If you weren't in Thailand, where would you be?

[2009]

After all this time I still think Thailand is an excellent choice for an expat.

 

In no particular order, just shooting from the hip: 

 

1. highly socially developed people (except when driving)

2. sophisticated healthcare

3. affordable 

4. good standard of living

5. lots of fun

6. many things to see and do

7. friendly and polite (mostly) people

8. not too much racism

9. pretty good weather

10. great selection of food

11. safe

12  almost everything is easy and convenient

 

Probably the only thing I would change is the drivers.

 

I struggle to think of anywhere I have been that ticks so many boxes. Actually, I can't think of anywhere.

 

If I wasn't here I am really not sure where I would be. Definitely not China. I don't think Japan. Not Laos or Malaysia. I like Indonesia, but I don't think I would want to live there.

 

Couldn't see myself living in South America. Africa, hmmm...never been, can't say. I like India, but who knows if I could really live there. North America, no chance. 

 

Europe would be too boring, backward, and PC. 

 

Vietnam would be my next choice, I think. Maybe Cambodia.

 

What about you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2021 by 2009

[teacherclaire]

Portugal seems to be nice. And the Senoritas are great, too. 

 

Portugal, with its welcoming locals and pleasant climate, offers expats a very good quality of life. ... Portugal attracts an above-average percentage of retirees. It also ranks in the top 10 for family life. Expats enjoy the climate and weather.

 

Blue Skies and Warm Smiles

Portugal ranks an impressive 6th out of 68 countries in the overall results for 2018. In three indices, the country ranks in the top 10, including fifth for ease of settling in and second for quality of life.

 

Expat Insider 2018: The Pros & Cons of Expat Life in Portugal | InterNations

[JAS21]

I’d still be in the UK.

[2009]

1 minute ago, JAS21 said:

I’d still be in the UK.

 

Interesting, what are the benefits for you?

[Jingthing]

My choices are greatly limited by visa regulations.

So if not Thailand, then possibly

 

Colombia

Mexico

USA (there's always that)

Philippines

Panama

[Smelg]

I would give the philippines a chance

[2009]

Just now, Jingthing said:

My choices are greatly limited by visa regulations.

So if not Thailand, then possibly

 

Colombia

Mexico

USA (there's always that)

Philippines

Panama

 

Very interesting mix.

 

Would love to hear a few sentences on why.

 

If there were no visa issues where would you be ideally?

[2009]

3 minutes ago, Smelg said:

I would give the philippines a chance

 

What is the attraction for you?

Edited January 17, 2021 by 2009

[JAS21]

7 minutes ago, 2009 said:

 

Interesting, what are the benefits for you?

My wife, who is Thai lived in the UK with me for several years. She said I don’t want to get old in the UK, and I agreed.

 

So we Retired here some 14 years ago now.

 

It is warmer ....Can play golf all year round and never need a jacket ... Hotels are vastly cheaper.... access to hospital is much easier... food is cheaper... never difficult to find somewhere to eat...

 

I’m sure you’ll get a lot more information from others

[Smelg]

I have some friends in the philippines ,,the weather is warm ..the money is good ..and just about everyone speaks good english ..not sure about the visa situation.???

[sirineou]

Ge spend  summers , well at least we used before covid, in Greece. 

 

[Natai Beach]

33 minutes ago, 2009 said:

struggle to think of anywhere I have been that ticks so many boxes. Actually, I can't think of anywhere.

There isn’t anywhere.

 

Thailand is miles ahead of second place, wherever that may be.

 

I probably would have stayed living in Australia, but probably moved from cold Melbourne to sunny Queensland but that would not have given me a life even half as good as Thailand does.

[Jingthing]

16 minutes ago, 2009 said:

 

Very interesting mix.

 

Would love to hear a few sentences on why.

 

If there were no visa issues where would you be ideally?

If I could afford it, back in the USA.

But that's more like a last resort.

I don't qualify for Portugal but I like Portugal. 

I don't think very much about options that I don't have. 

Colombia and Mexico are my top interests other than Thailand. 

 

Colombia 

Considerably safer than the PR if you avoid the major cities and obvious crime spots. Modern. Developed. Friendly people. Low cost (can get a nice apartment in a medium sized city in a high tier neighborhood for under 300 dollars a month). Highly rated medical system. Expats are required to enroll in the national health system for a nominal cost. All ages and health conditions accepted. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

Mexico

There are some locations that are much safer than most U.S. big cities. Again a case of bad PR. I know and love Mexico well. Their food is among the best in the world. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

USA (there's always that)

No visa needed. I would need to move to a backwater. 

 

Philippines

English is widely spoken. There are some locations that are safer and not high risk for storms. 

 

Panama

Boquette sounds like a decent option that would probably feel more decent as you get much older. 

Edited January 17, 2021 by Jingthing

[Meat Pie 47]

43 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

If I could afford it, back in the USA.

But that's more like a last resort.

I don't qualify for Portugal but I like Portugal. 

I don't think very much about options that I don't have. 

Colombia and Mexico are my top interests other than Thailand. 

 

Colombia 

Considerably safer than the PR if you avoid the major cities and obvious crime spots. Modern. Developed. Friendly people. Low cost (can get a nice apartment in a medium sized city in a high tier neighborhood for under 300 dollars a month). Highly rated medical system. Expats are required to enroll in the national health system for a nominal cost. All ages and health conditions accepted. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

Mexico

There are some locations that are much safer than most U.S. big cities. Again a case of bad PR. I know and love Mexico well. Their food is among the best in the world. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

USA (there's always that)

No visa needed. I would need to move to a backwater. 

 

Philippines

English is widely spoken. There are some locations that are safer and not high risk for storms. 

 

Panama

Boquette sounds like a decent option that would probably feel more decent as you get much older. 

I would be here where I am now, Western Australia, beautiful climate fantastic beaches (sorry not many temples) no immigration hassle no reports every months the best place to life 

[Tagged]

Brasil

 

Not the same freedom as Thailand where you can travel everywhere and feel safe and be safe. But fantastic clima year around. Visa easy and relative cheap. 

[Sujo]

I had 3 choices.

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia.

 

It was a toss up between malaysia and vietnam. I chose malaysia and have been here 8 years but i would have been just as happy in vietnam.

 

If i move again it will probably be vietnam or philippines. I have traveled a lot to thailand but as a place to live i prefer the others.

[timendres]

Vietnam

Malaysia

Philipines

Mexico

Ecuador

 

[Kinnock]

Vietnam.

 

 

[bwpage3]

3 hours ago, 2009 said:

After all this time I still think Thailand is an excellent choice for an expat.

 

In no particular order, just shooting from the hip: 

 

1. highly socially developed people (except when driving)

2. sophisticated healthcare

3. affordable 

4. good standard of living

5. lots of fun

6. many things to see and do

7. friendly and polite (mostly) people

8. not too much racism

9. pretty good weather

10. great selection of food

11. safe

12  almost everything is easy and convenient

 

Probably the only thing I would change is the drivers.

 

I struggle to think of anywhere I have been that ticks so many boxes. Actually, I can't think of anywhere.

 

If I wasn't here I am really not sure where I would be. Definitely not China. I don't think Japan. Not Laos or Malaysia. I like Indonesia, but I don't think I would want to live there.

 

Couldn't see myself living in South America. Africa, hmmm...never been, can't say. I like India, but who knows if I could really live there. North America, no chance. 

 

Europe would be too boring, backward, and PC. 

 

Vietnam would be my next choice, I think. Maybe Cambodia.

 

What about you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Thailand is not known as a socially developed nation. Unless you count coups and protests.

2. Sophisticated healthcare compared to where?

3. Affordable only if you have lower living standards.

4. Good standard of living? Visa hassles, air pollution, corruption, traffic, scams, coups

5. Lots of fun? There are much funner places elsewhere without dual pricing.

6. Many things to see and do the same as any country

7. Friendly and polite? You must not read those 100's of stories of farangs getting bashed 10 to 1.

8. If there is not too much racism, you don't understand Thailand very well.

9. Monsoon rains, super high humidity and temps is not good weather. 

10.  Great selection of food? Sorry, no, no and no. The food all over is poor quality.

11. Safe? See #7

12. Easy and convenient? Traffic is easy? Nothing is convenient.

 

All that being said, Thailand is where people end up that cannot afford to live on their income in their own country or other countries with much more to offer than Thailand.

 

Comparing Thailand to Florida. 99% of the Thai's in Florida speak English. Ton's of Thai restaurants. Thai grocery stores, Thai temples. Why move all the way to Thailand if you can get the exact same thing in Florida? Very good question? 

 

To answer your question, without a doubt I would live in Aruba. It's not cheap, however, it's natural beauty and the attitude of the people. 

 

I also like Belize. 

 

Costa del Spain or Portugal.

 

Nothing in Asia. Tried Thailand for 10 years. It was enough to convince me to get back to work and save up so I can retire somewhere decent.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2021 by bwpage3

[Ron jeremy]

Vietnam 

[daveAustin]

3 hours ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

I would be here where I am now, Western Australia, beautiful climate fantastic beaches (sorry not many temples) no immigration hassle no reports every months the best place to life 

Trouble is it's full of Aussies .

Only joking, have had great times in WA.

[daveAustin]

Agree with op on most points. Visa hassle aside, Thailand is easy living and the people are, generally, great. Most probably won't agree, but also has a quality language.

 

Europe is not all boring PC lol. Spain and Portugal are both solid choices, esp the latter.

 

Trouble is everywhere is rekt right now, but to be anywhere Thighland is a good option with or without this covid crapola. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Brazil

 

Long time ago when I lived in Europe I liked two kind of girls. Thai girls and Brazilian girls.

My first choice was Thai. Otherwise I would have tried Brazil - but I never did.

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, bwpage3 said:

Comparing Thailand to Florida. 99% of the Thai's in Florida speak English. Ton's of Thai restaurants. Thai grocery stores, Thai temples. Why move all the way to Thailand if you can get the exact same thing in Florida? Very good question? 

 

[A1Str8]

You serious about number one on your list? In which Thailand do you reside, sir?

[RichardColeman]

I only stay in Thailand (when can get in) for the wife, get some important daughter documents sorted and I'm off - so UK is only place for me. Nice house away from the cities and me and the family will be happy - could not give a hoot about other countries as my plan was always  to spend old age in the UK anyway.

[2009]

7 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

1. Thailand is not known as a socially developed nation. Unless you count coups and protests.

2. Sophisticated healthcare compared to where?

3. Affordable only if you have lower living standards.

4. Good standard of living? Visa hassles, air pollution, corruption, traffic, scams, coups

5. Lots of fun? There are much funner places elsewhere without dual pricing.

6. Many things to see and do the same as any country

7. Friendly and polite? You must not read those 100's of stories of farangs getting bashed 10 to 1.

8. If there is not too much racism, you don't understand Thailand very well.

9. Monsoon rains, super high humidity and temps is not good weather. 

10.  Great selection of food? Sorry, no, no and no. The food all over is poor quality.

11. Safe? See #7

12. Easy and convenient? Traffic is easy? Nothing is convenient.

 

All that being said, Thailand is where people end up that cannot afford to live on their income in their own country or other countries with much more to offer than Thailand.

 

Comparing Thailand to Florida. 99% of the Thai's in Florida speak English. Ton's of Thai restaurants. Thai grocery stores, Thai temples. Why move all the way to Thailand if you can get the exact same thing in Florida? Very good question? 

 

To answer your question, without a doubt I would live in Aruba. It's not cheap, however, it's natural beauty and the attitude of the people. 

 

I also like Belize. 

 

Costa del Spain or Portugal.

 

Nothing in Asia. Tried Thailand for 10 years. It was enough to convince me to get back to work and save up so I can retire somewhere decent.

 

 

 

 

 

1. They do a very good job of handling their protests, problems n all that in a grown up manner, unlike some other countries I can think of. In general, they are very amicable and respectful. In general, peaceful and fairy sensible nation.

 

2. The US. Are you aware of the healthcare system they have? Even the UK. I personally know 3 people whose cancer went undiagnosed cos the GP felt that an x-ray and basic blood testing was too much for their budget. My dad's cancer was diagnosed in an Isaan government hospital. Turns out he had it 5 years. The professor doing his case study in the UK shook his head in shame when he heard the symptoms my dad's GP ignored.

 

3. Well, I live a great standard if living for less than "back home"

 

4. I like the immigration system; better than Thailand turning into Somalia. Can't remember the last time I was scammed or the victim of corruption. Air quality, ok. I will give you that. Phuket however has the same air quality the western world, if you believe the app data. Always green.

 

5. Can't remember the last time I was the victim of dual pricing.

 

6. Nah, some places are really boring.

 

7. Been here since 2009, never seen a fight, or violence. Now, in the UK it is a different story. You get bashed for fun by teenagers. The police call it "recreational violence" there. Bizarre term for a developed nation to have. How many dangerous ghettos are there here? I reckon half the housing estates around major UK cities would be dangerous to just go wandering in. You can walk around Bangkok, or any city without concern, day or night. They don't have "rough areas" here. Khlong Toei Port maybe only.

 

8. Well, I could live in the West and be hated for being a straight white male, or I could live in Japan where nobody will sit beside me on the train cos am white, or be not allowed in entertainment venues due to not being Japanese. I will take the "farang farang" thing. Thanks. Seems the lesser of evils. And often, it works in my favour. Lol. So it balances out.

 

9. I love the rainy season. I love the cool season. Right now, beautiful weather. March and April are too hot, yes.

 

10. What's your idea of high quality food? Okay, you don't have good beef or salmon, but the local offerings are delicious. And there is SO much choice, everywhere.

 

11. Yeah, safest place I have lived. No concern of getting bashed by a Thai for no reason just cos it is 3am and he has had too much to drink.

 

12. You have the SkyTrain, underground, riverboats, taxis, motorcycle taxis, tuk tuks, buses. What more do you want? Outside of Bangkok traffic ain't heavy. You can do everything at 7eleven (e.g. book a bus ticket, train, flight, pay any bill, pay a bank loan) etc etc. Street food right outside your home, unless you live in a rice field. How could it be any more convenient.

 

 

 

 

[2009]

6 hours ago, A1Str8 said:

You serious about number one on your list? In which Thailand do you reside, sir?

 

At least the nation as a whole have the decency to wear masks during a pandemic!

 

I think the pandemic has really shown us which nations are mature.

 

If you wear a mask in the UK, you get laughed at, ridiculed, and called names. Too cool for school, those kids.

 

Thai youths are not too embarrassed to hold the grandparents' hand to cross the road. Another beautiful example of Thai culture.

[Kwasaki]

12 hours ago, 2009 said:

What about you?

Well I am Thailand out of choice If for any reason I couldn't stay I'd go Philippines.

[Stocky]

Malaysia