kungpao

Wife said her nephew or dad have to go sleep at the farm (house is in the village) with gun due to the people (druggies?) who come by and try to steal anything not nailed down.

Interesting. I've always felt safe more often in the city/near the city. Not a big one, but suburbanish. We have a lot of sketchy people who are in the rural areas on meth and whatnot. With those people you have issues with breakins because no one is around at all. But that can happen in suburbia as well.

Yes, good to know. And a good area can turn bad.

For us, at least, we don't plan to have anything of real value, at least as we have here in the states. Although in Thailand, what's not of value not in Thailand could easily be of value there.

It's too bad about rural drug problems, well, urban too, but it seems to happen everywhere.

It might be best to rent for awhile. We will reconnoiter in the next week or two when we get there.

I don't suspect, but any chance of crime statistics tracked by area in Thailand? If one were to decide to move to a certain area (NE in my case), any way to find out the safer areas?

Thai wife and I are interested in the Khon Kaen area, but not KK specifically. Maybe outside the "ring" road. Something close to KK by car or train or bus, but cheaper and less hectic.

It's hard to tell how good an area is by looking at it. Semi-rural/rural can be a problem just as it is in the USA. Last year in Chaiyaphum I remarked to her how I liked an area of town and she said, no, not safe. Crime. On our way back from there to KK, we saw the police pulling over any car that was full of younger men and administering pee tests.

I guess you don't know what is safe and what is not. My wife's friend has a husband from England and he was walking around Udon Thani, up some alley where there were construction workers working on houses. He thought it was cool. She said, no, you must not go by there.

At least in America (the west?) you can pull up statistics by area or have a hunch how bad a place is with some reliability (barred up windows, mattresses in the front yards, trash everywhere).

Any chance of finding stats? What to look out for? We'd like to ourselves find a place just off the main highway between KK and Chaiyaphum. But in America, main highway areas can be problematic for crime.

Having to wait 16 month apart before they could come to the USA seems crazy. Happy that it all worked out but people reading this shouldn't assume that will be the norm.

Actually, the norm is 18 months.

Fiance visas are much faster: a few months, at least over the last couple of years. Marriage visas take a couple of years.

I've only been to Thailand 3 times - for two week stints over the last 3 1/2 years. Met my Thai wife, she came to US last year. We talk about moving to Thailand, but gee whiz: there's an awful lot I like about USA and Pacific Northwest. I like Thailand. We don't know where we will end up. Tomorrow will never come. We are here for today. We live frugal and I could live as cheap here, nearly, as there. She makes okay money and I'm doing okay at work. We are going back to Thailand in 2 weeks for 2 weeks.

First time I went to Thailand I did not want to leave. The second time I was ready to go home after 2 weeks. The 3rd time - I wanted to stay there with my to-be wife. She worked for government and had a steady good paying job. In my gut, I knew I had to come back and she had to come with me and we had to save a little and she needed citizenship and qualify for Social Security. And experience the USA. She gave up her job and came here making far more money then over there 3x times as much per month.

And her daughter and her are learning English fast. Her more than daughter.

Anyway, the future? Not sure. Live in Khon Kaen? Maybe. Our base for traveling Europe and the rest of the world? Maybe.

Both places have their advantages.

Sounds like you have a plan....the reality of happiness is NOT where you live but who you live with. You sound young (have a job and family) so only you can decide what's best for your family and future. Where ever life may take you...

Good luck

Thank you, yes we have a plan, or many plans, as we like to joke about. "Young" at 51. Wife is 41. I've never been happy like I am now and it's all due to my wife. She's never been happier in her life. I never thought I was compatible with Thai culture, but it was the best thing for me. Yin/yang. She taught me not to get upset about things and to let them go (yes, she vents about work, ha, but she's not good with authority). We could live anywhere and be happy, just to be with her each day. Now we just let things roll off our backs and not get worked up. And she's into frugal and simple living, which is wonderful. She's "cheap" to maintain, LOL.

Job is going fine and saving and living simple/frugal.

I've only been to Thailand 3 times - for two week stints over the last 3 1/2 years. Met my Thai wife, she came to US last year. We talk about moving to Thailand, but gee whiz: there's an awful lot I like about USA and Pacific Northwest. I like Thailand. We don't know where we will end up. Tomorrow will never come. We are here for today. We live frugal and I could live as cheap here, nearly, as there. She makes okay money and I'm doing okay at work. We are going back to Thailand in 2 weeks for 2 weeks.

First time I went to Thailand I did not want to leave. The second time I was ready to go home after 2 weeks. The 3rd time - I wanted to stay there with my to-be wife. She worked for government and had a steady good paying job. In my gut, I knew I had to come back and she had to come with me and we had to save a little and she needed citizenship and qualify for Social Security. And experience the USA. She gave up her job and came here making far more money then over there 3x times as much per month.

And her daughter and her are learning English fast. Her more than daughter.

Anyway, the future? Not sure. Live in Khon Kaen? Maybe. Our base for traveling Europe and the rest of the world? Maybe.

Both places have their advantages.

Pressed for time, so if this seems scattered, apologies!

Have never been fond of Khon Kaen. If you haven't seen the rest of Thailand, might be good to go have a looksee. Loei and Udon are both near Khon Kaen, along with Phetchabun and Khao Koh. Not saying you'd want to live in any such places, only that they're near KK and easy enough to visit from there.

Dunno your age, but that's something to consider when thinking about living here or there. It would be good to bring the equivalent of a few to several million Baht with you, should you ever decide to relocate to here.

More tongue-in-cheek than anything else, with regard to the Pacific Northwest, there's this:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one

Have fun!

Thank you for the post. Just accidentally deleted my long reply.

Wife has house in KK, a concrete jungle in a flat plain. I could live without it, except it has a lot of things of the big city. Her parents are nearby and we thought of live in city in her house and build a small place in the countryside on lake her dad is deeding to her.

My wife and I love the north. We are going to Chiang Khan next month on the Mekong up there. Something to consider, a house in the rolling hills up there and only a few hours from her parents...food for thought and something to talk to her about. It's very beautiful and I love looking at photos of that area. As long as you can get internet somehow, wherever you are, is a fine place for living.

As for the PNW, my house is not bolted to the foundation. It has survived a couple of earthquakes since 1962, but a big one...a big risk to have a house destroyed and still owe on the mortgage. And earthquake insurance is expensive and basically not worth it.

I've only been to Thailand 3 times - for two week stints over the last 3 1/2 years. Met my Thai wife, she came to US last year. We talk about moving to Thailand, but gee whiz: there's an awful lot I like about USA and Pacific Northwest. I like Thailand. We don't know where we will end up. Tomorrow will never come. We are here for today. We live frugal and I could live as cheap here, nearly, as there. She makes okay money and I'm doing okay at work. We are going back to Thailand in 2 weeks for 2 weeks.

First time I went to Thailand I did not want to leave. The second time I was ready to go home after 2 weeks. The 3rd time - I wanted to stay there with my to-be wife. She worked for government and had a steady good paying job. In my gut, I knew I had to come back and she had to come with me and we had to save a little and she needed citizenship and qualify for Social Security. And experience the USA. She gave up her job and came here making far more money then over there 3x times as much per month.

And her daughter and her are learning English fast. Her more than daughter.

Anyway, the future? Not sure. Live in Khon Kaen? Maybe. Our base for traveling Europe and the rest of the world? Maybe.

Both places have their advantages.

It's amazing what you can find on Google.....

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=thailand+weather+chart+annual&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=Q9qyVZ7dDYKRuQTvx63ACg

i don't mean to be snarky but it's nice to chat and ask questions in forums rather than run to google each time.

It's definitely a quiet area.

It will build up benefits if you work but only if you pay and employer pay ssi tax?

He just needs to talk to her. Explain how he feels and ask her about what she feels. Get an interpreter if needed. Please don't ask here and take comments verbatim. It's between them to talk. Not them and the strangers here. Be direct and tell her if you feel uncomfortable with how fast she is moving and they things she is buying.

Yes I agree,I think when most of us get tonover 70yo we would go for that "minimalist" lifestyle if we are still single.

Of course people such as my friend choose to be single rather than have a partner because they are "independent", I was going to say "loners" but that would be the wrong word to describe him/them.

He hated anyone doing anything for him and didnt like to rely on other peo0le,well thats what he kept telling me not to rely on others,not even sure what that means but yes he is too independent.

Im not I need other people around me,I cant live by myself,I wonder how many others live independently and prefer it that way ?

Our needs change as we get older,my friend who was 75yo going on 76 in May,lead a minimalist lifestyle ,well thats the way he described it,enjoyed watching his TV on the balcony most days,had his tuna and cucumber sandwiches for lunch every day with a cup of tea,read nearly a new book every week,went walking every morning at 630am,that was his life but didnt want to use a computer !

I remember he had a scrapbook where he wrote down everything he spent.

He was in bed most nights with a book by 10pm,and i really liked him because he still had all his marbles so to speak and hated whingers and whiners ...such as me lol.

Good post. I used to be wasteful and not save until a rainy day happened and I realized all I had was debt. That was 14 years ago. At 51, I've turned that boat around and work and have a high savings rate. I have a big house on a big lot, but I'm frugal and live pretty simple like the person you describe. I can read books from library, read online like these forums, go for walks, cook at home and live pretty simple and cheap. We do have a very big tv (73 inches diagonal), but we don't go to the movies. Our entertainment is Netflix for $8 a month and movies from the library (USA). I take no pleasure out of parting with money, aside from the things I do want (some electronic toys).

Can't help you there.

I've been married to Thai about 6 months. In USA. She's livid and upset that she saw that I'd sent text messages to Ex wife. I sent mesage about child between Ex and I. Ex asked about my job search which I mentioned. This is because I am getting laid off and I asked ex wife about putting daughters on her insurance before I'm laid off.

Anyway, that came up on Valentines day and came up again today. That AND previous relationships I don't care about. She cares. I don't ask about her past or care (she has an ex-husband).

Anyway, she said she will go back to Thailand or some crap. Whatever. She can go if she is not happy. Ive' done a lot for her and made her life much better and she will have a good future either way (she was career government, but up to her butt in debt). Now she can work in America. I got her here. I paid for her daughter's medical care. I won't pay for her debt, she can do that.

I won't feel bad if she leaves. Fine with me. I can love someone, but I'm never going to get worked up over issues.

Seems the people replying here are doing so because of $$$?

I do live cheap in America and I could live cheap in Thailand. You have to make some changes. I think you can live cheap in Thailand if you make the required changes.

Anyway, what is life about? Your monthly budget?

I could honestly live in America forever. I love it here. But I could also live on wife'e farm in Thailand and do farming (and move out of the corporate life) as long as I have internet. Wine expensive? I guess you make your own - or whatever.

Hi,

My wife is here in the US with me. Her English got very good before we got married and now that she is in the US and working, her English has gotten really good. Okay, still, work to do, but she works in a Thai restaurant and handles calls for takeout and orders and customers who come in to eat.

Anyway, how much money could she as a bilingual tour guide make in Thailand? Is the money decent? I've heard of tour guides doing okay salary-wise and really doing well with tips. Maybe a small, private company she ran would be better in the long run.

Of course depends on your needs. Chromebooks are very capable and good enough for a good percentage of people. In our household our iPhones are our primary computing devices. To each his or her own.

Chromebooks are a great option as a primary or secondary computer. We have an Acer we picked up refurbished for $100 from newegg.com

I would blame the Ph on the crazy Catholic ideology. In that country they are crazy Catholic and 500 years in the past.

Also, the natural disasters and not one state - as in islands all over.

For the first item, an old friend's wife is crazy Catholic Ph. It's nuts and I don't think the people have very open minds, like in Thailand. Free spirit. I had a coworker in American who was very Catholic and Ph and she now has a 1/2 dozen kids and she needs NEW everything. No used. And her car had to be new and blessed by a priest.

Not a fan of the Catholic church...

No one needs a financial advisor. As warren buffet said put your money in a balance of low cost index funds like vanguard. Set and forget.

Fellow on YouTube who gets $600 a month and lives in Thailand. He's getting by it seems.

Same crap and tactics from years ago. That country will not change from the top.

I'd rather sandpaper my nuts than buy an Apple. Dreadful devices that I genuinely loathe. Windows has never been as bad as people seem to remember. I can't remember the last time I saw that blue screen of death. Boot times may be slower but my PC outperforms a Mac of a similar cost by about 3x. A PC running Linux can be 5 years older than a Mac and kick it into touch too...

To each his own. Disagree with assessment. Anyway...

You disagree because you're an Apple user. This means you have to find an excuse to have paid ridiculously more than you need to for hardware performance.

This remember me onto the early sixtees in germany, when somebody bought a Mercedes some of his neighbours had soon a Mercedes too doens'nt matter it was only a 10 years old second hand.

I was just a status symbol like today Apple today.

The most of the ppl who having an apple can not use 10% of the performance of this unit.

Also a lot of ppl who having an Apple, often buying every second year a new one and can't really afford it, caused their bank account is for years permanent in minus.

Brainwashed by the industry Samsung spend about 25% of his turnover for Advertisment this is just ridiculous.

Wake guys, I bought this year a Nexus 7 was tested same good as the Apple 7 tablet for less then the half price.

I'm glad you found a good tablet. I bought four Android tablets and they all had issued and I had to return them. All buggy.

Do you overpay for Apple products? They are compatible to similarly equipped PCs.

Look at the satisfaction ratings for Apple products anywhere. Tops.

I wanted to love Windows and Android. However quality control and viruses are an issue.

Anyway as I said before use what you like. I use what I like. My car is a Chrysler and not popular. But it runs great and I love it. I don't care what people think.

I am using an iPhone 6+ at this moment. Replaced tablet and laptop most all of the time. A bit of an investment, but is the all in one device.

I'd rather sandpaper my nuts than buy an Apple. Dreadful devices that I genuinely loathe. Windows has never been as bad as people seem to remember. I can't remember the last time I saw that blue screen of death. Boot times may be slower but my PC outperforms a Mac of a similar cost by about 3x. A PC running Linux can be 5 years older than a Mac and kick it into touch too...

To each his own. Disagree with assessment. Anyway...

You disagree because you're an Apple user. This means you have to find an excuse to have paid ridiculously more than you need to for hardware performance.

People should use the computer they like. Or anything else for that matter.