India alternative

[madmen]

2 months away? how is that OK lol, couldn't imagine have to go through that nightmare every year. It would be expensive and a huge inconvenience if your ill or have even a minor disability.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

I've visited India six or seven times over the last thirty years, sometimes for months at a time, and have travelled there extensively. I'll say this as a generalisation - India is a tough place to live as an expat, except in small pockets like Goa or Pondicherry. I'd estimate that perhaps ten percent of visitors intending to stay long term - even if such a visa can be acquired these days - end up staying. It is a wonderful country to visit, the food is great, but it is wearing, frustrating and it will grind many people down, particularly if they are not too mobile. At least go on an extended trip for a couple of months before burning your bridges in the Land of Scams.

[Bang Bang]

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

True. They are also ugly as a hatful of bums.

Watch it, buster. This is Shreya Ghoshal from the part of India where I used to live. Oh, and she's not just a looker. Go to YouTube to hear her sing.

 

[Jingthing]

2 months away? how is that OK lol, couldn't imagine have to go through that nightmare every year. It would be expensive and a huge inconvenience if your ill or have even a minor disability.

It's not great. You'd really need to love India.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Bang Bang]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

2 months away? how is that OK lol, couldn't imagine have to go through that nightmare every year. It would be expensive and a huge inconvenience if your ill or have even a minor disability.

I grew up in India. There are more holes in the law there then there's law. I would be surprised if there wasn't a workaround.

 

Not to mention there's a difference in attitude toward farangs India vs. Thailand. Thailand has them banging on the door by the million and seems to be tiring of the attention. Indians on the other would be flattered by a farang wanting to stay long-term because there's very few such (well, with good reason). So, the local people, police and FRRO's would likely be as helpful as they could to help out (yep, complete opposite:-)

 

Having said this, honestly, unless you know exactly what you're doing a foreigner would have an extremely hard time hopping off a plane to settle down in India. Chaotic, grimy, poor, hard edges, intrusive, alien culture, and on and on. Go spend a week there and you'll know what I mean.

 

But I am not going to sell my old home country short. The level of intellectual awareness and curiosity is heckuva lot more than here. You'll have engaging conversations with random strangers in coffee shops (middle to upper class mostly all speak English and tend to have a sense of humor Westerners will find familiar). You'll be invited in to homes constantly. You'll be pampered in shops and restaurants. And if you give the place time you'll make some very loyal friends.

 

Bottom line: If you are seriously considering India find a community of farangs already settled there (Auroville famously comes to mind but I believe there are others, especially in the north on Himalayan foothills) And then go spend a couple of weeks with them before burning a single boat.

Edited May 22, 2019 by Bang Bang

[CanadaSam]

Jorge, if you do not like the bars and girls in Thailand, there are SOOOO many places in the world that would suit you far, far better, including India (but I would suggest a hill station where it's cool) or even small islands like Sri Lanka which is like an advanced India, by the way, all of these places are cheaper than Thailand for things like accomodation etc.

[sandrabbit]

4 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, just letting you know where I stand on this issue.  I'm not like most expats here.

 

I am dynamically opposed to the bar scene in thailand.  If it were up to me nana, soi cowboy, walking street, all of it would be overpriced hotels for Chinese tourists and condos etc.  I can't stand bar girls and I can't drink alcohol anymore due to poor health.

 

I like good health care, low cost of living, and that's about it.  Its ok here in isan but I've got major health issues that even the docs in bangkok can't assist with anymore.  And immigration is just annoying here.

 

My experience with india is just hot and cheap.  Completely immersed in cultural heritage but more westernized than thailand in lots of ways.  Maybe a little grimy in some areas.  All ok with me.  I haven't stayed long enough to have more of an impression of the place, I guess.  I guess I should do that.

sorry having lived in india for 3 years in different areas for work they make Thai red tape look easy.

[sandrabbit]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Cons such as ridiculous crowding and pollution in the bigger cities.

 crowding and pollution everywhere, I'm not joking as I've sat drinking beer in a river in the middle of nowhere for people to turn up and stare at me.

[sandrabbit]

3 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

There's like over 50 ethnic groups there and lots are amazingly hot.

 

Travelling just for women is very shallow

Seems like he hasn't been to India, the Anglo/Asian crosses around Bombay are stunning.

[SenorJorge]

2 hours ago, Traubert said:

Understatement of the millennium.

 

80% of people do not have access to clean water or a flushing toilet.

I'll give you that but those stats can be a bit misleading. Indians are very resourceful people.  Kind of like, uh, Thais?

 

I'm back in the house.  No more melodramtics for the evening.  Everyone's at fault.  It's a new day

[sandrabbit]

I spent most of my time in Orissa, very poor state but nice people. Last time I was there was in Modi's state of Gujarat which was a real dump and he built an 850 million dollar statue (largest in the world) as his legacy. The roads are destroyed, poverty coming out of your ears and he builds an expensive statue. Been Bombay a few times and without being racist it is the biggest toilet in the world, they're even being kicked out of the slums now as the land is valuable. If you want from what I've been told/heard one of the nicest places to live/holiday go to Kerala on SW coast in India.

[SenorJorge]

40 minutes ago, sandrabbit said:

sorry having lived in india for 3 years in different areas for work they make Thai red tape look easy.

Im more talking along the lines of not actually working like ever.  I haven't worked in years and not going to start.  Just a tourist visa and living in hotels.  Surely shouldn't be any problems with that as long as I don't work or overstay? 

[SenorJorge]

58 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

Jorge, if you do not like the bars and girls in Thailand, there are SOOOO many places in the world that would suit you far, far better, including India (but I would suggest a hill station where it's cool) or even small islands like Sri Lanka which is like an advanced India, by the way, all of these places are cheaper than Thailand for things like accomodation etc.

I live in udon where its mostly grey haired dudes who can barely walk around like me. Not much bar hopping. I'm just looking for a plan b for me and the thai wife for when things get overwhelming in terms of living expenses and immigration.  SL looks cool, I'll look into that.

Edited May 22, 2019 by SenorJorge

[roo860]

  I'm confused and it's hot and I just got thrown out of my house lol.  Typical thailand story.  Every 180 days you need to get someplace else.  During every year you must have a 60 day absence.  That's my understanding of Indian law, maybe someone else can clarify better.  Someone who isn't having an emotional disaster

I had a 5 year business visa for India back in the mid 1990's. I got this from the Consulate in Birmingham UK. It was easy to obtain, Indian guy I knew in Kerala wrote a letter saying I was going to buy incense sticks from him. I then ended up spending two and a half years there. Was based in Kovolam Beach, South West India, travelled up to Kashmir, it's beautiful , there were no tourists due to the bombings etc, stayed with a Kashmiri friend's family.
India, you'll love it or hate it, I loved it.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Lacessit]

3 hours ago, Bang Bang said:

Watch it, buster. This is Shreya Ghoshal from the part of India where I used to live. Oh, and she's not just a looker. Go to YouTube to hear her sing.

 

Let's talk percentages, OK? I'd be convinced if all Indian women looked like that. Permit me to doubt they are. Lots of beautiful Thai women in any shopping mall.

On the other hand, the hybrid of Indian genes and Burmese genes I saw in Yangon was drop-dead gorgeous.

[Lacessit]

6 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

There's like over 50 ethnic groups there and lots are amazingly hot.

 

Travelling just for women is very shallow

There's something to be said for not taking life too seriously. I guess you would go there for the temples and food.

[Snow Leopard]

7 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, just letting you know where I stand on this issue.  I'm not like most expats here.

 

I am dynamically opposed to the bar scene in thailand.  If it were up to me nana, soi cowboy, walking street, all of it would be overpriced hotels for Chinese tourists and condos etc.  I can't stand bar girls and I can't drink alcohol anymore due to poor health.

 

I like good health care, low cost of living, and that's about it.  Its ok here in isan but I've got major health issues that even the docs in bangkok can't assist with anymore.  And immigration is just annoying here.

 

My experience with india is just hot and cheap.  Completely immersed in cultural heritage but more westernized than thailand in lots of ways.  Maybe a little grimy in some areas.  All ok with me.  I haven't stayed long enough to have more of an impression of the place, I guess.  I guess I should do that.

Given what you wrote then India would be a good choice for you. Especially the North. Me personally I think the place is a stinking S-hole. I have worked extensively in India from 1982 until my last trip there last year. 

[Bang Bang]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

Let's talk percentages, OK? I'd be convinced if all Indian women looked like that. Permit me to doubt they are. Lots of beautiful Thai women in any shopping mall.

I do not disagree. I would say the average in India at even an upscale shopping mall is around 5, while in Thailand easily 7.

 

But here 9s and 10s are almost non-existent, except maybe for the occasional lakorn star. But you do run into them on the street in India and they'll make your head spin: big doe eyes, aquiline nose, luscious lips, tan skin, tall with generous breasts and long legs. And if walking with a gentle sway in a Banarasi sari with goddess makeup on and a gold bindi, oh shit, I feel weak ...  

[Lacessit]

42 minutes ago, Bang Bang said:

I do not disagree. I would say the average in India at even an upscale shopping mall is around 5, while in Thailand easily 7.

 

But here 9s and 10s are almost non-existent, except maybe for the occasional lakorn star. But you do run into them on the street in India and they'll make your head spin: big doe eyes, aquiline nose, luscious lips, tan skin, tall with generous breasts and long legs. And if walking with a gentle sway in a Banarasi sari with goddess makeup on and a gold bindi, oh shit, I feel weak ...  

Now now, this is not doing your ticker any good. You need a month in a wat or monastery to recuperate.

Seriously, where do you live? Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have smaller scale women, which I prefer, beautiful proportions. My GF's daughter is 26, and when she wears tight shorts I have to keep my mouth closed to stop my tongue hanging out. Definitely a 9 IMHO. There's another one, think she's Thai Yai, at the golf club - oh my Buddha.....

[CharlieH]

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

True. They are also ugly as a hatful of bums.

Really ?......I beg to differ.....

 

 

[Puchaiyank]

I rank India right up there with N Korea and Africa as one of the least desirable places to live.

 

Don't think VISA!

 

Quality of life issues abound.

[simple1]

7 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

I've visited India six or seven times over the last thirty years, sometimes for months at a time, and have travelled there extensively. I'll say this as a generalisation - India is a tough place to live as an expat, except in small pockets like Goa or Pondicherry. I'd estimate that perhaps ten percent of visitors intending to stay long term - even if such a visa can be acquired these days - end up staying. It is a wonderful country to visit, the food is great, but it is wearing, frustrating and it will grind many people down, particularly if they are not too mobile. At least go on an extended trip for a couple of months before burning your bridges in the Land of Scams.

I'm currently in Australia, after leaving Thailand. Have looked at Pondicherry via the Web. Seems you can stay at the inexpensive Ashram guesthouses, have things to do such as gardening etc and they process the necessary paperwork for long term visas. Nationally not the environment if your still into drugs, sex and R&R, but for appears to be attractive option. On the downside seems the beaches tend to be dirty, apparently most of India has unclean beaches. 

 

Thoughts / comments?

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

Really ?......I beg to differ.....

 

 

Ah, the American obsession with large mammaries surfaces again. IMHO anything more than a mouthful is a waste.

Although I'll admit, nice looking. i prefer smaller models.

Edited May 23, 2019 by Lacessit

[ThaiBunny]

Just now, Lacessit said:

Ah, the American obsession with large mammaries surfaces again. IMHO anything more than a mouthful is a waste.

You've forgotten that vampire classic "Fangs for the mammaries"?

[geoffbezoz]

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

Ah, the American obsession with large mammaries surfaces again. IMHO anything more than a mouthful is a waste.

But when you come from cold countries you need these to keep your ears warm in winter.????

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, ThaiBunny said:

You've forgotten that vampire classic "Fangs for the mammaries"?

Not sure what she is trying to prove with the partial nipple show.

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, geoffbezoz said:

But when you come from cold countries you need these to keep your ears warm in winter.????

Legs can perform the same function.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

  I'm confused and it's hot and I just got thrown out of my house lol.  Typical thailand story.  Every 180 days you need to get someplace else.  During every year you must have a 60 day absence.  That's my understanding of Indian law, maybe someone else can clarify better.  Someone who isn't having an emotional disaster

I believe it's even harder for Brits, they haven't forgiven us for civilising them yet.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

Really ?......I beg to differ.....

 

 

Is that a misshapen nipple or some ugly birthmark?

[geoffbezoz]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Legs can perform the same function.

Not really because they are keeping other parts warm at the same time ????