tc101

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am 56, have recently retired and am thinking about where to spend the next few years. In all my reading the two best places seem like Thailand and Costa Rica. I will be visiting both places in the next year, but I would enjoy feedback here from anyone who has visited both places.

Which is more expensive? What are advantages or disadvantages of one over the other?

I live in USA, so Costa Rica is a 4 hour flight and Thailand is a 20 hour flight. It is interesting that the costs of the flights are not that different. About $600 to Costa Rica and $1100 to Thailand. I don't understand that. But I hate sitting on a plane for 20 hours, so that means I will visit Costa Rica first.

Asia fascinates me more than Latin America. I am kind of interested in Buddhism. Those are plusses for Thailand.

The expat scene in Thailand seems more decadent than in Costa Rica. It also seems crazier and more interesting. Not sure if that is a plus or minus.

Lower priced health and dental care are major considerations, and those are supposed to be good in both places. The USA has an on going health care crisis, and in a few years it will only be for the rich. Medical tourism is going to become more and more important to people who can not afford health care here.

I have gone on too long. I am eager to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for the links on AA. I'm afraid some of us retiring Englsih guys sometimes have a problem going 'cold' into something like an AA meeting. The bash at the Montien sounds frightening - like one of the never ending business seminars/conferences I used to attend when I was working!! I did read up on the AA a while back, but the 'Good Book' and all that religious stuff put me off. I guess I'll soldier along alone.

That original book was written in the 30's. There are plenty of athiests and agnostics staying sober in AA today. I understand the uncomfortable feeling walking into an AA meeting the first time, not knowing anyone. Try a small meeting. You will meet people quickly. You will be welcomed with open arms. The new person is the most important person at any meeting.

I just did a google on " Pattaya alcoholics anonymous" and found this:

There's an AA meeting in Pattaya if you're over that way which meets down in by the Skaew Beach hotel just off 2nd Road.

I did a google on "thailand alcoholics anonymous" and found this:

http://www.aathailand.org/

It looks like there are AA meetings every day in Pataya:

http://www.aathailand.org/schedpatayagrp.html

Hey, you just hit the jackpot !! There is some huge AA roundup going on in Pattaya Feb 17-19 at the Montien Hotel - http://www.aathailand.org/roundup.html

I

I am now on my 2nd alcohol free week.,and this is a challenge, as booze is such a part of life, one way or another.

It gets easier. The problem for me was that after a few months I started feeling so healthy and good that I thought just one couldn't hurt and then the same cycle started all over again. It is easier if you can find some support group. This doesn't have to be a big deal. It is just like quitting smoking. It is hard and it is good to get all the help you can with it.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I hope to hear more, but I just realized it is the middle of the night in Thailand so I will probably hear more tomorrow.

If I move there I will take some language courses, but I am not fooling myself into thinking I will ever be a good conversationalist in Thai. I know that would take many years of hard work. I am not good at languages. I had enough trouble with Spanish. However I have noticed that if you learn just a little of a language it opens lots of doors because it shows people you are at least interested and trying. I noticed in Guatemala that if I just tried to speak a few words, then said "I hope your english better than my spanish", I would get a friendly laugh and the person who would not otherwise try to speak english with me would speak it.

I am 55. I live in the USA. I retired 2 years ago. I am thinking of coming to Thailand, first just to visit and maybe later to live. I am curious about how other people who have retired there spend their time.

How do I spend my time here in the USA:

When I first retired I had a lot of fun, then got really bored for a few months, then started having a good time again as I got into the retirement life style.

I read a lot. I work out at the YMCA. I ride my bicycle on the days I don't go to the YMCA.

I watch DVD movies and sometimes go to the movies. I have lunch with friends most days. I spend too much time on the internet.

When I first retired I took creative writting classes, thinking I had some great book inside of me. I found out how much hard work there is to writting and quit. Then I took some art classes and found out I didn't have much talent and quit. I am still kind of looking for some creative pursuit but haven't found it.

I don't drink. Drinking seems to be the big danger for people who retire early.