Big Decision: Which Asian country is ideal for foreign retirees?

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, geisha said:

I’m lucky enough to live in the south of France near Cannes, 200 m from beach, perfectly clean and water checked regularly to get the blue flag. I’ve nearly always spent winters in Thailand, sometimes Bali or S America. I think, probably with age creeping up, I’ve had my dose of Thailand. Nothing functions here, the place is falling apart. Corruption is rife and poverty on the rise. For my future getaways, I’m planning the south coasts of Italy, went to southern Spain last year …Seville and Granada , I was blown away. Great people. Can speak there too, hold conversations is becoming a necessity. Then, as soon as the worse of this pandemic is over, I’m planning on French Polynesia . Loads of the most beautiful islands in the world to visit , and why not Fiji etc after. Don’t think I’ll settle anywhere for very long, 3 months is fine .I think there’s an age where you can be adventurous, tread unknown paths, take a few mild risks, ( the jungles trecks in Borneo being one) . Seen so many beautiful,places, Machu Picchu, lake Titicaca, Equator, Brazil and jungles , Guatemala volcanos and Mexican lost temples, everything is beautiful . Why limit yourself to Asia, I’ve been nearly everywhere, except North and South Korea, the world is huge and we have a choice. As someone above said, you don’t have to retire all year in one country . Of course, those are my views not for the average retiree I suppose. 

I love France, but so much found of french, as many other nathionalites with to much pride and arrogance (generally speaking out of my own experience) 

 

I could enjoy Switzerland, but then again, the need for sun and hot weather in the winter would rule out Switzerland

[Burma Bill]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

One major benefit of retiring in Cambodia is the ability and ease to obtain long-term visas.

Yes indeed, and one of the reasons why I left bureaucratic Thailand after 20 years to settle happily "next door" (2 years to date).  One does not deal with an Immigration Office for starters, only an official local agent who checks your application form, collects your passport and 300 US$ (or thereabouts) for an annual retirement visa and sends to Phnom Penh Immigration Office for processing. No proof of income, no large sum of money in the bank, in fact no bank account at all and no insurance requirements. Once in possession of your annual retirement visa that is it until renewing it 12 months later. NO 90-day reports, no TM30's etc. What you must check is that you are registered on FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System) which is the duty of your hotel, landlord, house owner etc. and NOT YOU. So easy and totally hassle free!

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, Caldera said:

Vietnam doesn't even have a retirement visa, so much as I like visiting the country, it has no business being on that list.

 

If Thailand didn't have an incompetent government and nonsensical immigration procedures, it would be pretty much perfect. Even as it is, I think it's pretty good.

Been to Vietnam several times, over a 20 year period. Both the north and the South. Generally found the people to be heavy hearted, not particularly friendly, a bit like cold fish, and not playful like the Thais. 

 

Been there as a single man and with my Thai woman. They were even worse with my woman. Rude and cold. No thanks. 

[AsiaCheese]

Who wrote this no-research, no-reality "article"? There are a whole list of non-gems that should be mentioned for various of the listed countries... Not wanting to be negative, but solid information before you decide to move to a country is what it takes, not a page filler.

[oslooskar]

5 hours ago, NanaSomchai said:

Yes and yes. That implies Indonesia falls under the same category.

 

Singapore is not a Muslim country but it also has caning, just like Malaysia and Indonesia.

[Jingthing]

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Been to Vietnam several times, over a 20 year period. Both the north and the South. Generally found the people to be heavy hearted, not particularly friendly, a bit like cold fish, and not playful like the Thais. 

 

Been there as a single man and with my Thai woman. They were even worse with my woman. Rude and cold. No thanks. 

Hearing their language raises my blood pressure.

Liking a country or not is often a matter of temperament.

 

[Screaming]

Canada should be on this list as Canada is mostly owned by China.

[bkk6060]

I hated Malaysia would never waste my time or money there. And, Malaysia's Islamic population seems to have strong anti western sentiment from my experience.  True story: taking a taxi from the airport to KL the taxi driver told me he thought Osama Bin Laden was a hero.  Welcome to Malaysia!

[oslooskar]

5 hours ago, blazes said:

Prefer Spain myself.  Almost anywhere there, but especially Seville and  Granada...

If I didn't have family here in Thailand, Spain would have been my first choice. Especially, Formentera or Ibiza.

[blazes]

2 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

If I didn't have family here in Thailand, Spain would have been my first choice. Especially, Formentera or Ibiza.

Too many drunk Ingerlish on Ibiza!!

[QPRFC]

6 hours ago, steven100 said:

Why  ?    Vietnam is better than the Philippines in my view.   Philippines is ok but their food leaves alot to be desired.

Because long term visas are unavailable. There isn't a retirement or study programme in place. 

Vietnamese visas are a nightmare to obtain, even 3 monthly ones. 

[RafPinto]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

I recently moved to live on the island of Mauritius... wait!  I think I mentioned that before ????

wasn't it Turkey?

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

If I didn't have family here in Thailand, Spain would have been my first choice. Especially, Formentera or Ibiza.

I think I would hate living in Ibiza. I went there when I was 35 and was regarded as a very old man.

[Jingthing]

Just now, RafPinto said:

wasn't it Turkey?

Pay attention!

[NanaSomchai]

10 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

If I didn't have family here in Thailand, Spain would have been my first choice. Especially, Formentera or Ibiza.

Malaga and Cadiz is where it's at.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, NanaSomchai said:

Singapore is THE true gem of South East Asia.

 

PROS:

 

- Amazing infrastructure.

- Best healthcare of the entire region.

- Regional internet hub (think of fiber internet symmetrical 1Gbps installed in every homes).

- No censorship laws of any kind.

- Helpful police/government officials.

- Zero tolerance to drugs or corruption.

- Reasonable real estate laws.

- One of the most fair legal/laws system in the World.

 

CONS:

 

- Real estate is unaffordable to most of us.

- Bad/terrible food with arguably poor hygiene (but this is very subjective).

- Poor pay4play female interactions.

 

Basically Singapore is the Switzerland of Asia.

 

Nothing else comes even close to it, not even Hong Kong.

For working expats.

Its not a place for retired expats.

[jerrymahoney]

2 hours ago, geisha said:

As someone above said, you don’t have to retire all year in one country . Of course, those are my views not for the average retiree I suppose. 

In the words of Han Solo:

 

Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other; I've seen a lot of strange stuff...

 

I traveled in Asia for work for almost 20 years and nowadays have no desire to travel unless there is a need to travel. And living in what would be the equivalent of Iowa in Thailand doesn't bother me at all.

[Brian Hull]

Thailand does NOT have an easy to renew annual retirement visa. You need to prove THB 800,000 (USD$25K) income p.a. or income/fixed deposit in a bank which is higher than social security pensions from most countries. In addition you require expensive health cover. I do not understand why Thailand isn't content to settle for annual income/assets of say THB 500,000 paid by Social Security in the vatious countries directly into a Thai bank, considering that it is coming in as foreign currency and EVERY BAHT OF IT IS GOING TO BE SPENT IN THAILAND. What's the downside?

[Buffy Frobisher]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Is this not due to the implementation of Shariah Law?

Yes, that's true, but if a foreign guy wants to marry a Muslim girl he must officially convert to Islam, and then Sharia law applies to him too. I speak from experience.

 

I married a fabulous LBFM, but everything changed as soon as the wedding was over and she decided to "cover up". Then, of course, when you've had enough of the BS that goes with that religion and want to get out, you have to renounce your ties to the religion, at which time Sharia law says that you can be killed for being an apostate.  Practically speaking, you divorce her and get on the next plane out of town never to return, because the family or the Malay Religious Police (yep, they exist too to stop people having affairs) WILL come after you.

 

The crazy thing is that if a Muslim guy wants to marry a woman of another faith, she doesn't have to convert to Islam. And he can have as many of them that he wants.

 

Malay women are incredibly beautiful and intelligent, but it became the horror story of my life getting out of Islam and Malaysia. Cross it off the list!

[oslooskar]

4 hours ago, NanaSomchai said:

These destinations only lack one very important thing: WOMEN. No pay4play experience.

 

So, there are no more ladies of the night hanging out in those bars on Calle Robador in Barcelona????

[blazes]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

I recently moved to live on the island of Mauritius... wait!  I think I mentioned that before ????

Tell us more about Mauritius, pros and cons.  Everything I've ever heard of it suggests it is paradisal....

[NanaSomchai]

5 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

So, there are no more ladies of the night hanging out in those bars on Calle Robador in Barcelona????

Not since COVID-19 has hit the nightlife industry very harshly.

[Hummin]

12 minutes ago, Brian Hull said:

Thailand does NOT have an easy to renew annual retirement visa. You need to prove THB 800,000 (USD$25K) income p.a. or income/fixed deposit in a bank which is higher than social security pensions from most countries. In addition you require expensive health cover. I do not understand why Thailand isn't content to settle for annual income/assets of say THB 500,000 paid by Social Security in the vatious countries directly into a Thai bank, considering that it is coming in as foreign currency and EVERY BAHT OF IT IS GOING TO BE SPENT IN THAILAND. What's the downside?

Transfer minimum 65 000,- bath a month 12 months, or embassy approved income, no insurance proof needed when renewed in Thailand

[simon43]

25 minutes ago, RafPinto said:

wasn't it Turkey?

Er nope - that was a mistake on my part! Too cold in the winter ????

[The Hammer2021]

17 minutes ago, blazes said:

Tell us more about Mauritius, pros and cons.  Everything I've ever heard of it suggests it is paradisal....

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10507805/Ex-partner-one-UKs-richest-financiers-leave-Mauritius-ill-father.html

[flexomike]

15 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Transfer minimum 65 000,- bath a month 12 months, or embassy approved income, no insurance proof needed when renewed in Thailand

Not true if you are on an OA visa or extension from it

 

[Misterwhisper]

11 hours ago, RubbaJohnny said:

If starting again Japan, Israel or Indonesia

Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama -- all of them offer easy retirement conditions and a favorable cost-of-living index. 

[The Hammer2021]

20 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

So, there are no more ladies of the night hanging out in those bars on Calle Robador in Barcelona????

That kind of sordid, sleazy, 15 minute wham bam on sweat stained sheets with a pimped, trafficked junkie is not comparable to night life here in Thailand

[NanaSomchai]

2 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

That kind of sordid, sleazy, 15 minute wham bam on sweat stained sheets with a pimped, trafficked junkie is not comparable to night life here in Thailand

For once (but just once) I'll have to agree with you. That place is sordid, drugs den and HIV nest.

 

Not the typical GFE experience you would be getting in Thailand.

 

[NanaSomchai]

6 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama -- all of them offer easy retirement conditions and a favorable cost-of-living index. 

- Ecuador, Portugal, Costa Rica: Yes.

- Panama, Mexico: So, so.

- Uruguay, Paraguay: Not at all.

 

Off that list two retain my attention:

 

- Portugal has decent healthcare and hospitals, should things go bad, you can rely on it's hospital system, if not, in case of a lethal injury, Spain and France are next door.

 

- Mexico has poor healthcare and the quality of hospitals is less than desirable, however it is geographically on USA's doorsteps, therefore; if you have the $$$ and can afford it, in case of a serious trauma, it's always good to know the good ole' USA are next door.

 

Again, my two cents.