Cost of living and where to live

3POSTS

10 years ago

Hi, I'm Irish and I'm considering moving to Thailand and I'm looking for some information on the cost of living in Thailand and suggested places to move to. I'm fairly active work out in the gym and run regularly and would like to continue doing that. I'm no longer working due to a illness but have a regular monthly income that is guaranteed. Important for me would be access to a hospital and the expat community as I don't speak Thai - yet.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

K

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jitendra0592 Member

16POSTS

10 years ago

you will have royal life then
with this budget

kris napat Contributor

128POSTS

10 years ago

Shannon63 wrote:
Hi, I'm Irish and I'm considering moving to Thailand and I'm looking for some information on the cost of living in Thailand and suggested places to move to. I'm fairly active work out in the gym and run regularly and would like to continue doing that. I'm no longer working due to a illness but have a regular monthly income that is guaranteed. Important for me would be access to a hospital and the expat community as I don't speak Thai - yet.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

K

Which places have you been in Thailand in the past ? Certainly you have some names in mind.
If you are 50 years old you can apply for retirement visa ( financial requirement 800,000 THB a year or 65,000 THB per month or mix of both

As you need treatments I will say Bangkok, Chiang Mai for hospital, you will need maybe to check for healthcare insurance about your illness and also age ( some does not accept 1st registration for patient over 60 years old but renewal is possible if register before )

Expat community can be found in many places but mainly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Phuket..

There are many others forums which talk about cost of living in this website, please read the posts as it depends on many factors : mainly your life style and in which city you would like to live. Check also website like

Gated communitiy areas ( or residential area with security ) will have a club house and facilities like fitness, pool, some will have tennis, spa, etc.. you can run or ride bicycle safely in this area as it is a private compound

When you will refine more precisely your project, you will get feedbacks from contributors living in the area you are looking to settle

As foreigner you can buy condominium ( there are some quotas for foreigners 49% of the units ), however you will not be able to buy land in your name but you can lease for 30 years and build your house on it.

Thai laws protect Thai and there are many restrictions for foreigners in different areas, you just need to be aware about some of them.

Shannon63 Member

3POSTS

10 years ago

Thanks for that. Never been to Thailand to be honest I was talking with a cousin of mine who lived there for a number of years when she suggest it to me. A gated community might be good provided it doesn't separate me from the country and it's people. I'd be looking for somewhere which is peaceful so I suspect Bangkok might be to busy for me. I enjoy the countryside I have no hospital requirements currently as my illness was a once off occurrence hopefully and I already have health insurance that I may be able to bring with me if I did move. I'm 51 so would be retiring. I doubt I would want to buy to be honest and probably would prefer a comfortable 2 bed apartment or house to rent. I'm not very extravagant in my day to day life though I do enjoy wine! But I'd not be expecting to eat out every day maybe once a month. Thanks once again!

cnx37 Member

14POSTS

10 years ago

This question is asked often.
Of course, no one can provide a perfect solution.
Chiang Mai seems to be a favourite for those who do not desire close proximity to the beach.
It has all the infrastructure required but now pollution & traffic are becoming a real problem
Running - go to a park.
Hospitals - a private hospital is the choice of most expats.
Cost of living - how long is a piece of string?
B20k to B50k for one person.
Have a browse on the internet & you will find numerous articles relating to cost of living in Chiang Mai.
Language - with limited Thai language skills you will get by.
BTW, there is a sizable expat community here.

thetefldon ViP

469POSTS

10 years ago

Shannon63 wrote:
Thanks for that. Never been to Thailand to be honest I was talking with a cousin of mine who lived there for a number of years when she suggest it to me. A gated community might be good provided it doesn't separate me from the country and it's people. I'd be looking for somewhere which is peaceful so I suspect Bangkok might be to busy for me. I enjoy the countryside I have no hospital requirements currently as my illness was a once off occurrence hopefully and I already have health insurance that I may be able to bring with me if I did move. I'm 51 so would be retiring. I doubt I would want to buy to be honest and probably would prefer a comfortable 2 bed apartment or house to rent. I'm not very extravagant in my day to day life though I do enjoy wine! But I'd not be expecting to eat out every day maybe once a month. Thanks once again!

Might I suggest you come here for a holiday first! A cousins version of Thailand might be somewhat different to the reality of living here full time.

If you have time a Tourist Visa will get you a few months here(plenty of info on this site) during which time you can have a look round yourself.

To give you an example: I first came to Thailand in 2000. I liked it and over the next 7 years I visited many different areas. I also researched cost of living, not forgetting how exchange rates fluctuate, housing costs etc etc. I finally moved here in 2008 and I am still learning!

2 members reacted to this post

cnx37 Member

14POSTS

10 years ago

For the expat, exchange rate fluctuations are a nightmare.
There is no way in avoiding this.

Straydog Serial expat

611POSTS

10 years ago

As someone already stated your income will provide you a very comfortable life style with money to spare.

Since you have not been to Thailand before you should visit for several months before you make a final decision to move.

Check this link for cost of living info:聽

1 member reacted to this post

tallpoppy Member

13POSTS

10 years ago

#10

You say your living budget is approx 1.6 million baht ?

For this you can live like a king, give me a call if you need a guide 095 101 4722, I have recently retired here.

Most good condos have a pool and gym, so your work out needs will not be an issue. Being very near a BTS station will be essential. That is your first tip, to comfortable living.

shadesshakes Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#11

For over 1.1 million baht A year you can live just about wherever.Most cities have adequate
Hospitals.Issan is nice,Khon Kaen,UdonThani.Ya might want to go south and check out the beaches,islands.Just go and explore .Have A good time.

vilicoy Member

12POSTS

10 years ago

#12

Hello
thank you for respond,if you don't mind to ask you , where are you from originally.
If you retired out there, you must like this country.
Thank you for your phone number, it is always good to know someone who is more adjusted in聽 a new country , could be for me.
Nice to meet you.

TimothyLen Member

12POSTS

10 years ago

#13

Moderated by Bhavna 8 years ago
Reason : ad
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

Rejoice Serial expat

356POSTS

10 years ago

#14

Hi Tim,

You have coffee farm and shop yet looking for work as GM in hospitality field.

You are hard working and piling up your finance for retirement

All the best.

TimothyLen Member

12POSTS

10 years ago

#15

Hello,

Yes, my family can take care of care of Coffee biz while I work...

Thanks and stay in touch.

Tim

Rejoice Serial expat

356POSTS

10 years ago

#16

TimothyLen wrote:
Hello,

Yes, my family can take care of care of Coffee biz while I work...

Thanks and stay in touch.

Tim

Good for you to build up your financial portfolio.

When you are in the hospitality field, we may have something that we can join forces together.

Do you have roots in DC or have moved out?

TimothyLen Member

12POSTS

10 years ago

#17

Hi,

My father retired and nows lives in Memphis Tennessee....I still have roots and connections in D.C. and northern Virginia...metro D.C. Area, Memphis Tennessee and Nashville.

Keep me posted as you progress further.

Tim

Loxley99 New member

5POSTS

10 years ago

#18

Your budget seems enormous ..but then again ..find a local lady and it can be whittled down quickly !!聽 But being serious ..
1) I had cancer and was concerned about medical issues as I am retired and not able to get 'reasonable' insurance ...I tend to either visit a local hospital for emergency stuff ..go to BKK, Bumrangrad Hospital for specialist check ups ...and if treatment is required head back to Australia where I do have insurance cover.聽 From Hua Hin to BKK - 2-3 hours by car (with driver about Bt2,000 - by bus about Bt3-400)

2) Location - I started in Isaan (Nongkhai) Northeast Thailand but found it just too remote.聽 Moved to Hua Hin ..and love it ..reasons - It is civilised - it is not anything like as sleezy as Pattaya and Phuket which is close behind ..there is a bar scene but very discrete ...They King resides here so the army keep a tight control on the criminal aspects that are prevalent in many other places.聽 There are some nice hotel, good restaurants and good shopping ..also good European style supermarkets (Tesco yes but also Market Villa) where you can get most things.聽 And ofcourse numerous markets where you can get fruit and veg and all the basics ...you can get a good Thai meal for Bt100 or a very good French meal for Bt1000.

3) Plenty of places to rent ..or buy a house (a little complicated due to Thai laws on ownership - but can do) I have a great 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom ..pool ..nice garden etc ..Bt7,500,000 ..but many much cheaper available - would recommend you rent for 6-12 months and take in the place and see what is on offer.聽聽Most lawyers will say .'if you can't see it or touch it ..don't buy'聽 ..I did and built and had the usual build issues but otherwise fine ..and I have what I want.

4) Cost of living - I have a housekeeper/companion (not a GF or Wife) pay about Bt20,000 pm ..she sorts out all the Thai things and generally looks after me - I do not go bar hopping but do have the odd dinner out ..spend lots in the garden ! ..costs per month around Bt90,000 including help ..and live very comfortably.

5) Fear I am not very sporty but swim and cycle - a few gyms about and there are the Hua Hin 'Hash Harries' ..who run and I think have a website.

Good luck ...and remember there is always another side to the postcard ..but if you can go with the flow ..life is good ..although driving a car in Thailand can be some experience ...road signs are for decoration only and as for laws and rules of the road ..there are none !!

shadesshakes Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#19

Tim,sounds like your doing fine.A business n Thailand.I'm from Maryland outside of Baltimore.
I live in Virginia now.Been knowing Thailand since 71.I was stationed at Udon.
I'm engaged to A lady who lives at Korat.I will probably be living there 6 months A year starting at
The end of 2016.
So is your coffee in Big C and Makro etc?I will check it out.Dave

TimothyLen Member

12POSTS

10 years ago

#20

Moderated by Priscilla 10 years ago
Reason : Free advertising is prohibited here
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shadesshakes Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#21

Yes I'm on rt.3 80 miles east of Fredericksburg ,name kilmarnock.In the Northern Neck.
Um I was going to visit Chiangmai Rai anyway in the future.Now I will have A reason.
To tell ya the truth I don't like Starbucks.They make it to strong for me.I'm A Dunkin donut,7-11,Mc
Donald's coffee person.But I will check your out.You'll hate this.If I think it's to strong I will just add
Some cream.

gulfport Banned

265POSTS

10 years ago

#22

as they suggested earlier; you might want to take a trip to Thailand and travel across the country to see which places you might like.聽 then take a break and go back home to reflect on those places before committing yourself.

many came to Thailand with the idea to settle, start a new life ( find love ) and never go back home.聽 within a few years they lost all their money and had to go back empty handed.

try to keep busy when in Thailand; either by taking courses, working on a personal project or doing whatever that can make you stick to a daily routine and healthy lifestyle.聽

good luck.

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#23

Hello, I was trying to read your article about the cost of living in thailand but I could't Open it.聽 Could you please provide me with the link.聽 I live in Miami and really want to move somewhere else and seems like thailand is the best choice,聽 thank you very聽 much.

shadesshakes Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#24

It depends how well you want to live.Bangkok can be expensive.I mean you can get A condo for
Under $1000. Check the site baht sold it'll help you.
For living in Thailand A decent place transportation,travel.Eat American food etc.I'm thinking of
Around $2,500 A month.Around $30,000 A year.If you like Thai food,can take basic transportation
Maybe can live on 1,000 A month.So it all depends on your life style and how hard you want to party.Anything specific ask away.

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#25

Hi and thank you very much for the info.聽 I was reading that it cost a lot聽 less.聽 I just want to renta a decent place to live.聽 I don't need to be partying every week, maybe just gong to a ni e restaurant once a week.聽 What about getting the resident visa in a $16,000 bank deposit, it's that true?聽 Thanks

thailand4me Serial expat

435POSTS

10 years ago

#26

Why Thailand, there are many countries that are cheap to live in, and safer, cleaner, easier to drive in, places where the law still means something. If you are coming as a single women I would not recommend it to you. You should get a subscription to International Living Magazine, they tell you about every country that is desirable for Expats to live, they will tell you if it is safe, and how much things will cost. If you feel that Thailand is 100% where you want to live, then come and try it out for 6 months first. If you want further help let me know. I am here because my wife's family is all here & we didn't want to be alone in the US. But after being here 2 years & buying a condo & car, we have decided to live 6 months in the US & 6 Months in Thailand, till we get old. Good luck to you. Patrick

shadesshakes Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#27

If your married ,have A retirement account I believe it's 400000 baht,which is 14000-15000.
If in A retirement account not married then it's 800000 baht .I'm guessing around $29,000 in A bank.
To be exact go to thaivisa.com.Loads of info on the site.
As far as where to live many people the choice is ChiangMai.The prices there aren't that cheap.Many tourist visit there it keeps the prices about the same as Bangkok.
If you like A busy feel then you might consider Bangkok.But it's A crowded city.
Maybe think about A beach area Koh Samui is ok.Also there are many islands to explore if you
Want.There is also Issan area ,north of Bangkok.Korat,Khon Kaen,and my favorite Udon Thani.
I was stationed there in the airforce during the Vietnam War.Quite A few foreigners live there.
Um more questions just holler.

1 member reacted to this post

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#28

Thanks Pactrick for your advice.聽 Yes I will be living as a single woman.聽 I happend to be reading about Thailand and how beautifull it's over there and chepa and I though it will be better than hete in the states.聽 I will be retiring next year because I will live to enjoy live and no be attach to this job that I don't like.聽 But I know I can not live here on my social security check, so I've been thinking about all the differents places cheaper than USA.聽 I already been in Panam谩, Ecuador and going to Costa Rica next month, but even thought is very cheap to live in those countries they ask for some requiriments that I don't have.聽 I was readind that in a Thailand is one make a bank deposit of $16,000.00 one can live legally in that country, is that true?.

Thanks again

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#29

Thanks thrilled,聽 i didn't know the retirement聽 accound amount聽 depend on your marital status, I thought it was around $16,000.00 period.

shadesshakes Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#30

I know if your married it's 400000 baht. But if your single and get A retirement visa you have to have
800000 baht in A bank. 1 million baht is around 32,000-34,000 .Like I said go to the Thaivisa.com
Also I have heard Belize is A good place to retire.They speak English there.Check it out.

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#31

Thanks Thrilled, I will check Belize out.

AGLV0121 Active member

74POSTS

10 years ago

#32

For any social life and if you are a bit of an academic, meetup.com tells you what interest groups you may join.

Mostly in Bangkok but you may search for more.

For apartments, you may visit craigslist.com.

As a reminder, a 36 square meter apartment (1BR) around Udomsuk BTS or Ekamai (BKK) for 13-16K Bahts per month rental based on at least 6 months lease. WITH fitness and a real swimming-pool
Tress and plants around so you forget the pollution.

2BR around 25K Bahts

You may also want to visit:

You can live comfortably in BKK for 32K Bahts which is around $1K. Boose is extra

HTH

Gerry

stumpy Laos Expert

18028POSTS

10 years ago

#33

Indecisa wrote:
Thanks Thrilled, I will check Belize out.

Have you considered Cambodia ?聽 Visa wise easy to get into and relatively cheap to live. I suggest you go t the Cambodia section of the forum and read through the posts in the forum categories list on the upper right hand side of the page.

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#34

Thanks, I will check Camboia out as well

thailand4me Serial expat

435POSTS

10 years ago

#35

Hello again, I believe it is around 2,000 a month or a lump sum in the bank. One thing no one has mentioned is you have to check into Immigration every 90 days which can be a hassle and you have to pay 60.00 every time you do this, and then every year they make you go back to the US Embassey to get proof income 60.00 to them and another 90.00 to back to Thai immigration, I just think for a single person there are many better choices for you. Costa Rica is where I would be if my wife's family didn't live in Thailand. We will one day return to the US for good, when we are old. Try these places first, make up your own mind. Good Luck to You. Patrick

Indecisa Member

18POSTS

10 years ago

#36

Thanks Again Patrick, you' ve been very helpful, I definitely will take all of this under consideration.

b4bmm Active member

51POSTS

10 years ago

#37

Many people are saying about gyms in the accomodation complex. Correct me if I'm wrong but these gyms 95% of the time are very poorly equipped and look good only on paper, not for people who are into fitness and training regularly? You will have your compulsory treadmill and bike and maybe cross trainer. Very little after that. I wouldn't worry much about getting accomodation with gym you will probably end up using one off site.

supercad55 Active member

34POSTS

10 years ago

#38

I'm in the same boat as far as the different countries to live in my choices are Costa Rica Panama Philippines and Thailand. What country did you like the most as far as seeing yourself living there? I know you said you haven't been to a couple but just in general

thailand4me Serial expat

435POSTS

10 years ago

#39

I聽 would stay away from Thailand & the Phillippines, they are just to 3rd world.聽 Right now Panama is Number 1 retirement community, you should check it out. Im going to in 2017. Good Luck to you.聽 Patrick

The Thailand expat guide

Comprehensive and free

Read it now

Cuban Member

20POSTS

10 years ago

#40

Panama will cost you the same as living in the southern US unless you go rural.
It is not cheap and the cost of air conditioning is ridiculous.I know people paying $800 for elec on a 3 bedroom house, its another rent.Its hotter there than Miami Fl. Apt rental $1000 easy.
A mountain town so lower electric bill and lower rent.
If you already have a spouse then that's ok.

Coata Rica its a nice place with wonderful temperature. (I can't change it to Costa Rica) Not cheap but electricity not an issue.

Philippines is very hot unless you go to a nice mountain town like Baggio. English is widely understood and many many speak it almost fluently.

Also check out Taiwan in SE Asia. Has the 4 seasons and winter is minimal.
People here speak very well about Thailand. But hot

Is Latin America take a.looka at Medellin in Colombia and Nicaragua near the beach.
In Medellin and Costa Rica you call live with 2000. In Phillipines with about 1400.
Living normally and enjoying the place. But also living smartly.
For s ingle males looking for the right girl Philippines, its also good but not as good in Costa Rica Nicaragua and certainly in Cali Colombia.