Is $1000 USD a month enough to live well in Thailand?

[@TheBuddyShowWorldwide]

I've lived comfortably on under $1000 a month in Mexico (twice), Bali, the Philippines, and Thailand. Eat and drink local and don't mess with bar girls.

[@shacknastyray4429]

Yep. Chasing hoes will definitely put you over the budget in any country...lol

[@josephg6882]

Haha

[@garytaylor5937]

Bar Girls will triple your cost and quadruple your drama

[@mrbHanoi]

Agree 100%

[@owlscoffeecats]

New to the channel. My husband & I agree this is the most humble, down to earth, realistic channel not filled with fluff about information for Thailand. We have a lot of videos to go through but really appreciate the hard work putting these together for others around the world! 🎉😊

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you 🙏

[@Techfanatic73]

You hit the nail on head with this one bud. I get 50% from the VA and that amounts to $1043.00 a month. I was wondering if that would be enough. Looks like I can manage that. I just need to have about 5 grand in saving just as a side nest in case I need something. Sounds fantastic.

[@fridaysperspective4323]

I have been wondering about the amount as well and it seems doable if the accommodation cost is around 7000-8000 per month

[@dominichoward4833]

1k is really the danger zone. I would not recommend it with only 1k coming in.

[@shane5385]

​@@dominichoward4833try 1k a month in America

[@felixbanks]

I'm going to go back to the VA to see if I qualify for an increase on my percentage

[@js424u]

​@@dominichoward4833 not if you have a degree and teach as well but that alone I agree.

[@Will67267]

If you just need to survive, then 1 k is enough. If you want to live and enjoy retirement, the sweet spot is 2-2.5k a month.

[@Mike-du1dc]

Bravo 👏 I have been around awhile & lived in Chiang Mai & your budget is very realistic. Not to mention you actually included Visa fees & some health insurance good for you! So many Thailand "cost of living" videos are totally unrealistic yours is a possible reality for many 👌

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks!

[@owlscoffeecats]

What a nice comment! I agree

[@robertolesen2349]

Nice summary, add 50% upping your budget to 1500 USD and you'll have included funds for a bit of travellingg and an affordable hobby. Try doing the same budget for a couple, this should make for an interesting follow up to this video.

[@Roof_Pizza]

Most couples are mixed so it's typically a little more unless there are sick buffalos in one's future.

[@humbertsmith8864]

You are so humble and genuine...very much appreciated. Great information. My budget will be about 2100 USD so Thailand may be an option.

[@MelodyFromTheHeart]

2100 will be more than enough. ❤

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you!!

[@humbertsmith8864]

Thanks. Not a drinker either@@MelodyFromTheHeart

[@mamagne800]

My god you will live like a king with this money. I will get about $1,100 usd (I'm Canadian so $1500 cnd) only but I have good savings in my bank account so I should be find. I'm also wondering if buying a condo is worth it.

[@humbertsmith8864]

Thanks. From Vancouver Island here. So looking at about 3200 in our dollars@@mamagne800

[@beatriceklingman5850]

I love your videos and I’m hoping to move to Thailand in the next six months or so so I’m watching you carefully and listening to you closely. Thank you so much for the production and the information in your videos.❤😊😊

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you!

[@davidlawton7845]

Great video Tony-you stick to the salient points without the fill and it’s much easier to follow. Excellent…

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks!

[@AllAboutLifeInThailand]

Wow, so different. We have 2 bedrooms, run the aircon sparingly and my average electric bill is about 2500 baht. I have no garden and water costs about 650 baht. My mobile contract with DTAC is 276 Baht, that gives me 200 minutes of talk time and 10 gigabyte download before it slows down.

[@lunaeclipse8369]

How much is this in us dollars

[@briandumont7272]

I'm planning a 2000 dollar budget. My expenses should be low for necessities, as I won't own a car and will own a motorbike (maybe a small one for around town and a big one for longer trips, although I may just rent the big bike occasionally), electricity for a condo will be cheaper, and seeing I'm not a home body, just using AC when I'm there will cut costs. I will spend more on food, because again I'm not a home body so will eat out mostly, however I am a big fan of street food and Thai restaurants, so maybe not too much. I think that budget will allow savings for travel, as well as having more than 2000 coming in with retirement (around 3300 after taxes) I can build up the emergency fund more (it will be fairly sizeable to begin with). At 2000 bucks a month I should be living fairly well!

[@apoloestrada2908]

Thanks for the video and info, Last year, I lived in the Jomtien area for 6 months and my monthly budget was $3K and that's with companionship with a regular Thai lady for 3x a week and not buying any LDs and barfines. In my early 50's now and back to work in CA. Will do this again, next year.

[@SharronJones123]

Excellent. You did an awesome job breaking everything down. I am 76 moving in July/Aug 2024 to Hua Hin. My budget is $1200.00 American per month. You showed me that I can do it with that amount. Now I just have to find a pet friendly condo close to the beach long term. Enjoy your coffee.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you very much!!!! And welcome to Thailand later this year. 🇹🇭😊

[@smurfhits5688]

I can answer this easy. If you don't drink alcohol - yes. If you drink alcohol - hell no!

[@The3nthusiast]

thank you so much dude, I want to move back to my home country as an English teacher in the future and this gives me the confidence I need!

[@crispusattucks2771]

my social security is 2750/m. I think I could do without a car for a long time. I have medicare, so I could flight back to US and use my car back home, go see my doc, stay with my son for a month then fly back to thailand. I plan on only getting the Inpatient insurance with a small deductible or maybe the international insurance.

[@topcat9350]

Thailand can be very cheap to live if disciplined it’s having a party lifestyle which doubles your budget

[@notthesamecc1927]

very helpful video. I am deciding between thailand and panama right now for next year.

[@ThailandWithoutTourists]

My budget last month in the south of Thailand was $400. $70 for electricity to run the AC 20 hours a day, No rent, $12 for internet, 60 cents for my flip phone, $2 for water, $80 fuel for car. $10 for car insurance. That's $175 without food. I eat out a lot and buy some foods for relatives. If I didn't eat restaurant food, it would be easy for me to live on $300 a month. I live on a paved road in rural Mai Seab/ Koh Khan. 1 mile to 7-11 and the freeway. 5 miles to KFC or hospital. 20 miles to Phattalung. My house is paid for.

[@roblacyclist1170]

Thank you Tony for this very informative video 🙏🏻.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Rob!!!!! How's it going!

[@LouisTheTraveler76]

Great information - thanks!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad it was helpful!

[@destinationsroadslesstraveled]

In the twenty two years I have lived here with girlfriend have rarely if ever spent $1,000 USD a month here. On the average about $700 a month and that is for everything. And I mean everything we need.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Awesome 😎

[@steppaboss]

Where are you living and how much

[@sonhuynh8222]

I doubt the $700 includes a visa and healthy insurance ?

[@mrbHanoi]

@@sonhuynh8222 a job can provide both for free

[@RustemTravel]

Also a return airticket, also visa expenses will probably be much higher if you use an educational visa or go to Laos for a 3m tourist visa (maybe 100usd a month).

[@kwarmrakseadum9083]

This is probably going to be a weird question, but I can not find the answer anywhere on KZbin and google is vague. Can I find celery for sale anywhere in Thailand? Will it be like the western grown celery or a different form or will I need to buy it through a subscription when I’m in Thailand. Any help with this question is greatly appreciated.

[@TheNarrowGate]

shopee.co.th/product/40069552/7462907461?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3uGqBhDdARIsAFeJ5r1r41UNRm8WZByAAD2bCXeBpa-5S7JNPros739UsHXQt9pm-iqo_48aApVlEALw_wcB

[@allangreenley9901]

Im. From the UK. I pay 8000 bhatt rental in Bangkok plus roughly 1200 bhatt electric and water.. So back to 1000 dollars or im in uk sterling 1000 pounds if u live modestly u can easily do it... But if have thai girlfriends and go out drinking or meals on average u need nearly double that amount because your simply paying for two people.. Remember these thai ladies pay absolutely for nothing...

[@harryshannon2028]

I have a 47sqm condo in Jomtien with 2 big pools and a gym and WiFi 10.000 bath .if I want to go to pattaya it's 10bath ..its hard to beat them prices ..

[@JohnSmith-ms1wy]

May I ask the name of the condo building please.... I might be moving to Jontien soon and 10k bhat for a 48 sqm condo would be perfect for me

[@harryshannon2028]

@@JohnSmith-ms1wy laguna beach resort 1 jomtien . .there is a lot of condos around there at that price .you have to take a 6 month or one year contract..

[@JohnSmith-ms1wy]

@@harryshannon2028 Ohhh I had already planned a visit to laguna Beach condo for next week thru an agent, did not know it's 47 sqm, Glad to get this info from you & appreciate your help... And yes I want to rent it for a year itself... cheers 🥂🥂

[@paulsumner5564]

I would like to point out that $1000 per month would not be sufficient to provide for the financial requirement of the retirement visa. THB 800,000 or THB 65,000 per month.

[@destinationsroadslesstraveled]

But 800,000 in the bank is enough. I could not spend 65,000 baht a month here that would take some effort.

[@paulsumner5564]

@@destinationsroadslesstraveled My point is that someone who is looking to survive in Thailand on under $1000 per month from a regular pension amount is unlikely to have THB800,000.

[@barryoneill-ec9zz]

I have the 80k Baht, and live fine on 1000 a month

[@paulsumner5564]

​@martinpowell5769 that is incorrect, the non o retirement visa requires 800,000baht to be deposited in a Thai bank account or an income being paid into a Thai bank account for the previous 1 year period of at least 65,000 per month. I accept that there are ways around this, but that is the legal requirement.

[@HUGO70R]

i rented house for 3500B just 20 minutes from pattaya. there were 3 bedrooms and a large patio. I had internet and fully furnished

[@MelodyFromTheHeart]

too expensive

[@HUGO70R]

@@MelodyFromTheHeart how smart are you?

[@gif24gt60]

Which website did u use to find a deal like that?

[@HUGO70R]

@gif24gt60 I went to a thai lady and she asked for me. And she didn't tell I was a farang

[@nixworld767]

I realize this is a budget video, hence the title. I'm 64 years old and retired here in Jomtien. i live in a pool villa in a gated community with my Cambodian girlfriend. Our entire monthly budget is $5000 per month. That includes $1350 for villa rental. People love to tell me how much cheaper their places are. I get that. Their view of me is that i must simply love spending more when i could pay less. My view is that in Palm Beach county, Florida, where i came from.....$1350 a month might get you a simple ROOM in somebody's house. Here, a pool villa. After my rent I have over $100 per day for just everyday expenses. I always have plenty of money left over.

[@belindabelinda7463]

Great video!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks! 🙏

[@CKology]

Super insightful 🎉

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you! 🇹🇭🙏🏻😊

[@jamesan8156]

Thank you.

[@Brian_Pathitta_Life_Journey]

Confirmed on the phone charge. Wife and I live in US, travel to Thailand to visit family annually. We have AIS and use only 4G LTE unlimited services since we have internet at home. Data Service in Thailand is cheap and reliable. On the note of car insurance, we spend 20000 Bahts a year on premium a year on a new Izusu D Max 4 Door Truck. It covers everything and NO DEDUCTIBLE. My Father-in-Law had an accident and the insurance paid for the front bumper replacement. Man i make a suggestion on how to pronounce Hua HIn? Think of it as Wah Hin Similarly, Pattaya would be: Pat-Thai-ya Hopefully that helps. Cheers

[@felixbanks]

did you import your US car to Thailand, or did you just buy another car once you got there?

[@TheNarrowGate]

Bought

[@ErikBlair]

Great breakdown.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks!!

[@JohnLee-im7iu]

Love the videos. Thank you.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad you like them!

[@mamagne800]

Thank you for the good infos but grocery cost and expenses like restaurants were they for you and your wife or just one person.

[@TheNarrowGate]

One

[@Sick_Buffalo]

Good analysis. Still, I think, 1000 USD will be pretty tight. Add clothing there, which is relatively cheap, but still you do not want to go around same two t-shirts and pants. After a while you get very bored sitting at one place. So, traveling locally will add up to your "entertainment expense". And if you get a steady companion (most single guys do), then God knows what that will do to your budget! 🤣 I think, 1300 USD is realistic.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Good point!

[@KnightlyHouse]

The cost of living depends on your personality, your lifestyle, your age, and your experience living in Asia. Younger guys would struggle with this amount while older guys who are in a settled relationship and living in the countryside would find this a breeze. The biggest issue is being able to find a balance between the life you can afford and the life you find yourself living. I'm hinting at women, alcohol, travelling, socialising etc. I think most people will start off on 2,000 a month like a tourist would spend and then gradually cut down until they find their comfort level. $1400 may be a more realistic figure for most but as i said it depends on the lifestyle you are used to and your experience living and negotiating life in Asia. cheers

[@norrisbethke7770]

Generally if you move outside the city prices are much lower but then you lose some conveniences..in areas where there is a higher concentration of farangs the prices are higher for rents and some food and groceries..there is a CM Expat Club which a great source of info and help..I ride a bike and never had to fill the tank lol..anyway, CM is a great area to live 🙏🏻🇹🇭

[@n721sw]

Thank you for this video, just what I was wanting to see. Very well done sir. Do they have gyms where you all live?

[@TheNarrowGate]

Many many gyms.

[@gif24gt60]

Is it safe to ride a bicycle in Thailand? Are there sidewalks? Will they knock you off the road? Is it cheaper to rent a small house than a 1 bedroom condo?

[@robertolesen2349]

Depends on where you ride, people do ride bicycles. Sidewalks are mostly in pretty bad condition. It's easy to find a gym in larger cities.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Bikes are dangerous here. They get no respect from drivers.

[@gif24gt60]

​@@TheNarrowGateugh😢

[@denniscortes9781]

Thanks!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!

[@frankkluz9787]

The devil is in the details for many who can't quality for their expensive visa requirements !?! -- Cambodia puts Thailand to shame with the cost & ease of their retirement visa over 55 !!! -- More than one expat who's lived in both prefers Siem Reap to live & simply visit Thailand. Bangkok is a cheap 1 hour flight away for fun or quality medical services. Several expats claim a reasonably 'comfortable' life for a single person on $700 - $800/mo. ----- $1000 is more than enough they often claim with 50 cent beer many places !?!? ----- Just the results of my watching many videos this past year put on here by several expats.

[@Colincarpenter2]

It really depends where you live, $1000 in Bangkok ..nope no change, especially if you drink or want any girlfriends, you need $1500 to live but you are not living well, $2500 is a more realistic to move there and actually have a life, plus you need about $25-60k if you want to buy a car or things like that.

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Tony

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks 👍

[@paulmanning9540]

The Thai teacher I,m chatting with lives on 11,000 baht per month including a child, motorbike and accommodation. She hasn't got much of a life though.

[@PLATINUMSWORDS]

Great info as always!🙏

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad it was helpful!

[@malikmcdowellswreckedatv5100]

I’m a disabled veteran here in the states looking at 100% compensation. I currently get 1300 usd but max compensation is around 3700 in 2024, and that’s a permanent fixed income. 2 questions: Can I still access this money over there if I do this? And I’m only 34, so is it possible to retire at this age over there?

[@TheNarrowGate]

Yes and no to the retired. To get the retirement visa they go by age. You have to be 50 or older. So you can come over here, but the hard part is going to be a long-term visa.

[@TheNarrowGate]

By the way, I do have some experience on the disabled question, because both of my sons are disabled veterans in one lives in the Netherlands

[@malikmcdowellswreckedatv5100]

@@TheNarrowGate if you can guide me towards the proper direction of a long term visa that would be great thank you so much. With that income I don’t think that I have to work honestly but I’ll still find employment to stay busy and productive

[@josephjacobs6616]

Thanks for your service

[@ChrisBird1]

Nice logical Video ..

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad you think so!

[@terencecantey3459]

Definitely dead on with rent Internet visa it's worth it for the infruscuture I spend a lot more rent but I'm from NYC so Bangkok works for me

[@SharronJones123]

Thanks!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you so much!!! 😊 🇹🇭🙏🏻

[@serafilm2000]

HI HOW IS WEATHER IN MAY 1-15? PUKET?

[@TheNarrowGate]

Should be hot with little rain.

[@siccens6168]

I spend a 5th of that. Sometimes not even that much Of course i live up in Sukhothai Im doing great

[@bobjsim03857]

Great channel. I would love to see a more 'middle class?' budget/expenses video, say US $2000-2500 a month.

[@zcavaricci]

That’s been my standard… looking at around 2000-2500 month in either Pattaya or Hua Hin.

[@colinshurey976]

​@@zcavariccii feel this is more relistic . Like you havnt moved here to sit in doors and count my money

[@micalcre8ts]

No car no motorcycle $1000 a month you’re living very good in Thailand…now if you are going out drinking and playing every night that’s a different story

[@mrbHanoi]

I dont drink alcohol or spend money on bargirls Mostly I drink coffee and tea at home. I pay $1000 Wife pays $500 It is more than enough.

[@micalcre8ts]

Nice and for me I wouldn’t need a car or motorcycle..so I would be even less ..

[@derekbrown7892]

I think 50,000,or 60,000 B is what ai would expect to pay ,to live well

[@r9r99]

Hello. For retirees looking to move there in chang mai. You might wantt to do a video on dental treatment cost for available services and eye care cost in chang mai. Thank you for your videos.

[@smurfhits5688]

Hello. It's not specifically Chiang Mai but Chris/retired working for you recently visited dentist and a full medical control. Not eye surgery tho but Tim (I don't know his channel but the news guy) did lens changes in both eyes he told it was 90k thb

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

interesting but I had to skip to the end to see the total, since you didn't actually talk about dollars until the end. Easier to 'calculate' the expenses if you put the two up on the screen together (baht and dollar). I hear so many mixed message about Thailand. You said "probably a condo" but isn't there any single family homes there for rent? You got a 3/2 house or condo? I hate living in an apartment. I really would rather have a small house like I have here in the US.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Problem is, we have people watching all over the world that use different currencies. Giving Baht allows everyone to convert to their currency.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

@@TheNarrowGate oh. The title said 1k USD so I just assumed....

[@jnsa9454]

Car vs motorcycle total just +$100 more ...good to know

[@justBEingjada]

I thought the electric bill could only be what the government price is

[@mrbHanoi]

Not true many landlords charge extra

[@kam_abroad]

Enough to live - yes. Enough to live comfortably as someone coming from a high income country - hell no.

[@trevor5526]

Your figures are realistic if you're a non drinker and a non traveller.

[@BareKnuckle666]

I don’t understand what this race to the bottom is. Why would anyone want to live on a $1,000 a month? It’s peasantry

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

Is it easy to rent if you have pets, please? I'd never give up my fur babies

[@mrbHanoi]

Difficult most places no pets esp dogs.

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

@@mrbHanoi I've got 2 indoor cats

[@mrbHanoi]

@@Darkangel-A-c8z easier to hide cats

[@keepitreal1547]

Totaly agree that 1,000baht is very doable, yet there's always many vloggers saying you need much more. This said, there's a flaw in this budget estimation. You state it's for a 8,000baht condo, it's totally impossible to use 3,700baht worth of electricity in such a condo. That's for you home, as you say, so why bother doing the budget for a 8k condo? Average is around 1,000-1,500baht worth for such a condo.

[@TheNarrowGate]

I am keeping it real, said it was my cost for my house. Used it for the example because I am not sure what a condo electric bill is. I would rather the end number be too high than too low.

[@keepitreal1547]

@@TheNarrowGate Fair enough, though as you say air conditioning is always on in your much bigger house, than what a condo is. Maybe you should have just halved what you spend to give it a more realistic cost. That way would have been better for someone who's not rented for a month.

[@daveclarke5766]

Hey Tony, less than ten days to go. Great budget layout, I increased rent to 12500 for house and 3500 for medical, and 10,000 for entertainment, keep most everything else the same, will have a car and motorcycle. Have a budget to out fit house accordingly, but should mention for the single guys who may want a Thai girlfriend, like myself. There is a monthly cost associated with this, average between 5,000 and 10,000 baht for a Thai girlfriend close to your age. Before anyone baulks at this, these women usually give up there means of income and devote their time on you. So compensation is understandable and expected. Not going to get into the pro and cons, lots of videos on this subject. So my budget comes in around 55,000 baht, easily affordable with money to save for travel during the smoke season.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Hey Dave

[@paulamcfall]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@tingtong1809]

Double that at least or you'll be left enviously people watching Your only encouraging cheap charlies that barter over 5 baht , never tip and sit outside 7/11 drinking beer

[@TheNarrowGate]

😂

[@jamescasey1074]

No need discuss. Answer is definitely not enough. Even 2k hardly enough. 3k to live fairly comfortably

[@TheNarrowGate]

Can you explain or no?

[@keepitreal1547]

Loads of expats live a comfortable life on less than $1,000 pm Indeed most single Thai's live on 10-15k baht ($3-400 pm) It's what kind of lifestyle one wants to lead & is comfortable with. I travel the world on $1,500 pm all in, but I don't go out drinking or frequenting tourist areas, nor pay for female company. It's each to their own wants & needs...& yes absolutely, a single person can live comfortably on $1,000baht pm in Thailand.

[@MrMrLeechill]

lol, please use deodorant

[@TheNarrowGate]

YES!😂

[@Sheepleton]

What happens when an expat dies and he's dating or married to a local? Who gets the money Thailand forced him to set aside for his retirement visa? Can his American family access any funds willed to them? What happens when you're too old to visit immigration or do your check in or visa runs? There's a lot of questions no one ever answers. Making it seem all roses irks me when there's so much bureaucracy and BS to deal with going to these countries. $20k for a 1 year multiple entry retirement visa is ridiculous.

[@BigDogDamon]

First off man, chill out. Next- your questions should be directed to an attorney familiar with Thail estate law. Not the KZbin comment sections. And NO ONE ever says Thai immigration is all “roses”. Quite the opposite. Again, you need to contact a specialist that is aware of your situation such as the country you are from, money you have available, age, savings etc. Everyone’s situation is different so why do you expect simple answers? I have the Thai Elite 10 year visa and worth every penny. I have recommend this visa to all my friends - that can afford it or don’t meet the 50 yr age retirement requirement. I suggest you PAY for the services of a visa agent and attorney to get your answers. Why get so upset at KZbinrs that aren’t equipped to answer them. If you don’t like the “bureaucracy and bs” in other countries, simply stay home. Don’t bring your negative bs to this beautiful country. Have a nice night.

[@TheNarrowGate]

lol

[@natalias1212]

​​@@DeeKay68 Looking at all the trouble and very little saving. staying home is a good idea. You can work part time and make up the difference. 55+ communities are pretty economical in USA. What all this hype is about to go to live in different countries?? It's good to explore for a few weeks, but have trouble with visas, taxes, crime, language and such? Thank you but No