Thailand Still cheaper than home

[jimmyyy]

Was talking with a cousin back in the states earlier today, he is paying 1500 for Rent, plus all the utilities, car payments, etc, him and his wife are struggling on 4.5K USD a month.  My whole family does pretty well on 3500.00 USD a month.  So even after all the bitching, the visa issues, its still a better quality of life here than what i would have in the USA. 

[Bang Bang]

Before I upped stakes in the US 16 years ago and moved here to a job with a decent expat pay package I checked an income distribution chart like this one:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/716001/share-of-household-income-levels-in-thailand-forecast/

 

It put me in the top 5% like you are now. And I thought to myself, heck, whatever other problems there might be I should be able to pull along and be happy in a country where I make more than 95% of the population. Turned out I was right.

[55Jay]

About the same for me I reckon.   Me and the wife (no kids anywhere) do fine on about 78,000 baht cash and credit expenditures each month.  Live modestly but not wanting, then cut loose when we go on holidays abroad.  Life would be very different if we lived where I'm originally from (Southern California).  

 

Quality of life is a different thing than economics for me though.  I don't like where we live and wouldn't shed a tear leaving Thailand altogether.  For me, there's no substitute for the home turf on the Pacific Ocean - fishing, boating, pleasant weather.  Thailand doesn't do it for me, although Andaman Sea side would probably be alright. 

[Odysseus123]

Depends...

[marcusarelus]

13 minutes ago, 55Jay said:

About the same for me I reckon.   Me and the wife (no kids anywhere) do fine on about 78,000 baht cash and credit expenditures each month.  Live modestly but not wanting, then cut loose when we go on holidays abroad.  Life would be very different if we lived where I'm originally from (Southern California).  

 

Quality of life is a different thing than economics for me though.  I don't like where we live and wouldn't shed a tear leaving Thailand altogether.  For me, there's no substitute for the home turf on the Pacific Ocean - fishing, boating, pleasant weather.  Thailand doesn't do it for me, although Andaman Sea side would probably be alright. 

I hear you.  I miss California too.

[madmen]

One thing that is nearly always left out when making comparisons is health care.

Add insurance in and the bottom line changes drastically here assuming you are under 70 and can even get it

[jimmyyy]

I pay less here then i did in the states for sure.  

[BritManToo]

Housing and young women (18-32) are much more expensive in the UK than in Thailand (about x10).

Nothing else much matters when comparing the costs.

 

I'm not sick, so I don't care about hospitals or insurance.

Edited January 6, 2019 by BritManToo

[marcusarelus]

Just now, madmen said:

One thing that is nearly always left out when making comparisons is health care.

Add insurance in and the bottom line changes drastically here assuming you are under 70 and can even get it

There is a reason so many American vets are here.????  Seriously though what are the odds?  My grandfather didn't go to a doctor for 80 years and then the hospital for 3 days and died.  Mom I took care of at home for 3 years and she needed no care that would not have been provided better by a Thai nurse's aid who could cook.  I moved here 20 years ago at 60 and have spent nothing on health care if you count the money I get from VA.  50% of the deaths in Australia require palliative care.  You pays your money you takes your chances 50/50 odds.  Not a bad bet.

[Bang Bang]

5 minutes ago, madmen said:

Add insurance in and the bottom line changes drastically here assuming you are under 70 and can even get it

I checked the rates for that too - only inpatient though because outpatient is trivial - and it's far less than the US. BUPA/Aetna is less than $2000/annum even in your 60's provided you've signed up before then.

[madmen]

I checked the rates for that too - only inpatient though because outpatient is trivial - and it's far less than the US. BUPA/Aetna is less than $2000/annum even in your 60's provided you've signed up before then.

2k won't buy you much, I would be surprised if covers some broken bones and metal pins

cost of a few weeks in ICU and surgery can easy hit 2 to 3 million baht according to Sheryl

 

 

 

[madmen]

There is a reason so many American vets are here.[emoji16]  Seriously though what are the odds?  My grandfather didn't go to a doctor for 80 years and then the hospital for 3 days and died.  Mom I took care of at home for 3 years and she needed no care that would not have been provided better by a Thai nurse's aid who could cook.  I moved here 20 years ago at 60 and have spent nothing on health care if you count the money I get from VA.  50% of the deaths in Australia require palliative care.  You pays your money you takes your chances 50/50 odds.  Not a bad bet.

Well it's not a fair comparison leaving it out. Probably everyone thinks along the same lines that's why there are no hospitals ambulances and emergency wards and the roads here are super safe to. It's all good [emoji16]

[theguyfromanotherforum]

58 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

Was talking with a cousin back in the states earlier today, he is paying 1500 for Rent,

 

Your cousin is a renter. Obviously he failed at basic finances and has to keep up with the Joneses now.

 

You on the other hand probably "own" a house in Thailand (under quotation marks because you don't own anything in Thailand as you know), don't have to pay rent and can live on somtam and 7/11 food if you go over budget. Not an option for your cousin as in Thailand you can still live under any budget.

 

Yes, I find your post ludicrous as a Canadian where cost of life is generally 30% higher than US yet last August I was able to live in my downtown Toronto condo on 1,500 (minus $405 in condo fees, so less than $1,100 actually) Canadian like a king.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimmyyy]

He pays rent because he is focusing on his student loans he is 24.  1500 in toronto ha what sort of closet was that. I have worked in toronto no way you were king like perhaps plebe like Of course i own my house 3 of them in fact.  

[Bang Bang]

25 minutes ago, madmen said:

2k won't buy you much, I would be surprised if covers some broken bones and metal pins

cost of a few weeks in ICU and surgery can easy hit 2 to 3 million baht according to Sheryl

 

That's the annual premium for a major medical plan. $2k = about 66k b.

Edited January 6, 2019 by Bang Bang

[jimmyyy]

I pay 45k per kid for insurance and its pretty comprehensive.  For me its 80k but i am already covered so i passed.  

[bkk6060]

I am in my 60ś and pay 70,000 b a year for a very good Aetna plan.  Private room in hospital, etc, if I need it.

The people who complain about the cost of insurance here either have many preexisting issues or are obviously clueless.

The same plan in my country was over 200,000 b a year.

 

With this for me, this place is 1/3 to 1/4 less to live.  Utilities, food, rent or a house, insurance, time with a cute young lady, etc.... God, add it all up it is so much much less here.

 

But I guess if someone is from Kansas or Missouri,  maybe not so much..

 

 

 

 

[madmen]

That's the annual premium for a major medical plan. $2k = about 66k b.

Yeah I know what you pay but how much are you COVERED for? What's the insurance company?

[alex8912]

13 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

He pays rent because he is focusing on his student loans he is 24.  1500 in toronto ha what sort of closet was that. I have worked in toronto no way you were king like perhaps plebe like Of course i own my house 3 of them in fact.  

Ah so your thread is a comparison with a 24 year old American less than 2 years out of college.  Great!! Puts everything clearly into perspective. 

[madmen]

I am in my 60ś and pay 70,000 b a year for a very good Aetna plan.  Private room in hospital, etc, if I need it.
The people who complain about the cost of insurance here either have many preexisting issues or are obviously clueless.
The same plan in my country was over 200,000 b a year.
 
With this for me, this place is 1/3 to 1/4 less to live.  Utilities, food, rent or a house, insurance, time with a cute young lady, etc.... God, add it all up it is so much much less here.
 
But I guess if someone is from Kansas or Missouri,  maybe not so much..
 
 
 
 

Same question what's your coverage for? How much in baht? Just the major stuff. I would be interested myself if it's any good

[theguyfromanotherforum]

25 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

He pays rent because he is focusing on his student loans he is 24.  1500 in toronto ha what sort of closet was that. I have worked in toronto no way you were king like perhaps plebe like Of course i own my house 3 of them in fact.  

 

Oh, so now he has student loans which you conveniently forgot to add when putting up this ridiculous OP.

 

Jesus Wept, perhaps I should get me a loan at one of them 90 million baht Ritz Residences, so I can prove that I'm spending more than $3,500 a month in Thailand. 

Edited January 6, 2019 by theguyfromanotherforum

[marcusarelus]

13 minutes ago, madmen said:

27 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I am in my 60ś and pay 70,000 b a year for a very good Aetna plan.  Private room in hospital, etc, if I need it.
The people who complain about the cost of insurance here either have many preexisting issues or are obviously clueless.
The same plan in my country was over 200,000 b a year.
 
With this for me, this place is 1/3 to 1/4 less to live.  Utilities, food, rent or a house, insurance, time with a cute young lady, etc.... God, add it all up it is so much much less here.
 
But I guess if someone is from Kansas or Missouri,  maybe not so much..
 

Same question what's your coverage for? How much in baht? Just the major stuff. I would be interested myself if it's any good

Call an AIA agent and ask.  I had to ask a few before I found one who wanted my geriatric business. 

[JAG]

These threads invariably end up like this!

 

????

 

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

Depends...

Yep.

Lifestyles, costs of living, and situations will vary greatly from one individual to the next. 

 

Yet, on the whole, life can be had better in Thailand than most comparative Western lifestyles.

[Mavideol]

did you miss a 0 and it's 35,000.00 a month, still pretty good

[moe666]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

2k won't buy you much, I would be surprised if covers some broken bones and metal pins

cost of a few weeks in ICU and surgery can easy hit 2 to 3 million baht according to Sheryl

 

 

 

A friend spent 3 months in Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai it cost him 4 million bhat.

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, 55Jay said:

For me, there's no substitute for the home turf on the Pacific Ocean - fishing, boating, pleasant weather. 

sorry to disagree but lived in San Diego & Santa Monica and know for a fact for the amount of 78,000 baht month (+- 2,500 USD) you can't have all you mentioned

[moe666]

Hell yes it is cheaper her that back in the US, just returned from a 2 months vacation in the states with the wife. Gin and tonic in SF 11 dollars, a meal for us both 100 dollars, we did eat in other places not so expensive. At home in new Mexico 20 dollars a meal for two on average in CM 10 dollars a meal at more upscale places but bowl of noodles 80 bhat for two. 

[Sophon]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

1 hour ago, Bang Bang said:

That's the annual premium for a major medical plan. $2k = about 66k b.

Yeah I know what you pay but how much are you COVERED for? What's the insurance company?

I changed to David Shield six months ago. The premium I paid as a 56 year old was USD 1,704 and at the time the premium for a 66 year old was USD 2,530 and for a 74 year old USD 3,540. That's for an overall coverage of USD 1.2 mio.

 

Sophon

[JAFO]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

2k won't buy you much, I would be surprised if covers some broken bones and metal pins

cost of a few weeks in ICU and surgery can easy hit 2 to 3 million baht according to Sheryl

 

We always here about Insurance this, insurance that. It clearly is something most from the states ( I am from Calif) were, and still are, constantly instilled with the "Fear" factor. The pharmaceutical and medical communities want and need you to be afraid. Its BIG business and a scam. When my wife and I were first back in the states during her greencard process my med insurance did not cover her medical tests. So I took her on my own and the few times we had to see the doc I just paid cash and it was cheaper then going through medical insurance. in fact most places gave HUGE discounts for cash paying folks. Just like here. 

 

The incentive should be take care of yourself not hedge poor living with insurance. Live life in moderation and you should live a good life. Sure anything can happen on any given day but to live in panic fear all the time and then read statements like 2 to 3 million baht for a few weeks in ICU here is a pretty rare case. 

 

I have been here for quite a few years and don't believe I have spent more than 35,000 baht total for both wife and I at private hospitals. Next month we are both going in for physicals for the New Year and the package price is 2350 baht for her including lab and 2050 baht for me including lab. Its laughable if you think about what that would cost one in the states. Plus honestly, the care here is FAR better overall.

 

So Yes, is it cheaper here....You bet. Is my quality of life better....over all, Yep. Do I have to take time out of my retirement life 4 times a year for about 10 or so minutes...Yes. But that's noise in what I reap in return.  I got to retire very early, do what I want, when I want. None of this would be possible back in the states. Are there things I miss in the states, originally yes but as time has gone on, I do not miss much at all. I have replaced it with other things here.