I would say those living well off wouldn't want to reply, just us poor fokes, 30k a month for 2 people living cheaply is very doable.

Warm wonderful Udon thani, you just love it.

Phil, I think you are correct in your post.
People should not forget the Thai Government believes 65K is sufficient for a single Falang to live on & 45K enough for a married couple. Most of these retirees live in places in Thailand with probably a few more distractions to sped your money on as well I have not seen any reported problems that the Government believes this is now insufficient & need to increase these levels as retirees are resorting to begging in the street as they cannot manage.
It is one of the laws of economics that expenditure increases to match income.
Obviously the more income available the more comfortable your defenses against the evils of inflation.

I figure 35-40,000 a month of my expenses is cream: Two computers and accessories; life insurance for both of us; money to the wife and family; charity; yard service; home improvements; flying to Bangkok several times a year; good liquor; and eating farang food a lot.

When I first came here in 2002 my expenses were about 1/3 to 1/2 what they are now. With COLA's and age my retirement incomes and investment incomes have increased, as has my spending. Then I rented, had better health and was single.

Money is a bit like space. If you have space you'll fill it with stuff. If you have money you'll find something you want to spend it on.

There are many guys here who have, and spend more than me. It seems none of them have seen fit to provide another financial picture of life in Udon. I thought I'd expand it a bit. This shouldn't discourage you if you have less to spend; life here is sweet compared to the US, and probably most of Europe. If you have more to spend you can have some idea of what is a more expensive way to live here.

Dahm, Khon, forget the sign. My house is like a fortress. The thieves will choose something easier without security bars and vigilant neighbors. I'm the only farang on my soi and nothing happens on this soi that at least one of the Thai neighbors isn't aware of.

ABoy you've got your head on straight and can have a great life here on 600,000 a year. You'll be saving money and then having to figure out ways to spend it. I'm sure the wife will help you.

30K a month for 2 people you're existing cheaply.

60K a month and you're living cheaply.

IMHO of course.

As a visitor, not yet resident, my expenses are a bit different; but overall i think not that different to total living costs if resident. As a single person, i could easily live on 30,000 baht a month (not counting girlfriends needs) and could exist on 20,000 without needing to beg. It is the girl friend/family needs that can boost it up. But that depends on the girlfriend. Some will cost you less than 10,000 a month, others more (much more!). My TGF needs some financial training (budget is whatever is in her pocket) but she gets by on 4,000 baht a month when i am not there apart from her business income ( which is often negative). But you have start up costs early in a relationship; allow for that. If TGF expenditure continually rises, watch out. But i would hope to keep recurring expenditure to 40,000 a month; hopefully less.

But you have start up costs early in a relationship; allow for that.

Yes, somewhere you have to take account of 'start up' costs, whether involved, or single.
Vehicle of some description, deposit if renting - house costs if building, furniture, bedding, cooking equipment etc. It is also worth remembering that some of these costs will 'reappear' in the future (either as identical costs or repairs) as initial purchases wear out.
If the monthly income exactly equals monthly expenditure, with no 'luxuries' than can be removed if the unexpected happens then it is a disaster waiting to happen.

Simple rules.

1) Pay cash for house, car, scooter.

2) Have emergency cash, 20K USD minimum.

3) Have 60K baht monthly pension (minimum).

4) If you rent, add rental cost to #3.

5) Enjoy the good life in Udon Thani!

I don't bother to keep track or make a budget!We have all our basic needs,except health insurance!We don't have a ''nightlife''living style,eating out approx 10-15 times a month with probably a beer or two at those outings.

We seldom drink at home!We eat mostly at home and eat ''well'',no skimping on food or household needs.We have a teenage daughter with her school fees and her''keep up with the Jone's'' costs,yearly auto costs,occasional small clothing costs,UBC,ADSL,pets food and care costs,occasional trips to Bangkok and other provinces etc. etc.

Bottomline is we do not feel any pressure about finances,doing what we will,but we are not extravagant and don't ''waste'' money trying to impress,live very comfortable and easy.As near as I can tell we seem to spend about 50K a month average living in NK versus about 75K a month in Bangkok(of course that was when the baht was 46-42 range for USD,now it is 33).Of course these expenses do not have any monthly credit purchases,as we have none,but do include rent of 5K a month!

With everything paid for,I simply hit the ATM 3 times a month for $500,without ever touching savings and investments.Major health issues and future University costs are the only variables that might increase our living costs!

Yes Stans figures more or less relate to mine. I do not keep a detailed track on spending, in fact I am often surprised when my wallets empty, but looking back over the year on bank withdrawals it seems I have averaged 42k a month on general living expenses, with the latter months being the highest. So it certainly seems the cost of living is going up, so I expect to have a higher average next year.To comply with the retirement visa I transfer in 65k so am able to save about 20k a month for both the expected and unexpected one off bills. plus an occasional short break somewhere .I don't skimp on my pleasures but neither am I unduly extravagant .I Originally invested about 5mill bht in setting myself up here so have no further monthly commitments.So in short . I am able to get on with enjoying my retirement here in Thailand, something , I very much doubt I would be doing back home in Blighty .

I would reckon on 50k/month also, without having kept specific records. That includes 10k for the Vigo, ADSL, power etc, but I don't pay rent, and don't have health insurance (that is in the hands of Medicare in Oz )

Don't scrimp, but also not extravagant.

About to blow the budget at Eddies for Christmas lunch http://eddies-bar.dyn-o-saur.com:8080/video.asp

jackspratt wrote:I would reckon on 50k/month also, without having kept specific records. That includes 10k for the Vigo, ADSL, power etc, but I don't pay rent, and don't have health insurance (that is in the hands of Medicare in Oz )

Don't scrimp, but also not extravagant.

Ditto. That's about where I am currently if I factor in all insurance and ad hoc expenses, but also includes rent of 14k (I think? May be 13k) for a very nice 3 BR in a comfortable suburb just outside Pattaya which will go away when when we move into the house in Udon.

20k to 30k a month for two if you live outside town, eat simply, and don't go for luxuries like booze, satellite TV, cars, vacations, or health insurance/medical expenses.

Last week bills

This weeks average spend

laphanphon- i'm an american from connecticut thinking seriously about retiring next year. Could you give me an idea what all the visa paperwork and associated cost are to come into thailand permanetly for retirement. Another thing..is it worth trying to get a large motorcycle into the country? i'm single and would like to rent a 2 bedroom house. What do you think money wise that I'm looking at to live with health insurance per month? thanks for your time..jerry

jerry schontag wrote:...is it worth trying to get a large motorcycle into the country?...

Fahgetaboutit. The duty you would pay (after shipping) would be outrageous. I have first-hand experience with importing vehicles from the US and getting around the duty, but trust me - you do not want the hassles. Besides, just about any bike you could possibly want is already here. Crotch-rockets to Hogs. New and used.

Jerry, the paperwork for becoming resident (i.e.usual 1 year renewable) is onerous but not expensive, it is the ongoing qualification rules you have to watch (monthly income or cash in bank), which for you (single?) would be 65,000 baht a month at present. for details look at Visa threads (near bottom of index)

its been a while since anyone has commented on this subject any thoughts about current cost of living in udon my wife and i are retired 60s american/thai couple married 40 plus years have about 4thousand usd monthly income with some investments and saving modest lifestyle i have some health issues mainly diabetes blood pressure and blind in one eye {i guess that explains being married to the same lass for 40 years lol} but after 40 years on the road my wife wishes to come home guess its her turn...would like to live city center house or apt 100 sq mtrs prefer to rent know it cost more in city but would rather not own auto just walk and cycle to local market hire truck and driver for large purchases....we have visited udon 14 times in last 30 years normaly 1 to three months at a time but thats vacation not quite the same...our purchases are travel related not normal...lite drinkers a beer with our som tom or mexican food..no tobacco use but we do like to eat out mostly thai or chinesse for a real treat steak or a pizza...i know we are boring.....any thought about updated rents food cost etc thanks guy khun john

4K US per month is more the enough to live comfortably here. I currently pay rent of about $320. US for a 5 bedroom house in town. Rents can go for twice that amount or more for a really nice place. Still reasonable compared to US costs.

Some guys are ok with the doctors here, some with health issues such as you have make trips back home to see there doctor. You may want to factor that into your budget.

You should cut your coat according to your cloth. The cost of living in Udon depends the standard of life you want really you can live like a village thai for as little as 2000 bt a week just over 8,0000 bt a month absolute min or a limitless amount. For me i need 70,000 to 100,000 to fund regular beach trips etc (list below is spending money after accomadation and bills are paid)

8000 bt Thai village life style

30,000 bt =The amount needed to have just enough to get that slight comfortable feel

50,000 bt = The amount needed for comfortable content feel

70,000 -100,000 bt You cracked it !!!the amount needed to get the best out of Thailand and fund them regular beach trips


YOU ROLL THE DICE YOU TAKE YOUR CHANCE