bodlivy

I would like to get more expertise from this forum. I'm being offered some property in Roi Et. I'm having a difficult time looking up not just the house number, but the village itself on Google Maps. Here's the village address: Village no.9, Nong Hi Subdistrict, Nong Hi District, Roi Et Province. Google Maps just gives me Nong Hi amphoe. I tried substituting Moo and some other tricks, but no luck. I know it's a common problem in Thailand with maps. Any advice? Wanted to get a lay of the land there.

Already am 🙂

That is entirely understandable. A foreigner shows up and talks big, makes plans, then, after returning back home gets cold feet and drops from radar after a few months. Westerners change their mind all the time. It is also natural when traveling and meeting new people. So realistically that only leaves one possibility, to drop everything and move to LOS as soon as possible. Even if I start visa process now to bring her over here, it's long and contentious and I'm competing against new local opportunities. Am I on the right track of thinking?

That's fair, LDR in general is a big no-no in any situation. But specifically Thai - could you please elaborate on this?

That is probably the best advice, the one I gave myself as well at the beginning of this. Still can see it as number 1 choice on the list I made back then. I don't know, buddy, I just couldn't do it. I really tried. I'm the last of the Mohicans. I mean romantics.

That is fair. 🙂 What are my chances in your estimation? Should I act my age, cut my losses and join you in observing the goings on from the porch?

Good question. It probably comes down to my age and cynicism and lack of judgment (good or bad). I've done my share of black and white decisions early in my life. Now all I can recall is they all really end up gray and a lot forgotten. Imho, we are all strangers to each others in the end, and really die alone even if surrounded by loving family. Money is very important, so is desire for money. But in the big picture I think it's just coincidental to human interaction. Even if the interaction is based to a degree on financial gain/loss. So in a way I see even the most obvious exchange of money for services that we all see daily in LOS as valid human interaction. It's just what people do and have always done. Going a bit Dostoyevsky on you lol. And I'm just overall too old to fight for any principles while drawing my finite amount of breaths per year. She's a great girl as I see it, if she's in it only for the money, then that's the deal I got. Everything comes out into the open one way or another eventually. And I'm learning to be patient which is the most un American thing to do.

Solid advice, thank you. I've made that mistake in previous relationship, moved to another city for a girl. Naturally it was a disaster. Now I'd rather tear it all down, die inside and be alone, than to be in that situation again hanging out like a doofus.

The opportunities that presented for being a nomad, the agency side still wanted me to co-locate with their clients in US for 3-4 months at a time. I do financial/accounting software and those clients like to see bodies in chairs present on the floor. They are absolutely not going to trust some guy on Zoom with their in-house accounting tricks.

Not income, but mostly to keep her occupied and also seeing if she's capable of being a partner or just a deadweight. This will be factored into the timing for my retirement, I guess. Just something for her (and me) to do and collaborate since it's going to take me a while to sort out my stuff. I have elderly parents stateside, etc. I considered bringing her here into the States, but visa process is long and toxic. I already had experience with it with a prior partner and would not recommend going this hell to anyone. So yeah just trying to keep a positive attitude lol. Also, as I get older, I really am approaching the end of the rope culturally with living in the US. It's just not meant to be a place for retirement or quiet living. We're all supposed to have died at 40 on the frontier in shootout with natives.

We are meeting in person. I am taking my time to get to know her better and not rush into anything. Cannot handle long distance at all, it's a situation I did not expect to find myself in, especially at my age. One of main concerns of mine is her staying in Isaan by herself while I figure out my stuff. A year or two? She has grandparents to support and some business ideas to keep her busy, but from my past experience with women back home I learned they find someone local pretty quick if they are bored. My ex found someone practically overnight when I moved 200 miles away for work lol. And I was driving back and forth to meet every weekend. This is way worse and I guess I'll just try my luck

Thank you so much for your perspective. Yes, my first thoughts were a pizza place or a coffee shop lol. Doesn't everyone love pizza? I'm in IT, so don't think it will transfer to LOS well. I Iooked up IT salaries there. It's a pittance even in BKK.

I have considered it, and I see some issues. First is the immigration processing and visa processing which is a complete nightmare and takes years. Also I know some people in Vietnamese community here. It just seems despite potential economic benefit, overall immigrant experience for those coming to US is quite traumatic even in best circumstances. Especially when host culture and language are so different. And it is different for Thais as well, if not more than Vietnamese. So this may be an option, but I feel it's basically ripping apart all the ties that bind a person to their identity.

Yeah competition is a killer here too. But I know this one guy in Austin area. He put a food truck right next to a gas station and he's making good money selling breakfast tacos. He's basically stationary. The gas station is in suburban area, the only one within a few miles and has ample parking, so it's easy to buy from his truck. Gets a steady flow of morning commuters as they start their drive from the subdivision. They're all repeat customers too. Thank you very much!

Thank you very much, this is definitely something to look into for seasonal stuff. Used to sell ice cream during hot days only and it was good money. Great advice, much appreciated.