A travel influencer has revealed why it can actually be cheaper to live full-time at an all-inclusive resort than it is to rent an apartment on top of everyday living expenses in most major cities.
TikTok creator Ben Keenan, from Seattle, compared his own monthly budget to the estimated cost of a month-long stay at a number of lower-priced resorts in Mexico and Dominican Republic with all-inclusive booking options.
‘Have we ever considered it’s actually cheaper to live at an all-inclusive resort than it is to live in the apartments we currently occupy? I was curious about this myself… and I decided to test it out,’ he began in his clip.
Ben broke down how he pays $2,300 for his rent alongside other expenses – including $300 for utilities, $320 for his car and its insurance, $400 for food, and $600 for drinks and dining out, among other reoccurring payments – bringing his total monthly expenditures to about $4,000.
Ben Keenan explored his hypothesis that it could be more cost effective to stay at an all-inclusive resort rather than spend money on an apartment living in major cities
He shared his own basic monthly expenditures, which came out to roughly $4,000
‘It’s definitely doable!’ Ben exclaimed after some cursory research
Ben then pulled up search results for ‘all-inclusive resorts in Mexico’ and began exploring the options.
Surveying resorts with availability for the month of April, plenty of stays were priced within the $6,500- to $7,500-per-month range.
But one all-inclusive option, at the four-star Occidental Costa Cancún, with the price of $132 per night through Expedia, came out to a relatively modest $4,445 for a whole month.
‘Yes that’s $500 more than what I normally spend on rent [and other monthly expenses]. But bear in mind, I’m not paying the most expensive rent out there. compared to what other people in Seattle might be paying for example,’ he said.
‘Also, is that $500 worth me never having to do a single ounce of laundry, or cleaning, or whatever.’
He then explored options in the Dominican Republic.
One option, the three-star Coral Costa Caribe Beach Resort’s all-inclusive package, was listed at $91 per night, coming out to just under $3,200 for the month.
‘It’s definitely doable!’ Ben exclaimed.
He discovered one Cancún resort that would cost just under $4,500 for an all-inclusive package over the month of April
Ben reasoned that all the amenities and conveniences of more expensive all-inclusive stays could arguably also make the cost worthwhile – especially with a roommate to split the bill
For the ‘cool stuff’ – that is, in the range of $7,500 to nearly $9,000 – Ben reflected that, with a two-bed room, getting a roommate to split with the cost of a month-long stay wouldn’t make the final bill so hard on your bank account balance.
‘If you’re willing to split this, say you want a roommate, a true roommate – but with all these benefits, $7,500 total, that’s less than I would pay on my rent every month. I would just have to share a room,’ he theorized as he gestured to a list of amenities including an ocean view, free WiFi, and free parking.
‘Do with this information what you will. I just thought it was really interesting that like there’s a chance I could truly go live an all-inclusive lifestyle somewhere for approximately the same cost as all of my monthly expenses.
‘And like that’s crazy to me.’
Viewers flocked to the comments to share anecdotes seemingly confirming Ben’s hypothesis – as well as imagine the possibilities in their own lives
Viewers took to the comments to fantasize about the possibilities of the never-ending vacation as a lifestyle.
‘New retirement plan: rent our house and live at an all inclusive resort with a butler until I die,’ one dreamed.
‘All I can think about is how much time we would save not cleaning, cooking + grocery shopping,’ a second admitted.
‘All alcohol, no longer need my cleaning or lawn care people, there’s a swimming pool … you’re onto something … and when you get tired of one place just move to another on,’ a third voiced in support of the notion.
Others shared anecdotes seemingly confirming that Ben’s theory had merit.
‘I met a guy on my cruise last year who LIVED on the ship. Paid for wifi and works remotely. Blew my mind,’ one claimed.
‘I work with a girl that did this. she worked remotely and lived in an all inclusive resort in Thailand then Mexico,’ a second chimed in.
As someone else succinctly put it: ‘You on to something bruh.’
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