A British man who moved to Thailand claims that his three-bedroom villa – which comes with a pool and jacuzzi – is ‘cheaper than living in London’ and spends nearly £10,000 less a year on rent than his family in the UK.
Richard Klein, 20, decided to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in June 2023 – after travelling around Asia with sister, Santa, 29, an artist, and falling in love with the country.
Before long he had decided to settle there, quitting his job as an immigration officer after making more money as an Amazon seller and realising he could work from anywhere online.
The ex-athlete and his sister both now live in a three-bedroom villa with a pool and spend £700 on rent, pay £2.50 for their water bill, and £25 to £30 on the electricity every month.
Richard Klein, 20, decided to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in June 2023 – after travelling Asia and falling in love with the country
Meanwhile, his parents in Twickenham are forking out around £1,500 each month for their home – around twice their children’s rent.
This means Richard and his sister are paying around £9,600 less per year on housing than them.
Average advertised rents within London increased to a record £2,627 per month between July and September, an increase of 12.1 per cent from the same point a year ago – according to Rightmove’s Rental Trends Tracker.
Outside London average advertised rents reached £1,278 per month during the period, marking an increase of 10 per cent in a year or 3.8 per cent in the last three months alone.
Elsewhere, according to British Gas, average monthly electric and gas bills in the UK range anywhere from £109.33 to £230.08 depending on the size of the house and payment type.
Richard said that Thailand is the perfect hub for ‘digital nomads’ and finds it easier to enjoy his life there.
‘I found in the UK every person you meet is going through the system and not sure what they are doing,’ he added. ‘You have the ability to express yourself in Thailand.
‘It’s cheaper and the weather is nice.’
The siblings say they could have found something for a lot less money if they went for a smaller home, but are happy to pay £700 a month.
Both now live in a three-bedroom villa with a pool and spend £700 on rent, pay £2.50 for their water bill, and £25 to £30 on the electricity every month
Richard Klein, 20, decided to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in June 2023 – after travelling Asia and falling in love with the country
At the moment, both are able to live in the country on educational visas; Richard is learning Thai boxing, Muay Thai, to comply with his.
‘There are no financial restrictions.’ the traveller explained. ‘It’s flexible. It’s brilliant – a much nicer environment.’
And he said that Chiang Mai in particular has the best of both worlds – ‘the hustle and the bustle and the nature’.
Partying and enjoying nights out is also extremely cheap.
‘You can drink all night long and not spend more than £30,’ Richard said. ‘Shots are £1. It’s £1 for a dinner.’
And he said that Chiang Mai in particular has the best of both worlds – ‘the hustle and the bustle and the nature’
At the moment, both are able to live in the country on educational visas; Richard is learning Thai boxing, Muay Thai, to comply with his
Richard plans to stay in Thailand for the next few years, as he also manages parties on several islands near Chiang Mai
He is also now sharing tips for other people to start a business online to encourage them to move out and work remotely.
‘Day to day it can get a bit lonely,’ he admitted. ‘It’s a very different walk of life.’
However, Richard is still ‘really glad he moved’.
‘It’s a beautiful country,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t change it for the world, I don’t have any regrets. You feel alive out here.’
Richard plans to stay in Thailand for the next few years, as he also manages parties on several islands near Chiang Mai, but wants to keep travelling and living in other countries – adding that ‘the world is your oyster’.
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