I Want To Live In Hua Hin

[Thormaturge]

The property you intend to let sonds like a millstone to me. How much equity do you have in that property?

If it is mortgaged ask yourself what sort of disaster your life would become if the tenant moved out and it took six months to find a new one.

If it is not mortgaged then you are almost certainly better off selling the property and using the capital as a reserve while you find your feet here.

Frankly, the overwhelming majority of people who come here in your situation end up going back to the UK/US/wherever within a couple of years with little but a pair of shoes and their underwear. What family does your wife have? Mother/father still alive? Older brothers? You will be viewed as the rich Farang with money in the bank and your wife's family could make life Hell, especially since her "famiy" ties with be strongest with them, not with you.

[MRGTINGTONG]

Thanks for all of the replies, sorry for the delay, i have not logged in since i posted this question.

Very interesting contrast of advice, I have been visiting thailand every english winter for 2 or 3 months,

mostly to Hua Hin but have been all over, south and north and Korat where my wifes family live, dont

think I could there cause I feel isolated when im there. Have many friends in Hua Hin, farang and thai

and this is where I wish to settle although it is probably more expensive than other places. I agree about

not buying a condo or a house at first, should rent for a while.

I eat thai food at home now every day, the wifes cooking is the best i,ve tasted, I dont drink alcohol, only

water but I love my coffee and the odd cup of cappucicno, when in thailand I know where to eat good

food for 40 bht a time ,fried rice or fried veg and boiled rice, I walk most places or if too far I take motor

bike taxi, I do and can live very simply, its free to walk and sit on the beach looking out to the sea.

Im a self employed builder, its very hard work and the body aint getting any younger and it feels like

im working just to survive, pay the bills and give it to the tax man.

I feel "at home" in thailand, have done since i first went in 2000, my heart is telling me to go, life is too

short, dont die regretting some thing you didnt do but always wanted to so once again........................

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE AND PERSONAL STORIES, I shall take it all on board and make

a decision and keep you all posted.

[johnnyk]

Mr. Tingtong,

Your desire to escape the cold and the bullshite are understandable but before you leap into the unknown, come and rent for 6 months or more. On holiday for 2-3 months is good but still a holiday and not everyday life. Don't cash your chips until you know for sure because if it does not work out you have to return to a situation that does not seem to be improving, Olympics glow notwithstanding.

Good luck whatever you do.

[guruofvinyl]

I live in Hua Hin and have a comfortable studio apartment that is furnished and has a balcony. Cost is 5500 a month plus another 1200 for all utilities including cable TV, electric with a/c use, and internet. I own a motorcycle which I bought used for around 10,000. I order food from local restaurants and often have it delivered by a motorcycle taxi guy on a more or less permanent retainer. Life is good. I don't go to bars or spend money on wild women but have a girlfriend.

[cdnski12]

Like others mention, you have to budget for costs of your "extended" Thai Family. They will expect you to finance any disaster they may encounter. Best to live as far away from them as you can. Spend another 5-8 years in UK earning money. You're only 52. I'd also recommend that you think hard about health problems. I thot I was a healthy 67 year old, until I found out I have Prostate Cancer on a trip home. You are young enough; but after age 65, anything can happen. Thai Hospitals and Dentists are not very good in my experience. The most sucessful Ferangs I met in Thailand, are those having Expat Jobs in Oil or Mining in the Near East, Asia & Africa. They make a lot of money in low tax environments, so living in Thailand is a good option for them. I do know a few who expended about $1 Million in houses, cars, Rubber & Rice Plantations, Farm Equipment & Restaurant Businesses. They turn over a lot of money, but not much is going into the bank. Farming can employ all the extended family. You soon find out who will actually work and who is a shirker.

[kanderson]

"Only spend what you can afford to loose is a good moto!"

I like a resort atmosphere so a small hotel like place with a wonderful pool - fairly close to the ocean fits the bill. I like to sit by the pool - have lunch - go shopping - cook at home a lot. don't need a car ( all the better). I like to people watch - very entertaining. I like to ride a bicycle ( or walk it ) along the beach. Buy a condo near Jomtien Beach area or even Rayong, in your name.

My 1.3 mil thb rents out quite easily and it's pretty safe and always somewhere to call your own. Then you can live anywhere and rent. When the sheet hits the fan ( if ) with your wife you can always retreat to " your " room and resume a happy life.

My marriage lasted about 10 years. I got 2 really hansom kids though.

I'm waiting another 2 years until my Social Security kicks in to make the final move.

I can live on 30,000 Bt per month without to many problems but I'd never sell my house back home.

I'm in Hawaii for 35 years so living in a small condo is very natual. I'm outside allot and love swimming pools and so fourth. Screw the Wife - she will get enough when you die already.

At this point I'd never mix business with family / falang type of thing but ymmv.

[jj32108]

You are throwing your money away by renting, why not open a bed and breakfast business,

you can own your house and making money the same time!! =)

[rufanuf]

As another poster said,this question will generate 100s of useless replies! You have to decide what kind of lifestyle you want to live. Ilive in Hua Hin and will soon moveout of the town. Thailand affords you an opportunity to live well within a broad range of finances. Id say living IN any tourist town will likely become expensive, but if you was looking to simplify your life consider living out of town. If your easily bored or need to socialise with other foriegners on a regualr basis consider minimum budget 50K a month to live. if your wofe likes shopping or you like drinking maybe 70K a month. Out of town in your place....peanuts!

[gaucho]

sorry mate not being negative but u will really struggle ..it can be done ...if u watch expats here and in philippines that r in a similar situation they start to really penny pinch ... the most important thing for u is your health ....medical bills ...rarely taken into consideration ...........i have friends that retired there ten years ago ...9o.ooo baht a month no worries ........within ten years and stockmarket losses they r down to about 45000 baht ...they r still enjoying life but no hols and only an occasional treat ....though they both say fxxxk the english weather....hope u go well ......a comment ...i find it funny so many british leave the uk ....various reasons ...most of my mates say its because they r so peeved about whats happening there ...yet for everyone that leaves 10 freeloaders arrive .cheers ps .will u miss your favourite ale

[Godders]

Don't do it.

[hhfarang]

Thanks for all of the replies, sorry for the delay, i have not logged in since i posted this question.

Very interesting contrast of advice, I have been visiting thailand every english winter for 2 or 3 months,

mostly to Hua Hin but have been all over, south and north and Korat where my wifes family live, dont

think I could there cause I feel isolated when im there. Have many friends in Hua Hin, farang and thai

and this is where I wish to settle although it is probably more expensive than other places. I agree about

not buying a condo or a house at first, should rent for a while.

I eat thai food at home now every day, the wifes cooking is the best i,ve tasted, I dont drink alcohol, only

water but I love my coffee and the odd cup of cappucicno, when in thailand I know where to eat good

food for 40 bht a time ,fried rice or fried veg and boiled rice, I walk most places or if too far I take motor

bike taxi, I do and can live very simply, its free to walk and sit on the beach looking out to the sea.

Im a self employed builder, its very hard work and the body aint getting any younger and it feels like

im working just to survive, pay the bills and give it to the tax man.

I feel "at home" in thailand, have done since i first went in 2000, my heart is telling me to go, life is too

short, dont die regretting some thing you didnt do but always wanted to so once again........................

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE AND PERSONAL STORIES, I shall take it all on board and make

a decision and keep you all posted.

Sounds like you may be able to live a simple lifestyle if you only eat cheap Thai food, use motorcycle taxis, and don't drink. You might make it if you find a cheap place to rent, keep your savings for an emergency, and have no health problems or problems with your rental income from back home or wife's family. If sitting on the beach staring at the sea is an activity you enjoy then you're right, that is free, but will you get bored with that in a few years?

Anyway, good luck to you. I came here with a 120k+ baht per month pension and over $400k U.S. in savings. Eight years later the savings is nearly gone and the pension has shrunk to 90k due to the drop in the value of the dollar/baht. Some have laughed about my full time gardener, but I bought 1.5 rai of land when I came here because I got a great deal on it, not thinking about the maintenance part then because after all, I was "rich" by Thai standards. Other than the footprint of the house, driveway and walkways it is meticulously landscaped with lawn, shrubs, and trees which require full time maintenance to water (manually), trim, weed, fertilize, and cut. I don't fancy spending 6 to 8 hours a day (in this heat and in my mid 60's) doing gardening, hence the need for the gardener. As for the two cars, I will not ride a motorbike here as I consider it too dangerous and we tried to get by with one car but the first two years I was playing a lot of golf so was gone in the car all day when my wife needed transport so we bought another one. They are both years old models (7 and 8).

It all comes down to expectations. Sounds like the op doesn't expect or need much so I wish him well but I came here to live a comfortable life with a few guilty pleasures, and not to radically reduce the lifestyle I had in my home country. I do drink and I like wine which is very expensive here. I also like to eat about 50% western food, a lot of which I make myself at home, but I also like to have the occasional cheese/crackers or other expensive snack from Villa Market. We live well from month to month (on about 80 to 85k), but I really miss golf and travel. I haven't been out of Thailand since 2005 as international travel just isn't in the budget and golf in and around Hua Hin costs three times per round than it did before I retired and moved here.

[ppmacready]

Live in Udon Thani.

Get a shop house and copy how the Sea Side Cafe do business.

Do it now dont wait.

You could be dead next year!

B Lucky

P.P.Pan

[kagan]

you can totally live in Hua Hin for the rest of your life. It wont be a lavish lifestyle but it will be better than the UK for sure. Rule #1 have the misses get a job. even part time. just something for her to do besides spend your money. Rule #2 dont be stupid. Thats it. Easy. Hope to see you soon

[botti]

I have unfortunately read quite some unrealistic comments on this subject. I’m happily living in Thailand since few years and lucky to have an honest wife who’s working hard to keep our assets in good shape. I’m also lucky to have a more than correct revenue/pension allowing me to possibly cope with unexpected problems.

I would like therefore raise to your attention some issues related to your project as follow:

1. Due to globalisation, the cost of living in Thailand is in the increase and this is just a beginning. All expats living in Thailand since years have noticed that. Moreover, if you take into account the difficulties that are facing (and will increasingly face) occidental economies with a continuous devaluation of our moneys vis a vis asian growing countries, it is not difficult to predict that we will need to bring more in order to keep our standards of living in this country.
   

1. As mentioned in few posts, when calculating your budget, you must take into account more factors than just food, car, accommodation, beers and... girls. Many foreigners coming to Thailand are blindly omitting important issues such as medical care, insurances, house repairs and, of course as mentioned above, the growing cost of even basic products in this country.
   If you would need, as an example, 80’000 Baths to cover your monthly needs, you have to plan at least 50% more for the years to come to be on the safe side.
   

1. Your wife is planning to start with a business ? Fine !
   You are the only one here in a position to gauge her capacity to really build a durable and profitable business that will ensure to BOTH of you a decent revenue. You should however know that many of this sort of «businesses» in Thailand are ending with a big failure leaving people in deep trouble. All Thai women are dreaming to make business, only few succeed.
   

1. Please register ALL your assets in YOUR name. Yes, it is possible even if a little more complicated. If you would buy land, please make a contract with you wife protecting your personal interests. You have to get advices from one (or few) good lawyers who are used to work with farangs in Thailand.
   
   
2. I just would like to underline that the budget you’ve designed is far too limited, believe me. And don’t believe to people saying they have a comfortable life in Thailand with 20’000 Bath per month, or those who spend less than 2’000 for electricity with a 500 sqm house, it is only possible if you use candles.
   With that you just have enough to dig your grave.
   

These are the basic rules for a happy stay in this country

Good luck mate

[lannaman]

Living here in Chiang Rai A LOT less expensive that the Falang hangouts of Pattaya and Hua Hin. Can rent for under 5000 bt, I bought a mini truck 289,000 that runs on LPG gas, we are desperate for English teachers and you maybe can do that to earn a bit yourself. I would recommend doing something, as one can get very bored otherwise. Eat delicious (still cheap) Thai food, avoid western food but cook it at home. I live very contentedly on under 30,000 a month. Good luck if you decide on Chiang Rai let me know, you'll be welcome!

[crazykopite]

Everything is possible and all depends on the lifestyle you want to have.

We live in Hua Hin with our son and I actually made living cost calculations last week.

Here they are:

Fixed monthly costs:

Car lease 10,757

Family insurance 8,333

Son nursery 2,500

Garden maintenance 3,000

Swimming pool maintenance 2,500

House/project maintenance 2355

Car insurance 1,250

House insurance 833

Insect repellor 292

Internet home 1190

TOTAL 33,010

Variable Monthly expenses

Dinner for 2 21,000

Eating Son 9,000

Breakfast/lunch Me 7,500

Car fuel 5,402

Clothing everybody 5,000

Electricity 4,000

Breakfast/lunch Wife 3,000

Motorbike fuel 729

House/project water/electricity 500

TOTAL 56,131

Which comes down to a ABSOLUTE TOTAL 89,141, which does not even include rent, with rent it would be around 115.000 THB per month

Now we do live in a nice house and I do eat a lot of farang food, BUT in above calculations is not one cent for alcholol or bar girls included or rent for that matter, which is of course very important. All that is extra, if something breaks down, extra, if you want to go on holiday, extra, if you need visa, extra, if you play golf or any other kind of sport, extra. Basically everything is extra.

Now as said before, everything is possible and YES, you CAN live on 30.000 THB per month. My friend is also living in Hua Hin and everything included, also rent and really everything he does, his monthly cost of living is around 15.000 THB per month. But that is for one person, but for 2 person the cost is less then double, so I KNOW it is possible to live in Hua Hin as a couple on 30.000 THB per month.

In the end it all comes down to your preferences and lifestyle.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

WOW 37,500 per month in food for two adults and 1 child that is incredible do you eat fillet steak every night !!!!!!!!!!!! on a 31 day month that equates to over 1,200 bht per day

[brit1984]

Everything is possible and all depends on the lifestyle you want to have.

We live in Hua Hin with our son and I actually made living cost calculations last week.

Here they are:

Fixed monthly costs:

Car lease 10,757

Family insurance 8,333

Son nursery 2,500

Garden maintenance 3,000

Swimming pool maintenance 2,500

House/project maintenance 2355

Car insurance 1,250

House insurance 833

Insect repellor 292

Internet home 1190

TOTAL 33,010

Variable Monthly expenses

Dinner for 2 21,000

Eating Son 9,000

Breakfast/lunch Me 7,500

Car fuel 5,402

Clothing everybody 5,000

Electricity 4,000

Breakfast/lunch Wife 3,000

Motorbike fuel 729

House/project water/electricity 500

TOTAL 56,131

Which comes down to a ABSOLUTE TOTAL 89,141, which does not even include rent, with rent it would be around 115.000 THB per month

Now we do live in a nice house and I do eat a lot of farang food, BUT in above calculations is not one cent for alcholol or bar girls included or rent for that matter, which is of course very important. All that is extra, if something breaks down, extra, if you want to go on holiday, extra, if you need visa, extra, if you play golf or any other kind of sport, extra. Basically everything is extra.

Now as said before, everything is possible and YES, you CAN live on 30.000 THB per month. My friend is also living in Hua Hin and everything included, also rent and really everything he does, his monthly cost of living is around 15.000 THB per month. But that is for one person, but for 2 person the cost is less then double, so I KNOW it is possible to live in Hua Hin as a couple on 30.000 THB per month.

In the end it all comes down to your preferences and lifestyle.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

WOW 37,500 per month in food for two adults and 1 child that is incredible do you eat fillet steak every night !!!!!!!!!!!! on a 31 day month that equates to over 1,200 bht per day

Assuming they have 3 meals per day, it's 133 baht per person per meal... I don't think they will get much fillet steak for that

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[crazykopite]

Everything is possible and all depends on the lifestyle you want to have.

We live in Hua Hin with our son and I actually made living cost calculations last week.

Here they are:

Fixed monthly costs:

Car lease 10,757

Family insurance 8,333

Son nursery 2,500

Garden maintenance 3,000

Swimming pool maintenance 2,500

House/project maintenance 2355

Car insurance 1,250

House insurance 833

Insect repellor 292

Internet home 1190

TOTAL 33,010

Variable Monthly expenses

Dinner for 2 21,000

Eating Son 9,000

Breakfast/lunch Me 7,500

Car fuel 5,402

Clothing everybody 5,000

Electricity 4,000

Breakfast/lunch Wife 3,000

Motorbike fuel 729

House/project water/electricity 500

TOTAL 56,131

Which comes down to a ABSOLUTE TOTAL 89,141, which does not even include rent, with rent it would be around 115.000 THB per month

Now we do live in a nice house and I do eat a lot of farang food, BUT in above calculations is not one cent for alcholol or bar girls included or rent for that matter, which is of course very important. All that is extra, if something breaks down, extra, if you want to go on holiday, extra, if you need visa, extra, if you play golf or any other kind of sport, extra. Basically everything is extra.

Now as said before, everything is possible and YES, you CAN live on 30.000 THB per month. My friend is also living in Hua Hin and everything included, also rent and really everything he does, his monthly cost of living is around 15.000 THB per month. But that is for one person, but for 2 person the cost is less then double, so I KNOW it is possible to live in Hua Hin as a couple on 30.000 THB per month.

In the end it all comes down to your preferences and lifestyle.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

WOW 37,500 per month in food for two adults and 1 child that is incredible do you eat fillet steak every night !!!!!!!!!!!! on a 31 day month that equates to over 1,200 bht per day

Sorry just noticed another 3,000 bht for wifes b/fast and lunch which now reads 40,500 which equates to 1,306 per day over a 31 day period

that is more than I and my wife spend in a month on everything we are both farangs and only eat chicken breast or fillet and pork fillet as well as fish and my typical menu at home woukld be as follows

Breakfast : Toast , marmalade, tea followed by weet-bix & fruit from the garden

Lunch : selection of sandwiches with side salad and spring water & fruit from the garden

Tea : Chicken breast, potatoes, vegetables, spring water

supper : cup of tea and banana cake

In between we would have fruit drinks and a yoghurt

Food bill for month no more than 13,500 per month for the two of us and that includes eating out twice a week

[quandow]

I've been living in Thailand six years this October, and from what I've seen, you could exist but it would be tight. I teach part time here and make about $600 quid per month which just covers the basics. I also have a full pension and one rental property that puts me in that "lap of luxury" situation. I'd recommend trying out a rental for at least six months before buying anything and getting stuck in a spot that might wind up frustrating you.

[davejones]

what's interesting and uncomfortable about this post, for readers like me who have visited Thailand several times (saving up and denying myself pleasures here in the UK in the meantime) and may have had dreams of eventually retiring over here, is that it will always remain a dream.

its obvious from the posts of experienced expats that it costs much more than the average schmuk like me will ever be able to afford.

Regardless of the pleasant Thai weather, beaches, etc it would be hell to be in Thailand and be skint. and living 'the life' i.e girls, golf, massages, fine food etc etc on a daily basis (is there anyone who really lives that way?) is only for the very rich.

also i dont know if its been mentioned in other posts but there is no divine right that will keep exchange rate at 48-50 =£1, when i first visited it was 73, high old times, ok it could actually go up steeply if the baht collapses !!! but the trend now is down, just imagine it being below 40, the average punter with a smallish pension would be a tad troubled i fancy?

Good luck

Thailand is cheaper than the UK, so if you can afford to live in the UK then you should be able to afford to live in Thailand. The exchange rate can be a problem in any country abroad, but it can get better and isn't destined to always get worse. But you have to think ahead and plan what you will do if it drops to say 40 baht to 1GBP. Most people who come unstuck just don't plan ahead at al and just live on hope. There are plenty of ways to earn a part-time income in Thailand, so living here should be possible for everyone. But if you want to spend money on girls, booze, etc then it will go quickly.

[skilebow99]

It can be done but not really if you want to live in the tourist areas. 30,000 Baht was what i lived on for my first year here. Although I was just out if uni, a single guy and it was almost a decade ago now! I found you could do it but didn`t live in the center of BKK and ate a lot of street food! If i were you I would use the 3 million to buy a place on the outskirts of BKK. You can get very nice houses with a bit of a garden for 2 and a bit million in places like samut prahkan. Or living in Chiang Mai is much cheaper

[crazykopite]

Having read all the ops I am amazed at the high cost of medical insurance 6 years ago I considered it went to bupa was quoted 80,000 bht per year for myself and wife I decided that the £20,000 I had for a rainy day would have to surfice if I had of paid that 80 k I would have now paid 480,000 bht so what has it cost me in medical bills over the last 6 years

1 , Wife broke ribs by fall 20,000 baht al in including private room in hospital ( had I taken out insurance from bank for 1,500 bht would have been coverered )

2, Dental work for two of us 30,000 baht

3, Local doc check ups twice a year blood, sight, urine, weight and so on 200 bht per visit total cost 4,800 over 6 years for two people.

4, Opticians free site test but upgrade lenses for two persons 14,000

Total cost spent over 6 years 68,800 a saving of 411,200 bht that I would have paid out to Bupa JUST IN CASE me or the wife fell ill I have never been a What If person if the doc says you have 6 months to live then by heck I will go and enjoy it and the wife has the same attitude. One thing we do have is a joint UK life insurance that pays out should either of us die and I am assurred that I do not need to live in the UK to be covered

[skilebow99]

what's interesting and uncomfortable about this post, for readers like me who have visited Thailand several times (saving up and denying myself pleasures here in the UK in the meantime) and may have had dreams of eventually retiring over here, is that it will always remain a dream.

its obvious from the posts of experienced expats that it costs much more than the average schmuk like me will ever be able to afford.

Regardless of the pleasant Thai weather, beaches, etc it would be hell to be in Thailand and be skint. and living 'the life' i.e girls, golf, massages, fine food etc etc on a daily basis (is there anyone who really lives that way?) is only for the very rich.

also i dont know if its been mentioned in other posts but there is no divine right that will keep exchange rate at 48-50 =£1, when i first visited it was 73, high old times, ok it could actually go up steeply if the baht collapses !!! but the trend now is down, just imagine it being below 40, the average punter with a smallish pension would be a tad troubled i fancy?

Good luck

Thailand is cheaper than the UK, so if you can afford to live in the UK then you should be able to afford to live in Thailand. The exchange rate can be a problem in any country abroad, but it can get better and isn't destined to always get worse. But you have to think ahead and plan what you will do if it drops to say 40 baht to 1GBP. Most people who come unstuck just don't plan ahead at al and just live on hope. There are plenty of ways to earn a part-time income in Thailand, so living here should be possible for everyone. But if you want to spend money on girls, booze, etc then it will go quickly.

I think it is very possible to live the `high life` in Thailand on not very much money or certainly much less money than in the west BUT it is much easier to do if you work here

One of the reason why expats come here is they can have a much better life in their chosen career. I`m a teacher at an international school in BKK and whilst I`m sure i would have done alright in the UK I have a much higher standard of living here than i ever could have at home

This also means the exchange rate means nothing as well

I think when people come here to retire their money goes very quickly as nothing is coming in

If i were the original poster i would look into part time english teaching (as you don`t need many qualifications for the language schools) as this would up the income, give you something to do (Thailand can get a bit boring with little money) and there is always a demand for native speakers

[blazes]

I think the key here is that you mentioned the words - simple life. Simple life to me equates to pretty much 30,000 per month. I'm not sure about Hua Hin, but I've spent time in Chiang Mai and I think it's totally doable. You have a decent amount saved up for a cushion. I would rent for now and think about buying property later on. Take it slow. Learn the language. Language is the key.

Learn the language???????? Good luck on that....

[brianP]

I live in Chiang Mai and have been here exactly one year this month. I'm a retired American on a USA government pension and currently receive about 114,000 THB each month. I rent a one bedroom apartment near CMU (Chiang Mai University) and pay 10,000 THB each month for the apartment which includes furniture and 2 TVs. Electricity has run from 1,500 to 2,500 each month. I pay 200 for water and 400 for WiFi and 350 for laundry services each month. I have no real kitchen so I eat out or order delivery every day/night and I pretty much eat anything I want. I go out and drink 1-3 times each week. I track my monthly expenses for food and drink and it has ranged from 21,000 to 40,000 THB. My other monthly expenses are for my phone and gas for my motorbike...roughly 500-1,000 each month. Other ancillary living expenses average 3,000 to 4,000 each month. Last month I only spent a grand total of 41,000 THB on my basic monthly living expenses, but the average is probably around 50,000. Having laid all of this out, I could live on a lot less if I wanted to but choose to enjoy myself here. Expenses here of course increase if I go out more often and drink and chase girls (which are fairly expensive compared to Pattaya). Since I've been saving quite a bit each myth, I have been able to travel...twice to Pattaya and Bangkok and once to Ko Chang...and plan a trip to Phnom Penh next month and the Philippines in November. All in all, I think it's reasonably inexpensive to live here in Chiang Mai compared to Bangkok, Ko Samui, HuaHin, and Phuket....and comparable to living expenses in Pattaya (as long as one is not in the bars there all the time).

You have the same problem i have, where to park that extra income and make it work hardest. K=bank is promoting a 15% 1 year campaign, but it's really 3.8% APR. that's the key.( annual percentage yield). Then the Thai govt takes 15% of your interest before you receive it, Offshore banks?-Thai govt. bonds and programs? We worked our asses off to gather our money and we need to make our life's paychecks work hard too. What to do?

[dapsolapsalai]

Take it slow. Learn the language. Language is the key.

Learn the language???????? Good luck on that....

why does he need luck to learn a language many others have already done so successfully?

[SteveH]

I haven't read all the replies to the original post, so maybe some have already made the same points I will make.

I remember reading many years ago on TV " never invest any more in Thailand than you can afford to loose "

I think that is the best bit of advice I have ever read on TV.

Don't burn your bridges back home, i.e. don't sell your house, rent it out for a year and try Thailand, it's not all

a bed of roses, it's not the same as your 2 week holiday, there are many "wrinkles", but you will at least have a far better idea

than jumping inat the deep end.

I know of more than a few people that sold up in the U.K. then lost everything in Thailand, then you are really screwed.

Hopefully that wont happen to you, but that's what they thought ! Most of them were well experienced in Thailand too.

I would say that Hua Hin is an expensive area to live in. When we first spent alot of time in Thailand we tried many places before

settling in Rayong. No longer as cheap now but still cheaper than Hua Hin.

As to monthly costs, I am not sure exactly as my wife takes care of the expenditure in Thailand but it will be more than you think.

We still spend alot of time in the U.K. about 50% here and 50% there, I still enjoy my time in England so I will always keep property

there as an income and also an insurance policy should the Thai dream become a nightmare.

In a nutshell, don't sell up come and rent first see what it's all about for 6 months to a year, you can get a non immigrant' o ' multiple entry visa

that will give you over a year,s stay (with border runs).

Good luck

[Estrada]

Sooner or later your Thai Wife will want you to spend the 3 million baht on a house up country for her Mother, this is typical Thai Culture. Then you will have nothing but your £600/month (B29,500). I tried living this way from 1994 to 1999, it was very hard. So for 10 years I worked overseas on a 10 week on 3 weeks off rotation earning B475,000/month. The money I saved I invested in the Thai Stock Exchange and I was able to retire in 2010 as I am earning an average of B500,000/month from investments in thai stocks paying dividends of up to 17%/year and with under value of 20 to 40%. My wife was not really happy until I bought her the mobile phone, car and house up country so that she "had face", after that she is happy that I invest our money in the stock exchange and make money that way. This is Thai tradition and the well known Thai Group, Carabao, has a famous song written about this.

If you have or are contemplating having children then you need at least B100,000/month to live reasonably and B200,000/month if the children are going to International Schools or Universities. If married, I suggest you open a Bangkok Bank 5 month Term Deposit Account with B400,000 at 3.25% interest to use for your visa after aging the sum for 3 months and roll it over to a new fixed term deposit on a permanent basis. Do not open a joint account, keep your money in your name only. Invest 2 million in the Thai Stock exchange in shares with a good dividend that are safe. Since January last year, Advance Info Services (ADVANC) paid 23% in dividends and the share value increased from B85.00 to B210.00. So 2 million baht invested would now be worth B5,455,166 after deduction of the 10% withholding tax on the dividends (there is no capital gains tax in Thailand). Currently DTAC is well undervalues with a 44% upside to real value ( and more after winning the up and coming 3G auction) and pays >7% annual dividend twice yearly.

You will probably have to use the remaining B200,000 to buy furniture, TV refrigerator, aircon etc.

Suggest you also consider teaching English which pays around B30,000/mth ( you will need to get a qualification such as "Teach English As A Foriegn Language".).

[Estrada]

Take it slow. Learn the language. Language is the key.

Learn the language???????? Good luck on that....

why does he need luck to learn a language many others have already done so successfully?

I second that. I learnt Thai in 5 days using a book called " Easy Thai". Then I could read the menus in a Thai restaurant and the bus destinations written on the side of the buses in Thai only and road signs. You can learn to speak basic Thai very easily and quickly. After that you find you survive on much less being able to communicate in Thai. For instance if you can read Thai you would be able to get on the free buses and go all over Bangkok for free.

[jsflynn603]

Great thread!

A few thoughts to consider:

Beware of two things: Because you currently are getting a certain income from the apartment, be careful. Over twenty years significant costs, such as roof replacement, or renovations may come into play. I allow for 7 year renovations (repainting) and 14 year renovations (more extensive, sink/faucet, sometimes window replacement, flooring, etc). Also consider that you will no longer be around to manage it--if you've a relative to manage it, good, if not, it'll cost.

Now the more significant part: The value of Britain's currency is likely to drop against the Baht. In my estimation this is true of the US$. Much depends, of course, on China's future, hard/soft landing, etc. But over time the pound is likely to drop againt the Baht. Added to this is the fact that as Thailand's wealth increases so too will things like wages (and we have recently seen this trend) and as wages rise, everything else increases. The Thailand of a decade from now, I fear, will be much, much less affordable.

Consider that from July of 2008, to today, the pound has dropped about 28% against the US$ and though I'm not sure how much, I'm sure it's taken quite a hit vis a vis the Baht. It is possible that over the next decade the purchasing power of your income may drop significantly as the Western Nations struggle, and the Asian nations thrive--just something to be aware of.

A final warning: If possible keep the apartment house in Britain till you die. Why? Because if push comes to shove--you have something to return to. You might be surprised as to the "why" of my point of view though: The reason: Thailand's paranoia of opiods. If you ever get cancer that metastasizes to the bone you will suffer great pain. In England, or France, or the US, your pain will be properly treated and you can die in relative comfort. In Thailand, I fear you will suffer greatly.

From what I have read pain control in Thailand is in the "dark ages," simply because of it's link to opium, and its' related fears of opoids. (Btw, I'm an RN).

The question is excellent--the answers too, and I shall spend a long time reading them as this question is one that I eventually need to address and am addressing.

My situation is almost exactly as yours is. I could sell my house, take my investents and rely on the income of a triplex apartment house and social security payments and the numbers are similar. After much thought I have decided that it is far too risky, and so at age 62 I have decided to continue working to age 70 (I am lucky to be able to do that in America--most my age do not have this option) in an effort to double my savings and in the effort to increase the value of my triplex so that 8 years from now, hopefully I'll net a significant amount of money upon its sale.

Times are bleak and for many job prospects poor, and getting poorer, but if you can, I'd reccomend that you stick around Britain and work your tail off trying to increase your wealth for as many years as it takes so that you are absolutely sure you can survive.

Edited August 8, 2012 by jsflynn603