zierf1

Expensive. I could probably build a house cheaper than that in the US. In fact, I could build a decent house in my home country for half that price. I'm sure of it.

Do the math. You are getting screwed.

9000 baht a sq meter works out to less than $30/sq foot. If you could build a quality home in the US for that price you would be, but sure you can't do it for less than $100/sq foot, and more likely $200-$300/sq foot..

Maybe you should do the math....

$50/sq foot. Besides, that doesn't look like a quality house to me anyways. Looks like a cardboard box.

Probably only costs 1m to build. Developer sells them to foreigner sucker for 2-4x that amount. Chump foreigner thinks he's got a bargain.

Expensive. I could probably build a house cheaper than that in the US. In fact, I could build a decent house in my home country for half that price. I'm sure of it.

Do the math. You are getting screwed.

What puzzles me about Thailand is the asking price for real estate is very high while the rent is very low. In the US it is the opposite. I can probably find properties cheaper in the US than in Thailand. The asking price for square meter in Thailand is ridiculous. Why the high prices? I know labor costs aren't a factor. Is the land that expensive? Property developers must have on hell of a profit margin in Thailand.

Get on a plane and head to Silicon Valley. Work for a low salary in a start-up (or 10) and stock options. That's a risk worth taking.my

My friends did that. I'm an Imperial Physics grad, they're ranked no. 2 in the world. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/11097256/Imperial-College-named-as-worlds-second-best-university.html

My friends are miserable.

Is that a luxury condo you're staying in?

I am utterly frustrated. I have lived back in the USA for nearly a year and I cannot decide how to get my Thai wife to the US on a visa. I don't know what to do first. I guess I am supposed to file an IR1 visa? What is this I-130 form? I'm confused which one I'm supposed to do. Which visa can we apply for that gets her here fastest? I want to get her here asap within a few months. My income is not enough to meet 125% of the poverty line since I was living in Thailand for many years. What can I do? My wife is frustrated like I am and wants to get a job here and be with our son.

Easiest place to stay long term in SEA would probably be Cambodia. You can be a totally broke bum and live there on a visa.

I suggest the OP start learning how to live frugally asap. "Canarysun" will give you a few good tips on how to stretch your funds. Think he gets by on 5500 a month or so(baht not euros)..

Saves money/hassle. Got a problem with it?

This is why Japan has <2% foreign born population. They aren't stupid.

No money no honey.

You mentioned you are planning to move to America with your wife.

Can I ask why? It seems you have a good relationship with your wife, is there no risk that this could change if you move?

Good job with the house, 3M in my country (Aus) will be lucky to get you a 2 car garage only (no house).

And good job with the budget.

Sheesh. A garage? Can get a brand new house for that in some states in the US.

I must say.. You've got me on being cheap with your lady(3200 monthly). My lady insists on 15k a month minimum. I don't pay much rent. I'll usually book a glorious room in the 4k/month range. Lady seems to be okay with that as long as the 15k keeps coming in. She doesn't even care if I drink a bit at one of the seedier bars about town. Once got caught red handed with another lady. Thank goodness my member is still intact!

Just doing some basic technical analysis I think it's only going to get better from here. 2008 & 2011 the dollar carved out a massive double bottom. I think 40 is possible in a couple years.

10k? Almost had a heart attack reading that. That said, I once stayed at an apartment just next to Nick the Pizza in central Pattaya(pizza was ok but delivery was fast). 4,000 baht a month if I recall correctly. Had tv, aircon, internet. There's a 7/11 outside and some food stalls selling sticky rice. You'll need a motorbike to get around or you can hire taxis.

Using some basic technical analysis, I've come to the conclusion that the AUD is doomed to continue falling due to the strenghthening USD over the short & medium term(lucky us Americans ). I would suggest that you Aussies prepare for a much lower currency rate. If I were an Aussie I'd probably start hoarding us dollars or thai baht asap.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll be taking 99 ben franklins and hiding them up my rearend for safekeeping from now on. Cash is king.

How dare the US be so judgemental. The USA has plenty of it's own problems it should be dealing with.

What does "educated" mean? Do you mean you want a greedy, feminist career woman? I've found that those types of women are very picky about men and have high standards. I did NOT come to Thailand to find those types of women. Actually, I came to find the opposite type of woman! I've found that country gals are best. Can't go wrong with them. In my initial wife hunting phase, I would try to find the poorest, most uneducated girls I could find. 7/11 girls. Panasonic factory girls. Those are the best ones. They will NEVER leave you and they don't come with all the attitude. My advice is to avoid the online dating sites. Nothing but over educated snobs on there.

Is it living cheaply or are we just used to decades of being ripped off in the USA?

IN USA:

You MUST pay for a monthly mobile/cell service (average $50) in order to make/receive or use it; except for 9-1-1 calls

USA mobile carriers lock/restrict their bands so you can't use your phone and switch between companies. Strongarm tactics instead of loyalty.

We can call the USA from our Thailand mobiles for about 6b a minute whereas calling from USA to Thailand will cost $2-$3 a minute, probably useing the same satellites

McDonalds ice cream cone $1.00 menu here 9b

Phizer extended patent rights til 2020; no generics allowed, yet the rest of the world has.

Induction cooker (hotplate) in Homedepot.com about $170.00 yet $20+ here in Thailand

We're being ripped off, matey I cannot understand why the rent in the US is so high. In Thailand(and SEA in general), I get a nice studio apartment for $60 a month. I cannot find anything less than $400 a month in the states. Good jobs are hard to come by now and they want to squeeze all we've got left out of us. Together with my $12 an hour job and successful online business , I still cannot afford to live well in America. I can live better on just my online business income in Thailand. America is highly overrated.

I hate it too. Just feels wrong, especially living in a hot climate like Thailand. I used to get all kinds of lung/nose problems from having air-con running all the time. Funny thing it stopped when I moved to a fan cooled room. A proper fan will do a good job of keeping you cool. Just need to keep the windows open and the humidity will disappear with the cool breeze.

Nearly had a heart attack seeing 8,000. I could make that much money last for several months eating at food stalls.