Cost Of Living

[viciouskitty74]

pics of my neice rejecting the bottle of NON ALCOHOLIC BEER on my behalf.

I wan real beer!

[viciouskitty74]

Pic of a pair of heels purchased at a local thai night market.

very lightweight, very cute and goes well with a pair of bermudas & t-shirt.

cost: 99 baht.

[viciouskitty74]

snack foods.

bamboo glutinious rice with icey orange drink. guess how much they are?

[t.s]

snack foods.

bamboo glutinious rice with icey orange drink. guess how much they are?

simply put, get a room and let us get back to topic

[viciouskitty74]

Here.

Rooms. For 3000baht per month. shared kitchen & bathroom at the back.

[viciouskitty74]

Each unit, rental was about 7000baht per month. Hope you can see there is 3 units in the picture.

Consist of a shop front, which you can convert into a office or open up like a barber shop.

Behind is a one bedroom as living quarters further behind is indoor kitchen, toliet/bathroom & a small open courtyard that most folks use as a laundry drying area & a more used outdoor kitchen

(Sorry, I am now too tired, not typing straight. Going to bed. Nite folks.)

[Firefan]

Vkitty does being up the point we always have in cost of living - discussions - that there are many ways, even for a foreigner to cut cost of living to a 10th of what many other find the "minimum".

Like The Dude I want to live in a nice place, and while it cost more, it probably in return reduces the "need" to get out and spend money elsewhere. It will have a nice kitchen where one produce healthier/cheaper food - an it probably also means a reduction in transportation costs as one have chosen the preferred location. Aircons will be new(er) and thereby cut costs for aircon lovers.

I spend less than the dude as own, but if I rented my place about the same. The GF allowance goes to drinks out/socializing instead though.

No health insurance? Hmmm... if The dude was found unconcious with a shovel on the side of the street that card in the pocket might be the difference between life and death (taken to a cheap public hospital wasting time/wrong treatment before taken to proper class hospital/specialists). Also heart/brain surgery+re-cuperation after accident can easily run to 1M Baht+ not a risk I want to run, when can cover for 20k/year.

Cheers!

[Naam]

Here.

Rooms. For 3000baht per month. shared kitchen & bathroom at the back.

i am missing the joy of sharing a bathroom with a bunch of other people. my bloody wife refuses stubbornly to use my bathroom and forbade me to use her bathroom. she also doesn't like the idea that i use/share the bathroom of our live-in housemaid and the two other bathrooms in our home are too deserted for my liking.

3000 baht is quite some money, but i am willing to grind my teeth and bite the bullet. when can i move?

question: does the monthly rent include the privilege to clean the bathroom?

[lannarebirth]

Well stupid me, I believed those exageration that were peppered all over this forum before comming here. So I tend to like to set the record straight regarding the Bling life style tht can be had for a meere 3000 USD. 3000 USD will give you the life style of an American that earns around 60-75K a year (I estimate on that)

Regarding New Mex:

www.ruidoso.net/ I too thought the place had little to offer, until I went there. Beautiful place.... I just can't afford the place.

Toodles, and good luck to the OP

I lived in Ruidoso for 3 years. It's very cheap. The biggest problem there is Texan infestation. Finally drove me out.

[Firefan]

He,he - Dr. Naam, maybe I can rent the last remaining unit and the 3 of us can live there? Might get us a discount on the 3k/mth? We can do a duty-list when it comes to toilet cleaning!

Joking aside - lots of people I have seen post here on TV live here for in the 20-30k range (incidentially that is a low end social security pension from western countries, and it is around a no-degree English teacher salary). Sure; they do not all live in BKK, get health insurance, care for Western food Etc., but that is their choice and nothing wrong with that, as long as they do not become a burden for Thailand or others around them.

Cheers!

[Naam]

He,he - Dr. Naam, maybe I can rent the last remaining unit and the 3 of us can live there? Might get us a discount on the 3k/mth? We can do a duty-list when it comes to toilet cleaning!

Joking aside - lots of people I have seen post here on TV live here for in the 20-30k range (incidentially that is a low end social security pension from western countries, and it is around a no-degree English teacher salary). Sure; they do not all live in BKK, get health insurance, care for Western food Etc., but that is their choice and nothing wrong with that, as long as they do not become a burden for Thailand or others around them.

Cheers!

firefan,

for the records: i am well aware that one can live in Thailand on 20-30k baht a month and i don't look down on people who even manage on much less, in fact i admire them... especially when they seem to be content with their life style. but once in a while (although i am male) the "bitch" inside me jumps out and i have no control.

i apologize in case i have offended anybody

[bendix]

Cos if you can't succeed in the nanny societies of western europe, australiasia and to a lesser extent, the USA, Thailand will chew you up and spit you out. And those balconies are not getting any safer.

Working in Thailand must not be so hard if you find the time to read and post all day on Thaivisa....

It's not . . . for me. What's your point?

I mean how do you conciliate the fact you need to work so hard to succeed in Thailand, a country that otherways chews you up and spits you out , with the fact you spend most of your time on this forum ?

You don't need to work so hard to succeed in Thailand, if you have your basic wits about you. Sadly, many people who come here don't. Tough but true. I've seen lots of people go downhill quickly when they arrive here. They get sucked into a hedonistic lifestyle, or get ill-disciplined at work because they are the farang in a Thai organisation and it all goes to pot. If they don't have backbones made from steel, they slide quickly.

Many many many farangs are chewed up and spat out like this.

How do I succeed, while I 'spend most of my time on this forum.'? Oh, i dunno. Natural brilliance, i suppose.

[Dakhar]

Well stupid me, I believed those exageration that were peppered all over this forum before comming here. So I tend to like to set the record straight regarding the Bling life style tht can be had for a meere 3000 USD. 3000 USD will give you the life style of an American that earns around 60-75K a year (I estimate on that)

Regarding New Mex:

www.ruidoso.net/ I too thought the place had little to offer, until I went there. Beautiful place.... I just can't afford the place.

Toodles, and good luck to the OP

I lived in Ruidoso for 3 years. It's very cheap. The biggest problem there is Texan infestation. Finally drove me out.

Yep those Texasns! Cheap... well it seemed high to me. Guess I am just cheap, or poor compared to you. Probably the latter.

[Maigo6]

If they don't have backbones made from steel, they slide quickly.

Many many many farangs are chewed up and spat out like this.

How do I succeed, while I 'spend most of my time on this forum.'? Oh, i dunno. Natural brilliance, i suppose.

Nice one Bendix, natural brilliance will always come good in the end.

[farang prince]

Well stupid me, I believed those exageration that were peppered all over this forum before comming here. So I tend to like to set the record straight regarding the Bling life style tht can be had for a meere 3000 USD. 3000 USD will give you the life style of an American that earns around 60-75K a year (I estimate on that)

Regarding New Mex:

www.ruidoso.net/ I too thought the place had little to offer, until I went there. Beautiful place.... I just can't afford the place.

Toodles, and good luck to the OP

I lived in Ruidoso for 3 years. It's very cheap. The biggest problem there is Texan infestation. Finally drove me out.

Well, actually you are both somewhat correct about Ruidoso. You can find some inexpensive cabins in the Alto Village and Ruidoso area. But food costs and transportation make it pretty expensive on a day-to-day basis. Of course, the Texans have also bought up a lot of land and so housing costs are increasing at a rapid rate. Still, Ruidoso is a lovely area. The historic town of Lincoln is one of my favorite places in New Mexico. For those of you not aware of southwestern history, Lincoln was the central location in the Lincoln County War back in the 1880's and the Lincoln County Courthouse was the scene of the bloody escape of Billy The Kid, the legendary gunslinger. Every building in Lincoln has historical significance and the Courthouse is still there...along with the bullet holes from the rounds that Billy The Kid fired through Deputy David Bell as he made his escape.

Yep those Texasns! Cheap... well it seemed high to me. Guess I am just cheap, or poor compared to you. Probably the latter.

[Firefan]

Bendix has a very good point I think. I have seen very smart expat people (but with little self dicipline) go to the dogs here - that applies to both men and women btw. Lots of temptations, some legal and some not, and a "get away with anything"-party atmosphere, combined with plenty of nightlife "friends" ready to drag one down with them. Also; the typical expat salary allows most to endulge more than they ever did in home country - demanding even more self dicipline than back home. Not all have that....

To get back on topic that lack of self dicipline naturally affects spending also changing a resonable spending pattern to that of a drunk sailor on shore leave . Cheers!

[viciouskitty74]

question: does the monthly rent include the privilege to clean the bathroom?

They should be self cleaning. If not, Mold Mildrew or a fresh coat of paint will work.

Here's a pic of the toliet.

isnt it cool! The Toliet bowl in the picture is a 'AMERICAN GOLD STANDARD'. Even stamped on that toliet bowl in Gold stamping to show its 'Classiness'.

[bendix]

Also; the typical expat salary allows most to endulge more than they ever did in home country - demanding even more self dicipline than back home. Not all have that....

There are more forces at play here, methinks.

In the west, we all - guys especially - have external and vocal 'checks' to curb our naturally lax standards. Usually it is the form of a wife, girlfriend, peers at work etc. If they see us slipping, they have a word. A wife will nag. A friend will advise. A boss will cajole and ask what's going on. Even in the absence of those, there is unstated peer examples - we take our leads from what we see around us. We don't want to look bad in other's eyes.

Not in Thailand. Unless you have that strong personality to start with, you're lost. Rather than criticise, a thai GF (especially those from a certain background) will reinforce, calling you handsome even when she's ashamed to be with you. A Thai boss won't say anything - kreng jai is a wonderful thing baby, and there's no way they want to confront a farang. You might go out and your peers in the bar are doing the same as you, so your slide into scruffiness is ratified.

I often have a coffee in Starbucks on Soi 5 in Sukhumvit. Just about everytime I'm there, i see a farang guy. I've never spoken to him but we nod occasionally. Over the last two years I've seen him slide. Before he was always smart and well-groomed. Then his hair started to grow longer. He no longer bothers to shave . .stubble's ok. The clothes are getting tattier. It's gradual, barely noticeable, but very real. And who is to stop him. The other day I saw drunk, stumbling along the pavements of lower sukhumvit, drinking from a large bottle of Chang.

I first noticed this phenomena shortly after I arrived here. I think we all have a both of the slob in us, but those whose internal voice is quieter than others need external reinforcing. I remember clearly asking my GF of the time (and now my wife) to be very honest with me - if my clothes starting getting tattier, or my standards slipped, I wanted her to tell me.

[Dakhar]

How do I succeed, while I 'spend most of my time on this forum.'? Oh, i dunno. Natural brilliance, i suppose.

Through the miracle of compounding interest....

[kmart]

Also; the typical expat salary allows most to endulge more than they ever did in home country - demanding even more self dicipline than back home. Not all have that....

There are more forces at play here, methinks.

In the west, we all - guys especially - have external and vocal 'checks' to curb our naturally lax standards. Usually it is the form of a wife, girlfriend, peers at work etc. If they see us slipping, they have a word. A wife will nag. A friend will advise. A boss will cajole and ask what's going on. Even in the absence of those, there is unstated peer examples - we take our leads from what we see around us. We don't want to look bad in other's eyes.

Not in Thailand. Unless you have that strong personality to start with, you're lost. Rather than criticise, a thai GF (especially those from a certain background) will reinforce, calling you handsome even when she's ashamed to be with you. A Thai boss won't say anything - kreng jai is a wonderful thing baby, and there's no way they want to confront a farang. You might go out and your peers in the bar are doing the same as you, so your slide into scruffiness is ratified.

I often have a coffee in Starbucks on Soi 5 in Sukhumvit. Just about everytime I'm there, i see a farang guy. I've never spoken to him but we nod occasionally. Over the last two years I've seen him slide. Before he was always smart and well-groomed. Then his hair started to grow longer. He no longer bothers to shave . .stubble's ok. The clothes are getting tattier. It's gradual, barely noticeable, but very real. And who is to stop him. The other day I saw drunk, stumbling along the pavements of lower sukhumvit, drinking from a large bottle of Chang.

I first noticed this phenomena shortly after I arrived here. I think we all have a both of the slob in us, but those whose internal voice is quieter than others need external reinforcing. I remember clearly asking my GF of the time (and now my wife) to be very honest with me - if my clothes starting getting tattier, or my standards slipped, I wanted her to tell me.

Good observations.

I've had to pull my own socks up here a couple of times, and take a hard look in the mirror too. The slide can be imperceptible at first, and your mates in the bar are not around to help...

A good Thai colleague and friend has helped me over a lot of social obstacles here. Also been blessed with a wonderful woman who cares enough to tell me if I'm close to messing up.

[Maigo6]

Rather than criticise, a thai GF (especially those from a certain background) will reinforce, calling you handsome even when she's ashamed to be with you.

[Alfonso]

In my mind, there is no such thing as being in poverty and living in an apartment (unless its in an abandoned building). You can be poor and live in an apartment, but you are certainly not in poverty. I realize this is not the true definition, but too many "poor" in the Western world just don't know what poor really is.

On poorer Westerners moving to Thailand, I think it is important to remember that even an English teacher making 28,000 Baht per month is actually generating more wealth for the economy than 4-5 average Thai people (this is not an argument about rights and who was born here, is Thai, etc., I am making a purely economic argument). A retiree on 50,000 Baht per month is nearly double that: 8-12 average Thai's economic power. So, all these "weird retirees" in the bush are actually contributing mightily to the Thai economy, and actually do not absorb the same amount of State resources (such as 30 baht medical care) that a 4-6,000 Baht a month Thai does. Add to it the fact that in more developed areas (Korat, Surin, Udon) businesses open to cater to their Western needs, further creating jobs and economic opportunities. Once you start adding up the numbers, you can see how important these "poor" Westerners are to Thailand's economy - even the 28k English teachers.

However, to live in BKK, as I said before, 60k minimum for a "decent" life is where I would put the line.

Ahhhhh 60k until one marries a Thai woman....then the budget goes out the window.

[larvidchr]

Also; the typical expat salary allows most to endulge more than they ever did in home country - demanding even more self dicipline than back home. Not all have that....

There are more forces at play here, methinks.

In the west, we all - guys especially - have external and vocal 'checks' to curb our naturally lax standards. Usually it is the form of a wife, girlfriend, peers at work etc. If they see us slipping, they have a word. A wife will nag. A friend will advise. A boss will cajole and ask what's going on. Even in the absence of those, there is unstated peer examples - we take our leads from what we see around us. We don't want to look bad in other's eyes.

Not in Thailand. Unless you have that strong personality to start with, you're lost. Rather than criticise, a thai GF (especially those from a certain background) will reinforce, calling you handsome even when she's ashamed to be with you. A Thai boss won't say anything - kreng jai is a wonderful thing baby, and there's no way they want to confront a farang. You might go out and your peers in the bar are doing the same as you, so your slide into scruffiness is ratified.

I often have a coffee in Starbucks on Soi 5 in Sukhumvit. Just about everytime I'm there, i see a farang guy. I've never spoken to him but we nod occasionally. Over the last two years I've seen him slide. Before he was always smart and well-groomed. Then his hair started to grow longer. He no longer bothers to shave . .stubble's ok. The clothes are getting tattier. It's gradual, barely noticeable, but very real. And who is to stop him. The other day I saw drunk, stumbling along the pavements of lower sukhumvit, drinking from a large bottle of Chang.

I first noticed this phenomena shortly after I arrived here. I think we all have a both of the slob in us, but those whose internal voice is quieter than others need external reinforcing. I remember clearly asking my GF of the time (and now my wife) to be very honest with me - if my clothes starting getting tattier, or my standards slipped, I wanted her to tell me.

Yes good obsevations, but in my case there is an element of camuflage in it, after I have dropped the shirt and tie, and the driver and big car, i get a lot les hassel both from Farangs and Thais alike, before the expectations seemed to be much higher and all the sharks would decend on me whereever I went, now going about on the motorbike in a t shirt and a pair of shorts nobody seems to notice me wich suits me just fine, I may have overdone it a bit cause even the indian tailors have stopped pulling my arm when I walk by their shops

It did cost a driver his job, because he ended up sitting around doing nothing, and i do now and again go up and look at all the nice suits and silk shirts in the closet, but what the heck, there is always Christmas eve and Newyears eve, I am going to stay camuflaged it just so much easyer.

Kind regards.

[Dakhar]

For me, I hate being a victim of fashion. I was that way before being in Thailand. I pretty much developed this while living in Taiwan, when I saw how closthes were being stamped out without an ounce of care, and litterally thrown off the top of a building a huge bundle, scooped off the streets and thrown into a van to be delivered to a mall etc.

Then I realized.... unlike what the commercials say, the final product is not worth the price. I buy most of my clothes "used." The ironic thing is, most new clothes are designed to look used/old in the first place!

Any how, I do agree with the concept of concielment, about the only thing I insist on is a decent watch.

I also agree with what Bendix wrote.... in the jpb performance area, more than the "look."

[Fred Sanford]

Also; the typical expat salary allows most to endulge more than they ever did in home country - demanding even more self dicipline than back home. Not all have that....

There are more forces at play here, methinks.

In the west, we all - guys especially - have external and vocal 'checks' to curb our naturally lax standards. Usually it is the form of a wife, girlfriend, peers at work etc. If they see us slipping, they have a word. A wife will nag. A friend will advise. A boss will cajole and ask what's going on. Even in the absence of those, there is unstated peer examples - we take our leads from what we see around us. We don't want to look bad in other's eyes.

Not in Thailand. Unless you have that strong personality to start with, you're lost. Rather than criticise, a thai GF (especially those from a certain background) will reinforce, calling you handsome even when she's ashamed to be with you. A Thai boss won't say anything - kreng jai is a wonderful thing baby, and there's no way they want to confront a farang. You might go out and your peers in the bar are doing the same as you, so your slide into scruffiness is ratified.

I often have a coffee in Starbucks on Soi 5 in Sukhumvit. Just about everytime I'm there, i see a farang guy. I've never spoken to him but we nod occasionally. Over the last two years I've seen him slide. Before he was always smart and well-groomed. Then his hair started to grow longer. He no longer bothers to shave . .stubble's ok. The clothes are getting tattier. It's gradual, barely noticeable, but very real. And who is to stop him. The other day I saw drunk, stumbling along the pavements of lower sukhumvit, drinking from a large bottle of Chang.

I first noticed this phenomena shortly after I arrived here. I think we all have a both of the slob in us, but those whose internal voice is quieter than others need external reinforcing. I remember clearly asking my GF of the time (and now my wife) to be very honest with me - if my clothes starting getting tattier, or my standards slipped, I wanted her to tell me.

No dude, that was San Miguel Blue Ice

[The Dude]

Vkitty does being up the point we always have in cost of living - discussions - that there are many ways, even for a foreigner to cut cost of living to a 10th of what many other find the "minimum".

Like The Dude I want to live in a nice place, and while it cost more, it probably in return reduces the "need" to get out and spend money elsewhere. It will have a nice kitchen where one produce healthier/cheaper food - an it probably also means a reduction in transportation costs as one have chosen the preferred location. Aircons will be new(er) and thereby cut costs for aircon lovers.

I spend less than the dude as own, but if I rented my place about the same. The GF allowance goes to drinks out/socializing instead though.

No health insurance? Hmmm... if The dude was found unconcious with a shovel on the side of the street that card in the pocket might be the difference between life and death (taken to a cheap public hospital wasting time/wrong treatment before taken to proper class hospital/specialists). Also heart/brain surgery+re-cuperation after accident can easily run to 1M Baht+ not a risk I want to run, when can cover for 20k/year.

Cheers!

Yes FF, this lack of insurance is a major concern. I have US medicare but I dont think it's valid over here.

[bendix]

For me, I hate being a victim of fashion.

I also agree with what Bendix wrote.... in the jpb performance area, more than the "look."

I'm not talking about fashion of clothes, per se. I'm talking about a state of mind and a gradual lessening of standards in all areas of life. Naturally, the way one presents oneself to the world is usually the most visible manifestation of that.

[chevykanteve]

Also; the typical expat salary allows most to endulge more than they ever did in home country - demanding even more self dicipline than back home. Not all have that....

There are more forces at play here, methinks.

In the west, we all - guys especially - have external and vocal 'checks' to curb our naturally lax standards. Usually it is the form of a wife, girlfriend, peers at work etc. If they see us slipping, they have a word. A wife will nag. A friend will advise. A boss will cajole and ask what's going on. Even in the absence of those, there is unstated peer examples - we take our leads from what we see around us. We don't want to look bad in other's eyes.

Not in Thailand. Unless you have that strong personality to start with, you're lost. Rather than criticise, a thai GF (especially those from a certain background) will reinforce, calling you handsome even when she's ashamed to be with you. A Thai boss won't say anything - kreng jai is a wonderful thing baby, and there's no way they want to confront a farang. You might go out and your peers in the bar are doing the same as you, so your slide into scruffiness is ratified.

I often have a coffee in Starbucks on Soi 5 in Sukhumvit. Just about everytime I'm there, i see a farang guy. I've never spoken to him but we nod occasionally. Over the last two years I've seen him slide. Before he was always smart and well-groomed. Then his hair started to grow longer. He no longer bothers to shave . .stubble's ok. The clothes are getting tattier. It's gradual, barely noticeable, but very real. And who is to stop him. The other day I saw drunk, stumbling along the pavements of lower sukhumvit, drinking from a large bottle of Chang.

I first noticed this phenomena shortly after I arrived here. I think we all have a both of the slob in us, but those whose internal voice is quieter than others need external reinforcing. I remember clearly asking my GF of the time (and now my wife) to be very honest with me - if my clothes starting getting tattier, or my standards slipped, I wanted her to tell me.

Bendix,

With all due respect (and I'm not a troll; I'm just curious), were you a psych major at university? Is your favorite poet Kipling? Is mankind on the whole inferior due to ignoble birth? And finally, was Stalin's heartlessness a matter of aspiration by your seemingly kindred spirit?

Don't take this wrong. It's not an attack. It's rather a .....mere....query.

So lighten up 'Ol Boy and elucidate on your essence. We are all curious.

Cheers!

[Maigo6]

i do now and again go up and look at all the nice suits and silk shirts in the closet

No point in overdressing for a trip to Soi 6, your shorts and t-shirt are just fine.

[viciouskitty74]

errrmmmm.....who errrmmmmm in here, can discuss cosmetics with me?

And errrmmmm....tolietries? i have a fascination with buying soaps.

And errrmmmm.....is it all throughout Thailand that the folks uses talcum powders on their face and exposed skins?

Or just me noticing the trend in Phuket? I dont see folks in Bangkok applying liberal amounts of talcum powders everywhere.