Cost of living

[sargeant]

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

so as is my want i went and was accosted by a good friend and neighbour

he would like to rent his house 4 FOUR bedrooms FULLY furnished AIR conditioned with washing machine

for a paltry 15,000 a month
how does that compare to 10,000 for a ONE bed terrace

oh and he ran his internet business from it for years

and Buksi my place is a TWO bed townhouse NOT a shed 3,500 a month
Before the bitch sold it out from under me the mortgage was only 6,000 a month

[Siani]

Are washing machines not a common thing in rental houses? I've lived in 4 different houses since I got here (hopefully will stay in the present one for a long time) and all had washing machines, microwave, TV, AC, other kitchen appliances, all furniture... To me those seem to be the norm in most rental houses. Then again, I've never paid less than 15,000 in rent, so maybe I'm looking at a different type of houses.

To be honest, I really do not think it is worth doing your own washing at home. I dropped a big bag full to the laundry, so cheap, came back all pressed and shirts on hangers. The owner gave me a pineapple last week and a watermelon this week I also passed somewhere in HH where they said 40 baht a kilo! It is one thing that is done very well here.

[Pleng]

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

so as is my want i went and was accosted by a good friend and neighbour

he would like to rent his house 4 FOUR bedrooms FULLY furnished AIR conditioned with washing machine


for a paltry 15,000 a month
how does that compare to 10,000 for a ONE bed terrace

On price and room count alone it compares very well. I doubt the rooms are as spacious as the property I'm looking at. And what of the location? Did it also have a swimming pool?

Anyway there's no need to debate the costs of renting. I am reasonably aware of what can be found for how much and where - and I'm very happy with what I have found. What I was trying to establish was an idea of the additional costs of living on top of the rent, which has helpfully been provided by many of you - so thank you to all who have contributed.

[Siani]

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

so as is my want i went and was accosted by a good friend and neighbour

he would like to rent his house 4 FOUR bedrooms FULLY furnished AIR conditioned with washing machine

for a paltry 15,000 a month
how does that compare to 10,000 for a ONE bed terrace

oh and he ran his internet business from it for years

and Buksi my place is a TWO bed townhouse NOT a shed 3,500 a month
Before the bitch sold it out from under me the mortgage was only 6,000 a month

This has nothing to do with the subject...I cannot help commenting on you saying "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun". We had a night time pack of dogs here last night, outside, fighting, and howling. Quite scary I think maybe the "mad dogs" in Thailand sleep in the midday sun!

[dtaai-maai]

Anyway there's no need to debate the costs of renting. I am reasonably aware of what can be found for how much and where - and I'm very happy with what I have found.

A hugely relevant comment. I've stopped giving advice on how much rent to pay - or at least tried to stop criticising those who are paying more than I think they should.

Anyone with half a brain is going to have a good look round to establish what the going rate is. If they don't, som nam nah... There's such a huge variety of properties, locations and facilities to combine with personal preferences, requirements, rental period, budget, etc., that it can only come down to a very personal decision.

[Pleng]

thanks, dm.

On reflection, a better answer to sargeant's question, as opposed to 'it compares very well', would have been 'it sounds about right' - 50% extra rent for an additional 2 bedrooms sounds pretty much on the ball for most rentals in most places I can think of!

[hhfarang]

This has nothing to do with the subject...I cannot help commenting on you saying "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun". We had a night time pack of dogs here last night, outside, fighting, and howling. Quite scary I think maybe the "mad dogs" in Thailand sleep in the midday sun!

From what I read on here about bar fights in the wee hours, I think Englishmen in Thailand sleep in the midday sun as well!

[margaretcarnes]

Not going into details but a TWO bedroomed terrace/Town house should even with AC not cost much more than 5,000Bt a month unfurnished

I think much depends on how far out of town people are prepared to live. Nearer town - higher rents as a rule.
Likewise the furnished/unfurnished argument. That really depends on how long the house is expected to be needed. For a place expected to be long term - say 3/4 years plus - I would go more for location and value for money than furnished/unfurnished. It really isn't too difficult or expensive to get the basic furnishings delivered quickly, including electricals. Most stores will deliver immediately and take you home with the goods as well.

[dotx]

They're many other things to consider, I think. 15,000 I think would be expensive for a house with no security, no access to swimming pool... but 17,000 would be fine for a medium-size house in a gated community with pool. So it all depends on what's included.

and sargeant, I have to ask, where do you live that your rent is SO low? What does the house come with/without?