Cost of Living Information - Udon Thani

[Rod & May]

poor lad .. Bronco .. still none the wiser but how long is a piece of string... looks like Bt 20k would be a fair buget for a single guy in town and without never never payments.... if you have others to support and most do ..... that is probably just a starting point

[BobHelm]

I would suspect that 20K for a single guy would be a little on the low side, unless he had very little socialising - which would hardly be the point would it???
Somewhere like the Top Mansion would cost the best part of 10K a month to start with.
How much do I need to live in Udon?? Is an impossible question for someone else to answer, because it depends entirely on what sort of "life" you want...
He has been given some basic facts of what the basics cost in Udon, personally I fail to see what more anyone could do to answer this question....

[rick]

Single guy on visit to Udon - need minimum 30,000 baht a month. Assumes cheap hotel (topmansion equivalent), eat modest farang meals, a few tuk/tuk rides and a few beers a night. But Female company extra ( from zero more to as high as your credit rating)! As Bob says, 20,000 baht a month will mean a few compromises, eat thai and drink water, or live with TGF.

[macduff]

I cannot see any reason why a single guy would want to stay in Udon Thani My wife has just corrected me by saying there are more single girls in udon than pattaya

[laphanphon]

i could easily live as a single person on 15 - 20 K a month. lite drinker and no P4P, way too easy.

[Irish Alan]

I cannot see any reason why a single guy would want to stay in Udon Thani

I was single once upon a time and lived in Udon... I did Pattaya and got it out of my system... I know a couple of young single guys that don't drink alcohol and love Udon.

[macduff]

Staying on topic i would think a single guy would spend around the same amount monthly in udon as they would in pattaya or bangkok

[rick]

i could easily live as a single person on 15 - 20 K a month. lite drinker and no P4P, way too easy.

LA, please give a breakdown. Interested in how you would do it. (what a cheap charlie I am!) i assume hotels are out.

Would say there are plenty of girls outside the P4P scene in Udon. Just needs more effort to find them.

[Bronco]

Thanks all,
I am not single.Quite the opposite.I've been married to the same lovely Thai lady for 34 years.I have no interest in running around,only living a simple life with good shelter,food and friends.All I was trying to find out is what you guys reckon you're spending a month living your lives.Ballpark figures really as I'm looking at cost of living in different areas.I know everyone lives differently but this thread is about cost of living-Udon Thani and the only ones that put out what they spend per month is LA and Bob(minus medical/car insurance and food/entertainment).I wasn't looking for what it would cost me.I won't know that until I try it.I was just trying to get a clue of what the guys that are living the life at this very moment spend to live a reasonable existence in Nong Khai/Udon region.

Alot of knowledge in this group if you wouldn't mind putting out some numbers(again,I'm not trying to ascertain anyones financial status,just guesstimates)

[astrid]

Laphanphon!

Would be nice to have your break down on cost for
a month at 20 000 a month.

[arjay]

35000 pm minimum, unless you want to eat in, stay in, and don't drink..

[BobHelm]

I am VERY reluctant to put a monthly figure on it because it depends on what style of life the individual wants...
You can reduce monthly outgoings by paying upfront for the majors (house & car) but, really this should then be taken into consideration (the 'bulk' payment) when considering what you are still expending each month.
You COULD live very cheaply (2,000 baht apartment, 3 * 20 baht a day for food (1,800)) if you wanted to, you could also pay 1,200 baht a night at the Grand (36,000) , spend 150 * 2 a day for food (get breakfast at the Grand ) ( 9,000), spend all day ringing the bell in a bar & fining a couple of girls every night (wouldn't even like to estimate what that is going to cost a month, in baht or health ).
For once I tend to agree with the Thai authorities....if someone is married (& therefore probably has a house & a car well under control) 40,000 a month sounds reasonable, & if single (so maybe extra expenses ) 60,000 gives a comfortable life style.....

[Rod & May]

Bob at the Helm..... consultant for Thai Immi.......... but 40k and 60K are nationwide and Udon especialy rural UT has cheapest cost of living in Thailand ... so you should have a nice bit of change left each month

[laphanphon]

4000 baht for housing, what i pay now, negotiated down from 5000 last month, w/another ac added and modifications added at owners expense, w/signing of 2 yr lease.

9000 for food, easily live on 300 a day for food. presently 3 of us live on 12-16k a month. figure my usualy lite breakkie, toast, coffee, maybe a danish, viet sandwich, jok, something along those lines, maybe a fry up once a week. either eat a large lunch or dinner, at most 200 baht. meat pie at clock, or cordon blue at nobi's, is my high end, both 160/165 range. tj's, always escape stuffed for less than 200. that doesn't even count thai food, easily 100 baht pig out, so 300 a day average easily.

2000 max for utilities, electric. a car wouldn't be necessary, motorbike would be fine, could even go on the cheap and use bicycle, though lasses may shy away.

4000 rent
9000 food
2000 electric
200 fuel for motorbike
600 less than that lately for past 3 months each for beer budget
______
15,800 with plenty to spare for surprises and some dining companionship.

20,000, way too easy to do. of course a cushion for emergencies.

3 of us did it last month on 27 k, many expenses i wouldn't have as single.

[BKKSTAN]

UBC,Water, all elect.-no gas,ADSL,phone,rent=10,000 baht,not counting 3000 for running and hooking up a telephone line,4,000 deposit for UBC(refundable ,but slow)10,000 deposit for rent(supposedly refundable,but many times it is not), Personal additions to the house and house repairs(after moving in) that the renter is expected to pay instead of the landlord such as window &door screens(10,000), attached shower and bathroom accessories(8000),inside painting(none,declined to buy paint),cracked tiles(500),rusted or wornout plumbing and fossits (1000),electrical wiring and grounding plus outlets including new 10 amp meter(10,000),security appliances and coverings(4,000),garden and lawn expenses(??),appliance repair(??),replaced wornout ceiling fan(1500),neighborhood police patrol or at least a book sign in(1200).Of course attempting to negotiate these items with the landlord before hand might or might not workout or might make the difference in a higher rent charged!Cost of moving locally(??10,000)including workers and large truck!

Transportation varies depending on your lifestyle.If you buy a car or motorbike ,you have those additional expenses including initial outlay,fuel,maintenance,insurance and registration expenses.
Tuktuks can really add up if you use them as your reg mode of transport as a neighbor of mine does!

Food, drink,pets,travel and entertainment are the big variable expenses that only you can determine!

Health maintenance and insurance costs depend on you also!

Number of dependents,phone calls to falangland,cell phones and their costs,school fees,allowances,incidental and clothes shopping etc.vary depending on circumstances and lifestyle!
I think anyone that qualifies,income wise,for a retirement visa,can live very comfortably in this area without worrying or paying to much attention!

We spend very little on alcohol,no P4P expenses,some traveling,eat 80% at home with teenager and our dog,own a car and three bicycles,all house furnishings,no health insurance,never go w/o basic wants and desires and live life very comfortably on about 3 ATM withdrawals of 20K each month!We have no credit bills or monthly payments other than rent experiences listed above and we do not scrimp by any means!
I hope this helps in your decision making about moving here!

[laphanphon]

will add, all set up cost done, i don't do TV or land line phone, or ubc. if single, wouldn't need a car, if stayed in town, possible wouldn't need a motorbike, but too cheap and convenient not to have. that is for almost all meals out, except for lite brekkie. i really wouldn't have a problem......single that is on 20 k.

internet thru cell phone, 400 baht a month, that is my total phone/internet bill, as i don't really do phones either. 100 hr internet via AIS, more than enough, as you see, i'm on here way too much

[astrid]

Laph....en.

Next round on me.

Bo.

[Bronco]

Laphanphon,Bob,Arjay,Rod and Stan,Thank you guys for sharing.I really appreciate your laying out the numbers like that and La,Bob and Stan breaking it down like that isn't just beneficial to me but everyone.I don't pretend to know that much about Thailand and having members willing to take the time to lay out this kind of information sure tells alot about the man.You all know Thai women and their families.Having members give ,what I think are realistic numbers is so beneficial to enhance our(the wife and me) discussions about where we should set up.I've been reading your site and know(not personally) the regular posters.Would the rest of you be willing to help with your honest opinions?

Thanks one and all
Bronco Bill

[rick]

LA, thanks for your breakdown. I think your landlord likes you! A very reasonable rent. Guess i owe you 2 beers now, unless it snows in Udon.... But not there until November.

Bronco, while not on this thread, there are other threads on health insurance, cars, visas, general shopping, houses and land and many more. They often contain costs. I know i find it useful to make my plans; so far just 2 holidays but have always hit the ground running and knowing where to go and what to do. First thing on arrival in Udon, get the map, orientate yourself.

[laphanphon]

I think your landlord likes you!

that he does, very nice man, border patrol, and all around trainer of weapons. even asked me if i needed one, legally. damn expensive here, no thanks.

1st year, at 2 six month intervals, he never asked for deposit or anything extra, just ID. gave him 6 months in advance, so he could finance 1st ac and couple things, then same 2nd time. this time 2 yr in advance, again, new ac, and some major changes, making it better. he wanted to do last year, but i told him not to, incase i didn't stay,would of been wasted money for him. so we're both happy now. i got cheap guaranteed rent, him a good tenant.

for those looking, it doesn't take long once here and about, eyes and ears paying attention. lots of choices and prices, depending on preferences. main attraction to present place is security, and close school run, but just out of town. negative, which is hard to avoid anywhere, noise, people and dogs, and loudspeaker occasionally, luckily awake anyway, but they do start 6 am ish some times, but i'm awake. and the little village is noisy place and one dusty road. but no prob, for next 2 years anyway.

best of luck to all. take your time when looking, and do RENT, for long time, before any large financial committments. enjoy.

and beers, no prob, i'll be gentle, Glen's seems to be my watering hole lately, mere 55 large leo, and nice view of lake and lasses. doesn't get too much better. some decent background and usually another whack bird to yak with, besides this demented soul.