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Go Abroad - leave the world behind....

Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#1
#1
Maybe time to tell you, how I made it? If you are interested - here is the story.
So, it was a time I was completely lost in this "working abroad" thing. In the end, I had not even a home any longer in the EU. It is somewhat sick, when you come back from vacation to Bangui and actually you feel home? Its quite a feeling to have no more roots. OK, with the help of a friend I tried to rent a small apartment in Spain (the only country, where it is allowed to visit apartments online!), I found something for 250 bucks month. Later on I paid 350 as all is included - water, electricity... So, the apartment is actually really nice, furnished - and since 6 months even with heating (smile - before I used a heating blanket...). Then I opened a bank account (to receive my salary, now retirement), I bought a 125 scooter (so I can use the highway) and now my running costs per month are 500 EUR all included: internet, gym, scooter, rent... the rest I can use to live. And actually I live quite well for a small amount. Being a minimalist helped a lot (I do not need a lot, really),

If I would do it again today - I would not opt for an apartment: I would rent a terrain. Here in Spain you can rent 1 or 2 acres for 50 - 150 a month. Just set up a tent with heating and solar panels - this would be the other option. Then you can even live cheaper - I guess 800 would be enough. And - most of the Spanish people have such a terrain (for the WE and vacation... - some with nice houses, some just a hut... ).

You should speak Spanish.

Wherever you go - you must: register with authorities, open a bank account, get your TAX ID, learn the language. If interesting for you - check the Webpage of IDEALISTA - there you find all apartments, terrains etc. all over the place. You will only grow, have fun and return changed (if you come back at all), For me it has always helped me to be abroad - see new things, experience incredible places...

I mean - I am still suffering from Depression and sometimes loneliness - but overall it just got better...

I hope - if you are reading this from the US - you think about it. Not looking to good over there, ha?
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#4
#4
Sure you can. Of course the tent must be really big and have a stove (that would be 1.000 bucks plus a carpet, a stove, solar panels...). I made the calculation and to survive you need something like 600 - 700 month, investment for rental, tent etc. something like 2.000. So go ahead.

We have an apartment in Ziguinchor, south Senegal (Casamance). It's really tropical and you have three seasons: warm, hot, rain. Just some KM to Guinea Bissau (this is our daily walking path - 9 KM). We pay for 110m2 (two rooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and living) 150 bucks a month. We invested approx. 2.000 for furniture and kitchen. We have internet, electricity (you buy electricity in advance!!). Its really nice and honestly you can live here for 500 a month easily. This includes rent, internet and simple food. Just to tell: If you want to buy a motorbike, its something like 800 EUR for a BAJAJ with allroad capability. It does not mean it's quick (maybe 90 - 100 km/h), but the bikes in Africa are really strong... And it takes you where you want (in our case - we often go to Cap Skirring or Diembereng - to the beach).

So check it out. But in Senegal you should speak French, in Spain of course Spanish. It can be limited, not perfect - but you must be able to make yourself understood. And African markets: you better know the prices.... then you are on the safe side.
 
Licorice

Licorice

Well-Known Member
#5
#5
I lived in Africa for many years so it feels like home to me.

But what about security? I lived in some very high crime rate places (Nairobi) and we had security gates and guards. As an older white woman alone, I would be a target, because I'd be seen as both rich and easy pickings.

I might buy the terrain if that's possible.
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#6
#6
Well, I spent a total of 23 years in 12 different countries in Africa and Asia. Danger is mostly petty crime - and it happened to my wife as well (she is Chadian). She was robbed in Chad but luckily she was not at home (this would have been a disaster--)... Chad was nice when I was there (1993 and 2008 to 2013). I was always lucky until now... And honestly - I have never been to the US - I always assumed its much more dangerous that Africa, right?

I definitely do not like big cities - maybe that's why... the small villages and towns, small markets, easy going and cheap rental markets etc. - this is my paradise. But after all these years in Afghanistan - what do you want me to say? I had war , explosions etc. so often - including evacuation (all others, I always had to stay)... I was laying on the floor and praying when they shot around... (funny, during night time you cannot discern the distance..). I am fucked up - but the above is true. Senegal is a very safe place. Even today.

Yep, guards I had all the time (not now though - now its friends I rely on - and I have nothing I could not spare in Africa). Its just a monthly payment and when I am gone - others use my apartment. I always took care of the guards and made sure that they were paid well (in total we had 150 - 180 in all expat houses, under a huge security contract). The most vulnerable are the ones I love the most. Licorice, if it interest you, contact me directly (FR??).
 
G

Gard

Well-Known Member
#7
#7
Survivorist said:
Maybe time to tell you, how I made it? If you are interested - here is the story.
So, it was a time I was completely lost in this "working abroad" thing. In the end, I had not even a home any longer in the EU. It is somewhat sick, when you come back from vacation to Bangui and actually you feel home? Its quite a feeling to have no more roots. OK, with the help of a friend I tried to rent a small apartment in Spain (the only country, where it is allowed to visit apartments online!), I found something for 250 bucks month. Later on I paid 350 as all is included - water, electricity... So, the apartment is actually really nice, furnished - and since 6 months even with heating (smile - before I used a heating blanket...). Then I opened a bank account (to receive my salary, now retirement), I bought a 125 scooter (so I can use the highway) and now my running costs per month are 500 EUR all included: internet, gym, scooter, rent... the rest I can use to live. And actually I live quite well for a small amount. Being a minimalist helped a lot (I do not need a lot, really),

If I would do it again today - I would not opt for an apartment: I would rent a terrain. Here in Spain you can rent 1 or 2 acres for 50 - 150 a month. Just set up a tent with heating and solar panels - this would be the other option. Then you can even live cheaper - I guess 800 would be enough. And - most of the Spanish people have such a terrain (for the WE and vacation... - some with nice houses, some just a hut... ).

You should speak Spanish.

Wherever you go - you must: register with authorities, open a bank account, get your TAX ID, learn the language. If interesting for you - check the Webpage of IDEALISTA - there you find all apartments, terrains etc. all over the place. You will only grow, have fun and return changed (if you come back at all), For me it has always helped me to be abroad - see new things, experience incredible places...

I mean - I am still suffering from Depression and sometimes loneliness - but overall it just got better...

I hope - if you are reading this from the US - you think about it. Not looking to good over there, ha?
Click to expand...
That's very impressive!
Can you please tell me, do you have an online job or do you work offline at your place of residence? Or do you not work at all? Sorry for the straightforward questions. Just trying to figure out how I could do the same. It's appealing :)
 
Licorice

Licorice

Well-Known Member
#8
#8
Survivorist, you won't believe this, but I lived in Afghanistan as a teenager, back before all this trouble started. I went to the American International School of Kabul. I visited Bamiyan, rode horses around Band-i-Amir, and stood on the head of the Buddha, before the Taliban blew them up. A very different experience from yours to be sure.
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#9
#9
Whao, Licorice, I know these places so well... I spent 6 years there... Check this out - maybe you remember (us, me, my friends...?) - and Gard: Its worse than that, I am RETIRED now.... (smile) and try to live cheap but internationally... (it's actually working with two places...). So the deal is: 8 months in Spain, 3 in Senegal and 1 month vacation on the road somewhere... I try to remember the best places I have been to - most of them are shitty now, but still some paradise exists (not that much... - hurry).

 
Licorice

Licorice

Well-Known Member
#10
#10
When we lived there, my dad was working for the UN and there was all this talk about making Afghanistan the Switzerland of central Asia. It's the most beautiful country I've ever lived in.
How times have changed.
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#11
#11
You got exactly my drift - I was working in diplo. service - and Afghanistan is the most beautiful country I have seen so far (except Mauritania...) - but no way to go now. Guess you were there just 2002 or? My time as well beginning 2003 to 2008... Memories in the movie "Osama..." - very sad....
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#13
#13
Just to keep you up to date. I found a plot to rent in southern Spain (40.000 m2, 90 EUR month), it's in Andalusia. In the north of Spain I found one for 120 EUR, but 110.000 m2 - and that's really big. On all such plots you are allowed to build a small house without a "big" foundation (subject to request to the village) - I mean you can always camp there, spend the summer, plant some good vegetable and fruits... And small villages in Spain are what is really nice here - I have nothing to do with tourism (that is boring..). So, living abroad is not complicated, nor expensive. It ranges from 500 rent "all in" for an apartment in a small city, 150 for an apartment in Senegal (Ziguinchor), to 90 EUR for a plot like this in the south of Spain. Just to give you an example. You can do NOTHING wrong here. Once you are abroad - you need to register everywhere - be it in Africa or Spain, if you stay longer than 3 months. But in all countries I have been so far - I have never encountered a problem.

Not all fun must be expensive, ok? Live nature, sun, fun... Have a nice WE - I go to walk 20 KM now...
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#15
#15
Simple - I have a small box with a SIM-card. Its 15 EUR - prepay system and you get 240 MB. If I use a lot, I have to spend 30 EUR month. Telephone is 5 EUR (contract) and has 30 MB and unlimited calls. Nothing to worry - and coverage is quite good here.
 
G

Gard

Well-Known Member
#17
#17
Survivorist said:
Simple - I have a small box with a SIM-card. Its 15 EUR - prepay system and you get 240 MB. If I use a lot, I have to spend 30 EUR month. Telephone is 5 EUR (contract) and has 30 MB and unlimited calls. Nothing to worry - and coverage is quite good here.
Click to expand...
Big money for that kind of internet. In Ukraine it is cheaper. You can't download a lot of movies :) Or do you not watch movies?
How do you get new experiences?
If I understand correctly, you live with your wife. She probably keeps you from getting very bored :)
 
Survivorist

Survivorist

Black sheep of my family....
#18
#18
I have had enough action and stress in my life,,,, Ha, ha - no I do not download movies - I watch them online... And my wife is not here. We wait for the visa and I live most of the time in Africa... I wanted to say: "do not be afraid to go abroad -> its easy and feasible."
 
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