A man from the Midlands has highlighted the significantly lower cost of living he enjoys after relocating to Thailand. Macauley Haycock, originally from Wolverhampton, moved to Pattaya three years ago where he lives with his girlfriend, runs a bar, and manages a successful YouTube channel, MacTV.
At 31 years old, Macauley documents his life abroad and explains that many everyday expenses are substantially cheaper than in the UK. Speaking about his experience, he said bills for rent, food, accommodation, transport, and utilities are “way cheaper” in Thailand.
He recently purchased a month’s supply of groceries for approximately £131, including a variety of items such as steaks, chicken, tuna, cottage cheese, fruit, vegetables, drinks, and even a complete spice rack.
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Monthly bills for his utilities, including Wi-Fi, water, and electricity, cost just £25. Transport fares are also affordable, with a typical 30-minute journey priced at only a few pounds.
Previously, Macauley paid around £360 per month for a condo with amenities like a gym and swimming pool on the 29th floor. He has since moved to a three-bedroom house costing about £580 per month, which brings his total monthly outgoings with bills to just over £600.
To provide context, the average monthly utility costs for a three-bedroom home in Pattaya stand at £25 including water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, compared with around £164 for similar utilities in the UK. A 30-minute Bolt taxi ride in Pattaya costs approximately £6.94, while in Birmingham it is around £14.36. Meanwhile, rent for a three-bedroom home in Pattaya is £580 per month, whereas the same size in Birmingham costs between £1,000 and £1,250. In terms of leisure, a bottled beer at a Pattaya bar costs £2.25, compared to £7.10 in a UK pub.
With a YouTube following of 90,000 subscribers, Macauley offers advice to those considering moving abroad. He recommends doing thorough research first, especially for those thinking about pursuing YouTube as a career. “Not everyone can do this,” he said. “People should learn how to make and edit videos if they want to earn serious money.”
He emphasised the importance of visiting a country on holiday before deciding to move there permanently, to understand the environment better. Macauley also advises securing an online job before relocating, as local job opportunities may be limited.
Highlighting salary comparisons, he noted that even jobs considered less desirable in the UK, such as call centre positions, tend to offer better earnings than equivalent roles in Thailand. Regarding teaching positions in Thailand, he warned that while this might be an option, the pay is low and the working hours long, and he would not recommend it.