When To Move/need Advice

[African]

Why the big rush to move to Thailand?? Unless her family is FILTHY rich, life is going to be a lot harder for her here.

I think a lot of Thais who have lived outside of Thailand for a long time have 'fairy tale memories' of the place, that are not very realistic. If you can read thai, check out:

http://pantip.com/

There is a forum on there, kind of like this one, where Thais studying abroad discuss employment opportunities in thailand. Most people on that forum say that working in thailand sucks compared to West - and I'm talking about professional jobs like Engineer, architect, medical field etc.

With a master's degree your wife will probably make 10,000-15,000 baht per month AND work 6 days per week AND drive 1-2 hours each way to work. Not very SANUK!!

No more Hawaii beach vacations with a 10,000 baht salary!!

-South African

[Khun Larry]

So here are the questions:

1) is land development and option

2) how much money do I need saved up in order to live a comfortable semi-retired life style?

If the land is in your wife's name it is not an option.

At 32 you should think in the 2 - 3 million USD range to retire with financial security. This will provide you $80K TO $120K a year. You may not qualify for social security later.

You should give some serious thought to protecting your assets in the event of divorce.

[brianbrain]

Guys,

  The funny thing is, I don't even live an afluent life style....  exept for the M3 BMW parked in the garage, and even then, the car is almost 10 years old.

I live in a town house, in order to expenses low. My wife counts every #penney#, and we save a lot.  I predict we will #probbaly# pay off our town house after living in it in 3 years. My school loans have also been paid off. 

I am also in agreement to earnestly save money for the future in Thailand. I just hope my wife has the #patients# to allow me to do so! 

I started my own company about 6 months ago, and I have made net around 7k a month off of the company. I also maintain employment with another company as their audiologist, which also brings to the table around another 7k a month.

I tell you this, because I want you all to understand, I have been "building" a life, a company, and a great future at a fairly young age....  and my company has great potential....    So I have some #reserves# about going to Thailand.  I only want to go, if I can be #succesful#.  I don't want to have to go, and have regrets....  I can not really comprehend voluntarily being poor????  It just does not make since.

  Dr. P

  I did have a meeting with Thamasat (sp) university some time ago, they asked me to help them start an audiology program, since the entire country of thailand only has one audiology program.... Thamasat also would like one.

  The offered pay was 36,000BHT a month, #wich# is not even enough to get a work visa....  and I have heard that Thamasat pays their English teachers better than that.....

  So naturally I turned that job down....

  But like I said before, I am thinking semi retired the life I want to lead when I get there

Thank you all for your replies

Sorry, but I just can't believe anyone with even the vaguest connection to the medical world would say patients when they mean patience. I make plenty of typing mistakes and other blunders, but this is one that I just can't comprehend. And how about the other mistakes... I suspect you're not quite who you say you are. As for Thamasat Uni, I think they had a lucky escape.

[Dakhar]

"""... I suspect you're not quite who you say you are."""

Oh, I am what I same I am... I only wish the IRS felt the same as you...

The wife is now back, things are doing fine. The town houses are being built, and in 4 more weeks... I shall have my doctorate... Luckily, I am not getting my doctorate in spelling... nor English for that matter.

Trust me, I don't get my jollies by going to some obscure forum, writting to strangers....

[paulfr]

Well I am curious how your mother-in-law earns

one million baht a year. She must have her own

business of some kind. No ??

And she travels to conferences and thus able to meet

up with her daughter ?? That suggests some academic

career ??

My advice is to get a hold of a professional financial

planner. One connected to Merryl Lynch or any large

Bank in the US. Inflation, currency fluctuations,

long term investment strategy are just some of the

topics a good counselor will raise.

Also, your vulnerability to your wife's whims in Thailand

could destroy your financial life. Your greatest asset is

your earning capacity and you seem to be willing to give

that up. You might want to rethink that one.

One solution not mentioned thus far is dual "residency".

Lots of people spend X months in LOS and 12-X months

in USA/UK. Since you own your own business, this is

a real option for you. And your income is sufficient to

give your wife the freedom to work or not work as

she pleases. She could even live in LOS full time.

[phormio]

... If you can read thai, check out:

http://pantip.com/

There is a forum on there, kind of like this one, where Thais studying abroad discuss employment opportunities in thailand.  Most people on that forum say that working in thailand sucks compared to West - and I'm talking about professional jobs like Engineer, architect, medical field etc.

...

-South African

My wife(Thai) loves the PANTIP forum that we found out from your post.

Do you know of any other forums like PANTIP ?

Thanks