Living in Thailand vs living in America?

[jack71]

I've always wanted to live in the States. I'm getting quite tired of living here in Thailand. 

 

Then I saw this video.  'Walking Kensington Ave K&A [4K]' 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ1Wq7gHSyI

 

I know its the extreme side of America but made me think about the fact that perhaps its not so bad here. 

 

I would like to here from some Americans about their country at the moment. 

Edited August 13, 2022 by jack71

[Iamfalang]

 

[Iamfalang]

You are going to find what you want to find.

 

YouTube "meth problem Thailand"     oh, why live there.

              "massages Pattaya"             OMG, I'll retire there

            "rich American city"                Wow, that's so great

           "homeless America."               OMG, I'll never go there.

 

Philly, Baltimore, NYC, Chicago, LA, etc.... all have bad places.   

 

And Philly also has 5,000,000 USD houses.   Now probably 10,000,000 USD.

 

Nobody cares if you go there or not..................maybe you can try

 

Youtube    "Jungle Thailand alone"                 wow, so exciting 

                  "Thailand on $10 a day"                 great..............lol................horrible.  lol

    

 

[Iamfalang]

 

[gargamon]

The US is in the middle of collapse. Expect a dictator similar to Putin to be running it in 10 years.

[Jerno]

If you like all your neighbors and most strangers carrying guns everywhere, schools unsafe due to violence and shootings, and all aspects of Health Care 20 or 30 times the cost than Thailand, go ahead make your move to America. You would be much happier and safer in Canada or one of many European countries.

Edited August 13, 2022 by Jerno
Edit

[Pawpcorn]

Just one American voice speaking... but after having lived my first 55 years in the states?

 

Thailand is heaven on earth, comparatively. Here since 2006, and never considered returning.

 

The above posts are very valid, by the way.

[Sticky Rice Balls]

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Expect a dictator similar to Putin to be running it in 10 years.

Biden beat him by record votes in 2020.....speaking of 10 yrs hes in a bit of trouble as well....

[Sparktrader]

West is rubbish.

[The Hammer2021]

If I had  the choice  and budget to live anywhere in  the world the USA would be very low on  the list. Its dreadful. Has been since I was last there in the 60s. There are not enough pejorative adjectives to explain how depressing it is.

[Grecian]

Idaho is very different from inner city chicago. 

Living on 2000 USD very different from 10,000 USD

Single and lonely very different from ....you get the idea.

more details needed.

[Damrongsak]

I like the US in general.  Lots of things bug me and the future doesn't look rosy. 

 

The Thai relatives that we sponsored to come here 10 or so years ago don't want to go back.  All but one are citizens now. Sis-in-law owns/runs a Thai restaurant.  Bro-in-law had a little motorcycle repair business in Thailand.  Recently he got a mechanic job here at a Honda/Yamaha dealership and he's loving it.  He's making up to $950/week with performance incentives.

[The Fugitive]

9 minutes ago, Damrongsak said:

I like the US in general.  Lots of things bug me and the future doesn't look rosy. 

 

The Thai relatives that we sponsored to come here 10 or so years ago don't want to go back.  All but one are citizens now. Sis-in-law owns/runs a Thai restaurant.  Bro-in-law had a little motorcycle repair business in Thailand.  Recently he got a mechanic job here at a Honda/Yamaha dealership and he's loving it.  He's making up to $950/week with performance incentives.

Have a Thai Aunt who owns a Thai restaurant in Amarillo, Texas. She splits her time between U.S.A. and Thailand. She has no intention of retiring and giving up her restaurant in the States.

[Northstar1]

13 minutes ago, Damrongsak said:

I like the US in general.  Lots of things bug me and the future doesn't look rosy. 

 

The Thai relatives that we sponsored to come here 10 or so years ago don't want to go back.  All but one are citizens now. Sis-in-law owns/runs a Thai restaurant.  Bro-in-law had a little motorcycle repair business in Thailand.  Recently he got a mechanic job here at a Honda/Yamaha dealership and he's loving it.  He's making up to $950/week with performance incentives.

Well said, far more opportunities in the west, yes there are bad places in both countries, but I don’t live there.

my hometown is clean , safe, affordable, quiet, no one running around with guns, 

yes, quite happy!

[pomchop]

  As i get older the thing i miss most about Thailand is FUN.....if you are so inclined you can always have fun joking around with Thai people ..in usa trying to joke around often just gets you strange looks or if it happens to be a  hot gal perhaps a ride in a police car.

 

  Bottom line is to me Thailand is just more fun...i get a kick out of observing all the strange and funny to me things that Thais can do. I love being smiled at all the time (yes i know some are fake smiles but still better than a sad frown).  I love listening to how Thais can mangle the English language and string together non sensical sentences that may not make sense but are fun to hear. I love watching how Thais come up with ways to solve problems without spending a fortune.  I love to watch how Thais seem able to avoid most conflicts by just ignoring it.

 

  The older I get the more I realize that one of the most valuable things in life is to  smile more, laugh more and have more FUN.  If you can't have fun in Thailand I suspect you need to take a good look in the mirror as sanuk is all around you.

Edited August 13, 2022 by pomchop

[KIngsofisaan]

Why not compare Thailand to Fisher Island in Miami, Florida where the lots start around US $35,000,000 each, instead a bad place like the video you posted?

[KIngsofisaan]

5 hours ago, gargamon said:

The US is in the middle of collapse. Expect a dictator similar to Putin to be running it in 10 years.

And who exactly is running Thailand at the moment?

[KIngsofisaan]

3 hours ago, Jerno said:

If you like all your neighbors and most strangers carrying guns everywhere, schools unsafe due to violence and shootings, and all aspects of Health Care 20 or 30 times the cost than Thailand, go ahead make your move to America. You would be much happier and safer in Canada or one of many European countries.

Do you know what Medicare is?

[KIngsofisaan]

2 hours ago, Sparktrader said:

West is rubbish.

Lots of rubbish all over Thailand if you open your eyes.

 

 

[Jingthing]

5 hours ago, gargamon said:

The US is in the middle of collapse. Expect a dictator similar to Putin to be running it in 10 years.

More than likely I would agree. I'm not sure I would call that a collapse. The majority of one of the two viable parties actively want a strong man authoritarian leader. Putin as horrible as he is, has enjoyed strong support for most of his rule, but it is in a phase of weakening based on his own mistakes.

[Jingthing]

Kensington Avenue?

I doubt I could afford the rent in such a swanky area.

[Credo]

Having lived in both and now going back and forth.  It's hard to say for sure.  I think Thailand is a lot more fun but I get exasperated with crowds and traffic and the general chaos.  The US has a lot of really, really nice areas, and not all are expensive.  If you want to live in a big city, it's going to cost you.   If you are willing and comfortable in more rural areas, a lot is available.  

Life in the states is generally convenient.  I can get to the grocery store in minutes.  The roads are generally good and driving is a breeze.   Driving in Thailand was never a pleasant experience.   

 

If you have good insurance, medical care is excellent and usually convenient.   

 

The social life is more difficult in the US.  Unlike Thailand, going out for the evening means driving or taking an Uber.  Public transportation is not a viable option in all except the larger cities.  Driving means somebody needs to be sober.   So, things aren't particularly spontaneous.   So, socially I'd rank Thailand better and the US closer to boring.  If you are into bands, concerts, art, museums, the US has a lot of them (not compared to Europe, but a lot more than Thailand).   

[Jingthing]

What income do you expect to have in the U.S.?

Let's say 100K a year which sounds like a lot from a Thailand perspective but it would not be good in Manhattan but would be quite good in nice places like Asheville North Carolina. 

[KIngsofisaan]

First, you have would have to have the option of living in both places.

 

Second, you would need to be able to afford living in the USA or both places.

 

That being said, if you can afford it, both locations have good and bad points

 

I enjoyed Thailand a heck of lot more when I was young. 

 

Loads of good times in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, you name it. Traveling and seeing ALL of Thailand and surrounding countries.

 

Sooner or later as you get older and older and older, it is more about staying healthy and alive than it is anything else.

 

If you are in your 70's you will understand this (But this being Thailand, I am sure there are some 70+ still stuck on a barstool somewhere)

 

@Credo has a lot of good points.

 

Been thinking alot lately about spending more time in the US. (Although I do not want to artificially extend my life in a US hospital for any reason. Much prefer a shot of morphine, dying in Isaan, and getting cremated with a bag of marijuana!)

 

Wife is a educated, US citizen. She can stand on her own 2 feet in either location. She can always make her own choices where to reside.

 

Have VA hospital care and medicare. Can get care and get to the hospital in an emergency quite quickly, if need be

 

US cost a hell of a lot more than it did. According to our son, restaurants, stores, customer service in general going to hell as the new generation doesn't seem to care about anything other than social media.

 

Isaan is a quiet life, loads of family and no stress. It is quite boring, but sometimes boring is OK. No stress and no drama. Just living a normal life like everyone else.

 

US, everything paid for, can get to everything quickly and quite easily. No traffic chaos at all.

 

You find in life, many of those around you are too busy with their own lives and families to make time for you.

 

So, maybe the location doesn't really matter. 

 

It is up to you to make your own happy life in whichever location you end up in.

 

Married a long, long, long time now.

 

Appreciated the younger years and appreciate everything my wife has done for me since the day we met.

 

My life is pretty much dedicated to make sure she has it easy when I kick it.

 

That being said, we have choices for a while longer and can enjoy both

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pomchop]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

What income do you expect to have in the U.S.?

Let's say 100K a year which sounds like a lot from a Thailand perspective but it would not be good in Manhattan but would be quite good in nice places like Asheville North Carolina. 

Asheville not so cheap anymore as it has been "discovered".

[HappyExpat57]

Every time I visit family and friends in the US, I am reminded why I no longer live there.

[Iamfalang]

Opportunity?  America, all day and twice on Saturdays.   Jokers can make $100,000 a year and some over $300,000 without being too smart.   In Thailand, $12,000 a year for falangs.

 

Convenience.  America all day and it's actually real.  The best food, technology, houses, whatever.....it's there.  Thailand, cheap but likely fake and it will break.   

 

Lazy.  Thailand all day.   Cheap massages, cheap rent, cheap "food" and you can be lazy forever.

 

Weather.  America.   Seasons.  If you love the death heat and smoke, well, up to you.  However, the rainy season is cooler.

 

People.   Depends on you.   In America, you can talk to their language.   Deep conversations.  Real relationships.  Here, "Food...ok, ok...good good? short time?"   The kindest people I met have been in America, but I've met many, many kind people in Thailand.   In America, they'll give you money, food, help you move, whatever......here, smiles.  

 

Women:  I'm guessing 150 million women in America.  35 million in Thailand.  Both.  

 

Education.   If you don't know this one, I can't help you.

 

Hospitals.  If rich, America.  If not, probably Thailand unless you have good insurance.  

 

Safety.   Probably Thailand.  Never had a problem in America in 50-years, but there are a few sketchy moments.  But I was young, drinking, that happens..... In America, people will help you.    Here, not sure.   But it's pretty safe here.

 

Scenery:   America, all day.   No question.  Has everything, but you have to travel.  

 

Here's the take:

 

grow up in America, work in America, get rich in America and then see if you are rich enough to enjoy a nice retirement.   Most rich Americans are never going to pick Thailand to retire. Maybe a week trip.    If you aren't rich, and don't mind being lazy with language problems and you worry about money and health bills..............Thailand.

[2baht]

America? Damn it Chip, wherrrre's ma gun?

[habuspasha]

I have lived in Manhattan for almost fifty years (at various pay-grades, but always happily and comfortably).  Now as I start my retirement I hope to split my time between Manhattan and Thailand.  For me, the question is: what kind of Thailand?  My GF prefers Hua Hin; I like the Andaman.  I could never afford beachfront or a half million US for a sinking condo in BK.  I'm fortunate in having a nice subsidized apartment in Manhattan and Medicare.  But every place has its compensations.  NY salaries rise to meet rent costs; Thai gov't jobs cover medical needs.  The cost of living in Thailand is a third of U.S.  There are always work-arounds if you want something enough.  Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia is a horrible disgrace--We Americans  should be shamed, perhaps especially those of us who live so much more comfortably.  But Kensington Avenue is not the U.S.--anymore than Fifth Avenue.

[KIngsofisaan]

28 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Every time I visit family and friends in the US, I am reminded why I no longer live there.

Yet you didn't remind us?