Should I stay ou should I go? (Pattaya, Phuket)

[Franck60]

Hi guys!

 

I’m a frenchman, retiring in Thailand in about 4 years’ time. 

 

Over the two first years, my idea is to move around quite a bit so as to explore a range of different places. I feel it might be a good way to identify places where I could settle later on.

 

In 2012, I spent around 3 months doing just that but I was there (as a tourist) for the short term at the time.

 

I didn’t go to touristy places like Phuket or Pattaya back then. My question is… Should I go? 

On the one hand, I believe I could be interested through curiosity and for the fun but on the other hand, I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

In four years’ time, I’ll be 64 yo. I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll be looking to start off a new life,
 

[scubascuba3]

I avoided Pattaya for 15 years, travelled around Thailand, but now i much prefer Pattaya with so many options, live here.

 

I've also avoided Phuket, sounds like it gets the worse of the tourists and you pay a lot more for it, but yes try them

[blaze master]

Go check them both out. Your outlook depends on you. 

[bkk6060]

39 minutes ago, Franck60 said:

if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

 

If you have some sort of conservative Christian values and are judgemental, then save yourself and suggest you don't go.

[Harrisfan]

5 hours ago, Franck60 said:

Hi guys!

 

I’m a frenchman, retiring in Thailand in about 4 years’ time. 

 

Over the two first years, my idea is to move around quite a bit so as to explore a range of different places. I feel it might be a good way to identify places where I could settle later on.

 

In 2012, I spent around 3 months doing just that but I was there (as a tourist) for the short term at the time.

 

I didn’t go to touristy places like Phuket or Pattaya back then. My question is… Should I go? 

On the one hand, I believe I could be interested through curiosity and for the fun but on the other hand, I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

In four years’ time, I’ll be 64 yo. I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll be looking to start off a new life,
 

Try as many places as possible. Udon Thani, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya.

[connda]

If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go...

[connda]

6 hours ago, Franck60 said:

Hi guys!

 

I’m a frenchman, retiring in Thailand in about 4 years’ time. 

 

Over the two first years, my idea is to move around quite a bit so as to explore a range of different places. I feel it might be a good way to identify places where I could settle later on.

 

In 2012, I spent around 3 months doing just that but I was there (as a tourist) for the short term at the time.

 

I didn’t go to touristy places like Phuket or Pattaya back then. My question is… Should I go? 

On the one hand, I believe I could be interested through curiosity and for the fun but on the other hand, I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

In four years’ time, I’ll be 64 yo. I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll be looking to start off a new life,
 

Take six months to a year.  Go everywhere.  Figure it out then decide where you want to drop anchor.

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Take six months to a year.  Go everywhere.  Figure it out then decide where you want to drop anchor.

Exactly. Visit every place that catches your eye.

[Franck60]

8 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

If you have some sort of conservative Christian values and are judgemental

No, I’m an atheist focus only on my decisions 

[Franck60]

Think you guys for the feedback, 🙂

[CharlieH]

Its the old saying " One mans food is another mans poison" , I dont drink, the bar scene was never an interest to me. I have spent one or two evenings visiting such areas of "fun" just to see what goes on etc but for me . I found any more than a few nights in those type of places was boring. They great to visit from time to time, bu that I mean maybe once a year. Not somehwere to spend any real time if you living here.

 

My recommendation over the years has always been, visit as many places as you can, get a feel what you enjoy. Then make that within reasonable striking distance of where you actually choose to live.You then end up with a balance, its there if you want it, but at arms length to your actual life. 

[BritManToo]

You've said what you don't do, but not what you want to do.

 

As a French speaker you should give Mauritius ot Vietnam a go, maybe Laos

[Harrisfan]

For food choices the best places are Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai. Other cities are second rate.

 

 

 

 

[SMIAI]

9 hours ago, Franck60 said:

Hi guys!

 

I’m a frenchman, retiring in Thailand in about 4 years’ time. 

 

Over the two first years, my idea is to move around quite a bit so as to explore a range of different places. I feel it might be a good way to identify places where I could settle later on.

 

In 2012, I spent around 3 months doing just that but I was there (as a tourist) for the short term at the time.

 

I didn’t go to touristy places like Phuket or Pattaya back then. My question is… Should I go? 

On the one hand, I believe I could be interested through curiosity and for the fun but on the other hand, I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

In four years’ time, I’ll be 64 yo. I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll be looking to start off a new life,
 

 

It's all up to you...

If you can keep your head, when all around you are losing theirs...

[rough diamond]

45 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Other cities are second rate.

How do you know?

[Harrisfan]

1 minute ago, rough diamond said:

How do you know?

Because I don't live in a UK council flat like you.

[lanng khao]

Come to korat, thailands second biggest city,, great place ..

[Gecko123]

My advice would be to first figure out what you want to do in retirement, and only after figuring that out, focus on where you want to do it. The main risk of highly touristed areas with wild night life scenes isn't having your mindset "warped", but dissipation and rushing into a relationship with someone who has ulterior motives for getting involved with you, or with whom you are incompatible.  

 

Another question I'd be asking myself is 'suppose you got involved with someone and it didn't work out, or suppose you never got involved in a romantic relationship at all, where in Thailand would you like to live?' Many of the idyllic countryside or beachside retirement lifestyles envisioned when planning a retirement either expressly or subconsciously involve getting romantically involved, and not everyone is cut out to make that work cross-culturally over the long haul. I would look for someplace where you'd feel comfortable whether you were in a relationship or not, and where you can accomplish whatever retirement goals you have set out for yourself.

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, lanng khao said:

Come to korat, thailands second biggest city,, great place ..

Chiang Mai is no 2. Korat has nice people but dull.

[Harrisfan]

45 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

My advice would be to first figure out what you want to do in retirement, and only after figuring that out, focus on where you want to do it. The main risk of highly touristed areas with wild night life scenes isn't having your mindset "warped", but dissipation and rushing into a relationship with someone who has ulterior motives for getting involved with you, or with whom you are incompatible.  

 

Another question I'd be asking myself is 'suppose you got involved with someone and it didn't work out, or suppose you never got involved in a romantic relationship at all, where in Thailand would you like to live?' Many of the idyllic countryside or beachside retirement lifestyles envisioned when planning a retirement either expressly or subconsciously involve getting romantically involved, and not everyone is cut out to make that work cross-culturally over the long haul. I would look for someplace where you'd feel comfortable whether you were in a relationship or not, and where you can accomplish whatever retirement goals you have set out for yourself.

Excellent advice. 16 hours a day apart from sleep. Need a city that offers your needs. Many won't.

[sidjameson]

In 4 years time I plan to go to a bar and have a beer. Which beer is best? Is chang worth it or will I have a hangover? 😂 

[BangkokReady]

Most foreigners move to Thailand for booze and women.  If you're not really looking for that, you might want to consider somewhere else.

[rough diamond]

5 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Most foreigners move to Thailand for booze and women.  If you're not really looking for that, you might want to consider somewhere else.

Speak for yourself!

[BangkokReady]

18 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

Speak for yourself!

 

I don't think one person saying why they moved to Thailand would be very helpful in terms of giving advice as to what it is like to live their.  Generalisations are more helpful in a situation like this.

[Franck60]

12 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You've said what you don't do, but not what you want to do.

 

As a French speaker you should give Mauritius ot Vietnam a go, maybe Laos

Nothing is set in stone. I want to explore this new country. I will be like a fresh start. I’m a self-contained man but would enjoy connection. It will be a more interesting adventure than staying in France.

I’d actually prefer to forget about France and the french language. I’ve spoken it for my entire life. It’d be boring to go on… Language is a vehicle for our thoughts. I enjoy switching to english. I might try to learn Thai though I cannot predict how motivated I’ll feel about it when I move there,

[Franck60]

13 hours ago, CharlieH said:

My recommendation over the years has always been, visit as many places as you can, get a feel what you enjoy. Then make that within reasonable striking distance of where you actually choose to live.You then end up with a balance, its there if you want it, but at arms length to your actual life. 

This looks like good and reasonable advice. Thank you,

[Franck60]

11 hours ago, lanng khao said:

Come to korat, thailands second biggest city,, great place ..

I will certainly check it out ! … I wonder, How different it is compared to Chiang Mai ??? (I spent several weeks in Chiang Mai in 2012). I guess the vibe and culture are different in Korat? Thanks,

[Franck60]

10 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

My advice would be to first figure out what you want to do in retirement, and only after figuring that out, focus on where you want to do it. The main risk of highly touristed areas with wild night life scenes isn't having your mindset "warped", but dissipation and rushing into a relationship with someone who has ulterior motives for getting involved with you, or with whom you are incompatible.  

 

Another question I'd be asking myself is 'suppose you got involved with someone and it didn't work out, or suppose you never got involved in a romantic relationship at all, where in Thailand would you like to live?' Many of the idyllic countryside or beachside retirement lifestyles envisioned when planning a retirement either expressly or subconsciously involve getting romantically involved, and not everyone is cut out to make that work cross-culturally over the long haul. I would look for someplace where you'd feel comfortable whether you were in a relationship or not, and where you can accomplish whatever retirement goals you have set out for yourself.

Thank you for the advice. Yes, I intend to keep a cool head for a while. I have no particular projet or agenda at this stage. I will assess and elaborate that on the fly. I intend to keep moving around and visiting places over my first year there 

[Franck60]

8 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Most foreigners move to Thailand for booze and women.  If you're not really looking for that, you might want to consider somewhere else.

It’s definitely not for booze. I drink very little. Might be a bit for women though I’m not single-minded about that… 
I want to leave France.

Thailand is more affordable than Europe. The culture is different and I need a change… The climate and food are fine

[Gecko123]

1 hour ago, Franck60 said:

Nothing is set in stone. I want to explore this new country. I will be like a fresh start. I’m a self-contained man but would enjoy connection. It will be a more interesting adventure than staying in France.

I’d actually prefer to forget about France and the french language. I’ve spoken it for my entire life. It’d be boring to go on… Language is a vehicle for our thoughts. I enjoy switching to english. I might try to learn Thai though I cannot predict how motivated I’ll feel about it when I move there,

 

Now is the time to start your study of Thai. Your chances of becoming proficient in the language if you only start after moving here (especially as you get older) are very low, plus it takes a lot of time to get a handle on the language. Language skills are going to be key to making the adjustment, and will also greatly expand your options on where you can live.

 

By the way, I'm not a native French speaker, but when I visited HCMC in Vietnam, not being able to speak a word of Vietnamese, I asked many locals if they could speak French, and I didn't find a single person who could. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but my impression was that the number of Vietnamese who have retained the ability to speak French from the colonial era is miniscule.