Living in Latvia: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Latvia

Living in Latvia

Last updated on Oct 10, 2023

Summary: The approximate population of Latvia is 1.9 million people. The largest cities in Latvia are Riga (the capital), Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, and Jurmala. Expats love living in Latvia for its beautiful nature, vibrant culture, and low cost of living. People describe life in Latvia as peaceful and relaxed, with a strong sense of community. Latvian cuisine is a mix of traditional dishes and modern influences. Popular dishes include grey peas with bacon, potato pancakes, and a variety of soups. Latvian desserts are also popular, such as sklandrausis (a type of sweet pastry) and p?r?gi (a type of savory pastry). The cons of living in Latvia include the cold weather, the language barrier, and the lack of job opportunities. The average cost of living for an expat is around $1,500 to $2,000 per month. This includes rent, utilities, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the pros and cons of living in Latvia?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Latvia responded:

"Expats and digital nomads in Latvia appreciate the country's low cost of living, which allows them to stretch their budget further. They also enjoy the country's natural beauty, with its forests, lakes, and rivers. Additionally, they appreciate the fact that Latvia is a safe and secure country with a low crime rate. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier to be a challenge, as Latvian is not widely spoken outside of the country. Additionally, the winter months can be quite cold and dark, which can be difficult to adjust to," wrote one expat in Latvia.

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What type of social life can someone expect in Latvia?

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.