with highest cost of living.

But there is one thing to consider. I guess in the US you can make 3k pretty easily. In Brazil, only a few get to this level.

Minimum wage here is $280. Average wage is about $800.

Offline Woody

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2010, 12:19:18 PM »
I guess in the US you can make 3k pretty easily.

Yes, in my area, for skilled labor, $3k/month is pretty realistic take-home pay.

Offline Dave H

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2010, 10:08:24 PM »
Yes, in my area, for skilled labor, $3k/month is pretty realistic take-home pay.

Hey Woody,

You must not live in South Florida! Oh that's right...there is no "skilled labor" there...just those who claim to be!  ;D

Dave
The developmentally disabled madman!

Offline no comment

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2010, 11:22:22 PM »
The Peruvian nuevo sol has been in the vicinity of 3 to the dollar for a number of years. Dan has the conversion tool posted in the Latin forum and it's currently 2.8 & change/ dollar.  I am married to a Peruvian and have found Lima an affordable city.  The biggest expenses are flights & accommodations, so do your best to get a good deal on a flight & an affordable place to stay. Knowledge is power, so if you know the language and can negotiate you won't be an easy mark for taxi fares. You can get great food by knowing your way around the city and avoiding the tourist attraction restaurants.  I usually stay in Miraflores, but have also stayed in San Isidro (section of Lima). Completely safe.
Personally, I avoid hotels and use accommodations of a Brit expat who rents by the day or week.  His places come with kitchens so I do my own breakfast and will only eat out one meal per day. Peru has great fresh food in los mercados.

Offline Gavan

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Re: How far does the dollar go in these countries
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2010, 01:05:56 PM »
We have had some good current dialogue on country comparisons that primarily has taken WOMEN into consideration.  Although very important, there are other considerations too:
- safety
- lawfulness versus corruption
- positive and negative gringo stereo types
- and economic.

I had spent the last couple months in the Dominican Republic.  Even when I was in the middle of the country, in very poor places, I found myself spending 4 - 5 bucks for a Dominican lunch - the island is not cheap!   A beer was always 2 bucks - sometimes 3. Meanwhile I have friends living in Bogota, Medellin, and Cali for as little as 1300 dollars a month.  Most are budgeted at about 2 K per month and live well.  I have one friend that lives on 3,500 and lives a lifestyle that would be hard to replicate in the US for 7 - 10 K.   So, whatever else, Colombia is rather cheap for the lifestyle you can buy.

WHAT ABOUT ... Peru; Brazil; Ecuador? 

Now that I am starting to believe that the women of Peru are not all short with a straight figure, I think I am most interested there ... but, please post if you have experience in any South American country.  It is good to become less Colombian centric.



I live in Trujillo, Peru on about $1500 (for my novia and myself). We live in a decent apartment in a middle class area and have all modern conveniences like DirecTV with DVR, high speed internet etc. Trujillo is a very cheap city, but it is not quite as nice as the wealthy areas of Lima like Miraflores (which is a lot more expensive). It is a lot less developed, dirtier and probably a bit more dangerous as well. There are lots of entertainment options in Trujillo, but not as many as in the capital.

Corruption is very high in Peru and the police is not very reliable at all.

Economically Peru is growing very quickly (I think it is one of the fastest growing countries in South America), but there still is a lot of poverty and wages are VERY low.

 

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