A few questions about living in Pattaya on a cheap budget

[alex777]

Hi,

I'd like to say I've been in Thailand for 2 years already, mainly samui, chiang mai and nong khai. Now the weather is far to much cold in Isaa and I'd like to move in a location where I'll see the sea again, plus fair temperatures.

I already stayed in Pattaya for 2 months, but that was low season and I payed my room on a daily basis.

I'm used to rent long term condos for 4.000 thb and I don't want to spend more money.

I'm not a bar addict, in fact I don't drink alcohol and I'm not a sex addict too lol I just apreciate a massage here and there wich gives me some stress relieves.

My main hobies are playing music, I've got a keyboard with me, doing some fitness, some running and I'm perfectly used to eat thai food every day.

Also I enjoy learning thai, I spend some times at it everyday, as I refuse to say in a country for a long time without being able to speak the language.

That was to introduce myself.

I'd like to come in Pattaya in january and stay for a long period. So I'd like to know if there are any decent condos, clean and safe for 4.000 thb a month ?

I'm looking for something 20-30 sqm2, I don't need a TV, pool etc .. but I'd like to have a fridge.

In chiang Mai there are many nice small condos in this range of price.

Can I expect to find something decent in Pattaya for the same price ?

My second question is about motorbike rental, I think last time I came I gave 2.500 thb for a one month rental, is it still the case nowadays and in high season ?

Thx !

[Gsxrnz]

Yes you'll get a Thai style room for 4k or less. Bike rental is circa 2,500-3,000. Based on your post, I'd say you could probably live here on 20k a month or less.

However, I wouldn't call it "living" exactly.

[i claudius]

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

[luckyluke]

It's possible, rent for a couple of days in one place and walk around. There are many places in your price range, decent is a relative word.

[PattayaPhom]

Plenty of clean safe rooms with air, TV, fridge and hot shower approx 30 sqm furnished for 4K in Naklua and Central. On Baht bus routes, close to shops etc. Semi auto waves at 2.5K, autos maybe 3k up.

[Gone]

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

Foreigners cannot busk in Thailand.

[addy77]

Look at living in Naklua. About soi 27 - 29 and 14. Many Thai apartments and you have the songthaew taking you in or not 24 hours/day.

[Gone]

I am in a nice condo now but for 6,000 and it is 39sqm and came with a fridge, TV etc however I have all my own things. Before that I stayed in a decent little apt for 2,800 per month and it was 30sqm and actually a great place for a single guy. Had Cable, furniture (no fridge) and internet for 350b per month.

So yes it is possible to find these places.

I am also a musician and if you want to play some keyboards with us send me a private message and we can hook up.

[alex777]

Is not funking all the time, not drinking, enjoy playing music, being ok with eating the Thai way and doing some exercise do me a monk ?

I don't mind being a few more kilometers away. Is being in high season changes anything for long term rental prices ?

About busking in Thailand, I also think it is not allowed. Though I can remind there was a guy playing and singing country music at Jomtien beach.

Also there was a guy nicely playing jazz piano at a resort in Samui ... I guess this kind of job is not allowed too ?

Thnks Gone for the proposition. I still have to organize my trip from Nong Khai as I've got my own things too and my room is paid until mid january.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Take a look here

[alex777]

Take a look here

Thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for

[i claudius]

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

Foreigners cannot busk in Thailand.

I was joking,but have you never seen the guy with the parrot on beach road? he charges tourists to have their picture taken with it ,been doing it for years ,doubt if he has a work permit

[alex777]

Does anyone know how much "The Net Appartment" charges for a month ?

I stayed there a couple of days 1 year and half ago and this condo was quite good and new. There is a nice swimming pool and it is near Big C on Sukhumvit and 10 min ride from Pattaya beach.

I'm not so sure now but I think it was 6.000/month that I could eventually afford. But the wifi was not working most of the time.

Another question, how much is the current electricity unit charges nowadays in Pattaya ? In Nong Khai they currently charge 6 bahts. Though I guess it depends from a condo to another, but it can make a difference at the end of the month.

[Gone]

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

Foreigners cannot busk in Thailand.

I was joking,but have you never seen the guy with the parrot on beach road? he charges tourists to have their picture taken with it ,been doing it for years ,doubt if he has a work permit

Naw never seen him but then again I don't go to beach road. Yeah I thought you might be kidding lol. I know some farangs do that but they are taking a big chance of a huge fine, deportation, blacklisting and even jail.

Alex 777: Prices of water and electric vary depending where you stay so can't really answer that.

The condo where I stay now for 6k is surisingly nice and big with a corner unit and wrap around balcony, huge olympic sized pool etc. I use tons of electricity and water with my PA, Computers and tons of electric things and bill is around 1,100 per month.

Some charge for water by the square meter and others by the square foot so be careful when asking.

If you want to play some music with us let me know. We don't really play around in bars etc. due to the legalities however we do the odd charity events and are safe that way. Just fun to get together and play over a few woblly pops once in awhile. Keyboards are always welcome.

[koeko]

Does anyone know how much "The Net Appartment" charges for a month ? I stayed there a couple of days 1 year and half ago and this condo was quite good and new. There is a nice swimming pool and it is near Big C on Sukhumvit and 10 min ride from Pattaya beach. I'm not so sure now but I think it was 6.000/month that I could eventually afford. But the wifi was not working most of the time. Another question, how much is the current electricity unit charges nowadays in Pattaya ? In Nong Khai they currently charge 6 bahts. Though I guess it depends from a condo to another, but it can make a difference at the end of the month.

This is a very good question. I believe the city charges something like 4.5 bahts (more or less). The problem is that most cheap rooms for rent won't let you pay to the city directly, and some make you pay twice the price (8 bahts/unit).

Make sure to ask how much you'll pay per unit before you rent anything.

A few years ago I was renting a cheap room for 4000 bahts in central Pattaya about 200m from 3rd road. Big fridge, TV with cable (300 baths/month), included Wifi, and Air-Conditioner + small ceiling fan. It's called "Bonbon Guesthouse", quite central and cheap.

Now they were charging 8 bahts/unit of electric, so if I was using the AC then I would have paid more in electricity than the rent itself! So it's better to pay a higher rent and make sure to pay the more reasonable 4bahts/unit for the electric.

I find electric to be really expensive in Thailand. I'm currently paying between 3000 to 4000 bahts monthly for electric only in my condo with only 2 AC and a small fridge (~4.5bahts/unit). If I had to pay 8 bahts/unit it would be more like 6000 to 8000 bahts every month only for some fresh air!!!

[thairookie]

Yes you'll get a Thai style room for 4k or less. Bike rental is circa 2,500-3,000. Based on your post, I'd say you could probably live here on 20k a month or less.

However, I wouldn't call it "living" exactly.

I live in Bangkok on less than 10,000 baht a month.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Tolley]

Does anyone know how much "The Net Appartment" charges for a month ? I stayed there a couple of days 1 year and half ago and this condo was quite good and new. There is a nice swimming pool and it is near Big C on Sukhumvit and 10 min ride from Pattaya beach. I'm not so sure now but I think it was 6.000/month that I could eventually afford. But the wifi was not working most of the time. Another question, how much is the current electricity unit charges nowadays in Pattaya ? In Nong Khai they currently charge 6 bahts. Though I guess it depends from a condo to another, but it can make a difference at the end of the month.

This is a very good question. I believe the city charges something like 4.5 bahts (more or less). The problem is that most cheap rooms for rent won't let you pay to the city directly, and some make you pay twice the price (8 bahts/unit).

Make sure to ask how much you'll pay per unit before you rent anything.

A few years ago I was renting a cheap room for 4000 bahts in central Pattaya about 200m from 3rd road. Big fridge, TV with cable (300 baths/month), included Wifi, and Air-Conditioner + small ceiling fan. It's called "Bonbon Guesthouse", quite central and cheap.

Now they were charging 8 bahts/unit of electric, so if I was using the AC then I would have paid more in electricity than the rent itself! So it's better to pay a higher rent and make sure to pay the more reasonable 4bahts/unit for the electric.

I find electric to be really expensive in Thailand. I'm currently paying between 3000 to 4000 bahts monthly for electric only in my condo with only 2 AC and a small fridge (~4.5bahts/unit). If I had to pay 8 bahts/unit it would be more like 6000 to 8000 bahts every month only for some fresh air!!!

Electricity can be exxy here especially if you are addicted to air con.

I pay 8baht/unit and electricity is around 1300baht a month but I don't use aircon much and only at night when it is hot season. I have a good breeze coming through my place thou so it also depends on your apartment location as some places will be hotter than others.

[Tolley]

Yes you'll get a Thai style room for 4k or less. Bike rental is circa 2,500-3,000. Based on your post, I'd say you could probably live here on 20k a month or less.

However, I wouldn't call it "living" exactly.

I live in Bangkok on less than 10,000 baht a month.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Great a race to the bottom.

I reckon it is going to be hard to go much lower you may just win this one.

But you don't live on 10k a month you exist on it.

[kicking]

i claudius, on 26 Dec 2013 - 03:14, said:

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

Another useless and unhelpful response. And I am guessing that your son is always broke because he has no idea of the value of money. Unless of course he works for his money, pays for uni and rent; and I have misread the situation. If that is the case, my apologies. Otherwise, I don't like these snide little remarks disguised as humor because they are really only comments to put others down.

To the OP, many people live in Pattaya on strict budgets, it can be done. Maybe get a cheap hotel room for a couple days, rent a motorbike, and look for a cheap long-term place. Good luck.

[easyride]

Take a look here

Thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for

Pity the link is so old and not updated since 2009.

It claims a particular apartment as being 7,500 baht per month when in fact it's 10,000 baht.

Mind you, I am a farang. TIT

[seasia]

Hi Alex

As has already been said, yes you will find a basic room to live in at your figure, give or take a little.

Some of the sois off pattaya klang may have something suitable.( left hand side as you walk up klang from say TOPS supermarket.

A friend of mine has been living in one for a few years now, about 5 K baht a month.

sois 27 & maybe 25 naklua you also have a chance of finding something.

" U Sabay " on soi 25 naklua is about 5 K, might be able to get a little cheaper, 5 minutes walk from main naklua road.

On soi 27 " Roy Lang " apartments might be possible just sub 5 K. Same soi Pornratchanee 1 is about 5 K a month.

( If you need contact phone numbers for either of the soi 27 places, PM me and I`ll go get them, live nearby)

" Vela Casa " further in to naklua but right on the bahtbus route has rooms from 6K baht, has swimming pool & fitness centre on site

It being " high season" might make things a little difficult but not impossible)

There is a motorbike rental firm offering bikes from 2 K baht a month, maybe they are older cheap models but seems cheap.

Although I can`t play any musical instrument, one of my favourite things is listening to live music.

GL

[aveabeeror2]

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

My son never had to busk,beg. If I wasn't in the position to support a child, I would not have had one.

[aveabeeror2]

you play the keyboard ,have you tried busking ,? 20k a month our son gets nearly that much and he shares a room at uni up in bkk ,and he is always broke.

Foreigners cannot busk in Thailand.

If their father hasn't got 2 cents to rub together to support them, they have no other option. Perhaps we could send Claudius our 7/11stamps to help out.

[craigt3365]

Is not funking all the time, not drinking, enjoy playing music, being ok with eating the Thai way and doing some exercise do me a monk ?

I don't mind being a few more kilometers away. Is being in high season changes anything for long term rental prices ?

About busking in Thailand, I also think it is not allowed. Though I can remind there was a guy playing and singing country music at Jomtien beach.

Also there was a guy nicely playing jazz piano at a resort in Samui ... I guess this kind of job is not allowed too ?

Thnks Gone for the proposition. I still have to organize my trip from Nong Khai as I've got my own things too and my room is paid until mid january.

Busking is not allowed. Some of the musicians here do have proper work visas. Like the guy on Jomtien Beach (there are actually 2 or more there who have work visas).

There are some places where you can jam, but only for limited amounts of time. If the OP is interested, PM me and I'll help out. Always looking for a good keyboard player.

Sorry to go off topic.

[losworld]

talk to mark at kessaya motorbike rentals in pattaya... if he has one available he rents for only 2k for month for airblades, clicks, nouvo elegance, etc. you can find him online or at facebook.

[alex777]

Thanks everyone for the great advices, the condos addresses, nice musical propositions, electricity and water unit advices and tips about renting a motorbike (for only 2k baht which is a real deal).

That's a pity we can't be the owner of one motorbike here, it would make things even more cheaper.

[Bender]

there is thousands and thousands of town near the sea, wonder why you choose the stinkiest one

[koeko]

Thanks everyone for the great advices, the condos addresses, nice musical propositions, electricity and water unit advices and tips about renting a motorbike (for only 2k baht which is a real deal).

That's a pity we can't be the owner of one motorbike here, it would make things even more cheaper.

"That's a pity we can't be the owner of one motorbike here, it would make things even more cheaper."

what? why not? I have plenty of foreign friends who bought a motorbike or a car in Thailand. You can buy a second-hand automatic motorbike for like 15000baht, or a completely new one for 40000baht including insurance. What's the matter? All you need is a certificate of residence which you can get at the Immigration office for 300 bahts, even on a tourist visa.

[Gone]

Yes I agree. We can and do own our own motorbikes and cars as described above.

[alex777]

Wow that's a good news, I wasn't aware of this. I'm going to google about this certificate of residence.