Job Discussion Forums

loo · Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

For those with experience, is there a significant difference between the cost of living in Chang Mai and BKK? For example, can I expect to pay my daily expenses (rent, utilities) without a roommate on a salary of, say, 30000 baht (at the minimum)? Or is it dependent on the person?

I'm pretty laid back. I'm more nature than night life. I have little experience and am just looking to get my foot in the door so I would like a sense of job security before arrival. In addition, how does Thailand compare to Taiwan (pay wise) because some threads mentioned it is one of the lowest paying EFL country? I have to admit, one of Thailand's appeal for me was its low cost of living as oppose to Korea or Japan.

Edit: I've applied to a couple of agencies (AYC, Media Kids, BFITS, etc) and am pretty flexible with my schedule.

Also, if anyone know the contact email for Boston Bright please do share. I can't find anything on their website except for an animated direction map in their Contact info.

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Chiang Mai is the real Thailand. Bangkok is a Concrete jungle country somewhere in Thailand. Cost of living is cheaper in Chiang Mai. On Baht 30,000/Month you will be living day by day with little or no savings in BKK. Enjoy your time in the LOS and teach in Chiang Mai. ALso the wages in Thailand are more than half of those in Taiwan. Good luck!. TIT Smile

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Chiang Mai is about as touristy as it gets these days. "Real" THailand is more like Mahasarakham, Nakhon Phanom, Sri Saket, Udon Thani, etc, etc.

Chiang Mai is cheaper than Bangkok mostly because there are plenty of cheap accommodation options. Transportation will also be cheaper. Other than that, most things will cost about the same. Just fewer distractions to spend your money on, that's all.

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

If there were any comparison between Bangkok and Chiang MaiI would say that Bangkok is monstrous concrete street country within itself. and Chiang Mai is a city country in Thailand. Both places have their uniqueness. The Big Mango is extremely crowded, polluted, traffic jammed and the streets are filled with garbage and litter (not to mention barking dogs!). Chiang Mai on the other hand is liveable, the people are friendlier and the cost of living is much cheaper. Also I would have to say that Chiang Mai looks more like Thailand than the Big Mango ever will...Thais still actually smile there! TIT Smile

loo · Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks for all the input. I look forward to this experience.

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Yes Thailand is an amazing EFL experience. Just make sure to bring a lot of money with you cause if you will be teaching in the Big Mango BKK Disneyland it will cost you a lot more money than you will make...that is..of course if you don't want to live like a THAI! TIT Shocked

loo · Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

I don't mind living like Thai. I believe it is part of the experience. If I wanted all my luxury as an American, I would just stay where I am now. =)

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Living like a Thai may be a good experience for you then. Good luck! TIT Smile

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

GKing is right.

It is like the old adage that you can never be too rich or too thin!

There is a lot of drivel about people doing experiments upon themselves by walking everywhere in BKK and eating pig feet for a month in order to live on 25,000b (etc). In fact, if you like a nice lifestyle with wine, taxis, dating, clubbing, nice clothes, blah, blah then even 50,000 may not be enough in BKK. IMHO. For me, a 'nice' apartment costs at least 20,000, and a real nice one in Silom or Sukh. can cost 30,000b a month (yes, I know you can get a studio in Minburi for 5,000 but you are miles away from town).

Newbies who have seen too many movies about the charms of Thighland will see the money fly away.

Nobody should come here with 300 dollars. Bring at least 1000, and then some. You will need all of that to get settled, and then some.

eddy

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

KnockoutNed · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 87

I am living in Chiang Mai right now. My salary is 30k a month and I live a very comfortable life. I was making 22k prior to this job and I still managed to get by.

You just need to find the cheap places to eat. Stay away from inner-city and you will be fine

good luck!

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

I don't think you can live on 30,000 in Bangkok. No way. If you want to live in the city, you'll spend 15-20 for rent. Or you can live two hours out of town and then spend a fortune getting to work every day.