Peru is a naturally diverse country, rich in culture, culinary experiences and heritage. The country attracts over 4 million international visitors each year. For the past three years, I have lived in Peru as an expat and most recently, have been traveling across various regions from Lima to Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, followed by the Amazon Basin. Having experienced firsthand he diversity of climates and cities, Peru offers attractive livable options for many expats seeking a new beginning.
Based upon my experience over three years living in Peru, I offer three livable places for consideration to create a new safe and fulfilling life in Peru.
Cusco — More than a Destination
Cusco was my first stop upon arrival in Peru and took me completely by surprise. Most foreigners visit as tourists for a few days to a week, often on a pilgrimage to see Machu Picchu. At the outset, it was never in my plan to live there, much less to rent an apartment and settle into daily life. And yet, something drew me and kept me there.
Cusco may not immediately come to mind as a place to live for an expat, and yet, it checked many of the boxes I was looking for in an environment perfectly suited to me.
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Walking the narrow cobblestone streets became part of my daily routine. The streets wind endlessly through the historic center, passing small markets, quiet plazas, and families going about their day. Vendors sit beside piles of fruit and vegetables, with colorful woven goods hanging from their stalls. Life here moves at a very different rhythm.
Because of the discovery of Machu Picchu, Cusco is one of those beautiful and spiritual places on the planet that has now been overlaid with tourism. Fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels stand among the masses of locals and Indigenous people simply making their way through the day. American chains like KFC and McDonald’s can seem out of place amidst the Inca and Spanish architecture. And yet, beyond the tourist attractions, there is an everyday life that is easy to discover if you stay long enough.
For many local people, daily life centers around the San Pedro Market, located near the center of the city. I discovered this exciting and chaotic hub of daily commerce within my first day or two in Cusco.
These small experiences became part of what made Cusco feel like home.
For someone considering a move to Peru, this is one of Cusco’s attractions: the opportunity to establish a daily routine, become familiar with local people, and enjoy many everyday necessities at a modest cost. Life need not revolve around expensive restaurants or organized excursions. Much of the pleasure comes from walking the streets, visiting the market, and discovering the small details of the city.
Cusco may not be the right place for everyone, but for those drawn to history, culture, walking, and a slower, more grounded daily life, it deserves consideration. It can become much more than a tourist destination. It is a place where one can settle into a daily rhythm, surrounded by extraordinary history and living traditions, with access to everyday necessities on a more basic and affordable level.
For me, the true gift of living in Cusco was that each day felt like a new exploration.
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Barranco, Lima — Bohemian, Artistic Lifestyle
A second location to consider (and also my second home in Peru) is Barranco.
Barranco surprised me with just about everything I needed to be content. Affordability is one of its attractions. I lived in a comfortable apartment within walking distance of cafés, coffee shops, groceries, and the ocean, at a rent that has remained remarkably reasonable. For someone looking to live in Lima without spending a fortune, the neighborhood offers an appealing combination of convenience and everyday pleasures.
One of the things I appreciate most about living in Peru is that I can live without a car. Barranco is a compact district within a sprawling city of approximately 11 million people, and many of the things I needed on a weekly basis were within a short walk of my apartment. I could head out for groceries, stop for a coffee, visit a small shop, or simply wander through the neighborhood without having to plan my day around transportation. For me, the small cafés and coffee shops were an unexpected luxury.
Barranco is also a center of artistic expression. A hundred years ago, it was a beach resort community for the affluent in Peru. Today, it is a creative haven for many local artists. Colorful paintings and graffiti cover the streets, and art seems to emerge from the experiences, struggles, and creativity of the people who live here.
Nature is another unexpected bonus. When I first planned to spend a month in Barranco, I never considered that I would have access to the ocean. Being within walking distance of the beach became an important part of what I enjoyed about living there. It was a welcome contrast to the traffic and constant movement of a large city.
And then there are the small neighborhood discoveries that make a place feel like home. On any given afternoon, you could hear jazz playing in the background with the windows open while the water heats for coffee. You might walk to the nearest corner for a scoop of ice cream, pick up a loaf of freshly baked bread, or sit in a nearby park watching children make their way home from school.
In Barranco, I found glimpses of that life. There are small bookstores, artisan shops, neighborhood cafés, and traditional businesses that have served generations of customers. These places give the neighborhood a character that is difficult to replicate in a modern shopping mall or a newly developed residential district.
Of course, Barranco is not removed from the challenges of Lima or Peru. Like other parts of the city, it exists within a country where economic hardship is a daily reality for many people. Nor does living in a walkable neighborhood eliminate the need to be aware of one's surroundings. But in my own experience, I have found a sense of peace and calm here that has made daily life enjoyable.
Similar to Cusco, the neighborhood suited me very well, although the experience is quite different. Cusco offers the history, altitude, and spiritual atmosphere of the Andes. Barranco offers a milder coastal setting, creative energy, and the conveniences of life in Lima.
For someone considering Peru, Barranco is worth exploring as a possible home. It offers the opportunity to live in a neighborhood where many daily needs are within walking distance, where cafés and artistic expression are part of the landscape, and where the ocean is never far away.
I have gradually discovered that contentment does not necessarily come from finding a perfect place or adding more things and experiences to life. It often comes from simplifying our needs and learning to appreciate what is already around us. In Barranco, that might mean a quiet morning in a café, a walk toward the ocean, or the familiar comfort of a neighborhood shop.
Perhaps that is the lesson Barranco offered me: the beauty of a place is not only found in its landmarks or attractions, but in the ordinary moments that make up a life.
Surquillo: Finding Peace in the Heart of Lima
Surquillo has been my home for two years. My tiny apartment is located on the top floor of an old yet well-maintained building, tucked away in a working-class neighborhood of Lima. It has taken me some time to appreciate just how to create a simple, peaceful life within such a neighborhood. It borders Miraflores, Surco, and San Isidro, some of Lima's more affluent districts, yet it retains a distinctly local character. For someone looking to live in Lima without paying the prices associated with its more fashionable neighborhoods, Surquillo is worth considering.
Despite the intensity of the city outside, I have always felt peaceful in my little corner of Surquillo. Part of that feeling comes from the people who live here. In my building, there are two older sisters, who have been especially kind and welcoming to me. Their rapid South American Spanish sometimes leaves me struggling to follow the conversation, but I listen intently and pick up a few sentences here and there. These small exchanges have become part of my daily life. They remind me that living in another country is not simply about finding an apartment; it is about gradually becoming familiar with the people around you.
My apartment measures only 150 square feet, and yet the view from my terrace is priceless. The apartment overlooks a park filled with trees and birds, offering an unexpected panorama of nature in the middle of a city of approximately 11 million people. The birds begin announcing the day at around 4:30 in the morning and return to the trees at sunset. It is a remarkable contrast to the traffic and commotion that surround the neighborhood.
I have come to appreciate the quiet hours in my tiny apartment. Most mornings, I begin by sweeping the space, which can accumulate a layer of black soot in just 24 hours from the air pollution of so many cars and people. Then I sit quietly with a meditative cup of coffee and the birds before beginning my day. It is a reminder that a peaceful life does not necessarily require a large home or an expensive address. Sometimes, a small apartment with a view of trees is enough.
Practicality is another benefit. From my apartment, nearly everything I need is within walking distance: markets, grocery stores, restaurants, a gym, and cinemas. At the small neighborhood market on the corner, the people know me by name. I buy my bananas, juice, and water there, and if I happen to be without cash, they write down my name so I can pay the next time.
These everyday relationships, along with the convenience of having so much nearby, make life here surprisingly easy. I can take care of most of my needs on foot, without a car or the expense of living in one of Lima's better-known districts.
Of course, life in Surquillo is not without its challenges. The energy outside my door can be intense and overwhelming. Traffic, air pollution, noise, and the rapid pace of a city this size are part of daily life. And while I have personally felt comfortable and peaceful in my neighborhood, no district in a large city is without risk. Choosing a well-maintained building, getting to know the neighborhood, and paying attention to one's surroundings are all part of settling in.
For someone considering a move to Peru, Surquillo offers a different perspective on Lima. It may not have the seaside atmosphere of Barranco or the international recognition of Miraflores, but it provides access to the everyday conveniences of the capital while retaining the feel of a working neighborhood. For me, that combination has made it a place where a simple, affordable, and fulfilling daily life is possible. Choosing the Right Place for You
Each of these locations offer different versions of life in Peru. Cusco may appeal to people who value history, Andean culture, and a city that rewards exploration. Barranco is worth considering if you want an artistic neighborhood, cafés, walkability, and the ocean nearby. Surquillo may suit those who prefer a more everyday residential setting, with practical services close at hand and access to the wider city.
After living in several countries, I have learned that there is no perfect place. Every location has advantages, frustrations, and trade-offs. The more useful question may be whether a place supports the daily life you want to live.
For me, Cusco, Barranco, and Surquillo have each offered something different: discovery, creativity, and simplicity. Peru is too diverse for one neighborhood or city to suit everyone. But with time to explore and realistic expectations, it is possible to find a place where the practical details of daily life—and the small pleasures that make it meaningful—come together.
The World’s Best Retirement Havens for 2026
The World’s Best Retirement Havens for 2026
24 Countries Compared, Contrasted, Ranked, and Rated. You don’t have to be rich to enjoy a pampered retirement, you just need to know where to go. With our 35th Annual Global Retirement Index, our experts hand you a detailed roadmap. Details—and a Special Offer—Here
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