I'm currently living on an island in the Philippines that's perfect for cycling. It's popular with expats and divers but still mostly rural and laid back. My 2 bedroom western-style home here is about $400/mo and another $100-150 for utilities, on a quiet side street, not far from the ocean. One could easily live here for $1000/mo although I do spend more. I rented my paid off home in the Pacific Northwest and the income more than covers my expenses here.
It's easy and enjoyable to get around by bicycle but I have a small motorbike for going into the main (small) city or exploring the larger islands nearby. It gets about 100 mpg. No need for a car here. The only drawback for some is the heat and high humidity although I found it completely eliminated my asthma and I use the AC at night in my bedroom for sleeping comfort.