Is living in Thailand REALLY as affordable as everyone says?

[@LloydandMandy]

Go to surfshark.com/lloydandmandy for 4 extra months of Surfshark

[@thebiglebowski4309]

Hey mate.. did you bring your dog over with you or get in Thailand?

[@diannechristino]

As an American that won't be able to afford to retire in my country, the thought of moving to Thailand excites me. I can live with ease on my social security. :-).

[@ประไพอ่อนทอง]

Welcome to Thailand

[@apoloestrada2908]

America is getting worse right now, I can't wait to leave and move to Thailand by late 2025 or early 2026.

[@richiereid100]

Great living expenses update mate. Currently assessing an early retirement and in Phuket now enjoying Thai life. Hua Him sounds far more affordable than here though that’s for sure!

[@ThereGoesSpider]

Been living in Thailand/Viet Nam for years and years now. Never have gone over 1000/mo. I don’t drink or go to bars, live a healthy type lifestyle and travel around a lot. Even years ago when baller-traveling I never spent more than 1600/mo. Cheers 🥂 Editors Note: I live in a new condo. All the amenities and 2 pools , surrounded by 3 malls, Tesco, Big C, Home Pro, 3 wooded parks and both the MRT and BTS trains.

[@Roof_Pizza]

Ah yes, another one who thinks people would want your crap lifestyle not to mention you've missed out on a tonne of expenses. I'm sure if we saw your spreadsheet you would go dirt cheap on everything and otherwise claim you don't need it. Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges. Fun, fun, fun.

[@Hmmm313]

Thats a shitty life. 1000$ thats nothing. You need at least 2000$ to get a decent life in Thai

[@ThereGoesSpider]

@@Roof_Pizza 😂😂😂

[@passiveincomemadeasy]

That a good amount i think well done my wife and i are coming next year for 3 months and i said 50.000 a month would be enough for the 2 of us we dont drink much like to do basic stuff i think now you doing this video even 40.000 would be ok but i will leave it at 50.000 thanks fantastic video.

[@robinhooper4126]

Having watched more than a few of this type of program content,your costs appear appropriate to the standard of your choice. Condo's are usually the go to accommodation mostly 2 bedroom,balcony and beach view. Therin lies the difference in costs. Most expats enjoy the comforts and tit bits we all find hard to give up. Your electricity(aircon etc.) costs are surprising and obviously your "must have". And yes affordable for us,regardless of condo/house preferences. We are of a different age group and preference,love visiting,love your life choices and we often weigh up our own. Thankyou for your open book approach.

[@Masta2A]

Great video very honest and informative … I’m a bees dick away from pulling the pin and get the hell out of Australia .. I’ve watched a few of your vids and I understand the life you want to live … Without living there I reckon you’re on the money with living expenses as I’ve visited Thailand 4times in the past two years coming up for my 5th in February. Mandy is gorgeous and I wish you well with the upcoming birth of your first child and I reckon your in good hands (Thai-Hospitals) Good luck to both of you stick at it and I hope you both stand the test of time living where everyone wants to live.

[@LloydandMandy]

Do it...and thanks so much!

[@devachapman6315]

"Bees dick away" that just made my day! new phrase unlocked.

[@MrRedback22]

Thinking of making the move from Aus.. watched a lot of your videos

[@LloydandMandy]

You should!

[@johnrencher442]

Great job explaining your expenses and what you spend on… I actually think this is really honest and helpful… I have been looking at Thailand and Malaysia, and Panama for about a year now, I worry about the language barrier in all of those places, but I feel like I really don’t want to try to penny pinch to just survive in the USA… after working all my life, I just want to retire and volunteer and maybe work for travel money… You two are a lovely couple and I am very happy your about to be parents… I will definitely be watching your journey together… Blessings to you both and your bundle of joy…

[@SonyaVinehill-James]

Exciting! When I saw her on the hospital bed I thought wow! It’s happening! Thank you for your fabulous videos! I love them, so informative! Great! I’m coming to Thailand next month, and will certainly be looking at your info before I arrive. Thank you

[@janetackland493]

Thanks Lloyd. This is better than I expected. Extremely informative. You are living a healthy normal life which is necessary as I have watched vids where people out partying every night come unstuck.

[@traviskennedy7621]

Love the content guys, I was impressed with the total after starting off with a relatively higher priced accommodation. You guys live well and it's still super affordable. Congrats on all the success!

[@philharnett2884]

Please put the $ price in. AUD or USD would really help. I'm not gonna do a conversion for everything. 😊 oh, just saw you did it at the end 😅

[@LloydandMandy]

lol

[@freyafoxmusic]

Basically just do everything times 33. So 1000 baht is approx 33 usd

[@scottgeen3062]

​@@LloydandMandyhi scott from New Zealand would 8million baht and pension 40.000baht would be enough to live in Thailand looking for advice thank you from Scott

[@dueyduey1611]

If you plan to live in that house more than 5 years, You may consider solar cell systems. It can reduce your electricity bill down to less than 500 baht per month.There are plenty of reliable company offer to implement the solar cell system in Thailand. The cost is about 80,000 -100,000 baht

[@MagaMonkeysMovetoRussia]

I'm in Thailand right now for the past 8 months and prices are same as everywhere else except rent prices and transportation is exceptional but I'm in Pattaya right now. I came from Baja Mexico in La Paz for 1.5 yrs and I pay the same every month as I did there, rent is more in La Paz but no Immigration fees or hassle. NONE! Works out to be the same price but way more advantages in Baja, Close to the USA, can bring your car, no immigration but you will need a passport to get back, American products galore like Walmart, Costco, Sam's, Amazon delivery and absolutely beautiful beaches, culture, people and all around wonderful. Just saying. I love Thailand too. Cons in Mexico is no Maryjane, guns, barking dogs, and of course the ladies who we all know are the bomb on Thailand.

[@pfb161]

Try some pedestal fans vs A/C all day to reduce Elec bill. 6-8k is big, mine is under 1500b in C-Mai.

[@devachapman6315]

lloyd you forgot one expense...weekly massages :) that is around the price i expected for 2 soon to be 3 humans. you guys do have a nice house and life there. been trying to get the other half to speed a year or more there but no luck so far. seems like a lot of people are moving to Hau hin hopefully it does not turn in to Phuket. anyway there is my thoughts to help your algorithm.

[@freyafoxmusic]

Agree

[@stevechase7568]

Ring a loving couple is suppose they take care of that themselves

[@careygagnon5853]

It was handy to get local Hua Hin info. All my research has pointed me there for retirement. Planning my first investigative trip for next year.

[@sumosprojects]

I’m happy here DownUnder & whilst it’s expensive the heat over there would kill ☠️me

[@propheticpig868]

About $1000 USD for a nice 3 bdrm House is cheap, a great deal. $100 USD for comprehensive health insurance is very low priced too.

[@hugotapisu]

You can find a lot cheaper than that and with good conditions, a club house. Full security

[@thaweesakthitimetharoch9885]

Many things are affordable for local people. It depends on our lifestyle.

[@ทองใบทองเปาว์]

Can you get along with the local people? In case you want to live in Thailand? Or don't care, can we live together? You have to find additional income. Give more than just expenses. I am giving you strength. Hua Hin people are the same.

[@ประไพอ่อนทอง]

ทำไมคุณต้องเช่ารถมอเตอร์ไซต์แพงขนาดนั้น แทนที่จะเอาเงินค่าเช่า4,000บาท ไปซื้อรถ หรือไม่ก็ดาวน์แล้วผ่อนเอารถคันนั้นก็จะเป็นของคุณในไม่ช้า

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Lloyd, your accomodations are HUGE! I live in a bed-sitter, Mate. And, I do not have a pool, or SERVANTS to tend to me and my needs, as well. I am almost 70 years of age. I must do everything for myself.

[@janetackland493]

I will meet you there LOL. I know what you mean mate.

[@daveyoudell]

My Thai wife and I built our 3 story home in Thailand 5 years ago. it was obviously way cheaper than building in Australia. 😂 our life style allows us to live between both countries.

[@LloydandMandy]

That's amazing!

[@janetackland493]

I live in Newport on Northern Beaches of Sydney. Your rent here for what you have would be close to $2,000 per week mate.

[@Amanda_downunder]

I'm wanting to move once I get aged pension, at present, Aust does NOT have a social security agreement with Thailand ! maybe one day, this will change. 🙏

[@stevechase7568]

Thank you for you well presented video. I have watched your videos from time to time as I wander the globe. Hua Hin is a favorite as I spent some months there last year. I will be heading there again soon. Perhaps I can meet you along the way some time this season. If you haven’t been there, may I suggest Baan Kuhn Por ( the house if my fathers) just west of the rail tracks on Soi 88. Very reasonable good with live free entertainment every night. Subsidized by 13:06 13:06 Chang beer and I 13:06 great bargain for me as I like to dance and drink club soda with lime

[@nightclawer6679]

You should buy the scooter of your own if you live long term cuz 2 years of your rent can almost brought it out right😅 and consider brought an suv car for your family too. The 2nd hand car market in Thailand are now facing over supply right now so you can find a new and cheap car like never before so just check it out

[@LloydandMandy]

We just bought a car actually!

[@nightclawer6679]

@@LloydandMandy I see

[@TalesFromTheFarsideOfThailand]

Regarding the electricity bill, the government has it at around 4.3 baht per kwh, but every landlord (where i live at least) charges 8-9 baht per kwh, which is a piss take, they are literally stealing from us. The Thai baht is also very strong so now its quite expensive for us foreigners, in fact i went to central in Pattaya the other day and some items from the west were 10 times the price, even tomatoes where 4-6 times the price. I bought some cream cheese and it cost 450 baht which is £10.34, in the UK its only 85 pence (£0.85) ffs wtf haha. Also we used to get 68 baht per £1. now its around 42-43 per £1. it's Dreadful. The exchange rate has killed everything really. I can remember the hotel prices back in 2004 when i lived here then and they haven't really gone up too much, its just the poor exchange rate that has screwed us all lol

[@martinsaunders4900]

Awesome information, Lloyd, cheers 🙏

[@chrisbdon]

Yes I agree with prices. Single person is much less. Condos provide excercise room and pools so no need for that expense either. 2500$ Canadian you should do well. love Hua HIn!

[@travelingmoses]

Hey Lloyd, I think your total calculation is incorrect. If you add each item you mentioned total is around 85,000 Thb

[@joykristin6797]

This is a very realistic budget!! You guys do a good job. I spend the same for one person...I think it is my wine budget. LOL... FYI My 2 bed condo at malibu on the beach is the same rent, so I guess its the wine....

[@yabanjin5296]

Would’ve been great to show equivalent AUD & USD throughout the video to get a real sense. Found myself constantly doing calculations in my head instead of watching & listening to what you have to say. Great video nonetheless! We are considering living in Chiang Mai so assuming we should add 10-20% in additional cost?

[@rimzalia1362]

1) health insurance is not a luxury...It is a necessity.... like your motorcycle helmet. You can choose not to wear it but when bad stuff occurs. It hits you hard. 2) I estimate your 60k THB per month now will go up to 100k and later on around 250k per month because your child needs foods, clothes and education

[@dcasper5]

That is very low, The minimum we have paid for a dinner in Hua Hin is 750 (5 dishes some rice and noodles and a couple of drinks each). I would spend about 300 each day at 711 grabbing a coffee, water, juice odd snack. The Gym membership is an excellent price. It will be a while before we move back over, but I am budgeting for 120,000 per month excluding accommodation. Have a family farm up North where we can stay, Son will be buying a holiday house most likely around Hua Hin which he will most likely only use a couple of weeks a year.

[@TimmyJugkrapong]

ยิ้มตาม เมื่อพวกคุณยิ้ม เที่ยวไทย อยุ่ไทยให้สนุกและมีความสุขนะครับ รอฟังข่าวหลานน้อยอยู่นะ เกิดที่ไทย สภาพแวดล้อมเมืองไทย เขาคงจะเป็นเด็กที่น่ารัก ยิ้มแย้ม แจ่มใส มิจิตใจที่อ่อนโยน ติดตามและรอชมนะครับ

[@RenatoJones]

Thanks L&M. Helps a ton

[@sbkpilot1]

what about visa costs? about a $100/month for the visa run every so often? Also, from what i've heard apartment deposits are rarely returned in Thailand so that has to be figured in as well as a cost.

[@Caitlinsway]

Great realistic video Lloyd & Mandy! How did you find your villa? Did you use a realtor? Are there specific Thai websites or message boards? this info would be greatly appreciated as Airbnb is overpriced

[@SonyaVinehill-James]

Hi guys, have you had your baby?? The last video I saw was Mandy in hospital 🎉

[@LloydandMandy]

Not yet!

[@lukeluke1927]

I'm looking at buying in the future as the cost of the rent over 7 -9 years is rough cost of a cheaper 2-4 bedroom townhouse depending on the area

[@aspirit7776]

Still cheaper than Malaysia and Singapore with the same standard of living. Anyhow, it depends on your life style and city you live that cost is diffenent.

[@LloydandMandy]

WAY cheaper than Singapore, that place is expensive

[@cooperkunath3327]

Great video. My wife and I and dog are moving the Thailand from the US in three weeks. We plan on staying in Hua Hin as well. I have so many questions for you. How did you find your villa? It’s exactly what we’re looking for.

[@Birthspace]

Most people pay almost that amount for a weeks rent in Sydney Aus 😅

[@LloydandMandy]

Yep!

[@stevetait8515]

Wow. It all seems pretty cheap to me, but I live in Sydney. I might give this a go as I am recently divorced and feel like a change. The question is, what’s the expat community like in Hua Hin Great video 🙏🙏

[@LloydandMandy]

Lot's of expats here

[@Tony-eb5kh]

That’s cheaper than our monthly expenses and we own the house, cars and scooter. Your electric and cleaner seems to high. My cleaner comes every Thursday and charges 400thb for a 7.5 hour day.

[@dueyduey1611]

Maybe they hire the cleaner via a company. That why the cost is high. The individual cleaner is a lot cheaper.

[@apoloestrada2908]

Thanks for the video, if I have to retire in Thailand in my early 50's, I need to have at least $3K of monthly pension plus extra savings for emergency.

[@StantonRich]

You’ll be on struggle street living on 1k USD pm in bkk.

[@LloydandMandy]

we did stay in a pretty cheap apartment in BKK last year

[@สุทธิศักดิ์มธุรพงศากุล]

Nice content 😊🫰❤️🩷🎉🎊🇹🇭

[@LloydandMandy]

Thank you 🙌

[@noreenneu837]

Hi guys. Thanks for this info Lloyd. It seems right in line with what I am estimating. Will be moving there in a year or two myself. Curious to hear what you guys have been doing visa wise this last year and what your plans are for the future. Will the new DTV work for you?

[@trustnuffin9121]

Actually I thought it was going to be a lot more considering you are paying 35,000 TB for accomodation. Awesome 👍

[@cypressxm]

I love the dog! Is the dog Thai or did you bring it in? If she's from Australia, what was involved in getting her there?

[@dogfraust458]

Best wishes

[@dogfraust458]

Thanks!

[@LloydandMandy]

wow, thank you so much!

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Actually, NO Lloyd … I did NOT click on this video because I am thinking of moving to Thailand. I clicked on this video because … wait for it … I like hearing AND seeing your content, Mate! 😂

[@elsienorback7689]

What I really wished you did during this vlog was to give an equivalent to Australian dollars or US dollars compared to Thai baht. It really threw me off because I had to leave the vlog and Google Thai baht to USD on my phone, so that threw me out of KZbin entirely. I then had to get back on KZbin find your page then start this vlog again. By then I really didn’t want to watch the vlog so I didn’t watch til the end because I was no longer focused on what you were saying.

[@LloydandMandy]

Oh, we have the conversion at the end of the video

[@Nunya37]

Do most people rent? Or do people actually buy condo/home? Im intested in retiring outside of US. Hopefully on a total budget around $1500 USD ir under per month. Would i be able to buy a condo in a decent area for that budget?

[@earnheartgold]

If you were a single guy, what city in Southeast Asia would you want to live in? It seems like Hua Hin might be a bit too quiet for a single guy.

[@dueyduey1611]

Bangkok for real

[@พวงผกาพันธุ์พืช]

Love your family❤

[@LloydandMandy]

Thank you

[@dazme5111]

Hi Lloyd did you get a motor bike Licence before leaving Australia or can you get one in Thailand. Thanks for the info . Would love to leave Australia, its soo expensive now

[@LloydandMandy]

I got one here in Thailand, was pretty easy but took a couple of days, i made a video about it actually

[@carstensanonym7527]

May be the owner charges more Baht/unit electricity then the real cost (from provider) is?

[@LloydandMandy]

I've looked into it and it seems like a pretty normal price we're paying

[@neonomad1939]

I spend 2000 USD per minth as a single guy staying few months. I wonder what your visa situation is.

[@mst6429]

We all know you are 6 foot 2, stop rubbing it all in our faces. Just kidding buddy. The most important thing is that everyone including the young one is healthy. Great content and keep it coming!

[@LloydandMandy]

lol, cheers!

[@toddbowey528]

Hi, we're planning on moving soon and this verified everything I've been finding, except for the house cleaning. Was the price per day or per hour?

[@teckin139]

Buy a used bike for 30-40k. You would have had it paid for already. A new one is probably only 90,000ish. You can always sell it when you leave and get some of that money back.

[@LloydandMandy]

We actually just bought a car instead!

[@thetruth5011]

Even better 👍

[@teckin139]

@@LloydandMandy haha yes that is better for sure especially with a baby coming

[@_jamesbradley__]

thanks for the vid. if you are single, you are going to spend wayyyyy more than the boring married life. sorry but factually true. all the best sir.

[@LloydandMandy]

I think you mean you will spend more on alcohol if that's your thing

[@Thailand064]

Oh,high expense for thai people,you can less it more if you want especially accomodation or electricity bil isl too high.

[@danlai7396]

Loyd is cheap but you can't Make money in that unless you have money. Daddy 😂❤

[@AngelfaceTV]

Ive seen rent increases in thailand that are really high. 200-400$ in a few months. Whats up with that? The place I was looking at went from 1250 to 1650 USD, 2 bedroom condo. Is it the influx of nomads or what?

[@dueyduey1611]

Just find other places. There are many accommodations in Thailand you can choose.

[@neonomad1939]

You're right. Hotel prices have really shot up in recent months/years in general.

[@LloydandMandy]

well, it seems like a lot of people are leaving there own countries because they've become unaffordable

[@sorsun46]

i don't get it.. you uploaded a video 1 year ago talking about living in a RV for 1 month, and now you say you've been living in thailand for a year? so you spent all your money in the RV, used it for a month then moved to another country? 🤯

[@userdhss-hsjs]

Living in Thailand for less than a year does not qualify you to report accurate living expenses. And when I hear someone call themselves a digital nomad and content creator, I see fake content. Oh and by the way, living is more than living costs. It's also about economic opportunities and freedoms. Why not tell everyone about the lack of economic opportunities and freedoms in Thailand for both locals and tourists like you? KZbinrs always BS you and never give you the full scoop.

[@freyafoxmusic]

Food: you guys overpaying hellaaaa. If you eat at Terminal 21 every day its only 30-40 baht for a very decent hawker meal

[@neonomad1939]

You don't eat well for 30-40 baht. The Portions are too small and the ingredients could be better.

[@freyafoxmusic]

@@neonomad1939 they’re not too small ? I always have a perfectly sized bowl of curry or coconut chicken of some sort for 40

[@paulsandford3345]

Ive heard Thailand will be cashless by 2028. That's me out!

[@LloydandMandy]

Can't see that happening really, all of the night markets and restaurants are cash only, it's actually hard to do anything without cash here (unless you have a Thai bank account which tourists don't)

[@MSWcryptoworker]

Min wage in Thailand is 9.50 to 10.25 a day. Just saying

[@nattm6553]

MEDIAN pay in Thailand 2023 is 86900 baht/month meaning that 50% of Thaiworkers make OVER that...funny that ppl only speak of minimum wage.. well a Myanmar immigrant working in construction gets it. a person with education does not. Thailand has only 6% poverty rate btw

[@tenderbeat4780]

😊💲