Expat Retiree Cost Of Living--higher And Higher

[Phil Conners]

as i mentioned it's all based on individual demands. i feel "cold" at 26ºC and i start sweating at 27ºC (both at 60% relative humidity). my comfort level is 26.5ºC and my last electricity bill (21. march till 22. april) was ~13,350 Baht.

p.s. i did not move to Thailand to save hundreds of thousand Baht income tax per month and then sweat in my house to save a few thousand Baht per month.

I don't think your situation is representative for the majority of farangs living here.

[somtampet]

I find Pattaya very expensive compared to uk.

If i went back i could stop

at my mums free,big house

Free contribution form the government,2bedroom maybe

Stay at my mates huge house,feel posh now

Start to work again,no way

contacts to make about 1,000 gbp per week selling ciggies,tobaco etc etc etc etc

Sod it think i will stay in Thailand and be very very poor

[musiclover]

as i mentioned it's all based on individual demands. i feel "cold" at 26ºC and i start sweating at 27ºC (both at 60% relative humidity). my comfort level is 26.5ºC and my last electricity bill (21. march till 22. april) was ~13,350 Baht.

p.s. i did not move to Thailand to save hundreds of thousand Baht income tax per month and then sweat in my house to save a few thousand Baht per month.

I don't think your situation is representative for the majority of farangs living here.

Perhaps not the majority, but certainly a good number would agree, including most of my acquaintances in Pattaya .............and me!

[FarangBuddha]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

[JMS]

as i mentioned it's all based on individual demands. i feel "cold" at 26ºC and i start sweating at 27ºC (both at 60% relative humidity). my comfort level is 26.5ºC and my last electricity bill (21. march till 22. april) was ~13,350 Baht.

p.s. i did not move to Thailand to save hundreds of thousand Baht income tax per month and then sweat in my house to save a few thousand Baht per month.

I don't think your situation is representative for the majority of farangs living here.

Perhaps not the majority, but certainly a good number would agree, including most of my acquaintances in Pattaya .............and me!

And me.

[JMS]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

Why would you have your aircon on these temperatures, you might aswell just switch them off and save even more money

[craigt3365]

Everybody's different. I come from Las Vegas where there are lots of "desert rats". People who LOVE the heat. I also lived in Alaska...so knew lots of people who LOVED the cold...heck, we even went camping in the middle of winter several times. Now that was cold. Went camping in Arizona during the summer also...that was HOT!

I am one who does not like to live in an aircon'ed place. I like the fresh breeze (we live near the ocean!). I also don't like giving too much money to wealthy middle eastern folks...I try to be as conservative as possible. If I'm hot, a fan is great along with a dip in the pool. But in the afternoons, we turn on the AC for sure. Mainly to get the humidity out. And at night....

[basjke]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

3 bedroom house with aircon on 24/7 with an electricity bill of 300-400 baht.That is about the best one I heard for looooong time.

[FarangBuddha]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

Why would you have your aircon on these temperatures, you might aswell just switch them off and save even more money

Because I am COMFORTABLE at those temperatures...as I mentioned, much below that and I start getting the chills. However I know many of my farang friends who NEED to keep their hotel rooms and/or houses at 25 or below...to each his own...but I like my way as it's cheaper.

[Naam]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

does that mean candle light and warm beer?

[Tejas]

Yes............the cost of living for expats (in real inflationary adjusted dollar terms) is much higher today than it was ten to twenty years ago.

This is, obviously, causing a major problem for expats on a budget who are not seeing their pensions rise fast enough to keep pace with inflation.

Part of the problem seems to be the Thai way of doing things: When the economy is in ruins, raise prices.

Part of the problem is the real estate hounds who have raised real estate prices way beyond what they should be. This problem is correcting itself

[musiclover]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

Why would you have your aircon on these temperatures, you might aswell just switch them off and save even more money

Because I am COMFORTABLE at those temperatures...as I mentioned, much below that and I start getting the chills. However I know many of my farang friends who NEED to keep their hotel rooms and/or houses at 25 or below...to each his own...but I like my way as it's cheaper.

Isnt 30C equal to 90F in old money? Thats a heatwave in UK and very uncomfortable!

I seem to remember 68F was supposed to be an ideal sleeping temp .Thats less than 22C I believe (but could be wrong!)

[FarangBuddha]

I think there are a lot who don't use AC during the day. I hardly saw anybody in our apartment building use AC until the late afternoon. Doors and windows were wide open pretty much all day.

25 is freezing! Maybe the few "strange" foreigners are the ones who want it like the shopping malls back home?

Agreed...air-con set to 28 or 29 during the day is fine for me...at nite, start in "sleep" mode at 29 and goes to 31 while I sleep. Cost to cool my 3 BR home at these temps 24/7 last month B 3000. During "winter" months (Nov.-Feb) B 300-400 and during shoulder seasons about B 1000.

does that mean candle light and warm beer?

No just life without a pool and fish-pond pump

[tropo]

I find Pattaya very expensive compared to uk.

If i went back i could stop

at my mums free,big house

Free contribution form the government,2bedroom maybe

Stay at my mates huge house,feel posh now

Start to work again,no way

contacts to make about 1,000 gbp per week selling ciggies,tobaco etc etc etc etc

Sod it think i will stay in Thailand and be very very poor

Fair enough, but we're comparing cost of living for adults who pay their own way, not people who live with their parents or bludge off friends.

[sarahsbloke]

I can now add cost of schooling

Kings school Year 11 student....... free

I have just paid 3000bht for school books, 3 uniforms, 2 track suit uniforms, traditional uniform and 2 pairs of trainers.

Adult education

Wife is going to high school (every Sunday for 3 years) ........ free

Not sure why everyone else thinks schooling in Thailand is expensive.

Edited April 29, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[Phil Conners]

Some private schools are expensive.

[torrenova]

Kids education = 1m baht a year which should just about cover foreign university based on nothing when born through to about 650k basic when 18. The remainder invested at conservative rates should provide for university. Rough and ready calculations but not far off when you Excel them. UCL London is now around £30k a year for an overseas student. Add on another £30k a year for digs and expenses and you've a rough half million over a 6 year medical degree and following 2 year specialisation. Worst case scenario I know.

Then you'll need another half mil (pounds) as a deposit on somewhere for her to buy after graduation

I thought she'd be my million dollar baby but that was just the down payment !

[patrickinpattaya]

Some interesting posts in here, the cost of living all over the world is going up, I worked out that back in the UK we need about £800 per months to cover household bills and weekly shopping etc this includes things like electric, gas, BT, broadband, sky TV, water rates, Poll tax etc, the car. This doesn't include the mortgage. For a family of 5 this is very basic living, £1200 per months is more realistic allows for a few treats like taking the mrs out for a meal occasionally and treating the kids etc. How would this compare to Pattaya?

I already have a house out in Pattaya, so how much would I need to "just get by" per month bearing in mind I'd want the kids to go to a decent school? I'm pretty certain it would less than the UK. The likelyhood of the Tories getting in tomorrow will also increase the cost of living in Blighty, so for me it's time to consider my options. I've wanted to move lock stock and barrel to Thailand for a while now, the wifes happy to move back.

Is my family better off out of Blighty?

[actiondell4]

Must be about 5 years ago now thay I met an old Aussie chap who lived on his old age Govt Pension down in Jomtiem beach.

I think it was about 28k a month in baht then,I dont think its much different now probaly about 32,000 a month.

Anyway he came from Sydney and had a govt owned housing commission small flat in the notorious suburb of Redfern/Waterloo where he was bashed by several youths one night.

Well he decided enough was enough and took off to Thailand where he rented a studio room for 5k a month,cooked his own meals on a portable stove and i think didnt drink much.

He shared the studio with a Thai guy,but he wasnt gay he had two single beds and they had a makeshift partition in between.

He told me if pensioners can survive on the same pension money in Australia then they can survive in Thailand.

[chiang mai]

Some interesting posts in here, the cost of living all over the world is going up, I worked out that back in the UK we need about £800 per months to cover household bills and weekly shopping etc this includes things like electric, gas, BT, broadband, sky TV, water rates, Poll tax etc, the car. This doesn't include the mortgage. For a family of 5 this is very basic living, £1200 per months is more realistic allows for a few treats like taking the mrs out for a meal occasionally and treating the kids etc. How would this compare to Pattaya?

I already have a house out in Pattaya, so how much would I need to "just get by" per month bearing in mind I'd want the kids to go to a decent school? I'm pretty certain it would less than the UK. The likelyhood of the Tories getting in tomorrow will also increase the cost of living in Blighty, so for me it's time to consider my options. I've wanted to move lock stock and barrel to Thailand for a while now, the wifes happy to move back.

Is my family better off out of Blighty?

£800/£1,200 a month (Baht 40.000/60,000) exclusive of rent or mortgage costs will get you a reasonable to good standard of living in Pattaya although I can't speak to school costs. But with three kids that wouldn't give you much of a safety net in case something drastic happens to the Pound, at least in the UK you can work and you have the social secuirty system as a safety net, lots of variables in this subject.

[patrickinpattaya]

Must be about 5 years ago now thay I met an old Aussie chap who lived on his old age Govt Pension down in Jomtiem beach.

I think it was about 28k a month in baht then,I dont think its much different now probaly about 32,000 a month.

Anyway he came from Sydney and had a govt owned housing commission small flat in the notorious suburb of Redfern/Waterloo where he was bashed by several youths one night.

Well he decided enough was enough and took off to Thailand where he rented a studio room for 5k a month,cooked his own meals on a portable stove and i think didnt drink much.

He shared the studio with a Thai guy,but he wasnt gay he had two single beds and they had a makeshift partition in between.

He told me if pensioners can survive on the same pension money in Australia then they can survive in Thailand.

I had a conversation a couple of years ago, same sort of thing as your friend, he had retired, his wife had passed on etc, he took his pension and moved to Thailand, rented a cheap condo etc, he claimed he could eat out every night, have a beer or two, thai girlfriend etc and was living comfortably, he said that he would never be able to live that life style in the uk on his pension. It just goes to show that even though the cost of living in Pattaya is increasing, it's still a cheaper way of life than blighty.

[patrickinpattaya]

Some interesting posts in here, the cost of living all over the world is going up, I worked out that back in the UK we need about £800 per months to cover household bills and weekly shopping etc this includes things like electric, gas, BT, broadband, sky TV, water rates, Poll tax etc, the car. This doesn't include the mortgage. For a family of 5 this is very basic living, £1200 per months is more realistic allows for a few treats like taking the mrs out for a meal occasionally and treating the kids etc. How would this compare to Pattaya?

I already have a house out in Pattaya, so how much would I need to "just get by" per month bearing in mind I'd want the kids to go to a decent school? I'm pretty certain it would less than the UK. The likelyhood of the Tories getting in tomorrow will also increase the cost of living in Blighty, so for me it's time to consider my options. I've wanted to move lock stock and barrel to Thailand for a while now, the wifes happy to move back.

Is my family better off out of Blighty?

£800/£1,200 a month (Baht 40.000/60,000) exclusive of rent or mortgage costs will get you a reasonable to good standard of living in Pattaya although I can't speak to school costs. But with three kids that wouldn't give you much of a safety net in case something drastic happens to the Pound, at least in the UK you can work and you have the social secuirty system as a safety net, lots of variables in this subject.

quite agree, I had origanally thought that the ideal figure to feel secure is about 100k baht per month. I need to work a little harder then! maybe next year. Thanks for your input

[Zstarx]

Some interesting posts in here, the cost of living all over the world is going up, I worked out that back in the UK we need about £800 per months to cover household bills and weekly shopping etc this includes things like electric, gas, BT, broadband, sky TV, water rates, Poll tax etc, the car. This doesn't include the mortgage. For a family of 5 this is very basic living, £1200 per months is more realistic allows for a few treats like taking the mrs out for a meal occasionally and treating the kids etc. How would this compare to Pattaya?

I already have a house out in Pattaya, so how much would I need to "just get by" per month bearing in mind I'd want the kids to go to a decent school? I'm pretty certain it would less than the UK. The likelyhood of the Tories getting in tomorrow will also increase the cost of living in Blighty, so for me it's time to consider my options. I've wanted to move lock stock and barrel to Thailand for a while now, the wifes happy to move back.

Is my family better off out of Blighty?

£800/£1,200 a month (Baht 40.000/60,000) exclusive of rent or mortgage costs will get you a reasonable to good standard of living in Pattaya although I can't speak to school costs. But with three kids that wouldn't give you much of a safety net in case something drastic happens to the Pound, at least in the UK you can work and you have the social secuirty system as a safety net, lots of variables in this subject.

quite agree, I had origanally thought that the ideal figure to feel secure is about 100k baht per month. I need to work a little harder then! maybe next year. Thanks for your input

I think 100k is ok if you aren't renting and have everything paid for and don't have any children . All depends on the lifestyle you want

[patrickinpattaya]

I think 100k is ok if you aren't renting and have everything paid for and don't have any children . All depends on the lifestyle you want

I'm not looking for life of luxury just a nice sound enviroment for me and the family. I'm sick of working 60 - 70 hours per week and want the kids to go to a decent school. I think 100k is enough. A modest existance sounds about right.

Pat

[FarangBuddha]

I think 100k is ok if you aren't renting and have everything paid for and don't have any children . All depends on the lifestyle you want

You jest right? 50k is MORE than enough, especially if you pay cash for your car/moto and condo/house. If you are going to rent accomodation, then 60-70k would suffice. And this is not denying yourself much in terms of farang food/restos and stuff. Now, if you are planning to "party" every nite, then you can add in another 20-30k per month. (Also, plan to have at least US$ 50-75k (or your currency equivalent) in cash or highly-liquid investments to cover unexpected or emergency expenses...mainly medical emergencies.)

I rent a 3BR 2BA newish house, own a car, and support no women or children, and eat out farang every nite for about 35k per month

Edited May 7, 2010 by FarangBuddha

[craigt3365]

Must be about 5 years ago now thay I met an old Aussie chap who lived on his old age Govt Pension down in Jomtiem beach.

I think it was about 28k a month in baht then,I dont think its much different now probaly about 32,000 a month.

Anyway he came from Sydney and had a govt owned housing commission small flat in the notorious suburb of Redfern/Waterloo where he was bashed by several youths one night.

Well he decided enough was enough and took off to Thailand where he rented a studio room for 5k a month,cooked his own meals on a portable stove and i think didnt drink much.

He shared the studio with a Thai guy,but he wasnt gay he had two single beds and they had a makeshift partition in between.

He told me if pensioners can survive on the same pension money in Australia then they can survive in Thailand.

I had a conversation a couple of years ago, same sort of thing as your friend, he had retired, his wife had passed on etc, he took his pension and moved to Thailand, rented a cheap condo etc, he claimed he could eat out every night, have a beer or two, thai girlfriend etc and was living comfortably, he said that he would never be able to live that life style in the uk on his pension. It just goes to show that even though the cost of living in Pattaya is increasing, it's still a cheaper way of life than blighty.

I have a really good friend from Germany who now spends his time in Burma. He claims he lives on less than $300 a month. Now, I've seen his hotel rooms...basic for sure. He eats at the local markets, does not drink and has a local lady he hooks up with...not sure how he gets away from being fleeced by her...but this is what he claims. He speaks great Thai.

I agree that you can have a great life in Thailand for 50-70k baht per month. If you have 100k, you can really live it up!

edit: I am back in the USA now, in my Mom's very small rural town. Property here is really at a low. You can get a fairly nice 3br, 3ba house on 1/4 acre for about 80k. Living here is cheap...as long as you avoid the casinos! But it gets cold!!!!!!!!

Edited May 7, 2010 by craigt3365

[Zstarx]

I think 100k is ok if you aren't renting and have everything paid for and don't have any children . All depends on the lifestyle you want

You jest right? 50k is MORE than enough, especially if you pay cash for your car/moto and condo/house. If you are going to rent accomodation, then 60-70k would suffice. And this is not denying yourself much in terms of farang food/restos and stuff. Now, if you are planning to "party" every nite, then you can add in another 20-30k per month. (Also, plan to have at least US$ 50-75k (or your currency equivalent) in cash or highly-liquid investments to cover unexpected or emergency expenses...mainly medical emergencies.)

I rent a 3BR 2BA newish house, own a car, and support no women or children, and eat out farang every nite for about 35k per month

I don't jest

I play golf so I'd have to allow 20k a month for that. Health insurance, car insurance, UBC, electricity another 10k. Fuel 5k. Would leave me 65k for a month which would be ok. Fortunately or unfortunately ( I'm not sure ) I've got a wife and a kid so I couldn't have the lifestyle I want on 100k a month. That's all I'm saying, everyones expectations are different, especially my wife's

[Token]

I think a major difference in costs between Thailand and farang countries is that it is much easier to economise in Thailand. There are so many more levels of the economy, whether rentals, food, transport etc - it is easy to find a cheaper Thai restaurant, cheaper rooms, cheaper buses, cheaper booze etc to use if necessary. In the west you have choices, but the choices differ relatively little in price compared to here, partly due to regulation. In terms of the baht - people have been writing it off for years and it is still gaining ground against European currencies and will do for years, so I suggest you get used to it and start going downmarket or up the age/weight for your cheaper girlfriend - it is possible (in some cases)!

Edited May 8, 2010 by Token

[FarangBuddha]

I think 100k is ok if you aren't renting and have everything paid for and don't have any children . All depends on the lifestyle you want

You jest right? 50k is MORE than enough, especially if you pay cash for your car/moto and condo/house. If you are going to rent accomodation, then 60-70k would suffice. And this is not denying yourself much in terms of farang food/restos and stuff. Now, if you are planning to "party" every nite, then you can add in another 20-30k per month. (Also, plan to have at least US$ 50-75k (or your currency equivalent) in cash or highly-liquid investments to cover unexpected or emergency expenses...mainly medical emergencies.)

I rent a 3BR 2BA newish house, own a car, and support no women or children, and eat out farang every nite for about 35k per month

I don't jest

I play golf so I'd have to allow 20k a month for that. Health insurance, car insurance, UBC, electricity another 10k. Fuel 5k. Would leave me 65k for a month which would be ok. Fortunately or unfortunately ( I'm not sure ) I've got a wife and a kid so I couldn't have the lifestyle I want on 100k a month. That's all I'm saying, everyones expectations are different, especially my wife's

Well that's your choice.

And of course, if one has any special hobbies or activities one likes to do (mine is scuba diving) then one has to plan for those expenses. My point is that standard basic living expenses (housing, food, transportation, and utilities) for a single male can easily be covered with the amounts of income I specified.

Now, if you lard on lots "entertainment," booze, wives (and their associated rug-rats), girlfriends, boyfriends, whatever, then you must take separate account of these expenses.

Edited May 8, 2010 by FarangBuddha

[FarangBuddha]

I think a major difference in costs between Thailand and farang countries is that it is much easier to economise in Thailand. There are so many more levels of the economy, whether rentals, food, transport etc - it is easy to find a cheaper Thai restaurant, cheaper rooms, cheaper buses, cheaper booze etc to use if necessary. In the west you have choices, but the choices differ relatively little in price compared to here, partly due to regulation. In terms of the baht - people have been writing it off for years and it is still gaining ground against European currencies and will do for years, so I suggest you get used to it and start going downmarket or up the age/weight for your cheaper girlfriend - it is possible (in some cases)!

I agree...and often when you go cheaper in terms of food/drink or accommodation, you are not giving up too much like you would have to do in the West. I mean, you cheaper digs are still going to be in a safe neighborhood, unlike in the West where it's likely to be in a pretty sketchy part of town.