For retired expats What do you do for excitement

[tmd5855]

Started living Thailand for tax reasons whilst working offshore in Asia aged 49 in 2004, in 2010 made a retirement plan, in 2015 aged 59 retired debt free so when the yearly lease on my Pattaya villa came up for renewal moved lock and stock to my Issan home.  Met/introduced to a clothes shop owner in the Mall in Korat 2015, we got on that well in November 2017 we married. 

Have a Thai company that purchased some land where I built a retirement home to my wants and needs in 2011.  Every year accounts drawn up, tax paid to government.

 

Have a koi carp pond, 1 car, 3 motorbikes one of which my Ninja 650 still brings smiles to this 67 year old, have 10 dogs running around the walled perimeter, 5 are German Shepherds (2 rescued) and 5 Thai dogs, all rescued, some dogs have disabilities owing to have been run over before coming here, one GSD were a sniffer dog for the Thai army and lost a rear paw down South in a trap.  The GSD's are loving and affectionate, but, if never introduced to you/them they revert to type, do not try and climb over the walls to steal as two drunken lads found out a few years back, the local police were excellent in their handling of the matter in that, 100% blame for their painful injuries were their own fault and Karma were at work.

 

Enjoy my garden, reading books, love the solitude of being the only farang in the village/area.

Doing DIY around the house, making and modifying things in my workshop attempting to install solar powered pumps to complement my solar lighting.  Taking the lemons from the trees and bottling the juice for consumption every morning, eat the mangoes as they come.

 

Watching TV via a box that all Issan households have??  Enjoying my twilight years with a great woman whose family has never created any issues and provide overnight accommodation if I ever visit Korat alone.  Have virtually stopped drinking beer, but, a local mum & pop shop down the Soi has chilled, big bottles of Leo at 60baht.  Today going out on a 180km round trip using the Ninja 650 to see an elderly friend who needs cheering up, will have two beers at the local Soi shop on my return before they close for the day at 7:30pm.

 

If you have hobbies, interests and like solitude then village life in Thailand can be great.  No longer take blood pressure tablets........ 

Why!!  No longer have a Farang wife who created so much stress it made me ill 

[hotandsticky]

3 minutes ago, tmd5855 said:

Started living Thailand for tax reasons whilst working offshore in Asia aged 49 in 2004, in 2010 made a retirement plan, in 2015 aged 59 retired debt free so when the yearly lease on my Pattaya villa came up for renewal moved lock and stock to my Issan home.  Met/introduced to a clothes shop owner in the Mall in Korat 2015, we got on that well in November 2017 we married. 

Have a Thai company that purchased some land where I built a retirement home to my wants and needs in 2011.  Every year accounts drawn up, tax paid to government.

 

Have a koi carp pond, 1 car, 3 motorbikes one of which my Ninja 650 still brings smiles to this 67 year old, have 10 dogs running around the walled perimeter, 5 are German Shepherds (2 rescued) and 5 Thai dogs, all rescued, some dogs have disabilities owing to have been run over before coming here, one GSD were a sniffer dog for the Thai army and lost a rear paw down South in a trap.  The GSD's are loving and affectionate, but, if never introduced to you/them they revert to type, do not try and climb over the walls to steal as two drunken lads found out a few years back, the local police were excellent in their handling of the matter in that, 100% blame for their painful injuries were their own fault and Karma were at work.

 

Enjoy my garden, reading books, love the solitude of being the only farang in the village/area.

Doing DIY around the house, making and modifying things in my workshop attempting to install solar powered pumps to complement my solar lighting.  Taking the lemons from the trees and bottling the juice for consumption every morning, eat the mangoes as they come.

 

Watching TV via a box that all Issan households have??  Enjoying my twilight years with a great woman whose family has never created any issues and provide overnight accommodation if I ever visit Korat alone.  Have virtually stopped drinking beer, but, a local mum & pop shop down the Soi has chilled, big bottles of Leo at 60baht.  Today going out on a 180km round trip using the Ninja 650 to see an elderly friend who needs cheering up, will have two beers at the local Soi shop on my return before they close for the day at 7:30pm.

 

If you have hobbies, interests and like solitude then village life in Thailand can be great.  No longer take blood pressure tablets........ 

Why!!  No longer have a Farang wife who created so much stress it made me ill 

 

 

Now THAT sounds like contentment.

 

Financial and emotional security, doing the (simple) things that keep you happy.

 

 

Great to hear a really positive story.

[Inala]

4 hours ago, jimn said:

Yes I retired at 56 in 2013. I bought a house just outside Pattaya with my Thai wife and we spend 7 months a year here. We both return to the UK every May for 4 to 5 months to see my lads and grandchildren. I did not sell my house in the UK like so many do. I am confident I made the right decision as I am with the relationship with my wife who I have been with since 2011 and married since 2014. At 30 years old she is young enough to keep me young and we do many activities that I detailed in my original post together. Best decision I ever made. Dont whatever you do be persuaded to go and live in a Thai village.

Sounds good, pretty much exactly as I plan to do. And there's no way I will end up in a Thai village, I've spent enough time up there to know that it's just too quite for me. 
My only concern is that my house in Oz is quite nice and probably has too much inherent value tied up in it to be just sitting around. I own it outright, but I don't really want the hassle of renting it. I also need to partially update/renovate it, so I was thinking of doing just enough to keep it in good nick ready for when one day I won't be able to fly to and from every year.

Do you rent yours out whilst away or just lock it up? I like the flexibility of being able to return at any time without worrying about tenants. Once you rent it, that option is gone.

How long do you think you can keep up the travelling and living between countries? Do you worry one day you won't be able to get on the plane?  

[aussienam]

On 12/7/2022 at 3:39 PM, stoner said:

so you're the one keeping all of them on thai friendly employed. you are a good man.

555.  All those poor sods sitting at home with their pants around their ankles in front of a laptop/phone, box of tissues, paying crazy money to these young women to arouse them. 

Bars are just lined with girls glued to their phones nowadays for booty calls and FaceTime sessions with desperate blokes.  

The bar experience is not the same anymore.  Boring as hell and a ripoff.  Lucky as we age our libido drops off.  

[Inala]

23 hours ago, Speedhump said:

O&A being a not so well known abbreviation for out and about? ????

 

Your life sounds fine, no need for excitement after a certain age. Breathing every day and a visit every year from my adult kids is enough for me. ????????

 

The downside of enjoying a longish and lazy life with my wife is that if she doesn't make it through her serious illness I'll not really see much future enjoyment in my mid 60s life. Taking up hobbies as a replacement? Hardly even comes close. ????????

What's her chances? I have a mate in the same boat, he just found out his wife has inoperable stage 4 cancer and maybe just a few months to live. He always thought he would be gone well in front of her, so it was a shock for him to realize he would be left behind instead. 

[chilly07]

Staying alive! 

[Jenkins9039]

Sailing, Central, Food (specific restaurants we enjoy), Wine/Cheeses/Hams, BBQ's, Visit Places.

 

May drink (session) in a bar one night a year... fell out of that scene years ago, lot of jealousy and resentment in those bars.

[Lemsta69]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I never liked roller coasters.

I'm scared of them too but I don't tell anybody that because it's just way too embarrassing. 

[Harveyboy]

On 12/6/2022 at 8:36 PM, richard_smith237 said:

There may be some good ideas popping up on this thread... 

 

I’m a long way off from retirement, but I’m already wondering the same...  

After Golf...  countryside walks etc... what else does Thailand offer ?

 

In the UK I’d be making a kit-car...  going for Motorcycle rides... 

Taking mountain bikes on trails (perhaps an e-bike as I get older). 

Lots of good walks etc...

 

 

 

camping ..getting up into the mountains...

Being a dad .. Priceless 

[metisdead]

Grammar police posts and the replies have been removed.

 

Inflammatory posts, troll posts and the replies have been removed.

[jerrymahoney]

So what some espouse on here as the great life in Thailand is what might be called Gentleman Farmer

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman_farmer

[Hummin]

16 hours ago, Jingthing said:

What's excitement?

 

It is your life, your Illusion, you tell us! 
 

Im most happy to wake up without pain, stand up, be able to walk, and hit the gym for two hours. A miracle every day! It could have been a different story. No time to worry, no time to be depressed, its going to over sooner than later, hopefully later

[Hummin]

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I never liked roller coasters.

Life is a rollercoaster

 

feel like a stalker now

[Hummin]

14 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

Something that, judging by the responses, most posters in here have never experienced.

You have morning glory every morning, and sometimes in the middle of the day to without provoking it to happen. A good day

[Hummin]

On 12/7/2022 at 2:32 PM, jimn said:

Well for a start dont live in the middle of nowhere, where your wife dictates your life for you. Live in or near Pattaya. You then have the choice of the beach at Jomtien, nightlife whenever you want it, cinema, eating out, going to the gym, playing golf etc. If you have the funds and are reasonably fit, retirement should be a fun time. If you think you are already on the way out, doing nothing will quickly accelerate that.

For many people a relationship is a an agreement to help and support each other to make a good life. Even you live in middle of nowhere it is not automatically wifes territory. Just wanted to mention it. 

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

For many people a relationship is a an agreement to help and support each other to make a good life. Even you live in middle of nowhere it is not automatically wifes territory. Just wanted to mention it. 

Horses for courses, for sure.

[3NUMBAS]

4 hours ago, aussienam said:

555.  All those poor sods sitting at home with their pants around their ankles in front of a laptop/phone, box of tissues, paying crazy money to these young women to arouse them. 

Bars are just lined with girls glued to their phones nowadays for booty calls and FaceTime sessions with desperate blokes.  

The bar experience is not the same anymore.  Boring as hell and a ripoff.  Lucky as we age our libido drops off.  

and prices have become ridiculous no wonder guys dont take short times any  more

[Inala]

On 12/7/2022 at 6:06 PM, robert888d said:

I am bored to death here now.

That can happen, happened to me the first time I tried to stop.

[heybuz]

Wake up in the morning.

[talahtnut]

I like dodging police check points.

 

[jimn]

23 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

you are comparing a visit w/living there... my home is there, my bed is there, my recliner is there, my computer is there... my friends and family are there... We were raising a kid who I would pick up at school every day... lunch w/friends in town, afternoon nap and foot massage simultaneously... and since there was not much English spoken, I can now speak Thai w/relative fluidity.. not boring at all... 

 

If I visited for a day or two, I might have been bored too...

Sounds really boring. Each to his own though. I imagine you would be doing much the same in your own country. 

[jimn]

14 hours ago, Hummin said:

For many people a relationship is a an agreement to help and support each other to make a good life. Even you live in middle of nowhere it is not automatically wifes territory. Just wanted to mention it. 

Sure I agree with that. However over here it tends to work like that. My wifes mother and sisters are fine when I visit, the father is a bit of a drunkard. Obviously they do not speak English and I have no interest in learning Issan. I speak very little Thai but enough to make myself understood. I cannot think of anything more boring than living there. There is literally nothing and I mean nothing to do. I would go crazy.

[jimn]

20 hours ago, Inala said:

Sounds good, pretty much exactly as I plan to do. And there's no way I will end up in a Thai village, I've spent enough time up there to know that it's just too quite for me. 
My only concern is that my house in Oz is quite nice and probably has too much inherent value tied up in it to be just sitting around. I own it outright, but I don't really want the hassle of renting it. I also need to partially update/renovate it, so I was thinking of doing just enough to keep it in good nick ready for when one day I won't be able to fly to and from every year.

Do you rent yours out whilst away or just lock it up? I like the flexibility of being able to return at any time without worrying about tenants. Once you rent it, that option is gone.

How long do you think you can keep up the travelling and living between countries? Do you worry one day you won't be able to get on the plane?  

A very sensible reply and understanding of the situation. My house in the UK is increasing in value all the time so I see no reason to sell. I dont rent because as you pointed out you lose the flexibilty option. I like the fact that I can go back every year for a few months. Yes I think about the future. At this stage the only thing stopping me travelling would be health. At this time I have a couplw of issues but nothing serious. If I couldnt travel I would probably bite the bullit and get my wife a UK settlement visa, its not needed at this time as she has a long term 10 year visit visa. Time will tell. The trick is to keep active and dont stagnate. Although today I am feeling well rough after a night out in Pattaya with a mate who is visiting lol

[Hummin]

16 minutes ago, jimn said:

Sure I agree with that. However over here it tends to work like that. My wifes mother and sisters are fine when I visit, the father is a bit of a drunkard. Obviously they do not speak English and I have no interest in learning Issan. I speak very little Thai but enough to make myself understood. I cannot think of anything more boring than living there. There is literally nothing and I mean nothing to do. I would go crazy.

It all depends on your interests and of course maybe most important the family and your gf/wife. I got a complete gym, 4 motorbikes for every purpose from dirt roads to touring, a car, small farm with animals to care for, and great parents in law who do not require anything and happy with 10k a month to work for us a few hours a day, or housesitting when we are not there. 

It is alot of freedom to live out there for one who like country side, and also have to oppertunity to leave whenever we need or want to.

 

Im happy with not knowing what they talk about, and thrive fine only communicate with my gf and the few friends around our district.

Edited December 9, 2022 by Hummin

[KhunLA]

22 minutes ago, jimn said:

Sure I agree with that. However over here it tends to work like that. My wifes mother and sisters are fine when I visit, the father is a bit of a drunkard. Obviously they do not speak English and I have no interest in learning Issan. I speak very little Thai but enough to make myself understood. I cannot think of anything more boring than living there. There is literally nothing and I mean nothing to do. I would go crazy.

Actually there is plenty to do, just like any other country.  

 

Doing it us UP2U

NO ... there's no real amusement parks, zoos, theater, western music concert.  All of which I stopped or wouldn't go to anyway, in the USA, since a Yank.  Did that as a youngin', didn't bother with the t-shirt.  Left that silliness behind 22+ yrs age ... now here in TH.

 

Other considerations, what is your retirement.  My first 16 yrs was raising my daughter, so O&A were only possible before she was 5 yrs, and during school breaks, 3 months a year.  Simply living kept one busy.

 

Others don't have a family, so more time on their hands, which without more funds available, may require one to self entertain to keep expenses low.

 

Some hobbies are easy and inexpensive to have, some not so.   Doing the same everyday, would be as boring as doing nothing everyday.

 

Some are quite happy just chillin', others need to be busy most of the day/week.

 

Some, depending on age, health, are limited to less physical things.

 

Some have addictions, alcohol and or sex, or that is their hobbies, and are their vices or pleasures to deal with.

 

I've enjoy sitting around doing absolutely nothing at times.  Other times I'm scuba diving, bungee jumping, trekking, cycling.  Earlier days of retirement, though still cycle, locally.

 

Now more photography, from car, on foot, or from above, operating drones.

Throw in some farming, gardening, more watching the wife do most of.

 

Cooking from scratch, is extremely enjoyable, delicious and damn healthy as a bonus.  All time consuming, planning & shopping.

 

Then there's the O&As, local & over the road, along with visits to daughter, now living in Krung Thep, since no real work for her locally where we are.

 

It's simply called living ... and enjoying what YOU enjoy.

Edited December 9, 2022 by KhunLA

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

It's simply called living ... and enjoying what YOU enjoy.

The Misfits (1961) Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Eli Wallach

Edited December 9, 2022 by jerrymahoney

[Skallywag]

20 hours ago, Harveyboy said:

camping ..getting up into the mountains...

Being a dad .. Priceless 

This strikes me as things you would do before you retire! Fatherhood at retirement, basically means you are not retired as you have many responsibilities to others.

 

Good for you!  Hope there is a Mom involved

[2009]

If I were retired, I'd be hitting the gym, chilling at home, going out exploring the different areas of Bangkok, taking train trips to different parts of the country, cooking, eating out, drinking in pubs, meeting friends, getting massages etc etc

 

Perhaps scuba diving....and maybe a little muff diving too. Hehe

 

[Hummin]

43 minutes ago, 2009 said:

If I were retired, I'd be hitting the gym, chilling at home, going out exploring the different areas of Bangkok, taking train trips to different parts of the country, cooking, eating out, drinking in pubs, meeting friends, getting massages etc etc

 

Perhaps scuba diving....and maybe a little muff diving too. Hehe

 

I do completely different things now than I thought I was going to do, but change is a good thing to. Now I go holiday to do things I thought I would do when I retired, but Im still mid 50’ies, so you never know. 

[patman30]

woodwork
bought a load of milwaukee tools
so i then had to find a use for them