Best Places To Live In Asia For Expats 2024

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Are you looking to live in Asia in 2022?

Well, I’ve got some great news for you!

Asia has a lot of opportunities right now, even during this financially difficult time.

But with the changing economies, many questions follow…

Such as, what is the cheapest country to live in Asia for expats?

In addition, what is the best country to live in Asia in 2022?

First, let’s take a look at the best countries to live in Asia right now.

Table of Contents

Best Country To Live In Asia In 2022

Below is a summary of the best countries to live in Asia in 2022.

The Philippines (best for fun and enjoyment)
Singapore (best for business and tax)
Cambodia (best for costs)

Thailand (best for ease and accessibility)
Vietnam (best for low-cost housing)

The Philippines

As the tourism slogan suggests – it’s more fun in the Philippines.

Many expats and retirees seem to agree.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines is quickly recovering in terms of its tourism levels.

The Philippines is not the cheapest place to live in Asia for expats; however, it does offer many possibilities.

One of the biggest benefits is the natural beauty of the Philippines.

Expats find it very easy to live in the Philippines long-term due to the high level of spoken English, the mixture of cultures, and accessible locations.

Singapore

Singapore is a modern, upbeat and fast-growing country.

In previous years, Singapore has been known as a global tax haven for entrepreneurs and corporations.

Singapore has the highest level of English proficiency in Asia, emerging markets, and a high living index score…

With this and more, it has quickly become one of the best places to live in Asia in 2022 for foreigners.

Cheapest places to live in Asia for expats

Cambodia

Cambodia has been a hotspot for backpackers and travelers over the years but is also a growing country for expats who wish to immigrate and live full-time in Asia.

Certain parts of Cambodia are slightly less developed compared to other areas in other countries.

However, this does have some advantages for expats.

One of the biggest advantages is Cambodia is one of the cheapest places to live in Asia in 2022.

In addition, in terms of business and investment, the country is more foreign-friendly than other South East Asian countries.

Thailand

Without a doubt, Thailand is one of the best places to live in South East Asia.

The country is highly accessible, and as someone who has lived in Thailand for many years…

I can say, in all honesty….

Thailand offers a fantastic way of life.

However, like in every country, there are many views (both positive and negative) about living in Thailand.

Take a look at our retirement problem guide for more information!

Vietnam

Vietnam has radically transformed over the years and has become a technological hotspot across many industries.

This has led to an improvement and development of many cities and changes in living experiences.

One significant benefit of living in Asia is the low cost of housing options, especially in Vietnam.

In addition, food and transportation costs are extremely low, and we will speak more about this topic below when we explore the cheapest places to live in Asia for expats.

So, where are the best places to live in Asia for expats?

The best places to live in Asia for expats are Chiang Mai in Thailand, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Iloilo city in the Philippines. These 3 locations are some of Asia’s cheapest areas with the highest quality of life index scores.

Nevertheless, the best place to live in Asia for expats will depend upon you.

Your lifestyle and your budget.

After living in Asia for over 10 years, I can tell you a secret.

The most expensive places are not always the best places, and the cheapest places are not always the worst places.

The great news for those who are looking to move to Asia in 2022 is that…

The majority of countries and cities that are popular with expats can be lived in for a very low amount.

In other words, if you are looking to live cheaply in Asia, it is completely possible, and this is one of the biggest benefits of living overseas.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the cheapest places in Asia for expats.

Cheapest Places To Live In Asia For Expats

Below is a summary of the cheapest places to live in Asia for foreigners.

Chiang Rai, Thailand ($800 per month)

Da Nang, Vietnam ($925 per month)
Iloilo City, Philippines ($990 per month)
Chiang Mai, Thailand ($885 per month)

Vang Vieng, Laos ($725 per month)
Sihanoukville, Cambodia ($825 per month)

Please note that the above costs are based on basic living prices only and do not include luxury items.

During the research for this article…

I spent a few hours binge-watching YouTube videos of travel testimonies to see what other expats are saying.

It’s clear that many expats live in these six places for under $1000 a month.

Many expats stated that their total expenses came to around $700 – $900.

Most, however, spent on average $1200 – $1700 a month, but this was out of choice and not out of need.

So one question you may have is….

What is the best and cheapest country to live in Asia right now?

Some expats and retirees are starting to turn away from popular destinations such as Thailand and instead move to the Philippines.

Cambodia and Laos are both developing countries and offer a unique way of life, but some expats prefer to be situated in a more developed area.

In addition to this, we must consider the inflation rate of Asia.

At the time of writing, Laos’s inflation rate has rapidly increased to over 23%!

Therefore many countries that were once seen as very cheap countries to live in Asia are slightly more expensive now than before.

But the good news is….

South East Asia is still a very cheap country to live in.

From the data and personal experience, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are the best countries to live in South East Asia for foreigners in 2022.

A quick tip from me to you…

There is a lot to consider when looking to move to South East Asia.

You will find that one country just feels right once you are there.

Like you are at home and have finally arrived where you should be.

After speaking to many foreigners about where to live in Asia, it’s clear to see that many experience this feeling.

The difficulty, however, is finding the right country for you.

This is why (if possible) I would recommend you take a trip across South East Asia.

Flying from country to country is not as difficult as it seems, even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flights to neighboring countries are extremely cheap and, in some cases, can be less than $25!

The country’s culture and lifestyle will easily be felt during the first few weeks.

Some expats even admit to missing countries after they have left them.

This is a good sign that the country is right for you at this time.

In the travel industry, we all have very different opinions.

I absolutely love and adore the Philippines, but I know that this is not the same for every expat.

Each country has its pros and cons.

The pros and cons of living in South East Asia will be more or less important to you depending on your lifestyle.

So the first step is to decide what kind of life you want to live in Asia.

If you are looking to live in a country that speaks English fluently, then the Philippines is a great option.

However, Cambodia or Vietnam may be a more suitable option if you are looking to live cheaply.

So with all this information, we have spoken about today.

The big question is, what is the best country to live in Asia for expats?

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