Have you ever considered moving to a country that isn’t on the typical “Digital Nomad Top 10” list? This week, we are traveling to the heart of South America to visit Paraguay.
I sat down with Jessica, a former Oregon resident who, along with her husband and three dogs, took the leap to rural Paraguay in 2023. We discuss why they skipped over popular destinations like Costa Rica and Portugal in favor of a landlocked nation known as the “Land of Friends.”
Jessica pulls back the curtain on the reality of living on a budget in the Southern Hemisphere. We talk about:
The Numbers: Renting a two-bedroom house for $450, building a new home for $25k, and utility bills that are virtually non-existent.
The Culture Shock: Navigating a bilingual country (Spanish and Guaraní), the laid-back approach to law enforcement, and why you might need to bribe a cop with your grocery money.
The Community: How she started an English school for locals and why the German expat bubble is a world of its own.
If you are looking for a life that is unhurried, incredibly affordable, and off the beaten path, you need to hear Jessica’s story. Just don’t tell too many people—she wants to keep it a secret and I don’t blame her!
Find Jessica here!
Substack: Under the Mango Tree
YouTube: Snale Racing
⏱ TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS:
(00:00:00) The Cost of Living Reality: Breaking down rent prices ($450/mo), cheap utilities, and the “Gringo price” vs. local prices.
(00:05:27) Why Paraguay? Comparing residency requirements in Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Portugal, and why Paraguay won.
(00:07:08) The Language Barrier: Navigating a country that speaks Spanish and Guarani (and why English won’t get you far).
(00:10:12) The Residency Process: How to get your Cedula, navigating bureaucracy, and the ease of becoming a legal resident.
(00:17:57) Safety & Security: The truth about crime, barred windows, and the community-focused “neighborhood watch.”
(00:20:53) Transportation & Driving: Buying a car as a foreigner, police checkpoints, and the chaos of Paraguayan traffic.
(00:31:44) Rural Life & Utilities: The incredibly low cost of water, trash, and high-speed internet in the countryside.
(00:37:53) Real Estate & Construction: Buying land with cash and building a custom home for $25,000 to $40,000.
(00:46:21) Moving with Pets: The logistics of flying three dogs from the US to South America via cargo.
You can also find a video of this podcast on YouTube if you’d rather watch there 😃
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If you’re specifically interested in moving to Portugal, this is a great resource: Portugal Made Easy
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And this!!! How to Move out of the US
My Expat Toolkit (The Tools I Use & Trust)
Banking & Money:
Wise: For transferring money internationally. Use my referral code for a fee-free transfer up to $600.
Charles Schwab: The best bank account for expats. No foreign transaction fees and unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: My go-to credit card for travel hacking and earning points, with no foreign transaction fees.
Travel & Connectivity:
ExpressVPN: The VPN I use to keep my connection secure. Get three extra months with my link.
eSim Nomad: The most reliable eSIM I’ve found for staying connected on the go.
Housing & Petsitting:
Trusted Housesitters: How I find and book amazing petsitting opportunities.
Kindred: The home exchange platform I used to stay in a gorgeous L.A. bungalow for three weeks.
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—Living Abroad on a Budget - Expat on a Budget - My Unknown Adventure - Kimberly Anne
***Disclaimer: My writing, and podcasts are based on personal experience and are for informational purposes only. I am not a lawyer. Please seek professional advice before making decisions about moving abroad. I am not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
