This was a tough answer for me. I've been to many cities and they were all unique and had a draw to them, which is why I visited or lived there in the first place. I believe all places have pros and cons to them. Which city sticks out in your mind as the best city to live in, be it cost of living, things to do, or people.
I have many best cities and countries I have visited, but I have to say that I really enjoyed a lot of things about Bangkok. I lived there for six weeks because I did a short course there. I also visited numerous other times. What I liked about it was the transportation system for one. I liked that the subway and trains went pretty much everywhere. The mix of people both foreigner and other nationalities was a plus because in many other Asian cities they aren't as touristy, so you don't get to mingle with a mix of people. The cost of living is pretty decent as well in that rents are pretty low and you can live well if you are making decent money. I also loved the amount of choice for shopping and dug the massage shops that were all over the city. The massages are so cheap compared to the west, that you pay a quarter of what you would pay in North America for an hour massage. I'm not talking about Happy ending massages either guys. Get your minds out of the gutter .
The nightlife wasn't too shabby either and you could party cheaply or spend a fortune at a more upscale place if you so desired. The one thing I didn't like about Thailand was the amount of traffic. I hated taking taxis around because they were so slow to get from point a to point b. A few taxis will try to rip you off as well if you aren't careful. Maybe it is just me, but some of the women Thai voices get on my nerves. I find they sound babyish. Perhaps because I can't understand them. On the whole though, the Thais are very friendly and Thai food is the one of the best foods in the world (especially Pad Thai).
Maybe because I wasn't in Bangkok overly long (unlike some of you), the 'mai pen rai' attitude and Thai time didn't affect me that much. I actually enjoyed the laid back attitude coming from more serious places like Korea for example. I didn't like the political turmoil and the government crap going on, but if you go there for a short time it doesn't affect you as much.
Maybe that is why I haven't taught long in Thailand (yet?). I know that the education system isn't the best and that there are so many loopholes to jump through to get a proper work visa.
Anyway, enough of my rambling, what about yourself?
I have many best cities and countries I have visited, but I have to say that I really enjoyed a lot of things about Bangkok. I lived there for six weeks because I did a short course there. I also visited numerous other times. What I liked about it was the transportation system for one. I liked that the subway and trains went pretty much everywhere. The mix of people both foreigner and other nationalities was a plus because in many other Asian cities they aren't as touristy, so you don't get to mingle with a mix of people. The cost of living is pretty decent as well in that rents are pretty low and you can live well if you are making decent money. I also loved the amount of choice for shopping and dug the massage shops that were all over the city. The massages are so cheap compared to the west, that you pay a quarter of what you would pay in North America for an hour massage. I'm not talking about Happy ending massages either guys. Get your minds out of the gutter .
The nightlife wasn't too shabby either and you could party cheaply or spend a fortune at a more upscale place if you so desired. The one thing I didn't like about Thailand was the amount of traffic. I hated taking taxis around because they were so slow to get from point a to point b. A few taxis will try to rip you off as well if you aren't careful. Maybe it is just me, but some of the women Thai voices get on my nerves. I find they sound babyish. Perhaps because I can't understand them. On the whole though, the Thais are very friendly and Thai food is the one of the best foods in the world (especially Pad Thai).
Maybe because I wasn't in Bangkok overly long (unlike some of you), the 'mai pen rai' attitude and Thai time didn't affect me that much. I actually enjoyed the laid back attitude coming from more serious places like Korea for example. I didn't like the political turmoil and the government crap going on, but if you go there for a short time it doesn't affect you as much.
Maybe that is why I haven't taught long in Thailand (yet?). I know that the education system isn't the best and that there are so many loopholes to jump through to get a proper work visa.
Anyway, enough of my rambling, what about yourself?
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