valgehiir

CGW,
after thinking about your question if I live here or take extended vacations, I honestly can't tell you. I spend about 8 months out of the year here, I'd like to think that I live here.. but since I leave Thailand to enjoy short summers of Eastern Europe, maybe I don't really live here.
As for 'pottering' around downtown every day, I don't know what that word is, but it sounds like a bad thing, something that a real Pattaya resident shouldn't do. But I'm retired, what do you suggest I should fill my days with?

I must now say good bye to you guys at Pattaya Thaivisa. Having mean spirited exchanges can get a person feel down, and theres no need for that. Be well all!

Yes, Tropo, I have no income in Thailand and the pathetic exchange rate affects me too,
Still, I would argue that it isn't Pattaya that has become a more costly place to live, it isn't Pattaya what keeps both dollar and euro so low. Dollar doesn't buy us what it used to few years back, but it does not mean cost of living here has increased.

Dollar has droped about 30% against Euro since 2006, you'd have to get more cash out of ATM in Barcelona as well

CGW, on 2011-11-24 19:21:28, said:

We all have different lifestyles, but we live in the same town, so costs are same for you and me, no matter what the lifestyle is.

Why did I argue that Pattaya hasn't gotten more expensive in years..

in 2003 I took about 10.000 baht from ATM  once a week. That covered eating out 3 times a day (best khao pad gai  across from Tuckom, big fat guy, he also does amazing snails), ice latte at Starbucks or a cup of coffee at Le Cafe Royale in the evening (best Carbonara in town in Le Cafe btw), maybe a day at Jomtien beach, watching every new release at movie theatre.. basically daily pocket money. That hasn't changed in 2011, I still spend my days wondering around town with headphones on, hanging with few friends, and I it does not cost me more than it it did in 2003.

Now this does not include rent, of course. A studio at The Monaco Residence was 15.000 per month in 2003, it still is in 2011. Electricity was 7 baht per unit in 2003, it still is. This 10k a week walking around money also does not include almost weekly few day trips to Bangkok, shopping for clothes, replacing a laptop, other gadgets etc.

So I fail to  see why you gave me the much coveted 'Most Ridiculous Statements Made On This Forum' award

I suppose the biggest difference for the cost of living in Pattaya between me and you is that you own property here, and I do not. It is my choice not to own property here, I much prefer  to drop the keys to building manager just before Songkran,  and fly to Europe for the summer.
I also don't drive here, why own a car if  the cost of taxi from Pattaya to Bangkok is 800 baht plus toll, same as it was in 2003. Baht bus is 10 baht, same as it ever was, motor bike boys still take you anywhere for 50 baht. I see no reason to own a car here, it is much nicer to sit in a back seat in Thailand and especially in Pattaya.

You see, it is your choice to own property and bear the cost, it your choice to drive and accept the increasing gasoline prices..  strangely enough taxi fares haven't changed over the years. But gasoline prices have no place in a thread titled 'Pattaya Cost Of Living Getting Higher', since gasoline prices are going up everywhere in the world, it isn't a Pattaya issue. Same goes for cigarettes, alcohol etc. Beer price has nothing to do with cost of living, we may as well complain that truffle prices have become outrageous in last few years.

Cost of living in Pattaya has not changed for me since 2003


edit:
rgs2001uk, after reading your post  I am at a loss for words.

Jimi007, on 2011-11-22 21:25:01, said:

What makes the Belgian guy a jerk?
Looking at the pictures, it seems he left quite a large amount of his blood on the sidewalk. Do you think he is a 'real jerk' cos he didn't have a good sense to bleed in some place more private?

If u pay 3 baht per unit, it should be same as it ever was. If u renting, sure, they are asking 10baht per unit now. Just rent where they still ask 7 baht unit, as they try to charge u in most rental places. There is this disturbing trend to charge 10baht per unit, kindly ask them to fukc off at those places with their 10 baht unit, and insist on 7, 7 is farang rental rate per unit