To date, in all of my travels, I can say with ease that dwelling in Bangkok is likely one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever had – and I imply that in one of the best ways attainable. Town is actually “alive.” It’s loud and bustling, however there are additionally tranquil parks and scenic views. It’s large in measurement and depth, however in a method, it looks like a giant group.
There are such a lot of execs of living in Bangkok, together with the price of dwelling, scrumptious meals, and an energetic way of life. Nevertheless, cons all the time have to be thought-about – and I’ve listed each beneath.
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 might uncover one thing new or overcome a hurdle. It was all the time an journey – whatever the ups and downs.
I’ve created this record of execs and cons of dwelling in Bangkok based mostly alone private expertise, intensive analysis, and talking with different vacationers and digital nomads.
Professionals of Dwelling in Bangkok
Bangkok is a metropolis in contrast to some other and there are some significantly nice perks to dwelling there. Listed below are the highest execs of dwelling in Bangkok.
1. Interesting Value of Dwelling
One of many prime benefits of dwelling in Bangkok is unquestionably the cost of living. You may snag a cushty one-bedroom house in an honest space for as little as $400-$600 a month, and avenue 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 dwelling.
Native markets provide recent produce and items at low costs, permitting you to reside comfortably with out breaking the financial institution. And transportation, just like the practice 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 group, with costs beginning at round $100 a month.
Bangkok coworking spaces are nice spots to community and discover your tribe and infrequently host occasions and workshops that will help you broaden your abilities and enterprise. What I cherished most about all of the coworking spots, is that yow will discover one based mostly in your temper – completely different venues vary from quiet to full of life.
3. Tons of Tradition
The cultural experiences in Bangkok are countless and all of them provide nice methods to study in regards to the robust 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 things 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 countless content material and inspiration in your weblog!
4. Hub for Journey
A significantly main advantage of dwelling in Bangkok is its place as a journey hub in Southeast Asia. Finances airways resembling AirAsia provide low cost flights to locations together with Bali, Singapore, or Hanoi, making weekend getaways each straightforward and inexpensive.
I completely cherished with the ability to hop on a flight and rapidly be in Chiang Mai or Phuket – and even Malaysia or the Philippines. Town has well-connected airport and bus terminals, which make land journey to close by areas tremendous handy and straightforward on the pockets.
5. Scrumptious Meals Scene
Bangkok’s meals scene is famous and gives every little thing from avenue 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 avenue stall for lower than a greenback.
The variability and high quality of meals accessible are unmatched, making it a paradise for food-loving digital nomads. To not point out, town’s cafes and eateries are excellent for working exterior of your ordinary setting, providing scrumptious espresso and snacks to maintain you fueled.
Bangkok’s expat group is extraordinarily welcoming, and hundreds of individuals have chosen town as “home“, making it a breeze to seek out buddies and community throughout your keep. There are numerous expat teams and meetups, resembling Bangkok Digital Nomads or numerous language alternate meetups, which will help you agree in and discover “your individuals” rapidly.
This assist community was invaluable to me whereas in Bangkok, particularly at first once I was simply beginning to determine learn how to 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
Should you’re uninterested in chilly winters, Bangkok’s heat local weather is a spot to kiss snow and freezing temperatures goodbye. Town enjoys figures ranging 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 bear in mind to remain hydrated and put together for heavy wet seasons. Through the hotter months, you possibly can count on 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 International provide world-class healthcare at a fraction of Western costs, and plenty of docs are fluent in English.
Easy issues like dental visits, tooth cleansing, or common check-ups are easy and straightforward to do. You may even look into international health insurance choices which cowl you in case of any main emergencies.
9. General Security
Bangkok is generally a safe city, particularly in neighborhoods which might be fashionable amongst expats and digital nomads. Simply by utilizing your frequent sense, you possibly can 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 resembling avoiding flashing valuables and strolling alone in dimly lit and unfamiliar areas.
The presence of native Thai vacationer police in fashionable locations is all the time reassuring, and plenty of sizzling spots have safety in place. Preserve an eye fixed out, nevertheless, for frequent vacationer scams and pickpocketing, which might be frequent in high-traffic areas.
SEE ALSO: 7 Best Digital Nomad Cities in Asia
10. Tons of Stuff to Do
The sheer number of leisure and enjoyable activities 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), buying 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, retaining that valuable balance between work and play. To not point out, Bangkok’s artwork galleries, museums, and theaters provide cultural experiences for these seeking to discover town’s creative aspect.
Cons of Dwelling in Bangkok
In fact, 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 in the course of the sizzling summer time months. Stepping out of your air-conditioned room can really feel like strolling straight right into a sauna, particularly in the course of the peak of summer time when temperatures can soar above 95°F.
The humidity throughout this time solely intensifies issues, usually resulting in a relentless state of discomfort and sweatiness until you’re indoors. It is best to have seen my hair in the course of the summer time… frizzy, large, and utterly helpless.
2. Plenty of Site visitors
Bangkok’s site visitors is a few of the worst in the world and generally is a massive 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.
Site visitors might be irritating for digital nomads who want to maneuver across the metropolis for conferences or work periods as a result of it will probably 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 quality, which may turn into fairly brutal throughout sure occasions of the yr. The air pollution ranges, as a result of site visitors and agricultural burning, can pose well being dangers, particularly if in case you have respiratory points, and it will probably additionally forged a thick haze across the metropolis. When the air is unhealthy, you actually don’t need to be exterior 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 exterior the principle vacationer areas, which may make easy duties resembling ordering meals or asking for instructions extra difficult.
Attempt to maintain your translation app useful every time you possibly can, and I all the time discovered {that a} sport of charades with a smile was all the time tremendous useful.
5. Cultural Consciousness
Adapting to the native tradition and social norms generally is a problem for some individuals who transfer to Bangkok. Thai tradition is one which deeply emphasizes respect, politeness, and “saving face”, which might be fairly completely different from what it’s possible you’ll be used to in a Western tradition.
Misunderstanding these cultural nuances can result in awkward conditions or trigger unintentional offense, which might be significantly embarrassing – and even unlawful. Perform a little research and bear in mind to all the time 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, town’s vibrant tradition, inexpensive dwelling prices, and dynamic expat group outweigh these downsides for a lot of digital nomads – together with myself. It’s all about what you make of it and the way properly you adapt to and embrace the native way of life.
Should you can deal with the warmth and navigate the cultural variations, Bangkok gives an thrilling, various, and enriching expertise that may very well be simply the fitting match in 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.
