Pros + Cons Of Living In Phuket As A Foreigner - The REALITY Of Living In Phuket As An Expat

[@livinginphuketthailand]

▶FIND A PROPERTY IN PHUKET WITH MIKE: bit.ly/propertyinphuket

[@livinginphuketthailand]

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[@michaelbrereton5748]

Do you have an email address I can contact you on? I’m looking to buy a property and have some questions

[@glaubhafieber]

I changed my plan to live in Phuket to live in Bangkok. One of the main reasons is that my health insurance has no contract with Bangkok Phuket hospital and I need pricey healthcare. In Bangkok i walk into a hospital and get immediately recognized. After some paperwork i get my treatment and meds without any co-pay. Visiting Phuket about 2 times per year but keeping Bangkok as a home base

[@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl]

Forget about Thailand!

[@Mike_Baldwin]

@@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl Why????????????????????????

[@NatalieCoulson]

Great video - thanks!

[@Berelore]

Got news for you, prices are going up everywhere... Here in the USA groceries have increased 50 - 100% in the last 3 years.

[@DjinnDjinni]

Hmm I wonder why?

[@fractal1133]

They raised our rent 30 percent each year for two years. Unable to afford anymore. Had to leave.

[@mikelee7972]

I am going to be in PHUKET first time for a month. NOV-DEC. I am hoping everyone is friendly. Rented a nice apt and im pretty sure i will be kept more busy than i was in Bangkok. Plus everyone is saying the time im going is great. GREAT VIDEO

[@WeiFinder]

Enjoy your trip! I've been in Phuket 45 days earlier this year and loved it, actually explored every corner of the island w/ scooter. Also explored Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and other islands, and this year I'll check out Bangkok for a month.. Love Thailand I'm actually going to Asia again for 8 months starting early Nov.

[@mikelee7972]

@@WeiFinder thanks!!!!! i really appreciate. I am thinking i will like Phuket better than Bangkok even though i had fun there. I am more of a beach person!!!!! Just came back from a nice boat road in sunny South FLorida. I love it here too!!!

[@larryellington3543]

Just my two cents but Phuket is one of the most expensive places in Thailand to live and it's also one of the most oppressively hot during the warmest months. It's also been overrun by how shall I say a certain nationality of which many are obnoxious and rude.

[@somekindaguy100]

They seem to keep to themselves but my goodness they have taken over .I wonder what will happen when the war ends next year

[@Mammamialove]

New subscriber from Thailand. Nice video. Phuket is nice, but after living in phuket for many years, it gets boring. So moving back to pattaya and living 20-30 km away from pattaya city center which i think is a good decision. Get good value for good accommodation. Phuket is everything expensive. Too much trafic, it has only 3 districts and only 1 exit which is sarasin bridge. Phuket is good for holiday, pattaya (10-30 km outside of city) is really good living long term. If wanna have bice tropical feeling, only need to go to sattahip, which is only 25 km from pattaya city center, the beaches there are very clean and nice clear water. It's still not well known by tourists. That area has also many nice islands. Phuket is commercial, it's not that real thai feeling. Pattaya city is also commercial and a shithole, but outside of pattaya is really really nice and cheap

[@lourdeslowingsdivergrandma]

🙏 very informative and looking forward to retire in Phuket soon. 🎉

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hchang359]

I am thinking about retiring in Thailand within the next 5 years and your video was very informative and helpful. Thank you.

[@livingoverseasonadime5933]

Great video! I love the pros and cons approach - it is the same as we take in many of our videos. Thanks for the unbiased opinions, it is good to know as much as possible when considering a place for living.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Thanks for watching!

[@lesiamany3391]

Love it! Think about leaving the USA forever!!

[@amulyabaruah5070]

I just watched ur video. Damn good!!! We are planning to move to Phuket next year from London. We intend to buy a villa with pool in a good lively location. £500,000 budget. Do you think it is possible? Could you suggest some locations? Thanks in advance.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Glad to hear that you're planning to move to Phuket. You can certainly find a nice pool villa for 500k GBP. Feel free to message me on WhatsApp [phone] or browse our website www.livinginphuketproperty.com

[@surf01er66]

Thanks, aloha

[@lloydy.5012]

Interesting thank you

[@livinginphuketthailand]

You're welcome

[@grahamfraser5938]

I noticed that you didn't mention that driving on Phuket is a horrible experience. I am not the most patient person but the traffic on Phuket was more than I can cope with so I only ventured out later at night. Thankfully the Central shopping mall is open until 10pm. I ended up staying on the northern end of Phuket, north of the airport where it is noticeably quieter. Try driving through Patong at night. It is a parking lot and the scooters are on you like fleas on a mongrel dog's back. Honestly I found life much more relaxed on Koh Samui. Phuket has all the conveniences you could ask for but the traffic was beyond me.

[@somekindaguy100]

Yep agreed ,I pick my times when to be in the traffic or it's a joke without a doubt

[@haych27]

thanks Mike. I was there in March and for me a huge benefit is that eating out from local markets and even cheap restaurants the food is fresh - fresh seafood, fresh vegetables, fresh juices are readily available and full of flavour. Western food is packaged unless you cook

[@b4bmm]

Fresh and laced with pesticides and anything else the farmer can use to produce a good yield

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Good stuff!

[@Roof_Pizza]

And why don't you cook? Thai food isn't as heathy as many make it out to be.

[@haych27]

@@Roof_Pizza there is no stove or oven in the property I live in Australia which might surprise people that this is how properties are leased here thanks to greed and the housing crisis.

[@cleasberg3461]

the food its not fresh on the market its full of formaline

[@nickchristopherson6162]

WOW I AM FROM THE U.S. 60 THOUSAND BHAT FOR 5 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL...THIS IS A LITTLE UNDER 2000 U.S.D. U COULD NOT EVEN GET INTO A HOSPITAL HERE FOR THAT

[@seans7228]

That's why some people choose to self insure.

[@b4bmm]

$2000 is a budget good enough to live comfortably but nothing flash. Especially if you keep your rent to less than 15k a month. What’s your favourite beach?

[@livinginphuketthailand]

I like Ao Yon beach, Nai Harn is also one of my favourites 👌

[@WALTERCONCA-f9e]

Enjoyed your presentation. very much, thanks. Wondering whether there are any air quality issues on the island, and read that garbage disposal is becoming a major problem. is there any governmental site to access in order to gather information? Thanks

[@TristanandIsolt]

Thanks I'm going to Phuket to look at properties for sale. One I really like is a small condo on Rawai Beach. I've already got a realtor a Russian guy. Is it possible that Chiang Mai would be a better place to live?

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Do you prefer beaches or mountains? 😉

[@TristanandIsolt]

@@livinginphuketthailand Beaches, but I like Mountains also.

[@2804Freedom]

I prefer a Singha Beer and a good Pad Thai to Champagne and Caviar.

[@willk9847]

Nice vid

[@6079SmithW]

Hello Mike. I'm very glad I found your channel. I will be retiring there in 5 years when I'm eligible. I'm very impressed with your list of contact sites. I will be clicking on several of those soon when I get a minute. I'll write again soon. Looking forward to further correspondence.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Cheers 👌

[@investmentsforexpats]

Nice video - I enjoyed the breakdown. I liked Phuket when I visited the area a year or so ago! It was very relaxed and I loved the beaches and the relaxed feel of the island. With anything I gravitated away from the main areas to see if I could find the quiet areas and local places! From a supply and demand point of view, I think because it's becoming more and more popular and nomads want to work from there for the work/life balance, cost of living, and all-round quality of the area, with it being an island, there is only so much space! For me, I chose Bangkok because I like how I can get to lots of different places with ease using various means of transport!

[@972Kostas]

Thank you for the accurate information! I have a question: what kind of insurance would you recommend for 2-3 weeks? Thank you for your reply!

[@barnold62]

I can't get out there for another 7 years. Do you think things will change where it wouldn't be a bargain anymore compared to the U.S.?

[@dpavlovsky]

Hi Mike. I arrive in Phuket in a couple of weeks. Am looking for a property that's in a quiet area, preferably something close to hiking areas where I can go trail running regularly. Not a big beach person, but being close to one would be nice. I was looking @ the Karon/Kata area, between the beaches and big Buddha as well as Rawai further south. My budget would be around $500, but wouldn't be adverse to paying more for the ideal place. (Kitchen is a must and a simple gym would be nice too.) Let me know if you have any suggestions.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Are you looking for long term or short term rental?

[@dpavlovsky]

@@livinginphuketthailand Ideally short-term at first, and then long-term. I don't want to sign a yearly contract until I have my long-term visa secured.

[@steadyeddylive7801]

Very informative video. I noticed on my last visit that when it comes to beaches, Patong is far better than Pattaya. And it is possible to get cheap beer even in the tourist areas. I wasn't impressed with the restaurants, but maybe that was my hard luck. I'll spend more time next visit exploring the island.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Cheers Eddie!

[@jomontanee]

I prefer Pattaya to Phuket and I am Thai.

[@RobertSmith-rj9md]

Pattaya ??? Oh Classy Joint

[@haych27]

Can I ask what visa you're on to be able to live there for 10 years.

[@thehammer3340]

Thailand does have the ELITE VISA which is available for 5,10, or 20 years. They can be a bit pricey but the perks are well worth it.

[@shaqisumari304]

Thai is rich lucky place to be

[@TenzDenz]

Basically you need income of 2000+USD. that's all.

[@EssaysonWorldNews-wm6zu]

how much is health insurance?

[@2tickets1world]

In phuket maybe but that's like everything. I've seen some apartments for like $300 a month!

[@baggeradi]

2000 euro is absolutely minimum for Phuket per month....i comme to phuket since 1988

[@yarnsandnovels]

Is it true that Phuket is subject to devastating hurricanes and Tsunamis, etc?

[@Tom-kh6gi]

Hi, How can I find a small house to rent while I am teaching in a local International school. I believe the school is in or near Phuket town.

[@rcardoosuna6491]

As more and more foreigners head to Thailand, the cost of living there is likely to spike up in the coming years.

[@othername2428]

You made a typo. * the cost of living EVERYWHERE is likely to spike up in the coming years. There, I fixed it for you.

[@BrokeButFree]

I have seen a studio flats without kitchen for like 2000-4000 baths a month. I mean thats like 100 usd a month. What you telling about 2k a month ? 2k a month I had in UK and I lived a better live than in Prague. So I guess thats not really true about the 2k

[@othername2428]

Who wants to live in a slum room..with no kitchen!? Get real

[@nastastic]

Can you pass me a link?

[@imunfathomable]

Any good low traffic beaches? I like running on beach in solitude. Or are they all pretty packed with tourists? Whats best website to use to look at long term rentals or should i look for a place in person when i get there?

[@Bangkokrover]

It's great the amount of Russians living in Phuket these days. I study Russian language and went down there recently for conversation practice with native speakers.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

There's definitely plenty of people for you to practise your language skills with!! 👌

[@brucesnyder690]

Ugh, one of the reasons nice left. UGH UGH RUSSKIES GO HOME!!

[@lineage13]

It turns out alot of them are actually Ukrainian, after seeing their passports at immigration!

[@WeiFinder]

I found it a bit too much.. It was overrun by Russians, Phuket doesn't feel authentic Thai anymore that's for sure

[@vincenzoniglioITALIAINTHEWORLD]

hi , 2000 USD is 8X time the Phuket salary , is it not so much or they see you are from America or Europe and put the price up? Eheh 😊

[@LDW1961]

❤

[@carlyndolphin]

Is 200,000b per month a good life in Phuket for a single man?

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Absolutely, you will live very well on 200k per month. Good luck!

[@grahamfraser5938]

100,000 baht per month will give you a very comfortable life. I traveled for eight weeks in Thailand and stayed in very nice hotels and ate every meal in restaurants and with everything included I still spent less than 70,000 Baht per month.

[@markholland6657]

great video as always Mike... without a mortgage now am actually better off staying based in UK and just doing winters out there a few months a yr..

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Whatever works for you mate! 👌

[@ramsoncole4605]

Are retirement visas expensive?

[@ashirrelevent1062]

Have to have 800k Baht in a Account for 6 months out of the year. Look it up online.

[@fractal1133]

Spent two years there. Was not for me.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Fair play, it's not for everyone. 😊🙏

[@WeiFinder]

1M per year for international school????

[@livinginphuketthailand]

For BIS yes, approx 1 mill annually for secondary student as far as I know

[@stegura83]

So you've never returned to the UK once? Even to visit family?

[@livinginphuketthailand]

I go back to the UK regularly, but try to keep my visits to summer months! ☀️

[@jomontanee]

@@livinginphuketthailandVERY WISE!❤

[@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl]

Black Forest area in Germany is much better!

[@louis20122]

I move there for retirement so I don't have to worry about jobs.

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Enjoy!

[@louis20122]

@@livinginphuketthailand Does the shower have sewage gas smell there? I heard from some KZbinrs complain about it in Chiang Mai and Bangkok and the water may cause itch

[@Satorimode]

How about the crime in phuket??

[@geoffwaterman6560]

I disagree about food quality in phuket. Yes. It also most expensive location in Thailand. But it has surf and nice beaches. Retired? Better off in hauhin.

[@EssaysonWorldNews-wm6zu]

how is air quality there?

[@geoffwaterman6560]

@@EssaysonWorldNews-wm6zu I'm going to Hauhin tomorrow 🤪. Air is good in phuket.

[@LimakNiwos]

2000 dollar in pound =1 645

[@rickbold9337]

So if a guy was there and had $4,000 USD/month and was supporting a girlfriend, you could have a good life?

[@livinginphuketthailand]

I guess the depends on what sort of girlfriend you have....😅. Yes mate, $4k is about 120,000 THB. You will live very well on that budget.

[@Roof_Pizza]

Would NEVER live there. Too busy watching your back. Is the taxi scamming you? Often Is the bar scamming you? Often Has someone broken into your room? Yes Have to coppers targeted you? Hell yes, weekly. Do you pay for this but you get that? Daily. Does your government punish you? Almost always. Is your top tier insurance ignored and you have to double up? YES,

[@livinginphuketthailand]

Sounds like you've had some very negative experiences. Sorry to hear that.

[@louis20122]

Really??? That sounds horrible. What country do you think is nice and affordable?

[@2020-q1p]

Something that turns me off about Phuket is the scammy culture. Been there once and never wanted to come back. But I stayed in the touristy area. How about areas in the North, like around Boat Avenue and the beaches to the West of that? How does Samui compare to Phuket in terms of scammy culture?

[@gordonduncan8892]

No, He has just been to Phuket.

[@othername2428]

​@@louis20122 Vietnam (Hanoi, Da Nang, basically anywhere but HCMC). Penang ML. Cambodia. PHILIPPINES...

[@blakechristensen9073]

I live in Patong, American. Now in August, Chinese everywhere. December to Febuary, Russian rude people everywhere.

[@imunfathomable]

50,000 - 60,000 baht for 5 days in hospital...... oh you sweet summer phuket child.... lol.