Think about it..Thailand ain't so cheap!

[steelepulse]

Depends on lifestyle and location. In this thread you've got people comparing CM to New York and San Franciso, two of the most expensive places in the US. How about we compare Phuket vs CM. Phuket comes more expensive than CM on just about every front.

To make a fair comparison you need to take an average priced place in one country ( CM foots this bill compared to BKK and Phuket) to an average priced place in another ( Florida in the US fits this bill). This will give everyone a more accurate cost assessment instead of comparing extremes.

[larsjohnsson]

Other than imported food and drinks I'm struggling to think what else is more expensive here. If you consider that the major expenses of a house (rented or bought or built), a vehicle , clothing, healthcare, schooling, energy, transportation, etc are all cheaper here then even taking the cost of imported foods into account it's still way cheaper than back home for most of us.

I'm not here because it's cheap , but it is an added bonus.

It all depends on what country or place you come from. I'm from Sweden that most people would consider as a very expensive country to stay in. Even then 50% of the things you list is cheaper for me in Sweden than here in Thailand. Schooling and healthcare are a lot cheaper in Sweden. An apartment with the same standard as mine in Sweden cost more in Thailand. A car is more expensive in Thailand.

Lars, aren't schooling and healthcare "a lot cheaper in Sweden" due to the exorbitant tax rate you pay there? So are those goods really "cheaper" or are you just paying for it indirectly by paying your Government to subsidize those items for you?

The taxes in Sweden are about the same as most other EU countries. It's of course more than taxes in the USA.

My sister live in the UK with similar tax rates. And she have paid a lot of money when here 3 children went to good schools and universities. That is nearly free in Sweden

[PJcm]

Fortunately, not everyone is here for cheap sex and a cheap life. Is it fair to assume you are?

Cheap sex, the last time I had cheap sex was in 1968 when I was stationed at Udorn Air base, 10 baht for short time, 9 baht for beer and for a pack of Salem cigarettes you could have the world.

[larsjohnsson]

Other than imported food and drinks I'm struggling to think what else is more expensive here. If you consider that the major expenses of a house (rented or bought or built), a vehicle , clothing, healthcare, schooling, energy, transportation, etc are all cheaper here then even taking the cost of imported foods into account it's still way cheaper than back home for most of us.

I'm not here because it's cheap , but it is an added bonus.

It all depends on what country or place you come from. I'm from Sweden that most people would consider as a very expensive country to stay in. Even then 50% of the things you list is cheaper for me in Sweden than here in Thailand. Schooling and healthcare are a lot cheaper in Sweden. An apartment with the same standard as mine in Sweden cost more in Thailand. A car is more expensive in Thailand.

Lars, aren't schooling and healthcare "a lot cheaper in Sweden" due to the exorbitant tax rate you pay there? So are those goods really "cheaper" or are you just paying for it indirectly by paying your Government to subsidize those items for you?

That was my thinking also. I was also wondering what kind of schooling he was referring to. Elementary or collage. The cheaper car is not a surprise but what about the upkeep. Also the housing may be cheaper but the heating here in Thailand is a lot cheaper.

As for the schooling I would be willing to bet it is a lot better in Sweden. Interesting that Sweden was brought up At my class reunion We had one classmate living there the rest were all living in the states. Just the two of us had moved out of the country.

It's nearly free of cost to go in our best universitys. There is not really any fee that you pay to the university. There is not one person that can't go to a univetsity because of money or poor parents. Poor grades can of course stop you from it.

But a lot of other things are of course expensive compared to Thailand

[sharktooth]

For the price of a Honda Wave.........

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-c200-elegance-auto-one-lady-owner-full-mercedes-history-/191118624256?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c7f8ec600

19 years old and it's got 89,000 on the clock??? Aye right...

Absolutely, you're obviously not British.

My last car before moving to Thailand was a VW Golf GTi Mark 2. I bought it at 2 years old with 4,000 miles on the clock and I didn't need anything, apart from annual service during the time I owned it. As I said, used car prices here are absolutely ridiculous!! They can have 3 owners but about 30 different drivers!!

How about some small cars then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-KA-2-1-3-ONE-LADY-OWNER-27000-MILES-/331166670729......50,000 baht

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Opel-Tigra-1-4i-Chequers-Ltd-Edn-3DR-one-lady-owner-VERY-LOW-MILEAGE-/191113010119?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c7f391bc7........40,000 baht

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Almera-Elegance-5dr-Low-mileage-one-owner-PETROL-AUTOMATIC-2001-Y-/221403493750?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item338cad3576.......100.000 baht

My old man 'clocked' more motors than you have owned man. 50k was our usual wind back. 89k on 19 y/o does not compute.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Our local grocery chain in Arizona had oranges for 7 thb per kilogram last year.

How much were mangosteens and durian?

Can get a frozen durian in a lot of ethnic groceries around the US.

I used to pay around $15-18 for a decent sized one in Boulder Colorado. In a big city like Seattle/Vancouver etc they sell them fresh in Chinatown for $20 to $25.

Been few years but can't imagine the prices have changed that much.

A lot of the Thai products that are exported such as coconut oil, cashews etc are basically the same price in the US as they are in Thailand. Sometimes lower.

[mr chow]

Your guys amaze me! This thread has been HIGHJACKED as usual. It started out Florida vs Thailand! It has been distorted to include DURIAN and places like Sweden. Unbelievable.

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[Chiengmaijoe]

Your guys amaze me! This thread has been HIGHJACKED as usual. It started out Florida vs Thailand! It has been distorted to include DURIAN and places like Sweden. Unbelievable.

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It started our talking about the prices of goods in Thailand, and that's where it still is. You're getting confused.

[larsjohnsson]

Your guys amaze me! This thread has been HIGHJACKED as usual. It started out Florida vs Thailand! It has been distorted to include DURIAN and places like Sweden. Unbelievable.

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There is nothing in the original post saying anything about Florida

[BritManToo]

Not all that keen on Florida.

The fresh orange juice and Key lime pie are great.

But too many Americans hanging about.

I avoid the natives wherever I go, expat enclave for me every time.

Unlike everyone else posting on these forums, I like the company of expats.

Much broader view of the world than people that only ever lived in their native countries.

I have no desire to mix with the locals at all, anywhere in the world.

Sorry, that was all totally off topic.

[Dannyboy6]

Things manufactured outside of ASEAN are generally cheaper in the U.S. than in Thailand, so I stock up when I'm in the U.S. or do without.

An apartment equivalent to the condo I'm renting on Nimmanhamin would be more expensive in most medium size cities in the U.S., or at least more expensive than in cities I'd be willing to live in (I don't know what an apartment rents for in Bakersfield California or Tulsa Oklahoma, and I don't care if they're free, I don't want to live there).

Local food and services are much cheaper in Thailand than in the U.S., and I don't mean the erotic services; I can get basic motorbike repairs done for the equivalent of three to four dollars in Chiang Mai. What will a mechanic in the west do for that price?

My money goes farther in Thailand and I like it here. For the time being I'm staying.

$3500 for 1 BR in San Francisco, that's the average...

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[kimbathewhitelion]

Things manufactured outside of ASEAN are generally cheaper in the U.S. than in Thailand, so I stock up when I'm in the U.S. or do without.

An apartment equivalent to the condo I'm renting on Nimmanhamin would be more expensive in most medium size cities in the U.S., or at least more expensive than in cities I'd be willing to live in (I don't know what an apartment rents for in Bakersfield California or Tulsa Oklahoma, and I don't care if they're free, I don't want to live there).

Local food and services are much cheaper in Thailand than in the U.S., and I don't mean the erotic services; I can get basic motorbike repairs done for the equivalent of three to four dollars in Chiang Mai. What will a mechanic in the west do for that price?

My money goes farther in Thailand and I like it here. For the time being I'm staying.

$3500 for 1 BR in San Francisco, that's the average...

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This post isn't about Rich people complaining about how much they pay. Move outside of that toilet, San Francisco is one of worst slum cities in America. In 90% of America the cost of living, pollution & QUALITY is way better than Thailand...Thailand! I exclude Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan & Singapore. Can't confirm Korea with that nutcase in the north or China.

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[WinnieTheKhwai]

In 90% of America the cost of living, pollution & QUALITY is way better than Thailand

Yes it is.

And would I want to live there permanently, at any price: HECK NO!

[kimbathewhitelion]

In 90% of America the cost of living, pollution & QUALITY is way better than Thailand

Yes it is.

And would I want to live there permanently, at any price: HECK NO!

America isn't even close to a "cost of living" issue. Just exclude government, as all government destroys the happiness of life & then it's paradise.

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[Ulysses G.]

In 90% of America the cost of living is way higher than Thailand. Where can you get a comfortable room with bath for $100 a month or a tasty restaurant meal for $1?

[kimbathewhitelion]

In 90% of America the cost of living is way higher than Thailand. Where can you get a comfortable room with bath for $100 a month or a tasty restaurant meal for $1?

Well if I was younger, I think I could live like a peasant! Living amongst ants & Mosquitos in a crappy little room with....yes, just a bed, dresser, table, chair & toilet room (tiled non-partitioned room with a shower head & toilet, slight upgrade, Thailand standards from a shack).

I've seen more creative & better built from cardboard in the sewers of LA.

Food for a $ a day...confirming, you live like a peasant & most likely carry every disease.

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[Ulysses G.]

You don't seem to know much about Thailand.

It is quite easy to rent a clean, comfortable room for $100 per month and eat very decent restaurant food for $1 per meal. Only someone very stupid would have to live "like a peasant" on that budget, but add a little more and the standard of living improves considerably. The starting point is MUCH higher in America for restaurant food and a decent place to stay.

[Chiengmaijoe]

In 90% of America the cost of living is way higher than Thailand. Where can you get a comfortable room with bath for $100 a month or a tasty restaurant meal for $1?

Well if I was younger, I think I could live like a peasant! Living amongst ants & Mosquitos in a crappy little room with....yes, just a bed, dresser, table, chair & toilet room (tiled non-partitioned room with a shower head & toilet, slight upgrade, Thailand standards from a shack).

I've seen more creative & better built from cardboard in the sewers of LA.

Food for a $ a day...confirming, you live like a peasant & most likely carry every disease.

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One your best so far! I'd have a little lie down after that if I were you.

[Thighlander]

That senile beach is destroying a lot more than SF.

[kimbathewhitelion]

That senile beach is destroying a lot more than SF.

Yes, proven nothing is going in the right direction.

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[northernjohn]

There is no question about it Thailand is cheaper to live in than the states. Here in Thailand on a minimum amount of money you can live in a lodging and eat off a food cart.

In the states on that same income you would be living on the street. And singing for your supper.

Not sure where you can eat for $1 a day that is 30 baht. 3X30 = 90m baht which is $3 a day. Two meals 60 baht $2 a day. As for accommodations for $100 a month that is three thousand baht. Doable but no electricity.

That comes to $190 a month. As I said with that kind of money in the states you would be living on the streets and singing for your supper.

People who talk about the rising cost of things here in Thailand are absolutely rite. They just forget to mention that they are rising all over the world.

Or as in the case of some posters are brain dead.

[Ulysses G.]

Not sure where you can eat for $1 a day

$1 a meal, not a day. There are good vegetarian restaurants all over Chiang Mai where you can get 3 different dishes and brown rice for 30 baht.

http://www.happycow.net/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/

[northernjohn]

There are good vegetarian restaurants all over Chiang Mai where you can get 3 different dishes and brown rice for 30 baht.

http://www.happycow.net/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/

times 3 = 90 baht a day $3 US + 3,000 baht a month $100 a day = $190 US a month.

My figures are for to live here not just a short time stay.

[Diplomatico]

For anyone that cares to deal with actual data instead of conjecture, anecdotes, and insulting diatribe.....the link below provides a country comparison for 2014 cost of living indices. Thailand ranks 95th out of 113 countries for cost of living (in other words, relatively inexpensive) and is - of course - well below Australia, UK, and US in terms of cost of living.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp

[FolkGuitar]

Before I left the US I was living in a very nice 2-bedroom rental. It cost $600 a month. That was 25 years ago. I have a feeling the rent may have gone up.

Here, I rent a very nice 2-bedroom condo, in a building with a swimming pool, restaurant, two mini-marts, covered parking, and 24-hour security (who actually stay awake!) I pay $400 a month NOW... not 25 years ago. 13,000 baht for rent. I couldn't rent a studio apartment today for that back in the city I was living in, much less a 2-bedroom place with all the amenities.

Dinner in a family-style restaurant would average $5 per person back then too... Here in Chiang Mai two of us eat for less than $3. We aren't eating left-over garbage, we're eating in decent restaurants.

How in the world do you ever imagine that this place is expensive? Yes, there are things that cost as much here as they do in the US. They are US things... If I wanted US things I probably would have stayed in the US. I wanted Thai things. And Thai things are cheap.

Food, clothing, medicine, rent, guest houses, travel, vacations... Done the Thai way they cost 1/5 of what the same would cost to do in the US. In the US I'd be living under the Poverty Level, living on potatoes, pasta, and instant ramen bought with Food Stamps, unable to afford a bottle of aspirin. Here in Thailand that same amount of money give me the luxury of eating in restaurants EVERY DAY. Travel when I want. Buy snack foods when I feel the urge. I find it difficult to understand where you get your information to make the statements that you do!

[kimbathewhitelion]

There is no question about it Thailand is cheaper to live in than the states. Here in Thailand on a minimum amount of money you can live in a lodging and eat off a food cart.

In the states on that same income you would be living on the street. And singing for your supper.

Not sure where you can eat for $1 a day that is 30 baht. 3X30 = 90m baht which is $3 a day. Two meals 60 baht $2 a day. As for accommodations for $100 a month that is three thousand baht. Doable but no electricity.

That comes to $190 a month. As I said with that kind of money in the states you would be living on the streets and singing for your supper.

People who talk about the rising cost of things here in Thailand are absolutely rite. They just forget to mention that they are rising all over the world.

Or as in the case of some posters are brain dead.

As you say...like a peasant.

Heading out for some tacos & burrito, easy 500 baht with a beer, but I don't believe in being cheap when I'm hungry.

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[watcharacters]

@ Mr Chow,

True that.

So what?

Your Point?

[kimbathewhitelion]

Before I left the US I was living in a very nice 2-bedroom rental. It cost $600 a month. That was 25 years ago. I have a feeling the rent may have gone up.

Here, I rent a very nice 2-bedroom condo, in a building with a swimming pool, restaurant, two mini-marts, covered parking, and 24-hour security (who actually stay awake!) I pay $400 a month NOW... not 25 years ago. 13,000 baht for rent. I couldn't rent a studio apartment today for that back in the city I was living in, much less a 2-bedroom place with all the amenities.

Dinner in a family-style restaurant would average $5 per person back then too... Here in Chiang Mai two of us eat for less than $3. We aren't eating left-over garbage, we're eating in decent restaurants.

How in the world do you ever imagine that this place is expensive? Yes, there are things that cost as much here as they do in the US. They are US things... If I wanted US things I probably would have stayed in the US. I wanted Thai things. And Thai things are cheap.

Food, clothing, medicine, rent, guest houses, travel, vacations... Done the Thai way they cost 1/5 of what the same would cost to do in the US. In the US I'd be living under the Poverty Level, living on potatoes, pasta, and instant ramen bought with Food Stamps, unable to afford a bottle of aspirin. Here in Thailand that same amount of money give me the luxury of eating in restaurants EVERY DAY. Travel when I want. Buy snack foods when I feel the urge. I find it difficult to understand where you get your information to make the statements that you do!

Well rant you the party of the week. Only question where in the US you were before, it's a big country & more importantly what year.

I can easily say, "when I was young, I walked 13 miles every day in the snow to my job and I was paid 40 cents a day", "was good money".

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[onthedarkside]

I see no further reason to leave this topic open ... gone way off the CM connection.

//CLOSED//