Job Discussion Forums

[renzobenzo1]

I read some posts about the costs of living but it never mentioned for 2 people.......

So my question is (if you owuld be so kind) could a couple (only 1 working) live comfortably off a salary of 45,000 baht?

By comfortable I just mean eat well, go to the movies, a few drinks out and maybe better entertainment from time to time?....

Also I might need to take accommodation costs into account.....

I will probably go to Bangkok or other nice areas you could reccommend....

Thanks in advance

L

[Bangkok Hound]

What do you mean by eat well? Farang food 3X/day? That would get expensive.

I support my self, wife and baby on less than 45,000, but it ain't fun!

What will your non-working significant other be doing while you are working?

[renzobenzo1]

[rico4444]

That's a question without an answer unless you provide more info. Like, where are you living? 45,000 baht for 2 in Chiang Mai is doable but you won't save any money if you live the lifestyle you mentioned. In Bangkok, I doubt it but you could do it but it wouldn't be fun. In Phuket, same as BKK. I lived by myself in Chiang Mai on 30,000 a month and lived well but never saved any money. Some days I only spent 250 baht and other dyas I spent 1000. It really depends on where you live and your rent will eat up a big chunk depending on what kind of accommodation you live in, and again, where?

[renzobenzo1]

That's the thing....I need to do some more research....

Can anyone reccommend some of the better areas of Thailand to live in?

[rico4444]

Better in what way? What are you looking for? You want a nice beach town.....go to Ao Nang or Phi Phi. You want a huge international city with everything you could possibly want and more.....go to Bangkok. You want to be in an area with a ton of expats, easy access to western food, etc.....go to Chiang Mai. Thailand is as diverse as they come. Consider weather, pollution, cost of living, etc. There is no "best" place. I loved Thaiand and saw every square inch of it but I wouldn't retire there. So you have to decide based on your own wants and needs. It's all there....go find it and enjoy.

[renzobenzo1]

Ok, well if possible....

-good nightlife
-serenity
-access to beaches (I don't mind travelling to get there)
-access to food shops
-access to movie theatres and entertainment

[rico4444]

Ok, well if possible....

-good nightlife..BANGKOK, CHIANG MAI, PHUKET
-serenity....CHIANG MAI (ON THE OUTSKIRTS), AO NONG, PHI PHI, KOH TAO, KOH PHANGNAN, PHANGNA BAY, PAI, MAE HONG SONG....ANY PLACE WITH A BEACH OR MOUNTAINS
-access to beaches (I don't mind travelling to get there)....BANGKOK, CHIANG MAI (CM IS FAR AWAY BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF FLIGHTS; MOST FLIGHTS FROM CM ARE ROUTED THROUGH BANGKOK)
-access to food shops (WESTERN????)....BANGKOK, CHIANG MAI, PHUKET
-access to movie theatres and entertainment....BANGKOK, CHIANG MAI, PHUKET

[renzobenzo1]

Thanks...I'll check the availability in those regions and do a search on them....

[Dex]

It wouldn't be easy but you could do it.
I live with my girlfriend, but she works full time and we both earn good salaries.

Here are some numbers for you.
We spend less than 6000 a month on groceries, and we eat very well. We eat about 80% of our meals at home.
We spend about the same again for eating meals out.
To eat at home that often, you need an apartment with a kitchen.
That will set you back about 20,000 a month in BK or 15,000 in the suburbs.
Electricity will set you back between 1k and 2k a month.
Cable TV - the same.
Internet connection - 590 for 1mbs connection.
Pay as you go mobile will be anywhere from 200 a month upwards depending on your calling habits.
Transport wise, you'll need to live near to where you work. On the BTS if possible, or otherwise, perhaps within motorcycle taxi distance.
Keeping transport down to 100 a day will be important, as it can easily balloon. 2000 baht a month should suffice (for you alone).
Nightlife can get really expensive, but if you are smart and choose the events you go to, you can get away with B5000 a month for both of you, going out 2 or 3 times a month.
Movies range from 100 to 180 a show, and once a weekend will only set you back about 1000.
Getting away to the beach can be a costly affair, but if you don't mind doing it the hard way, you can easily have a weekend on samet for 2000.

Our current total is now at about 42k.
Of course, that doesn't leave much money for your other half to spend from day to day on things like coffee trips around the city, etc.
It also doesn't allow you much of a buffer in case something goes wrong.

I think if you are prepared to rough it from time to time, it is easily doable. But I do strongly suggest keeping a reserve available in case anything happens, or you need to see a doctor.
Financially the whole thing doesn't make any sense, but not everything is about money.

Good luck.

[renzobenzo1]

^^^ Thanks a million

Ofcourse I would go there for the lifestyle and experience, but I think it would be a bit tight on 45k baht....

I might just holiday there and head to Taiwan after Korea instead...

[PattyFlipper]

[Topper]

I make about 45K/month...here is my breakdown of expenses....

8K for a two bedroom townhouse with a kitchen thats partially furnished.
2k on cable tv.
1.2K on internet (2.5mb connection)
3K on electric
6k groceries (we eat most of our meals at home)
6-8K on entertainment/eating/shopping

That adds up to less than 30K/month. We usually spend 4-5K/month on furniture (we don't have much). The rest goes into savings. We've been saving about 6-10K/month. We use this to travel on during school breaks, buy health insurance, things like that.

My wife walks to work, I spend 35 baht a day (motorcycle taxi) for transport.

Any other questions, give a holler! Personally I don't feel I live like a lower middle class Thai, but I may be wrong.