Beirut on a Budget: My Messy Money Trail (And Why I’m Still Here)

the night i figured out how much beirut will actually cost me, i was nursing a cheap beer and scrolling through rent listings on my phone, feeling like i was juggling fire in a city that never sleeps

the weather today is scorching, like the sun decided to throw a rave on the rooftops, but the sea breeze is just a short drive away and it feels like a secret escape hatch

i’m a skateboarder here, so i’m always hunting for spots that aren’t overrun by tourists, and honestly the concrete around gemmayzeh feels like a skatepark that never closes

*rent - i’ve seen listings from 400$ for a shabby studio in the suburbs to 1500$ for a place that actually has hot water, and the market moves faster than a downhill skate session

food - a falafel sandwich is about 3$ if you’re lucky, a decent shawarma can set you back 7$, and the street vendors will give you free samples if you flash a smile (or a skateboard sticker)

transport - the shared taxis (service) cost peanuts, but if you’re late for a gig the metro might as well be a myth, so you end up splashing cash on taxis that smell like cheap perfume

safety* - i’ve walked home at 2am in the gemmayzeh area and it’s chill, but the suburbs can feel like a ghost town after dark, so keep your eyes peeled and your board close

> rumor has it the rent in gemmayzeh jumped because a developer bought the whole block for a boutique hotel

> drunk advice from a local: don’t trust the exchange rate, it flips like a coin after midnight

> overheard gossip: the city council is planning to close that old skate spot near the port, but i heard they might turn it into a parking lot

look at this map of beirut, it’s like a playground for shredders

another snap from the hills, because the view is worth the skate grind

another one, just because the light hits the walls in a way that makes the whole city glow

if you’re planning a budget trip, here are some handy links:

beirut travel guide on tripadvisor

yelp beirut food spots

r/beirut on reddit

cost of living index for beirut

the cost of living here is a mix of sweet deals and brutal surprises, but if you’re willing to ride the waves of chaos you’ll find a spot that feels like home, even if it’s just a cracked pavement under your board

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