Where is the best place for digital nomads?

That Guy T

That Guy T

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Hey guys,

I was born and raised in the U.S but am considering moving to Thailand or the Philippines for a few years to see the world and build a business without as much stress about rent and bills.

Does anyone live in these countries? What's it like?

A few things that are important to me...

  1. Safety - I want to live somewhere that is relatively safe
  2. Quality of life - I want to live somewhere with plenty of people, in a city with lots to do but also cheap.
  3. Hiking/outdoors - I'd prefer somewhere close to mountains, I love hiking
  4. Internet speed / other digital nomads - I want to go somewhere friendly and meet other people building businesses.
  5. Cost of living - currently in the U.S I spend around $5k per month on living. I'd love to move somewhere where I can have a nice condo and spend around $1-2k a month total to live nice and eat out for every meal.
For Thailand I'm mainly looking at Chiang Mai, for the Philippines I haven't really looked into specific areas yet.

Is anyone currently living in these areas? What suggestions do you have? I'm open to any country or area in the world as long as they fit this criteria.

Thanks!
 
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Yeah, lived here for a while, a friend still lives in bangkok with his whole family. PM me when you have specific questions.
 
If you want to live in the Philippines and prioritize city life and safety, I recommend Bonifacio Global City (BGC) or Makati City. These two are Central Business Districts (CBDs). They are the most expensive cities in the Philippines, but cheaper than the US. You can always see Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other expensive cars roaming around these cities, especially on weekends.
 
I recommend Bangkok these days. Chiang Mai just depends on what you need from a local area. I think it has been over hyped over the years. I lived there two years and I'm not saying I regret it, but I much prefer what BKK has to offer and the local culture there.
 
SyntaxSurge said:
If you want to live in the Philippines and prioritize city life and safety, I recommend Bonifacio Global City (BGC) or Makati City. These two are Central Business Districts (CBDs). They are the most expensive cities in the Philippines, but cheaper than the US. You can always see Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other expensive cars roaming around these cities, especially on weekends.
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Can you elaborate on the costs for those areas please.
 
seojay said:
I recommend Bangkok these days. Chiang Mai just depends on what you need from a local area. I think it has been over hyped over the years. I lived there two years and I'm not saying I regret it, but I much prefer what BKK has to offer and the local culture there.
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Do you stay when the air quality is really bad? Bangkok is looking really good as well. I like night life as well and that seems like the place to be.
 
That Guy T said:
Do you stay when the air quality is really bad? Bangkok is looking really good as well. I like night life as well and that seems like the place to be.
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Than this is your bet, I am more of a nature and beach guy but I did bump into snoop dogg and a week later saw mike tyson both in bangkok on a rooftop party in the same building while being there with a friend! It was in the year when the king died, I think 2015 or 2016...
 
nakamura said:
Really depends on you personally and how much you are willing to spend. I am also a digital nomad and I have been living in Thailand (Bangkok) most of the time for 6-7 years in total. Taiwan is also great.
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I'd want to live in a higher end condo. I've seen some nice ones for around $900

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/530712...earch_id=9143f882-2f1a-48fd-a217-7710428040fb
I really like that place - also I'd eat out 3 times a day but from my understanding that is cheap.
 
That Guy T said:
I'd want to live in a higher end condo. I've seen some nice ones for around $900

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/530712...earch_id=9143f882-2f1a-48fd-a217-7710428040fb
I really like that place - also I'd eat out 3 times a day but from my understanding that is cheap.
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I also live in a higher end condo and pay around $600-700. If you play to stay longer (6 months, 1 year, etc.) find a condo and contact someone on Hipflat.co.th.

For Airbnb, they are quite overpriced, sometimes double price from the actual rent. If you are new to Bangkok I would recommend you to stay around Sukhumvit area near BTS. Asoke, Phrom Pong, Ekkamai, Thong Lo, Phra Kanong and On Nut are good. Basically the closer you get to the center (Siam/Chid Lom) the more expensive it gets.

The good food in Bangkok is not that cheap. For a normal meal in a normla restaurant it is around $7-12. I mean, street food is cheap ($1-2), etc. but the hygiene and standard is quite low.
 
nakamura said:
I also live in a higher end condo and pay around $600-700. If you play to stay longer (6 months, 1 year, etc.) find a condo and contact someone on Hipflat.co.th.

For Airbnb, they are quite overpriced, sometimes double price from the actual rent. If you are new to Bangkok I would recommend you to stay around Sukhumvit area near BTS. Asoke, Phrom Pong, Ekkamai, Thong Lo, Phra Kanong and On Nut are good. Basically the closer you get to the center (Siam/Chid Lom) the more expensive it gets.

The good food in Bangkok is not that cheap. For a normal meal in a normla restaurant it is around $7-12. I mean, street food is cheap ($1-2), etc. but the hygiene and standard is quite low.
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Pro tip, I often ate (mostly breakfast) in hotels. It is amazing, much cheaper than buying yourself (especially if you eat the same amount of eggs, cheese, fruit and pork i do :D)
 
BertIsFat said:
Pro tip, I often ate (mostly breakfast) in hotels. It is amazing, much cheaper than buying yourself (especially if you eat the same amount of eggs, cheese, fruit and pork i do :D)
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Yes, I totally agree. One of the best things to do. And sometimes they are super cheap. Two years ago I went to one hotel almost every day, it was 150 baht for the breakfast buffet.
 
nakamura said:
Yes, I totally agree. One of the best things to do. And sometimes they are super cheap. Two years ago I went to one hotel almost every day, it was 150 baht for the breakfast buffet.
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nakamura said:
I also live in a higher end condo and pay around $600-700. If you play to stay longer (6 months, 1 year, etc.) find a condo and contact someone on Hipflat.co.th.

For Airbnb, they are quite overpriced, sometimes double price from the actual rent. If you are new to Bangkok I would recommend you to stay around Sukhumvit area near BTS. Asoke, Phrom Pong, Ekkamai, Thong Lo, Phra Kanong and On Nut are good. Basically the closer you get to the center (Siam/Chid Lom) the more expensive it gets.

The good food in Bangkok is not that cheap. For a normal meal in a normla restaurant it is around $7-12. I mean, street food is cheap ($1-2), etc. but the hygiene and standard is quite low.
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That's good to know. Hygiene is up there for me. Still 7-12 isn't bad especially. Checking out this website now. I'd probably stay in an AirBnb for the first month or two just to see exactly where I want to live. Looks like a lot of these are more expensive but I'm assuming the location is prime.
BertIsFat said:
Pro tip, I often ate (mostly breakfast) in hotels. It is amazing, much cheaper than buying yourself (especially if you eat the same amount of eggs, cheese, fruit and pork i do :D)
Click to expand...

BertIsFat said:
Pro tip, I often ate (mostly breakfast) in hotels. It is amazing, much cheaper than buying yourself (especially if you eat the same amount of eggs, cheese, fruit and pork i do :D)
Click to expand...
Very good to know. Did you guys ever go clubbing? How much are bottles and sections in clubs and overall a good night out
 
That Guy T said:
Very good to know. Did you guys ever go clubbing? How much are bottles and sections in clubs and overall a good night out
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I came first to thailand as a few days holiday because I visited an expo in hongkong and thought it would be cool to visit bangkok (where a friend lives) and some dream island... iOut of curiousity I met with some local businesses and wholesalers and if you present yourself well (or even place a good order) you will have the night of your life for free!
 
BertIsFat said:
I came first to thailand as a few days holiday because I visited an expo in hongkong and thought it would be cool to visit bangkok (where a friend lives) and some dream island... iOut of curiousity I met with some local businesses and wholesalers and if you present yourself well (or even place a good order) you will have the night of your life for free!
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I work in wholesale currently. That's something I didn't even think of. Mostly we do a lot out of China but if Thailand has some good merchandise as well I have a lot of connections to export.
 
That Guy T said:
I work in wholesale currently. That's something I didn't even think of. Mostly we do a lot out of China but if Thailand has some good merchandise as well I have a lot of connections to export.
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My twist was to find a thai buyng agent or sourcing company, they came with me to the expo in hk, they knew where to find the girls and helped us with all thailand related accomodation stuff... they invited us for dinner like every night because they wanted us to buy from them so much. Sadly it did not worked out past a few test orders because of completely different (/private) problems.
 
That Guy T said:
Going to check out this website now! Have you visited Thailand before? Any other good countries you've been?
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My friends have visited thailand before and according to them. in Some parts of the country there is very little racism or rude people but in most of the part there is. Regarding living expenses - Its cheap. But getting good internet - I am not sure.
 
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