I enjoyed reading replies to another post: 10 Reasons you will like Thailand and thought I would go a little further then the OP post and ask:

 

What are the reason you left your country to come and live in Thailand, you can add the country you left, whether it was the right move for you, if your move was the right one, or if you will ever go back.

 

Fire away as they say.........and thanks in advance for your input

I didn't leave my home country to live in Thailand.

Whilst working in Singapore, I met my wife, who happened to be Thai.

Pretty sure I wouldn't live in Thailand if she didn't want to be near her family.

I enjoy it but it wouldn't be my 1st choice.... Fortunately, I still work overseas for part of the year, so get the best of both worlds :) 

1 hour ago, cornishcarlos said:

I didn't leave my home country to live in Thailand.

Whilst working in Singapore, I met my wife, who happened to be Thai.

Pretty sure I wouldn't live in Thailand if she didn't want to be near her family.

I enjoy it but it wouldn't be my 1st choice.... Fortunately, I still work overseas for part of the year, so get the best of both worlds :) 

Thanks, and yes sounds like you have the best of both worlds, i.e. working overseas, but what are your plans when you retire, with regard to where you will live ?

1. To post my personal life to strangers.

2. To post my background to strangers and potential misfits.

 

Can't think of any more information now.

20-30 hours total flying time each way from US means nobody who I do not want to see will likely come to see me.

36 minutes ago, HLover said:

1. To post my personal life to strangers.

2. To post my background to strangers and potential misfits.

 

Can't think of any more information now.

Sometimes its good to spared, thanks all the same 

Affordability

 

Ability to "retire" early here (impossible in the U.S.)

 

Climate

 

Buying low cost meds without prescriptions

 

Easy "retirement" visa that I can qualify for (some say it isn't easy but compared to most countries, it really is)

 

Food

2 reasons only - Birds everywhere and get to get pissed all day

1. Homeland full of miserable tossers

2. Bad weather.

3. Political correctness.

4. Immigrant sodomization (received)

5. Fat birds

6. Miserable birds

7 expensive pints

8. Racist police

9. Corrupt out of touch government/leadership.

10. Mormons

 

Ok, you win.  I am easy.

1 hour ago, HLover said:

1. To post my personal life to strangers.

2. To post my background to strangers and potential misfits.

 

Can't think of any more information now.

 

You have the option not to post :)

 

The UK police were chasing me.

My bonkers former wife, kept telling them I stalking her and planning to kill her.

After being picked up and questioned the first 5-10 times, I asked my brief how to stop it.

He said, "move far enough away from the UK so her accusations don't seem credible".

 

Then she moved onto claiming my 80 year old parents were stalking her and planning to kill her ..........

The police weren't so keen to pick them up.

1.Lek

2. Suparada

3. Nok

4. Nid

5. June

6. Warunie

7. Wanlapa 

8. another Lek

9. Joy

10. Ling

 

1. I can live comfortably on my income.

2. I can go to the beach every day.

3. Transport of all types is cheap.

4. Close to other places I want to visit.

5. My girlfriend is here.

6. Other potential girlfriends are available, if required.

7. Plenty of food and drink options, moreso than at home.

8. The weather.

9. Despite it's many faults and foibles, Thailand is generally heading up; not so sure about home.

10. A more relaxed and stress free environment.

59 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

You have the option not to post :)

 

Thank you teacher.

 

7 hours ago, HLover said:

1. Homeland full of miserable tossers

2. Bad weather.

3. Political correctness.

4. Immigrant sodomization (received)

5. Fat birds

6. Miserable birds

7 expensive pints

8. Racist police

9. Corrupt out of touch government/leadership.

10. Mormons

 

Ok, you win.  I am easy.

Immigrant sodomization?

As if that's a bad thing. 

1) Will arrive when I cease to work in the UK into relaxed environment

2) To be with my Lovely wife

3) Enjoy more time with my children

4) Enjoy Modest Home in better climate

5) Affordable rewarding hobbies - farm, growing own vegetables and fruit

6) Excellent cooking by my wife and tasty local fare

7) Equivalent disposable income

8) Be part of Thai extended family, friends and community

9) Be here to support my wife every day on the farm

10) Enjoy meeting everyday challenges

 

Homeland has done well by me, I have experienced a great working lifestyle and career, have enjoyed an excellent relationship with parents (Deceased) and my siblings in the UK - I come to Thailand because here is my family and my future. A new chapter, no intention to return other than perhaps the occasional visit, but one never knows.

 

I have not left yet, but if I retire from work this year, the cost of the "mandatory" medical insurance for me a 61 year old single male here in Florida, USA on the healthcare gov website will be $850/month for the worst cheapest Bronze plan.  I have too much passive income to qualify for subsidies.  And the sign up and billing and yearly adjustment of costs is nonsense.  There are still some affordable BUPA plans for example in Thailand that I think I would buy in order to tide me over until I am 65.  It is possible I can lower my passive income, by pouring the money into a cash purchase of a house, versus cheap renting as I am now.  But I don't like being coerced or manipulated by anybody or anything.  Now next year 2019 there is supposedly no penalty for not having Obamacare, in which case I would definitely do Thailand buy insurance there and oddly enough travel to Thailand or stay 6 months or more each year and go for treatment.  Medical tourism is popular, well, I would kind of do that in advance.   

51 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

I have not left yet, but if I retire from work this year, the cost of the "mandatory" medical insurance for me a 61 year old single male here in Florida, USA on the healthcare gov website will be $850/month for the worst cheapest Bronze plan.  I have too much passive income to qualify for subsidies.  And the sign up and billing and yearly adjustment of costs is nonsense.  There are still some affordable BUPA plans for example in Thailand that I think I would buy in order to tide me over until I am 65.  It is possible I can lower my passive income, by pouring the money into a cash purchase of a house, versus cheap renting as I am now.  But I don't like being coerced or manipulated by anybody or anything.  Now next year 2019 there is supposedly no penalty for not having Obamacare, in which case I would definitely do Thailand buy insurance there and oddly enough travel to Thailand or stay 6 months or more each year and go for treatment.  Medical tourism is popular, well, I would kind of do that in advance.   

 I will be eligible for retirement  next year also, and like you I am a Florida resident, and these are some of the things that I am researching. .

First , if you live in Thailand you are not required to be covered by Obama care.

If you decide to move to Thailand  check to see if you have any preexisting conditions that will not be covered in Thailand by private health insurance.

   And don't think that at your age It will be much cheaper than what you will pay for Obama care in the US.

If I was you I would consider exactly what you mentioned, which is buy a house cash that would lower your income and make your Obama care premium lower.  Live in the house and come to Thailand a few months every year and set up you eventual Thai retirement (you can rent a place very inexpensively in Thailand).

Then when you are ready to make your move at about 65, either rent your FL place and have and additional income, or sell it and take the cash.I would recommend against the later, because if you are lucky you will get old and might have to repatriate, or you might not like Thailand or, or..... so many ORs

Anyway food for thought.

To those on the know what is the cost per month on PUPA for a 61 year old now days?

9 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

2 reasons only - Birds everywhere and get to get pissed all day

Yep! You forgot to mention "a biggie": Low cost of living. (possibly Numero Uno.)
There might be another 7 reasons, but of minor relevance, compared to the "big 3".
Cheers.

17 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 I will be eligible for retirement  next year also, and like you I am a Florida resident, and these are some of the things that I am researching. .

First , if you live in Thailand you are not required to be covered by Obama care.

If you decide to move to Thailand  check to see if you have any preexisting conditions that will not be covered in Thailand by private health insurance.

   And don't think that at your age It will be much cheaper than what you will pay for Obama care in the US.

If I was you I would consider exactly what you mentioned, which is buy a house cash that would lower your income and make your Obama care premium lower.  Live in the house and come to Thailand a few months every year and set up you eventual Thai retirement (you can rent a place very inexpensively in Thailand).

Then when you are ready to make your move at about 65, either rent your FL place and have and additional income, or sell it and take the cash.I would recommend against the later, because if you are lucky you will get old and might have to repatriate, or you might not like Thailand or, or..... so many ORs

Anyway food for thought.

To those on the know what is the cost per month on PUPA for a 61 year old now days?

I go online and check the BUPA rates regularly.  Their website is very good, although now it kind of says Aetna that bought them.  There are a range of prices.  $200 bucks gives a decent platinum gives 1 million total baht coverage.  And there are other plans too.

 

https://www.aetna.co.th/en/individuals/health-insurance/get-quote-plan.aspx?t=&iid=1&gids=&a=61&class=1

 

I also am fortunate in that I am a Veteran and again, with some income fiddling I can qualify for cheap VA medical.  There are some quirks to that, but while waiting for Medicare, it would probably be nice to have that as an option for USA medical treatment.  Frankly, some of the Thai medical seems pretty good.  I never thought in my wildest dreams ten years ago that I actually have so many options. Thank you Northrop for that great Contract Engineering run!

13 minutes ago, swissie said:

Yep! You forgot to mention "a biggie": Low cost of living. (possibly Numero Uno.)
There might be another 7 reasons, but of minor relevance, compared to the "big 3".
Cheers.

Can't argue with that.  Just walking around or sitting around, I see a dozen Miss Universe's a day.  The challenge is to find a place with good clean beaches for swimming.  I love Phuket and karon beach.  A shame Pattaya and Jomtien are so bad water wise

1. Tax evasion charges.

2. Massive debt.

3. Wife wanted more money.

4. My dick.

5. Christmas.

6. Wanted.

7. Unwanted.

8. More debt.

9. Cold.

10. Cold as in really cold.

18 hours ago, HLover said:

1. Homeland full of miserable tossers

2. Bad weather.

3. Political correctness.

4. Immigrant sodomization (received)

5. Fat birds

6. Miserable birds

7 expensive pints

8. Racist police

9. Corrupt out of touch government/leadership.

10. Mormons

 

Ok, you win.  I am easy.

you must be from England

Used to be a good place but now food prices are comparable with my home country,  cheaper to live in my home country now, so after 20 yeas saying good by to all the hassles of living here 90 day reporting etc. In the U.S you get a green card and they don't make you report like a criminal . Scammers everywhere, military seizing property? No rights at all, 4th class citizen. Wont live long breathing the filthy air. eating vegetable and fruit sprayed with paraquat. Beaches so filthy you cant walk for the garbage and swim at your own risk. Might as well swim in the clongs of Bangkok, not so far to drive.

So tell me again what is good about this place?

1 hour ago, AlQaholic said:

1. Tax evasion charges.

2. Massive debt.

3. Wife wanted more money.

4. My dick.

5. Christmas.

6. Wanted.

7. Unwanted.

8. More debt.

9. Cold.

10. Cold as in really cold.

another one from the UK 

Bored with my job in the UK.  Always fancied myself as an English teacher.  The CELTA course was much cheaper to do in Bangkok than in London.  Got offered a job in Bangkok straightaway.  Now earning more here, after 13 years, than I could doing the same thing in the UK, and married (although not to a Thai) with a kid.  

 

May go back though, for the kid's sake...

19 minutes ago, uffe123 said:

Used to be a good place but now food prices are comparable with my home country,  cheaper to live in my home country now, so after 20 yeas saying good by to all the hassles of living here 90 day reporting etc. In the U.S you get a green card and they don't make you report like a criminal . Scammers everywhere, military seizing property? No rights at all, 4th class citizen. Wont live long breathing the filthy air. eating vegetable and fruit sprayed with paraquat. Beaches so filthy you cant walk for the garbage and swim at your own risk. Might as well swim in the clongs of Bangkok, not so far to drive.

So tell me again what is good about this place?

pussy ??????????

3 minutes ago, catman20 said:

pussy ??????????

At least there is 1 honest poster, many thousands more did the same (me included ) but wont come straight out and say it.

3 minutes ago, colinneil said:

At least there is 1 honest poster, many thousands more did the same (me included ) but wont come straight out and say it.

Most females do have vaginas whatever Country you go to and prostitution exists in most Countries

2 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Most females do have vaginas whatever Country you go to and prostitution exists in most Countries

The prostitutes selling their wares in the UK bear very little resemblance to Thai working girls!