I'm a Brit living in Thailand - ALL my expenses are less than the average UK monthly rent

A British man who moved to Thailand has shared a detailed breakdown of his monthly expenses - leaving social media users bewildered at a lifestyle they call 'paradise'.

Simon, a retired psychiatric nurse from London, relocated to Nonthaburi - a city just outside Bangkok - on a retirement visa in the hopes of a more affordable and relaxed way of life.

While many expats across the UK opt for tax-free havens such as Dubai, or laid-back Spanish coastal towns like Benidorm and Torrevieja, Simon's reason for moving to Thailand all comes down to it being significantly cheaper than the UK.

Known on TikTok as @skyhighthaisi, he posted a video in June outlining the real cost of living in the Southeast Asian country.

In the clip, which has since amassed over 270,000 likes and 6,000 comments, he said: 'So everyone online says Thailand is cheap. But how cheap is it really in 2025?'

Simon's largest monthly expense is rent, totalling 8,000 Thai baht (around £170) for a one-bedroom condo just outside the capital.

According to the former healthcare professional, the apartment is quiet, clean, and boasts amenities such as a swimming pool, sauna, and gym - all available at no extra cost.

Utilities are also considerably cheaper than in the UK, with Simon spending around 1,000 baht (£21) on Wi-Fi, 1,200 baht (£26) on electricity, and just 60 baht (little over £1) on water each month.

He also noted that eating out in Thailand is remarkably inexpensive, as he revealed he can dine out three times a day at 'decent' local spots for the combined price of just 150 baht, equivalent to £3.

However, he warned Western-style food, such as steak and pizza, 'stretches' his budget, but he ensured he 'mixes it up to keep things balanced.'

Leisure and personal expenses are also modest, with a 'proper' coffee costing the expat 25 baht (around 50p), while three Thai-produced beers on a night out sets him back to 260 baht (roughly £5.50).

Simon enjoys regular massages, sauna visits, and other amenities without putting a strain on his budget, spending around £2 to £3 on monthly haircuts and approximately £4 to £6 on hour-long massage sessions.

He pays 1,900 baht (£44) a year to renew his retirement visa, and an extra 15,000 baht (£348) for his visa agent to sort the paperwork for him.

In total, Simon estimated his monthly cost of living falls between 35,000 and 45,000 baht - approximately £750 to £950.

He concluded: 'It it cheaper than the UK? Absolutely. But it's about lifestyle and choices.'

The video drew praise from thousands of viewers for its transparency, as one person wrote: 'This is the most honest and straightforward video I've seen on living costs in Thailand.'

Another said: 'Finally someone on here who doesn't overspend and then complain that Thailand is expensive.

'I have a nice house in a gated community on the edge of Bangkok for about $500 a month. Thailand is cheap if you are smart.'

A third commented, 'That is paradise for pennies compared to Canada,' while another said, 'Shows how much we're ripped off.'

One Brit added: 'And most people watching this in the UK are stressed, under paid, over taxed, ripped off on virtually all bills, paying over the average for everything and have no money to even think about moving to Thailand.'