I am looking to move to Thailand within next 3 years. some questions:

If i dont work, how much cash do i need per year for a good life (I am 45 years old)

Do I buy a property now in readiness? ie., whats property prices doing?

Do I buy in bangkik or pattaya?

appreciate any help.

cheers adrian

Easy answer two the second question:

Don't buy anything!!! Since you are asking you obviously do not have a lot of experience with the place / real estate. Rent for a year and observe, then decide...

To the first question, impossible to answer! What do you expect to spend? What do you expect out of your lifestyle?

People living here spend on average between 40,000 Baht/month and 200,000 Baht/month.

Outside that spread the amount of people lowers significantly (although there are people getting by on less and people spending way more...

JMO, I think that the 800,000 baht per year amount required for the retirement visa is pretty close to the mark. Add on to that your initial set up costs such as buying a car , furnishing the house etc.

adrian - if you are below 50, not planning to work and you are not married to thai you might have a problem staying in thailand for more than 1 year.

I am looking to move to Thailand within next 3 years. some questions:

If i dont work, how much cash do i need per year for a good life (I am 45 years old)

How long is a piece of string ? Perhaps it would be better to say

"I can afford Bt xxxxx per month, what can I rent for that ?

Do I buy a property now in readiness? ie., whats property prices doing?

Prices are rising ... but who knows in three years time.

Do I buy in bangkik or pattaya?

Which do you prefer ?

appreciate any help.

cheers adrian

I am looking to move to Thailand within next 3 years. some questions:

If i dont work, how much cash do i need per year for a good life (I am 45 years old)

Do I buy a property now in readiness? ie., whats property prices doing?

Do I buy in bangkik or pattaya?

appreciate any help.

cheers adrian

As far as buying property in Thailand at the moment is concerned you should not even think about it until the new Thai government has decided whether it is to impose more restrictions on foreigners. A waiting period is needed in order to see what measures if any the government will introduce which will affect foreign residents.

From my observations on the short time that this government has been in office they are capable of imposing new rules at random which us as foreigners find difficult to understand and they could introduce measures which may have an impact on property prices and the status of farang residency in the country.

As far as the location where you wish to retire to then you have the choice of noisy busy smog covered Bangkok or the delights of fresh sea air and the surroundings of a coastal resort such as Pattaya.

Spend some time in Bangkok and Pattaya and get a feel for both places.....but don`t rush into making any quick decisions.

Rental properties in Pattaya are available as very reasonable prices.

Good luck to you in your quest

"delights of fresh sea air and the surroundings of a coastal resort such as Pattaya."

Yeah, the winds were in that direction last week.

Thanks for the advice guys.

I am visting pattaya in march. shall arrive 16th march for a look around. Do you have a local bar that i might meet you in for a beer?

adrian