Just curious about people's second choices.

Let's not forget visa practicalities.

 

I'd probably choose the Philippines because I've gotten used to SE Asia, can't imagine trying a new continent, meet the visa requirements (none lol) and like younger women.

Maybe Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

I was there a few times for a few days in general I felt comfortable.

Would I like to live there for months or years? I don't know. But I would give it a try.

 

15 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

Just curious about people's second choices.

Let's not forget visa practicalities.

 

I'd probably choose the Philippines because I've gotten used to SE Asia, can't imagine trying a new continent, meet the visa requirements (none lol) and like younger women.

Cambodia or PIs for me. Also I'm getting on in years now, so I could just call it quits and return to Australia.

Australia, and buy a mobile home.

Vietnam.

Cheap, beautiful, modern enough, nice people, easy visa policy...

 

I'd be happy in Indonesia. Lake Toba or maybe Bandung.🤔 Bandung has a Hash.

Lived 8 yrs in PI, then left because of their extreme covidiocy. Now 3rd year in Thailand, prolly 2 more and then back to PI. Thailand is cool but I feel more at home (and genuinely 'welcomed') in PI, even with it's less than stellar culinary offerings and rougher infrastructure.

Who can predict the future?

Probably just across the border to Malaysia, I have friends in Malaysia and I like Ipoh. Also close enough to keep in contact with family in Thailand.

Laos or Cambodia easy for my Thai wife for visa and close for her to visit her Thai kids. 

PI.  I'd take them up on their SRRV visa for members of the US military. 

Vietnam and Philippines.

 

When Ho Chi Minh will get its long awaited metro next year it might be quite a game changer. The insane motorbike traffic is the most annoying thing there at the moment.

 

If I have to change of continent, probably Argentina and Colombia would be at the top of the list. And Spain in Europe. Good lifestyle, nice climate, decent budget, and I speak Spanish which makes quite a difference in the long run.

Even the USA would be more visa friendly to eligible foreigners under the VWP (Visa Waiver) granting hassle free stay in the US on tourism basis for 90 days. 

 

Only  a one time hassle online for the  ESTA input that once completed is valid for a few years I guess.  No further hassles  to stay 90 days. Of course this is the ultima ratio with an absurd comparison on the USA and Asia.  The point is to underline that even hermetic USA is more open to foreigners and tourism then Thailand apparently.

6 minutes ago, El Matador said:

Vietnam and Philippines.

 

When Ho Chi Minh will get its long awaited metro next year it might be quite a game changer. The insane motorbike traffic is the most annoying thing there at the moment.

 

If I have to change of continent, probably Argentina and Colombia would be at the top of the list. And Spain in Europe. Good lifestyle, nice climate, decent budget, and I speak Spanish which makes quite a difference in the long run.

Cost of living in Spain in many domains, is cheaper then Thailand for sure, with great quality standards at a fraction of the cost. I fully agree with yøu.

15 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Laos or Cambodia easy for my Thai wife for visa and close for her to visit her Thai kids. 

Children and friends are most definitely a consideration. Being from UK I thought immediately; 'Iberian Peninsula' for 90 days then the nearest/warmest non EU Country for 90 days. Then repeat. Unfortunately, too far from Thailand!

I'll probably check out South America. I can stay in Colombia on tourist visa for 6 months in a calendar year. The other 6 months I'd go to either Brazil or Argentina. I've lived in Panama before, I won't do that again as it rains A LOT from April to Nov. 

Why would Thailand refuse a Hansum Man?

But, if they were that shortsighted, I would slip to Vietnam.

Italy in the climate towards Rome, pleasant in winter, sociable people, excellent cuisine and cost of living like in Thailand

23 yrs on, so not sure what options out there, since haven't researched.   I know it wouldn't be SEA, Asia or Europe.  Though Czechia was a consideration back then.

 

If it happened 22 yrs ago, then simply back to USA, probably FL as a base, and play nomad from there.

 

If happened now, damn near impossible (hate what ifs), probably the same, back to USA, no base, till done playing nomadic traveler/tourist.  Still keeping address at brother's house, as I do now.

 

Haven't a clue where I'd end up, if anywhere, as happy to be nomadic. Living out of RV/backpack would suit me fine.

 

Only have a house here because of the wife, since she'll need when I depart to the next dimension.

1 hour ago, bignok said:

Who can predict the future?

Precisely, that's why having a Plan B, and possibly C & D is always a good idea.

4 hours ago, bignok said:

Who can predict the future?

Been hearing the same doom & gloom for over 20 yrs.  For me it's actually gotten easier to stay.

 

Only people need to worry, are the ones using agents, because they can meet the requirements to stay.

 

When the Embassy stopped issuing 'income letters', that made more than a few leave, as could no longer BS Imm w/the phony income numbers.  Not Imm change, but an Embassies change.

 

Imm hasn't changed much of anything in 20+ yrs, just applied the rules they use to be a bit lax on.  Only because of the scammers getting caught, so now tend to verify everything, a bit redundant at times.

 

5 hours ago, Bunny Silverhand said:

Vietnam.

Cheap, beautiful, modern enough, nice people, easy visa policy...

 

Easy visa policy? What options do they offer for long term stay, other than doing visa runs and hoping they let you in every time?

4 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Cost of living in Spain in many domains, is cheaper then Thailand for sure, with great quality standards at a fraction of the cost. I fully agree with yøu.

What exactly is cheaper in Spain other than local wine and produce?

1 hour ago, uzynkotak said:

What exactly is cheaper in Spain other than local wine and produce?

Restaurants, shopping in general and you can find a home at the same prices as those swanky houses or condos in Thailand. The booze is also very accessible for those who indulge,  as well as the girlie for the mongrels.

 

Not to forget health care or insurances that are a bit less the the overcharging in Thailand. Mainly you are in a european country that does not shun foreigners. 

 

Of course you can find cheaper or more costly in both countries depending on what you are trying to argue about. But globally, Spain is a great bargain, in Europe, convenient commuting by plane to the UK, Mainland Europe or USA which explains why so many retirees chose to settle down.

 

Spain is not really cheap as a matter of fact. It's Thailand that's becomming more and more expensive daily. Do you get the subtle nuance ?

6 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Australia, and buy a mobile home.

Can you afford the petrol?

35 minutes ago, still kicking said:

7 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Australia, and buy a mobile home.

Can you afford the petrol?

He was talking about living in, not driving it.

1 minute ago, CanadaSam said:

He was talking about living in, not driving it.

If you live in it, you still have to park it if you haven't got your own property, so that means a caravan park and that is not cheap either.  

You don't buy a mobile home to live in it if you like to live in it, you buy a caravan, a mobile home is for traveling as the name suggests. 

Been in Portugal 4 years after 17 years in Thailand. Cost of living? Very similar.

Property more expensive obvs. Food shopping mostly same. Beer less than half price. Wine ridiculous. Fuel costs more. National parks... Free! 

Loads of outdoor sports opportunities at great rates

10 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Even the USA would be more visa friendly to eligible foreigners under the VWP (Visa Waiver) granting hassle free stay in the US on tourism basis for 90 days. 

 

Only  a one time hassle online for the  ESTA input that once completed is valid for a few years I guess.  No further hassles  to stay 90 days. Of course this is the ultima ratio with an absurd comparison on the USA and Asia.  The point is to underline that even hermetic USA is more open to foreigners and tourism then Thailand apparently.

Yes, indeed.  At least 2 million have just walked into USA in the last two years.  No questions asked.  But then, they do have sanctuary cities to wander off to.....