If you are willing to live outside the central districts, however, a similar one-bedroom apartment costs only about $255 per month. Rental prices are substantially cheaper farther north in Chiang Rai. Most expatriates who eat meals primarily at home should be able to dine very well on less than $200 per month.

Other basic living expenses such as household cleaning products and personal hygiene products are less costly. You can buy plenty for these items in $50 to $100.

If you want to get detailed information about living cost in these 3 countries. These below links will give you more ideas:

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...untry=Cambodia
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...ayCurrency=USD
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...ayCurrency=USD

Malaysia has one of the best retirement plans in the world. Also best condition of living to cost ratio, in the region. Don't know in the future but currency ratio now is quite favourable too. Never been to Borneo yet but must be a very fascinating place to visit.

edsh
 

What's you maximum budget? Everyone's idea of 'cheap' is different. Start with your 3 month trip: after you factor in roughly $800 for international air, how much do you have remaining for lodging, food, and local transportation.

Requirement for people younger than 50 to park USD >$120K in a bank and show proof that you have monthly income of USD $2.5K is probably is not 'best of the world'....

Very thick with bugs. Drop a cake crumb even in a 5* hotel and the ants will find it. :p

The preserved areas have some of the oldest forests in the world, with very extensive root systems. Unfortunately way too much prime land has already been converted to palm oil plantations, and there are other major environmental concerns.

They're suspicious of anyone under 50 because they think the person might be running away from something.

where can I stay for just a month at a time?
extended stay hotels?

no public transportation (buses) in major SE asia cities?

hm.. never thought of phoenix for the winter.
just thought any major US city would be relatively expensive compared to SE asia for the winter?

AirBnB is your friend for one month rental, but I would only consider properties which >50 4.5 star ratings and only places when can rent the whole apartment/home, not a room. You also need to make sure to communicate with the host in advance and clear all questions.

Seems you need to do some reading and research before embarking on such adventure. Moreover - if you decide to spend 3 month in Asia, I would suggest first to go on trial Asia trip for a month, moving from place to place and spending 10 days in in one place to get some understanding.

Short and direct answer - outside of Singapore and Hong Kong (which are outside of your price range) public transport is for poor people who do not have money to buy/move by car. So they have to endure buses/trains where they are available (in most cases they simply don't exist). Public transport in most (all) places is not clean (to be polite in this expression) and in number of places do not have air conditioning either. Also crime - pickpocket and bag/backpack snatching is common thing.

Seriously, why don't you start reading wikivoyage on relevant cities/regions to get some understanding? Then come here to ask specific questions.

You need to make a list what is important for you in terms of priority and only after that things can have price tags, like:
- language barrier
- access to quality medical care
- ability to move from place to place and using what means
- ability to eat familiar food
- lodging requirements (noise/amenities, etc)
- social life
- internet connectivity
- environment (air/water quality, access to parks/nature/beaches)
- etc, etc, etc

Otherwise going to Asia with 'oh, let me go live in Asia for three month because I hate winter in US' - culture and other shocks are guaranteed.

It all comes down to your lifestyle.
Can you live in Bangkok cheaper than Phoenix? Yes.
Can you live in Phoenix cheaper than Bangkok? Yes.

Your health insurance might not cover medical issues when overseas, or you might have to prepay and get reimbursed when you come back to the USA.

I assume you already own a car? You can bring that car with you to Arizona. You could easily spend $2-$20 per day on taxis/subway in SE Asia, especially if you have some issues with walking long distances on uneven walkways.


I agree with what others said. Take a 30-60 day trip to SE Asia. Stay in a few cities for a week each. See how you feel. If you need some advice on which cities in certain countries, then just ask us.


Or worse :(

You're getting some misleading advice in this thread. You can live quite comfortably in N/NE Thailand for $1500-2000/month (many do so for less), including lodging, and no, you won't have to walk everywhere.

The problem is that the OP hasn't told us much about himself. For all we know he might have never been to SE Asia before.

I don't think the advice is misleading, it's just specific to a certain situation.

We're all just throwing out random ideas. $1500-2000/month is doable on probably 90% of the planet.

thats why agents are for. They make up for you if dont keep up with requirements.
The 120k gives u a decent 4% interest which will cover your rent. My girlfriend pays 260 euros and gets a large brand new studio with pool, parking, gym ,24 security in an area with 5 star hotels and golf course.
If retirement plan is still not a option no problem. My friend did the 3 months in, one week out for 8 years and never faced a single problem.

ibilik.com