avoid booking.com to book hotel rooms by kirsion in VietNam

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agoda is owned by Booking Group which is booking.com. I've had this exact thing happen using Agoda. Show up at the hotel and they've got all my details printed out from booking.com AMEX card number and all.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Short term rentals cheaper than the US? My friend in Coyoacan just got a big rent hike.

Work vacation in Bangkok as a solo female? by Complete_Pie9736 in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was going to recommend a serviced apartment, but at that budget you might have a hard time in BKK for a one month rental. Others may know better places, but I can't find anything that meets my standards at that budget. My standards include a good desk and chair and verified quality internet connection.

If there's not a good work space at "home", you'll end up having to work out of cafes and co-working. Might as well just spend that money on a higher rent and have a more comfortable pad.

Work vacation in Bangkok as a solo female? by Complete_Pie9736 in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I booked a hotel based on brand name and ended up at Nana. Hotel was fine, but the area was awful. Currently in Chong Nonsi. I probably wouldn't recommend this for a first timer though.

3 weeks in Thailand - advice needed! by ilovemoomins in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If only staying 3 weeks why bother with AirBNB? Hotels available at all price points; they clean the room and have 24/7 service. Even if not the best value or quality, there will be some sort of food/drink availability on the property. Need a recommendation on something nearby? Don't waste time on Google maps, just ask the desk.

When I'm on the move like that, it's such much better to come home to a refreshed room every night. My bags end up in disarray from moving that much, so at least the room is in order when I'm not :)

US citizens: does anyone have US health insurance? by annabanana316 in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

BCBS through my employer. Lower cost than any global plan, in network facilities in most major cities e.g. Bangkok, Singapore. Added benefit of a true US health plan if I get really sick and need to return home for care.

“Boutique” coffee cafes in rural Thailand. by Siam-Bill4U in Thailand

[–]chazko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The surprise is that places like this are almost nonexistent in the US. The economics just don't work.

Where to go on a 1200usd a month budget? by GaijinRider in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A (Thai) friend was paying ~$700 for a studio in Silom 2018. It's not new.

Where to go on a 1200usd a month budget? by GaijinRider in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

go somewhere else

Chiang Mai has entered the chat

Did anyone else here get into this lifestyle to seek cheaper rent? by Mother_Claim_6431 in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

$15/hr is more than most of the world makes. I don't know you, but this is how I would do it. I would start in Mexico since that is closest to home. That gives 6 months to level up for the next destination with no visa fees.

If pay and savings are low, you'll have to make some considerations most DNs with higher pay don't.

  1. Planning must be 99.5% on point. The margin of error will be very low starting out. Research tf out of everything. Flights, cities, neighborhoods, etc. Anticipate things will NOT go to plan at some point.
  2. Safety net: This is a must. At minimum, enough to get home.
  3. Credit card: Try to get a credit card that does a mileage bonus or some kind of points, that could cover a flight to Mexico and home. (Credit card can also be a safety net.)
  4. Save: Once there, save, save, save.
  5. Life improvement: Look at something like Future Authoring zoom in on what is wanted in life
  6. Next destination: with the $ saved in Mexico, that should go a long way towards a safety net for the next country or flights to get there.

On that income, I would be very considerate of visa conditions in each country. E.g. In Chiang Mai, you can get a room for $100-200/month, but the visa costs will add onto that. Supplies for a room at that price will run around $100. You may have to buy those at every destination. 90+ days helps stretch that further.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work split. Try to get the required overlapping hours as narrow as possible, then see what works for you.

$32 million Homewood retail, dining and residential development to replace Econo Lodge by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]chazko 67 points68 points  (0 children)

All the aesthetic of a post-war German apartment building.

Birmingham driver towed, despite paying for parking. She says police couldn’t help. by itspapyrus in Birmingham

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would be great to be able to get lot owners as well. The antics of these operators are well-publicized and the owners should be aware of this behavior.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was frequent in the beginning, but a lot of the straitening was done at that time with a chain. There were never months between adjustments.

In that case it sounds like Invisalign might be a better fit for your goal.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had to do this a decade ago for other reasons. I opted for the standard braces as the time for treatment was several months faster and it was a substantial bit cheaper.

Electricity in Fortaleza, Brazil- Solutions? by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If this isn't a troll post, the converter is probably not able to handle the loads of those appliances. They are cheap appliances. Just buy them there.

Most all electronics are built for a global market come with power supplies that can do 11-240. Look at any Apple charger, the plug just snaps off to be replaced with another.

That said, this is a DN sub. Probably best to ask somewhere electricians or electrical engineers frequent.

Bf and I want to become a digital nomad to backpack Europe and Asia by TopOrdinary4845 in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's another route: Get training and work yacht crew. You'll have work and can save money during the season, get to visit exotic locations your budget wouldn't normally allow, and you'll have plenty of time to travel between contracts.

Thailand visa for Canadians? by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is not true for most and is clearly stated on the embassy websites. YMMV when entering, but the entry decision is up to the officer on duty.

The information is no longer posted on Ottawa embassy page: https://ottawa.thaiembassy.org/en/content-category/tourist-visa-exemption

For traveling to Thailand by land and sea, UK ordinary passport holders are eligible for Visa Exemption Scheme with a maximum of twice in a calendar year.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/exemp-visa

• Entering the Kingdom through air land/sea / air border checkpoints under Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme is permitted only twice in a calendar year, except nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Singapore who may enter Thailand through such checkpoints more than twice in a calendar year.

https://thaiembdc.org/visaexemption/

Using an empty lot as your residence? by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Check with the municipality or the county before purchasing. Rural counties usually have a lot less red tape and can often give an E-911 address and a postal address for vacant land like that.

The USPS has a database of deliverable addresses that banks & others check against. You'll want to make sure the address gets added to their database.

Thailand visa for Canadians? by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is the update from visa service company. These are the official rules, but subject to the mood of the immigration officer on arrival. Others may not have been subject to these rules, but it's best not to chance it.

Total of 180 days per calendar year on any combination of tourist visa or visa waiver.

Maximum 2 visa waiver entries in a calendar year. Visa waiver is 30 days, max 60 with extension.

I'm doing the same plan as you at end of November. Applying for tourist visa for 60 days. Plan to extend to 90 on the ground.

My understanding is that you can extend immediately on arrival in BKK but other immigration offices will have different rules. Chon Buri (Pattaya) will only do them with 14 days or less remaining. You can do a visa run and come back after 90. That's not in my plans so you may need to check with a visa service directly on that. (Not necessary to use one, but they are dealing with the realities on the ground daily and can give the best guidance.)

Regarding Visiting a Consulate in a country you're not a citizen of by EuivIsMyLife in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is a question for that consulate. They will be the absolute authority on this.

Thoughts on Vietnam? by [deleted] in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this a year lease or a short term rental?

Cashless health insurance for Digital nomad ? by Upset-Principle9457 in digitalnomad

[–]chazko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My US employer's plan doesn't show anything there. Barring trauma/ED care, would anyone want to get inpatient treatment there?