I did this in Brazil. Actually, I kind of did both while in Brazil. Within the country, I lived in several cities and parts of each city. Now I'm doing it in another country, this time in Europe, though I'm staying in the same city this time. Even doing the moving around every few months within a country can be quite tiring.
As for your MB(A), if you have one, be careful because when the summer hits, it can heat up really quickly and everything will slow to a snail's pace. I was using a 2010 MBA all through 2011 and 2012 and it was seriously tough-going. In terms of banks, I recommend Capital One 360, no foreign withdrawal fees, no monthly fee. While using Citibank in Brazil, I must have given them thousands in fees over the years.
If you trade being in the most popular places of whatever city you're in with a nearby neighborhood or district, (at least in terms of Brazil) you can spend just US$6K for the year...but for that price, you'd have to be okay with living more or less on the poor side. The great thing about living in a tropical, developing nation is there's plenty to do for cheap or free.
As for your MB(A), if you have one, be careful because when the summer hits, it can heat up really quickly and everything will slow to a snail's pace. I was using a 2010 MBA all through 2011 and 2012 and it was seriously tough-going. In terms of banks, I recommend Capital One 360, no foreign withdrawal fees, no monthly fee. While using Citibank in Brazil, I must have given them thousands in fees over the years.
If you trade being in the most popular places of whatever city you're in with a nearby neighborhood or district, (at least in terms of Brazil) you can spend just US$6K for the year...but for that price, you'd have to be okay with living more or less on the poor side. The great thing about living in a tropical, developing nation is there's plenty to do for cheap or free.