It's definitely possible. In fact you can live for under $300 per month if you cook your own food. You can buy two big bags of rice for $10 that will last the month and supplement that with vegetables and fruit purchased from the market. Not only is that a cheap diet but it is extremely healthy. You can live in a cheap room for 3,000 baht or under $100 per month.
Seriously? I wondered myself at that because that's what I'd do! Eating out constantly gets old and it's a waste of money even if it's relatively cheap. Great tip! Especially if you're teaching English and on a low pay scale. Also what's the need to impress others by living in a luxury tower? If the power goes out it's a long way up 40 floors of stairs!
I’m a native Thai and living in Chiangmai as well. I’m currently living on 600 too. You can get way more luxury out of this money. Also, you can get the price down to 300 - 400 if you want to be on budget. Firstly, be smart about where you choose the flat. Red district for foreigners where all the staff speak English is definitely not the best choice. Etc.
The key is to learn Thai and embrace their culture, or at least try. The foreigners I met who speak Thai are respected by the locals and get treated like one, if you don't you'll just be treated as another outsider. Plus what's the point in living in a foreign country if you're not willing to embrace the culture? You've got to adapt where ever you go in the world to really appreciate the experience, not try to live your old life in a new place, change your perspective and learn to adapt and integrate, that's how you'll find fulfillment.
Major props to you on this project. Takes quite a commitment, not to only track every single expense, but to provide quality video content for an audience on the topic. Now people have a thorough, tangible resource to set their expectations of living in CM. Bravo!
Well that depends what your comparing her too, if you used to high maintenance girls who expect to get their way all the time then I guess she's not that bad.
One of the best Cost of Living Abroad videos I've ever seen. I like how direct and concise you are, enabling you to also be both informative and entertaining. Good job all around and thanks for putting in the effort.
You cannot ignore the visa expense. It is very high and MUST be paid monthly and quarterly. The extension after the first 30 days (which was free on arrival in Thailand) is 1900 baht (62USD) for 30 more days. If you have to make a visa run to another country at the end of the second month, that is additional expense by bus or airplane (not free). Plus consider the cost of the tourist visa and lodging in the other country for the two or three days you will be there and then the cost of the Thai visa to come back to CM. You might also want to include the cost of the bribe of the Embassy staff to expedite getting your new Thai visa. (Of course, I would never consider doing that.) Excluding the cost of visas gives an extremely inaccurate picture of the cost to live in Chiang Mai.
Really an excellent post. I've watched several digital nomad channels on UA-cam and your's so far's the most genuine, informative, non-salesmanny one yet. Keep it up!
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Great vid on living on Chiang Mai. The thing to take away from this is that if you are in a partnership, you can afford a bit of better accommodation, although you can get cheaper places that are just as nice if you aren't living in Nimmen where I have found prices to be a bit higher. Under $600 USD is totally doable even if you are a single. Thanks for the vid and the research Chris.
Very well done. A practical and candid fiscal diary, perfect for would-be travelers. Meanwhile to an aging retiree, it provides the vicarious pleasure of vigor, competence, hope, and most of all, time. You go Chris.
I have lived in Thailand for 17 years. I have recently moved out of the city to a rural area because it's cheaper, less crowded and so relaxing. Plus we get to grow most of our own food. Exchange rates sucks big time right now. A lot of expats are having to leave. Keep your eyes on the rates.
woah....that was cool but dude, I lived in Thailand for 3 years and never spent more than $400 USD per month - just eat thai, drink beers once a week, enjoy the free activities like running and swimming on the beaches and i stayed in PIMP place with pool and air con too. 15,000Baht for a flat is mental! i payed 6,000 for a 3 bedroom house then upgraded to a one bedroom bungalow with pool for 8,000 and that was by myself...shit i thought Chaing Mai was cheap! This was in Chumphon btw - amazing location. great concept for your video - you're a budgeteer at heart and we love it haha :) all the best Chris!
Yes, I think you can even live cheaper outside metropolitan Areas. I would spend 130$ A month for a very nice room in a Villa with swimming-pool in Bali near to Balangan surf spot, but outside the city
I'm going to agree with you Budgeteers, I lived in Chiang Mai for two years and still living here atm and I spend around $450-500 monthly, but I live in Studio...its really does depend on what type of lifestyle you want..But I live comfortably..hang out with friends and all but I don't do western food too much..It's Thailand so I do it like the locals...
A great video that very much chimes with my own experience living in the southern suburbs of Bangkok for 6 months. Luckily, my Thai sister pointed me in the right direction and I found a large one-room plus bathroom and balcony in a modest but clean block about 10 minutes walk from the Sky-train. I paid 1,000 Bht a month plus 500 Bht for internet and a one-off payment of 600 Bht for a fridge. I went without air-con and that saved a lot on electricity. As I was on the 6th floor, there was usually a good breeze and the internal corridors were all open to the air at each end and there was a large vent over the front door too. As I live in the UK normally, it took a few days to get used to the heat but I got so used to it that I actually felt chilly at night sometimes. I spent £2,500 in total for 6 months including a visa run to Laos. Cheers.
395 Baht is (as of October 2019) 12.98 USD. I have relatives who work as food vendors in Pattaya who live off of half of that per day. I don't even live on 10 USD per day. Totally do-able. It's only challenging for those who have never been poor, or who don't live frugal.
I have seen numerous videos on this topic by a large assortment of other tubers, and yours is vastly more detailed, and informative. Many of them have a title similar to yours, but after watching I only have an idea of what a few assorted purchases at street vendors cost. Two enthusiastic thumbs up brother! Much appreciated!
Chris you keep outdoing yourself!! Love this man!! I am currently working on my business to take it remote and when I get to that point I have to buy you a beer in Chiang Mai or some other part of the world.
Is it possible to live in Thailand on $600 per month? - Yes Are people comfortably sustainable on $600 per month? - Yes Are there many foreigners living this way right now? - Yes Is it 1000x better to live on $1000 per month than $600? - Absolutely (I spent 2 years living in Thailand on less than $600 per month and while I survived and overall had a good time, it is dreadful in comparison to a $1k+ per month budget and so on)
For me, living on $600 and $1,000 were both comfortable. It helps that I'm living a different life this time. By that, I mean that I've now quit sugar, started intermittent fasting and stopped going to coworking spaces. The reason why I stopped doing these things wasn't really about cost but it ended up saving me at least a few hundred dollars. If you wanted to live long-term in Thailand, you obviously need to factor in other expenses like VISAs, flights and emergency expenses. So yes, I think $1,000 is a comfortable number :)
ytu123 people aren't comfortable with $600 a month. Completely false. To be honest its a budget for people who just want to survive and exist. No time for entertainment, out having fun, etc. Forget it.
No matter how many countries I visit I'll never get used to having to buy water. It makes me feel very grateful for NZ's fresh water. Awesome video bro :)
I pay about $1000 a month on just rent and utilities and this man went out to eat, hang out in nightclubs with friends, and had coffee everyday for 3/5 of my budget for just my living space. Mind blown🤯‼️
Awesome project! I think it would be beneficial to turn this video into multiple episodes. Short videos with regular upload schedules tend to gain traction faster.
Great video. I appreciate the breakdown and everything was easy to understand. Nicely organized with dope visuals. Makes really consider adding this place to my bucket list of travel. Thanks for making this vid 👍🏿Nice work🤘🏾
@ It is safer here than other places like the States! You need to use your head and don't call attention to yourself by wearing gold chains and expensive jewelry. Most criminals only want things they can resale like phones or cameras.
Goodlord things have really changed since I was there! I went to High School (ISB) in Bangkok from 1968-71. Use to take the train up to Chiangmai with friends for.. ah.. fun. Haha! Ohhhh the good old daze! But damn! In those daze $600 a month.. we had a huge house with maids, a driver, all our clothes had made. With hundreds left over. I sooooo miss Thailand. I haven’t been back but a lot of my friends go at least once a year. And I still have friends that live there. I can’t believe that you are spending so much. It’s cheap to live there. Well.. thanks for the memories. You don’t show enough pictures though. A pool!?? There are pools everywhere fgs! Get out and experience the people and land. I’d that all you do is eat? I was going to clubs at 14! Haha! Fun times! WhoopWhoop!! Have fun! Noooo.. a efing uber?! Seriously ?! Goodlord! I quit ! Tired of watching you eat. You really are missing the Real Thai experience! Bummer dude! Peace! ✌️
@@sdushdiu yes cooking in your apartment is a lot cheaper, drink your own coffee and tea too. My room has fast free wifi, balcony, great view and peaceful 3600 baht a month.
I can’t speak for Thailand but in Vietnam the cost between cooking at home and eating out at nice places is negligible. I guess if you really wanted to shoestring it you could but for the average person you can great quality food cheaply if you know where to go
In Thailand it's not cheaper to cook your own meals if you are only cooking for one/two people. You end up spending more on groceries or it goes to waste before you can eat it. Eating from local food stalls or from markets is super cheap.
I live in Chiang mai, one of the best no BS, blogs on the costs, I live out of the city centre, so food and accommodation is far cheaper, Chris did a good job, on his blog
This was the best traveling video I've seen! I appreciate the financial details because it's important for westerners to "stick together" (i mean with each other). It seems many of us pay exorbitant prices for things BECAUSE ITS CHEAP FOR MANY, but not all, westerners. The rich jack up the prices for all the rest of us - just like in the good 'old USA. So, when someone offers you a beautiful rental (that seems way too cheap) please just take it! For the 99 percent.
Do you really have that low standards When things seems way to cheap in Thailand (and elsewhere for that matter) it's a reason for it. And in the land of scams, corruption and questionable contracts chances are that you soon enought will pay a great deal for it at the end if you take on such offers without critical thoughts thereof. People are getting themselves in big trouble after seeing stuff like this, showing up and finding that the real cost of living is much higher than they expected, their $600 budget not sustainable and things goes fast downhill from there without reserves and a safety net to catch the fools.Not that the guy making the claim gives a damn abut it.
Very well prepared and presented video. I like the way you do your analysis in the video. It is pretty objective. Good visual and sound quality too. Nice job. Thank you for the video :-)
Good stuff. Thanks. IMO for starters you could have easily chopped off $100 USD on a slightly less chic apartment and still had a very nice place. Good info overall.
Why do you need to buy water and coffee? Make your own coffee or tea. Can't you use tap water or boiled and cooled water in old bottles? What a waste of money and too many plastic bottles.
Router is free with AIS... and internet cost 600b per month and is very fast. Also, if u're on a budget, buying in *bulk* in Makro, like water, toilet paper, etc, is a must. Edit: Overall, very well made video! I need to say tho that you have a girlfriend (non-thai), which help you a lot in term of utilities bill and rent (split). If someone is alone, he will need to spend 7.5k on rent (so a lot less nicer condo), and the cost of utilities, transportation, etc, will be higher (because not split, especially internet, electricity and transport, excluding Songtaew), so he won't be able to eat as much foreign food then u did. Overall, 600 usd is possible and not that hard, but for someone alone he will need to make some adjustment to make it doable cause ur GF help reduce some of ur cost. p.s: 15k for a condo in Nimman area... so expensive... and so small. You can't barely cook. For 15k u'll have a very nice house (100 square meter+), with everything you need, but obv not in Nimman area. Funny how 2/3 of ur expense is rent/utilities, and yet ur condo is small and basic, it's not a critic just a observation of how bad the market is (very pricey).
also noticed you don't munch on snacks or consume much alcohol, good on ya, if one were a single man there'd be expenses entertaining prospective partners and if they were local you'd be expected to foot the bill entirely :-)
there is many many other lifestyles also cliff, this guy is just challenging himself to live under $600 a month. When I was living in Thailand there was months I spent $100 usd living in the jungles and then there was months where I would spend $1500usd
yup i lived in a thai laotian musical convoy over 100 people one year, we camped out at a different remote thai temple nightly, traveled by funky old bus, very low cost of living but very primitive lifestyle
I think you have to look at what your income is and live according to your means. Life is about balance and having some middle ground. Thanks for the info, Chris.
Brilliant video, dude !! You give great information and give a feel for the lifestyle. Other videos like this don't give detailed info and are just boring.
There eating out and renting for 2 for just under what I spend to cook and rent for one in the UK and with a nicer place place pool , gym and all in the most expensive month there with people in the comments saying what they paid is expensive for the area.
@@doyoueatrocks A thai massage IN Thailand is 200 per hour?....never been but that seems odd. You can get a massage from a registered massage therapist with years of experience and training for less then that here. And Thailand is much cheaper from what I hear. Also, *too
I have been living in chiang mai last 7 years. My rent is 2500thb + water 100thb + electric about 1000thb, internet 800thb, phone 200thb, food 10-15 000thb (thai, japanese, westerns, israelian, mexican etc.), gasoline (motorbike 300-500thb), tuk tuk (when drunk) 0-1000thb,cigarette 1800thb, alcohol 4000-16 000thb, VISA including everything per month about 4000thb and insurance 4000thb. That make about 37 200thb what is about 1200usd. VISA including everything per month about 4000thb. Then come everytime some extra what need to or want to buy and sometimes dentist cost, motorbike repair etc. About 1500usd is my spendings in one month and i living very small room and i buy everything (water heater, freezer, aircon, tv, matress etc. to there by myself.
I'm about to retire from my government job at 55 years old and I'm going to be living on 1800usd a month so it's nice to know that there is some place I can afford to live.
At current exchange rates, you don't have enough pension to get a retirement visa.You need 65,000 THB a month to qualify. You'd have to make visa runs (leave the country) every couple months.
I like the video except when you were listing daily cost they were all listed in local currency. Would have enjoyed much more if U.S. currency was included like you did occasionally in the lower left-hand corner. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
Look here, The drinking habit is killing the budget. I guess coffee and hot cappuccino are like a western thing/idea, so it cost more. Almost the same price as a full meal. On top of this, the guy is a coffee addict which doesn't help. 2-3 cups a day? I never really get the people that swear by Starbucks. Nothing but over-rated and expensive sugar drink. I guarantee you the "local" coffee cost fraction of that.
i also live in chiang mai during a few months of the year. and i spend around 1000 dollars a month as well, which includes shopping (buying clothes, etc). airbnb is a great solution that covers rent, internet and utilities in one easy payment, which is roughly $15 a day. I do this everywhere in asia. Airbnb in most asian countries, you can find very nice rooms at $10-30 a day, depending on the country. Thailand, you never need to pay more than $20 a day on your room. really.. in thailand, it's hard to spent a lot of money, unless youre just totally clueless, and go at a hotel off booking.com or something. food is never expensive, and rooms can be incredibly cheap.
The living expenses mentioned here do not include: 1. VISA costs (VISA runs or Education VISA or whatever) 2. Clothing / shoes 3. Medical costs (travel insurance / medical insurance / going to the doctor / buying medicine) 4. Plane ticket to/from Thailand 5. Buying / replacing gadgets (mobile phone / camera / laptop / etc) 6. Household items (linens, towels, electric fan, pots/pans, utensils, glassware, etc) Over a period of a few years, these items can add up to at least $200-300 a month.
Udi Shomer your list is kinda irrelevant. If one is living a simple or minimalistic life they need to be buying shoes and clothes all the time and also phone chargers aren’t really expensive and don’t break that much yearly
@@taraynb2753 Not irrelevant at all. I read on a Thai visa website (US) that foreigners should have medical insurance for a long stay (6-months+). And the visas to Thailand are 6-months, not a full year, unless you're on a work or school visa. Not only do these cost money, but you have to factor in the cost of flights to Thailand and between Thailand and wherever else you have to go next (for other visa applications...). Six months pass very quickly, especially with obligatory visa runs. And then there are incidentals & variable costs, like the unofficial foreigner taxes, any legal or other professional services you might need, and transportation expenses.
@@taraynb2753 2 year not need buy new clothes and shoes anywthink. why buy ? no need. need only t-shirt and trouses.and normal human have luggage many shirt,trouses,clothes and shoes,him come there, i has living last 7 year now thailand and no has need buy shoes anythink this time. why buy if no need.same shirts, have 20 shirt in luggage and 7 trouses no need more. last 7 year.
It wasn't the idea to travel on a shoestring budget. The idea was to see what life is like at less than $600/mo. He spent extra on coffee, pizza, etc. knowing that he would make the budget. He says in the video you can make it happen at as low as $200/mo.
You've done pretty well considering you were in Niman, we live outside the city in San Pu Loei in a modern two bedroom rancher on a big block of land in the rice fields, and aside from the rent, $18,000 plus electricity, our food and bevvie are around 200 baht a day. We also have access to almost daily farmers markets, for fresh fruit, veg and prepared curries, etc from local aunties. So, around say, 25,000 a month, including mobile phones and petrol for the motorbike. We have a car as well, but rarely drive it, unless it's raining or we have to go to my wife's village. Prices certainly have gone up since I first rocked up five years ago, rents are now double in some places, you can still get a free standing house near the city for 9,000/ month, but it very ordinary.
Ive lived in Thailand for 8 years and don't spend any where near this much. If he had bought his own food at the market and done some cooking he wouldn't have this crazy overhead. The room is insane price he could of got a house an grown some food. All this working outside an coffee etc total waste of money. You can live in Thailand for $400 a month with a car and fibre internet if u cook your own food.
Yeh man I could live for 2 weeks on his 2 day food budget. And eat better. The portions he got where tiny, can barely be keep up to 3000 calories with that. Didn't even once get spiralina or quinoa.. that would of killed his budget. I lived this way with a wife for years and no problem financially because we don't waste it. Its best to invest money and not ever use this phrase disposable income. Even though I retired at 25, I've never had a disposable income. Any money you can afford should be allocated to dividend and index funds, or carry trades so that a continual income stream can be achieved in my opinion. Don't live like this guy you will work forever and end up broke. Buy companies, invest and compound. Buy timed deposits and use the futures market. Do not wait for your opportunity, grab it and make it yours!
This is scraping the surface. I have a house, 2 min from beach, large garden with grow tunnel, 3 hydroponic setups, office, fibre internet, 2 kitchens, 4x4 truck, and a wife to provide for (she don't work). Running cost $350~430 per month (depends if we go on a island holiday) its very cheap when u speak some Thai and cook your own food. Biggest expense is eating out, and u get a tiny portion so you have to eat out often. Much easier to just cook one big meal a day even.
Eating out everyday all that nice food with a very comfy accommodation and a pool. for only 600 dollars a month . u can't even live like that in the us for 600 dollars a week!
He’s not telling the whole story though. Visa would average 60 a month, insurance would average 60 a month. New clothes would average probably 60 a month. Things like computer repairs and extras like that 60 a month. Plus the cost of his rent was cut in half. If you did that yourself it would cost like 850 a month minimum, plus you would have a worse apartment. And you would still making basic sacrifices like losing the workspace he had at the beginning, getting a personal motorbike or not. I think you really need 1k a month to actually live like that. Which he was, also his GF obviously has income and they are splitting things.
@@Gamenetreviews No, you don’t need 1k. When you can get familiar with the town/city you can find the apartments with less monthly rent fee. And if you can cook meals and make your own coffee it is even cheaper. 18000 THB or 600 US can be reachable.
Yep. He also shared transportation costs and some other expenses. I don't know how he found these fancy affordable restaurants. I ended up always paying up a lot more than him.
Thanks!!! Im going to thailand next year for a few months and im planning to go to chiang mai for 1 month because ive never been to chiang mai before. This really helped!
It AMAZING how little it costs to live there if you have a way to make USD/EURO!!!! I always Hate coming back to The States and feeling like I'm being Extorted for everything. Especially food/utilities/accommodations & phone service
Chris the Freelancer thats really low living cost. Have you been in Cebu City (Philippines)? It would be interesting to know about living cost there to. And internet connection and speed (for online business).
Did you have to subscribe to an ISP to get internet service? and how fast is the speed if you happen to know? or are you able stream movies w/o buffering? Also can you get tennis shoes and hiking boots size 10 (US measurements) and above? Thank you
I've been screwed before - PT Residence: 4k - Pansook: 1k - HimNimman: 4k The difference is that they sometimes charge a markup but 'The Nimman' charge at government rate.
Oh nice, you found a couple places without markup. So basically electricity markup can cost us 3000. That's an important consideration a lot of us overlook.
Evil Evan! We paid 5 baht per unit in Chiang Mai. Your apartment building might be charging you more than the base rate. Also: you might need more AC down there in the humid city than up in Chiang Mai: probably also depends on the season somewhat.
Pretty accurate, alcohol can screw up a budget, quickly. Backpacker lifestyles can get as low as 400 $$ a month. Comfort starts about $600.00. Nimman is higher than the surrounding areas, especially in the high season. I have a motorcycle but insurance is very reasonable. Regards from over by the Shell station on Huay Kaew!
I remember seeing this vlog 3 years ago before my 1st trip to Thailand. This is my 3rd trip and have been hear over a year due to the pandemic. Glad I’m still here in my 2200 baht condo in this very safe City(Chiang Mai) as America’s is having so much unrest. And as you said fried chicken...I was stuffing my face with some🤣🤣🤣🤣. Hope you and your family are safe. 👌🏽👍🏼🙏🏼
@@jomontanee I truly am...Im glad my ticket was canceled in March when all my friends panicked thinking things would be better in the state. I actually bought 2 tickets my second was to the Philippines....Im glad that didn't happen because lockdown was severe. Thailand has low virus cases and they are on it when it flares up. I am in the right place for sure. 😷
Love this video gets to the point very good and by the way love the music very chilling to listen to suites this video big massive thumbs up from me carlton from EnglandU.K.
"It may not look that great" may not have been the kindest way to describe the food you were just served by the guy standing 1 foot behind you. Otherwise, very informative video.
Not true. If we didn't split the home expenses, it would add only $243.37 to my spending. You definitely can do under $600 without splitting accomodation. Unfortunately, Denise wasn't part of the challenge so she wasn't prepared to live somewhere less nice.
Chris the Freelancer no problem, it was just a bit unclear because that wasn't focused on in the video. Regardless, very nice video and I appreciate your content!!!
Not Bad! I go down to Guyana and live off of 1,000 USD dollar per year in GT. On offseason, I go to Brazil and Venezuela during spring and autumn. Its not bad with the tropical living and only working 10 years in the US.
Thailand is now becoming a very expensive place to live. the good old days will soon be gone. if i told you how cheap it was in 1994, you would not believe me.
Hi! Could I survive on my $683 a month Social Security? How much is a small one bedroom or even smaller "efficiency" apartment? Does food and health insurance cost a lot?
Survive.. Yes. If you had no medical insurance, no dental, no travel insurance, no accident insurance. You would have no money for fun or dating or even to rent a motor bike. You could not eat any western food, no ribs, barbecue, etc. You would eat most basic thai street food and noodle soup every day. All that food is pretty good, but you would tire of it very soon. $1,000 is survivable if you do absolutely nothing and take risks of no insurance. $2,000 a month is comfortable, but not exotic. But now you could drink booze, visit some night clubs, travel around the country. Don't forget the visa costs, the proper visa costs which are getting very strict. Don't believe these nomad bloggers. They are on a shoe string budget and most are broke.
I agree, I think he is not in that category yet as a retirement expat, he will move on to a different place. I think the video s more for a digital nomad like him who are on a limited budget. I think about $2,000 would make life more enjoyable, I like the video because it shows food, places to eat and hangouts. I’m going to delay retirement for a few more years to maximize my monthly income and try living 6 months in Saigon and 6 months in Bangkok. Thanks for the video Chris!
OMG I miss my 2nd home Thailand. It's so easy and lower cost to eat beautiful healthy food there. Oh and it's never "western" freezing. Although when you get used to the heat 24c becomes put a warmer top on weather.
Chris the Freelancer as somebody living in germany that is pretty weird to hear haha. i m personally working as freelance video editor, so your video is even more inspiring since i could technically work anywhere (with decent wifi) :) ty for the answer
Sorry ,but it gets very expensive to cook over there..You need lil things like spices ,soy,vinegar,vegis..when u can get everything for 40 baht..i live there 6 months a year for 9 years and im a chef here in america..Ive brought out everything but relazied cheaper to eat out
Your biggest mistake like the majority of foreigners in Thailand about 99.9999% is you are living a western lifestyle. You likely can not speak any Thai foreigners biggest mistake. So you are unable to barter prices in many shops, for your house or apartment or order any cheap and good Thai food. I have been living on under $600 a month with my Thai wife for years. This includes a very nice home, internet, phone service, eating out, travel expenses, bus, train, food, hotel, etc, etc, etc. Otherwise your channel and your videos are superior to so much of the misinformation and drama on UA-cam. So many idiots hanging in bars with prostitutes begging for money who can,t speak a word of Thai giving advice about Thailand. Other channels harassing ,stalking , bullying . Your channel gets a big thumbs up. Delete the trolls and block them.
@@nipponenka Mail order prostitutes, plenty of websites and junk mail. If you are old and rich, you can get a 21 year old just make sure their real name is not Bob first.
I agree. Speaking thai,especially speaking BAD thai but TRYING TO ,will earn you respect and assistance. You still have to pay more but not as much. Im very rude in my country(especially to cops) but in thailand im very polite-speaking thai. Despite all the scams common thai people are very reserved and polite people and respect when you are the same
this is not something for Thailand only but across the world. its the biggest mistake expats make and they pay for it dearly. once you get somewhere to stay , you gotta inform yourself about the locals, how locals live and do things and try to copy them as you will be accepted much easier. eating western food wont get you anywhere, as you will be seen as a pushover.
Lots of videos like this for many countries. Frankly, there is no place like home. I am saying that after spending 3 years living in Asia. Love being able to drive on nice roads in my classic V8 Benz. Love the cleanliness. Love the higher quality of life. Can't beat them.
it depends where you are. there are some places where there are a lot of stray animals, and other places where there aren't so many. a few places are seemingly overrun with strays. there are a couple of animal welfare groups but hard to keep up with the sheer amount of animals.
Sounds like you are Thai-know-how .Would Thai people tends to abuse these stray animals like many Chinese did in China Mainland ( less so In Hong Kong China ) ? Please let me know ! Thank you so much !
That's true. It can be even more. It's about 120B for anything at Starbucks, but you can get lunch for 50 at the food court in the mall. Massage is about 250B.
Starbucks is expensive in Thailand & other parts of SE Asia. It's seen by locals as a luxury place, and you can often see wealthier locals hanging out there.
Starbucks is a rip off everywhere, that's why it failed in Australia. It's the same price here in Taipei where you can get a whole meal for this at most traditional restaurants here.
I'm so late. I was eating fried chicken with my Thai friend in Thailand, and she was telling me to use the spoon and fork but I was like nah I'm Western I'm sure they'll understand.
excellent video........ 24.22 at the CMU markets you said "I can't believe I haven't been here before".....well, I've lived in CM for coming up 14 years this April and I have to say the same thing with regards to the Huay Kaew Waterfall.....I can't believe I've never been there!!!!! I'll be checking it out real soon though
It's definitely possible. In fact you can live for under $300 per month if you cook your own food. You can buy two big bags of rice for $10 that will last the month and supplement that with vegetables and fruit purchased from the market. Not only is that a cheap diet but it is extremely healthy. You can live in a cheap room for 3,000 baht or under $100 per month.
Wow. :D
You can sleep on street for free and set rat traps and collect rain water 💧
You have to add beer or vodka and redbull?
Seriously? I wondered myself at that because that's what I'd do!
Eating out constantly gets old and it's a waste of money even if it's relatively cheap.
Great tip! Especially if you're teaching English and on a low pay scale.
Also what's the need to impress others by living in a luxury tower? If the power goes out it's a long way up 40 floors of stairs!
I’m a native Thai and living in Chiangmai as well. I’m currently living on 600 too. You can get way more luxury out of this money. Also, you can get the price down to 300 - 400 if you want to be on budget. Firstly, be smart about where you choose the flat. Red district for foreigners where all the staff speak English is definitely not the best choice. Etc.
Hello I'm really considering about moving to Thailand would it be possible to email u so I can ask you a few things please.
Hello I'd really love some detailed infos too...
Where is the foreigner district specifically?
The key is to learn Thai and embrace their culture, or at least try. The foreigners I met who speak Thai are respected by the locals and get treated like one, if you don't you'll just be treated as another outsider. Plus what's the point in living in a foreign country if you're not willing to embrace the culture? You've got to adapt where ever you go in the world to really appreciate the experience, not try to live your old life in a new place, change your perspective and learn to adapt and integrate, that's how you'll find fulfillment.
AMEN!!!
i really wish everybody, could think in this way - kapkhun krap.
I teach English privately to IELTS standards and it genuinely gives me the maximum respect for a farang.
Just like people who come to America should!
Well said and totally agree!! Cheers from Bajamar, Baja, Mexico!
Major props to you on this project. Takes quite a commitment, not to only track every single expense, but to provide quality video content for an audience on the topic. Now people have a thorough, tangible resource to set their expectations of living in CM. Bravo!
Thanks Dennis. It did take a long time to produce 🙏
I totally agree. That was so helpful to see the breakdown of all the costs.
Yeah great video, but that Denise girl seems a bit negative and annoying.
Well that depends what your comparing her too, if you used to high maintenance girls who expect to get their way all the time then I guess she's not that bad.
Dennis Siller He really did his ,homework.
meanwhile im living in a nyc closet for $1000 :(
Clorox Delivery Boy it's really expensive huh? Iv heard of it and wonder how anyone makes it
you would be lucky to find a place thats 1000. usually its 2-4 thousand for decent space
Build/edit your resume and send it elsewhere! Get out while you're still sane xD
Clorox Delivery Boy why is it so expensive in NYC ?
Clorox Delivery Boy come out the closet
One of the best Cost of Living Abroad videos I've ever seen. I like how direct and concise you are, enabling you to also be both informative and entertaining. Good job all around and thanks for putting in the effort.
You cannot ignore the visa expense. It is very high and MUST be paid monthly and quarterly. The extension after the first 30 days (which was free on arrival in Thailand) is 1900 baht (62USD) for 30 more days. If you have to make a visa run to another country at the end of the second month, that is additional expense by bus or airplane (not free). Plus consider the cost of the tourist visa and lodging in the other country for the two or three days you will be there and then the cost of the Thai visa to come back to CM. You might also want to include the cost of the bribe of the Embassy staff to expedite getting your new Thai visa. (Of course, I would never consider doing that.) Excluding the cost of visas gives an extremely inaccurate picture of the cost to live in Chiang Mai.
Really an excellent post. I've watched several digital nomad channels on UA-cam and your's so far's the most genuine, informative, non-salesmanny one yet. Keep it up!
His information was 100% a load of crap Grant his living for less than $600 cost him $1,600.
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Great vid on living on Chiang Mai. The thing to take away from this is that if you are in a partnership, you can afford a bit of better accommodation, although you can get cheaper places that are just as nice if you aren't living in Nimmen where I have found prices to be a bit higher. Under $600 USD is totally doable even if you are a single. Thanks for the vid and the research Chris.
Absolutely! I'm glad you understood that. Doing this as a single person is totally doable, you might just have to stay somewhere a little less nicer.
glad to hear that runner, youve reassured me a bit more, thanks :)
Very well done. A practical and candid fiscal diary, perfect for would-be travelers. Meanwhile to an aging retiree, it provides the vicarious pleasure of vigor, competence, hope, and most of all, time. You go Chris.
I have lived in Thailand for 17 years. I have recently moved out of the city to a rural area because it's cheaper, less crowded and so relaxing. Plus we get to grow most of our own food. Exchange rates sucks big time right now. A lot of expats are having to leave. Keep your eyes on the rates.
To where did you move please? I'm really looking into relocating that side so I'm gathering data as much I can.
@@thabangdikae7358 Amnat Chareon.
Why are the expats having to leave?
woah....that was cool but dude, I lived in Thailand for 3 years and never spent more than $400 USD per month - just eat thai, drink beers once a week, enjoy the free activities like running and swimming on the beaches and i stayed in PIMP place with pool and air con too. 15,000Baht for a flat is mental! i payed 6,000 for a 3 bedroom house then upgraded to a one bedroom bungalow with pool for 8,000 and that was by myself...shit i thought Chaing Mai was cheap! This was in Chumphon btw - amazing location. great concept for your video - you're a budgeteer at heart and we love it haha :) all the best Chris!
Haha thanks guys. Not sure where that is but it sounds like a very affordable area!
Its in Koh Samui I use to live in Maenam area but Chumpon was pretty nice from what I saw of it I lived in Koh Samui in southern thailand for a year.
Yes, I think you can even live cheaper outside metropolitan Areas. I would spend 130$ A month for a very nice room in a Villa with swimming-pool in Bali near to Balangan surf spot, but outside the city
I'm going to agree with you Budgeteers, I lived in Chiang Mai for two years and still living here atm and I spend around $450-500 monthly, but I live in Studio...its really does depend on what type of lifestyle you want..But I live comfortably..hang out with friends and all but I don't do western food too much..It's Thailand so I do it like the locals...
Sweet I'm moving to Bali next month..
A great video that very much chimes with my own experience living in the southern suburbs of Bangkok for 6 months. Luckily, my Thai sister pointed me in the right direction and I found a large one-room plus bathroom and balcony in a modest but clean block about 10 minutes walk from the Sky-train. I paid 1,000 Bht a month plus 500 Bht for internet and a one-off payment of 600 Bht for a fridge. I went without air-con and that saved a lot on electricity. As I was on the 6th floor, there was usually a good breeze and the internal corridors were all open to the air at each end and there was a large vent over the front door too. As I live in the UK normally, it took a few days to get used to the heat but I got so used to it that I actually felt chilly at night sometimes. I spent £2,500 in total for 6 months including a visa run to Laos. Cheers.
395 Baht is (as of October 2019) 12.98 USD. I have relatives who work as food vendors in Pattaya who live off of half of that per day. I don't even live on 10 USD per day. Totally do-able. It's only challenging for those who have never been poor, or who don't live frugal.
I have seen numerous videos on this topic by a large assortment of other tubers, and yours is vastly more detailed, and informative. Many of them have a title similar to yours, but after watching I only have an idea of what a few assorted purchases at street vendors cost.
Two enthusiastic thumbs up brother! Much appreciated!
This video definitely made me want to check out Thailand
Yeah eating out can be so cheap in some places that its worth getting rather than a trip to the supermarket and spending the time cooking.
Chris you keep outdoing yourself!! Love this man!! I am currently working on my business to take it remote and when I get to that point I have to buy you a beer in Chiang Mai or some other part of the world.
Is it possible to live in Thailand on $600 per month? - Yes
Are people comfortably sustainable on $600 per month? - Yes
Are there many foreigners living this way right now? - Yes
Is it 1000x better to live on $1000 per month than $600? - Absolutely
(I spent 2 years living in Thailand on less than $600 per month and while I survived and overall had a good time, it is dreadful in comparison to a $1k+ per month budget and so on)
For me, living on $600 and $1,000 were both comfortable. It helps that I'm living a different life this time. By that, I mean that I've now quit sugar, started intermittent fasting and stopped going to coworking spaces. The reason why I stopped doing these things wasn't really about cost but it ended up saving me at least a few hundred dollars.
If you wanted to live long-term in Thailand, you obviously need to factor in other expenses like VISAs, flights and emergency expenses. So yes, I think $1,000 is a comfortable number :)
lmfao! gtfoh
Bangkok Banjo h
ytu123 people aren't comfortable with $600 a month. Completely false. To be honest its a budget for people who just want to survive and exist. No time for entertainment, out having fun, etc. Forget it.
without social life at night and Thai-girlfriend. There are so many single
rooms for under 4000 bat. live like him in CM, need around $1000.
No matter how many countries I visit I'll never get used to having to buy water. It makes me feel very grateful for NZ's fresh water.
Awesome video bro :)
I pay about $1000 a month on just rent and utilities and this man went out to eat, hang out in nightclubs with friends, and had coffee everyday for 3/5 of my budget for just my living space. Mind blown🤯‼️
Then change your habits, have a better look around.
Are you saying you spend 32,000 baht a month to live where you do? or did i misunderstand?
Where do you live?
Awesome project! I think it would be beneficial to turn this video into multiple episodes. Short videos with regular upload schedules tend to gain traction faster.
A lot of effort went into this video and it totally helped me get an idea of what I'm going to be spending! Thanks for putting it out there!
Great video. I appreciate the breakdown and everything was easy to understand. Nicely organized with dope visuals. Makes really consider adding this place to my bucket list of travel. Thanks for making this vid 👍🏿Nice work🤘🏾
Three years now in Costa Rica and I love it!
Rick Golden After a few years, I will be heading there myself.
@ It is safer here than other places like the States! You need to use your head and don't call attention to yourself by wearing gold chains and expensive jewelry. Most criminals only want things they can resale like phones or cameras.
Chris!!! This video was gold, you need to update it 7 years later! I remember coming to CM after this and been traveling ever since! Cheers!
Awesome Chris! Best video journal on living in Chiang Mai I've seen so far. Great Job ;-)
Thanks!
i love when he left his keys in his room, and had to buy emergency expenses that one of the emergency expenses was coffee ahaha
Vincent And one roll of toilet paper, too ☝️
Goodlord things have really changed since I was there! I went to High School (ISB) in Bangkok from 1968-71. Use to take the train up to Chiangmai with friends for.. ah.. fun. Haha! Ohhhh the good old daze! But damn! In those daze $600 a month.. we had a huge house with maids, a driver, all our clothes had made. With hundreds left over. I sooooo miss Thailand. I haven’t been back but a lot of my friends go at least once a year. And I still have friends that live there. I can’t believe that you are spending so much. It’s cheap to live there. Well.. thanks for the memories. You don’t show enough pictures though. A pool!?? There are pools everywhere fgs! Get out and experience the people and land. I’d that all you do is eat? I was going to clubs at 14! Haha! Fun times! WhoopWhoop!! Have fun! Noooo.. a efing uber?! Seriously ?! Goodlord! I quit ! Tired of watching you eat. You really are missing the Real Thai experience! Bummer dude! Peace! ✌️
You'd save way more if you bought a small coffee machine/ portable coffee maker and cooked your own meals
Remember, the majority of folks watching this, as well as the poster, haven't adjusted from living with their moms.
@@sdushdiu yes cooking in your apartment is a lot cheaper, drink your own coffee and tea too. My room has fast free wifi, balcony, great view and peaceful 3600 baht a month.
@@sdushdiu very true
I can’t speak for Thailand but in Vietnam the cost between cooking at home and eating out at nice places is negligible. I guess if you really wanted to shoestring it you could but for the average person you can great quality food cheaply if you know where to go
In Thailand it's not cheaper to cook your own meals if you are only cooking for one/two people. You end up spending more on groceries or it goes to waste before you can eat it. Eating from local food stalls or from markets is super cheap.
Nice man! You've got the travel show host voice down pat haha
Cheers bruss 🙏
This is 100% your best video dude. Thank you so much. I’d love to see a video about how you do your taxes!!
hey amigo, trading en Chiang Mai pinta bien eh ;)
Not bad, Chris! I lived there for 10 years and could easily do this.
10 years legally? How ?
I live in Chiang mai, one of the best no BS, blogs on the costs, I live out of the city centre, so food and accommodation is far cheaper, Chris did a good job, on his blog
Thanks Rob. Means a lot coming from you.
This was the best traveling video I've seen! I appreciate the financial details because it's important for westerners to "stick together" (i mean with each other). It seems many of us pay exorbitant prices for things BECAUSE ITS CHEAP FOR MANY, but not all, westerners. The rich jack up the prices for all the rest of us - just like in the good 'old USA. So, when someone offers you a beautiful rental (that seems way too cheap) please just take it! For the 99 percent.
Do you really have that low standards When things seems way to cheap in Thailand (and elsewhere for that matter) it's a reason for it. And in the land of scams, corruption and questionable contracts chances are that you soon enought will pay a great deal for it at the end if you take on such offers without critical thoughts thereof. People are getting themselves in big trouble after seeing stuff like this, showing up and finding that the real cost of living is much higher than they expected, their $600 budget not sustainable and things goes fast downhill from there without reserves and a safety net to catch the fools.Not that the guy making the claim gives a damn abut it.
Good editing! You're a talented man.
Very well prepared and presented video. I like the way you do your analysis in the video. It is pretty objective. Good visual and sound quality too. Nice job. Thank you for the video :-)
Good stuff. Thanks. IMO for starters you could have easily chopped off $100 USD on a slightly less chic apartment and still had a very nice place.
Good info overall.
Not what I was thinking when you said "favorite at the end of a massage" LOL!
cheers mate!
ron:)
Oh I see I wasn't alone. haha ;P
Chill out on the coffee pal
1AM
williamlattin he’s. Tweeker
ABC DEF jihadi
Why do you need to buy water and coffee? Make your own coffee or tea. Can't you use tap water or boiled and cooled water in old bottles?
What a waste of money and too many plastic bottles.
@@wendybrierley5412 you're obviously not familiar with the local water 🤢
Awesome video. I just accepted a job in Chang Mai today and will be moving in August so this was really helpful. Thanks!
Router is free with AIS... and internet cost 600b per month and is very fast. Also, if u're on a budget, buying in *bulk* in Makro, like water, toilet paper, etc, is a must. Edit: Overall, very well made video! I need to say tho that you have a girlfriend (non-thai), which help you a lot in term of utilities bill and rent (split). If someone is alone, he will need to spend 7.5k on rent (so a lot less nicer condo), and the cost of utilities, transportation, etc, will be higher (because not split, especially internet, electricity and transport, excluding Songtaew), so he won't be able to eat as much foreign food then u did. Overall, 600 usd is possible and not that hard, but for someone alone he will need to make some adjustment to make it doable cause ur GF help reduce some of ur cost. p.s: 15k for a condo in Nimman area... so expensive... and so small. You can't barely cook. For 15k u'll have a very nice house (100 square meter+), with everything you need, but obv not in Nimman area. Funny how 2/3 of ur expense is rent/utilities, and yet ur condo is small and basic, it's not a critic just a observation of how bad the market is (very pricey).
Marco Polo your property taxes sre $50 a month? and your car insurance is $30 a month? what is your home insurance cost?
but you live in a desert..
This guy here is the real deal. He know what his doing ;)
Chris, I notice your budget does not allow for medical situations that may arise.
You noticed correctly.
Cliff Works oh boy! hahaha be safe out there!
also noticed you don't munch on snacks or consume much alcohol, good on ya, if one were a single man there'd be expenses entertaining prospective partners and if they were local you'd be expected to foot the bill entirely :-)
there is many many other lifestyles also cliff, this guy is just challenging himself to live under $600 a month. When I was living in Thailand there was months I spent $100 usd living in the jungles and then there was months where I would spend $1500usd
yup i lived in a thai laotian musical convoy over 100 people one year, we camped out at a different
remote thai temple nightly, traveled by funky old bus, very low cost of living but very primitive lifestyle
Wow dude, I LOVE Chiang Mai!! Even 2k a month is far less expensive that what you have to make in the US to love decent.
Funny how you could live more luxurious life on 600 USD than what I can with my regular life in Norway on 2784 USD after taxes.
Yeah norway is expensive i live in sweden also expensive here but not like in norway but you have higher salaries in your country also :)
I think you have to look at what your income is and live according to your means. Life is about balance and having some middle ground. Thanks for the info, Chris.
Brilliant video, dude !! You give great information and give a feel for the lifestyle. Other videos like this don't give detailed info and are just boring.
"lets live on a cheap budget" *eats out every meal* lol
I'd do less eating out and more Thai massages
eats out every meal for a dollar yeah.
There eating out and renting for 2 for just under what I spend to cook and rent for one in the UK and with a nicer place place pool , gym and all in the most expensive month there with people in the comments saying what they paid is expensive for the area.
Jordan Williams Thai massage is 200/hour... I’d fit a few of those in two
@@doyoueatrocks
A thai massage IN Thailand is 200 per hour?....never been but that seems odd. You can get a massage from a registered massage therapist with years of experience and training for less then that here. And Thailand is much cheaper from what I hear.
Also, *too
200 baht bro. (US$6.25)
I have been living in chiang mai last 7 years. My rent is 2500thb + water 100thb + electric about 1000thb, internet 800thb, phone 200thb, food 10-15 000thb (thai, japanese, westerns, israelian, mexican etc.), gasoline (motorbike 300-500thb), tuk tuk (when drunk) 0-1000thb,cigarette 1800thb, alcohol 4000-16 000thb, VISA including everything per month about 4000thb and insurance 4000thb. That make about 37 200thb what is about 1200usd. VISA including everything per month about 4000thb. Then come everytime some extra what need to or want to buy and sometimes dentist cost, motorbike repair etc. About 1500usd is my spendings in one month and i living very small room and i buy everything (water heater, freezer, aircon, tv, matress etc. to there by myself.
Nice vid. Plus the analysis at the end is a breath of fresh air in youtube
Thanks Chris, I plan to retire to Chiang Mai in a few years, this is a very informative and inspiring video
I'm about to retire from my government job at 55 years old and I'm going to be living on 1800usd a month so it's nice to know that there is some place I can afford to live.
Come to Mexico!
Go to Vietnam it is way better than Thailand and cheaper plus the laws here are against you from day one.
At current exchange rates, you don't have enough pension to get a retirement visa.You need 65,000 THB a month to qualify. You'd have to make visa runs (leave the country) every couple months.
Thailand and Philippines would be great for u. U can easily live on $550 and less.
Come.to.Home.to.kalasin.i can find.cheap.room for you and plus internet Free 🙋🏻♀️👼🏼😀
I like the video except when you were listing daily cost they were all listed in local currency. Would have enjoyed much more if U.S. currency was included like you did occasionally in the lower left-hand corner. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
Look here, The drinking habit is killing the budget. I guess coffee and hot cappuccino are like a western thing/idea, so it cost more. Almost the same price as a full meal. On top of this, the guy is a coffee addict which doesn't help. 2-3 cups a day? I never really get the people that swear by Starbucks. Nothing but over-rated and expensive sugar drink. I guarantee you the "local" coffee cost fraction of that.
Yea, 47 I told this guy starbucks and his coffee addiction is blowing his budget...And get rid of the chick...She's dead weight!
@@sshlubb243 haha
Starbucks sux
starbuck who need ower prize chain shit shop, no newer go in shop.
I would say that's it now so much about the drinks at Starbucks themselves, but the ambiance
i also live in chiang mai during a few months of the year. and i spend around 1000 dollars a month as well, which includes shopping (buying clothes, etc). airbnb is a great solution that covers rent, internet and utilities in one easy payment, which is roughly $15 a day. I do this everywhere in asia. Airbnb in most asian countries, you can find very nice rooms at $10-30 a day, depending on the country. Thailand, you never need to pay more than $20 a day on your room. really.. in thailand, it's hard to spent a lot of money, unless youre just totally clueless, and go at a hotel off booking.com or something. food is never expensive, and rooms can be incredibly cheap.
The living expenses mentioned here do not include:
1. VISA costs (VISA runs or Education VISA or whatever)
2. Clothing / shoes
3. Medical costs (travel insurance / medical insurance / going to the doctor / buying medicine)
4. Plane ticket to/from Thailand
5. Buying / replacing gadgets (mobile phone / camera / laptop / etc)
6. Household items (linens, towels, electric fan, pots/pans, utensils, glassware, etc)
Over a period of a few years, these items can add up to at least $200-300 a month.
Udi Shomer your list is kinda irrelevant. If one is living a simple or minimalistic life they need to be buying shoes and clothes all the time and also phone chargers aren’t really expensive and don’t break that much yearly
@@taraynb2753 Not irrelevant at all. I read on a Thai visa website (US) that foreigners should have medical insurance for a long stay (6-months+). And the visas to Thailand are 6-months, not a full year, unless you're on a work or school visa. Not only do these cost money, but you have to factor in the cost of flights to Thailand and between Thailand and wherever else you have to go next (for other visa applications...). Six months pass very quickly, especially with obligatory visa runs. And then there are incidentals & variable costs, like the unofficial foreigner taxes, any legal or other professional services you might need, and transportation expenses.
@@taraynb2753 2 year not need buy new clothes and shoes anywthink. why buy ? no need. need only t-shirt and trouses.and normal human have luggage many shirt,trouses,clothes and shoes,him come there, i has living last 7 year now thailand and no has need buy shoes anythink this time. why buy if no need.same shirts, have 20 shirt in luggage and 7 trouses no need more. last 7 year.
This dude has NO IDEA how to travel on a shoestring, but its very enjoyable vid
15 K for rent is defo wayyy too much. Healthcare anyone???
Why you say that Kev the Rev???
It wasn't the idea to travel on a shoestring budget. The idea was to see what life is like at less than $600/mo. He spent extra on coffee, pizza, etc. knowing that he would make the budget. He says in the video you can make it happen at as low as $200/mo.
He hasn't got a clue go back home your lost
@@TheWelwyn21 wow... the punctuation and the "your" really speaks volumes...
You've done pretty well considering you were in Niman, we live outside the city in San Pu Loei in a modern two bedroom rancher on a big block of land in the rice fields, and aside from the rent, $18,000 plus electricity, our food and bevvie are around 200 baht a day. We also have access to almost daily farmers markets, for fresh fruit, veg and prepared curries, etc from local aunties. So, around say, 25,000 a month, including mobile phones and petrol for the motorbike. We have a car as well, but rarely drive it, unless it's raining or we have to go to my wife's village.
Prices certainly have gone up since I first rocked up five years ago, rents are now double in some places, you can still get a free standing house near the city for 9,000/ month, but it very ordinary.
I can't wait to go to Thailand. Im so excited.
My Flight Attendant Life when are you going? I’d love to hear about your travels😃
@Mark Anthony *white superiors
Ive lived in Thailand for 8 years and don't spend any where near this much. If he had bought his own food at the market and done some cooking he wouldn't have this crazy overhead. The room is insane price he could of got a house an grown some food. All this working outside an coffee etc total waste of money. You can live in Thailand for $400 a month with a car and fibre internet if u cook your own food.
he literally does all the most expensive things, shopping at tops, using grab taxi wtf crazy
I was just going to say this... he eats out for every single meal. That's hardly living on a budget
Yeh man I could live for 2 weeks on his 2 day food budget. And eat better. The portions he got where tiny, can barely be keep up to 3000 calories with that. Didn't even once get spiralina or quinoa.. that would of killed his budget.
I lived this way with a wife for years and no problem financially because we don't waste it. Its best to invest money and not ever use this phrase disposable income. Even though I retired at 25, I've never had a disposable income.
Any money you can afford should be allocated to dividend and index funds, or carry trades so that a continual income stream can be achieved in my opinion. Don't live like this guy you will work forever and end up broke. Buy companies, invest and compound. Buy timed deposits and use the futures market. Do not wait for your opportunity, grab it and make it yours!
This is scraping the surface. I have a house, 2 min from beach, large garden with grow tunnel, 3 hydroponic setups, office, fibre internet, 2 kitchens, 4x4 truck, and a wife to provide for (she don't work). Running cost $350~430 per month (depends if we go on a island holiday)
its very cheap when u speak some Thai and cook your own food. Biggest expense is eating out, and u get a tiny portion so you have to eat out often. Much easier to just cook one big meal a day even.
it's good advice. money is not disposable. you are really spending the money from your future now, if you live like that. cheers.
Hi chris
Very impressive Documentary
Thank you for all your hard work in presenting this video
Eating out everyday all that nice food with a very comfy accommodation and a pool. for only 600 dollars a month . u can't even live like that in the us for 600 dollars a week!
DeadlyIllusionz o
He’s not telling the whole story though. Visa would average 60 a month, insurance would average 60 a month. New clothes would average probably 60 a month. Things like computer repairs and extras like that 60 a month.
Plus the cost of his rent was cut in half.
If you did that yourself it would cost like 850 a month minimum, plus you would have a worse apartment. And you would still making basic sacrifices like losing the workspace he had at the beginning, getting a personal motorbike or not.
I think you really need 1k a month to actually live like that. Which he was, also his GF obviously has income and they are splitting things.
Completely agree even in the most affordable places you can't do that
@@Gamenetreviews No, you don’t need 1k. When you can get familiar with the town/city you can find the apartments with less monthly rent fee. And if you can cook meals and make your own coffee it is even cheaper. 18000 THB or 600 US can be reachable.
you can't divide rent by 2 , you'd still have to pay it if you were alone... and that's 1 bed.
Yep. He also shared transportation costs and some other expenses.
I don't know how he found these fancy affordable restaurants. I ended up always paying up a lot more than him.
Thanks!!! Im going to thailand next year for a few months and im planning to go to chiang mai for 1 month because ive never been to chiang mai before. This really helped!
Thank you Chris for all this great content, I look forward to starting my journey in September 😁.
It AMAZING how little it costs to live there if you have a way to make USD/EURO!!!!
I always Hate coming back to The States and feeling like I'm being Extorted for everything. Especially food/utilities/accommodations & phone service
Really informative video. As a single guy, I could totally do that.
This video was so calm and professional done! And great calm jazz music!
When you say dollar, is it USD or AUD?
USD
Chris the Freelancer thats really low living cost. Have you been in Cebu City (Philippines)? It would be interesting to know about living cost there to. And internet connection and speed (for online business).
Ok, fuck it. You've convinced me. I'm going to make iOS apps and move to Thailand. With just $1000 I can live happy.... Also, subbed.
iLoveTurtlesHaha same dude
We are waiting for you both!!! 🇹🇭🇹🇭
Did you have to subscribe to an ISP to get internet service? and how fast is the speed if you happen to know? or are you able stream movies w/o buffering? Also can you get tennis shoes and hiking boots size 10 (US measurements) and above? Thank you
This video is underrated!!!!! So professional and informative for a UA-cam video!
750 for utilities wow! How do you do that? In BKK my average electricity was 3500 per month! That's at 8 baht per unit.
I've been screwed before
- PT Residence: 4k
- Pansook: 1k
- HimNimman: 4k
The difference is that they sometimes charge a markup but 'The Nimman' charge at government rate.
Oh nice, you found a couple places without markup. So basically electricity markup can cost us 3000. That's an important consideration a lot of us overlook.
You're getting screwed... I live in a 200 sqm house and pay 1300 baht per month for electric...
Evil Evan! We paid 5 baht per unit in Chiang Mai. Your apartment building might be charging you more than the base rate. Also: you might need more AC down there in the humid city than up in Chiang Mai: probably also depends on the season somewhat.
Birgit Deubner yeah I was paying 8 or 9 or unit in BKK. Deff cooler weather in CM makes a diff
Pretty accurate, alcohol can screw up a budget, quickly. Backpacker lifestyles can get as low as 400 $$ a month. Comfort starts about $600.00. Nimman is higher than the surrounding areas, especially in the high season. I have a motorcycle but insurance is very reasonable. Regards from over by the Shell station on Huay Kaew!
I remember seeing this vlog 3 years ago before my 1st trip to Thailand. This is my 3rd trip and have been hear over a year due to the pandemic. Glad I’m still here in my 2200 baht condo in this very safe City(Chiang Mai) as America’s is having so much unrest. And as you said fried chicken...I was stuffing my face with some🤣🤣🤣🤣. Hope you and your family are safe. 👌🏽👍🏼🙏🏼
You are so fortunate!!!! 🌸🌺🌼
@@jomontanee I truly am...Im glad my ticket was canceled in March when all my friends panicked thinking things would be better in the state. I actually bought 2 tickets my second was to the Philippines....Im glad that didn't happen because lockdown was severe. Thailand has low virus cases and they are on it when it flares up. I am in the right place for sure. 😷
hi! i am a bit late, but if you dont mind' where is yout condo located?
Love this video gets to the point very good and by the way love the music very chilling to listen to suites this video big massive thumbs up from me carlton from EnglandU.K.
I LOVE CHIANG MAI ❤
CANT WAIT TO GET BACK THERE IN A CPL MONTHS!!!!
ps... I let your ads playout for your expenses
"It may not look that great" may not have been the kindest way to describe the food you were just served by the guy standing 1 foot behind you. Otherwise, very informative video.
🤣🤣🤣
U spent half of the budget on coffee lol
IKR.
Thats what I was thinking lol
Great to get your perspective on living in Chiang Mai ❤️ Thanks for sharing 🙏
I'm in love with the idea of moving to Iceland but damn it's expensive over there. This might be my second choice
Burn Burn Fire are you serious? both places are as different as ice and fire...
@@oceanicmermaid and???
That food looks amazing!
What about the added cost of pollution masks in the burning season .it is very unhealthy to live in Chiangmai in the winter months
If u r not a couple u won't. find as nice an apartment as that one for $250 so u need to adjust accordingly. Great video.
How to live on $600 by living on $1200 and cheating by halving it because you're with a partner and taking advantage of economies of scale
Not true. If we didn't split the home expenses, it would add only $243.37 to my spending. You definitely can do under $600 without splitting accomodation. Unfortunately, Denise wasn't part of the challenge so she wasn't prepared to live somewhere less nice.
Chris the Freelancer no problem, it was just a bit unclear because that wasn't focused on in the video. Regardless, very nice video and I appreciate your content!!!
You can technically live in Chiang mai for around 300-600 dollars a month.
I might head to Chiang Mai and we can spite the rent 3 ways. So it should just cost you $450/mo. lol
true
Not Bad! I go down to Guyana and live off of 1,000 USD dollar per year in GT. On offseason, I go to Brazil and Venezuela during spring and autumn. Its not bad with the tropical living and only working 10 years in the US.
This is very well made . Thank you!
Thailand is now becoming a very expensive place to live. the good old days will soon be gone. if i told you how cheap it was in 1994, you would not believe me.
Hi! Could I survive on my $683 a month Social Security? How much is a small one bedroom or even smaller "efficiency" apartment? Does food and health insurance cost a lot?
Stupid statement in 1994 it was way more cheaper to live anywhere in whole world, inflation. amigo.
@@Sappien the true fact is, all prices have risen faster than the rate of inflation and the blatant overcharging of foreigners.
Survive.. Yes. If you had no medical insurance, no dental, no travel insurance, no accident insurance. You would have no money for fun or dating or even to rent a motor bike. You could not eat any western food, no ribs, barbecue, etc. You would eat most basic thai street food and noodle soup every day. All that food is pretty good, but you would tire of it very soon. $1,000 is survivable if you do absolutely nothing and take risks of no insurance. $2,000 a month is comfortable, but not exotic. But now you could drink booze, visit some night clubs, travel around the country. Don't forget the visa costs, the proper visa costs which are getting very strict. Don't believe these nomad bloggers. They are on a shoe string budget and most are broke.
I agree, I think he is not in that category yet as a retirement expat, he will move on to a different place. I think the video s more for a digital nomad like him who are on a limited budget. I think about $2,000 would make life more enjoyable, I like the video because it shows food, places to eat and hangouts. I’m going to delay retirement for a few more years to maximize my monthly income and try living 6 months in Saigon and 6 months in Bangkok. Thanks for the video Chris!
OMG I miss my 2nd home Thailand. It's so easy and lower cost to eat beautiful healthy food there. Oh and it's never "western" freezing. Although when you get used to the heat 24c becomes put a warmer top on weather.
Hug you and grateful for loving my motherland. 🌸🌼🌻🌺🌞⭐️✨🌟🇹🇭🇹🇭
wouldn t this project end up a LOT cheaper if you would cook on your own for most of the time?
great video though.
Eating out is often cheaper than cooking.
Chris the Freelancer as somebody living in germany that is pretty weird to hear haha. i m personally working as freelance video editor, so your video is even more inspiring since i could technically work anywhere (with decent wifi) :) ty for the answer
Sorry ,but it gets very expensive to cook over there..You need lil things like spices ,soy,vinegar,vegis..when u can get everything for 40 baht..i live there 6 months a year for 9 years and im a chef here in america..Ive brought out everything but relazied cheaper to eat out
sean hastings Do you only stay 6 months for tax or visa reasons?
Chris the Freelancer How much does it cost to buy a 400 gr rib eye from a grocer? That 1200 thb was shocking.
Your biggest mistake like the majority of foreigners in Thailand about 99.9999% is you are living a western lifestyle. You likely can not speak any Thai foreigners biggest mistake. So you are unable to barter prices in many shops, for your house or apartment or order any cheap and good Thai food.
I have been living on under $600 a month with my Thai wife for years. This includes a very nice home, internet, phone service, eating out, travel expenses, bus, train, food, hotel, etc, etc, etc.
Otherwise your channel and your videos are superior to so much of the misinformation and drama on UA-cam. So many idiots hanging in bars with prostitutes begging for money who can,t speak a word of Thai giving advice about Thailand. Other channels harassing ,stalking , bullying . Your channel gets a big thumbs up. Delete the trolls and block them.
First get a Thai wive wise
@@nipponenka Mail order prostitutes, plenty of websites and junk mail. If you are old and rich, you can get a 21 year old just make sure their real name is not Bob first.
I agree.
Speaking thai,especially speaking BAD thai but TRYING TO ,will earn you respect and assistance.
You still have to pay more but not as much.
Im very rude in my country(especially to cops) but in thailand im very polite-speaking thai.
Despite all the scams common thai people are very reserved and polite people and respect when you are the same
james ingall You don’t speak Thai either so fudge off
this is not something for Thailand only but across the world. its the biggest mistake expats make and they pay for it dearly. once you get somewhere to stay , you gotta inform yourself about the locals, how locals live and do things and try to copy them as you will be accepted much easier. eating western food wont get you anywhere, as you will be seen as a pushover.
Lots of videos like this for many countries. Frankly, there is no place like home. I am saying that after spending 3 years living in Asia. Love being able to drive on nice roads in my classic V8 Benz. Love the cleanliness. Love the higher quality of life. Can't beat them.
This may be a weird question- but is there a lot of stray cats/dogs roaming on the streets of Thailand?
Would appreciate a response thanks!
sometimes, yes
it depends where you are. there are some places where there are a lot of stray animals, and other places where there aren't so many. a few places are seemingly overrun with strays. there are a couple of animal welfare groups but hard to keep up with the sheer amount of animals.
julia s. ferdinand thank you for your informative response!
Everywhere in Bangkok, not as much in CHIANG MAI. But even in Bangkok they don't bother anyone.
Sounds like you are Thai-know-how .Would Thai people tends to abuse these stray animals like many Chinese did in China Mainland ( less so In Hong Kong China ) ? Please let me know ! Thank you so much !
Coffee cost as much as dinner...👀
That's true. It can be even more. It's about 120B for anything at Starbucks, but you can get lunch for 50 at the food court in the mall. Massage is about 250B.
Starbucks is expensive in Thailand & other parts of SE Asia. It's seen by locals as a luxury place, and you can often see wealthier locals hanging out there.
Starbucks is a rip off everywhere, that's why it failed in Australia. It's the same price here in Taipei where you can get a whole meal for this at most traditional restaurants here.
Eating out almost every day for under $600 is incredible. My monthly budget for heat and property taxes is $500! Maybe I should move to Chiang Mai
3:01 Did he really just eat fried chicken with a spoon and a fork?
Delusional Jose
I've done that to keep my fingers clean.
Napkins aren't that great.
Yes most asians don’t use a knife
It is an Asian thing. Here in the Philippines they eat rice with their fingers, pizza, hamburgers, and fried chicken with a spoon & fork.
I'm so late. I was eating fried chicken with my Thai friend in Thailand, and she was telling me to use the spoon and fork but I was like nah I'm Western I'm sure they'll understand.
@@TitoTimTravels For stir fries, sure, but for fried chicken I don't know any Thai person that wouldn't just pick it up with their hands.
Thank you for your detailed analysis. I appreciate your effort in making this vid.😎👍🏻
excellent video........ 24.22 at the CMU markets you said "I can't believe I haven't been here before".....well, I've lived in CM for coming up 14 years this April and I have to say the same thing with regards to the Huay Kaew Waterfall.....I can't believe I've never been there!!!!! I'll be checking it out real soon though
Coffee addict It appears as spent almost 1/2 daily allowance on it one of the days. 60 Baht for coffee but 50 for a meal
Need to use the word “we” more