Alternative retirement locations

[brianthainess]

17 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Koh Chang. the best of both worlds, live music, bars, many good restaurants, beaches good, no traffic jams. 

I also forgot to mention no smog, as one seems to forget about that problem, living here, while the rest struggle to breath.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

14 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I find everywhere boring after a while, but some of us older folks like to stay home, and are quite content with our own company. I have friends close by but we rarely visit each other, we have our own homes to care for, & we are not bar flies.

Do you have a decent local hospital.  Is there a Mall with restaurants. How about a golf course or two. Can you drive to visit others and the family.  Living on a small island - those things make it a no no for us. But each to his own. 

[brianthainess]

19 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Do you have a decent local hospital.  Is there a Mall with restaurants. How about a golf course or two. Can you drive to visit others and the family.  Living on a small island - those things make it a no no for us. But each to his own. 

It is not a small island the 3rd biggest in Thailand, there is at least one golf course I know of, also a 'Falang' Sunday cricket club on a beach and social do's,  there are all the big supermarkets Macro etc. Excellent bakeries. Why sit in a Mall to eat when there are scores of restaurants right on the beaches, our beaches were never closed in 'lockdown'. BK Hospital international clinic, with ICU ambulances, local gov't hospital is ok but no surgeons, no matter what time of day or night if life threatening will transport to Trat, by speed boat at night if necessary, Trat government hospital is Very Good with modern equipment. Private room if you want, I spent 5weeks in total there one time all up in an isolation room with TB. (and the specialists come from BKK hospital anyway)

Of course you can drive anywhere just a 30-40min extra ride on the car Ferries, of which if  you want you can buy a membership card with 50% discount, for me and the car Return is about 220b. Clean air year round. I'm now 72 and have been here for 20yrs. There are long drives here if you want, taking hours. Jungle treks, free river plunge pools and some waterfalls off the tourist trap. fishing boat trips, dive boats, and of course IF when your bored with all that other islands to explore. View points. 

 feeding monkeys is banned and Jet Skis. Can do 90day in person on the island. 

 

[uttradit]

1 minute ago, brianthainess said:

It is not a small island the 3rd biggest in Thailand, there is at least one golf course I know of, also a 'Falang' Sunday cricket club on a beach and social do's,  there are all the big supermarkets Macro etc. Excellent bakeries. Why sit in a Mall to eat when there are scores of restaurants right on the beaches, our beaches were never closed in 'lockdown'. BK Hospital international clinic, with ICU ambulances, local gov't hospital is ok but no surgeons, no matter what time of day or night if life threatening will transport to Trat, by speed boat at night if necessary, Trat government hospital is Very Good with modern equipment. Private room if you want, I spent 5weeks in total there one time all up in an isolation room with TB. (and the specialists come from BKK hospital anyway)

Of course you can drive anywhere just a 30-40min extra ride on the car Ferries, of which if  you want you can buy a membership card with 50% discount, for me and the car Return is about 220b. Clean air year round. I'm now 72 and have been here for 20yrs. There are long drives here if you want, taking hours. Jungle treks, free river plunge pools and some waterfalls off the tourist trap. fishing boat trips, dive boats, and of course IF when your bored with all that other islands to explore. View points. 

 feeding monkeys is banned and Jet Skis. Can do 90day in person on the island. 

 

You present a lot of positives. The pollution is a big negative for the north.

[brianthainess]

Just now, uttradit said:

You present a lot of positives. The pollution is a big negative for the north.

I first fell in love with this Island 30+yrs ago, no girly bars or electric then.

[uttradit]

Just now, brianthainess said:

I first fell in love with this Island 30+yrs ago, no girly bars or electric then.

Are there affordable monthly rentals? The North has a lot.

[The Theory]

I feel isolated in islands. Too much hassle to out/in especially at older age. Living in an island can't be my last destination. It is great to live there for sometime though, but I believe islands are great only if I want to live as a tourist sometime. 

[brianthainess]

20 minutes ago, uttradit said:

Are there affordable monthly rentals? The North has a lot.

Well that's an open ended question, on what type of accommodation you want, terraced two big room from 2K a month, resort bungalow on a beach, up in the hills, anything up to and over 20K what is reasonable to you may not be for others.

[uttradit]

10 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Well that's an open ended question, on what type of accommodation you want, terraced two big room from 2K a month, resort bungalow on a beach, up in the hills, anything up to and over 20K what is reasonable to you may not be for others.

You see monthly rates promoted in cities. Not sure what Chang offers.

[brianthainess]

9 minutes ago, uttradit said:

You see monthly rates promoted in cities. Not sure what Chang offers.

I think they do everywhere in Thailand. I know one 'resort' it's bungalows are 600b a night, one month is 7K, you pay electric, have your own kitchen and A/C. not near a beach. 

[retarius]

Many of us think of retirement as a single thing....ie where is it best to retire to? But as you age you want different things. I was 54 when I retired and wanted night life and lots of it. I'm 70 now and want peace and quiet. I have lived in cities most of my life and generally enjoyed the hustle and bustle...Thailand is a noisy place generally and the noise is now the major irritant in my life. Like a lot of things, there are alternatives but it behoves us all to really examine what we need on a day to day basis and pick a location based on that. 

[brianthainess]

57 minutes ago, uttradit said:

You present a lot of positives. The pollution is a big negative for the north.

And BKK or Pattaya. The only negative I can think of is no Surgeons on the island, but that's it, and the need for that in the case of an emergency is very rare IMO. Transfer from local hospital is 5k to Trat by EMS ambulance, daytime, first on the ferry. I hear a night transfer is 15k as the ferries don't run at night, so obviously a private boat/ferry. First ferry is 6 am last around 7.30pm.

[brianthainess]

51 minutes ago, The Theory said:

I feel isolated in islands. Too much hassle to out/in especially at older age. Living in an island can't be my last destination. It is great to live there for sometime though, but I believe islands are great only if I want to live as a tourist sometime. 

I live on the edge of the Jungle and love my peace and quiet. Coming back to the Island even after one day away, gives me so much pleasure like coming home always does.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

It is not a small island the 3rd biggest in Thailand, there is at least one golf course I know of, also a 'Falang' Sunday cricket club on a beach and social do's,  there are all the big supermarkets Macro etc. Excellent bakeries. Why sit in a Mall to eat when there are scores of restaurants right on the beaches, our beaches were never closed in 'lockdown'. BK Hospital international clinic, with ICU ambulances, local gov't hospital is ok but no surgeons, no matter what time of day or night if life threatening will transport to Trat, by speed boat at night if necessary, Trat government hospital is Very Good with modern equipment. Private room if you want, I spent 5weeks in total there one time all up in an isolation room with TB. (and the specialists come from BKK hospital anyway)

Of course you can drive anywhere just a 30-40min extra ride on the car Ferries, of which if  you want you can buy a membership card with 50% discount, for me and the car Return is about 220b. Clean air year round. I'm now 72 and have been here for 20yrs. There are long drives here if you want, taking hours. Jungle treks, free river plunge pools and some waterfalls off the tourist trap. fishing boat trips, dive boats, and of course IF when your bored with all that other islands to explore. View points. 

 feeding monkeys is banned and Jet Skis. Can do 90day in person on the island. 

 

Sounds much better than I assumed.  It is a bigger island than I thought, but most of it is jungle and there are what, about 9000 people there?  Yes there is a small 9 hole military golf course, and a small Makro, and few other things spread out along the coast.  Like I said, better than I assumed but not really 'big' enough - but we might take a trip there and take a look one day.  Any recommended resorts to stay at? 

[Adumbration]

20 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Koh Chang. 

 

Which one?

[brianthainess]

Just now, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 

Sounds much better than I assumed.  It is a bigger island than I thought, but most of it is jungle and there are what, about 9000 people there?  Yes there is a small 9 hole military golf course, and a small Makro, and few other things spread out along the coast.  Like I said, better than I assumed but not really 'big' enough - but we might take a trip there and take a look one day.  Any recommended resorts to stay at? 

Royal Siam View is the only one I know and is not military owned. 

 

[brianthainess]

7 minutes ago, Adumbration said:

 

Which one?

Trat 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

9 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Royal Siam View is the only one I know and is not military owned. 

 

You mean the golf course? 

[bradiston]

7 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Trat 

I'm sitting waiting for the 35 Group Pattaya bus at the foot of Kromluang pier in Laem Ngop which takes you to and from Koh Mak. Had a house there for 17 years. But, time to call it a day. I'm 74. The house is 3 storeys. Even renting became a chore. But...

 

I had some really great times there, and on Koh Chang, and on all the islands that make up the Koh Chang archipelago. There are a lot! Much of it is national park, but also many islands aren't included, so in theory, no landing fee. We used to hire a 30 seat twin engined speed boat for 15k THB and spend the day landing on deserted beaches on uninhabited islands. A fantastic experience! In the days when you could design your own cruise.

 

And Koh Chang's east coast is really what I love. Very few resorts because very few beaches. It's the leeward side so no surf to make the sand. But follow the wonderful road all the way and you get to salak phet which has surely one of the best seafood restaurants in SE Asia. And climb high up on a scooter, and salak phet bay has to be seen to be believed. Totally gorgeous!

[brianthainess]

11 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

 

Sounds much better than I assumed.  It is a bigger island than I thought, but most of it is jungle and there are what, about 9000 people there?  Yes there is a small 9 hole military golf course, and a small Makro, and few other things spread out along the coast.  Like I said, better than I assumed but not really 'big' enough - but we might take a trip there and take a look one day.  Any recommended resorts to stay at? 

Well again that depends on how much you want to pay and when you come. KC resort is supposed to be good about 2k a night, I think that includes buffet breakfast on the beach, they also have cheaper(?) ones across the road with a big water slide.

This is the only one I recommend as I have never stayed in others, Walk just past that resort to Penns bungalows from 600b a night. very good restaurant and reasonably priced. That's where my daughter stays when she visits and loves it. Try to avoid weekends as queues for the ferry can be long. If you have kids there is one resort that has a water park, in Chai Chet, but there are hundreds of resorts here. Come and spend a week here or more and explore. enjoy.

[brianthainess]

4 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Koh Chang's east coast

I call that the dark side in jest, as you get the rising sun but afternoons the sun goes over the 'mountains'.

[Sluglord]

19 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Siem Reap apparently cheaper than Thailand

 

Upcoming now is apparently Malaysia according to a YouTube on rural areas?

 

Any retirees here in Malaysia?

I've not spent serious time in Cambodia for decades but the only thing cheaper is alcohol. I'd also include rent but with caveat you might not be getting same amenities

 

Bali - Indonesia is a big hassle to live on resident visa.

 

Malaysia - program already had high requirements but now off the charts. There was a total exodus of expats.

 

 

Your SEA choices are Cambodia, Philippines and possibly Vietnam. Taiwan is poor value but very livable. Food is sooooo boring.

 

Philippines is dangerous in many ways.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

11 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Well again that depends on how much you want to pay and when you come. KC resort is supposed to be good about 2k a night, I think that includes buffet breakfast on the beach, they also have cheaper(?) ones across the road with a big water slide.

This is the only one I recommend as I have never stayed in others, Walk just past that resort to Penns bungalows from 600b a night. very good restaurant and reasonably priced. That's where my daughter stays when she visits and loves it. Try to avoid weekends as queues for the ferry can be long. If you have kids there is one resort that has a water park, in Chai Chet, but there are hundreds of resorts here. Come and spend a week here or more and explore. enjoy.

Thanks - much appreciated.

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks - much appreciated.

Forgot to add there is also the Old CenterPoint original car ferry that is running again, no queuing but there but a very limited service. Friendly staff and a yearly membership card with a 50% discount is available if you want. 'Tis the only one I use now. Going back just drive on and pay the other side. 👍🏻

 

[uttradit]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

Many of us think of retirement as a single thing....ie where is it best to retire to? But as you age you want different things. I was 54 when I retired and wanted night life and lots of it. I'm 70 now and want peace and quiet. I have lived in cities most of my life and generally enjoyed the hustle and bustle...Thailand is a noisy place generally and the noise is now the major irritant in my life. Like a lot of things, there are alternatives but it behoves us all to really examine what we need on a day to day basis and pick a location based on that. 

It often depends on your partner too. 

[bkk6060]

Was in Nan a few weeks ago.  Maybe the most boring place I have ever been in Thailand.  Limited western amenities, English, with nothing to do all day or at night.

Maybe a good place to retire, be totally bored, and die.

[retarius]

50 minutes ago, uttradit said:

It often depends on your partner too. 

True....it is a shame that so many expats simply live where their wives come from, maybe that iOS not the best location. I was lucky I got to choose the location of where we now live. 

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, retarius said:

True....it is a shame that so many expats simply live where their wives come from, maybe that iOS not the best location. I was lucky I got to choose the location of where we now live. 

My solution is having two places to live in. I'd say the split between the condo and the village is 75:25.

[georgegeorgia]

4 hours ago, Sluglord said:

I've not spent serious time in Cambodia for decades but the only thing cheaper is alcohol. I'd also include rent but with caveat you might not be getting same amenities

 

Bali - Indonesia is a big hassle to live on resident visa.

 

Malaysia - program already had high requirements but now off the charts. There was a total exodus of expats.

 

 

Your SEA choices are Cambodia, Philippines and possibly Vietnam. Taiwan is poor value but very livable. Food is sooooo boring.

 

Philippines is dangerous in many ways.

Yes I'm not keen on Philippines, found the people a little too aggressive and easily angered 

 

 

[Letseng]

On 1/24/2024 at 4:38 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Siem Reap apparently cheaper than Thailand

 

Upcoming now is apparently Malaysia according to a YouTube on rural areas?

 

Any retirees here in Malaysia?

Malaysia requires a quite a bit more than 800K in the bank. Mm2h visa.