Our time in the U.S. was 3 months of unrelenting sticker shock! From groceries to gas to housing we find the states to be really expensive.
It’s good to be back in Thailand and we find we are able to live comfortably. This seems like a good time to share what that looks like for us.
We’ve created a budget that allows for basic necessities, fun, savings, emergencies and travel.
I’m covering the basic necessities and fun in this post. This is our approximate monthly budget:
Rent: 10,000 Baht ($325)
We found a lovely studio apartment in a neighborhood that we love. Its simple, clean and has lovely common areas, a pool and a gym. Although paid separately, I’ve included the cost of electricity and water in this amount.
Food: 12,000 Baht ($400)
We eat very well and pretty healthily here. There are lots of restaurants, local markets and we are in walking distance from two major grocery stores.
Transportation: 3,800 Baht ($125)
Most of this is for our scooter rental. There are also affordable local busses, songteaws and Grab.
Phone and Internet Service: 1,500 Baht ($50)
This is for great cell service on two phones and high speed internet.
Entertainment: 4,600 Baht ($150)
We have found this to be more than enough to cover movies, meals out with friends and short excursions.
So our total budget is around 32,000 baht… just over $1000! One of the many reasons we love Thailand.
Cherry Hill is the closest park to metropolitan DC. At over $80 per night it is by far the most expensive RV park we’ve stayed at. It is also one of the nicest.
As we planned our trip, we knew we wanted to go to the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. We picked Cherry Hill because they have a Metro bus station that takes one to the Metro Trains and then into the heart of the city.
In addition to the convenience of public transportation the park is really quite lovely. There are two pools, mini golf, a store, excellent laundry facilities and more.
Not an RVer? Cherry Hill has cute little glamping and cabin sites!
Beautiful landscaping and comfortable sites made Cherry Hill a great spot to return to after our busy DC days.
Today we visited Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1957 nine brave black students were prevented from attending the all white school school. They were met with extreme hatred, vicious threats and state sanctioned prevention when they tried to enter. Finally the federal government stepped in and Central High became integrated. Today there is a Federal monument and visitor center across from the school.
At the school there is a reflecting pool surrounded by benches honoring the Little Rock 9.
The monument and center had many interesting and moving displays.
I hope you will share this story with the young people in your life.
