A retired American couple shares their actual monthly expenses from March to July 2025 after relocating to Da Nang, Vietnam. They detail startup costs, including temporary accommodations and initial setup purchases, which pushed March spending to $3,365. After settling into a long-term apartment in the Cam Le district for $385 per month (plus utilities totaling ~$600), April expenses rose to $4,175 due to a weekend trip to Nha Trang and sightseeing. By May, spending dropped to $2,230 as they adopted a local lifestyle. June established a comfortable baseline of $1,900–$2,000 per month for two people, covering rent, utilities, groceries, local meals ($2–$3 per person), and occasional outings. In July, they moved to a two-bedroom apartment in the expat-friendly An Thuong area for $535 per month plus ~$100 utilities, signing a six-month lease. They highlight the value of walking everywhere (7-minute walk to the beach), cheap street food, and a dedicated internet line for $11/month with gigabit speeds. The couple emphasizes that $2,000/month supports an upper-middle-class lifestyle without deprivation, though they note that upgrading accommodation could raise costs.
Key Facts
- Monthly baseline for two retirees: $1,900–$2,000
- Long-term apartment in An Thuong: $535/month (14 million VND) plus ~$100 utilities
- Local meals: $2–$3 per person
- Dedicated internet line: $11/month for 1.1 Gbps download
- 7-minute walk to My Khe Beach
