ASSISTANCE PLEASE - "AVERAGE COST OF LIVING"

[bradders]

Hi Team,

Apologies in advance for the strong possibility of covering old ground, I appreciate there's already a thread, if not several, with the answers to my questions.

I've reached a stage of frustration whereby I feel the ever growing need to retire and move onto pastures new. Whilst I've yet to visit HH I have been to several places in Thailand and feel I could be quite happy and comfortable seeing out the rest of my days in the LOS.

I don't have a crystal ball and have no idea how many more years I will live, but your replies will, I'm sure, assist me a great deal in respect of planning and assisiting me to make the right decision.

When it comes to lifestyle I appreciate we all have different needs, mine may be considered fairly simple with no asperations or need for an
expensive lifestyle.

My question is, based on the following guidelines, how much would it cost me say monthly/annualy to realise my dream of retirement in HH?

I'm a single guy, no cooking skills apart from the very basics, but can clean, wash and iron as I've (somehow!) managed for the last 20 years.

ACCOMODATION:
It would be my intention to rent, not buy.
It's possible a friend would share a villa with me but for this excercise let's assume I would have to go it alone.
I understand from various postings 25,000 to 35,000 baht per year would secure a reasonably nice villa, possibly inclusive of electric & water bills?
Assuming so, that would equate to an annual cost of circa 300,000 to 420,000 per annum

SOCIAL SPENDING:
Let's assume the following "needs"

1. I join a Pool Team and possibly a Darts Team (assuming there's someone in HH desperate enough to take me! )
I enjoy a beer or two and let's assume some pub-grub

2. Go fishing (lake/river) say 1/2 days a week
3. Play golf say 1/2 days a week (based on green fees not membership)
4. "Saturday night out". Meal + say 8 to 10 beers
5. The occassional "special night out"

TRANSPORT
1. Cost of renting a modest car
2. Taxi / Tuk Tuk - the average cost of running around town when out drinking say 3/4 nights a week

FEMALE COMPANY
Would 1,500 to 2,000 baht per night be sufficient to cover this particular 'requirement'?

FOOD AT HOME / MISC HOUSEHOLD NEEDS / CLOTHING
I can estimate these costs based on historic spending.

I do appreciate I'm asking a difficult question and expect replies stating if I need to ask such a question it's debatable and argueable I should not be looking to retire in HH - or anywhere - until I can "comfortably" afford to do so!

But please bear in mind it's because I'm so keen to start a new life I'm hoping there will be feedback which will provide me with a guideline to average monthly/annual financial requirements based on the above information.

Maybe there's a few folk in HH (or elsewhere in Thailand) living a similar lifestyle to which I've mentioned - or know of others doing so - and be prepared to 'guestimate' the sort of monthly/annual funds required to make such a lifestyle possible.

Look forward to some constructive replies - thanks!!

bradders

[lomuamart]

As you've already said bradders, how long's a piece of string? But based on what you've stated, you'll probably get no change out of 100,000 - 120,000 a month.
However, your accommodation costs will probably provide a "palace" as far as I'm concerned. Obviously, this decision is very personal and extremely important. For example, my wife and I pay 7,000 a month rent and we're reasonably close to town. Property agents would be better placed to advise you, but for the two of us, I'd never think about paying more than say 15,000 a month. I wouldn't get my own swimming pool, but that dosn't bother me as there's the beach and pools around that you can use for a small daily fee anyway.
Nights out with a few beers will probably set you back 1,000 - 1,500 a time depending on how mullahed you get

Food's really good value here. The two of us eat well for around 6,000 a month. But, we cook at home.
Golf will be expensive. JW and other are better placed to advise you of this, but I played HH (one of the more reasonably priced courses in the area) recently and the day cost around 2,000 all in (including a couple of drinks on the course and at the 19th).
Transport will depend on your location. I've got no idea about car hire.
The other big one is "female company". You're reckoning on up to 60,000 a month? Well, I'll leave that to others. I'm happily married and my wife certainly dosn't cost me that

So, that's a starter for ten. The two of us live quite comfortably on about 40,000 a month. Then again, the golf's gone by the wayside since I got married
and we also don't have expensive tastes.
I'm sure you're going to get plenty of other responses.

[BaaBaa.]

Your "Female company" would be 300 barfine and 1000 to the girl.

[bradders]

CORRECTION!!!!

REF ACCOMMODATION:
I MEANT TO SAY 25,000 TO 35,000 PER MONTH - NOT PER YEAR AS STATED IN MY ORIGINAL POSTING!! (But I guess you had already worked that one out!)

Many thanks Lomu for your reply. It seems I'm over-cooking the estimated cost(s) of residing in HH - which is of course pleasing!!

It appears I could find a suitable villa for far less than my estimated costs which is good news. I don't really need a "palace" Lomu, and IF my friend does join me we could go a little up-market and the shared costs would still be less than original my estimation.

FEMALE COMPANY
I should have stated 1,500 to 2,000 per night WHEN REQUIRED!
I certainly didn't mean every night though I guess it could be interpreted that way from my original posting!! STALLION BRADDERS!!
Possibly a couple of nights a week would suffice to keep me happy and content

Based on Baa Baa's reply (thanks Baa Baa!) the 60,000 per month would be dramatically reduced to circa 10,000 - or possibly 16,000 if the 'need' ran into three nights a week! And who knows, I may even 'get lucky' and find someone who I like enough - and likes me enough - to see each other on a regular basis and come to some (financial) arrangement. I may also get lucky and find someone who likes to cook occassionaly thereby reducing the need to eat out so often.

The golf scene, compared to Dubai, is very reasonable! I used to play on a regular basis but the costs spiraled here and I've not played for many years but I do look forward to losing a bunch of balls again!! I think someone once said that golf was best described as "a good walk ruined!!"

Your comments are much appreciated Lomu, from what you have said I think I can safely reduce my anticipated monthly/annual costs without needing to worry about buying my new friends a beer or two - including you and your good wife of course!!

Thanks again!!

bradders

[BaaBaa.]

Based on Baa Baa's reply (thanks Baa Baa!)

I shall forward your thanks to my friend who supplied me with these figures.

[migrant]

I'd never think about paying more than say 15,000 a month. I wouldn't get my own swimming pool, but that dosn't bother me as there's the beach and pools around that you can use for a small daily fee anyway.

If I can intrude, what would a house with pool rent for, long term?

Thanks

[Randy Cornhole]

I reckon at least 35,000 a month, but you have to take into acount the extra running costs, eg electricity and so on, is it worth it? I have a communal pool not 50 yards from my door and I have been in it twice this year! Better to go to the beach. It gets you out the house and salt water is very good for you.
Hope this helps....

[Jim]

with the current state of the rental market, 35k for a long term rent for a good place with pool should be readily achievable. pm me if you want, I'm open to offers....

Randy - if you believe GDL, 99% of pools already have salt water in them! not so may hawkers by the pool either, no need for barking mai ow krup every 2 minutes.

[migrant]

Thanks for the info guys

I like a pool, but hardley a necesity, especially at that premium!

Communal pools are OK, but like you Randy, I never seem to use them, I do my private pool.

Beach is great, but sometimes the privacy of the pool is nice!!

Thanks!

[johnnyk]

You should be able to find a quite decent long-term rental for about 15-20K a month.
Food is a non-issue if you can eat Thai. If you insist on eating falang then you'll pay much more.
Female companionship? Up to you but live-in works out much cheaper plus they will look after housekeeping, food shopping etc.
Transportation? You can buy a used motorbike for 15K. Get the girlfriend to do the driving if it makes you nervous.
For many expats the biggest budget items are booze and nightlife. If you have both under control you'll be fine, if not you can easily go through 80-100K a month.

[Condoking]

Your "Female company" would be 300 barfine and 1000 to the girl.

I agree with BaaBaa on the basic cost of company, 300 + 1,000. However it would be wise to allow an extra 1,000 or so for the evening prior to commitment. Ithere's a few of you plus buying the girls a drink or two your bar bills can quickly rocket and the first grand quickly disappears, and this assumes you get an honest tab.

[bradders]

Thanks JohnnyK & Condoking & All - some sound advise there!

You're quite right - the basic 300 + 1,000 can easily be be doubled by the time you get around to going home! I've often gone out for a quiet beer with no intention of taking company back - but after a few (too many!) and a pretty face appears things change!! I'm sure we've all been down that route at some stage guys!!!

TOTAL loss of the control you mentioned JohnnyK!! That's where all your financial planning and budjeting goes terribly wrong and the 80 to 100k becomes a reality!!!


I'm sure the live-in scenario works out far more economical but if you like to ring the changes (butterfly! ) then I guess you have to be careful not to allow a friendly come part business relationship turn into something more meaningful - especially from the girls point of view!

I gave it a try here in Dubai - agreed a monthly rate and all was fine until the end of the month when it proved very difficult to say 'goodbye'. There were some tears which changed to a degree of anger on her part - I felt really bad and regretted the 'arrangement' which I have not repeated! She was from one of the former Russian states but I suspect Thai ladies, or any nationality, share the same feelings and emotions when it comes to parting company!

The accommodation element and similar day to day requirements/needs can be financially controlled, the discipline (what discipline!) and key to controlling costs in retirement certainly revolves around the social scene -it's the chink of glasses - - those smiling eyes - - tight jeans and mini mini skirts - - that destroy the budget!!

I guess I'll have to try and team up with some guys who can drag me away at the end of a good drinking session - any volunteers???!!!



Your input deeply appreciated - thanks guys!

bradders

[buksida]

I guess monthly expenses for the single man fall into three approximate categories:

1:25,000-45,000
Half decent place to rent (no furniture or pools though)
A couple of nights on the sauce per week
A weekend away once a month
Mostly eating local food
A round of golf once a month

2:50,000 - 80,000
Better house closer to town, furnished
3-4 nights on the sauce
Occasional female company
Two weekends away per month
Farang food in restaurants twice a week
A couple of rounds of golf a month

3:100,000 and over
A pimped out pool villa
Pissing it up every night
More skirt than a rock band
Hotel meals
Weekly golf
Liver transplant

Naturally this is tongue in cheek but your pace of life will soon slow down when you get out of holiday mode and realise that you're a permanent fixture of Hua Hin.

When I first arrived I tried to live up to the third category with less money than required for the first. Now I guess I'm out and about once or twice a month ... wife and kids don't help though!

[Condoking]

She was from one of the former Russian states

Been there and had the scars to go with it. I had a girlfriend from Uzbekistan when I was in Dubai. She thought it would be good if her mother and daughter could visit for a holiday. I quickly found out that her mother would have a return ticket whilst daughter would only have a single, and guess who was supposed to pay for schooling etc. etc. I decided the easiest way was to give the GF a one way ticket out of my condo and go back to the old addage "Why buy a book when there's a library out there"

As for volunteers to drag you away at the end of the evening, I pass as I have the breaking strain of a Kit Kat when it comes to saying no.

[johnnyk]

As for volunteers to drag you away at the end of the evening, I pass as I have the breaking strain of a Kit Kat when it comes to saying no

The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it... I can resist everything but temptation.
- Oscar Wilde