I know the denizens here are in love (or in lust) with Thailand. 

 

But what if....what if visas for foreigners were rescinded or not renewable for 1 or 2 years, due to covid/political strife/anything. 

 

Assuming "going home" is out of the question. 

 

Where would you move for a year or two (or longer) to create a life? Why?

I and my lady have many family and friends in Italy, particularly Rome.

 

We would go there, great food, great wine and a massive Asian community!

 

The weather isn't too bad either ????

 

EDIT I could likely get a job there too ???? 

Single, no kids, PI for sure for awhile or else go back to USA. Kinda missing it.

I'd go where the government has not destroyed it's economy and culture with it's response to Covid.  Places like Sweden.

13 minutes ago, connda said:

I'd go where the government has not destroyed it's economy and culture with it's response to Covid.  Places like Sweden.

Not the UK obviously....55

Scotland.....God's country.

I could try Rarotonga, but boredom would probably get the better of me, and I'm not one for swimming and sandy beaches, although those on this island are absolutely spectacular.

 

In reality, Spain, where I have friends, or I could try Portugal or perhaps even Crete – – places that have good food and wine and don't get too cold.

Malaysia is always my first love and the first place I landed when I left the USA. I only came to Thailand from Malaysia for a change of pace and had never been here before. Met a girl...you know the rest. Malaysian people are much more outgoing and accepting of foreigners, almost everyone speaks a comfortable level of English and the food is outrageous. Covid not withstanding, I enjoy traveling to Malaysia a couple of times every year...it feels like home.

Education of my kids has to take first priority; they were doing fine in Thailand until the last lockdown, and next (school) year is pretty serious  for my eldest, so we can take no chances.

We would either go to Singapore , where we have lived before , or back to Uk. 

If it was not for my Thai wife, I would move to Greece in a heartbeat . Nice climate, great food, I speak the language to the point where if I don' t talk too much I can pass for a native.  and because of my parents I can qualify for a Greek passport.

It is an EU country , so for most Europeans it is easy to retire there, but even if not, an investment of 250K Euros in Real estate (about 280K after tax) will get you permanent residency.  Nice dry summers, a little bit of winter to get your ski fix, . We are going there end of this summer and I am getting my Greek passport, all I need is to produce some documents that I already have. Then we will see. 

7 minutes ago, sirineou said:

If it was not for my Thai wife, I would move to Greece in a heartbeat . Nice climate, great food, I speak the language to the point where if I don' t talk too much I can pass for a native.  and because of my parents I can qualify for a Greek passport.

It is an EU country , so for most Europeans it is easy to retire there, but even if not, an investment of 250K Euros in Real estate (about 280K after tax) will get you permanent residency.  Nice dry summers, a little bit of winter to get your ski fix, . We are going there end of this summer and I am getting my Greek passport, all I need is to produce some documents that I already have. Then we will see. 

 

You listed the positives of Greece but not the negatives with the crazy taxations in property, solidarity taxes to name a few which you will have to pay as a resident. Other than that I agree with you that Greece could make a perfect retirement place specially if someone has the funds. 

 

 

Being stuck for 15 months in the UK I think it classifies as 'extended period'.

 

I'd always come back home. 

 

I just would not get stuck in this dire skid mark in your grundies town known as Blackpool next time.

 

This said, I'd probably turf out my tenant in my house along the river Thames after tenancy ended, no better place on earth to live than my home town,

Some of these posts are pathetic

People raving about going home

 

Nothing is stopping you going home nothing, stop pretending you can’t go because of this and that, you won’t go home because you don’t want to go home.

You live in Thailand because your happy in Thailand, but many won’t admit to being happy.

 

are you being held against your will to stay in Thailand!!!!

 

I repeat Nothing is physically stopping you from going home

4 minutes ago, capriole said:

 

You listed the positives of Greece but not the negatives with the crazy taxations in property, solidarity taxes to name a few which you will have to pay as a resident. Other than that I agree with you that Greece could make a perfect retirement place specially if someone has the funds. 

 

 

As with every place there are a few negatives.

Fuel is expensive, electric rates are (I think) the highest in Europe, But  for the most part the negatives are balanced by the positives. My brother has retired there, and lives a comfortable life on about a $2000 a month   pension. He has a big property in Agion in the Peloponnese , a few minutes from the beach, and he pays about 600 euros a year property tax.  If I moved there I would rent for a while, rents are very cheap, 

Anyway, now that I am retired, and have the time, I will look into it when I go there this summer. I would go now, but I want to make sure I can get back without quarantine. that's why I keep saying end of summer, by then I will have a better idea what's going on with covid in Thailand.  

3 minutes ago, bolt said:

Some of these posts are pathetic

People raving about going home

 

Nothing is stopping you going home nothing, stop pretending you can’t go because of this and that, you won’t go home because you don’t want to go home.

You live in Thailand because your happy in Thailand, but many won’t admit to being happy.

 

are you being held against your will to stay in Thailand!!!!

 

I repeat Nothing is physically stopping you from going home

Did you read to Original Post??

1 hour ago, La Quenta said:

Where would you move for a year or two (or longer) to create a life? Why?

I'd buy a run down farmhouse in France, and camp in it until I was deported.

Drink a lot of cheap wine, eat a lot of cheese, and grow cannabis.

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'd buy a run down farmhouse in France, and camp in it until I was deported.

Drink a lot of cheap wine, eat a lot of cheese, and grow cannabis.

Sounds like heaven...only allowed 90 days now...... thanks to Bunter.

No fixed idea now but probably in the area of Rome where all the cuisine and the theater is queen at least before Covid and the winter is pleasant and the population has a knowledge of living well, with no report 90 days and Visa.

 

 

2 minutes ago, ICELANDMAN said:

No fixed idea now but probably in the area of Rome where all the cuisine and the theater is queen at least before Covid and the winter is pleasant and the population has a knowledge of living well.

 

 

Rome....blew me away.......went a couple of years ago......absolutely amazing.

I'd like to at least check out East Timor. Might not like it but like to have a look.

 

Next up....Belize

 

Like to spend some time in Almaty too.

I heard the next plan is to make Pattaya into a sovereign city-state like Monaco. 

 

I'll wait for that. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

Not the UK obviously....55

 

     Aint welcome there anymore , sure ..

      Bridges burned . 55

1 hour ago, connda said:

I'd go where the government has not destroyed it's economy and culture with it's response to Covid.  Places like Sweden.

 

No problem staying here then?

37 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'd buy a run down farmhouse in France, and camp in it until I was deported.

Drink a lot of cheap wine, eat a lot of cheese, and grow cannabis.

 

      Good idea .

      That said , i will not buy property again .

      That said , i will not say , I Do , again ....55

    

37 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Rome....blew me away.......went a couple of years ago......absolutely amazing.

 

Been twice , the first time was my first trip out of the country many years ago and was amazed (but i think this is more to the fact that It was my first trip abroad). Second time after visiting MANY other countries , not so much. Actually got really bored in the 1 week I stayed there. Can't really say I would like to stay there for more than 3 days.

Can't understand what people find fascinating about Rome once you get to visit the historic landmarks.

 

It is dirty ,infested with beggars , wise-guys and thiefs (good luck going to the police , I don't think I ever saw a more careless police force) and is basically hoards of people with cameras flocking every street at every hour.

Food? I had much better pizza, pasta, seafood in other places than in the best rated restaurant on google reviews.

Nah.  It is basically a city destroyed by iresponsabile tourism. Once you go big to millions of tourists each year it is impossible to keep the quality high.

41 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'd buy a run down farmhouse in France, and camp in it until I was deported.

Drink a lot of cheap wine, eat a lot of cheese, and grow cannabis.

Sounds like you will have it kushy ..

Definitely none of the countries on this list. If I had to leave Thailand due to visa issues, as per the OP's scenario, I would most likely move to a country where I don't have to deal with immigration at all. Which means the EU in my case, and my most likely pick would be either Spain or Greece.

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I'd buy a run down farmhouse in France, and camp in it until I was deported.

Drink a lot of cheap wine, eat a lot of cheese, and grow cannabis.

Absolutely perfect! But don't buy the run down farmhouse. Just OCCUPY it. (just tell 'em, that you are a staunch communist and you don't like the capitalist ways).

 

After 90 days do the same in Portugal. Then in Spain. The rest of the year you will be spending in Switzerland, claiming to be a refugee from Afghanistan. Then start over in France. Rinse and repeat.

Disadvantages: France das 250 different kinds of cheese. You will never know wich one you like best.
                             Portugal: The local Music (the Fado) is so sad, you will leave Portugal with a serious depression.
                             Spain: To approch the "Senioritas", you must prove that you are a trustworthy Catholic and offer marriage.
                            Switzerland: The boredom (in comfort) will drive you back to the 250 different cheeses in France. OR: More likely, end up in Thailand again.

 

cant happen. expats here have thai kids / wife/ property / residence  / business etc.

so cant just be forced out (barring CCP style takeover......)

everywhere has pros & cons. we are settled here for very good reasons having considered the options many years ago.we shall not be moved !

however places I have enjoyed living / working the most are Spain / Italy / Malaysia 

Spain or England