Thus far, 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 doable. The town is really “alive.” It’s loud and bustling, however there are additionally tranquil parks and scenic views. It’s big in dimension and depth, however in a method, it seems like an enormous group.
There are such a lot of execs of dwelling in Bangkok, together with the price of dwelling, scrumptious meals, and an energetic life-style. Nonetheless, cons at all times must be thought-about – and I’ve listed each beneath.
15 Execs 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 execs and cons of dwelling in Bangkok based mostly alone private expertise, in depth analysis, and talking with different vacationers and digital nomads.
Execs of Residing in Bangkok
Bangkok is a metropolis in contrast to some other and there are some severely nice perks to dwelling there. Listed below are the highest execs of dwelling in Bangkok.
1. Interesting Value of Residing
One of many high benefits of dwelling in Bangkok is certainly the price of dwelling. You may snag a snug 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 dwelling.
Native markets supply recent produce and items at low costs, permitting you to stay comfortably with out breaking the financial institution. And transportation, just like the prepare 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 sometimes host occasions and workshops that can assist you increase your abilities and enterprise. What I liked most about all of the coworking spots, is that you could find one based mostly in your temper – completely different venues vary from quiet to energetic.
3. Tons of Tradition
The cultural experiences in Bangkok are countless and all of them supply nice methods to be taught in regards to the sturdy native traditions. From exploring the unbelievable 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 aspect” of the nation. Not solely do these cultural excursions improve your dwelling expertise, however additionally they present countless content material and inspiration to your weblog!
4. Hub for Journey
A severely main good thing about dwelling in Bangkok is its place as a journey hub in Southeast Asia. Finances airways resembling AirAsia supply low-cost flights to locations together with Bali, Singapore, or Hanoi, making weekend getaways each simple and reasonably priced.
I completely liked 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 straightforward on the pockets.
5. Scrumptious Meals Scene
Bangkok’s meals scene is famous and provides every little thing from road meals gems to Michelin-starred eating experiences. You may 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 road stall for lower than a greenback.
The range and high quality of meals accessible 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 exterior of your traditional surroundings, providing scrumptious espresso and snacks to maintain you fueled.
Bangkok’s expat group is extraordinarily welcoming, and hundreds of individuals have chosen the town as “dwelling“, making it a breeze to seek out associates and community throughout your keep. There are numerous expat teams and meetups, resembling Bangkok Digital Nomads or varied language trade meetups, which may also help 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 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
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 ranging from 77-95 levels Fahrenheit year-round, permitting you to work from a poolside cafe in the course 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’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 companies, which is a big plus for digital nomads. Hospitals like Bumrungrad Worldwide supply world-class healthcare at a fraction of Western costs, and lots 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 worldwide medical insurance choices which cowl you in case of any main emergencies.
9. Total Security
Bangkok is usually a protected metropolis, particularly in neighborhoods which might be widespread amongst expats and digital nomads. Simply by utilizing your widespread sense, you’ll be able to keep protected 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 widespread locations is at all times reassuring, and lots of sizzling spots have safety in place. Maintain an eye fixed out, nonetheless, for widespread vacationer scams and pickpocketing, which might be widespread in high-traffic areas.
SEE ALSO: 7 Greatest Digital Nomad Cities in Asia
10. Tons of Stuff to Do
The sheer number of leisure and enjoyable 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), 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, conserving that valuable stability between work and play. To not point out, Bangkok’s artwork galleries, museums, and theaters supply cultural experiences for these trying to discover the town’s creative aspect.
Cons of Residing in Bangkok
After all, no place is ideal. Residing in Bangkok can actually 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 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, typically resulting in a relentless state of discomfort and sweatiness until you’re indoors. You need to have seen my hair in the course of the summer time… frizzy, big, and fully helpless.
2. Plenty of Visitors
Bangkok’s visitors is among the worst on the planet and is usually 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 might be irritating for digital nomads who want to maneuver across the metropolis for conferences or work classes as a result of it could actually take hours. I as soon as sat in Bangkok visitors for 3 hours to go lower than 10 miles. Follow 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 might turn out to be fairly brutal throughout sure instances of the yr. The air pollution ranges, resulting from visitors and agricultural burning, can pose well being dangers, particularly in case you have respiratory points, and it could additionally solid 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 might make easy duties resembling ordering meals or asking for instructions extra difficult.
Attempt to preserve your translation app useful each time you’ll be able to, 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 is usually 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 severely embarrassing – and even unlawful. Perform a little research 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 visitors, the town’s vibrant tradition, reasonably priced 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.
In case you can deal with the warmth and navigate the cultural variations, Bangkok provides an thrilling, various, and enriching expertise that may very well be simply the fitting match to 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.