I was recently having an interesting discussion about whether or not I could ever move back to the UK. The point was being raised about retirees’ pensions going nowhere near as far as they used to, and people are jumping ship to head back to Europe. So I decided to do a little research regarding the cost of living here and back in the UK. I visited www.numbeo.com which lets you make comparisons of living costs anywhere in the world. I focused on comparisons between Hua Hin, where I live now and my home county of Essex (so not as expensive as London).
Here are some interesting stats that I came up with.
- Rental prices are 964% more expensive in Essex.
- An average meal is 204% more expensive in Essex
- An average bottle of wine is 36% cheaper in Essex
- A beer is 146% more expensive in Essex
- A cappuccino is 130% more expensive in Essex
- A Big Mac is 5% cheaper in Essex
- 1 kg of bananas is 104% more expensive in Essex
- A one way ticket on local public transport is 368% more expensive in Essex
- A regular tariff for a taxi ride is 354% more expensive in Essex
- Petrol is 74% more expensive in Essex
- Basic utility bills are 97% more expensive in Essex
- Internet is 43% more expensive in Essex
It was interesting that the only things that came out cheaper back in Essex were wine and Big Macs.
For me personally, I don’t think I could ever give up the Thai way of life. The idea of moving back to Essex terrifies me to my core. I love being able to go and enjoy Thai sea food next to the sea and not spend a fortune doing so or being able to chill with a beer by the pool. In fact I could never give up the outdoor lifestyle that living in Thailand (and particularly Hua Hin) affords, even if the pound is woefully weak.
Hi. An interesting post. Like you, I couldn’t move back to either of my home countries … UK & Canada. In either, the weather would kill me before the prices did.
But, I wanted to comment on your use of percentages. I find them a bit confusing. If something is 204% more expensive in Essex, does that mean it’s 3.04 times as expensive? I assume so, because 100% more would be double.
Somehow, three times more sounds more dramatic than 200% more.
Just my thoughts for today.
–paul
Hi Paul, thanks for your message. Yes, that’s exactly what it means – if something is 1 pound and in the UK it’s 200% more it’s 3 pounds.
Every time I go back to the UK I can’t get over the price of certain things. Public transport is ridiculous, especially considering governments are supposed to be encouraging us to use it.