Magazine ranks Thailand 9th best retirement spot on Earth

[shackleton]

Like the majority of people here on Thai visa we made  our choice to live here in Thailand for what ever reason 

You make your bed and lie in it 

Enjoy your stay 

[Skipalongcassidy]

55 minutes ago, Gknrd said:

Difference of opinion I guess. I love Mexico... Heading to Colombia Wed.. Think I will check out the Philippines when I return from Colombia. IF I make it out alive, ugggg

I liked Mexico in the 70's... now not so much... too much violence connected to the drug trade.  Was in Columbia post cocaine days... not too bad but not all that either...  Philippines... lots of areas to avoid... but the best for bars and girls in Subic Bay/Olongapo City.

[wwest5829]

4 hours ago, swm59nj said:

It depends on the individual. But for living here for three years.  It seemed to be a place that draws many expats that couldn’t afford to live any place else. Either Western or a more upscale Asian Country . And complain about how their home countries caused their issues.  Including their financial issues 

Agreed, depends on the individual. It was my unwise financial choice to remain in Kentucky to teach after earning the B.A. All other aspects were great, just financially an unwise decision. So, my fault that I cannot have a working middle class retirement in the USA on my $2400.00 USD per month ($1526.00 of that from SS). Very happy for over a decade to have been economically forced to retire to a lower cost country such as Thailand.

[Jingthing]

Their list is fine for what it is but keep in mind that most of their audience is American  So of course Latin America is going to rate high.

[ujayujay]

15 hours ago, save the frogs said:

panama? seriously?

I bet, you never been there

[itsari]

3 hours ago, 2baht said:

How does it rank in the Universe? ????

A black hole

[ujayujay]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Mostly based on cost of living....

scratch the surface and Thailand is no-where near the best countries to retire.

...so why you still here?

[PB172111]

5 hours ago, harleyclarkey said:

By the way, who dreams up this rubbish? Are they paid? 

This guy highlights the ability to 

Yep, especially those that fall apart. 

That is, if they're built at all. 

How many times have we seen here the cheating, scamming and downright theft in the property market.

As oft said here....rent don't buy

 

Good job you don’t live here then ????

[sirineou]

I am American but I also hold a Greek passport , and I chose to live in Thailand and only spend summers in Greece because i find life to be a lot easier in Thailand, even without having a Thai passport. 

I dont know why people here complain , Retired life in Thailand is pretty good IMO.

[forbac]

After 20 years istill love thailand ,,one has to put me effort in and adjust but having nipping home to uk and australia ,,,thailand is more ,,to me

I think it's down to individual but I got say money goes further,,here for me ,,,,,

[forbac]

Again for moaners you know we're airport is if you can afford it ,,,love the squealers......And if  you are whining from over SEAS ...nobdy is listening ...

[spidermike007]

Panama and France are expensive. Only for the wealthy expats. If budget is a primary consideration, the quality of life here is quite high for most of us. I can't think of another country in Asia I would rather live in. 

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Panama and France are expensive.

Property can be very cheap in France.

Plenty of rural farmhouse for sale at under $20k

[bignok]

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

I am American but I also hold a Greek passport , and I chose to live in Thailand and only spend summers in Greece because i find life to be a lot easier in Thailand, even without having a Thai passport. 

I dont know why people here complain , Retired life in Thailand is pretty good IMO.

People like complaining. Thats how many are from 4yo to 84yo.

[bignok]

3 hours ago, shackleton said:

Like the majority of people here on Thai visa we made  our choice to live here in Thailand for what ever reason 

You make your bed and lie in it 

Enjoy your stay 

I never make my bed

[n00dle]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Thailand is cheap and has lots of cheap totty

there is no such thing as cheap totty

[Mr Meeseeks]

5 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica... having lived in these 4 countries as well... Thailand beats them hands down... 

Wow, you do get around. ????

[Mr Meeseeks]

5 hours ago, 2baht said:

How does it rank in the Universe? ????

Most of the locals and some expats are on a different planet right enough!

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Panama and France are expensive. Only for the wealthy expats. If budget is a primary consideration, the quality of life here is quite high for most of us. I can't think of another country in Asia I would rather live in. 

There are cheap places to live in Panama but most expats wouldn't want to live there. Such as the city of David.

Overall Panama is more affordable than Costa Rica.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, ujayujay said:

...so why you still here?

I have  a thick skin.

[BritScot]

8 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

If it is so bad for you... leave.

Didn't take long! Many would and do leave Thailand.  The ones who scream the loudest at how great it is are ofter the ones who invested everything and now can't leave. 90% of the expats I have known in Thailand have left including myself and family. Left our house and big bike. Never ever invest more in Thailand that you can't walk away from.

[Brian Meyers]

Left the U.S. for Thailand 5 years back at age 72, and had traveled to many countries prior to relocating. I attribute Thailand's kindness, morality, and acceptance of all decent, good people regardless ethnic, religion, gender, or nationality, primarily due to Thailand's overwhelming Buddhist population, and traditional teachings. 

I've generally found no other main stream religion or national population as tolerant. 

[KanchanaburiGuy]

7 hours ago, blazes said:

Kind of depends WHERE you live in a particular country.

In Thailand:

Chiang Mai: 4 months of cancerous smog.

Bangkok:  immobile traffic.

Phuket:  ruinous prices for everything that a falang needs or wants.

Hua Hin:  Crossing the road is bad for your health.

Pattaya:  Lo-so.

 

Find a nice quiet village in Issan....but then you are bored pretty well to death in less than a week.

 

So, maybe not retire, but just visit for six months or so of every year...

Kanchanaburi.

[newnative]

1 hour ago, BritScot said:

Didn't take long! Many would and do leave Thailand.  The ones who scream the loudest at how great it is are ofter the ones who invested everything and now can't leave. 90% of the expats I have known in Thailand have left including myself and family. Left our house and big bike. Never ever invest more in Thailand that you can't walk away from.

   One less big bike on the road, great!  One less whiner, great!  Oops, not one less whiner.  Left and still feels the need to get on a Thailand forum and whine some more.

[freedomnow]

6 hours ago, mrfill said:

Don't you mean 'How are English skills in Portugal'?

Is is.

[Skipalongcassidy]

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Wow, you do get around. ????

Yes.. I love to travel and since I retired at age 50 (25 years ago) I have had the good fortune of being able to do so... is that a bad thing in your book?

[Jai Dee]

Several troll posts have been removed.

[Gknrd]

6 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

I liked Mexico in the 70's... now not so much... too much violence connected to the drug trade.  Was in Columbia post cocaine days... not too bad but not all that either...  Philippines... lots of areas to avoid... but the best for bars and girls in Subic Bay/Olongapo City.

Agree the 70's were great. Unfortunately I cannot live in Thailand. I have very mild asthma and in Thailand the air is so bad it makes my life miserable. Here in the US , Mexico , Colombia , and a few others I have no problems. Also  I love the Mexican vibe. And the food. But, I live in little Mexico in the states.. So, part of my culture. Lived in Thailand for years though.  And the hot latin women have gotten in my blood... hahaha

[off road pat]

11 hours ago, spermwhale said:

Yeah.. and as well all know foreigners can't buy land. I lived in Thailand for 17 years in a nice mooban but the homes there never sold for more than what the owners paid for them when they bought them new. 

 

Maybe condos go up in value, but I can't tell you how many times I've heard about people buying. nice condo and then the owners let the common areas fall into disrepair. 

Exactly,...heard the same thing over and over again,...and saw it at a friend's luxury place...

[off road pat]

9 hours ago, blazes said:

Kind of depends WHERE you live in a particular country.

In Thailand:

Chiang Mai: 4 months of cancerous smog.

Bangkok:  immobile traffic.

Phuket:  ruinous prices for everything that a falang needs or wants.

Hua Hin:  Crossing the road is bad for your health.

Pattaya:  Lo-so.

 

Find a nice quiet village in Issan....but then you are bored pretty well to death in less than a week.

 

So, maybe not retire, but just visit for six months or so of every year...

..."So, maybe not retire, but just visit for six months or so of every year..."...Exactly what I have been doing for the last 30 years,...6 months Asia,..6 months Europe,...and traveling around all those country's extensively.