habuspasha

Thank so much Tropposurfer, for such an informed, and thoughtful response.  Nai Thon appeals to me, but I couldn’t afford $1m.  I’m comfortable, not wealthy.  What I like about Andaman White Beach is being able to walk from the pool or villa porch directly to the beach and sea in a few steps.   My GF, not much of a swimmer, likes to see the sea and listen to the waves at night. Besides being beyond our price range, Malaiwana is on the wrong side of the road for either of us I think.

You were very perceptive about the home ownership issue.  I owned once in suburbia.  Got to dread leaders and gutters, emergency repairs, and predictable shoveling and mowing.  Now I only rent, fortunately subsidized, but to such a bargain that I would never give it up.  So, I share the lure of permanence. Now, with a future third wife might be the time for it.  And I agree also with your willingness to pass it on to her—though I’m certainly in no hurry.

Thank you for your responses.  I now see that the world between Hua Hin and Phuket is full of appealing possibilities--for a visit or a stay.  KhunLA will be an invaluable tour guide for my next trip in a month or two.   And I hear the consensus: No hurry to choose a place; and rent, rent, rent.

7 hours ago, tonray said:

That one hour turns into 4 or 5 hours with transit to and from airport, check in, security, etc. 

Exactly.  Plus days of anticipatory anxiety, brief terror, and hours to unwind for this Isaan girl who kept both feet on the ground before I entered her life.

4 hours ago, DaLa said:

Cha Am ( 20 km up the road from Hua HIn) has plenty of clean beaches and a relaxed feel to it.  Also worth noting that there are a number of ex-Phuket residents in Cha Am that escaped from the 'mafia' situation in Phuket.

Good tip, but I thought Gulf waters weren't clear of northern sewerage up there.  I'm even concerned with water down by Pak Nam Pran.  Thought I'd have to get down to Ko Samui for clean Gulf water--which may be an idea.  

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Don't think OP is referring to the same roads as you, since enjoy hanging out at Andaman White Beach.  Roads up there are a bit tricky, and with no transport, taxis would be at the silliest price.  Not pleasant for everyday living, unless staying in at resort and enjoying the beach.

 

Which, would depend on time of year. Surf too rough to swim in more than a few months a year. Agree with one reply, if buying, HH, then pop down to Phuket when wanting.

Thanks for the tip on the changing surf.  Just the kind of info I was asking for.  Are you describing Nai Thon Beach, NW Phuket beaches, all Andaman beaches including Phang Nga?  I thought this was only a SW monsoon problem (also jelly fish then). It was smooth as a lake most of last month.

I don't understand this popping down to Phuket from Hua Hin.  That would be a looong ride.  Few times I went from Hua Hin to Phuket it was by air--and via BKK.  Especially since GF doesn't want to drive, a non-starter.  Thanks also for the clarification on Phuket mountain roads.  I could do it, but wouldn't enjoy it as much as I used to.

11 minutes ago, Albert Zweistein said:

There are only two short twisting hilly roads on Phuket, one  not even a mile long the other one a couple of miles. I've been approx 30 times to Phuket and only once a week in Hua Hin. That explains enough I think but it is what you like. Visit Patong Beach and see if you like it, no need for a car or motorbike. Flying time from BKK one hour.

Well, we must have been on that road (out of Patong towards Phuket city?) 30 times last month and I could see how it scared her. 

1 hour ago, ChrisP24 said:

Maybe try both for a month or two each without committing, then pick one as a base, and travel from there.   Does your GF have family in Hua Hin and is that a consideration?  Neither one will be normal for quite some time, so now might not be the time to conduct a trial on which to base a long term decision.  On Phuket you might be fine with a scooter or motorbike instead of a car, but of course there are many cars there and a bridge connecting to the mainland.  Not sure if there would be a difference between the two destinations in that regard.

GF's family is in BK with her, but its proximity to Hua Hin is the point for her, particularly for possible weekend or short trips when I'm in NY.  I worry more about getting around in Phuket.  GF won't drive her car down from BK, but that's not the problem.  We could rent but she says she would fear driving the twisting hilly roads of Phuket and I may need cataract surgery and a good deal of practice driving on the wrong side of the road before feeling comfortable doing it myself.  And at 81 I'm too old for a motor bike or scooter and at 40 she's too precious.

I’m finally retiring after 60 years of work, and looking for a place to live for about half of each year.  The question is where.  The GF likes Hua Hin because she can drive from BKK and she fears the roads on Phuket.  I prefer the cleaner waters of the Andaman to the Gulf—I fear the jelly fish.  We both want privacy and beach rather than night-life.  She likes stores (a Blue Port or Jungcelon).  I like restaurants, cafes and bars. But we don’t need commotion.   (I spend the rest of the year in Manhattan and I expect she'll eventually join me.)  My favorite Thai destination is Andaman White Beach.  But we almost bought a villa in Pak Nam Pran a few years ago, close to its gorgeous beach on the Gulf.  I figure Phuket property sales and rentals are at least 25% higher than Hua Hin—a consideration.  Getting there is also more difficult.  And not having a car on the Island makes the taxi fares more insulting.  So which would you choose?  What am I missing?  Any advice?

I have a similar problem flying back to the US Dec 29-30, but the US now requires a test the day before the flight.  I don't know if that means the day before the first leg on the 29th or the final leg on the 30th.  If the latter I have only a few hours at Swampy (12-6) to get test and results.  Does anyone know place for rapid test near there?

I'm an 80 year-old male who lives half-time in New York and half-time in Thailand.  I never worry about taking the subway or any other transportation in NY.  Just a little squeamish about roads in Thailand.  Feel the same for my GF.

I  just got my QR for Dec 11.  It also says "Exemption from Quarantine" but I'm not.  I think they mean exemption from 7 or 14 day quarantine.  I still expect they will test me on arrival for a one-night stay at the hotel which I had to include in my application.

FYI: My first shot (moderna) came with a QR code on the card from Harlem Hospital in NYC. The second didn't.

And a question:  Has anyone tried a service.  I'm looking at A.Q. in.Th "full service Thailand Pass application services starting at 2,750 THB."

10 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Yes . Very few guys are still chasing females when they get older

There's a cure for that.  It's called testosterone.  Works into the eighties at least.

Thanks to George for two threads on retiring during the week I have to decide if I'm going to take the buyout and retire at 81.   And thanks for the life expectation calculator, which gives me till 97.  I think I'll be joining you'all soon.  Who was it who said "life is what happened when you were making plans?"

9 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

you still travelling a hour each day to work?  Do you have to get the train each morning? 

not something i would like to do at 80 but i guess if you enjoy it

I've enjoyed it enough (at 3 days a week for 50+ years) by car--trains take forever--but the driving is now too much for me with cataracts and slower reflexes at 80.  And I want to see the GF more often while she's still young (and I still feel as young as she feels).

No, I didn't retire then.  I'm about to retire now that I'm over 80. I have to decide by October 1. 

1 hour ago, YITB1980 said:

I successfully transitioned from being a "saver" to being ok with spending a bit of my savings in my late 50's.  Having saved a bit of every paycheck I ever earned, it was difficult to break that habit but once I did, I began to realize all of the possibilities. 

That is a very helpful way of thinking about what I am going through.  I was never a big saver but I have always thought of my savings as not to be spent down. My declining savings would mark my declining years.  For me and my wife.  And my wife's ever declining health could continue indefinitely and result in eventual impoverishment.  Instead I imagined I could work forever if necessary.  That way my savings would constantly expand and I could grow (instead of decline) indefinitely.  For now, the work no longer appeals.  If I have to get back to it in my 100s I'll worry about it then.

When did I decide?  I’m deciding now.  For the same reason I almost decided to retire a few years ago.  The long commute.  Over an hour each way from my Manhattan apartment to the college in the country.  That day before Thanksgiving a few years ago, a sudden ice storm turned the evening commute into a six-hour horror.  This time it’s the realization that I cannot drive safely at night.  Then and now, my savings will keep me comfortable—unless my wife’s Alzheimer’s lasts more than another ten years.  But this time I’m over 80.  And my loving and gorgeous Thai GF is almost 40.  So I will split my time and stop worrying about living till 140.

4 minutes ago, dougiemac52 said:

Why can't you fly

I will go when I can be with her.

40 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Yeah, but its not the domestic flights that will bring the money in

Not entirely true.  If my GF can't fly to Phuket from Bangkok, I can't fly from NY.

7 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes, let's be fair, it is a suggestion in large, bold font, as a heading, that is false.  Thar's how it is irresponsible and misleading.

I did not choose the font or enlarge or bold it, and I was asking a question, prompted by a genuine concern based on published images of empty shelves and my GF's experiences.  I posted the locality of her experiences and asked if it was more widespread.  I found out that there was hoarding and transport delays due to covid, but no worrying widespread shortages.  That's good news.

"Having one item missing or low in one market is a food shortage?" 

NO and No.  

Not in one market, which is why I asked you what was happening elsewhere.

And not one item.  And certainly not beer and kettle chips.  

As we often say: This is Thailand!

When my GF last discussed food, she mentioned that she had stockpiled noodles, rice, eggs, and pork. She said nothing about beer and kettle chips.

At her Tesco Wednesday there were no noodles, rice or chicken eggs (they had duck eggs, which she doesn't like).  

My GF says her local Tesco in Nakhon Pathom was out of noodles.  And rice was low.  Is this an isolated occurrence?  We saw pictures of empty shelves a few weeks ago.  And I understand some medicines like Tylenol are unattainable.  What is your experience?