Job Discussion Forums

[elcomputo]

I just looked at a couple of those sites that compare costs of living in various parts of the world. I was boggled to see that in one ranking, Hanoi came out to the the 11th most expensive city in the world.

How does this compare with the experiences of people living and working there teaching English?

[DaveJavu]

If I'm not mistaken, the premis of that site is how much does it cost to maintain a completely (blind) western lifestyle. So, a villa in Hanoi goes for $3000 per month. A $15,000 (in the USA) Ford costs $30,000 here. An "expat" meal runs 10 bucks or more. International schools for the kids cost big bucks. It's a budget for people who are puting in their corporate time and really don't want to leave home.

In the real world, a nice and comfortable apartment or house should be no more than $300 per month. $100 - $200 is common once you know the ropes or have a local friend. You can get a new Chinese motorcycle for less than $500 or a Japanese model for less than $1000. A healthy meal costs less than $1.

Luxury items and absolute top-of-the-line products are more expensive in 3rd World and developing countries.

[elcomputo]

Dave,

I had suspected that what you pointed out was the case concerning the comparisons. It's too bad they can't have a scaled comparison -- living large, average joe, and going economy class. I figured there had to be something wrong for them to classify Hanoi as being more expensive than San Francisco!

But I just wanted to get confirmation, and you gave it to me!

Incidentally, the same holds for Mexico. Where I live, rich gringos are paying over $1 million to purchase mansions. I'm living in a pretty good $300/month casita. In fact, life would be great right here if I could only get a little work to supplement my pension.

[ContemporaryDog]

[quote="elcomputo"][color=darkred][size=18]I just looked at a couple of those sites that compare costs of living in various parts of the world. I was boggled to see that in one ranking, Hanoi came out to the the 11th most expensive city in the world.

How does this compare with the experiences of people living and working there teaching English?[/color][/size][/quote]

These sites are total hogwash. Like I see sites saying Beijing is the fourth most expensive city. Given that you can rent a one bedroom apartment in beijing for about 200 quid a month, that doesn't compare with prices for the same thing in London for upwards of 650 quid a month!

I think they compare daft things like jars of marmite.

[cha muir]

The cost of living to wage ratio is very good. You can live very well in Vietnam. I have enjoyed the last eighteen months here as a "millionaire". you can still get ice cream for three and a half cents. my family two adults two children) ate out last night for ninety cents, had dessert (kem flan) for thirty cents and got hot soymilk on the way home for another fifteen cents. mango season=70 cents a kilo, fresh cut flowers for twenty cents to a couple dollars. silk scarves, north face jackets, ceramics, folk handicrafts. almost everything is cheap. except (as mentioned) western or imported items. it will be hard to go back home and be "poor" again.


cha

[Micro67]

If you can discipline your spending at all you will be able to live a lifestyle most of us never could in our home countries.

Further, there have been prescious few things that I've missed and not been able to find here.

[sidjameson]

So just out of interest how far would a $800 a month go for a single guy?

[DaveJavu]

I spend $600 - 700 per month and go out 3-4 times per week. $400 is rent, utilities and motorcycle rental. About $100 per month for food.