Bangkok

I agree so much with this review from 11 months ago. "A city right out of a dystopian novel" - that's what I was thinking on the way to the Airport after spending just a week in Bangkok.

A city right out of a dystopian novel - soulless and cynical. The air is polluted and no trees are in sight. Its inhabitants manipulative and cold-hearted - hidden behind fake smiles. A Disney Land for senile retirees. Everything is for sale and nothing has value. The streets are filled with rats - both human ones and animals. After spending time here, you understand why their king lives in Bavaria. A place that would make you feel deeply depressed if you stayed for too long.

Bangkok is a really nice city. I lived 2 weeks in Bangkok and it was a good trip !

People are very nice, smiling and the cost is affordable.

Some beautifuls temple, gardens, market etc.

Chinatown is a place to visit, and Bangkok is globally clean !

I've been to Bangkok for almost two weeks now and I can't understand comments about the lack of soul or everything being on sale. Sure, there are some sketchy parts like massage parlour touts and an occasional ladyboy here and there, but overall my impression is that it's just a regular big city with some clear advantages. Coming from Central Europe, I find everybody to be very calm and polite. Some may argue it's just a facade and fair enough, but I prefer a calm and kind facade over cold and indifferent or even rude facade.

I've been staying mostly in Sukhumvit and it's been a very pleasant, easy stay. Nice parks, easy to go places, services and food at my fingertips. Great first impression. I also spent some time in the suburbs (around Lat Phrao). It was visibly poorer than the center and rough around the edges, but I had zero problems with either safety, food quality, or the internet. It seems that people are equally kind all around the city. The pro of going away from the center was that food prices were cut in half. I had some great street food meals for 50 baht, whereas in the center the cheapest ones will be at least double.

I've lived in Asia for 7 years, and Bangkok is, by far, my favorite city in Asia. The people are gentle, the food is terrific, it's incredibly safe, gay friendly, legal weed if you like weed, and it's a pretty clean city. I am wrapping up my 2nd month here, and I don't have any complaints about the city at all. The traffic is the only thing that can be annoying but I am ok with it since I've been in Asia so long and know that's just how it is everywhere in Asia, often worse in other cities. You can get most places on the public transit system and avoid taxis all together. When I do take one, I just get a bike taxi because they move quickly even if it is less safe. I would also recommend staying in the right part of the city. I am in Silom and everything is so easy here. I have a lap pool I joined for swimming laps, a coworking center with 24/7 access, and a wide variety of restaurants. I am looking forward to coming back to Bangkok again. I prefer it over Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Phuket. And I've been to Thailand many times and all over the country. Bangkok is terrific! It's hot like anywhere along the equator. Pack some linen shirts and all good. The AC is terrific anyway.

Housing market is becoming crazy expensive in the center. Expect to pay north of 2k USD per month to rent a 2 bedrooms 60sqm unit in a condo. In recent condos, the square meter goes for more than 10k USD (on par with Paris prices). Ridiculous

Bangkok is a place you can hate or love or have a hate-love relationship with it.
The heat and humidity are always present, so prepare to sweat.
But, great price for value, probably the best in the world, fantastic cafes and restaurants with local and western food.
Thai local cuisine in the markets feels homemade with love. Entertainment outside the red district is so Good and Distinguish.
Some people when you leave Bangkok and see it from above in their aeroplane. they wish to spend another 24 hrs in the city of Angels.

I cannot help but agree with the review from the person before me. I'm finishing my 3 weeks trip here, and something feels off. Like that person put it rightly, everything is for sale, and nothing has value. There is no soul to this city and its people, locals or otherwise. Something is wrong here.

A city right out of a dystopian novel - soulless and cynical. The air is polluted and no trees are in sight. Its inhabitants manipulative and cold-hearted - hidden behind fake smiles. A Disney Land for senile retirees. Everything is for sale and nothing has value. The streets are filled with rats - both human ones and animals. After spending time here, you understand why their king lives in Bavaria. A place that would make you feel deeply depressed if you stayed for too long.

Absolutely love this place. I was there for a few days, but cannot wait to spend a longer season there. It is THE South-East Asian metropolis you dream of. It's like "organized chaos". Massive and crowded, but everything works surprisingly well. Every corner is like a new adventure. Street food is everywhere and is great no matter where you go. Public transport just works and is cheap. It can be very oppresive because of the heat, crowds and pollution. That's why most people stay in these high-class condos where you have a swimming pool, gym, working area, etc. The vibe there is "big city" life: people spend most of their time indoors, in their condos or in malls. I suggest to go out, get a tuk-tuk and get lost. The feeling this city can give you is unbeatable, you feel like everything is possible.

Don't believe the prices on here for an apartment. 686 usd/month refers to an apartment in a high class condo, right in the city centre and seconds away from the BTS(train station).

Just remember this, people working at supermarkets make 2 usd/per hour. If you want to live like a local, then you can save a lot of money.

If you don't mind a 5-10 minute walk from the BTS, then you can easily get a one bedroom apartment for 300 USD per month, in a high class condo, plus with free golf cart service to the BTS station.

I have literally gone to a restaurant to pay 8 USD for a meal, when the exact dish was available on the street for only 1 USD and tastes much better. I ate out everyday and went partying a couple of times a week, and my total monthly expenses was still under 1000 usd.

TIPS
-Gyms are fucking expensive in Thailand. Expect to pay at least 60 USD/month for the gym, which is crazy when you consider the average wage in Thailand is 15 usd/per day.
-Vitamins and supplements cost double the price than what you would get at home. Thais do not take supplements. Maybe only foreigners and really rich Thais.

People spending 1500 USD per month must be eating steak daily and hanging out at places meant for foreigners.

Cost of living over 1.000 usd? Is any of of this website went to Bangkok? You can live on a palace above 1.000 usd rent. Mine was 22.000 bahts and was in the party street, amazing building with jacuzzi, pools and even its own cinema..

One of my favourite cities in the world for being a nomad. A great blend of both local and foreign population. Anything you could possibly want to eat or buy is in this city. Plenty of nightlife to be found (12x12 is a hidden gem I love). Most foreigners you meet are there to have a good time, there's just a laid back and comfortable vibe to the whole city. Traffic is horrible, so recommend the train whenever you can, or GrabBikes, which will allow you to weave between the traffic unlike any bus or taxi. However, the city is getting increasingly more expensive over the years. Don't expect to be living dirt cheap like other southeast Asian spots.

I traveled around from 2007 to 2010: North and South America, Europe and Asia, staying a minimum of a month (often 2 months) in each country. My work was online and I wasn't looking to settle but when I came to Bangkok on the last day of major political unrest, I was shocked by how nice people were... If kindness of local people, manners and respect for your personal space mean anything to you, you will love Bangkok.
Since 2010, I lived in condos and rented buildings in Bangkok and all is very easy, a smile and showing good will open most doors. Even dealing with burocracy is simple if you dress up and are polite - I've never met a Thai who didn't want to help. After living for 20+ years in NYFC, this was a shocking surprise...
Bangkok is great for: independent people who want access to everything. You can live here on $10 a day or a $1000 a day and still can spend more. Try doing that in other places... There is a lot of money in Thailand so there are many startups, jobs (very, very low unemployment), lots of expats and internationals.
Bangkok is not great for: people who expect it to be something else, people who are rude, aggressive (A types) who can't wait or who need things to be done immediately. This is not a place where you come in and expect things to work how you expect them to work - even if you pay for it. The reason is above: Thais can find a better boss or a better coworker in a day so people will just leave you with no notice if you're aggressive or rude. I've heard many stories of maids or employees leaving without even asking for their last pay - they value ''saving face'' more than money... Thais really value manners, patience and something they call ''jai-dee'' (being kind hearted). You see this everywhere you go - there is no honking in traffic (at all!!), if you bump into someone in a line, chances are that you'll both apologize to each other, no one smells on the trains (it is considered rude and onlly westerners do that), no one is loud in a restaurant... The streets are free of any broken glass because monks walk barefoot every morning when they are begging for alms... You have to see this place to believe that people can still live together while being nice to each other.
Finally, the traffic is not dangerous at all. I am not sure where did that info come from. In Bangkok (as you'll confirm if you've been here), drivers don't change lanes like they do in Europe - as if driving a race car. Thais are very calm, non aggressive people so you can imagine that they don't turn into maniacs once they get into a car. The only danger are people who speed but even that is predictable and common sense - late at night, when roads are not crowded: use caution.... Simple.
I've lived in all of Nomadlist top 10 cities. There is Bangkok and then there is the rest...

Bangkok has some of the best private hospitals in the world. Which is interesting if you're in Asia a lot and you want medical care better than you can get in your home country.

Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok is ranked #7 in the world. I did an executive health checkup there and it was great. Prices range from $250 to $750 depending on how many checks you want. You can get blood count, X Ray, ultrasound, hormone check, etc.

They also have most other medical disciplines. I also got vaccinations renewed. The hospital is private so it's so much better than the overloaded public healthcare systems of Europe, Canada and UK where everyone tries to avoid helping you, is overworked and angry. In Bangkok they're super nice and helpful and you can make appointments straight with a specialist. Not blocked by a GP like in your home country.

Bangkok is good for remote working. But you will feel it boring after 2 months.

Over-hyped.

Bangkok isn't what I was expecting. After a month in Thailand's capital, I couldn't wait to escape.

Chiang Mai is far superior if you have a desire to stay in Thailand. It feels unfair to compare Bangkok to Saigon... Go to Saigon.

Llargest expats and nomad community, cheap rent, cheap food, the best food city in the world, crazy night life, friendly people and city itself has a lot of energy.

You get somewhat acclimated to the weather after a while (and yes, the right wool fabric is the most breathable one so ignore that previous reviewer). I've stayed here on and off for about 4 years now. The expat crowd is great and there really is a lot of opportunity for collaboration. Many networking events every month and a vibrant startup community. The variety of food is some of the best in the world (although you will have to pay to get quality Western). Shopping is great. Nightlife could be better but should satisfy most people. The real downside is the traffic which has become basically as bad as Jakarta, although Bangkok has much better transporation (both skytrain and subway). Living expenses have risen lately so don't count on this being a budget trip unless you want to resort to street food. Internet speed generally has becoming really great. Fast 4G in all operators. If you stay in a new condo or hotel you will average at least 30Mbit – my current co work place runs at 600.

The weather is nice, a little bit too hot, but all these airconditioned spaces drive me crazy! Some people wear wool (!!) clothes at 32 degrees (facepalm). Noisy, griddy, but comfortable enough

The way to approach Bangkok is to go from aircon to aircon. You wake up in an aircon apartment, you walk out into the aircon BTS or aircon Uber and arrive at the aircon cafe or aircon mall with aircon shops. If you think you can get out of the aircon and walk for longer than 5 mins outside, STOP! You can’t, you’ll turn into a wet towel of sweat. Nights are do-able in Bangkok though, good temperatures and no traffic. But when the sun rises, get back into the aircon!

Bangkok’s digital nomad community has grown rapidly due to its comparatively low cost of living and position as a bustling metropolitan city with great co-working spaces and high-speed internet. As it is popular with tourists and has a large expat crowd, foreigners are welcome and most people speak at least some English.

The Shanghai of South East Asia. It's got everything from crazy nightlife, to hipster cafes and high-so venues.