Decisions, decisions, where to stay in retirement?

[Woke to Sounds]

3 hours ago, simon43 said:

Nowadays, there are more Albanians in the UK, than in Albania!  And most crime in the UK is committed by Albanians 🙂

 

LIam Neeson took out those scumbags in Taken. 💪

[Woke to Sounds]

16 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

You see?

 

THIS is why I always insist that the ChiCom Bandits will ALWAYS destroy nature, in every case.

 

This is part of communism, and is part of authoritarian rule.

 

This is why the ChiComs will, one day, even destroy Earth's Moon, once they land there.

 

There is no solution other than the overthrow of the Marxist-Leninist state, and we must tear down all Mao statues, too.

 

I just hope it is not too late, and that some of the damage can be corrected, in due course.

 

My view is that CM is the best place to retire.

So, I suggest that you do so.

 

Your post made sense up till the final 2 lines.

 

Chiang Mai might've been the best place to retire 20 years ago, but with all the burning it's a hellhole now in terms of air quality.

[ronnie50]

17 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Koh Chang is still good.

Fully agree. But its geographical size (e.g. similar to Phuket) worries me that it will be the next 'Phuket' even though it is not on the 'sea' but on the calmer waters of the Gulf. That would ruin it. They already can't handle the solid waste/trash.

[Presnock]

17 hours ago, Magictoad said:

Retire in Pattaya and spend my time travelling round NE Thailand.

Take up golf, travel around SEA throughout the year, different country every quarter so no tax resident or take up scuba diving, go to the philippines - 7000+ islands with crystal clear water tons of sea life, beaches and bored with diving go play golf or whatever else you enjoy.

[ronnie50]

3 hours ago, simon43 said:

Nowadays, there are more Albanians in the UK, than in Albania!  And most crime in the UK is committed by Albanians 🙂

Maybe, but post-Brexit, many miss the Romanian girls.

[NorthernRyland]

17 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Luang Prabang or Mandalay have to be better. Though Chiang Mai would obviously be the best option as it's the best place to live in Thailand.

 

For a person who liked the old Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai is well past its prime and going downhill fast. Traffic jams, tourist ghettos including lots of Chinese, year round pollution, urban heat blank effect, housing developments sprouting up everywhere, fast food chains and the list goes on. Move to one of the smaller cities in the north and only come into Chiang Mai occasionally for shopping.

[CHdiver]

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

I simply do not trust the Thai government not to change the visa rules......

Now my friend, with all due respect but that is gobbledigook. How many years do retirement visa exist? How many times did the rule change so much that retired people have to leaf the country. Yes, the amount you need to stay has increased, you have to report every 90 days and then you have the hassle with the TM30. But the changes are very minimal. 

 

Visa changes are mostly for Tourist Visa or better the Entry without a visa. Somethimes it's 2 times a year, then only restricted on land borders but not airports and so on. There, the changes happen. But not with the retirement visas. So stop to worry. Think in solutions to your problems and don't create problems that do not really exist.

 

If you do not trust the Thai Banks with your 880k Baht, then use an agent. You told us your retirement income, you are getting enough to pay for that with ease. 

 

Move to Hua Hin or better Pranburi. Very nice place at the sea with good air (well as good as air can get in Thailand). Hundred of houses to rent, so you should have no problem to find a nice one. Fantastic natur, great beaches, good food, modern Hospitals and it does not stink at every corner of marihuana. Save from earthquakes too. 

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Burma Bill lives in Siem Reap after living in Thailand. Ask him. AQI 55 in Siem Reap now. 

 

 

some years ago I heard the Chinese were totally colonizing it and were even buying out properties and kicking out other expats who were renting there. It could be really bad today so I would check that first.

[ronnie50]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

For a person who liked the old Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai is well past its prime and going downhill fast. Traffic jams, tourist ghettos including lots of Chinese, year round pollution, urban heat blank effect, housing developments sprouting up everywhere, fast food chains and the list goes on. Move to one of the smaller cities in the north and only come into Chiang Mai occasionally for shopping.

Spot on about Chiang Mai city. Been that way for years. Retired Americans seem to gravitate to it - don't know why. Pai and Lamphung seem to be their other favorites - perhaps they have secret clubs up there.... Maybe outside of the city in the hills of Chiang Mai might be okay. Not for me though - Bangkok still number one, despite its well-reported issues. 

[Harrisfan]

1 minute ago, ronnie50 said:

Spot on about Chiang Mai city. Been that way for years. Retired Americans seem to gravitate to it - don't know why. Pai and Lamphung seem to be their other favorites - perhaps they have secret clubs up there.... Maybe outside of the city in the hills of Chiang Mai might be okay. Not for me though - Bangkok still number one, despite its well-reported issues. 

Bangkok has far worse traffic and year round pollution

[simon43]

I was living on koh Phangan a few years ago, and that place was peaceful and had clean air. I visited a few months ago but rental prices had increased a lot and I couldn't find a place to stay.  But I just found a little house in a coconut grove that wasn't available last time I visited. (I know the property already from my previous visit).

 

I'll drive down to KP next week to check it out. Yes, it's still in Thailand, but trying to find clean air, nice beaches, safe region etc in south-east Asia is getting more and more difficult.

[Hummin]

Just happy with my decision of moving back before it was to late. Came before my 50ies and left before my 60ies

 

Personally I would live in a r outside a coastal city with decent infrastructure and good hospitals. 

 

If no lady, and not using professionals, how do you solve natural behavior? Chasing free birds in your elderly days? 

 

The older I get, the more I appreciate being two, and also be rotet to one place. 

 

 

[scorecard]

18 hours ago, simon43 said:

I agree!  When you are self-employed or where you enjoy your employee job, there is little reason to retire 🙂

I worked (university lecturer) up to when I turned 73. My students all gave me good surveys, but on the day of my 73rd b'day my Thai son said 'dad, enough full-time working, please stop and relax'. Son's wife backed him.

 

At the end of every month after 73 birthday they raised the issue, "Please don't accept any further lecturing invitations." they also continuously mentioned. "Your 73, your health is good, please just relax". I did stop, but I took on more family cooking duties. 

[Hummin]

Christmas  we visiting friends here, and I have to say, I enjoyed the atmosphere and location very much. Close to everything and reasonable priced hotels in the area. I guess you could find house for decent rent there

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ietp2i5gHqisduTNA

[Harrisfan]

10 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I was living on koh Phangan a few years ago, and that place was peaceful and had clean air. I visited a few months ago but rental prices had increased a lot and I couldn't find a place to stay.  But I just found a little house in a coconut grove that wasn't available last time I visited. (I know the property already from my previous visit).

 

I'll drive down to KP next week to check it out. Yes, it's still in Thailand, but trying to find clean air, nice beaches, safe region etc in south-east Asia is getting more and more difficult.

Hua Hin has cheap rent. Nice beaches and mostly clean air.

[ronnie50]

5 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Bangkok has far worse traffic and year round pollution

 

Hmm, worse traffic than the polluted one-way giratory of CM city? When they think their crumbled red brick wall and a dirty dried up moat is a great tourist draw, you gotta wonder about their medium-long term visitor plan. CM just gets more attention because of the old-money Chinese immigrant families that live there (e.g. higher GDP than other secondary cities). Probably half of the population is Chinese-Thai in CM. Maybe that's why the Americans band together up there. The Chinese-Thai would be suspicious of the farangs living there (competition for business). Strength in number I guess. BTW - not sure who's been to Khon Kaen in recent years, but it's also on the fast train line from Kunming, and the development of the city is almost unrecognizable. I hadn't been there for some years until a few months ago. (No, I wouldn't move there either - just making an observation).

[NorthernRyland]

1 minute ago, ronnie50 said:

Spot on about Chiang Mai city. Been that way for years. Retired Americans seem to gravitate to it - don't know why. Pai and Lamphung seem to be their other favorites - perhaps they have secret clubs up there.... Maybe outside of the city in the hills of Chiang Mai might be okay. Not for me though - Bangkok still number one, despite its well-reported issues. 

 

People seem to be doing research on social media and choose between a handful of locations in Thailand. If you don't want the beach or busy islands and Bangkok is too big you come to Chiang Mai. It's just the network effect I think and what happens to all cities it seems.

 

Living outside the city is not easy for new expats either due to lack of quality housing, no English and little or no western food so once again they choose Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai has dozens of gated housing projects which makes new expats feel safe too and probably a big draw.

 

I live outside the city in the mountains now but it's not a good place for most people and you need to have a strong reason to be there, which isn't a lifestyle upgrade for less than you were paying back home.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, ronnie50 said:

 

Hmm, worse traffic than the polluted one-way giratory of CM city? When they think their crumbled red brick wall and a dirty dried up moat is a great tourist draw, you gotta wonder about their medium-long term visitor plan. CM just gets more attention because of the old-money Chinese immigrant families that live there (e.g. higher GDP than other secondary cities). Probably half of the population is Chinese-Thai in CM. Maybe that's why the Americans band together up there. The Chinese-Thai would be suspicious of the farangs living there (competition for business). Strength in number I guess. BTW - not sure who's been to Khon Kaen in recent years, but it's also on the fast train line from Kunming, and the development of the city is almost unrecognizable. I hadn't been there for some years until a few months ago. (No, I wouldn't move there either - just making an observation).

Yes I was in khon Kaen in Feb. Great city. CM old city is awesome. Pubs, cafes, temples, restaurants, 130 baht massage, gyms. All flat easy walk.

 

Bangkok is hard to walk around.

 

 

[Hummin]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Hua Hin has cheap rent. Nice beaches and mostly clean air.

Clean air is a definition question. Hua Hin had really bad air this year and often above 150pm2,5

 

Pretty much bad all over except at the islands seems a bit better

[madone]

18 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Another place bites the dust.

South east Asia is not what it used to be.

I first arrived in 95 when the population was half what it is today.

 

What a riduclous lament

name me one place, anywhere that has not changed since 1995?

[Cameroni]

28 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Traffic jams, tourist ghettos including lots of Chinese, year round pollution, urban heat blank effect, housing developments sprouting up everywhere, fast food chains and the list goes on.

 

I cannot substantiate that traffic jams are a major issue, certianly not in the way of Bangkok, Medan or Jakarta. Only at certain times do Nimman and San Kamphaeng get congested, but at othe rtimes driving is a pleasure in Chiang mai.

 

Tourist, yes of course, Chinese, yes  of course, I had a delightful bar date with a Chinese girl recently. I have nothing against tourists as long as they're not Australian, Ukrainian or Russian or Israeli.

 

Year round pollution is a myth, it is not even issue during the few months there is pollution. Never ran the air purifiers this burning season.

 

Housing developments raise the standard of accomodation, not a problem.

 

Fast food chains, yes, more options to eat at, don't see the problem.

[NorthernRyland]

3 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

I cannot substantiate that traffic jams are a major issue, certianly not in the way of Bangkok, Medan or Jakarta. Only at certain times do Nimman and San Kamphaeng get congested, but at othe rtimes driving is a pleasure in Chiang mai.

 

Tourist, yes of course, Chinese, yes  of course, I had a delightful bar date with a Chinese girl recently. I have nothing against tourists as long as they're not Australian, Ukrainian or Russian or Israeli.

 

Year round pollution is a myth, it is not even issue during the few months there is pollution. Never ran the air purifiers this burning season.

 

Housing developments raise the standard of accomodation, not a problem.

 

Fast food chains, yes, more options to eat at, don't see the problem.

 

Chiang Mai's popularity speaks for itself. You're an army of one regarding the pollution though.

 

For me and others like me that like the unique things about Northern Thailand, we don't want to live in gated housing projects and get stuck in traffic lights on busy roads, fight for parking or spend our days in shopping malls. Too much of that city is just ugly urban sprawl and headaches at this point but obviously that comes with benefits and more modern living.

[NorthernRyland]

12 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

130 baht massage

 

Yeah right, where? maybe you mean 30 mins. Even my massage place by my wives house in Mae Jo is 250 baht since last year. I see 300+ baht prices in the city often as they're taking advantage of all the tourists.

[BritManToo]

Just now, NorthernRyland said:

 

Chiang Mai's popularity speaks for itself. You're an army of one regarding the pollution though.

 

For me and others like me that like the unique things about Northern Thailand, we don't want to live in gated housing projects and get stuck in traffic lights on busy roads, fight for parking or spend our days in shopping malls. Too much of that city is just ugly urban sprawl and headaches at this point but obviously that comes with benefits and more modern living.

2 minutes from my home in MaeJo I'm in open countryside, forest, lakes and mountains, cycling along rural roads and passing by wandering cows.

 

 

[Photoguy21]

"Mandalay begging me to return" really or did you just wake up from the dream? I really can not imagine them begging you to return.

[Harrisfan]

6 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Yeah right, where? maybe you mean 30 mins. Even my massage place by my wives house in Mae Jo is 250 baht since last year. I see 300+ baht prices in the city often as they're taking advantage of all the tourists.

There are 2 temples there with 3 massage shops inside. 130 an hour.

[NorthernRyland]

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

2 minutes from my home in MaeJo I'm in open countryside, forest, lakes and mountains, cycling along rural roads and passing by wandering cows.

 

yeah that's nice back there but the city is encroaching fast and  you're stuck in the one that little quadrant. I know I was there for years and burned out. So many better places for cycling in Northern Thailand.

[freedomnow]

19 hours ago, simon43 said:

I thought that I had this sorted.  Move to the Philippines so that I get my UK state index-linked pension (due to start payments in 6 weeks from now).  But the lack of annual increases won't be a financial problem for me just now, and I've never been to the PI anyway...

 

I was teaching in Mandalay.  I came back to Thailand for a couple of weeks to sort out a 'base' condo at Jomtien Beach. 7,000 baht a month for a modern studio condo that's 300 metres from the beach 🙂

 

During my absence, Mother Nature decided to 'throw' an earthquake in Mandalay!  Thousands are dead, many buildings destroyed.  

 

So I flew up to Luang Prabang in north Laos, the UNESCO city where I have lived off and on for many years between my teaching contracts in Burma. A beautiful place (NOT NOW!).

 

Big shock on this visit!  Gone was the sleepy Lao town by the Mekong river.  Now, as a result of the new train from China, the town is bursting with Chinese tourists AND Chinese businesses.  The central peninsula area is jammed with white tourist vans.  The outskirt hills of the town are being scraped away and huge Chinese hotels being built. The Mekong river will become a non-flowing lake when the next Chinese dam just north of the town is in operation, (The Xayaburi dam south of the town already stops natural river flow).

 

I'm so disappointed with Luang Prabang now.... 'paradise' destroyed by the 'locusts'.

 

What to do?  The local international school in Luang Prabang asked me to teach at the school.

 

Then I got an email from Mandalay begging me to return to teach again.

 

What I don't want to do in my retirement is simply do nothing, get fat, drink beer and catch STDs from 'professional' woman.

 

What would you do?

Thanks for heads-up on LP..tragic.... my fav. town in Asia. Last time I was there was mid-22.

[Presnock]

56 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

For a person who liked the old Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai is well past its prime and going downhill fast. Traffic jams, tourist ghettos including lots of Chinese, year round pollution, urban heat blank effect, housing developments sprouting up everywhere, fast food chains and the list goes on. Move to one of the smaller cities in the north and only come into Chiang Mai occasionally for shopping.

yeah like Chiang Dao, in the mountains, not too big.

[Harrisfan]

1 minute ago, Presnock said:

yeah like Chiang Dao, in the mountains, not too big.

The town is a dive. Only nice outside the town.