How Much Is Enough?

Post by **matthew80** » Tue May 23, 2006 6:52 am

hello! My apologies if this question turns out to be really stupid, but I am curious to have imput from the expats living in Hua Hin as to the following: "How much of an annual income do you think would be required to live a comfortable life in Hua Hin?" My definition of "comfortable" would be the freedom to do what I want, when I want, with the exception of big ticket items - like buying cars or houses. I would like to retire to Thailand at the age of 55, not collect my pension till 60 (Thereby circumventing penalties), so I would be five years living off my wits (and whatever savings I had accumulated). I am a teacher, so in an ideal situation i would be working in some capacity at one of the universities. i think an average monthly salary would be 40 thousand baht, fulltime. I know this is really difficult to answer because of all the variables, but any thoughts would be appreciated. And of course, i will clarify if necessary. Cheers! Matt

Post by **hogus** » Tue May 23, 2006 8:30 am

Hi Matt,

I think that the required income depends on your desired life style.

In my experiences around 25k-30k Baht/month should be completely enough for a relatively comfortable life in Thailand.
Keep in mind, that this is 4-5 times more than the average income of the locals.
On the other side, if you love an extrovert lifestyle (i.e., many willing girls, a lot of beer, 3 warm meals during the day), even 50k Baht/month won't be enough...

Post by **matthew80** » Tue May 23, 2006 11:02 am

Thanks Hogus! Definitely would like to eat and drink to my heart's desire (two of the three basic food groups) and as for the third - perhaps I could "buget" myself and be content with just "one" willing lovely accomplice. Cheers!

Post by **Mongo Slade** » Tue May 23, 2006 11:50 am

Hogus, did you factor in room and board in that equation? I'm curious also about how much it takes to live fairly comfortable in LOS. It's real bummer when you're on a tight budget and don't have a lifeline when you get low on cash.

When I was there last September- October, I was feeling real good Mr. bigshot, until the funds started running low and I thought no problem...ATM. I went to the ATM and it said call your bank, I knew I had at least 3,000 US in my account. I must have tried at least five ATM'S. I was so embarrassed when I had to ask my g/f for money....me MR bigshot . Two days later after calling my bank who said there was no block on my account, I found another ATM and my card worked, boy was I happy!

I guess the moral of this story is to pace yourself and don't get carried away spending.

Post by **hogus** » Tue May 23, 2006 12:28 pm

Hi Mr.Bigshot,

sorry to hear about your bad experiences with Thai-ATM's...but be sure, we all have this kind of problems sometimes.
The main-reason is, that the bank stuffs forget to fill-up their own ATM's...I had this f**** last weekend again.
Let us say that are the normal "honest mistakes".
(Thailand has become famous for these kinds of mistakes during the last years!)

About your question...yeah, I did factor in room and board already.
You can rent a normal (town) house without furniture for about 5k/month, with furniture it's about 10k.
As I said Matt before, all depends on your required lifestyle.
Rent a condo, enjoy good seafood or steak-restaurants include a lot of drinks daily, and even 50k or 100k wouldn't satisfy your needs.

Post by **blue nose** » Thu May 25, 2006 10:19 pm

how can you live on 20-30,000 baht a month...surely you just exist not live ?

Post by **buksida** » Thu May 25, 2006 10:56 pm

blue nose wrote:how can you live on 20-30,000 baht a month...surely you just exist not live ?

Quite easy if you don't have a high maintenance girlfriend, live in a palace or go out on the lash everyday. 80% of the population do it on much less than that, all depends on your desired lifestyle as said above.

There was another discussion on cost of living here:
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... php?t=1593

Post by **hogus** » Thu May 25, 2006 11:18 pm

@ blue nose

hmmm...I rent a house in the town-center, have a gf (which likes shopping, unfortunatley), have a car, and enjoy nightlife in different bars and european-restaurants not less than 3 times per week....you're true...I just excist, never know about good and funny lifestyle

....hehehe

Post by **chelsea** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:51 am

MOngo, if you search the forum, there was a post about 3+4 weeks ago covering the exact problems that you encountered at the ATM. I have the same problem everywhjere I have been in Thailand. There are certain banks that I can never withdraw money from. The one that you find works Ok, always use that one and there will probably not be a problem. I think it is something to do with the antiquated software that they use on the Thailnad ATM's

Post by **blue nose** » Fri May 26, 2006 1:08 pm

hogus wrote:@ blue nose

hmmm...I rent a house in the town-center, have a gf (which likes shopping, unfortunatley), have a car, and enjoy nightlife in different bars and european-restaurants not less than 3 times per week....you're true...I just excist, never know about good and funny lifestyle ....hehehe

So much do you spend a month then.....rent..car ..food..?

Post by **hogus** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:39 pm

@ blue nose

As I told above! ...around 25k baht/ month...sometimes 26k or 27k...
Maybe I just had good arithmetic teachers???

For today I've to close, mate...it's weekend and I have to go out on the lash again!
Cheers

Post by **getreal** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:21 pm

hogus wrote:@ blue nose

As I told above! ...around 25k baht/ month...sometimes 26k or 27k...
Maybe I just had good arithmetic teachers???
For today I've to close, mate...it's weekend and I have to go out on the lash again!
Cheers

25,000 baht a month jeez, you will be existing thats all.

If you are coming to live like a backpacker and you are satisfied eating market food atc then listen to these fools.

Going on the lash on 27k a month, probably sits on the side of the road with his bowl of rice and and Chang beer he's bought from 7/11.

Do the mathe mate, decent accomadation will cost 10k a month unless you share in a Soi with Thais.

The majority of farrang should not be here, they usually end up doing something illegal to survive. How many have work permits?

Post by **JimmyGreaves** » Fri May 26, 2006 11:30 pm

getreal wrote:
The majority of farrang should not be here, they usually end up doing something illegal to survive. How many have work permits?

So what experience of Thailand do you have to make such a sweeping statement!

Post by **buksida** » Sat May 27, 2006 3:17 am

getreal wrote: The majority of farrang should not be here, they usually end up doing something illegal to survive. How many have work permits?

That probably includes you ... f#wit.

Butchered from Pink Floyd but ... "another twat on the board" ........

JW · Post by JW » Sat May 27, 2006 10:51 am

To the original question, i get through about 55k a month. I play golf a couple of times a week, eat out pretty much all the time, stay home maybe 2 nights of the week and have a couple of nights in bangkok a month. To really live i reckon thats the sort of money required.