For me and Bangkok, I always say, it was love at first sight. I’ll never forget getting off the bus (from Trat), hopping onto the back of a motorcycle taxi and speeding under the BTS SkyTrain right as all the streets around me were lighting up in neon. My life changed permanently in that moment.
Almost from that moment, I knew the city would eventually be my home, though it took some time (two years, specifically) for that to manifest. It also happened across multiple stints: Bangkok, I soon learned, was more enjoyable on a scale of months than one of years or decades.
I’m getting ahead of myself, of course, and focusing too much on myself. After all, I’m here to help you decide whether living in Bangkok is right for you.
The Time(s) I Lived in Bangkok
The first time I made good on my fantasy of moving to Bangkok was in August 2012, after making the terrible decision to try to live in Berlin (Europe’s most overrated city—sorry, not sorry) for a summer. Stepping out into the sweltering air at Suvarnabhumi was balm for the soul after weeks on end of cold and grey, but neither my practical circumstances nor my emotional ones were right for a very long stay. I abandoned ship before the end of the year.
I was more prepared and determined when I moved to Bangkok the second time, in March 2017, and not just because I flew in with most of my earthly belongings. My business was in a much more advanced, sustainable stage; I had made a conscious (if indefinite, rather than permanent break) from life in the US. In this instance, I lasted longer (over two years), though I eventually cried “uncle,” for reasons I’m about to enumerate.
What to Know About Life in Bangkok
It’s easier than ever to get a visa
In the past, you’d need to have a job with a Thai company or be studying at a Thai school to get a “proper visa” and live in Thailand legally. Learning at a Thai school can be challenging if you aren’t Thai, however, although there is thankfully a solution for this: International students often pay for research papers to get a leg up in the Thai education system. Dn’t want to work or study? There’s now another option: the Digital Nomad Visa. If you have proof of steady income from remote work, and the patience to go through the official process, you can get approved for a stay in Thailand of up to five years.
It’s not (necessarily) cheap
The next time I live in Bangkok, I won’t repeat a key mistake from my first two times—namely, sacrificing the location of my residence in order to save money. While you can technically live in Bangkok (more likely its outskirts) for between $1,000-2,000 per month, having a truly comfortable existence in the city necessitates much more than this. In fact, in order to enjoy Bangkok to the fullest in the mid-to-late 2020s, I’d recommend a monthly income of at least $4,000-5,000 USD.
Yes, Bangkok has seasons
One reason I’ve always loved Bangkok? I am one of the rare people on this planet for whom there’s no such thing as too hot or too humid. Unfortunately, Bangkok experiences many months per year with less than beachy weather. Between about February and April, you have “smog season,” where a thick blanket of pollution chokes everyone and everything. This ends in May or June with the rains, which present their own obstacles to enjoying life until they relent in October or November.
You have to make a point of exploring
I wouldn’t be surprised if you move to Bangkok with the intention not only of traveling throughout Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia, but of exploring all the nooks and crannies of the city. It’s very easy, however, to become comfortable in your neighborhood and routine, and to become an expat homebody, especially during the aforementioned smog and/or rain. Not having a significant amount of disposable income can also lead to this outcome.
Bangkok can embody the phrase “too much of a good thing”
Bangkok is a lot—and I love the city for how “extra” it is. Unfortunately, even if you don’t experience major hiccups during your stay, you may eventually find yourself hitting a limit. Entering one too many crosswalks where drivers don’t stop for you. Making one more simple request to a service industry worker, only to find they’re too incompetent or distracted to honor it. Wasting another 24 hours food poisoned, even though you eat at that food court all the time and have always been fine.
Why I’d Never Live Anywhere Else in Thailand
In spite of the various difficulties I faced during both of my long stays in Bangkok, and irrespective of how many other places in Thailand I’ve loved when I visited them, I don’t think I would ever choose anywhere but the capital as my base. For starters, having grown up in the suburbs of a medium-sized city, any place I make my home needs to be busy and urban and walkable. Which, as long as you’re intentional about where you live, work and play, Bangkok absolutely is.
There’s also the fact that in spite of how lovely, say, Lampang or Lanta are, each is more prone to disruptions than Bangkok is, be that seasonal smog (in Lampang’s case) or rain (in Lanta’s), or the potential for actual natural disasters. A big advantage of choosing Bangkok when moving to Thailand is how built-up it is. This shields you from many of the realities of residing in a country that is still ultimately a developing one.
Other FAQ About Living in Bangkok
Is Bangkok a good place to live?
Bangkok is a good place to live if you are honest with yourself about what’s required to do so. It’s more expensive than you’re probably expecting, for example, and factors such as traffic and pollution can add a great deal of stress and disruption to your life. On the flip-side, Bangkok is comfortable enough that you can get complacent there. It’s easy to go weeks or even months without taking advantage of what a great base for travel it is.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Bangkok?
As of late 2025, renting a one bedroom apartment in central Bangkok will easily set you back 30,000 THB, or around $1,000. While utilities, food and transportation are cheap, you should also budget a certain amount of money for travel. Overall, whether in terms of salary, remote income or savings, prepare to have a minimum of 2,000-3,000 USD (per person) on hand for every month you plan to live in Bangkok.
Can US citizens live in Bangkok?
US citizens can live in Bangkok if they secure the proper visa in order to reside in Thailand long-term, and if they have enough income (be that a job in the city, remote work from abroad, savings or retirement) to live comfortably in the city. However, being a US citizen doesn’t on its own grant you any status, and will not result in an easier immigration process than it would for foreigners from Europe, the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
The Bottom Line
Living in Bangkok isn’t for everyone—if I’m honest, it wasn’t always for me. While I knew almost from the moment I first arrived in the city that I’d eventually call it home, each of my stints residing in Thailand‘s City of Angels brought challenges with it that sent me running toward the exits sooner than I’d hoped. In this article, I’ve done my best to share the full truth of expat life in Bangkok—the good, the bad, the ugly—to help you decide whether or not you should pursue a longer stay in Bangkok than just a holiday. Need personalized help making your choice, or assistance putting your plan into action? Click here to see how I can help.
