This Is How You Could Live in Thailand on $1,000 a Month
Thailand is one of the world's best-known tropical paradises and home
to many thousands of expatriates enjoying a comfortable, low-cost life
amidst the country's virtually endless natural splendor. Thailand has
undergone
rapid development
in recent decades, spurred partly by its tourism industry.
Consequently, many favorite tourist and expatriate destinations offer
excellent infrastructure and a wide variety of services oriented to
expatriate needs. However, while living standards have risen, costs
remain low.
As of 2015, in its annual survey of worldwide retirement
destinations, International Living magazine rated Thailand as the
world's 10th-best country in which to retire. Thailand excelled in three
scoring components in particular. It garnered the second-best score in
the Cost of Living component, the top score in the Entertainment and
Amenities component and the second-best score in the Health Care
component. These are excellent results on the three categories most
important to a typical expatriate.
Top Destinations
Thailand is home to a variety of natural environments stretching from
the interior highlands to the sea. Bangkok, the national capital, sits
in the heart of this tropical paradise offering a fast-paced,
cosmopolitan lifestyle. In the northern Thai highlands, visitors flock
to the bustling expatriate center of Chiang Mai and the quieter city of
Chiang Rai. In the south, the seaside resort cities of Phuket and
Pattaya are just two of the many popular destinations favored by
tourists and expatriates. While these and other cities rank among the
most popular
in Thailand, many expatriates end up settling in quiet, out-of-the-way
beach towns found everywhere along the country's 2,000 miles of
shoreline.
Housing
Housing costs vary quite a bit depending on where you settle. That
said, a $1,000 monthly budget should be enough to live in whichever city
interests you the most in Thailand. Bangkok rents rank among the
highest in the country. According to Numbeo.com, an international price
comparison website, a one-bedroom apartment in the central districts of
Bangkok costs about $570 per month on average, which is pretty certain
to break your budget. If you are willing to live outside the central
districts, however, a similar one-bedroom apartment costs only about
$255 per month. A three-bedroom apartment in an outlying neighborhood is
about $700 per month, an acceptable price if you plan to share housing
costs with a spouse or roommate.
A centrally located one-bedroom apartment in the highland destination
of Chiang Mai costs about $310, while a nice three-bedroom unit nearby
costs about $740 per month. Outside the city center, prices for one- and
three-bedroom apartments are around $190 and $475 per month,
respectively. Rental prices are substantially cheaper farther north in
Chiang Rai, where you can get a centrally located three-bedroom home for
under $340 per month.
In the south, central Pattaya is probably too expensive for most on a
$1,000 budget. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center goes for
nearly $500 on average, while similar housing in an outlying
neighborhood costs just over $300 per month. A three-bedroom
condominium
outside Pattaya's center costs about $720. Down the Malay Peninsula,
the near-shore island of Phuket has centrally located one-bedroom
apartments not far from the beach for just under $390, while
three-bedroom condos cost around $975 per month. Farther from the beach,
one- and three-bedroom apartments are available for around $200 and
$515, respectively.
Basic utilities including water, electricity
and garbage service cost $50 or $60 per month in most locations.
Bangkok utilities are an exception, averaging around $100 per month.
International Living magazine suggests that around-the-clock air
conditioning adds about $70 to the monthly electricity bill in most
parts of the country. Unlimited broadband Internet service is pretty
cheap throughout Thailand, averaging under $20 per month. Prepaid
cellphone service averages about five cents per minute across the
country. Cellphone plans are also available from a number of Thai
providers.
Living
Living costs are quite low in Thailand, especially compared to costs
in the United States or Europe. Fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged
food products and
consumer staples
including pasta, bread, eggs and meat are widely available and
inexpensive throughout the country. According to Numbeo.com, the
national average for a loaf of bread is less than $1, a dozen eggs is
about $1.50, rice is less than 50 cents per pound, and boneless,
skinless chicken breast is about $1.30 per pound.
Grocery stores in Thai cities overflow with familiar and exotic
ingredients to spice up your home-cooked meals. Most expatriates who eat
meals primarily at home should be able to dine very well on less than
$200 per month. Expatriate reports suggest frugal shoppers can lower
this figure by 20% or more while still maintaining a balanced and varied
diet. Dining out is also a good option in Thailand, even for those on a
budget. A cheap but delicious and hearty meal from a busy local
restaurant or a food cart frequented by locals costs less than $1.50. If
you feel like splurging, a three-course lunch or dinner at a mid-range
neighborhood restaurant costs only about $17 for two people, not
including beverages.
Other basic living expenses such as household cleaning products and
personal hygiene products are inexpensive in Thailand if you stick to
local brands. A budget of $50 to $100 should be plenty for these items.
Your costs may be higher if you regularly purchase contact lenses,
cosmetics, clothes and souvenirs.
Public transportation options are available everywhere in Thailand.
Bangkok has a public bus system and a mass-transit rail system. The most
common transportation options outside of Bangkok include taxis,
minibuses, motorcycle taxis and three-wheeled vehicles known as
tuk-tuks. Taxis are quite inexpensive on average, starting at $1 plus
about 40 cents per mile. Other options are substantially cheaper.
Numbeo.com data suggests an average fare of less than 60 cents for local
transport.
Health Care
Thailand has an excellent inexpensive health care system and
first-rate doctors. While quality care is available throughout most of
the country, the bigger cities offer state-of-the-art medical equipment
and world-class facilities that attract
medical tourists from America
and around the world. International Living magazine reports that an
examination and consultation with a general practitioner or a specialist
typically costs between $15 and $20. A dental filling costs less than
$30. Although many expatriates choose to pay for health care out of
pocket due to the low cost, affordable health insurance policies are
available from Thai and international insurers.
Final Budget: Chiang Mai
To live comfortably in Chiang Mai on $1,000 per month your budget
might include $310 for a centrally located one-bedroom apartment; $200
for groceries; $100 for household and personal items; $105 for
utilities, Internet and cell phone service; and $40 for transportation.
You can spend the remaining $245 on health care, extra air conditioning,
dining out, entertainment or travel.
Low FX spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD on MT4
London Capital Group
offers industry leading spreads with no hidden fees and is LSE listed.
Features 24hr dedicated support and advanced MT4 trading platform. New
client bonuses available. Losses can exceed deposits.
Click here to join today.
Post a Comment