Every year you have to renew it and they won't cover any new ailment you got in the previous year, it will be a precondition. So if you get cancer e.g., you are f...ed
A year-round healthcare insurance that excludes cancer coverage is not worth having. As part-time travel insurance, why not, but then there are many other options.
This breakdown of expenses is spot on! Iive down here in Phuket Thailand, my monthly expense is just about the same. I am retired US Military, for me this is my best life and love this beautiful tropical paradise ❤️
I'm currently on Koh Tao,1st time in Thailand.. I met Mike during my 1st breakfast on Koh Samui,a few weeks ago. I was naturally excitable ,whist ppl watching.. What I noticed about Mike was his huge grin ,which got me talking to him.. Directed me on how to purchase a SIM card.. You just can't fake that type of happiness.. Well done ,good luck.
Retired expat from the US living on Tland five years. We were in Phuket, but recently moved to Trang, where GF (soon wife) owns a home. Laid back place, few foreigners. Nice people, plenty ro do, grear roads for mcycle riding. And good location for roD trips. We spend around the same. No rent, but travel each month. Eat out most every day. Two cars, two mcycles. Life is great!! Don't miss the US for a minute.
Thank you for your information about living in Thailand I’m Thai , I left Thailand when I was 22 years old to Singapore live there for 8 years and moved to England and now I’m over 50 thinking of going back to my beautiful place that I born 🇬🇧❤️🇹🇭
Same here. I left Thailand for US when I was 22 years old. I am now over 50 years old and retiring next year. I can't wait to return to my beloved homeland 💕
I left for the US when I was 2 years old and now I'm over 50 years old and I am seriously considering returning to the country of my birth for the last part of my life! I will be in Thailand this April to scout out some possible retirement sites.
I live in the UK. If I was you I would pack my bags and head for the airport. The UK, in my opinion, is going down the tube and millions would love to have the opportunity to leave but can't.
I just got back from Thailand a couple weeks ago. That trip really felt like a tipping point for me on the question of “What the hell am I waiting for?” So I really love seeing videos like this as I start making plans to stop waiting
Just got here myself, in Jomtien. I came in October, I left October 17th, quit my job 1hr after I landed in Houston. Sold my car, gave the rest of the furniture and stuff to my kids, who could use it. Here I am. I arrived in Thailand on Christmas Eve, Dec 24th. My Christmas present. In my defense I had prepared for 3 years to move to SEA. I was going to go to Vietnam but, situations changed.
I'm asking myself the same exact questions since years and after several trips in Thailand...Unfortunately it's not so easy to quit a job not knowing if things will go right once in Thailand...
As others commented, this is a marginal or minimal lifestyle. Certainly doable, but hardly sustainable. Okay when young and carefree, but what about starting a family etc.? We enjoy our great lifestyle in Thailand, but we definitely spend a lot more than that. In fact, we own a villa in Samui, where we could live "rent-free", so to speak, if we so wanted, but the upkeep of the place costs at least as much as the rent mentioned in the video. Regarding healthcare, there is a hack worth mentioning: foreigners on a work permit can get under the Thai Social Security system, which (while not perfect and certainly not up to European standards) provides excellent coverage for very little cost, with no exclusion and no age-limit. If combined with private insurance with a high excess, this provides an adequate and affordable solution.
The point of the vid was not and is not, you too can come to Thailand, find a girl, and raise a family on 1K/mo. The 1K/mo is the context of his life as of now. Perhaps Chris has another vid on the cost for a family. Lastly, is your villa in such bad shape that your monthly cost to maintain would be $450/mo? Many a friend here in HNL who own a home and who aren't spending that much a month, to include real property tax and homeowners insurance.
Get an appointment at your Embassy coming here. Biggest trouble is opening a bank account in Thailand, will not let a foreigner open without a work permit or existing long term visa. Bank deposit is manditory for a long term, over 30 day visa.
I just got back to the US and the not in Thailand depression hit before I even left Suvarnabhumi. 😢. I laughed on entry when customs/border officer asked why I loved Thailand so much..a question only someone that’s never been to Thailand would ask.😂❤️🇹🇭🌶 great video , gives a priced out idea of what could be done on a small budget!
iykyk....my friends who never been also dont get it...the people..the food and the simplicity of it all...i love thailand..im in pai right now and am heading home in 4 days...the depression is HERE
@DigitalNomadVentures you're video was awesome. I just joined with Chris on his site as a BOD and now following you. I'm coming to Thailand in March and hope to move there there eventually
I know what you mean bro. Been back 3 months now and the depression was real. Something that helped me was booking my next trip. Got a couple weeks left until I go back.
Hi Chris, I'm a Torontonian living in Thailand in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. I'm an ESL teacher and nearly 59! Left a 34 year career in Canadian law earning nearly 100k a year 3 years ago and now earn 39,000 baht monthly and have money LEFT OVER every month, unlike Canada where my paycheck was eaten up every month! Plus, I have government public healthcare insurance for freeeeeee 😂
Super interesting to know. I’m living in Toronto and have about 5 yrs to retirement and thinking seriously of part time or full time living in Thailand. Visited many many years ago and absolutely loved Thailand. Never thought of living there but the cost of living in Canada is getting ridiculous and I’m seeing a lot of people retiring abroad where their retirement funds carry them further. Might have start doing some reconnaissance visits! Cheers!
Very realistic. I lived on 35k baht a month in Bangkok very comfortably. Beautiful 1 bedroom apartment, high up with a communal pool and gym. Ate out every evening, typically I only eat 2 meals a day (Brunch/Dinner), went out and partied with friends, public transport/Moto taxis everywhere.. I’d say if you can earn 60/80k baht you’ll live an extremely good life, 35/50k a comfortable life.
Bangkok have very expensive live, if you pay 35K/month small 1 bedroom abartement someone thief you lot, normal abartement 1 bedroom cost ewerywere in thailand all city normal rent have 3500-4500 B, around pattaya have many house can rent 2-3 bedroom about own garage,garden,private silent area, 2 bathroom, about 8000-12000 B/month, condo expensive 12000-20k B/month, own house i has build cost 6000$ and no rent, only water and elektric about 3000 B/month. land TAX onetime/year about 70$ food 100-200$/month, i has live many many city many year last 30 year in thailand and abartement not newer has cost more than 4500 B/month. 1 bedroom small room, better rent house or terraced house lot more space many room and own silent live than abartement, 35K B can rent million good big house. lot better live than small dog house(abartement or condo) why Bangkok ? thailand have many many big city and lot cheapen than BKK, etc, udon thani live 8 million people big city but lot lot lot cheapen all than BKK, thailand expensive citys have BKK,phuket,pattaya all stupid tourist citys have super expensive, 5-9X expensive than all other city have.
I have a girlfriend living in Chiangrai, Thailand. She earned around $900/month. After taxes etc., she brings home (Net) only $700/month. This may not make her rich. But she was able to rent a place by herself and own a pretty nice size new car (Honda). I visited her almost once a year (except the lockdown last few years). To me, she seem to be doing okay with this salary.
The more videos I watch the more you’re convincing me. I think I’ll head out there, break bread with you and get some more details. Thank you for all the pertinent information and great vibes. See you soon! 🍻
Not accumulating a bunch of useless crap that you can't take with you to the grave. It took me 50 years to figure that out. My hats off to that young guy who has that figured out already! LESS IS MORE! Good video. 👍🇹🇭🏝️💰
I met Mike. Nice guy and cool lifestyle at Samui. Love to live in Samui... amazing Island. I stayed on chewang beach....i enjoyed so much. I really like What Mike is doing....living in dream place with pocket friendly budget.
Currently in Thailand now. Watched a lot of videos and decided to hop around. Thailand is a cool place but I'd 110% choose to live in the Philippines over Thailand.
Why is that? Most people recommend Thailand over PH for better quality of life and better service, such as no electricity outages, better healthcare etc.
@@00_UU yes sure, i has live in PH and move to thailand 15 year before because thailand have lot better live, cheapen, comfortable,better local food, better healt care, life quality lot better, all what you say have in thailand better and lot lot more safety, womans, food, houses, etc. PH have worst place live.
There we go~ Decent lifestyle, with choices and options. I say it over and over: I lived on $1100 a month for nearly a year. It was remarkably easy. When I return, I'll have income of $1950 a month, and I cannot imagine spending that entire amount since I don't drink coffee or beer.
Thank you so much for sharing. Some people make it seem like $2000 will barely be enough for one person. But knowing my spending habits and frugality, I don’t think I’d need that much…
i dont drink (i always regret it later thats why), dont smoke, i am a minimalist, so i plan to get the cost as low as possible then blow the rest on party girls hahahaha
@@Renovegas6109 I was on a retirement visa, OA, based on my IRA in America. A few more steps to obtain, but I am a widow, did it on my own just following the steps. I opened TWO Thai bank accounts while living in Chiang Mai, just for safety, and I now transfer about $70 a month via WISE to build up the money for the return. I'll be back in Thailand with full social security and a ton of savings for travel.
I am living a similar style like Mike. But I am in Pattaya. Surprisingly the prices are almost exactly the same here .Before everyone judges, I don't live in area that most of tourist and crazy party activities happen. Haha. It's similar to Mike's life except that it's not as rural as the islands which is what I like, because I can easily travel to Bangkok or any other countries because of the location. I just like the balance between city and nature life. But everyone is different. But I can totally feel the same satisfaction just like Mike being a digital nomad in Thailand :)
Amazing Chris! This is one of your best and most informative videos for those of us wanting to move to Thailand. Do lots more please!!! The monthly breakdown of costs, OMG… a fraction of the costs from living in Toronto. Great info. I remember speaking with Haelee, when you guys were in Toronto at the meetup, about less is more and getting rid of “stuff” (even shoes, which we women tend to have lots of!) and it’s so true… We don’t need so many material things. I think we could rent out our condo in Tdot and live quite comfortably in Samui, just on that, but I’d also like to amp up some online income as well. Keep up the amazing work and we hope to see you both again, soon 😊 Clarissa & Scott
@@RetiredWorkingForYou Of course! Also, an idea for a future video... Let's say, every once in a while, you'd like to have breakfast or make a meal at home. What is the comparable cost for say some milk, eggs or some other staple grocery items? Just curious :)
You could probably live on $1000 USD a month in UK or USA or wherever you come from as well. If you don’t have a mortgage, keep to minimum expenses. Cook at home a meal that lasts for a few days or buy cheap junk food. Like you could get a Domino’s Pizza for $5 NZD where I live.
You said it. If you DON'T have a mortgage. I presume NO rent either. I am in that position and live on £800 a month in the UK. I travel to Asia a few times and have never exceeded a £1,000 a month except for the airfare.
but thailand you live lot better food,weather,healty, house, than UK same money, not need eat junk food newer, and bonus if not like no need cooking newer in home food, all can buy cheapen on the street than cooking in home, and lot lot better food than itself cooking.
Great video Chris! I have to agree with some of the other comments though. I have been here for over a month and if you don't want to rent a scooter, transportation is expensive now. I have not been able to take a Songthaw for less than 200 bhat and taxis are 300 baht minimum. That adds up pretty quick. Also, if I am craving a different kind of food than Thai, it is double the prices he is paying. Insurance for me at 57 ears old is $200 per month and my retirement visa averages $100. So overall, $1500 dollars US per month is my budget. My house rent is $215 on Samui in Bo Phut. This budget doesn't even include travel. And I don't drink. Cheers and enjoy Samui!
Good point about Thai food.....Thai food tastes good no doubt....But for the long term, I think a westerners body will begin to reject Thai food over time due to its low nutritional value....So western food will be needed if you stay in Thailand long enough.....Give Mike a few more years and I bet Mike will be wanting western food much more...
Well, I live here in Southern California and have a nice house in a clean suburban neighborhood about 5 miles from Disneyland actually. $1500 isn't even half of my mortgage. Even though my income will dip when I retire in 3 years but SE Asia is the place to be, specifically Thailand. The bang for your buck is unreal! You guys are living many people's dream. Enjoy your retirement my friend...maybe we can meet up in a few years. :D
Born and raised in Austin Texas, however, I spent approximately 24 years in the military. My expenses aren't that bad considering my mortgage for a 5-bedroom house with a 3-car garage was likely less than Mike's rent considering my veteran status. Never-the-less, I'm pulling the plug here in Austin and joining you guys in a few years, can't wait.
Thx for another interesting video. I’ll visit Koh Samui for one month on January to have my holidays. I found a lot of usefull information on your channel. Have a good day! 👊🏻☀️
1000 USD per month is unrealistic! As he mentions at the end of the video, you need a visa and health insurance. For digital nomads, this will cost you about 400 USD per month. One thing he forgets to mention is the work permit. If you work from your laptop as most digital nomads do, you need a work permit else you are working illegally in Thailand. Work permits are another big headache and are very expensive. You are looking at close to 600 USD monthly on average. So if we include a visa, health insurance, and work permit, then 1000 USD is nowhere near enough per month to live in Thailand. Lol A bare minimum of 2000 USD is durable, but I would advise you to have roughly 3000 USD at your disposal per month if you want to legally live and work in Thailand long-term
It’s been a dream to live in Thailand, particularly Samui. First visited Bangkok in 2006 and try to get back as often as possible. The culture, people and life outlook is so so good for the soul. Gotta just make the move happen sooner rather than later. Yay & shout out to Chris & Adam - your content and stories put a smile on the dial and make me want to turn the dream into reality!
Awesome video Chris!!! This is by far the best video in terms of the cost of living in Thailand; especially, Koh Samui! We were just there & we sure fancy living the first 6 months of moving there in 2 years time! Thank-you for posting this fantastic vlog🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😘
I lived in a 2 BR 1 Bath house in Pasadena/Altadena California 3,500 a month and this was 9 years ago now I live in my RV between lot rent and power it's like almost 800 a month!!! Plus I love the Thai women!!! and the food I am on my way!!!
Thanks for working for us... Your videos are part of my arsenal of RU-vidrs that motivated me to come and return back. Now we are here and youtubing as well. Thanks very much🌄
Oh my gosh, that trip tip from Mike about flying from BKK to Surat Thani to save some money was golden. Chris, you are such a fantastic and engaging host.
👋🏼Hello Chris! Awesome video! It’s not hard to live in thailand cheap by no means! We love thailand so much and it’s funny when people ask do you fell scared or have you ever gotten sick in Thailand? The answer is always “No! Thailand is an amazingly beautiful place with very friendly people and delicious food!” We also always say it’s highly recommended that everyone go at least once to thailand and experience it for themselves! 🍻cheers🍻♥️🇨🇦
What almost no one in those interviews says is how much they really spend for their girlfriends/wives, especially when they are Thai. It's at least 300 bucks more on the average. So with health insurance and perhaps, if your older, some meds which you have to pay for yourself, 1500 are more realistic.
Correct point. With visa and health insurance make that 2.000. if you have kids and you want to spare them the ridiculous public schools here then you rather need 3.000. And btw, there are other costs, like a laptop, camera equipment, a flight home from time to time etc. which have not been factored in here.
How about adding real life too: Cost of supporting a cute n sexy girl AND family. Eating street food, using car and motorcycle, the odd naughty massage, bribbing officers at immigration so you can stay here retired, etc. Etc.
@@selfhealingacademy $2000 USD is still verrrrry cheap! My kids are grown and a vasectomy will ensure no new brothers/sisters. I'd recommend buying electronics here in America and bringing them with you and with the money you'll save you can fly back home for holidays, birthdays or whenever you want. You should never be living on your entire income. You always need to be saving some money each money to bug out if needed or other emergencies.
You know guy im a thai people So.... about the rooms. You can pay for 3,000-4,500฿ and you get the best room ever like 9,000฿ or even better 9,000฿. So i want to say you pay too much for the room. But i know if you came from America so you have a lot money but i just want to suggest if i can!. With empty room without any equipment you can get 1,500฿or 2,000฿. With the room have whole equipment maximum 4,500฿ only for 9,000฿ it too much. .....anyway i just say how is this!!! .....Good luck everyone whoever want to stay in Thailand.
We live in West Austin and yup our expenses are way more than that. Thailand is looking really good. I loved it when I was there for a couple of months in 2000. Looks like they don't have an inflation problem, still similar prices from 23 yrs ago.
The government agreements are to get as many white Americans to move out of the u.s so they can move in there massive minority mega trade agreement. All politics
Expat 🇬🇧🇺🇲 lives well in 🇨🇴 Colombia on $1200 a month ..$350 nice apartment..average meal 13,000 cp $4 Great Food Nice area Safe..Good Amenities US 4 hours away . Most importantly NO TOURISTS 👍
@@patrickglennon7058 who want colombia if thailand have 100Xbetter country live, 350$/month abartement have super expensive, thailand you can rent big house own garden,pool,garage, many room can live lot better comfortable this money. or rent condo this money have many 1 bedroom small condo only,
I definitely would say $1k is on the lower end of possibilities for Samui. The rent rate he's getting is likely only for a 12-month deal. I've been in Samui for a month and for anything less than a 6-month lease, you're going to pay double that for a basic place. My place is nicer with a pool and is 10x this rate. I realize that's apples and oranges, but wanted to share short-term vs. long-term. Also, having a Thai GF helps with negotiations! Locals get better pricing (as they should). Also, restaurants are more expensive, in general, than the places he picked. Those are cheaper very local options on the cheaper side of the island, but in general, restaurants are $7-$10 per person, which is still not bad. Just my $.02.
I was thinking about this and it was as I imagined. For while I don’t wanna stay long term, maybe 2 or 3 months only, so rent probably will be 2 or 3 times more at least, easy to reach 2k usd/month
@@RenatoTrentinYT Lots of options for $2k/month. You certainly can find a little cheaper depending if you want to be right on the beach or not, pool, etc.
Great video as always. Nice to see you and Mike hanging out. I’m looking forward to connecting with you guys in April in Samui! I’m going to pick up your app today. Thanks for the video!
You can exist on $1000pm. But it’s a VERY limited lifestyle. Eating Thai food everyday . No partying or travelling or health care. I doubt many would enjoy it.
my life not has last 13 year any limited, full life own house,own car,own wife, good food western or thai food what i want eat, many party /year thaialnd have lot, i travelling lot my motorbike around thailand many city alltime, good healtcare, no problems, 2 time cutting my footh in hospital and stay 2 week cost less than 500$. may different hobby, woodwork,metalwork,motorbike,RC planes,electric, many, full life i doing what i want do not need newer looking how much thats or this cost, NOT limited and i have my retiree salary only 1000$/month.
Holy Cowq 324k Subs. I remember when you were at 2k. Nice! I just left Houston, TX and arrived in Jomtien. 100% on his take. I retired though, inspired by You!
2016 koh Samui for 2 nights. In July. It rained a lot! Fun though. Great food. Stayed in Nathon the whole time. Next time will venture further! Went to koh samui because of the movie Meet the Parents!
@@MrrTitan Yes he's a total desperado. All his online activities are mostly scams. "Copy Rearrange Post" as original content scam courses with all the information freely available all over the internet anyway. The only thing propping up his lifestyle is his working girlfriend. RWFU is a great channel but he obviously didn't fact check this dodgy dude.
@@MrrTitanDid you say selfish? Because I witnessed that myself too when I was in Samui. I heard from many people that he wrote to many luxurious hotels there asking for free stays in exchange for his so-called reviews on the Internet or social media. Lots of hotels were fed up with his tactics. I am actually surprised he still lasts over there.
Don't try it on a grand a month. You need at least 2000 USD a month to qualify for a Non-O Retirement visa. I find that my income of 2500 USD is much more conducive to a happy life.
very much working towards this.. especially hitting the big 5.0 next yr and eligible for a retirement visa... currently and passed based in VN but sadly they just dont have the infrastructure and long term visa options that Thailand has... so now very much looking at the move to Thailand in the next couple yrs..
Despite all the push back and many naysayers, you can absolutely live comfortably in Thailand on between $1,000-$1500 USD per month. This video is just another data point confirming that fact. Oh and by the way, Samui also happens to be expensive by Thailand standards - so there's that.
Another great Vid Chris. I know you've talked about visas before, but it'd be great to go on an actual (video)Visa Run, step by step, with you or Adam. The varients are still a bit confusing to me. Cheers!
Maybe I am wrong and you are making a lot of Money, But as a young man you need to build up some wealth. I don't know but I am sure Chris has put the long hours and graft in to live the dream as I have, Thailand seems full of young people spending money and not doing much.
Ok, NOW we're talk'in. Take out the "Nights out" and we is at a cool $800 a month, maybe less. More Chris, MORE!!! Informative and Affordable. Man, I bet that reporter, that C.Parker guy, could really do a killer report on cheap apartments....🤔🤪☠
