Life in bustling Bangkok, in The Kingdom of Thailand, is an amalgam of all that is elegant, electric, eclectic and exotic.  From its days as an R&R retreat for American soldiers during the Vietnam War, to its rise as a powerhouse in today’s economic environment, Bangkok thrives. 

The crush of traffic on its streets attests to the city’s vitality.  People are always on the go, whether to attend to business or life in general.  What you will see as you wend your way through the narrow streets or wide thoroughfares is a thriving merchant culture blended with a splattering of the saffron robes that indicate you are in a world of peace and harmony.  

Thais are not personally noisy.  They don’t rant and rave.  They are polite to a fault and leave the dramatics to westerners who move wide-eyed into their paths.  That is not to say that they don’t appreciate a good round of negotiation – over anything.  They just do it quietly.

Westerners live in either the high-rise enclaves of Sukhumvit Road and Silom/Sathorn, where penthouses reach sky-high and life is lived in luxury.  These are usually the business expats who have come to Bangkok not yet ready for a life of retirement.

Living a Thai style of life can  have its rewards also, especially if you are prepared to learn Thai and live among the Thais.  This can be done at a reasonable monthly cost, in fact, so reasonable that you will wonder why it took you so long to find your Thai roots.

Bangkok has a Thai buffet on almost every corner, where street vendors offer up the most scintillating aromas you have ever inhaled.  The food is fresh and simply walking three blocks is enough to fill you for a day!  Street prices are cheap, the food outstanding, and the experience overwhelming!

 Renting an apartment in Bangkok is an easy matter, as  over 19,000 new units have come onto the market in the past several years.  The key is finding one that is located near your work, or close to the Skytrain or subway.  Of course, prices will be higher in these areas, but the compensation is the avoidance of being in the middle of Bangkok rush-hour traffic.

Life in Bangkok is akin to that in any major urban city.  Only here, you brush up against palaces, temples, magnificent architecture, parks and walkways.  It is a lifestyle very much in the 21st Century yet its history and pageantry is ever present.

The cost of living in Bangkok is less than in London, New York, Tokyo or Los Angeles.  A modern apartment can be rented from $700US for a studio located next to the Skytrain to $1300US for a two-bedroom in a full-service building near public transportation.  Of course, if you choose to “go Thai”, consider a studio for under $200US per month! The facilities may not be western enough for you, but considering the price, it may be worth the experience!

Depending on your lifestyle needs, Bangkok is on the upswing when it comes to its entrepreneurial spirit.  It’s life in the big city.  And for many, that’s the Change of Lifestyle they’ve been looking for!