Cost of Living in Phuket

Was in Phuket last February, stayed for 1 night at a small hotel for what seemed to me to be well from the beach....was not what it was advertised to be, then the next am, no electricity ... staff didn't seem to care.... I immediately went searching for another place and found 1 about 1/2 block off the beach...rented a scooter (ps, I'm 69, in good shape) and had a great time. I'm not what i consider rich, but i can travel reasonably well and just live off my dividend and social security income. i ate generally at restaurants, although not all the time. My scooter was used every day and I drove all over; found an out of the way beach bar which i went to about 3 days of my stay.....drove down roads not well travelled, a dirt track and then a walk down to a bouldered beach (I'm talking boulders 12 feet high). A long steep walk by the way. Didn't have the courage to get into the water, wasn't because of the current, but the boulders on the beach were covered with barnacles and while I could easily jump in, i was not sure if I could get out without getting all cut up. Phuket was just part of my 2 month stay in Thailand and Cambodia. The beach club noted above was fairly expensive. Massage locations everywhere 3,000 baht, some good some bad. i drink mostly beer and water during the daytime; at night look for a place that might serve a good red wine (expensive) as in state side expensive. Not sure what it would cost to live there for an extended period of time. The small hotel i stayed at was owned by a couple from Korea, it was well kept and maintained and i spoke to them regularly. About 900 baht per day, probably could have negotiated it down, but it would have been just for the negotiation of the price...room was worth it. I sometime have this illusion of living in Thailand, but then again, wonder if it would be for me. i'd need to have golf clubs and have access to a golf club, where I could play a few time a week.

Phuket is very expensive for most items in terms of dining out in a decent to nice restaurant. Wine, cheese, Salami, Avocados etc...are down right way over the top expensive. Beer bought from the market is (San Miguel Light) costs $1.21 for a 11.5 ounce bottle compared to 61 cents for Bud or Coors Light in California when you buy a 36 pack of 12 ounce cans or bottles. If you want to eat inexpensively stick to small off the beaten track Thai restaurants. If you go out to eat in Bandon Road in Cherng Talay and Boat Avenue you will be paying states prices for a meal, especially at Boat Avenue. Villa Market is more expensive than a super market in California. Best to forget about things you crave from back home.

Where you will save money is on rent, utilities, mobile phone use. You can find a decent 3 bedroom relatively close to the beach for under $600. I pay 15,650 Baht a month for a 3 bedroom, two bath home 2 kilometers from the beach on a large piece of land with a jungle behind my backyard. Phuket is the most expensive province in Thailand for sure. But if you take your time you can find some deals on accommodation/rent.

People who commented things are more expensive are getting sucked into tourist traps. Things are super cheap (even cheaper) if you find out where the locals eat, shop, etc...

If you expect to get off a plane and stay for 5 days and go to a popular tourist spot and eat where all the tourists eat,you're going to pay tourist price- like those who commented.

I see people pay $3 for a meal I can get for $1.25 a block away.

For 2 People in restoran 50e ist just normal??? Avgust 7 2017

We went to Phuket in January, and trust me,most things are more expensive.
Was very dissapointed..