Cost of living in Hua Hin

[playboy]

Hello;
Let me add some of my recent experiences from visiting Nordic country. Copenhagen lunch will cost me starting from 5-6 Euro for a hot dog with drink or meal deal MacDonald will be 16 Euro without Ketchup or add 1 euro for ketchup. Dinner at Tivoli, Ribeye steak with some potatoes and salade costed 25 euro. Bouillabaisse on side walk street will be 148 kr which around 25 Euro. Hotel room by Central train station costed at 80 euro for 2 with breakfast. Bottle of water is $5.0
In Bergen, Norway our lunch is "fish and chip" (Ireland guy and thai wife are the owner ) costed 24 Euro. Lunch at Flam costed us 21 Euro which was just meatball with potatoes. Our pension included breakfast (lucky us) cost 120 Euro. Bottle of water is $5.0

If I walk on Bangkok street and see Isan hot dog with gingers, chilli and sticky rice, that will cost me 1 Euro or if I go to noodle shop will cost me a bol of noodle with meat or chicken or duck around 1-2 Euro. MacDonald lunch package will be around 3 euro anywhere in thailand. For restaurant, Tom yum kung or seafood in the big bol will be around 2 Euro(comparable to Bouillabaisse) and Papaya salade for 1 euro and Crying tiger beef will be around 2 euro with sticky rice. If you live in Pattaya, a nice hotel such as Amari will cost you 2 nights for 5-6000 bath include breakfast or Hilton in Hua hin by the beach for $120-150
or Baan Manthana for 30 euro or Dusit for 3500 baht. A bottle of water is 10-25 baht.

[hhfarang]

^ That's the cost of living in a socialist nanny state that must tax you at an incredible rate because the government needs money from productive people like you to pay for the non-productive ones that have become addicted to the government handouts.

The current American administration is trying to take us down that same route and ruin our country just like the governments of most European countries have ruined theirs.

[buksida]

Comparing the cost of living here with the west is futile, incomes and salaries are different, taxes are different, currencies are different. It would be more productive to compare the cost of living in Hua Hin to somewhere else in Thailand that is not centered on tourism.

[johnnyk]

^ That's the cost of living in a socialist nanny state that must tax you at an incredible rate because the government needs money from productive people like you to pay for the non-productive ones that have become addicted to the government handouts.

The current American administration is trying to take us down that same route and ruin our country just like the governments of most European countries have ruined theirs.

In a recent survey Danes came out with the highest happiness/satisfaction score in the world. Trouble with Americans is they don't understand socialism. They actually think paying the highest medical costs in the industrial world for some of the poorest outcomes is better.

[crazy88]

Good point from Buksida and an interesting thread.

I have only lived in Koh Tao and Hua Hin which are both heavy on the tourist trade. I certainly spend more per month here but I have a car and a house which I did not have on Koh Tao. Eating and drinking expenses are lower in general unless you hit the tourist spots in which case it is about the same. Not having lived anywhere else here I cannot really comment with any authority so will just ask out of curiosity if certain basics are cheaper elsewhere.

Water (drinking and mains)?

Electric?

Fuel?

Beer?

Food from local markets and the chain stores?

Eating out at local places? (cheaper in Chiang Mai for sure)

Eating at branded places? (McD, Fuji, Sizzler, Pizza chains etc)

Getting a puncture fixed?

Cigarrettes?

Clothing?

Cars and bikes?

I could go on but I am sure you get the gist and am genuinely asking because I want to know. Between the 3 of us we can spend 100 Bt on dinner or 5-10k including wine. It is the choice you make and sometimes you have to treat yourself. Do it all the time and you will be spending the kind of money SJ mentioned very easily and more.

Crazy 88

[Super Joe]

Of course I was comparing like with like, HH is one of the top 4/5 beach resorts in Thailand, so it picked Bournemouth.

And Bournemouth vs Fort Lauderdale is like with like ?
We move in different circles, my friend...

Nooo sir, I wasn't comparing Florida with the UK, they were both being used as comparisons to HH, as you and hhf mentioned living in UK & Florida would be cheaper/no more expensive. I mentioned the reasoning for choice ie: the 4th/5th choice resort, apologies for confoosion. And I haven't a clue of FL's standing in Florida though

It would be more productive to compare the cost of living in Hua Hin to somewhere else in Thailand that is not centered on tourism.

But as Buksi says a HH to elsewhere comparison would be more productive, I can't see many choosing to go back 'home', but some may be choosing an alternative to HH as Caller's just mentioned. I think a comparison with both the 'non tourism centred' location as well as Phuket and/or Krabi. I know Phuket's gone up recently, you read similar stuff to what we say, in December it 'officially' took over from Bangkok as having the highest cost of living, which I still can't really see, it was a strange measure they used.

I'm still earning, so can afford those costs, but won't be able to afford the same in Hua Hin when retired. Which is why I no longer plan to settle there - its cheaper elsewhere in LOS.

When you say 'elsewhere' Chels, I take it you mean far removed from HH? I read this comment often but never quite get it, in that why do people who like HH but want somewhere less expensive look to move to another location altogether, when surely you can just move Westerly, or to Cha Am or Pranburi, or one more step on from them and so on.

You can still use the facilities like hospital, golf courses, schools, shopping, bars when you fancy, but can also have the local, quieter, less touristy, better price/value scene. Most tend to do that to a certain degree when moving out anyway, I use Takiab, Soi 88, Soi 80, Soi 94 now as much as I did town for first couple of years. You often hear the main reason is property prices, if someone had their eye on a 3.5m Baht house 4 years ago and it's 5m now for example, if you drive an extra 5k's West (talking about 5k's past La Valee area) you'll be back around the 3.5m mark. SteveG would weigh in on this I believe, I remember reading he went this route. There's no flies on Steve.

There's a little community (amenities) all of it's own occurring up the length of the Pala-U Road, plus a community forming around Black Mountain which is closeby. If you didn't have to cross that by-pass road then the extra 5kms would only make up about 10% of the journey time down into town. Just a though, and no I'm not trying to flog anything there A car would be required though, be dangerous at night (dark) on bike. The new road is excellent imo, BM's water park opens soon, a Big C is planned for up there a poster said on other thread, plus fast road to Macro.

It'll be a statellite mini-town all on it's own up there, 5 years after recovery kicks in, you just see


SJ

[STEVE G]

Comparing the cost of living here with the west is futile, incomes and salaries are different, taxes are different, currencies are different. It would be more productive to compare the cost of living in Hua Hin to somewhere else in Thailand that is not centered on tourism.

As you know, I spend a week or so up in Issan every couple of months and surprisingly quite a few things are more expensive there than around Hua Hin.
Because it's a hundred km or so from a major city, it's a long way to anywhere like a Big C or Makro type store and the small shops in the local market town are quite pricy in comparison.
I eat a lot of fish and other seafood and that costs much more, obviously because it's so far from the sea.
Basic electrical goods such as fans, rice cookers and fridges are also more expensive as well.

[Siani]

Johan wrote:They are doing things that they would never do in their country. Do you know how much it would cost you to make a party in Monaco in France ? Be ready to spend 500 000 baht for one night.
quote]

Johan, I know you are French, surely you knew that Monaco is a Principality?

However I disagree with you that the is cost 500,000 baht for one party night! Are we talking about ordinary average people here?

Why pick the most expensive place probably in the world as an example? I have been to loads of parties in France, drank good wine, ate foie gras, etc. I have also been to other parties in rural areas, with farm owners, ordinary folk, again good wine & food. Believe you me, the French do not like to waste money. The majority of the wealthier French have "old money" and really dislike the Nouveau riche society that we have in the world now. The French would think this as vulgar.
You cannot compare a party in Hua Hin to one in Monaco, sorry

[Korkenzieher]

SteveG

As you know, I spend a week or so up in Issan every couple of months and surprisingly quite a few things are more expensive there than around Hua Hin.

I concur. It is a couple of years since I was last there, but it surprised me when in Udon how much more expensive things like motorcycle rental or purchase were than HH - and HH is reputedly more than Cha-am. A bike which costs me 3k a month in HH was marked up at 4.5k in Udon. A regular 'click' at 4k. Same story with list prices for purchasing. I put it down to there being less competition, but either way, the mark-up can be substantial.

[Johan]

Johan wrote:They are doing things that they would never do in their country. Do you know how much it would cost you to make a party in Monaco in France ? Be ready to spend 500 000 baht for one night.
quote]

Johan, I know you are French, surely you knew that Monaco is a Principality?

However I disagree with you that the is cost 500,000 baht for one party night! Are we talking about ordinary average people here?

Why pick the most expensive place probably in the world as an example? I have been to loads of parties in France, drank good wine, ate foie gras, etc. I have also been to other parties in rural areas, with farm owners, ordinary folk, again good wine & food. Believe you me, the French do not like to waste money. The majority of the wealthier French have "old money" and really dislike the Nouveau riche society that we have in the world now. The French would think this as vulgar.
You cannot compare a party in Hua Hin to one in Monaco, sorry

I wont compare Hua Hin to "farmer parties in the north of France", Hua Hin is one of the most privilegied resorts in the country, the royal palace is situated here also. You can compare Hua Hin to "Côte d'azur" in France. And again, i know people who spend loads of money for a one night party there. They are not rich, they have high salaries but that's all.

If for you ordinary people is people with low average income, then we are not talking about them. But again, low income people don't go party in côte d'azur and it's a "like like" with Hua Hin. If "ordinary" people want to come here in Hua Hin they need to be ready to spend money if they want a good life. I do not believe that people are coming here to survive but to have a very good life.

Hua Hin is cheaper than UK, France, and all the European countries, but when we live here we spend more because we want more. I could never have a maid in my country nor a big house like i have here.

[Siani]

Johan wrote:They are doing things that they would never do in their country. Do you know how much it would cost you to make a party in Monaco in France ? Be ready to spend 500 000 baht for one night.
quote]

Johan, I know you are French, surely you knew that Monaco is a Principality?

However I disagree with you that the is cost 500,000 baht for one party night! Are we talking about ordinary average people here?

Why pick the most expensive place probably in the world as an example? I have been to loads of parties in France, drank good wine, ate foie gras, etc. I have also been to other parties in rural areas, with farm owners, ordinary folk, again good wine & food. Believe you me, the French do not like to waste money. The majority of the wealthier French have "old money" and really dislike the Nouveau riche society that we have in the world now. The French would think this as vulgar.
You cannot compare a party in Hua Hin to one in Monaco, sorry

I wont compare Hua Hin to "farmer parties in the north of France", Hua Hin is one of the most privilegied resorts in the country, the royal palace is situated here also. You can compare Hua Hin to "Côte d'azur" in France. And again, i know people who spend loads of money for a one night party there. They are not rich, they have high salaries but that's all.

If for you ordinary people is people with low average income, then we are not talking about them. But again, low income people don't go party in côte d'azur and it's a "like like" with Hua Hin. If "ordinary" people want to come here in Hua Hin they need to be ready to spend money if they want a good life. I do not believe that people are coming here to survive but to have a very good life.

Hua Hin is cheaper than UK, France, and all the European countries, but when we live here we spend more because we want more. I could never have a maid in my country nor a big house like i have here.

What a load of rubbish to say farmers parties in northern France...Northern France...what about Deauville, Honfleur, Dinard etc...what I was trying to put over is that the french do not like to waste money. Also you cannot compare Hua Hin with Cannes, Nice or St Tropez etc....it is a different culture for a start. Totally different way of life. I am talking about a party in your home or say an average hotel for 30 people..not sure what is in your mind

[Johan]

Party is going to a disco, take girls, buy expensive drinks for your friends, sleep at the hotel with your escort, eat at the restaurants, rent a yatch for the night. You can do this in Thailand even if you are not rich.

Girls : 3 for 4500 baht for the night, more if you want premium escorts from agencies, prices can be up to 50 000 baht per girl
Drinks : Arround 20 000 baht for the night will buy you enough drinks for all your friends, more if you want premium drinks
Hotel : Will cost you arround 10 000 baht a night for a nice room
Yacht : 30 000 baht for the night will rent you a nice motor yacht and you can even sleep on the boat

This can be the night of your life for pretty cheap. Party for me is not going to a tombola with 15 old couples and talk all night.

In Thailand you can do whatever you want for really nothing. I have a friend who took all the girls in one bar and he had a lot of fun, he paid the bill for everyone and it wasn't too expensive. Even a poor guy with a very small salary can do this if he save some money every month for a year.

You want to do the same in Cannes ? It will cost you a lot more.

The french don't like to waste money when they don't have money, all my friends are french, most of them are poor but some of them are not and they don't care about spend money, even a million in one night. It's not about nationality, it's about who can spend money and who can not. American guys do not spend more than french unless they can. We are not more kee nok than other nationalities, but we have much less rich people than USA because in France we have only 60 million people. We are a small country.

[buksida]

This thread has jack all to do with nationalities, who is richer, and pimping it in Monaco, it is asking about the cost of living for an expat in Hua Hin, Thailand. Lets get back to it.

What does surprise me is that Issan is more expensive than Hua Hin for some things, surely this balances out with the cost of renting or buying a property though. There are other beach towns further south that are also a lot cheaper to live - but then you don't have all of the golf courses, nightlife, and glitzy shops that some will need as part of their lifestyle.

[STEVE G]

What does surprise me is that Issan is more expensive than Hua Hin for some things, surely this balances out with the cost of renting or buying a property though.

Yes, land costs almost nothing out in the countryside although actual construction costs aren't all that much cheaper.
I think the big stores like Makro charge the same throughout Thailand, so if you drive to Buriram or Surin you can get stuff for the same price but if you're in a small market town the prices are surprisingly high.
You might find this hard to believe, but last month I took several kilos of small green chillis up to Issan as they were considerably cheaper in the market on the canal road!

[Siani]

Party is going to a disco, take girls, buy expensive drinks for your friends, sleep at the hotel with your escort, eat at the restaurants, rent a yatch for the night. You can do this in Thailand even if you are not rich.

Girls : 3 for 4500 baht for the night, more if you want premium escorts from agencies, prices can be up to 50 000 baht per girl
Drinks : Arround 20 000 baht for the night will buy you enough drinks for all your friends, more if you want premium drinks
Hotel : Will cost you arround 10 000 baht a night for a nice room
Yacht : 30 000 baht for the night will rent you a nice motor yacht and you can even sleep on the boat

This can be the night of your life for pretty cheap. Party for me is not going to a tombola with 15 old couples and talk all night.

In Thailand you can do whatever you want for really nothing. I have a friend who took all the girls in one bar and he had a lot of fun, he paid the bill for everyone and it wasn't too expensive. Even a poor guy with a very small salary can do this if he save some money every month for a year.

You want to do the same in Cannes ? It will cost you a lot more.

The french don't like to waste money when they don't have money, all my friends are french, most of them are poor but some of them are not and they don't care about spend money, even a million in one night. It's not about nationality, it's about who can spend money and who can not. American guys do not spend more than french unless they can. We are not more kee nok than other nationalities, but we have much less rich people than USA because in France we have only 60 million people. We are a small country.

Johan..we are thinking on a different wave length. So sorry did not realise you were talking about top class escorts, prostitutes in other word. Expensive addition to the bill! Well, I would not need them at my party. My party would just be for close friends, but no tombola! I do not think the majority of people in HH can afford this type of life either...that is if you want it. P.S I really hate the job description "Premium Escort" !! Not sure if they have this service in the Sofitel if you hold the party there