Anyone here ever lived in - or visited extendedly - Thailand?

by AK - Jeff 20 Replies latest jw experiences

• 

  AK - Jeff

  Having been a long time dub - from the age of 5 to the age of 48 - I did not ever plan on retiring in 'This system of things'. By the time I figured it out, it was a bit late to develop a career plan, get an education, and get the retirement savings in order.

  There is still some time - and we will do what we can to assure the best retirement we can. I am currently 52. But one of the options I am considering is a move to an economically viable location. I have looked at some websites about 'retirement visas' in Thailand, and understand from some that the cost of living is very favorable for those on a fixed income. Also, the medical care is much less expensive, and most of the doctors in certain areas are American trained. The climate is favorable, except for the monsoon season which is constant rain for three months.

  I am seriously considering looking into this carefully. I have many years yet to arrive at a plan.

  Just wondering if any here have insight into this land and things to share about it with one contemplating a serious look at living there.

  Jeff
• 

  jwfacts

  I love SE Asian countries. I am married to a Philipino and would like to retire in the Phillipines.

  Thailand is wonderful. Beautiful culture, landscape and people. I love heat and the tropics but not everyone can cope with it, so you would want to holiday in a tropical country for a few weeks to make sure it is not too draining for you.

  It is a third world country, so there are many annoying things too. Things can be slow and inefficient and filled with corruption. Things that we take for granted such as reliable internet, phones, banking etc can be less than acceptable quality. There are also hygiene issues, standards taken for granted in the West just do not exist. In the tropics there is more chance of getting infections and malaria.

  The provinces are the nicest places, but also most backwards. Bangkok on the other hand is chaos; noisy, dirty, but full of life. I imagine you would want to live out of Bangkok. Somewhere like Phuket is not too bad as there is more money and services due to tourism.
• 

  AK - Jeff

  Thanx Jwfacts.

  I shall retire to rest and check back in the morning. Yes it does sound interesting, and I imagine that Bankok would be my last choice. Thanx for the info.

  My cousin married a Thai gal a year back [he is much younger than I] and just had a new baby. Of course her interest was in getting out of Thailand and to America. She is a doll - but speaks little english so far.

  Jeff
• 

  zeroday

  There are also hygiene issues, standards taken for granted in the West just do not exist.

  I imagine that doesn't exist on any Thi tourism pamphlet... Imagine leaving the most powerful wealthiest nation in the world to retire in one of the poorest third world countries in the world...YEA can't wait to get my passport to Thailand...Enjoy....
• 

  zeroday

  Of course her interest was in getting out of Thailand and to America.

  And she just happened to marry your cousin what a coincidence.....
• 

  AK - Jeff

  No coincidence. She, like a lot of Asian folks wanted to leave the nation by marrying an American. The diffence between her and me is that I will have an income and she didn't.

  I don't understand, Zero, why you need to throw water of negativitiy on something that is not appealling to you. Have you been there? If not, shut the hell up!

  Jeff
• 

  MegaDude

  Jeff,

  I have a good friend who is planning to retire in Thailand. The following link has a lot of information about what life is like there. My friend recommended it.

  http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/living.html
• 

  AK - Jeff

  My apologies to the board for having 'gone off ' a little on Zero. It just irked me that, he felt compelled to state the obvious, and do it in such an insulting way.

  Millions of Americans have retired to places that people are trying to leave. They are leaving because there is no income for them. The Americans and Euro's move in for precisely the same reason. The cost of living is low. I know that there are many negatives to this idea - and I want to hear both negative and positive thoughts - just not smart aleck remarks from someone with little idea where to find this nation on a map.

  Done with rant.

  Jeff

  Thanx megadude. I will look that link over well. Has your friend chosen an area in which to go?
• 

  Clam

  Hi Jeff

  Not been to Thailand although a very good friend has just gone there for 6 weeks. I'm off to Borneo for the first time this Winter as my best friend (he's English) has just moved from Australia to there. I believe a lot of Aussies go there to live, but know next to nothing about the place. I can't wait and if I remember will let you know it goes.

  Clam
• 

  AK - Jeff

  Thanx Clam. Yes, kinda the same neck of the woods. I would like to know how that goes and your opinion. I am dropping you a PM with my email addy - I hope you will remember to let me know.

  Have a great trip.

  Jeff