| Would you like to live in Thailand? You're not the | | | | areas. Mountains can be found in the North while |
| only one. For Westerners looking to relocate, | | | | lush jungles are in the south. In the north is the |
| Thailand is a great country to settle in. | | | | still somewhat undeveloped city, Chiang Rai. It is |
| Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a beautiful | | | | located in a popular tourist area but has managed |
| and exotic country, nicknamed the "Land of | | | | to avoid becoming too industrialized. |
| Smiles". Thousands of expatriates have relocated | | | | Here life is much cheaper than in Bangkok. |
| to Thailand for work and leisure. In fact, I am one | | | | Apartments can be rented for around $100 a |
| of them. Retirees are attracted to the mild | | | | month, with furnishing while unfurnished houses |
| climate, pristine beaches and lower cost of living. | | | | are available for around the same price. |
| If you wonder how to live in Thailand, then cost is | | | | On the popular island of Phuket, accommodations |
| usually not the issue. Depending on your budget, | | | | will depend on how close you live to the Beach. |
| you can live like royalty or practice a frugal | | | | Studio apartments featuring the bare necessities |
| lifestyle while saving up your money. | | | | can be rented for around $300 a month. You will |
| The total cost of living will depend on where you | | | | need some form of transportation. Motorbikes |
| choose to settle and general numbers can vary | | | | are popular and are rented out for about $85 a |
| widely but Westerners have reported being able | | | | month. |
| to live on $400 a month in some areas. Most | | | | Most budget Thailand apartments lack kitchens. |
| Americans and Europeans prefer to live in popular | | | | This does not have to be a problem since you |
| tourists areas. Bangkok, the countries capital is | | | | can eat from food stalls or the many restaurants |
| the main draw. Because it attracts over 11 million | | | | available. Street food is safe and cheap, running |
| tourists each year, pricing for food, entertainment | | | | about 30 Baht a meal while a reasonably priced |
| and accommodations is similarly priced to Western | | | | restaurant meal for four can costs around 500 |
| countries. | | | | baht. Foreign restaurants are available but expect |
| A basic apartment rental offering only a single | | | | to pay more than you would in a local |
| room, fridge and air conditioning can be gotten for | | | | establishment. |
| a few thousand Baht. At 30,000 Baht or about | | | | Expect electricity bills to go up during the hottest |
| $1,000 a month condominiums offer the style of | | | | months of the year, where most foreigners |
| living that Westerns have gotten used too, at this | | | | cannot resist turning up their air conditioners. |
| price range expect 2 bedroom apartments and | | | | State of the art health care facilities are also |
| access to a shared swimming pool. | | | | available in Thailand and treatment can cost as |
| One advantage of living in Bangkok is the ability to | | | | little as $10. |
| go without a car. The cities BTS system referred | | | | Western retirees in Thailand are often able to live |
| to as the Skytrain, and the MRT subway system | | | | off of their pensions and investments |
| offer reasonably priced and fast travel around the | | | | comfortably. Regardless of where you choose to |
| city. Taxis are also available and not expensive. | | | | settle, living in Thailand is still cheaper than |
| Outside of Bangkok, Thailand has a very diverse | | | | Western standards. |
| landscape, with mountain, jungle and farmland | | | | |