Is It Really Cheaper In The Sticks?

[thaitom]

2 hours ago, connda said:

I call it The Sticks and The Boondocks.  And I live out here. 

I call where my home is "the dirty village"  I live off somewhere on the road to umphang in the hills.

[Gecko123]

53 minutes ago, LaosLover said:

This is like, Don't go to Italy, just eat at The Olive Garden.

I don't understand your analogy, but I would like to comment on the value of going to Italy, and travel in general, something which I have given a lot of thought to, considering the impact travel has on climate change.

 

Who has the richer experience? Is it the guy who hops on a plane without so much as cracking open a guide book, or doing any research about the culture and history, or reading up on cheese making and wine making, or studying Italian artwork, or learning to make some new Italian dishes? Or is it the guy who does do all this research but never gets on a plane? Increasingly, I say it's the guy who stayed home and did the research.

 

And two other climate related points. If flying to Italy in a CO2 spewing plane contributes to global warming, causing Alpine glaciers to melt, and key waterways to dry up thus degrading local agriculture, that person is actually helping to destroy the very culture that they are going to see first hand. Yes, they're having a memorable experience in a cheese cavern whiffing and sampling a just cracked open wheel of Parmesan cheese, but at the same time they're making it less likely that people will be able to have the same experience in the future.

 

And another point directed at those who pride themselves on availing themselves of all the convenience and comforts of urban life, and having a consumption oriented lifestyle. Did you know that those Korean strawberries you eat are actually grown in the winter and they burn natural gas in order to keep the berries from freezing? The point being that as the climate changes, cultivating strawberries is going to become more and more difficult.

 

There was a thread a while back about how people use their air conditioning, and how some people love to keep their homes nice and chilled. All fine and good. That's their choice. But what if in the process of air conditioning our homes to a super comfortable degree, strawberries become no longer available or prohibitively expensive because of climate change?

 

You've mentioned on several occasions how much you love sushi. That's probably going to become more expensive and less variety as the oceans heat up. Uni is rarely available these days, am I right? So my question is: what's it gonna be gents? Jet planes and air conditioned comfort, or strawberries and sushi? Cause chances are you're probably not going to be able to have both.

 

Just to bring this full circle back to the thread topic, I think we are rapidly moving into a brave new world with unprecedented climate change. With this in mind, I have been studying potential places to live for many years now, and I increasingly believe that rural Thailand will be high on the list - globally - in terms of desirability and livability in the coming years.

Edited September 15, 2023 by Gecko123

[Jelli]

Depends

 

All options Bangkok vs. Nakon Nowhere + deadly scooter

 

Typical Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Him, etc vs Chaing Mai, Khon Kaen, Hat Yai not so much

 

The medical quality of hospitals will be knocked down more than a few pegs

[Moneyhonour]

Big bottle Leo nam keng, from the neighbour pop & mom shop 65thb.  

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, connda said:

What cops?

Three traffic stops around the moat in CM today.

Cops everywhere.

Edited September 15, 2023 by BritManToo

[LaosLover]

1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

 

 

Just to bring this full circle back to the thread topic, I think we are rapidly moving into a brave new world with unprecedented climate change. 

Agreed. Time for an end of the species party.

 

We all do have to live sustainably, but I just spent the past dozen years growing my own basil. And on the other end of things, good restaurants provide a lot of middle class employment.

 

When I lived in Laos, there was a lot resistance to eating non-local produce as a matter of pride. I tried a couple of 150 baht peaches and they never did ripen.

 

Were you a country-oriented person before? Do you think you'll be happy doing a farm life style until to your grave?

 

I found back to the land living to be expensive. I think each of my home-grown, very wonderful tomatoes cost me between $3 and $5 each. 

[FruitPudding]

The only thing that's cheaper is the rent and yeah you need your own transportation, so it's really no cheaper.

 

Everything else is the same price.

[CharlieH]

I call it my quiet "backwater" 20 minutes from town. Everything you need in town but nothing at all like what you have in the main cities. Little traffic, and its the same 20 minutes to get to a Private or Govt Hospital. Could be closer to one in the city but traffic means it takes twice as long. Village Dr takes care of minor stuff. Rental properties can be had from 2k a month, I wouldnt want to live in one but they are there. 

Depends really what you want for your life, one mans food is anothers poison etc.

Suits me and my needs, I couldnt live in a busy city.Is it cheaper? depends entirely how you choose to live.

[sidjameson]

Everyone wants to feel good about themselves. Tons of research shows a man with the first motor bike in the village is happy but the man riding a motor bike is miserable if every other man has a car.

We all know accumulation of wealth has little correlation with a man's worth but we are trapped inside the rules of that game regardless.

The real reason outside central Bangkok and perhaps CM is cheaper is that there is no hidden assault on well being at passing a man get out his expensive car and walk into a sushi restaurant with a girl that he wouldn't have if he couldn't afford those things.

[Lacessit]

5 hours ago, bignok said:

Had one today in bangers 200 baht. Found Khao Soi shop with 69 baht dishes. Bkk has loads of 200 baht shops if you know where to look.

Bangkok also has year-round air pollution, being one of the world's biggest traffic jams. At least it's only 3 months in CR.

I don't remember mentioning food in my post. However, we all know you like to be an expert on everything in Thailand.

[novacova]

9 hours ago, LaosLover said:

Are Tops Store prices any diff? Are Chain restaurants?

No exist in the sticks.

[Lacessit]

6 hours ago, moogradod said:

To me, Bangkok is - besides Tokyo - one of the most vibrant and interesting cities of the world (which I know).

 

A dream to sit at the borders of the Chao Phraya watching the boats go by.

 

Bangkok is the place where I want to die. This is since 1975 when I visited the place the first time. It became a dream since then and I maintain a deep felt intense feeling about the place.

 

But we do not live there. My family is just moving to a house in a more rural, although central area in Chonburi which is not far away from BKK. By the way my wife does not like BKK.

Apart from Bangkok, I have been to other big cities such as London, Madrid, Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Hong Kong. Too many people, I prefer the smaller cities.

While I have explored a fair bit of Bangkok, it simply does nothing to excite me.

[Lacessit]

4 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

 

Just to bring this full circle back to the thread topic, I think we are rapidly moving into a brave new world with unprecedented climate change. With this in mind, I have been studying potential places to live for many years now, and I increasingly believe that rural Thailand will be high on the list - globally - in terms of desirability and livability in the coming years.

I agree, although Bangkok won't be one of those places unless the Thais start copying the Dutch.

Think of the river system of Thailand as a giant bathtub. Joining up to form the Chao Praya river, culminating in Bangkok. At 1 metre above sea level, it's the drain hole.

[Gecko123]

13 hours ago, malone99 said:

yor holiness just forgot to mention lao kao moonshine... ????

I apologize if my comments offended you or anyone else. This was not my intention.

[Gecko123]

10 hours ago, LaosLover said:

Were you a country-oriented person before? Do you think you'll be happy doing a farm life style until to your grave?

No, I lived in mostly large cities: NYC, LA, SF, Seattle. Lived in a lot of areas with a fair amount of traffic noise, and always told myself I wanted peace and quiet when I stopped working. I'm shooting for a blue zone life style, which I believe can be replicated here in Thailand. The key to maintaining a farm life style is maintaining your health, which I'm pretty focused on these days. At some point I realize keeping up with the yard and the gardens may no longer be possible, and I imagine myself moving to a more manageable housing situation with better health care, probably, but only out of necessity, closer to a city.

Edited September 15, 2023 by Gecko123

[1FinickyOne]

13 hours ago, LaosLover said:

Hix Nix Stix Pix.

followed by Jeepers Creepers, where'd you get those peepers... 

[bignok]

8 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Bangkok also has year-round air pollution, being one of the world's biggest traffic jams. At least it's only 3 months in CR.

I don't remember mentioning food in my post. However, we all know you like to be an expert on everything in Thailand.

Not an expert just pointing out prices. No need to be bitter.

[Andycoops]

Many things are cheaper in the sticks, that is a small Isaan village in my book.

 

Places like Tops are only to be found in some larger cities.

The main supermarkets are Lotus's, BigC and of course the 7s etc. I would imagine prices are fairly standard across the country.

 

Yesterday I paid 65 baht for a large bottle of Leo, Chang is 60.

In Pattaya recently I paid 55 baht in LK Metro for a small Leo, happy hour price before 9pm.

A full bowl of pork noodle soup 40 baht.

 

You can build a small 1 floor house with 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom for 1M baht maybe slightly more or less.

 

You do need a car but parking is free.

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Andycoops said:

Many things are cheaper in the sticks, that is a small Isaan village in my book.

And many things are more expensive.

Usually nowhere to rent so you have to buy/build in someone elses name.

[LaosLover]

What about free produce out in the sticks?

 

I met up with a rural dweller from here and he gave me enough lemons to open a lemonade stand; all of which were gratefully consumed. A lemon off a tree is something that very few people ever get to taste. 

 

Do you swap with your neighbors? What fruit is most likely to be a deluge?

 

Any good stories of drowning in mango's?

 

[bkk6060]

Dating is cheaper because your date wants to go watch Buffalo roam or a beautiful rice field.  No discos or 2,000 bottles of wine.

[LaosLover]

Can you date around a bit in the moo ban tho?

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, bignok said:

Not an expert just pointing out prices. No need to be bitter.

Not bitter, just pointing out dogmatic generalizations are a specialty of yours.

Prices are no guide to quality of service. My regular massage lady in CR ( 150 baht/hr, I give 200 )

provides clean linen on the pillow and mattress, plus fresh ironed clothing. I would not be surprised to learn your 200 baht Bangkok bargains come with clothing and linen that has been used half a dozen times.

[recom273]

1 hour ago, LaosLover said:

What about free produce out in the sticks?

 

I met up with a rural dweller from here and he gave me enough lemons to open a lemonade stand; all of which were gratefully consumed. A lemon off a tree is something that very few people ever get to taste. 

 

Do you swap with your neighbors? What fruit is most likely to be a deluge?

 

Any good stories of drowning in mango's?

 

This is true, the mango season is rather short and we have 3 mature mango trees, they produce a lot, so does everyone else, resulting in so many mangos that everyone is sick of them and can’t give them away.

 

Lemons are good, you can extract the juice and freeze it down to make lemon drizzle cake.

 

Rice, I think we paid about 400B for 30kg, we take that to the mill, they mill for free and keep the broken rice. After a couple of years, people just gave us rice, we have maybe 15kg of unmilled sitting there now.

 

We now live in issan where sharing food amongst your friends is normal. It doesn’t help much because it’s always a bit too local, but she can munch on boiled fish gills to her hearts contnent - the problem is she has to reciprocate, we lived in the south for so long that she’s a competent  cook, I do wonder if a bowl of chicken mussaman is a fair exchange for a bowl of steamed bamboo shoots, but I let her get on with it.

[bunnydrops]

16 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Each to his own, Bangkok is a place I sleep for one night prior to getting the hell out of there.

I can do 3 days. CM maybe a week.

[moogradod]

10 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Apart from Bangkok, I have been to other big cities such as London, Madrid, Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Hong Kong. Too many people, I prefer the smaller cities.

While I have explored a fair bit of Bangkok, it simply does nothing to excite me.

Dont let me be misuderstood. I meant Bangkok and Tokyo only are emotionally and intensely attached to me. I  have visited quite a number of other cities for years, months or only days, such as Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Manila, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, Zurich, Athens, Bruxelles, Köln, Geneva,, Sapporo, Kyoto, Vienna, Munich and many many others. About 180 all in all. I know because I made once a list for Tripadvisor.

 

On the other hand I have never been to North and South America, Africa, Australia, China (exept for a short landing on the old airport in Hongkong) and Indonesia.

[4MyEgo]

17 hours ago, recom273 said:

the guys that live out on the borders of Udon are brave, I wouldn't want to waste an afternoon doing the Makro run.

I live about 20 minutes from the local town which has basically everything one needs, i.e. Lotus and Big C, hardware stores, motor registry, schools and public hospitals etc etc, the later not for me.

 

Udon is an hours drive, Makro, Central and private hospitals that I would visit when need be. I make it a day out, first to Central for lunch in the food court, a short walk around and then onto Makro once a month.

[habuspasha]

5 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

I lived in mostly large cities: NYC, LA, SF, Seattle. Lived in a lot of areas with a fair amount of traffic noise, and always told myself I wanted peace and quiet when I stopped working. I'm shooting for a blue zone life style, which I believe can be replicated here in Thailand.

At this moment the AQI at Bangkok and Phuket is 57.  At New York City it is 27.  The noise on my balcony at Kata Noi is the sound of the waves.  The noise at my 5th floor window in NYC  is from the birds.

[Freddy42OZ]

19 hours ago, recom273 said:

Also think about value for money and quality of life linked to general peace and quiet.

 

Rental in BKK - 5000B for a two bed/living room/kitchen and bathroom on the balcony shoebox. Was OK for a while.

 

Rental in Hat Yai - 5000B for a two bed townhouse, new build, was great, nice neighbors until for the last 6 years - a loan shark and his gang, who walked in and stole the wifes bag, then after they moved on a gang of yabba dealers partying all night, guns were drawn outside the house with a rival gang, then a tobacco smuggling ring whose deliveries would show up all times of the night.

 

Life in a Khon Kaen village - Rent 5500B temporary rental while we build - 200m sq house in 1 rai of land, neighbor who isn't there most of the time, vegetable plot and hydroponic salad greenhouses makes enough to pay the rent in the cold season, far enough from the temple and headman's speaker system.

 

We never saw the need for a truck until we moved out here, but it was a good purchase, the wife made the downpayment with her buisness savings and makes it work enough to pay the installments, I pay 2500B/month for petrol.

 

We don't need to go into town so much but we make our own indian food, pizza, bacon, muffins and crumpets. Mango trees in the garden. Rice is pretty much free, multiple people give us 10kg as a gifts, which is free to mill, We cook burgers. Japanese curry / dishes, Pasta and salad at least once a week  - We keep Guinea fowl and spend time hunting down the eggs. KKC is only 20 mins away.

 

If its the right place for you, then its the right place - Saying that, I couldn't live more than 15-20km from town - the guys that live out on the borders of Udon are brave, I wouldn't want to waste an afternoon doing the Makro run.

 

What can I get for 35K-50K a month out in "the country"?  

 

[recom273]

Just now, Freddy42OZ said:

 

What can I get for 35K-50K a month out in "the country"?  

 

Idk, have never seen any places like that. Like someone else says, cheap rentals are available, but not so much high priced rentals.