Cost of living in Hua Hin

[HHTel]

But that's based on local inflation and isn't necessarily due to changes in a foreign exchange rate!

[sargeant]

A very thought provoking article Pete got me on the calculator anyway
Granted my private pension rises by about 5% per year

but if all stays as it is i could and would still be here as a drop to 19.43 Bt to the pound would still see me make the 400,000 Bt for a marriage visa

I live on less than 25,000 Bt a month quite easily and 400,000 Bt works out at 33,333 Bt a month

however that still does NOT take into account inflation/rising prices but it does spur me on to build our house in Petchabun (we have bought the land) to stop rent rises

Fitch have just reinstated the Thai credit rating because of Yinglack giving stability so i expect the Baht to strengthen giving rise to rough times ahead for some

[STEVE G]

There are many differences in opinion about exactly what is required for a pension. Of course, there are a few people who say they will never retire and that they will work until they drop. This could be because they cannot afford to stop working because they have made no provisions.

One of the biggest problems is that annuity rates have dropped to a level that make traditional pensions pretty much unaffordable. I've basically run my own pension fund for the last twenty years and I have accumulated a sum that would have been adequate to retire at sixty when I started but is way short of what is required now which is something in the region of half a million pounds, so even after making provisions, we still have to work until we drop!

[JimmyGreaves]

Are you aware that in 1995-96 the average rate for the British pound was 39 baht?

I remember those days but fuel was 7 baht a litre, 18 baht would buy you a pack of cigarettes and a beer in Phatpong was 30 baht. 30 baht for a haircut. You could eat for 15 - 20 baht. 500 baht would get you a decent hotel and you could buy a villa for a fraction of what it costs today.

When comparing historical exchange rates you have to factor in the cost of living then!

Totally agree. Pointless comparing one without the other. I wish the UK pound to the baht was 1 to 1 as long as a beer cost 50 satang!

[Bristolian]

There are many differences in opinion about exactly what is required for a pension. Of course, there are a few people who say they will never retire and that they will work until they drop. This could be because they cannot afford to stop working because they have made no provisions.

One of the biggest problems is that annuity rates have dropped to a level that make traditional pensions pretty much unaffordable. I've basically run my own pension fund for the last twenty years and I have accumulated a sum that would have been adequate to retire at sixty when I started but is way short of what is required now which is something in the region of half a million pounds, so even after making provisions, we still have to work until we drop!

I know exactly how you feel. Even that half a million pounds may be insufficient, living overseas and with the likelyhood of a stronger Baht and weaker Pound compounding the issue.

[flexthai]

I took a different spin on this topic, which is the situation of "no tax" in Thailand. If I would live in Europe, I would need to pay tax of at least 10k Euro per year (capital gain tax and wealth tax on private pension funds), that is around 425k Baht or 35k Baht per Month. That is already a nice "free" start if I would live in Thailand as I can spent this on housing instead of Tax. Of course, money should not be the reason to travel around the world or start living in Hua Hin, but every bit helps to buy freedom.

[sargeant]

fexthai
you are obviously not British or if you are you are in for a shock. I pay tax on BOTH my pensions and it is not cheap

[hhfarang]

i cant see many people spending 120k unless they play golf everyday

If you play golf every day at the walk on rate that alone would cost 120k per month after green fees, caddy fees, tips, food and drink, transport, balls, gloves, and other consumables. 120000/30 = 4000 which is the average normal cost of a day of golf at most courses here if you are not a member and consider all the expenses involved in the sport. When I was playing it always cost around that unless I was getting a special society (group) rate or during the two months of the golf festival. That's one of the reasons I gave it up a couple of years ago.

My cost of living in Hua Hin has always been between 90 and 100k per month whether or not I played golf and whether or not I rented or owned. I support two people other than myself so that's a family of three plus two dogs but as has been written here many times before, it depends on your personal lifestyle; habits, needs, health, whether you drink and/or smoke, whether you can live with Thai noodles and somtam most of the time or whether you like a variety of food including western foods and how comfortable of a home you need or how much of a minimalist life you can survive and be happy.

[STEVE G]

fexthai
you are obviously not British or if you are you are in for a shock. I pay tax on BOTH my pensions and it is not cheap

Yes, it depends on where your pensions are based, if they've been set up off-shore over the years there would be tax advantages to living in Thailand but if they're in the UK it's a different story.

[hobotool]

Super Joe - so translating (just the first 4 items...):

US$1000 car finance/tax/ins/repairs
US$1000 wife allowance food/groceries/clothes/make-up/toiletries/small bills)
US$2000 entertainment/meals out/drinking/clothes/golf/local trips/gym/hobbies
US$500 gardener/pool cleaner/house cleaner
etc. Monthly!

That does seem rather a lot to me. Not questioning how you spend your money, but I think most people could get by on somewhat less. Probably quite easily.

How about living costs for a single white male?

[jingjoe]

Ive been keeping records of my spending for 2 years,
over a hundred day span it averages out pretty much the same.

I have a single male friend who wants to retire here,we have similar interests,adjusting my budget to suit him,i estimated that he would need 50 000 a month plus accommodation and purchase of small car and buying a golf membership.
This included all insurances,visas, and a regular trip away in Thailand.
You definitely need to have some set up costs before you come here as well.

[sargeant]

Jingjoe that seems perfectly reasonable to me
although my good lady throws a wobbly if we spend more than 25k a month mind you we are saving as hard as we can (about 50k a month) to build our house in Petchabun.
My advice would be budget for 70-75k a month and you will be fine
By the way i am a member of Dhanarat golf club so if you fancy a game PM me

[Homer]

How about living costs for a single white male?

'What is the cost of living?' is the most common and least useful question I've seen in 10 years of reading expat forums. Those who ask the question either haven't thought it through or have worded it poorly or think that everyone lives the same way they do.

Tell us how you want to live and we'll estimate the cost. Stick to the high cost categories (e.g., housing, food, medical, transportation, toys & recreation, and, if you're so inclined, travel, alcohol and girls). Write a scenario or 2, one describing your minimum quality of life and one describing a comfortable one. We can help but we can't read your mind.

[Dr Mike]

I was at Good Steak in the Nightmarket last night, with the Thursday night study group--the cost of their main dishes has gone up from 79b to 89b--WOW Thats almost $3

[sargeant]

Yep a rise of 33 cents disgusting there wont be any more falangs here if they keep it up