Cost of living in Hua Hin

[Farang]

Numbeo is a good tool to get a general low-down on cost of living in X. Particularly the cost of living comparison gives an insight into expenses, always understanding that the individual prices might differ somewhat from one's own experiences. We deal with generalities and refuse to be bogged down by "X only costs N in Y" -crowd.

Here's a comparison between Torquay and Hua Hin:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/co ... y2=Hua+Hin

[Pleng]

Interesting site, but there seems to be a worrying shortage of Cappuccino, fruit & veg, taxis and apartments for sale in Torquey

[Big Boy]

Interesting, but I think we need to get this back on topic (yes, I was guilty as well )

[sargeant]

I dont think it was of topic at all but then i am always thinking differently

I think it highlighted just how much our heating bills are so much smaller

[hhfarang]

^ But what about the cooling bills?

[STEVE G]

^ But what about the cooling bills?

It's free in Torquay and you save on watering the lawn at the same time!

[Big Boy]

Most of the webcam element moved here viewtopic.php?f=17&t=25024

[sargeant]

You beat me to it Steve

[Siani]

Numbeo is a good tool to get a general low-down on cost of living in X. Particularly the cost of living comparison gives an insight into expenses, always understanding that the individual prices might differ somewhat from one's own experiences. We deal with generalities and refuse to be bogged down by "X only costs N in Y" -crowd.

Here's a comparison between Torquay and Hua Hin:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/co ... y2=Hua+Hin

Sorry I disagree with a lot of prices on the list. Some comparisons are ridiculous.
It is possible to get a cheap meal for about £3 and in a pub 2 meals including drinks for £9.99.
Beer prices are Approx £3 a pint, it is possible to find beer for £1.86 a pint in certain areas. Fast food such as Burger King, McD's (that a lot of people seem to favour in HH) is not expensive either, (not me though ) Beefburgers start at £1.25.
Wine in a supermarket can be £3 a bottle, a good wine 3 for £12.
My heating bills are not £300 a month.
Internet a lot less
All New VW Golf Available From Just £15,890

If you shop around the markets and supermarkets for special offers there is a load of cheap deals. Places such as ASDA LIDL etc are really cheap. A packet of smoked bacon back can be bought at
ASDA for £1 a packet.

Heating is not cheap, but on the other hand neither is air con in HH.

No doubt the cost of living is a lot less in HH if you live like a Thai. If you live a western lifestyle in Thailand, it can be quite expensive.

[Farang]

Numbeo is a good tool to get a general low-down on cost of living in X. Particularly the cost of living comparison gives an insight into expenses, always understanding that the individual prices might differ somewhat from one's own experiences. We deal with generalities and refuse to be bogged down by "X only costs N in Y" -crowd.

Here's a comparison between Torquay and Hua Hin:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/co ... y2=Hua+Hin

Sorry I disagree with a lot of prices on the list. Some comparisons are ridiculous.
It is possible to get a cheap meal for about £3 and in a pub 2 meals including drinks for £9.99.
Beer prices are Approx £3 a pint, it is possible to find beer for £1.86 a pint in certain areas. Fast food such as Burger King, McD's (that a lot of people seem to favour in HH) is not expensive either, (not me though ) Beefburgers start at £1.25.
Wine in a supermarket can be £3 a bottle, a good wine 3 for £12.
My heating bills are not £300 a month.
Internet a lot less
All New VW Golf Available From Just £15,890

If you shop around the markets and supermarkets for special offers there is a load of cheap deals. Places such as ASDA LIDL etc are really cheap. A packet of smoked bacon back can be bought at
ASDA for £1 a packet.

Heating is not cheap, but on the other hand neither is air con in HH.

No doubt the cost of living is a lot less in HH if you live like a Thai. If you live a western lifestyle in Thailand, it can be quite expensive.

OK, now I know. Thanks for the info.

[caller]

As a result of Siani's post, I looked at that comparison chart and it's a load of guff!

[STEVE G]

Living in Europe is OK if you already have property, but if you don't it's disastrously expensive, a normal house costs at least a million euros here where I work in Luxembourg city.

[migrant]

It's difficult to compare prices and that makes lists like Numbeo difficult

A dinner for two here in California can range from $40 to $400 depending on the location, type of restaurant, and what you order. Shopping can also range from the Macro type markets to the high end farmers markets, I've seen apples range from $0.99/lb to $3.99/lb again depending on where you look.

Thailand is no different, we eat at street stalls for pennies but one of the most expensive meal we ever had was at the Lebua in Bangkok.

If you want to live in the west cheaply compared to living in Thailand cheaply, it seems that it's easier in Thailand.

[BOZ]

I have done some serious research on this topic and compared a Florida golf community and area to Palm hills and Hua Hin... Spending some time in both locations and talking with locals in each location.. I compared what I call fixed cost... These being the obvious... Property Taxes, Electric, water, sewer, Insurances(health, property and auto), Grounds and pool maintenance, common fees, cable/SAT/WiFi, and golf (as I am an avid golfer)...

The Florida house was fixed costs of $35K annually, Palm Hills house is $14K annually... (I had the numbers a little lower before we spent 2 months in the Palm Hills house, so I adjusted them up to real world expense)... So less than 1/2 the cost to move and retire in Thailand... Things left out were food, Gas, and cost of vehicles which are variables we can adjust our behaviors on.... These cost of which if shopped correctly are very similar, ie. Thai produced cars, Gas negligible- diesel cheaper and better MPG/KPL, Food; wife eats dirt cheap, I do well at Makro and would say prices are higher but not too crazy.. Selection of goods being the real difference here... So I feel 100% confident in my decision to purchase the house in Thailand and retire to a very nice life style... I retired earlier than I thought I would be able to and this move works in our favor on the $$ concerns.... My Thai wife is just thrilled and that adds to the equation, with the saying "Happy Wife= Happy Life".... I am looking forward to our move early next spring or sooner if we get things sorted out here....

[Pleng]

Living in Europe is OK if you already have property

I think that sums it up just about perfectly.

Rent or a mortgage here is considerably less than back in England. And considering accommodation is generally the single biggest expense one has, it will have the biggest impact on one's lifestyle.

If you're planning on selling up (something that needs serious consideration) and moving over full time then you're going to get more out of your property than you're likely to invest in a property here. So you have more to play with.

If you're planning on doing a half/half, or you want to keep your base in your homeland, then you have to fund some accommodation while you're over here. And unless you can monetize your existing property while you're away then that's an additional expense.

I'm 'lucky' enough ( ) to have never owned a property, so it was simple for me. I pay 11,000bt for a large 1 bedroom apartment on the main road close to town. I'd have to pay twice that for a grotty bedsit on the outskirts back in England...