[Beyond Borders]

(04-02-2014 06:22 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

OP,

I recall another poster here who was in various places in SEA recommended Siem Reap in Cambodia for this very thing: getting work done, living on the cheap, and still being able to have lots of fun on weekends. Can't remember who it was though! Haven't been there myself.

Probably me.

That said, OP is 19.

Kid needs excitement and non-stop action.

Make Bangkok your bitch.

[Beyond Borders]

^Okay, I re-read the original post. If you need to focus more, Chiang Mai might make more sense. You can party 24/7 out here anywhere you go though, and your surroundings are novel enough that even small places will be titillating, so that part is really just a matter of self-discipline.

You might consider living on an island somewhere. Usually plenty of peace and quiet but you can head into town when you want to party. And something about living on a tropical coast just feels so right when you're location independent...

[Vacancier Permanent]

BB,
before sending the kd to the wolves, warn him to be very careful as BKK is a mean Beast! She will eat any unsuspecting yet seasoned traveler guys, let alone a 19 year old rookie traveler alive in a nano second and make you Her or even HIS bitch.

Always keep in mind that while Bangkok BANGS, it also has the word KOK in it!

One more peace of advice, get in touch with Leighton B there!

And avoid like the plague the following areas: Kao San Road, Patong specially at night and Nana.

Follow these and you may not want to leave BKK anytime soon...

(04-02-2014 06:34 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 06:22 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

OP,

I recall another poster here who was in various places in SEA recommended Siem Reap in Cambodia for this very thing: getting work done, living on the cheap, and still being able to have lots of fun on weekends. Can't remember who it was though! Haven't been there myself.

Probably me.

That said, OP is 19.

Kid needs excitement and non-stop action.

Make Bangkok your bitch.

[the-dream]

(04-02-2014 06:40 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

^Okay, I re-read the original post. If you need to focus more, Chiang Mai might make more sense. You can party 24/7 out here anywhere you go though, and your surroundings are novel enough that even small places will be titillating, so that part is really just a matter of self-discipline.

You might consider living on an island somewhere. Usually plenty of peace and quiet but you can head into town when you want to party. And something about living on a tropical coast just feels so right when you're location independent...

I'd definitely rather somewhere exciting! Doing crazy things motivates me and nothing exciting happening in my life just makes me less inspired and not work as hard.

[Beyond Borders]

(04-02-2014 06:50 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

BB,
before sending the kd to the wolves, warn him to be very careful as BKK is a mean Beast! She will eat any unsuspecting yet seasoned traveler guys, let alone a 19 year old rookie traveler alive in a nano second and make you Her or even HIS bitch.

Always keep in mind that while Bangkok BANGS, it also has the word KOK in it!

One more peace of advice, get in touch with Leighton B there!

And avoid like the plague the following areas: Kao San Road, Patong specially at night and Nana.

Follow these and you may not want to leave BKK anytime soon...

Believe me, it crossed my mind. Sounds like his mindset is in the right place with wanting to do something productive. I suggest taking some classes and getting involved with other people your age and some type of structured program.

But honestly, a 19 year old kid is going to party his ass off anywhere he goes. When I was 19 the words would have been futile. Even saying avoid Khao San is futile. Young guy like that would have a blast with the backpackers - let him check it out.

Bangkok would have been wild at that age...

Hell, even guys in their 30s (myself included) always say they're going to be productive this time around when they come out here, but it never happens. haha

For these reasons I chose to save my words on the subject for now.

I saved a kid who looked about 19 and was getting his head stomped by a bunch of bouncers at Spicy in Chiang Mai once. Threw myself in the middle of it (bad idea in Thailand but I couldn't bear to see some teenager end up in the hospital because he was sloppy drunk and didn't know any better) and broke it up long enough to get him out of there. I almost got beat up myself.

So yeah, be careful, Bud. LOL

Number 1 Ground Rule - do not fight, no matter what. Not even other foreigners.

And try not mix booze with motorbikes.

(04-02-2014 06:58 PM)the-dream Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 06:40 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

^Okay, I re-read the original post. If you need to focus more, Chiang Mai might make more sense. You can party 24/7 out here anywhere you go though, and your surroundings are novel enough that even small places will be titillating, so that part is really just a matter of self-discipline.

You might consider living on an island somewhere. Usually plenty of peace and quiet but you can head into town when you want to party. And something about living on a tropical coast just feels so right when you're location independent...

I'd definitely rather somewhere exciting! Doing crazy things motivates me and nothing exciting happening in my life just makes me less inspired and not work as hard.

Yeah, that's what I figured. Work hard, play hard is the motto at your age.

VP is right though. Try to achieve some balance. You might consider coming through BKK on the way in and partying it up for a few weeks and then heading to Koh Tao or something to get into scuba diving and rock climbing. You can head to the city every once in a while when you have extra cash for big time fun.

Enroll in the divemaster internship and spend your time doing scuba missions, working, and hitting on tourists. There are plenty of raves and Euro girls on the islands.

[Afarang]

Chaing Mai is kind of boring for me, place is too small. Go Bangkok if your going Thailand. If Bangkok is too much for you, take a trip to CM.

You can concentrate in Bangkok too, just need discipline. CM you dont, because there aint a hell of a lot going on.

[Beyond Borders]

(04-02-2014 07:32 PM)Afarang Wrote:  

CM you dont, because there aint a hell of a lot going on.

Nah, this isn't true. It just seems that way when you're passing through.

But yeah, Bangkok is better for someone this age for sure.

[Switch]

ChiangMai definetly a good place to start. It's great to network and if you get bored you can easily hop down to BK pretty quickly.

[samsamsam]

OP, just go to BKK and bring BB as your body guard

On a serious note, only you know what you are really looking for.

What type of girls do you like, etc. Asian, Latina, White, Black?

We understand you want to keep costs down so that will play a role.

Could you run your business while moving around?

It would be awesome at 19 to see the world.

I am not trying to make it seem easy, but hostels are cheap as is food in many parts of the world. Just be a nomad and check stuff out.

[Ilovejaneandfinch]

I strongly recommend Dominican Republic. It is not so close, but it is very good. You would enjoy it. Sosua and Puerta Plata are very good. As long as you pick there, it won't look too poor and dirty.

Also, Natal, Recife and nearby cities in Brazil are excelente!

Also consider Costa Rica where English will be easy to come across, yet you can still learn Spanish.

Maybe even Spain or Portugal could work.

[Beyond Borders]

(04-02-2014 09:11 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

OP, just go to BKK and bring BB as your body guard

On a serious note, only you know what you are really looking for.

On a serious note?

Wait, what? Slow down - don't change the subject. You almost had me a job there, Man!

Nah, I'd be a shit bodyguard. I'd probably get us beat up.

[rvlefty]

Keep in mind that if you are doing an online business, you probably want decent internet speeds. A lot of Thailand will not have that. Well a lot of SEA. Trust me it's painful sitting in a hotel with basically dialup internet trying to do anything and the wifi keeps cutting out and when it is on you can't even load youtube videos.

Also, if you go to Chiang Mai you're more likely just to be interacting with other foreigners and not locals. You can find foreigners anywhere.

[Brodiaga]

(04-02-2014 09:17 PM)Ilovejaneandfinch Wrote:  

I strongly recommend Dominican Republic. It is not so close, but it is very good. You would enjoy it. Sosua and Puerta Plata are very good. As long as you pick there, it won't look too poor and dirty.

Also, Natal, Recife and nearby cities in Brazil are excelente!

Also consider Costa Rica where English will be easy to come across, yet you can still learn Spanish.

Maybe even Spain or Portugal could work.

I have not been to Sosua, Puerto Plata, Natal or Recife, but I have been to the North Coast in DR, also Maceio and a couple more cities in North-Eastern Brazil. I have also been to a number of cities and countries in Asia.

South-East Asia is better than Latin America by a huge margin: cheaper, safer, more civilized, more English speakers, you name it. The only reason a non-Spanish speaking guy may choose Latin America is if he is so crazy about Latina girls that nothing else matters. Other than that, especially on a small budget, you can't go wrong with Asia. Much easier to pull girls in Asia, too, especially if you don't speak Spanish or Portuguese.

I would start in Bangkok and then think where else I want to go. Here are some ideas:

-Indonesia: Jakarta for the craziest fucking nightlife in the world. Bali: Ubud for tranquility and vibe. Second tier cities in Indo: Bandung for low cost of living and proximity to Jakarta.
-Vietnam: Mui Ne (a seaside village).
-Manila and second-tier cities in the Philippines. I haven't been, but Davao and Cebu city get very good reviews on RVF.

[SpecialEd]

SEA is way overhyped here. Its not that cheap. The flight alone costs about $2K and living anything approaching a western lifestyle gets pricey fast.

The women are easy but its rare to see a 7+. The local cultures range from mildly xenophobic to openly racist. They're justified in this prejudice because their countries attract the dregs of the Western world. Its basically an end of road destination for seedy old men. For a young expat/location independent traveler, there are better options imo.

[iknowexactly]

(04-02-2014 06:59 AM)Frank Mackey Wrote:  

Already aged 33, and with the benefit of hindsight, I would suggest to the 19 years old version of myself to enrol in an Erasmus in Poland, say for example Krakaw. Lots of nice and easygoing girls to meet,

Get the white girls while you're young, they get very, very picky once you pass 38-45, and they never tell you why , it just seems harder and harder to get them to make eye contact, return calls/txts whatever the next thing is....

[BlondeChaser]

If your young go to Europe. If they had no schengen rules I'd stay there all year long.

Slum it in the hostels if you are in budget. Airbnb for better pull chances. When your 19 the hostel racket doesn't suck, especially for your first time abroad.

[WanderingSoul]

(04-02-2014 11:37 PM)SpecialEd Wrote:  

SEA is way overhyped here. Its not that cheap. The flight alone costs about $2K and living anything approaching a western lifestyle gets pricey fast.

The women are easy but its rare to see a 7+. The local cultures range from mildly xenophobic to openly racist. They're justified in this prejudice because their countries attract the dregs of the Western world. Its basically an end of road destination for seedy old men. For a young expat/location independent traveler, there are better options imo.

Where did you go while looking for 7+s in Bangkok?

[Afarang]

(04-02-2014 11:37 PM)SpecialEd Wrote:  

SEA is way overhyped here. Its not that cheap. The flight alone costs about $2K and living anything approaching a western lifestyle gets pricey fast.

The women are easy but its rare to see a 7+. The local cultures range from mildly xenophobic to openly racist. They're justified in this prejudice because their countries attract the dregs of the Western world. Its basically an end of road destination for seedy old men. For a young expat/location independent traveler, there are better options imo.

pretty far from the truth. I lived there for a year on about $1k a month, doing what I wanted and going out quite often. Sounds like you either did it wrong or had a bad experience.

[berserk]

(04-02-2014 11:43 PM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 06:59 AM)Frank Mackey Wrote:  

Already aged 33, and with the benefit of hindsight, I would suggest to the 19 years old version of myself to enrol in an Erasmus in Poland, say for example Krakaw. Lots of nice and easygoing girls to meet,

Get the white girls while you're young, they get very, very picky once you pass 38-45, and they never tell you why , it just seems harder and harder to get them to make eye contact, return calls/txts whatever the next thing is....

I assume OP being british has seen white girls before. They will still be there when he returns in a couple of years. He's got at least 10-15 years before age even becomes a factor.

What he won't have forever though is the ability to go to university as an exchange student in some exotic country. The online biz will also still be there and is perfectly possible to do as a side biz.

Being young, having some style and some game, all can be learned here, will allow him to bang prime uni pussy in any country without having any stereotypes attached to him like an older guy would.

Imo, it's a huge mistake not to take advantage of Erasmus and other exchange programs even if going to Thailand. Can you imagine enrolling a year in Chiang Mai uni with 18-20 year old thai babes on their first taste of freedom?

I can because I did a semester in Thailand years ago and it was ten times easier to meet girls just by saying I studied at this university. RCA and being a student at a prestigious uni and out with a bunch of foreign students was an amazing time, I get very nostalgic just thinking about it.

The same can be said for any exchange program. It doesn't get better than that.

[Sp5]

Another alternative is Spain, particularly the south Mediterranean coast.

I'm looking at rents there, and they are cheap. Apartments in Malaga and Valencia are as cheap as 350 euro a month. Markets mean you get plenty of good food. Wine as cheap as water.

Ryanair and Easyjet mean it's only a few pounds away from the UK. You could drive there, too.

[travolta]

Traveling and working is actually a big challenge that most people don't realize. It might take you several weeks to readjust and to get into a routine where you can actually work efficiently. I'd personally wait till I was making more than $850/month. I wouldn't do it until I was making at least 2x whatever my projected cost of living would be. So if I needed $200/day to live COMFORTABLY in Bangkok, I wouldn't consider traveling and quitting my job until I was making at least $400/day. You don't want to be living a shitty uncomfortable lifestyle in a foreign country and not have enough money to return home. Living off savings is a pretty weak way to go about it too. But then again you're only 19, so you should be taking risks and making mistakes.

I'm sure you've already made your decision though, so there's no point in preaching about what you should or shouldn't be doing...

Bangkok is an obvious choice. It's cheap, the women are hot and easy, and the weather is nice. Anywhere is SE Asia with good internet is a good option. Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia. Just make sure that whatever location you choose doesn't have some type of internet restriction, and make sure that the internet is good. There's nothing more frustrating than being in a city where you can't find good internet ANYWHERE and you need to do work. Be sure that you can tether data from your phone this way you can access internet anywhere. Last time I was in southern Thailand there was spotty internet wherever I went, so I was basically tethering 24/7 when I was doing work.

[travolta]

(04-02-2014 11:37 PM)SpecialEd Wrote:  

SEA is way overhyped here. Its not that cheap. The flight alone costs about $2K and living anything approaching a western lifestyle gets pricey fast.

The women are easy but its rare to see a 7+. The local cultures range from mildly xenophobic to openly racist. They're justified in this prejudice because their countries attract the dregs of the Western world. Its basically an end of road destination for seedy old men. For a young expat/location independent traveler, there are better options imo.

-In Bangkok I paid $40/night for a luxury apartment that had a gym and two separate pools

-I guess you've never gone out to RCA or Demo if you haven't seen many 7+ girls.

-Lots of lame desperate Westerners go to Thailand, but this just helps you out if you're young and have your act together. My chick in Thailand would constantly tell me how easy it would be for me to get laid because I was a young good looking white guy (I'm decent looking but tall). If you're a young white guy with style and some money, you should have have no problem getting lots of box in Bangkok

[Beyond Borders]

(04-02-2014 11:37 PM)SpecialEd Wrote:  

SEA is way overhyped here. Its not that cheap. The flight alone costs about $2K and living anything approaching a western lifestyle gets pricey fast.

The women are easy but its rare to see a 7+. The local cultures range from mildly xenophobic to openly racist. They're justified in this prejudice because their countries attract the dregs of the Western world. Its basically an end of road destination for seedy old men. For a young expat/location independent traveler, there are better options imo.

An old crusty white guy and a young expat traveler with game aren't even on the same planet when in Southeast Asia.

[the-dream]

(04-02-2014 11:37 PM)SpecialEd Wrote:  

SEA is way overhyped here. Its not that cheap. The flight alone costs about $2K and living anything approaching a western lifestyle gets pricey fast.

The women are easy but its rare to see a 7+. The local cultures range from mildly xenophobic to openly racist. They're justified in this prejudice because their countries attract the dregs of the Western world. Its basically an end of road destination for seedy old men. For a young expat/location independent traveler, there are better options imo.

I live in UK, not USA, so flights are more like $600 max. Where would you recommend then?

[the-dream]

(04-03-2014 12:47 AM)berserk Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 11:43 PM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 06:59 AM)Frank Mackey Wrote:  

Already aged 33, and with the benefit of hindsight, I would suggest to the 19 years old version of myself to enrol in an Erasmus in Poland, say for example Krakaw. Lots of nice and easygoing girls to meet,

Get the white girls while you're young, they get very, very picky once you pass 38-45, and they never tell you why , it just seems harder and harder to get them to make eye contact, return calls/txts whatever the next thing is....

I assume OP being british has seen white girls before. They will still be there when he returns in a couple of years. He's got at least 10-15 years before age even becomes a factor.

What he won't have forever though is the ability to go to university as an exchange student in some exotic country. The online biz will also still be there and is perfectly possible to do as a side biz.

Being young, having some style and some game, all can be learned here, will allow him to bang prime uni pussy in any country without having any stereotypes attached to him like an older guy would.

Imo, it's a huge mistake not to take advantage of Erasmus and other exchange programs even if going to Thailand. Can you imagine enrolling a year in Chiang Mai uni with 18-20 year old thai babes on their first taste of freedom?

I can because I did a semester in Thailand years ago and it was ten times easier to meet girls just by saying I studied at this university. RCA and being a student at a prestigious uni and out with a bunch of foreign students was an amazing time, I get very nostalgic just thinking about it.

The same can be said for any exchange program. It doesn't get better than that.

That would be perfect for me but I screwed up high school so would have to go back to that first before going to university.

Right now, I'd rather just go forward in my life instead of backwards. I'd love to mix with students or even live with them wherever I choose to go though. Would you recommend Thailand above anywhere else?