To this point, in all of my travels, I can say with ease that dwelling in Bangkok is among the craziest experiences I’ve ever had – and I imply that in the easiest way potential. The town is really “alive.” It’s loud and bustling, however there are additionally tranquil parks and scenic views. It’s big in measurement and depth, however in a manner, it appears like an enormous neighborhood.
There are such a lot of execs of dwelling in Bangkok, together with the price of dwelling, scrumptious meals, and an energetic way of life. Nevertheless, cons at all times should be thought-about – and I’ve listed each under.
15 Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Bangkok
I lived in Bangkok on and off for over two years. Each time I stayed there, I’d uncover one thing new or overcome a hurdle. It was at all times an journey – whatever the ups and downs.
I’ve created this listing of execs and cons of dwelling in Bangkok primarily based by myself private expertise, in depth analysis, and talking with different vacationers and digital nomads.
Professionals of Dwelling in Bangkok
Bangkok is a metropolis not like every other and there are some critically nice perks to dwelling there. Listed below are the highest execs of dwelling in Bangkok.
1. Interesting Price of Dwelling
One of many high benefits of dwelling in Bangkok is certainly the price of dwelling. You may snag a cushty one-bedroom house in a good space for as little as $400-$600 a month, and road meals like Pad Thai or Som Tam will set you again solely a few {dollars}; consuming out is nearly simply as low cost as cooking at residence.
Native markets provide recent produce and items at low costs, permitting you to dwell comfortably with out breaking the financial institution. And transportation, just like the prepare or tuk-tuks, can get you throughout city for only a few bucks.
2. Digital Nomad-Pleasant
Bangkok is a haven for digital nomads, due to its vibrant coworking scene. Areas like The Hive Thonglor and Hubba provide not only a desk, however a neighborhood, with costs beginning at round $100 a month.
Bangkok coworking areas are nice spots to community and discover your tribe and infrequently host occasions and workshops that can assist you increase your abilities and enterprise. What I cherished most about all of the coworking spots, is that you’ll find one primarily based in your temper – totally different venues vary from quiet to energetic.
3. Tons of Tradition
The cultural experiences in Bangkok are infinite and all of them provide nice methods to study in regards to the sturdy native traditions. From exploring the unimaginable awe of the Grand Palace to getting misplaced within the sprawling Chatuchak Weekend Market, there are such a lot of issues to do, and limitless methods to immerse your self in Thai tradition.
Conventional festivals like Songkran (Thai New Yr) can present a much-needed break from work and allow you to see the “wild aspect” of the nation. Not solely do these cultural excursions improve your dwelling expertise, however in addition they present infinite content material and inspiration on your weblog!
4. Hub for Journey
A critically main good thing about dwelling in Bangkok is its place as a journey hub in Southeast Asia. Funds airways equivalent to AirAsia provide low cost flights to locations together with Bali, Singapore, or Hanoi, making weekend getaways each simple and inexpensive.
I completely cherished with the ability to hop on a flight and shortly be in Chiang Mai or Phuket – and even Malaysia or the Philippines. The town has well-connected airport and bus terminals, which make land journey to close by areas tremendous handy and simple on the pockets.
5. Scrumptious Meals Scene
Bangkok’s meals scene is known and affords all the pieces from road meals gems to Michelin-starred eating experiences. You may take pleasure in a world-class meal at Gaggan Anand for an unforgettable expertise, or dig right into a scrumptious bowl of boat noodles from a road stall for lower than a greenback.
The range and high quality of meals out there are unmatched, making it a paradise for food-loving digital nomads. To not point out, the town’s cafes and eateries are good for working outdoors of your common setting, providing scrumptious espresso and snacks to maintain you fueled.
Bangkok’s expat neighborhood is extraordinarily welcoming, and 1000’s of individuals have chosen the town as “residence“, making it a breeze to search out associates and community throughout your keep. There are numerous expat teams and meetups, equivalent to Bangkok Digital Nomads or numerous language alternate meetups, which can assist you compromise in and discover “your individuals” shortly.
This assist community was invaluable to me whereas in Bangkok, particularly at first after I was simply beginning to determine how one can get settled. The connections are additionally nice for locating suggestions and recommendation for meals, lodging, visa questions, and a lot extra.
7. Tropical Local weather
In case you’re uninterested in chilly winters, Bangkok’s heat local weather is a spot to kiss snow and freezing temperatures goodbye. The town enjoys figures starting from 77-95 levels Fahrenheit year-round, permitting you to work from a poolside cafe in the midst of winter – it’s fairly nice.
Simply keep in mind to remain hydrated and put together for heavy wet seasons. Through the hotter months, you’ll be able to anticipate temperatures within the 90s; however fortunately, there are many locations with chilly A/C.
8. Healthcare and Medical Tourism
Bangkok is famend for its high quality healthcare providers, which is a large plus for digital nomads. Hospitals like Bumrungrad Worldwide provide world-class healthcare at a fraction of Western costs, and plenty of medical doctors are fluent in English.
Easy issues like dental visits, enamel cleansing, or common check-ups are easy and simple to do. You may even look into worldwide medical insurance choices which cowl you in case of any main emergencies.
9. Total Security
Bangkok is mostly a secure metropolis, particularly in neighborhoods which are fashionable amongst expats and digital nomads. Simply by utilizing your frequent sense, you’ll be able to keep secure throughout your time in Bangkok. I by no means as soon as felt uncomfortable throughout any of my visits; simply take the standard precautions equivalent to avoiding flashing valuables and strolling alone in dimly lit and unfamiliar areas.
The presence of native Thai vacationer police in fashionable locations is at all times reassuring, and plenty of sizzling spots have safety in place. Preserve a watch out, nevertheless, for frequent vacationer scams and pickpocketing, which could be frequent in high-traffic areas.
SEE ALSO: 7 Finest Digital Nomad Cities in Asia
10. Tons of Stuff to Do
The sheer number of leisure and stress-free actions in Bangkok will assure you’ll by no means be bored. Whether or not you’re into the membership scene at RCA (Royal Metropolis Avenue), procuring in mega-malls like Siam Paragon, or having fun with the tranquility of Lumphini Park, there’s one thing for each temper.
Having this selection is so good as a result of it makes your downtime simply as fulfilling as your work time, holding that treasured steadiness between work and play. To not point out, Bangkok’s artwork galleries, museums, and theaters provide cultural experiences for these trying to discover the town’s creative aspect.
Cons of Dwelling in Bangkok
After all, no place is ideal. Dwelling in Bangkok can definitely include its frustrations and struggles. These are essentially the most generally talked-about cons of dwelling in Bangkok.
1. Intense Humidity and Warmth
One of many main disadvantages of dwelling in Bangkok is the relentless warmth and humidity throughout the sizzling summer time months. Stepping out of your air-conditioned room can really feel like strolling straight right into a sauna, particularly throughout the peak of summer time when temperatures can soar above 95°F.
The humidity throughout this time solely intensifies issues, typically resulting in a continuing state of discomfort and sweatiness except you’re indoors. It’s best to have seen my hair throughout the summer time… frizzy, big, and fully helpless.
2. Numerous Visitors
Bangkok’s site visitors is a few of the worst on the earth and is usually a huge draw back to dwelling within the metropolis. Even a brief journey can flip right into a prolonged ordeal, particularly throughout rush hour when the streets are completely jam-packed with automobiles and motorbikes.
Visitors could be irritating for digital nomads who want to maneuver across the metropolis for conferences or work classes as a result of it could actually actually take hours. I as soon as sat in Bangkok site visitors for 3 hours to go lower than 10 miles. Stick with the trains or tuk-tuks!
3. Air High quality and Air pollution
One other draw back of dwelling in Bangkok is the air high quality, which may turn into fairly brutal throughout sure instances of the yr. The air pollution ranges, because of site visitors and agricultural burning, can pose well being dangers, particularly in case you have respiratory points, and it could actually additionally solid a thick haze across the metropolis. When the air is dangerous, you actually don’t wish to be outdoors in any respect.
4. Language and Communication Barrier
Though Bangkok is a large, cosmopolitan metropolis, the language barrier can nonetheless be a problem. Not everybody speaks English, particularly outdoors the primary vacationer areas, which may make easy duties equivalent to ordering meals or asking for instructions extra difficult.
Attempt to hold your translation app helpful each time you’ll be able to, and I at all times discovered {that a} sport of charades with a smile was at all times tremendous useful.
5. Cultural Consciousness
Adapting to the native tradition and social norms is usually a problem for some individuals who transfer to Bangkok. Thai tradition is one which deeply emphasizes respect, politeness, and “saving face”, which could be fairly totally different from what you might be used to in a Western tradition.
Misunderstanding these cultural nuances can result in awkward conditions or trigger unintentional offense, which could be critically embarrassing – and even unlawful. Do a little analysis and keep in mind to at all times respecfully cowl your self in non secular temples and grounds.
Is Dwelling in Bangkok Price It?
Whereas dwelling in Bangkok does have its challenges, just like the sweltering warmth and infamous site visitors, the town’s vibrant tradition, inexpensive dwelling prices, and dynamic expat neighborhood outweigh these downsides for a lot of digital nomads – together with myself. It’s all about what you make of it and the way effectively you adapt to and embrace the native way of life.
In case you can deal with the warmth and navigate the cultural variations, Bangkok affords an thrilling, numerous, and enriching expertise that could possibly be simply the appropriate match on your nomadic life. So, weigh the professionals and cons, however don’t let the small stuff deter you from the journey that awaits within the coronary heart of Southeast Asia on this superb metropolis.
