Many folks take a glimpse at my lifestyle here and assume I’m swimming in cash. The truth of it is, it’s cheaper to live in Thailand than you might imagine! It is far cheaper to live here than it is to travel, and if you look at rental costs versus the price of hotels, you can see why.
I realize living abroad is not for everyone, but for those interested, I wanted to share some actual figures and costs that you would experience while living here.
One of the main reasons that I chose Thailand is that I’ve been here before. I knew that it was cheap, with friendly locals, and easy enough to travel around.
What I didn’t consider and wouldn’t have known until living here…
- How affordable it is to live here
- What great food you can have on a regular basis
- The incredible amount of international friends I would make
- The valuable experience running a business abroad
- Other work and volunteer opportunities that would present themselves
As Tim Ferriss denotes in his book The Four Hour Workweek, it is much better to live in a country where you can leverage the dollar. The simple fact is that my money is worth three times as much here than it is in the U.S. This has enabled me to live a near-luxury lifestyle while working in very small amounts. You can also add on a job that gives you security, visa, and more cash (and lets you save while experiencing another country). I’ve been doing this with teaching, and loving it.
Anyway, I’ve been living a pretty kick-ass lifestyle for roughly $800 a month. Here’s a breakdown of my expenses so you can see for yourself how this would work for you…
Live in Thailand Budget: One Month
$ 200 USD Rent
$ 30 USD Utilities and Internet
$ 400 USD Food & Entertainment
$ 70 USD Motorbike Rental & Gas
$ 100 USD Border Runs / Visa / Travel
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$ 800 USD Total
It is SO Cheap, and the Lifestyle is SO Good!
Let’s just suffice it to say that never in my life have I had the luxury to spend double my rent on food and entertainment. For the record, YES, I have Downsized My Life…. But I find it exceedingly worth it. And, all the while, I’m managing to save money (which, honestly, is something I Really struggled with living in the U.S.)
So, just for fun, let’s take a look at what it would cost to do a two week vacation here….
Budget: Two Week Vacation
$1,300 USD Roundtrip Airfare
$ 450 USD Hotel
$ 300 USD Food
$ 200 USD Travel / Taxies/ Transport
$ 300 USD Tours & Entertainment
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$2,550 USD Total
My point is this: For what it would cost to come here for two weeks, you could live here for THREE Months. Seriously! It is something to consider, not just for financial reasons, but more for what you learn by actually Living in a Foreign country. The life experiences, cultural experiences, and friendships you can make are nothing short of life changing. Here are some photos so you can see what you can get for your money here….
Living in Thailand, you get…
Incredible Views
Most of the views around here are stunning, but I must say that mine is inspiring. I love just waking up and looking at the huge mountain outside my sliding glass door. Everywhere you look in Thailand, there is something so special, interesting, and strikingly beautiful.
Green curry served in a coconut!
Amazing Food
Most meals cost between $1-3 USD. If you go to a very high end restaurant and order wine, expect it to be about $30 USD. My favorite part about living here is that the food is fresh from the market and made on the spot. I’m sure my diet is much healthier eating this way!
Fantastic Recreation
Diving in Koh Ha
What has kept me here is the amazing amount of recreational activities. Krabi is known for its world-class climbing and diving. If you are in to either of these sports, you’ll love it here! You can also go trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about anything else.
Diving is cheap here, about $120 US for a day. The courses are very inexpensive, so if you are looking to do several dives, you are better off adding a certification to your list.
My friend Lucy going for it!
Climbing for a half day is about $20 US. If you have your own gear, its free, but I’d recommend hiring a guide so you can find the best sites easily. Railay is pretty much the mecca of climbing and there is enough here for me to do for the rest of my life.
Making Friends From All Over the World
Monsoon face painting party – people from Australia, Finland, Sweden, England, Scotland, United Arab Emeriates & USA
If you are worried about leaving your home because you are afraid of making new friends, don’t be!! The best gift so far is the friendships that I’ve made. Living abroad attracts the fun-loving, adventurous type. I’ve made a ton of lifelong friends that I will be able to visit all around the world.
The cost of getting your life back? Priceless.
One thing I hadn’t anticipated was how completely freeing it would be to live here. I’ve never really felt so relaxed, had this much fun, or enjoyed my time anywhere else as much as I have here. While I realize that it is just one small place, I wanted to share some of these experiences with you in hopes that no matter where you go or end up, that you can feel the same amount of freedom and joy that I have here.
One of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life!
Like I said before, living abroad isn’t for everyone. I’ve been doing it for ten years now, and I can’t even imagine going back. But for those of you that are interested, I hope this has been helpful and inspiring for you! Want to live anywhere and See The World? Check out my Online Business Course that will show you how – Now!
Questions?? Comments?? Readers, please share your experiences of living abroad!!
