I just figured I would update the cost of living for this month so everyone can get an idea of what it might take to live here.
Rent: $0 (Own Home)
Car Insurance: $0 (Not Required)
Food: $175 (For two, not eating much typical food still, mostly all super market)
Electricity: $75 (LCD TV, Window A/C 12 hrs a day, PC w/ modem/router, Lights, Refrigerator)
Furniture: $252 (4k+ financed, sofa + stove + entertainment center + kitchen counters. 18 months)
Mini-Split AC: $89 (Just purchased, 18k BTU, $600 full price. $98 down plus $89 monthly for 5 months)
Internet $375 (I have special business, household plans unlimited from 29.99)
At this moment, the following is average cost with electricity, internet, food and no rent included.
1 person $200-250
2 person(s) $275-300
3 person(s) $375-400
If you choose to eat local food and live without an AC, it's realistic to live off $100 monthly. You won't live the USA life though, but then again... this is La Vida Salvadorena, right? ;)
+This information applies to this date and time. Cost of Living (CoL) changes frequently here.+
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3 comments:
Hmmm, what about water, or propane, cell phone, transportation (bus, taxi, or gas if one has a car), cable, any other misc. costs? You don't buy anything other than groceries? Never buy clothes or kitchen supplies? Does your price for groceries include soaps, cleaners, personal hygiene (shampoo, razors, etc.)
Propane Is subsided Once Per month, u can buy a Prepaid Cellphone, or get a 15 Monthly Postpaid Which include 3G Data,
Cable Goes from $10.00 to $45.00 (Digital Cable) U can get Sky (Direct TV) for almost the Same price,
Most of the clothes are under US Prices (from 10 to 100)! (even Personal Hygiene wont cost u more than $15.00 Monthly)
Frank, thank you for reading and commenting. Unfortunately I find your information to be incredibly misleading.
The gas subsidy only applies to individuals who have an electric bill registered in their name. Furthermore, if they use more than so many KILOWATTS a month (I think 100 or 300, not positive) then the subsidy for gas does NOT apply.
MOST expats here live with Air Conditioners and so their electric bill automatically disqualifies them for the subsidy which means the first tank of gas you buy if you dont own a gas tank is $40.00 because you buy the tank.
After that it's $15.00 right now.
Cellphone plans are also not as cheap. Right now Tigo PREPAID is $2.50 a day for 3g and for voice it's 0.10 cents a min to USA, 0.17 to other cells in El Salv and 5 cents a text.
Postpaid I have a $10 EDGE internet on my iPhone, NOT 3G which is $25 a month right now with Tigo. I get 10 bucks saldo (credit) a month. That doesnt last much.
Clothes - you are right. In the MARKET you can immitation name brand clothes for like 1-2 dollars. The problem is they are low quality but look nice and #2 ... the market is an incredibly dangerous face for a gringo to go. I frequent it but expats would not be recommended to find themselves in the market.
Personal hygiene depends on one:
for example:
1. Shampoo - $2 - $10 (imported shampoos)
2. Body Wash - $5
3. Deoderant - $ 2 - 4 (old spice, axe, etc)
4. Tooth Paste - $1-2 for Colagte
5. Mouthwash - $5
So I guess it depends on ones taste. Visiting El Salvador is cheap but living here is not. In addition, it's much more expensive in the CITY and that is where most expats choose to live. In the country side a cheap life is obtainable but it's more dangerous, dirtier and remote.
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