The wrong reasons to retire to Thailand?

[totally thaied up]

I am only 50 but have a pension coming in and can do it. He has not enough money and selling up to risk it all is something I would not like to do. Better off doing two week holidays somewhere a few times a year till he can afford to retire. 500K is not enough if things go sideways and here in the LOS, things tend to go sideways due to the fairer sex. 

[bkk6060]

12 minutes ago, bert bloggs said:

the lure of the bars and girls wanes in the end and you need real company

 

Traveled all over the world and the majority of the men I know who are married or in committed relationships are unhappy.  Many here where the opportunities for part or long time company without that commitment are so easy.  To each their own but "real company" can be a drag and a total bore.  

[scubascuba3]

18 minutes ago, bert bloggs said:

after over 25 years of holiday here ,business here and living here ,i could not imagine living here alone, the lure of the bars and girls wanes in the end and you need real company ,i am married to a Thai ,have a grown up son here ,we lived in the UK then came back to live here ,its perfect ,,why? because i have a loving wife and a real home ,alone ,i would not be happy .

People are different though, some men must be with a woman, can't be on their own, you can be on your own but not lonely. The Ops friend\brother\whoever should get comfortable on their own first otherwise he will end up just paying wages, buying a motorbike, car, condo, house in Nakonnowhere, kids. You don't need to do any of that but if you do it for the right reasons fair enough

[Rookiescot]

I would advise him to travel a bit before he decides if and where he wants to settle.

Pattaya can be a bit full on for a lot of guys. Its OK for holidays but long term it can start to wear you down. Bangkok is right out as far as I'm concerned. The traffic alone is enough for me.

Having said that he needs somewhere big enough to be able to gather a new group of friends. So no village out in the sticks.

When it comes to a partner I would advise he rent not buy. 

He is only 50 so has plenty of years ahead of him to enjoy himself here. 

[UbonThani]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all (a super fast 540mbps fiber optic connection, at under 500 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, fine wine, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. These days, I find a high percentage of the population in the bigger cities of the US to be dour, disappointed, bitter, disenfranchised, heavy hearted, and without humor. I would not want to move back there, unless I was either being paid a million dollars a year, or the situation was dire. Especially now that the US has become the pity of the planet, as the world center for Covid.

 

Sure, Thailand has changed. My first trip here was in 1976! It was so much different than now. The politics here are absolutely regressive. The army is horrendous. Will that ever improve? I think so. I think the youth will eventually oust them, as they are virtually useless to Thai society, with the exception of protecting the elite. those in power and the super wealthy. But alot of things here have improved since then. The infrastructure here is quite good. Sure they could use a high speed rail. That would be amazing. Hopefully it will happen. The whole world is different now. The whole planet is being affected by a greatly expanding population, inflation, environmental issues, politics, and congestion. So, we are going to experience some of that no matter where we are. All I know, is that every day I wake up, I am very glad to be here, very glad to be with the woman I am with, and thankful for my life. Would I feel the same way in the US? I seriously doubt it. Most of my friends back in the US, say they would trade positions with me, in a heartbeat, if they could. I believe them. And I feel for them. The quality of life where I came from is a pale shadow of what it used to be. No thanks. 

 

And what about the standard of living? It used to be cheap here. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-4000 a month. That is 120,000 baht! In LA right now, new 80 sq. meter one bedroom apartments are renting for $3,750 a month! At least pre-covid. All of that may be changing. Expect an economic re-set. 

 

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275. 

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 to $1,000.

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $800 and up.

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $40 to $75.

With my Major cinema card, as a senior I get to see movies for 90 baht. Another 60 baht for a drink and chips. In the US? $15 for the ticket, and $8 for popcorn and a drink. Insanity. 

When I travel here I stay in very nice four star hotels in Bangkok. 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 200-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip. I get more gratitude here for a 20 baht tip, than I do in the US, for a $20 tip!

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-$3000.

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $200 to $800 an hour now for a reasonably attractive woman, lots of shame, guilt, an attitude and a heavy heart. 

 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. 

Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

 

There is one more consideration. No matter where we go, we still have to contend with ourselves, our attitude, our issues and our minds. So, some will always be seeking greener pastures. Nothing wrong with that. But, it does not insure fulfillment. 

Plus Thais are way better

[cmarshall]

8 million baht at age 50 is not nearly enough to retire and maintain anything approximately resembling a first-world standard of living for the next thirty or forty years.  Unless he will eventually have a good pension from somewhere, his life will sink into misery, probably in the not too distant future.

 

The height of foolishness.

[simon43]

58 minutes ago, cranki said:

He should go for it !!! 10 million baht will be more than enough (if he's sensible) to last him for 10 years.

Good heavens!  You can put it in a high interest account and get 50,000 baht in interest per month.... more than enough!

[stephenterry]

17 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Do you think you retired to thailand for the wrong reasons??

No. I had several years planning to retire here with a lovely Thai women I met in 2006 - which I did in Nov 2009. The wrong reasons were later being caught up in the hedonistic ex-pat lifestyle of constant wine, women, and financial freedom - for a long while.

 

Basically, i screwed up my relationship, and the one after that. Now I live a quiet inexpensive life with my housekeeper carer who is an ideal partner, and my cats and dogs. I've blown my savings, now living off UK pensions that keep me afloat - but today's Thailand is NOT the place I would choose to retire - if only hindsight was available then. 

 

I would tell your friend that life is what he makes of it - take responsibility for his actions and never ever complain if it doesn't work out wherever he lands up. The grass is greener where he makes it a happy place. 

 

 

[DaLa]

There are a hundred reasons why Thailand will be no better than where you live presently.

 

Thankfully there are 101 reasons why living in LoS is better....personally speaking of course.

[Bramley]

If he's lonely in Oz, he will likely be lonely anywhere else. Of course, he can buy company in Thailand however.

[UbonThani]

Just now, Bramley said:

If he's lonely in Oz, he will likely be lonely anywhere else. Of course, he can buy company in Thailand however.

Aus is full of bogans

Unless you r a bogan u will be lonely

[Captain Monday]

24 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all (a super fast 540mbps fiber optic connection, at under 500 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, fine wine, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. These days, I find a high percentage of the population in the bigger cities of the US to be dour, disappointed, bitter, disenfranchised, heavy hearted, and without humor. I would not want to move back there, unless I was either being paid a million dollars a year, or the situation was dire. Especially now that the US has become the pity of the planet, as the world center for Covid.

 

Sure, Thailand has changed. My first trip here was in 1976! It was so much different than now. The politics here are absolutely regressive. The army is horrendous. Will that ever improve? I think so. I think the youth will eventually oust them, as they are virtually useless to Thai society, with the exception of protecting the elite. those in power and the super wealthy. But alot of things here have improved since then. The infrastructure here is quite good. Sure they could use a high speed rail. That would be amazing. Hopefully it will happen. The whole world is different now. The whole planet is being affected by a greatly expanding population, inflation, environmental issues, politics, and congestion. So, we are going to experience some of that no matter where we are. All I know, is that every day I wake up, I am very glad to be here, very glad to be with the woman I am with, and thankful for my life. Would I feel the same way in the US? I seriously doubt it. Most of my friends back in the US, say they would trade positions with me, in a heartbeat, if they could. I believe them. And I feel for them. The quality of life where I came from is a pale shadow of what it used to be. No thanks. 

 

And what about the standard of living? It used to be cheap here. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-4000 a month. That is 120,000 baht! In LA right now, new 80 sq. meter one bedroom apartments are renting for $3,750 a month! At least pre-covid. All of that may be changing. Expect an economic re-set. 

 

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275. 

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 to $1,000.

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $800 and up.

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $40 to $75.

With my Major cinema card, as a senior I get to see movies for 90 baht. Another 60 baht for a drink and chips. In the US? $15 for the ticket, and $8 for popcorn and a drink. Insanity. 

When I travel here I stay in very nice four star hotels in Bangkok. 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 200-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip. I get more gratitude here for a 20 baht tip, than I do in the US, for a $20 tip!

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-$3000.

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $200 to $800 an hour now for a reasonably attractive woman, lots of shame, guilt, an attitude and a heavy heart. 

 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. 

Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

 

There is one more consideration. No matter where we go, we still have to contend with ourselves, our attitude, our issues and our minds. So, some will always be seeking greener pastures. Nothing wrong with that. But, it does not insure fulfillment. 

A great post the final part, my sentiment. ""wherever you go there you are", some attribute as far back as Confucius.

 

[NCC1701A]

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

Yesterday I was talking to a work colleague who is only 50yo,

at his age he can date a 25 year old, a different one every weekend.

by the time he is 60 he can date a 25 year old, a different one every weekend.  

 

I am 64 and my 25 year old girlfriend just left me so I know how he feels.

 

It can be devastating starting over.      

[OneMoreFarang]

It seems lots of people somehow think they must make a decision for the rest of their life. Why?

 

When I moved to Thailand, a long time ago, I thought about it as an experiment. I thought that probably I would like it in Thailand, after a few 3 week holidays. But I was not sure.

So I quit my job in farang-land, flew to Thailand, and started to live here. I still had work connections to home so I made some money that way. And at the same time I got to know people in Thailand and I started to work in Thailand. And I liked it. And a year later I still liked it. And I stayed here.

But it could have been differently. And in that case I would have gone back. Why not?

 

That is obviously different for people who work or are retired and it depends on their age. It's not necessary to sell everything and move and right away buy a house, car, etc. Take it easy! Rent something and look how you like Thailand, the area you live, etc. And maybe try another place, and another. And after a year or so you should have a good idea if you want to permanently live here. Then you can still sell everything back home.

[seasia]

Too young I think and the wrong reasons, albeit I moved out here younger than him,slightly.

Not enough funds either.

 

Did not sell up back home though, kept my UK property, let it out.

Now I no longer wish to live in Thailand.

Moving away will not be easy but at least I have options open.

 

 

[hotandsticky]

Come to Thailand for 3 months on a set budget and don't burn your bridges back home. Leave all other assets untouched for now. A malcontent in Australia could quickly become a malcontent in Thailand. 

 

Don't live like a tourist. Rent everything including a nice condo in area of your choice, move on if you want to try somewhere else. Same re women.

 

Learn to live on your own because one day you may have to. Look for sustainable contentment.

 

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

19 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Good heavens!  You can put it in a high interest account and get 50,000 baht in interest per month.... more than enough!

That's 6% interest, ignoring tax, what Thai bank gives that?

[marqus12]

Ordinary People in a socialist paradise are realistically taxed at 70-80%

of their own income.
Even peasants did not have to give away so much of their income / so

much of their work.
Slaves were more expensive to maintain than modern peasants.

 

If one have some assets then the choice between early retirement

and further work is simply a choice between freedom and security.

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, marqus12 said:

 

 

If one have some assets then the choice between early retirement

and further work is simply a choice between freedom and security.

 

 

Between freedom and security there is happiness/contentment.

 

 

Neither freedom or security can guarantee that..................... but both can help.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

Yesterday I was talking to a work colleague who is only 50yo, he was depressed and telling me he is thinking of selling his house worth about 8 million baht in Australia and going off forever to Phuket where he holidays twice a year.

the reason, his 25yo son who he is close with is moving interstate to start a new career and he will have no other family ,ex wife lives hours away and is remarried,only one child,doesnt see his brothers and sisters,so the reason in reality,he is lonely.

can this all be fixed by him selling up and moving ?

It will certainly fix his 'no woman in the bed' problem.

And it may fix his 'no kids to look after' problem.

 

But if it were me, I'd be looking in the Philippines or Cambodia where the VISA is considerably easier.

 

Edited May 19, 2020 by BritManToo

[Berkshire]

If you can afford it, it's a good decision.

If you cannot, it's a bad decision.

Everything else is just noise. 

 

Honestly, for a decent lifestyle, 8 million bt is not enough to last a lifetime unless you also have a pension or other supplemental income. 

[georgegeorgia]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It will certainly fix his 'no woman in the bed' problem.

And it may fix his 'no kids to look after' problem.

 

But if it were me, I'd be looking in the Philippines or Cambodia where the VISA is considerably easier.

 

personally after experiencing Phomn Penh i couldnt live there....???? 

[marqus12]

12 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Between freedom and security there is happiness/contentment.

 

 

Neither freedom or security can guarantee that..................... but both can help.

sometimes I thought I could be happier with a small business

in some European country

 

Now because of the lockdown I would probably be bankrupt
in some country that pretends to be democracy

and pretends to have freedom of speech

so neither freedom,  happiness nor security

 

[BritManToo]

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

personally after experiencing Phomn Penh i couldnt live there....???? 

I like PP, I also like Siem Reap.

My requirements, in no particular order are woman, booze, cannabis, internet.

Beach and sea would be nice, but not essential.

If a place has all of those, I'm happy enough to live there.

[pineapple01]

I remember an old Bernard Manning funny. Whers thi Live Lad.?. Salford replied the Chap. Call that Livin do Yer. Seems to sum up many who just exist here.

 

 

 

[Antonymous]

44 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Good heavens!  You can put it in a high interest account and get 50,000 baht in interest per month.... more than enough!

 

Having alot of trouble posting this. Sorry if it appears twice...

 

Simon, could you kindly share information of which secure banks or other institutions in Thailand are paying out 6% NET per annum in interest? Or are you referring to kip deposits in Laos by any chance?

[NCC1701A]

46 minutes ago, seasia said:

Did not sell up back home though, kept my UK property, let it out.

 

this is key to many having the cash flow and safety net if they have to return.  

Edited May 19, 2020 by NCC1701A

[totally thaied up]

22 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

this is key to many having the cash flow and safely net if they have to return.  

No where is fun without cash flow. Having that safety net is a good idea if you can do it. Like I said, I am 50 now. I live on a basic Australian Pension every month. I have a Thai wife, we have a house that was hers before we met that was paid off. So, I really live on not much money but my life is content here. You need to be content with yourself before you can do really anything. Life can get boring here like anywhere else if you let it. Women are a dime a dozen and without serious looking, most are just good for a short time. Finding someone long term took me seven years to do and I did lots and lots of trying before I found someone I wanted to spend time with - i.e. - someone for more then a weekend fling.

 

Also if he has to sell property, that can take time. We just sold off a property and it took two years to do before we got the price we wanted.

 

I come from a family with money, so in reality, I do not worry about tomorrow but if I did have to worry about tomorrow and I was only 50 with the problems that he currently has, I would be looking at getting myself on track first with my priorities and plans with my life. 500K would most likely last him 10-12 years if he does not go buy a buffalo. He will have to return to Australia for two years to get the Old Age Pension. Just in numbers, he does not have the cash flow to go and he is going to be short for several years. He needs some form of additional income.

 

I would sort my head out first and then sit down, do a spread sheet and see what life costs he has. Personally, I would not go yet. Maybe when I was 55. Hard decisions for your friend. 

Edited May 19, 2020 by totally thaied up

[pookondee]

I'd say this guys problem is mainly boredom, having no quality of life and a feeling that life is just passing him by.

 

Its not uncommon for Aussies.

 

Every form of fun in Australia has either been way to expensive or legislated against long ago.

All thats left is your preferred drug, and/or alcohol to take home,

even a packet of cigarettes will cost you well over 1000baht.

Yes, everyone knows those things are not good for your long term health, but what else is there?

Forget about the women to unless you like chubbys with a bad attitude.

 

 

And governments have had a hardon for years about people spending $AU overseas, so they have rigged the game to keep Aussies at home. 

 

First,

by making sure investment properties virtually lose money..

with tax laws/capital gains laws/land tax etc.

If you get deemed a "Non resident for tax purposes" you even loose your tax free thresh-hold.

So that means paying over 30c per $ on EVERYTHING you earn.

 

2nd, 

They have got interest rates down to near Zero now,

so if you sell up, you wont get any decent return on your money in the bank.

 

I dont know what the answer is.

 

For your friend (and all of us really)

before selling up:

 

1. You need to find some kind of income stream the government wont mess with.

 

Personally if i was him,

id try to arrange a system whereby he could rent out part of house at a reasonable rate

(and collect in cash) on the condition he has some small living quarters for himself for part of the year.

Divide the year 9 months in Thailand/ 3 months in Aus.

 

Its probably the only way to keep the

bสrstสrds at bay. 

[eyup]

why have you started two topics on basically the same subject?