HN Explorer

Ask HN: Someplace cheap to live and study

10 points by jamesmontalvo3 ↗ HN
I'm considering moving somewhere very cheap to spend some time studying. I'd like to be someplace relatively safe with good internet access. Also, a place that's culturally interesting would be nice. I'm only thinking about this for the first time, so I'm not sure what duration I'd be doing this (probably driven by the cost). Probably somewhere on the order of a few months to a year. Does anyone have any similar experience or advice?

11 comments

[ 52.6 ms ] story [ 859 ms ] thread
MikeCapone
Where are you now?

Does it have to be an urban area? Almost any rural area should be relatively cheap, and if it's not too far from a major city, you could make a trip there once in a while for the "culturally interesting" part.

jokull
Reykjavík Iceland is getting cheaper and very english-friendly.
jarsj
India <period>. For me the reasons are too obvious. Stay in Mumbai or Bangalore. Its safe, cheap, good internet, english is one of the national language and if not most, one of the most culturally interesting and diverse place in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India.

P.S:- Steve Jobs took a break in India, if you are looking for precedence.

_delirium
It depends on the length somewhat. The shorter you intend it to be, the closer to where you currently are it should probably be. For example, moving abroad wouldn't be worth it for 3 months, because the cost of the plane ticket would likely overwhelm any cost-of-living savings. But it might be worth it for a year.

Within the US, basically anywhere that isn't one of the stereotypically expensive cities is cheap. In California, it's dirt-cheap to live anywhere that isn't in the SD, LA or SF areas; San Luis Obispo and Eureka are decent coastal options. Anywhere in Oregon outside Portland is also cheap. Among cities, the midwest rust-belt cities are cheapest, e.g. Pittsburgh, and pretty interesting.

antester
I recommend reading this: http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html

And then I'll say if you are considering Eureka, CA (or Arcata, CA, ten miles away), I will heavily recommend Corvallis, OR instead. I've lived in these places, and the difference in the attitudes I get from people is amazing.

Oddly enough, after I moved to Corvallis (from the east coast) is when I read that essay, which led me to reading all his other essays, and to reading Hacker News!

Back to topic, most small towns feel stifling to me; you may be fine with what entails but I need some socialization, and what PG says about how cities (and towns) can influence the inhabitants seems to hold true, or at least it seems to hold true for me.

Best of luck to OP where ever your travels take you!

cianestro
I live in San Diego--wouldn't recommend (culture is too diluted). I have stayed with family in Eureka, SLO, and SF--and they are much better choices than southern california. Find a place where the air is breathable, the people are inspiring, and where there are few distractions. This is why I would recommend SLO because it's big enough to be hospitable but small enough to keep you focused (has a moderate climate imo).
oomkiller
It's really cheap here in Alabama, and taxes are quite low too. You may not think much of the culture, but I assure you that it exists and is quite interesting, sometimes hilarious. Huntsville is a nice area with lots of engineers, artists, entrepreneurs etc, but I would recommend Madison which is a suburb.
portman
Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I know several Facebook app developers who have moved down there and are living like royalty for $2500 / month.

portman
Hồ Chí Minh City, Việt Nam

Awesome Internet access, amazing food, great culture, the nicest people. "Backpacker" cost of living is under $500/mo, and "Expat" cost of living is under $4000/mo. (For those who may not be familiar with the expat lifestyle, it includes niceties like a driver and a cook.)

My wife and I lived in Southeast Asia (several cities) from 2002-2004. In the interim, the infrastructure has gotten even better and the prices have remained flat.

medianama
Banaras Hindu University, India.