Other than safety, cultural attractions, and weather, affordable accommodation is a primary factor for digital nomads when choosing a new home, however temporary.
Needless to say, this immediately rules out a majority of the world’s top tourist hotspots, like New York, Paris and Dubai.
These are destinations where not only living costs are going through the roof, but accommodation can be eye-wateringly expensive (renting a double room in a shared apartment in London will set you back a shocking $1,633 per month).
Lucky for nomads, not all of the most popular destinations have prohibitive prices.
This one country in Southeast Asia in particular has been trending lately thanks to its tropical nature, friendliness towards foreigners, high levels of safety, and most importantly, cheap Airbnbs:
Thailand Is The Cheapest Country Worldwide For Airbnbs
According to Nomad List, an online digital nomad community, Thailand is the number one country in the world for affordable Airbnbs, occupying the two top spots on the list, and outpacing other ‘budget’ destinations like Portugal, Malaysia, and even Vietnam.
Airbnb may have dropped in popularity among the general public – the staggering cleaning fees for short-term stays being touted as one of the reasons why – but it remains the leading booking platform for digital nomads, connecting them to thousands of properties available to rent in the long-term.
We wouldn’t be the first ones booking an Airbnb for a one-week vacation in Bangkok when there are plenty of incredible hotels to be found costing only $25 a night, but moving to Thailand between one to three months and looking for a more homely environment in a local neighborhood?
Absolutely.
How Much Do Airbnbs Actually Cost In Thailand?
Naturally, it all depends on your preferred level of comfort, whether you’re fine with living in a small studio in the heart of it all, crazy traffic and whatnot, or you’re thinking of well-equipped, two-storey condos in an upscale part of town.
Either way, Bangkok is dirt cheap, and when a central apartment with a balcony, dedicated workscape, and fast, reliable WiFi can cost as cheap as $329 for the month, it’s hardly a surprise it’s been on the radar of so many budget-conscious nomads lately.
All it takes to find your dream home is a quick search: you could add in ‘amazing pools’, ‘amazing views’, ‘breakfast’ included, and even remarkable ‘design’ for filters, and it’s unlikely you’ll be shown monthly rates higher than $1,461 unless you’re actively looking to splurge on a luxurious villa.
That’s a two-bedroom apartment in central Bangkok, a short walk from the SkyTrain light rail, featuring a spacious living room, a flat-screen TV, and access to the condominium’s common pool and gym. Now, what would $1,461 in Downtown Manhattan get you again?
What Other Options Are There Beyond Bangkok?
Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand and a UNESCO World-Heritage Site dotted with ancient temples, is just as cheap and comes in at number two on Nomad List‘s ranking, and you won’t believe some of these listings:
You can book an outstanding condo in a verdant part of town, close to vast green spaces and waterfalls, away from the hustle and bustle of the Historic Quarter, for as cheap as $549, or a full-furnished apartment for $444, with access to an indoor swimming pool.
You’ll need it if you plan on surviving the overpowering humidity.
If you’re planning on relocating to Phuket, Thailand’s ‘tourist dump’ and largest island, home to paradisaical yet crowded beaches, you should expect to pay significantly more than the national average, or between $603 and $1,075 per month.
Phuket is one of the priciest destinations in Thailand, but Westerners are still likely to find it an absolute bargain.
How About Living Costs In General?
You get the point: booking long-term accommodation in Thailand will hardly ever break the bank, but what about other costs, like food and transportation?
An inexpensive meal in a local-frequented restaurant costs, on average, a negligible $2.80, while a more elaborate, three-course dinner in a mid-range eatery is still only $26.50. If you’re wondering how on Earth any country could be this cheap to live, remember:
It’s cheap for Americans, Europeans, and nomads hailing from developed countries in general, as Thailand’s lower labor costs and depreciated currency effectively triple or even quadruple the value of their dollar savings.
It’s important, in this case, to educate yourself on the local living standards and avoid as best as you can paying higher prices for accommodation or food than locals would, simply because it’s ‘cheap’ regardless, not to contribute to gentrification and impact local communities negatively.
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