Thread: Indo vs Thai costs of living. Your opinions wanted.

I'm doing all my pre first trip research and I really think Thailand is unbeatable cost wise in every category. Any thoughts or clarifying misconceptions? Thank you.

Wheres that willy dude when you need him?

Living In Indonesia Expat Forum - View Profile: kingwilly

There are many resources and other forums for Indo and Bali but I've yet to find a price breakdown. How do the prices of Bali/Jakarta compare to Phuket/Pattaya?

I think Pattaya is the cheapest "developed" city in Thai.

Originally Posted by impact

I think Pattaya is the cheapest "developed" city in Thai.

disagree

Originally Posted by impact

There are many resources and other forums for Indo and Bali but I've yet to find a price breakdown. How do the prices of Bali/Jakarta compare to Phuket/Pattaya?

I think Pattaya is the cheapest "developed" city in Thai.

I am told that it is about as cheap as Thailand. Our friend said the 5 star hotels cost the same as a 3 star Thai. Also meals are about 100 baht. This is what I am told so I can't confirm.

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Originally Posted by impact

I think Pattaya is the cheapest "developed" city in Thai.

disagree

Which gets your vote?

Originally Posted by impact

I think Pattaya is the cheapest "developed" city in Thai.

A lot of that is determined by what you mean by "Developed", 40 yers ago Pattaya was not so bad,, today it is one place I will not go.

My comparative point is that if you want a pricey life in Pattaya, it's there. But you can also have budget (living in a guesthouse, eat Thai meals) and be very comfortable (I should know as I used to have a very tight budget). Is this possible in Bali? I'm finding most trip reports talking about villas for $200+/night. I haven't found the budget trip reports for long stays. I'm going for 1 month.

Originally Posted by chitown

Wheres that willy dude when you need him?

Probably posting on another forum to keep his post count high!

I started searching for housing / condo prices in Jakarta and stopped once my jaw hit the floor... That's as far as I got... Perhaps the simian from Jakarta will pipe in as I am curious also...

I can only talk about Bali - that said, overall it's very similar. Low end food is slightly more expensive than Thai food, you often pay 60 Baht even at a street vendor. Taxis are a bit more expensive than meter taxis in Bangkok, even short distances will cost you 100-150 Baht, but they use meter too.
Western food is comparable in quality and price I think. Renting a car or motorbike is a bit cheaper. Shopping is more expensive but branded goods are cheaper (lower import tax?) Cosmetics are cheaper too (made in Indo, but orig brand) Can't talk about appartments but hotels/homestays seem to be good value, couldn't compare too much but overall cheapish like Thailand.
I think I spent slightly more in Bali, but that's because of my habit of taking a lot of taxis and relocating often.
But seems to be very easy finding a nice house/villa around Kuta or Ubud, saw lots of interesting ads (spacious villa with pool, several bed- bahtrooms etc for 15-20k Baht)

Will eventually swing by Bali as well, heard it was very cheap but pretty sure that was compared to the west.

Bali is the most expensive place in Indon, and that prolly includes Jakarta.
Sorry, disclaimer- Irian Jaya. But you don't go there unless you are made of something else, if yer know what i mean.
I'm not up to speed on exchange rates and stuff, I've not even been there for five years, but Indon I would say is cheaper than Thailand.

But...
You can't trust the street food.
If you're out of Bali or Jak, the food will soon drive you up the wall anyway.
You reckon Thailand is corrupt??
Les' women are real nice though.

Originally Posted by sabang

Bali is the most expensive place in Indon, and that prolly includes Jakarta.
Sorry, disclaimer- Irian Jaya. But you don't go there unless you are made of something else, if yer know what i mean.
I'm not up to speed on exchange rates and stuff, I've not even been there for five years, but Indon I would say is cheaper than Thailand.

But...
You can't trust the street food.
If you're out of Bali or Jak, the food will soon drive you up the wall anyway.
You reckon Thailand is corrupt??
Les' women are real nice though.

My research is only saying Bali is more expensive than Thailand. There are so many expats and frequent visitors writing trip reports but all seem to be on larger budgets than I. I pay 17,000 THB/month in central Pattaya for a very nice hotel. I'm already fearing I won't find similar quality at this price in Bali.

If anyone wants to meet for a beer, please PM me.

Originally Posted by plorf

I can only talk about Bali - that said, overall it's very similar. I think I spent slightly more in Bali, but that's because of my habit of taking a lot of taxis and relocating often.

I am definitely spending more in Bali. I've moved to the peaceful neighborhood of Sanur and am much happier here than I was living in overly busy Kuta. A wise choice. There isn't many inexpensive hotel options with in room wifi but I did find a couple. The taxis are a treat as there are none in Pattaya. The locals and the girls extremely friendly and helpful. I couldn't ask for much better but I still think Thai food is the best food in the world. The Carrefour here isn't too interesting.

Originally Posted by chitown

Wheres that willy dude when you need him?

ooops., sorry i never saw this thread....

Originally Posted by Muadib

I started searching for housing / condo prices in Jakarta and stopped once my jaw hit the floor... That's as far as I got... Perhaps the simian from Jakarta will pipe in as I am curious also...

Yes and no. There is also some quite cheap places. I'm staying in a 2 story 3 bedroom house in a nice complex on the outskirts of jakarta that costs about 35,000 baht p/m - I have friends in kemang paying $2000 a month.

But there is also plenty of Kost (rent rooms in boarding house arrangements for 1/10th of that

Originally Posted by plorf

I can only talk about Bali - that said, overall it's very similar. Low end food is slightly more expensive than Thai food, you often pay 60 Baht even at a street vendor. Taxis are a bit more expensive than meter taxis in Bangkok, even short distances will cost you 100-150 Baht, but they use meter too. Western food is comparable in quality and price I think. Renting a car or motorbike is a bit cheaper. Shopping is more expensive but branded goods are cheaper (lower import tax?) Cosmetics are cheaper too (made in Indo, but orig brand) Can't talk about appartments but hotels/homestays seem to be good value, couldn't compare too much but overall cheapish like Thailand. I think I spent slightly more in Bali, but that's because of my habit of taking a lot of taxis and relocating often. But seems to be very easy finding a nice house/villa around Kuta or Ubud, saw lots of interesting ads (spacious villa with pool, several bed- bahtrooms etc for 15-20k Baht)

pretty much spot on that quote,

Originally Posted by sabang

Bali is the most expensive place in Indon, and that prolly includes Jakarta.

Disagree a little, Balikpapan is apparently the most, Jakarta 2nd bali 3rd.

Thinking seriously of moving to Yogyakarta on Java mesen in October .A friend who runs a language school there tells me it's very similar to Thai prices and you can find cheap accomodation only many landlords want you to pay one years rent up front. One of the appealling things for me about the move is the visa situation as they seem to be alot more relaxed on that front.

yogja is quite a hip place to be, though the traffic is getting worse. An indonersian version of chiang mai, perhaps.

When I was there last year, the prices seemed about the same, but much like Malaysia, the people in Indonesia did not seem nearly as friendly or easy going as the Thais (especially the women). Probably because its Muslim, not Buddhist.

Originally Posted by BobR

but much like Malaysia, the people in Indonesia did not seem nearly as friendly or easy going as the Thais (especially the women). Probably because its Muslim, not Buddhist.

dunno about that, I think many people would argue that Indo women are more friendly and down to earth.

Different people, different experiences.

^ I experienced the people to be much more straight-forward friendly and warm, we met a lot of nice people and my gf had to admit that Bali seems more tourist friendly. She loves the place, and that isn't granted as she doesn't like most other neighbouring countries.
(Still talking just about Bali, not Indo in general)

I'm now in my 2nd week of my virgin Bali trip. Yes, I'm meeting nice people and enjoying the long beach walks but the internet that I use for work is painfully slow, a hotel with internet in room is rare and/or expensive ($50+), and the girls aren't overly easy (I've been spoiled by Thai!). Through trial and error, I've found the Indo dishes I enjoy. I also feel Indo massage is more enjoyable whereas Thais often see how much pressure they can apply. Generally, I find the Indos more intelligent than the Thais. It's not in any 1 way, just in general. I do not like that the Indos honk so much when driving. Honk to pass, honk to enter road, honk when horny, etc.

I'm based in peaceful Sanur which is a nice retreat after my long days of driving and hanging around Kuta (the bar area).

I recommend: HARRIS Hotels & Resorts, hotels in Bali, Jakarta, Batam, Indonesia - Online Reservations although I am not staying there.