Cost of Living?
-
rrichard@napanet.net
- New Member
- Posts: 1
- Joined: November 1, 2006, 5:04 am
Cost of Living?
What does it cost to live fairly well in Udon Thani? Can one exist well with a home on $35k US??
-
beer monkey
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 14553
- Joined: January 1, 2006, 8:08 am
- Contact:
-
valentine
With a home and car already paid for you can live very comfortably on the 800,000bht per annum needed to qualify for a retirement visa.If you have a TW/TG then that may alter the equation, depends on her. I think immigration realise this because they only expect married visa applicants to have 400,000bht. Still manageable I would think, providing your not committed to monthly house and car payments. 
I live on less than 400,000 baht per year and I have a great standard of living. I live in a fully furnished 3 bedroomed house, have air-con on 24/7, employ a house maid, run a truck and motorbike, go out on the town every other day and eat out at restaurants every day. 400,000 back in the UK would just about cover my rent.
Check out this page link expired it's a little dated and not 100% complete but will give you a little idea on the cost of living.
Check out this page link expired it's a little dated and not 100% complete but will give you a little idea on the cost of living.
-
laphanphon
also guessing that's a typo, if $3500 usd a month, no problem at all, if 35000 baht a month, you paying for all your basics and living cheap, very possible, but few extras.$35k US??
if not typo, what, are you nuts. i would live in ft lauderdale or somewhere else in western world of convenience and less frustrations of little things.
Seems to me that everytime I go to Tesco, it costs more. Use to be would spend 800 baht, then 1200, and now seems to run around 1700. For about the same items. 
Couple this with the value of the baht, its starting to get very expensive to live here. And other items that contain steel or concrete, well you know what I am getting at, just look at that other topic on the BBQ, which is around 400 US dollars.
Couple this with the value of the baht, its starting to get very expensive to live here. And other items that contain steel or concrete, well you know what I am getting at, just look at that other topic on the BBQ, which is around 400 US dollars.
I'm afraid your right, but when the cost of fuel went sky high it had to happen.
My home was actually built three years ago and I got it at pre fuel increase costs. That alone has cost the new models go up 400K.
I looked at some lots outside of First Homes when you figured out the cost per meter, it 2.7 Mil per rai, raw land. Unless my math is wrong that almost $73,000 for what a third of acre?. Thats just insane. But people are buying it.
There is a nice lot in First homes price 1.4 mil, not even close to a rai but respectful size for gardening ect. I just don't see the value, but I could be very wrong.
You guys that got good prices for land and built on them you jut to wait for the City to catch up to your area and you probably sitting on gold mines.
It appears the housing AMrket in the states id down again, a very normal cycle, wonder if that will apply here as well?
My home was actually built three years ago and I got it at pre fuel increase costs. That alone has cost the new models go up 400K.
I looked at some lots outside of First Homes when you figured out the cost per meter, it 2.7 Mil per rai, raw land. Unless my math is wrong that almost $73,000 for what a third of acre?. Thats just insane. But people are buying it.
There is a nice lot in First homes price 1.4 mil, not even close to a rai but respectful size for gardening ect. I just don't see the value, but I could be very wrong.
You guys that got good prices for land and built on them you jut to wait for the City to catch up to your area and you probably sitting on gold mines.
It appears the housing AMrket in the states id down again, a very normal cycle, wonder if that will apply here as well?
-
laphanphon
noticed it a bit at lotus, but happy with the gas pump numbers. although back to under 20 baht a liter would be nicer. car took 1200 baht one time, when i bought, 3 yrs ago and 13 baht a liter, had hard time putting 600 in. now back down to 800 for fairly full tank, which is just enough for my free botlte of water.
ok, higher prices for us farangs, but just think if you were a local. thailand would look like one of the most expensive places in the world to live. relate that 100-200 baht a day salary to 100-200 dollars or pounds a day and you realize how expensive it is for our counterparts. bus across town, 7 dollars, 2 liter of milk, 55 dollars, chang beer on sale 32 dollars, plate of rice and topping 20 - 30 dollars, yikes, this country is expensive. little extra smile from one of the lovely lasses, 300 - 1000 dollars, ouch.
ok, higher prices for us farangs, but just think if you were a local. thailand would look like one of the most expensive places in the world to live. relate that 100-200 baht a day salary to 100-200 dollars or pounds a day and you realize how expensive it is for our counterparts. bus across town, 7 dollars, 2 liter of milk, 55 dollars, chang beer on sale 32 dollars, plate of rice and topping 20 - 30 dollars, yikes, this country is expensive. little extra smile from one of the lovely lasses, 300 - 1000 dollars, ouch.
That's an interesting way at looking at things LA. You're quite correct, Thailand is very expensive to the locals living here. It must be a real struggle to live on under 200 baht per day. Three small beers at one of the local pubs would cost a days wages, makes you think doesn't it! No wonder why the 69 baht korean BBQ's are so popular.
-
valentine
Sure Lee, but being logical if the place can buy it, cook it, serve it and still make a profit on 69bht then it can't cost anymore than 50bht to buy and eat at home? Still cheaper!!lee wrote:That's an interesting way at looking at things LA. You're quite correct, Thailand is very expensive to the locals living here. It must be a real struggle to live on under 200 baht per day. Three small beers at one of the local pubs would cost a days wages, makes you think doesn't it! No wonder why the 69 baht korean BBQ's are so popular.
The 69 Baht Korean BBQ requires you to cook the food yourself. It is also all that you can eat.
They buy in bulk - which means that they get the food cheaper than individuals - unless you want to go to the early morning meat and vegetable markets at about 3 in the AM. They have something like 6 or 7 restaurants around Udon.
They make their money on quantity - i.e. number of customers.
Doubtful that you can feed one person at home all that they can eat for that type of money. This is true after you factor in trips to the store, storage, food waste (food not used / cooked that goes bad in the fridge) cooking costs and clean up costs.
Having had a TW - I strongly supported her going to the different stands to buy her food. It was a hell of a lot cheaper than turning her lose in the grocery store. She could eat for 30 Baht and have enough for a half a meal or snack later.
They buy in bulk - which means that they get the food cheaper than individuals - unless you want to go to the early morning meat and vegetable markets at about 3 in the AM. They have something like 6 or 7 restaurants around Udon.
They make their money on quantity - i.e. number of customers.
Doubtful that you can feed one person at home all that they can eat for that type of money. This is true after you factor in trips to the store, storage, food waste (food not used / cooked that goes bad in the fridge) cooking costs and clean up costs.
Having had a TW - I strongly supported her going to the different stands to buy her food. It was a hell of a lot cheaper than turning her lose in the grocery store. She could eat for 30 Baht and have enough for a half a meal or snack later.
Yes, it is cheaper to eat at the stands, well a little, chicken 20 to 30 baht, sticky rice 10 baht, plus pop open one of my 3 large leo's for 105 baht, and I am happy, well maybe after the second leo.
Sure beats those places selling a very small leo, and have the balls to charge 65 baht. What is that 225+% markup. and for what the view, I don't think so. They get me once, but thats it, no return for me, since I can find tons of places where the food is good and a large leo is 40 to 60 baht.
Sure beats those places selling a very small leo, and have the balls to charge 65 baht. What is that 225+% markup.
and for what the view, I don't think so. They get me once, but thats it, no return for me, since I can find tons of places where the food is good and a large leo is 40 to 60 baht.
We eat 80% of our meals at home because my wife likes to cook and I like her cooking.Plus she trims,bones and cleans everything very very well!I estimate our costs for food are at least twice as much as eating out.Food products costs,including fresh fruits and vegetables, are about the same as America.
Eating out is much cheaper because of low labor costs and low rent.
For those that prefer falang food most of the time,I guess their food costs must be much higher
I guess I should also say after spending 1700 baht at Tesco, we still have nothing to eat for dinner. I stay away from the veggies there, except for celery and apples, can't get either at market.
What has not changed much is the markets, where we get all are veggies and fruit. Been spending about 300 baht a week there, since I can't remember.
Eating at home is cheaper for dinner
Boy, this site sucks Talk about slow.... or no response....
What has not changed much is the markets, where we get all are veggies and fruit. Been spending about 300 baht a week there, since I can't remember.
Eating at home is cheaper for dinner
Boy, this site sucks
Talk about slow.... or no response....