Guatemala Expat Forum

A safe and affordable place to live abroad...

4/21/2013 21:26 EST

Hello there!

As I am approaching the so called "retirement age". I have been wondering...if I'd be able to survive here in the States. Anyways, I've traveled to Guatemala many, many times, and like they say; "I've seen it all" including Antigua Guatemala, and the famous Lake Atitlan. Now, to make this story short; a question to those people who know these areas well: which of these places will be cheaper to live?

Gracias!
Estella

GavinoGainza

4/21/2013 22:23 EST

Hello.
Your questions are somewhat vague.... "Safe and Affordable" the words have different connotations.

You have been to Antigua and so you then very aware how expensive it is as compared to the rest of Guatemala.. Lago Atitlan has many villages that surround the lake and again these all present a variance in costing and safety.

I live in Quetzaltenango (Xela) which to me is perfect..... very safe and yes very affordable.

My question to you is "what are you looking for with either... in safety and affordability??

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Monmeilleurami

4/22/2013 00:06 EST

Thank you for your reply. In terms of your question; "safe and affordable" meaning that just because I will be in a safe place, I am expecting to support myself without spending a monthly fortune I don't have. I know Antigua can be very high; especially if one stays in the heart of the city (Antigua). I will try to find out more on around Lake Atitlan, "Xela" it sounds nice too. Oh well, que sera, sera...

pato23

4/22/2013 01:15 EST

Antigua is very expensive if you rent an apartment or co op, Ciudad Vieja a smaller town outside of Antigua is less expensive, Lake Atitlan can be cheap or moderately expensive, depending your lifestyle, most ex pats are opting to live in Lakeside villages outside crowded Panajachel and Quetzaltenago is a good choice if you do not mind city life, fairly cheap rentals and large expat and traveler community view
www.aroundantigua.com
Antigua
www.atitlan.com
Lake Atitlan
www.xelapages.com
Quetzaltenanago also called Xela
then travel yourself, look around, make friends of locals and long term working ex pats - not barflys or real estate scammers-The Webmaster of xelapages dot com in Quetzaltenango very helpful, long term expat from US, I lived in Guate several yeara before returning to El Salvador, a great place to settle if you like Surf, Sand, Waves and Fiestas www.wtf-elsalvador.com Buena Suerte. PS San Lucas Sacatepequez some 15 km. East of Antigua, large town enroute to Guate City becoming popular with expats. 20 minutes by Bus or Car to Antigua. Reasonable rents.

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