Returning to the western world

[StreetCowboy]

3 minutes ago, Pattayabeerbacon said:

Im now working a third job and will be clearing close to the 10K a month mark by the end of this FY.

 

Nowhere else in the world is that possible without a degree or some training.

 

Best thing is its easy money, Im barely lifting a finger .

 

Best country in the world mate.

90% of us say that, and 30% would be  willing to live there, if we had to

[White Christmas13]

16 hours ago, madmen said:

You live in the west but your here posting on TV.  Time to cut the cord and move on don't you think? 

80% of posters on here don't live in Thailand

[White Christmas13]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Yes, I can see how that would do as you've made the final decision and moved on. 

 

The not hearing English conversation (even rural towns) and the feeling of not belonging anymore is very disconcerting. Immigration is ok, but the EU's tenet of free movement sees no drive to integrate with host countries. Not to belabour that point, but as well as being ridiculously busy now, after Thailand's massive roads, the UK's poxy two-lane 'main' roads (with no bit for bikes) are a joke. 

 

Each to their own, op, and Perth is a cool town, but the West is not for everyone. Don't know your status, but if you have wife and kids/commitments and HAVE to stay, how you'd feel few years down the road.

yes I also live in Perth after a few years in Thailand and I never regret moving back to Perth

[Pattayabeerbacon]

1 minute ago, White Christmas13 said:

yes I also live in Perth after a few years in Thailand and I never regret moving back to Perth

Easy life in australia compared to the madness that could be in Thailand, That place is stressful at times, That place will ruin a western male unless he has  passive income/Bulk saving or a bachelors degree to teach in Bangkok.

 

 

 

[bannork]

49 minutes ago, White Christmas13 said:

80% of posters on here don't live in Thailand

So why are they posting?

[poohy]

Good luck to OP

Been away for 25 years (20 here) i enjoy my returns to UK (my neck of the woods not much changed), beer and food wise much better quality and choice... price no real  difference to here 

I too am considering splitting time between time Thai/UK to benefit from NHS etc

would ! miss Thailand country and people? no not at all, yes wife for 6 months but not end of the world My big problem is missing my dogs here!

 

Altogether a sensible post

[SteveK]

I'd rather take the time to slit my own throat with a rusty spoon than fly back into Heathrow. The British empire is long gone, and now living there is pure torture. Incompetent government, outrageous costs and taxes, disgusting weather and obese white women who think that they are the centre of the universe, despite the fact that they never even managed to pass a GCSE.

 

Oh - and the police won't even bother to turn up unless you tell them that someone has pulled your burka off. Total and utter disgrace. If the planet was a person, the UK would be a malignant melanoma.

 

Edited May 26, 2019 by SteveK

[SpokaneAl]

As an American with a Thai wife of 44 years who has a US passport, we split our time between Thailand, where we have a house, car and family, and the US, where we have the same. We don’t like winters.

 

We thoroughly enjoy both parts of our lives.

 

Coming back to Thailand each year after an interminable plane ride, we enjoy the hot weather, the simpler life and just laughing, visiting and traveling around the country with our family.

 

When we return to the US we are overwhelmed with the excellent infrastructure including fine roads, sidewalks etc where life moves smoothly. Walking into the grocery store, of which there are many, we are in awe of the huge variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables etc, no matter what the local season.

 

As a long time swimmer, bicyclist and runner, I thoroughly enjoy being able to head out my door for a run or bike ride with no concerns over crazed drivers, dogs, etc. I just returned from a pleasant six mile run and conversation with great friends, followed by a leisurely coffee at the local Starbucks.

 

Living in the US requires self control because anything and everything is available on line and in local stores, as long as one has the funds, and credit cards, of course.

 

We find little or none of the issues mentioned by the Brits on this thread; we are surrounded by good, hard working people who, like those in Thailand who, for the most part are trying to live their lives and hope for better lives for their children.

 

Sure, one can loose some sleep over political arguments, but I find that comparison silly, especially when thinking of the political issues in Thailand, its lack of free speech and a military junta running things.

 

Life is what we make of it, and at some point we will stop returning to Thailand, and will be ever grateful for the fine memories.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

 

[JimmyJ]

3 hours ago, Pattayabeerbacon said:

Im now working a third job and will be clearing close to the 10K a month mark by the end of this FY.

 

 

How many hours a week do you work?

[roo860]

Over a decade.
 
The visa changes, intoduction of red tape, horrible exchange rates and stagnant quality of goods and services made me decide to go home.

So you don't have the money to stay?


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

[Pattayabeerbacon]

30 minutes ago, roo860 said:

So you don't have the money to stay?


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

I am making 44K THB per week from this day increasing up to 60K baht per week in the near future, f i wanted i could easily retire at 35 years old at this rate.

[Don Mega]

9 minutes ago, Pattayabeerbacon said:

I am making 44K THB per week from this day increasing up to 60K baht per week in the near future, f i wanted i could easily retire at 35 years old at this rate.

2k a week is reasonable coin, how many hours your working in total over them 3 jobs ?

[sanemax]

14 minutes ago, Pattayabeerbacon said:

I am making 44K THB per week from this day increasing up to 60K baht per week in the near future, f i wanted i could easily retire at 35 years old at this rate.

What job do you do ?

[Olmate]

2 hours ago, sanemax said:

What job do you do ?

Hope he,s paying his tax to keep my pension money coming in!!????

[bkk6060]

I was back in the US for a few weeks recently.

Several things the OP say are true.

But, for me I am still sexually active and do not want to boom boom 65 year old smelly elephant ear looking private part old ladies. Or, the option of watching porn everyday.

 

Thailand=lots of sex with attractive young girls.  More then enough reason for me to stay.

I guess when I get my nuts chopped off from Prostate cancer I may consider going back.

 

Oh, to add the golf here is much cheaper then my US city.

Edited May 27, 2019 by bkk6060

[Chazar]

On 5/26/2019 at 6:58 AM, spidermike007 said:

I am thankful daily to be over here.

Same same not  different

[BritManToo]

11 hours ago, SpokaneAl said:

As a long time swimmer, bicyclist and runner, I thoroughly enjoy being able to head out my door for a run or bike ride with no concerns over crazed drivers, dogs, etc. I just returned from a pleasant six mile run and conversation with great friends, followed by a leisurely coffee at the local Starbucks.

I do that nearly every day in ChiangMai (health permitting).

Can't see the USA being cheaper though.

[mickyr55]

On 5/26/2019 at 11:15 AM, CharlieH said:

I can entirely relate to your post !

I too used to visit the UK regularly, often for months at a time, I had another home there it was easy, BUT as the years went by it became unrecognisable to me, the place I grew up in and called "home" had gone, a sad and uncomfortable realisation. As you say, so many rules/cameras/enforcement etc its suffocating. The local stores actually had Polish sign writing. other areas had become ethnic enclaves.To say nothing of damned expensive !

I walked the length of the High St and didnt hear 1 English conversation.

I felt totally out of place. 

Not long after that realisation I sold up and quit the UK for good. 

The strange thing is, it actually made me happier and more content in Thailand as a result.

The subconscious mental comparing had stopped and I became more accepting and tolerant of how things are here and that this was truly my home now. I feel so much more relaxed and contented here in my quiet rural village than I ever would back there.

I relate to your sentiments totally I am coming up to 64yrs old lived here for almost 12 months now not well off by a long chalk but comfortable have really not had 1 second of regret, yes it can be difficult here but I find elation in achieving here can't see me ever going back to the got to be PC life that is the UK now. 

[marcusarelus]

I don't like lawn work/tree trimming or plumbing or cleaning house.  Yesterday 5 people.  4 ladies and one guy for the heavy cutting work. 

Trees trimmed, Shrubbery and grass gone around the house (Live in the middle of a small jungle) - kitchen and bathroom immaculate all windows cleaned inside and out and the grounds not a spec of dog hair anywhere.  They got here at 8 and left at 4.  500 baht each.  Worked their little Thai tails off.  If I have to return to the Western world I'll get an apartment with maid service.  Different things different prices.  I could live either place.  If Thailand kicks me out because of insurance I'll go back to the states and get a one bedroom or studio apartment with a view of a lake.  I get a lot of stuff delivered here in Thailand and would do the same in America.  I don't want to drive anymore. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I do that nearly every day in ChiangMai (health permitting).

Can't see the USA being cheaper though.

$3,000 or more for a two to three bedroom apartment in most major cities.

$14-18 for a movie ticket. Another $16 for popcorn and two drinks.

$30 for a simple lunch. $100 and up for a decent dinner for two. And if you do not leave a $20 (600 baht plus) tip, you get all kinds of attitude.

$17 for a basic car wash. Plus tax.

$150 for a basic visit from a plumber, electrician, or any kind of repairman. Plus labor if anything is required.

$2,000 for the most basic body work on a car with a small dent, and touch up paint.

$175 for two bags of groceries, assuming you do not purchase anything expensive.

$400 for a round trip flight for a destination of 1,000 KM round trip! Plus baggage!

And if you have a medical emergency, without the ridiculously costly health insurance that you get in the US, you may be nearly bankrupt. 

 

Everything in the US is so overpriced these days, it boggles the mind. And despite what the lying politicians are telling us, inflation is at a runaway pace. 

Edited May 27, 2019 by spidermike007

[BritManToo]

15 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

$150 for a basic visit from a plumber, electrician, or any kind of repairman. Plus labor if anything is required.

I had a water leak last month, a chap came along dug up the concrete behind my house, found the broken joint (caused by land shrinkage in the dry season) and repaired it ...... total cost 1,100bht.

[Berkshire]

17 hours ago, Pattayabeerbacon said:

Easy life in australia compared to the madness that could be in Thailand, That place is stressful at times, That place will ruin a western male unless he has  passive income/Bulk saving or a bachelors degree to teach in Bangkok.

 

I've always felt that young westerners were better-off in their home countries during their most productive years.  Thailand isn't a place to go to make money (in most cases), it's where you go to spend money.  Which is why it could be heaven for retirees with a decent pension and/or a healthy nest egg.  You could always come back when you're 50+.   

[Pattayabeerbacon]

56 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

I've always felt that young westerners were better-off in their home countries during their most productive years.  Thailand isn't a place to go to make money (in most cases), it's where you go to spend money.  Which is why it could be heaven for retirees with a decent pension and/or a healthy nest egg.  You could always come back when you're 50+.   

Im a labourer, uber eats driver and  trying to get my foot in the door teaching english online then once the bank balance is sky high i will live of the online teaching and use my savings as a passive income, 20K aud at 500$ a week is 40 weeks in living in South east asia  hopefully i will reach thay in. Three months, Better yet, Find a hot china girl here in Australia to boom boom and never travel again.

[daveAustin]

23 hours ago, AlexRich said:

So you get away from immigrants by becoming ... an immigrant? You’ll hear even less English voices in the village.

It's not about that per se. Charlie is remarking on erosion of culture in his home country, which I can totally relate to - and nobody even mentioned the large groups of Eastern European males hanging around supermarkets. At the end of the day, the blame is not with them, since they are simply taking monetary advantage of the EU's open border policy in descending on generous host nations en-masse. Living in Thailand as a farang is an entirely different kettle of fish. As with others here, when in Thailand I personally prefer to be surrounded by Thais and not even hear a lick of English.

 

Anyway, interesting thread. Though op champions the West, he also has an eye on SE Asia. As previous, how enamoured would he be if he had to stay there for good and what will his view be several years down the road...

[SpokaneAl]

$3,000 or more for a two to three bedroom apartment in most major cities.

$14-18 for a movie ticket. Another $16 for popcorn and two drinks.

$30 for a simple lunch. $100 and up for a decent dinner for two. And if you do not leave a $20 (600 baht plus) tip, you get all kinds of attitude.

$17 for a basic car wash. Plus tax.

$150 for a basic visit from a plumber, electrician, or any kind of repairman. Plus labor if anything is required.

$2,000 for the most basic body work on a car with a small dent, and touch up paint.

$175 for two bags of groceries, assuming you do not purchase anything expensive.

$400 for a round trip flight for a destination of 1,000 KM round trip! Plus baggage!

And if you have a medical emergency, without the ridiculously costly health insurance that you get in the US, you may be nearly bankrupt. 

 

Everything in the US is so overpriced these days, it boggles the mind. And despite what the lying politicians are telling us, inflation is at a runaway pace. 

 

I would agree with all of your numbers except the groceries and the rent. When in the US my wife and I can purchase two weeks worth of groceries for that price, and our haul is significantly more than two bags. As for the rent, your numbers represent big city living. We own our own homes in both countries and they are both paid off.

 

That said I didn’t see where the discussion was focused on cost comparisons between countries. Of course Thailand is cheaper, but if I have to bail on my home country and base my choice on where to live strictly on which place is cheaper, then I have truly done a poor job in my long term financial planning.

 

 

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[eldragon]

West definitely has an upside and probably makes more sense for most. But its boring and its hard to connect with folks after youve lived abroad. Good luck.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[Pattayabeerbacon]

6 hours ago, eldragon said:

West definitely has an upside and probably makes more sense for most. But its boring and its hard to connect with folks after youve lived abroad. Good luck.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

I found Third worlders less friendly here in australia, Most here are segregated i agree with charlie.

[Lacessit]

On 5/26/2019 at 7:58 AM, Pattayabeerbacon said:

I have been in and out of that country for ovlver a decade, Im now 32 years old and wilk nonlonger require its services, I now work for my self part time and work for the local shire part time, I live with Taiwanese, Eat at vietnamese resaurants, Buy groceries in chinese butchers, shop in thai convenience stores, Eat japanese sushi, Deliver malaysian take away, Chat with phililipinos and play pool with cambodians.

 

All from Perth ,Australia.

Perth is not a bad place to live. It's them versus the Eastern Staters. Cheaper now the mining boom north has retreated.

I think your perspective might change when you are 60 or 70, and no longer able to pull good looking women, of which Perth has quite a few. You may well return to SE Asia.

[Lacessit]

On 5/27/2019 at 12:14 AM, SpokaneAl said:

 

As a long time swimmer, bicyclist and runner, I thoroughly enjoy being able to head out my door for a run or bike ride with no concerns over crazed drivers, dogs, etc. I just returned from a pleasant six mile run and conversation with great friends, followed by a leisurely coffee at the local Starbucks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks? You lost me with that single word. A triumph of advertising over taste buds.

[marcusarelus]

7 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Starbucks? You lost me with that single word. A triumph of advertising over taste buds.

Have you purchased and brewed any of their coffees? 

 

https://athome.starbucks.com/premium-select-collection/

 

They have 30,000 locations all over the world.  They serve a bad product?  30,000 locations?

Edited May 28, 2019 by marcusarelus