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LIVE LIFE IN $ 300

Posted on May 16th, 2007 by Sharma : Namaste Sharma
 

India can be very a good destination for comfortable living at a low cost. If you are in Europe or USA, have a minimum fixed income and want to resettle elsewhere then India is for you. Even US$ 500 per month is more than enough and if you are skilled in managing the personal budget you can save more than half of $500. Let's take a look at monthly budget for individual and 2 persons.


MONTHLY COSTS :


  • Rented independent room set : Rupees 5000 (US$ 120)
  • Good grocery : Rupees 1000 (US$ 25)
  • Fresh fruit, fruit juice, vegetables & dry fruit : Rupees 1500 (US$ 36)
  • Meat & Fish (if you are non-vegetarian) : Rupees 1000 (US$ 25)
  • If you use alcohol, average whisky bottle : Rupees 250 (US$ 6)
  • Beer Bottle : Rupees 50 (US$ 1.2)
  • A pack of 20 smokes : Rupees 50 (US $ 1.2)
  • Broadband internet connection and telephone : Rupees 500 (US$ 12)
  • Cable TV Connection with 100+ channels : Rupees 300 (US$ 8)
  • Domestic helper, who'll cook, clean, wash : Rupees 3000 (US$ 75)
  • If you want to keep a car monthly fuel cost : Rupees 1500 (US$ 36)

TOTAL AROUND US$ 330

(For 2 persons living together this should be around US $ 400)


Take note that you can have room for as low as Rupees 1000 (US$25) per month and can opt to do all your housework yourself and save Rupees 3000 (US$ 75) reducing the cost of living.


EFFECTIVE MONTHLY LIVING COST CAN BE AROUND : US $ 230

 

But it is recommended not to save 100 bucks as this will have effect on quality of life.



ONE TIME SET UP COSTS :


  • Double Bed with mattress : Rupees 10000 (US$ 245)
  • One Steel Cupboard with dressing : Rupees 5500 (US$ 135)
  • Work table, centre table and 4 chairs : Rupees 3500 (US$ 85)
  • TV Set : Rupees 6000 (US$ 146)
  • DVD Player : Rupees 3000 (US$ 73)
  • Cooking gas double cylinder connection : Rupees 2000 (US$50)
  • Gas Stove : Rupees 2000 (US$ 50)
  • Mobile set and connection for one year : Rupees 1500 (US$ 36)
  • Health Insurance for one year : Rupees 5000 (US$ 120)
  • Used car in good condition : Rupees 100000 (US$ 2400)
  • New Gear Less 2-Wheeler : Rupees 35000 (US$ 850)

 

ONE TIME SET UP COST US $ 4200

 

It is recommended not to keep your personal vehicle in India as it can be tough to drive in Indian traffic. It is always safe to use public transport which is available easily.


TOTAL ONE TIME COST WITHOUT A PERSONAL VEHICLE : US$ 950


For short distances a 2-wheeler can be bought, which can be used easily in Indian weather conditions.



Life in India is good. If the hypes which media creates from time to time are ignored (it has to because media lives and thrives on sensation) then values here are peaceful, secular, adjustable, harmonious and spiritual. Of course a travel guide to India telling about does's and don'ts must be studied in advance.

Access_public Access: Public 5 Comments Print views (389)  
Apollia : Microdonations is my Favorite Word
2 months later
Apollia said

Wonderful post!  Thank you for writing this. :-)

I've sometimes wondered if leaving the USA might be a good idea, and where might be a good place to go.

Sounds like India might be a wonderful place to live! :-)  Thanks again!  :-)

Sharma : Namaste
2 months later
Sharma said

Of course Apollia, living in India can be a very good idea, provided you have earnings or savings out of India :) .. 300 US Dollars shall translate to about 300x40= 12000 Indian Rupees which are sufficient to live here. Getting a $ 1000 job in India can be a dream. Jobs here starts from $100 or below and of course they go upto no limit, but mostly people are content with below $500 jobs. I feel that in PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) US$10000 shall translate to about Indian Rupees 50000 (US$ 1250) in Indian economy. So low paid jobs also have some advantage :)

Apollia : Microdonations is my Favorite Word
2 months later
Apollia said

Fascinating. :-)  Thanks for the reply.  :-)

Apollia

2 months later
PerpetuallyMe said

I've enjoyed this post as well!  Thank you for sharing this!

~Wendy

Sharma : Namaste
2 months later
Sharma said

You are welcome ladies :)

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