Up to now, 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 simplest ways potential. 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 manner, it appears like a giant group.
There are such a lot of professionals of dwelling in Bangkok, together with the price of dwelling, scrumptious meals, and an lively life-style. Nonetheless, cons at all times should be thought of – and I’ve listed each beneath.
15 Professionals and Cons of Residing 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 checklist of professionals and cons of dwelling in Bangkok based mostly alone private expertise, intensive analysis, and talking with different vacationers and digital nomads.
Professionals of Residing in Bangkok
Bangkok is a metropolis not like some other and there are some critically nice perks to dwelling there. Listed below are the highest professionals of dwelling in Bangkok.
1. Interesting Value of Residing
One of many high benefits of dwelling in Bangkok is certainly the value of dwelling. You’ll be able to snag a snug one-bedroom house in a good 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 house.
Native markets supply contemporary produce and items at low costs, permitting you to dwell comfortably with out breaking the financial institution. And transportation, just like the practice or tuk-tuks, can get you throughout city for just some bucks.
2. Digital Nomad-Pleasant
Bangkok is a haven for digital nomads, because of its vibrant coworking scene. Areas like The Hive Thonglor and Hubba supply not only a desk, however a group, 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 will help you develop your abilities and enterprise. What I liked most about all of the coworking spots, is that you’ll find one based mostly in your temper – completely different venues vary from quiet to vigorous.
3. Tons of Tradition
The cultural experiences in Bangkok are infinite and all of them supply nice methods to be taught 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 12 months) can present a much-needed break from work and allow you to see the “wild facet” of the nation. Not solely do these cultural excursions improve your dwelling expertise, however additionally they present infinite content material and inspiration on your weblog!
4. Hub for Journey
A critically main advantage of dwelling in Bangkok is its place as a journey hub in Southeast Asia. Funds airways equivalent to AirAsia supply low cost flights to locations together with Bali, Singapore, or Hanoi, making weekend getaways each simple and inexpensive.
I completely liked having the ability to hop on a flight and shortly 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 known and affords every little thing from avenue meals gems to Michelin-starred eating experiences. You’ll be able to get pleasure from 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 out there are unmatched, making it a paradise for food-loving digital nomads. To not point out, town’s cafes and eateries are excellent for working outdoors of your standard 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 “house“, making it a breeze to seek out associates and community throughout your keep. There are numerous expat teams and meetups, equivalent to Bangkok Digital Nomads or varied language change meetups, which can assist you compromise in and discover “your folks” shortly.
This help community was invaluable to me whereas in Bangkok, particularly at first after I was simply beginning to determine the way to get settled. The connections are additionally nice for locating ideas and recommendation for meals, lodging, visa questions, and a lot extra.
7. Tropical Local weather
When 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. In the course of the hotter months, you may 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 Worldwide supply world-class healthcare at a fraction of Western costs, and plenty of docs are fluent in English.
Easy issues like dental visits, enamel cleansing, or common check-ups are easy and straightforward to do. You’ll be able to 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 can be fashionable amongst expats and digital nomads. Simply by utilizing your widespread sense, you may keep secure throughout your time in Bangkok. I by no means as soon as felt uncomfortable throughout any of my visits; simply take the same old 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 widespread vacationer scams and pickpocketing, which may be widespread 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), purchasing 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, maintaining that treasured steadiness between work and play. To not point out, Bangkok’s artwork galleries, museums, and theaters supply cultural experiences for these seeking to discover town’s inventive facet.
Cons of Residing in Bangkok
In fact, no place is ideal. Residing in Bangkok can definitely include its frustrations and struggles. These are probably 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 until you’re indoors. You need to have seen my hair throughout the summer time… frizzy, large, and utterly helpless.
2. A lot of Visitors
Bangkok’s site visitors is a few of the worst on this planet 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.
Visitors may be irritating for digital nomads who want to maneuver across the metropolis for conferences or work periods as a result of it could possibly 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 out to be fairly brutal throughout sure occasions of the 12 months. The air pollution ranges, on account of site visitors and agricultural burning, can pose well being dangers, particularly you probably have respiratory points, and it could possibly additionally forged a thick haze across the metropolis. When the air is unhealthy, you actually don’t need to be outdoors in any respect.
4. Language and Communication Barrier
Though Bangkok is an enormous, cosmopolitan metropolis, the language barrier can nonetheless be a problem. Not everybody speaks English, particularly outdoors the principle vacationer areas, which may make easy duties equivalent to ordering meals or asking for instructions extra sophisticated.
Try to hold your translation app helpful at any time when you may, and I at all times discovered {that a} recreation of charades with a smile was at all times 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 may 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 may be critically embarrassing – and even unlawful. Do a little analysis and bear in mind to at all times respecfully cowl your self in spiritual temples and grounds.
Is Residing in Bangkok Value 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 nicely you adapt to and embrace the native life-style.
When 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 best 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 wonderful metropolis.
