If anyone here has spent any time living in Spain (either working or retired) and could comment on the general cost of living there as compared to Thailand I would be interested to know. I am thinking more somewhere in the countryside or the south coast of the country and not Madrid. I would be most interested to know the cost comparisons for rents, restos, groceries, and utilities.

I currently live in Pattaya and can live quite comfortably on B35-45k (or around US$ 1200-1500) per month. This includes rent of a 3-BR house, eating out in restaurants for all meals, utilities (car gas, cable-TV, high-speed internet, and electric), and entertainment when I want it. How much would a similar lifestyle cost in some seaside resort town in Spain set one back per month?

You won't even have near as much fun in spain as you would in thailand,for the price.More bang for the buck in thailand

My guess is that accommodation would be the greatest killer. I don't know anywhere in Europe where you can rent such properties for the price you can in Pattaya. After that you have transport. No Bt10 buses in Spain ! I'll guess that today, western food is similar if bought on the cheap but eating out, an everyday occurrence in Pattaya, would break your budget. As for company, then no comparison.

If you have 200k a month but only spend 45k then fine, but if you only have 45k, then forget it.

Accommodation is likely to be EURO 1,000 p.m.

A beer (local) will cost min EUR 2, a diet Coke EUR 1.50, a meal for 2 EUR 30 upwards, Internet access EUR 4 for 1 hour, fuel EUR 1.15 per litre.

Other 'extras': Round of golf with buggy EUR 80, hooker EUR 65 for half an hour.

Accommodation is likely to be EURO 1,000 p.m.

A beer (local) will cost min EUR 2, a diet Coke EUR 1.50, a meal for 2 EUR 30 upwards, Internet access EUR 4 for 1 hour, fuel EUR 1.15 per litre.

Other 'extras': Round of golf with buggy EUR 80, hooker EUR 65 for half an hour.

Depends your lifestyle, and if your want to live in an expat getto where prices are much higher

300 - 400 € a month for rent (6month contract), 1€ a small beer in local bars , 30€ pm internet conection, local fresh fruit and veg not much more than Thai prices , eating out 6-12 € pp in Spanish restraunts.

inland or spanish coastal resorts are far cheaper for general living expenses

Accommodation is likely to be EURO 1,000 p.m.

A beer (local) will cost min EUR 2, a diet Coke EUR 1.50, a meal for 2 EUR 30 upwards, Internet access EUR 4 for 1 hour, fuel EUR 1.15 per litre.

Other 'extras': Round of golf with buggy EUR 80, hooker EUR 65 for half an hour.

Depends your lifestyle, and if your want to live in an expat getto where prices are much higher

300 - 400 € a month for rent (6month contract), 1€ a small beer in local bars , 30€ pm internet conection, local fresh fruit and veg not much more than Thai prices , eating out 6-12 € pp in Spanish restraunts.

inland or spanish coastal resorts are far cheaper for general living expenses

Depends your lifestyle, and if your want to live in an expat getto where prices are much higher

300 - 400 € a month for rent (6month contract), 1€ a small beer in local bars , 30€ pm internet conection, local fresh fruit and veg not much more than Thai prices , eating out 6-12 € pp in Spanish restraunts.

inland or spanish coastal resorts are far cheaper for general living expenses

But to compare like with like, you would need to compare an "expat ghetto" in Spain with Pattaya. You cannot compare the back of beyond in Spain with one of the most expensive places in Thailand. A rather useless but more accurate comparison would be to compare some rural place in both countries.

Depends your lifestyle, and if your want to live in an expat getto where prices are much higher

300 - 400 € a month for rent (6month contract), 1€ a small beer in local bars , 30€ pm internet conection, local fresh fruit and veg not much more than Thai prices , eating out 6-12 € pp in Spanish restraunts.

inland or spanish coastal resorts are far cheaper for general living expenses

But to compare like with like, you would need to compare an "expat ghetto" in Spain with Pattaya. You cannot compare the back of beyond in Spain with one of the most expensive places in Thailand. A rather useless but more accurate comparison would be to compare some rural place in both countries.

Interesting, so "back of beyond" includes all the major cities of Spain and Thailand. Apart from using the airports at BKK and Madrid we obviously live on different planets