If I liquidated all of my assets and cashed out my 401k I figure I’d have around $180,000. How long could I comfortably live in a third world country? Ok, so, let’s not go all the way third world. Let’s say a ‘developing country.’ How about Mexico? How long could I live there, without working, on that amount? By comfortably I mean: Car, modest house, and an internet connection. Also, obviously have food and some night out on the town money. That is assuming I do not get gunned down by Los Zetas or whatever cartel runs my area within days of moving in.
About 5 minutes.
I figured I could make it a little longer than that.
Hola. I live in Mexico. 2 grand a month would be a nice life. You do the math.
Just joking, nothing personal. 
I would suggest trying city data, they have lots of helpful stats. Also, see if you can find expat books and communities. I came across an online community years ago for people who retired to countries where the dollar was strong. Sorry, I can’t remember the name of it.
I know
Hola. In middle America you can live a nice life with $2,000 a month. In fact, the median household income where I live is significantly less than $48,000 a year, which means on average with two people working they are making less than $2,000 a month individually.
Crime Scene, If you were frugal and old enough, I imagine 180K would last you a very long time in some rural US states.
If you want a different country however, I would recommend thoroughly researching visas, culture shock, etc. You’d be surprised.
I’m only 29, so I doubt I’d make it forever unless I made some kinda virtuoso investment in some amazing Mexican startup company. I’m not very frugal to be completely honest, but I could give it a shot. I speak conversational Spanish and have been to Mexico and South America a few times and liked it well enough. Of course, those were the touristy areas where I wouldn’t be able to afford to live.
Health care is going to be the issue. I have no idea what sort of insurance options are available for a 30-year old living in Mexico, but that, not the price of rent or food or transportation, is going to be the most important variable.
I spent about 5 years living in the Philippines. For a simple yet comfortable life my budget was around US$1,000 a month. Larger cities like Manila can be much more expensive, and in smaller towns you might get by on $500 a month.
Taxis are so cheap that a car is not necessary. Typical taxi ride in a third world country can be as cheap as $2 to $4.
About 4 years ago I spent 4 months living in Cartagena Colombia. Spent about $1,000 a month, but I got tired of the petty crime.
I see. I looked up some stuff on the World’s Cheapest Places to Live and it doesn’t look like I’d want to live in any of 'em.