To all our Laos expats

[georgegeorgia]

To all our Laos expats what's it like living in Laos? Perhaps Vientiane

 

I know one of our members on here Simon used to live there but your  thinking in terms of cost , lifestyle, gyms , things to do , people attitude,health systems etc ok 

 

But .. what about the cultural aspects, art , history, 

 

What is the cultural aspects and influence of the city of Vientiane

 

The people vibe?

 

One thing I judge a city on is ,... graffiti, or street art , is it any good it tells me about the city 

 

 

 

I just watched a YouTuber vlogging a horse I think it was called on Vientiane ,looks like Isaan 

 

I realise Vietnam is the upcoming now place for retirement and secondly  Philippines ( I didn't really like) and Bali to a certain extent but Laos may by pass them 

 

Thus vlogger showed rubbish in Vientiane but I can tell you nothing compito the awful Philippines, angry males not minding their own business

I can't tell you how many times when I was in the Philippines taking a photo or looking at a building how many times I was approached by a  Filipino male asking what I was doing?

"What are you staring at? Etc

 

Anyway this post is NOT about the Philippines it's about Laos !! 

 

Give me your rundown on Laos 

Edited January 14 by georgegeorgia

[Prubangboy]

Skim my posts, I did it to death.

 

Short version: the room is more expensive, they’re practically giving the food away. 
 

Bangkok Hospital just opened a branch in Vientiane, so an oldie might now consider it.

[simon43]

I've never lived in Vientiane (and nor would I want to!).  When living in Laos I have always lived in Luang Prabang, (where I am now). If you want to judge the city by its graffiti then I have never seen any graffiti in Luang Prabang....  This is a quiet place (I think they still operate a curfew at night). Most people are in bed by 9pm and up at 6am.  It's not for party-goers or mongers.

[sidjameson]

13 hours ago, simon43 said:

I've never lived in Vientiane (and nor would I want to!).  When living in Laos I have always lived in Luang Prabang, (where I am now). If you want to judge the city by its graffiti then I have never seen any graffiti in Luang Prabang....  This is a quiet place (I think they still operate a curfew at night). Most people are in bed by 9pm and up at 6am.  It's not for party-goers or mongers.

What long term visa is available? I wasn't aware of any.

[georgegeorgia]

14 hours ago, simon43 said:

I've never lived in Vientiane (and nor would I want to!).  When living in Laos I have always lived in Luang Prabang, (where I am now). If you want to judge the city by its graffiti then I have never seen any graffiti in Luang Prabang....  This is a quiet place (I think they still operate a curfew at night). Most people are in bed by 9pm and up at 6am.  It's not for party-goers or mongers.

Sounds like a great place 

Is there  a gym nearby ??

Is it safe to walk at night?

 

Can I come and live with you for a short time?

[Denim]

14 hours ago, simon43 said:

Most people are in bed by 9pm and up at 6am.  It's not for party-goers or mongers.

 

Sounds great , just like our village. Early to bed early to rise .

[worgeordie]

16 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Can I come and live with you for a short time?

I don't think Simon is that way ......

 

regards Worgeordie

[GypsyT]

I hear this is the place where the party is (if you like that):

 

"Vang Vieng has become a backpacker-oriented town, with the main street featuring guest houses, bars, restaurants, internet cafes, and tour agencies. Attractions of the town include inner tubing and kayaking on the Nam Song River, which, until 2012, was lined with bars selling Beer Lao and Lao-Lao, and equipped with rope swings, zip lines, swimming and diving into blue lagoon, and large decks for socializing.^"

[Gottfrid]

3 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

until 2012

Like 12 years ago?????

[GypsyT]

They calmed down a little but party is still going on:

 

"A few years ago the local government decided to close down some of the bars that lined the shores of the Mekong River and the notorious parties stopped. Today, backpackers still come to Vang Vieng in search of drugs, alcohol, fun and relaxation. They find all of those, but the town is much quieter and calmer.

28 Aug 2023"

 

[Prubangboy]

Opium tea. You will sleep like the dead. Don’t drink too much of it with booze or that may turn literal.

 

The only gym in the country is currently closed. Laos is still very Covid-like. Much of it is still closed, a lot of it will never reopen.

[simon43]

I go to a gym that is 200 meters from my home. Costs about $14 USD per month, opens at 6am.

 

Why on earth would it not be safe to walk at night?  This is Luang Prabang, not Slough :)

 

In all honestly, I'm a very antisocial sort of chap.  I generally avoid interacting with any westerners because from experience I've found them to be mad or bad or skint. I only make an exception for an old French guy in my village because he doesn't speak English or Lao and I speak those and of course French as well. It's not his fault that he's French! :)

 

There are annual visas available. The 'legal' visa is a business visa and work permit for those that are working.  The visa that is also issued by immigration is an annual business visa with no work permit (this is what I have, intended for retired people who do not 'rock the boat'). I walk a tightrope on that point 'cos of my radio ham activities!

 

As to Vang Vieng, it's great for a holiday but a sh*thole (IMHO) to stay long-term. The availability of suitable houses to rent is about zero (I looked), and there are no decent supermarkets etc.  There is the disused Vietnam war runway that cuts right through the town....  It's a town organised for holidays, not for expats.

 

[quote]

...

A few years ago the local government decided to close down some of the bars that lined the shores of the Mekong River and the notorious parties stopped

...

[/quote]

 

Nam Song river, not the Mekong :)

 

 

Edited January 16 by simon43

[saintdomingo]

Simon, so a UK pensioner would be able to get a one year extension no problem.? 

[NanLaew]

Sticking US$20k equivalent in a Lao bank account gets you 6-months "long-stay" visa. US$40k will get you the Big Kahuna 1-year version.

 

https://immigration.gov.la/visa-categories/

[breaky9973]

I live in Laos for a good 16 years now. Have lived in the Luang Prabang, Pakse and now Vientiane.

It's an easy country to live in if you have your connections helping you with the paperwork.

 

I know there are different opinions, but I think for the average expat, Vientiane is by far the best place to live.  Most people just see the fairly compact city centre, but Vientiane is quite spread out.

What to like: Best nightlife, best food choices, best healthcare options of Laos, while still being Lao city. Plenty of cheap accommodation available. Because of it's size (around 1 million people) there's plenty of choice in what kind of people or places you want to meet/be or avoid while still having a social life.

What not to like: Traffic can be annoying (but it's no Bangkok) and limited public transportation options. Loads of big cars blocking the sidewalks when parked.

 

Luang Prabang is a great town but most expats stay there for a year or 2 and then leave. The centre is touristy but pretty. If I ever would go back to stay, it would not be in the centre.

If you are a bit social you will end always meeting the same people, which can be good or bad. In high season the roads are blocked by pesky minivans.

 

The south of Laos. Less tourists, more locals. The south feels different than the north. Maybe because it's closer to Cambodia. Lots of nice things to do and if you have a good job or your own business, can be a good place to live. The cities of Pakse and Savannakhet offer more convenience than Luang Prabang, but with less tourists.

 

All in all Laos is of course the more quiet option of mainland SEA. Still has plenty on offer though and the country is more modern than you would think.

I can pay almost everything with my banking app, internet and mobile connections are good in the populated areas. (5G in the capital)

If you live in Thailand and miss the convenience of shopping or eat at international franchise, that yes, there are 7-11, Mini Big C (also a Big C), Amazon Coffee, PTT, Pizza Company, Swensens, Dairy Queen, etc, etc. in the capital and some in the rest of Laos. Roads can be great or absolutely atrocious, even in Vientiane. Chinese influence is quite big on the country now, and that is good and bad.

 

Cheers.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 7 by breaky9973