Should I return to the UK - difficult decision!

[simon43]

^^^ Although I have had offers on the Blackpool FB group from landlords who will rent to me without a credit check.  I assume this is because I am already registered for 2 years with a GP in Blackpool, have my bank account at a branch in Blackpool, and am on the Electoral Roll, and probably there is a higher supply of flats on the rental market compared to the West Country.

[Nick Carter icp]

On 7/10/2025 at 8:46 AM, simon43 said:

Is being a prat your full-time profession?  Or is it just a part-time hobby of yours? 🙂

 

The landlord has agreed to rent to me,

 

   The UK now has anti discrimination laws .

You cannot refuse to rent to people if they are on benefits , or refuse them on race or gender .

   So , landlords are legally required to not refuse anyone  , agree to consider them as tenants . The Landlord can be prosecuted if he rejects you due to you being on benefits .

   There's nothing to stop the landlord choosing someone else though 

[simon43]

On 7/11/2025 at 4:53 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 ...

   There's nothing to stop the landlord choosing someone else though 

 

.. and that is a problem, because there are many people chasing each available property.  I never realised how bad it is. The property that I previously highlighted was ideal, and the landlord said 'yes I will certainly rent it to YOU', but he wanted to meet me personally in the next few days, and that proved impossible to organise.

 

My concern is that if I return to the UK without having a rented property ready to move into, I might find myself taking up van life! 🙂

[jori123]

Do not forget council tax plus water rates too,whether you want to pay them is up to you. If nothing to take  bailiffs  will leave you alone,same for TV licence.   Hard to decide really  ,life good in either country,depends wot you have done in past life dictates how you land up financially

[JimHuaHin]

Greetings Simon,

 

Thank you for sharing your situation.

 

I have been following this thread since your first post and generally noting the comments/advice/recommendations of others.

 

I have a farang friend here, in his late fifties and recently diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer.  He has an ex-wife, children and grandchildren "back home", as well as a Thai wife and young family here.  He is also struggling with deciding whether to stay here or go "back home".

 

Myself - I am nearly 70, in slowly declining physical and mental health; no family here and no family "back home".

 

One issue which has not be addressed (unless I missed it, if so my apologies) is who will take care of you as the end gradually approaches (when you have mobility issues, unable to dress yourself, unable to wash or go to the toilet by yourself, your need assistance in eating, you are bed ridden, and when you need constant medical attention).  Having had several friends "back home" progress through these phases, I have had some experience with this concern.  Apart from the issues already discussed (financial, accommodation, etc.), I think the above issues are important and you could privately address them with respect to staying in Thailand, or returning "back home".

 

It is a matter of "horses for courses", as they say - we are all getting old, but our personal situations - health, family, financial, access to health and palliative care, etc. - vary from person to person.

 

A final issue, which many do not "discuss", is a controversial one, and that is access that to what some in the medical field call MAiD - Medically Assisted Dying, or euthanasia.  A question for you to answer privately - if the pain gets too much, and medications do not help, what do you want in these final days?   A dear close friend died "back home" in early 1994; he was hospitalised with end-stage cancer, was in agony and the medications he was given did not reduce the pain level; in the end, he begged his wife (a retired health care professional) to end his life; which she did with an overdoes of opioids (for memory); she was thankful that he died peacefully, and not in agony.

 

Good luck with your decision-making.

 

And thank you for sharing.

 

My sincere apologies if this reply is too long or too distressing.

 

Sincere best wishes.

[simon43]

On 7/16/2025 at 9:41 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Greetings Simon,

 

Thank you for sharing your situation.

 

I have been following this thread since your first post and generally noting the comments/advice/recommendations of others.

 

I have a farang friend here, in his late fifties and recently diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer.  He has an ex-wife, children and grandchildren "back home", as well as a Thai wife and young family here.  He is also struggling with deciding whether to stay here or go "back home".

 

Myself - I am nearly 70, in slowly declining physical and mental health; no family here and no family "back home".

 

One issue which has not be addressed (unless I missed it, if so my apologies) is who will take care of you as the end gradually approaches (when you have mobility issues, unable to dress yourself, unable to wash or go to the toilet by yourself, your need assistance in eating, you are bed ridden, and when you need constant medical attention).  Having had several friends "back home" progress through these phases, I have had some experience with this concern.  Apart from the issues already discussed (financial, accommodation, etc.), I think the above issues are important and you could privately address them with respect to staying in Thailand, or returning "back home".

 

It is a matter of "horses for courses", as they say - we are all getting old, but our personal situations - health, family, financial, access to health and palliative care, etc. - vary from person to person.

 

A final issue, which many do not "discuss", is a controversial one, and that is access that to what some in the medical field call MAiD - Medically Assisted Dying, or euthanasia.  A question for you to answer privately - if the pain gets too much, and medications do not help, what do you want in these final days?   A dear close friend died "back home" in early 1994; he was hospitalised with end-stage cancer, was in agony and the medications he was given did not reduce the pain level; in the end, he begged his wife (a retired health care professional) to end his life; which she did with an overdoes of opioids (for memory); she was thankful that he died peacefully, and not in agony.

 

Good luck with your decision-making.

 

And thank you for sharing.

 

My sincere apologies if this reply is too long or too distressing.

 

Sincere best wishes.

Hi Jim, thanks for your thoughtful post and comments.  Yes, my desire to return back to the UK is primarily based on medical concerns and 'what if?' questions about my future years.  I do have estranged family in the UK, who I don't expect to care for me.  Being of limited financial means is a blessing, because the local authority is required to freely provide care assistants etc if needed.  Although I speak fluent Thai, I'm not so sure that I can fully trust 'the system' here to provide good palliative care, morphine etc to reduce pain.

 

As a scientist, I do know how to end my life painlessly  (jump off a tall building lol).  If I were to slowly 'degrade' in the UK or Thailand, then I certainly could make provision with various substances that would enable me to end things quickly and painlessly.

 

But in any case (as previously mentioned), it seems rather difficult to actually return to the UK because of the lack of rented accommodation in nice localities. I could certainly rent in Blackpool, and from a visit a few years ago, it's not too bad a place.  But I prefer the West Country.

 

Right now, I have stopped actively searching for a rented property in the UK.  I have decided to stay put one more year in south-east Asia (not necessarily in Thailand), and save up about $20,000 from my online teaching, then return to the UK with that money, which would allow me hopefully to rent a place by putting down several months of deposit. (I don't want to return to the UK without enough funds in case I have to stay in an expensive Air BnB for a few months).

 

Anyway, plans for our latter years is something that everyone must consider.  Best just to drop dead (as my dear father did at 89 years old).

 

Update: Your friend has a problem and conflict of interest, having a Thai wife and kids.  I have grown-up kids and ex-wives (3) who only loved the money that I earned in my previous career as a space scientist. I wouldn't expect any of them to lift a finger to help me!

[JimHuaHin]

On 7/17/2025 at 10:31 AM, simon43 said:

Hi Jim, thanks for your thoughtful post and comments.  Yes, my desire to return back to the UK is primarily based on medical concerns and 'what if?' questions about my future years.  I do have estranged family in the UK, who I don't expect to care for me.  Being of limited financial means is a blessing, because the local authority is required to freely provide care assistants etc if needed.  Although I speak fluent Thai, I'm not so sure that I can fully trust 'the system' here to provide good palliative care, morphine etc to reduce pain.

You are welcome

On 7/17/2025 at 10:31 AM, simon43 said:

 

As a scientist, I do know how to end my life painlessly  (jump off a tall building lol).  If I were to slowly 'degrade' in the UK or Thailand, then I certainly could make provision with various substances that would enable me to end things quickly and painlessly.

Ditto here - a quick and painless death, without being messy.  I am prepared, just in case of a sudden onset event reduces my ability to acquire "substances" to exit with dignity.

On 7/17/2025 at 10:31 AM, simon43 said:

But in any case (as previously mentioned), it seems rather difficult to actually return to the UK because of the lack of rented accommodation in nice localities. I could certainly rent in Blackpool, and from a visit a few years ago, it's not too bad a place.  But I prefer the West Country.

 

Right now, I have stopped actively searching for a rented property in the UK.  I have decided to stay put one more year in south-east Asia (not necessarily in Thailand), and save up about $20,000 from my online teaching, then return to the UK with that money, which would allow me hopefully to rent a place by putting down several months of deposit. (I don't want to return to the UK without enough funds in case I have to stay in an expensive Air BnB for a few months).

 

Anyway, plans for our latter years is something that everyone must consider.  Best just to drop dead (as my dear father did at 89 years old).

Yes, I agree.  In recent years several of my close friends back in Australia passed in their sleep.   A blessing.  Others have had long painful battles with cancer, and one had a 3 year battle with MND (diagnosed at 57).

On 7/17/2025 at 10:31 AM, simon43 said:

 

Update: Your friend has a problem and conflict of interest, having a Thai wife and kids.  I have grown-up kids and ex-wives (3) who only loved the money that I earned in my previous career as a space scientist. I wouldn't expect any of them to lift a finger to help me!

All the best.

 

Good luck.

[marin]

Just to let you know it seems Simon has changed his mind again and is now going to Luang Prabang Lao. 

 

"I 've decided to return to Luang Prabang (Laos) for 1 more year, save up some funds and then have another go at renting a UK property with a wad of cash :).

 

Anyway, plane booked for a week's holiday in Luang Prabang, fly tomorrow, rent a house, return to Thailand just to collect my bags..." 🙂

[simon43]

 

Poster Marin had commented:

 

"Just to let you know it seems Simon has changed his mind again and is now going to Luang Prabang Lao"

 

To correct this comment, I have not changed my mind at all.  Were I able to rent a suitable property in the UK, I would be (metaphorically) on the next plane!

 

But it seems that there is a huge shortage of suitable properties to rent.  The only way that I stand a chance of renting a property is to pay perhaps 6 month's deposit money upfront (because I have no credit history, having been overseas for 23 years).

 

I do not have that kind of money in cash right now, (because I usually use my excess income for my Burmese charity).

 

Therefore, my decision to return to the UK is postponed, not cancelled!  I am in Laos to minimise my personal outgoings (I don't need to rent a car etc, property rental can cheaper etc), so that I can save up funds more quickly for my return to the UK).

 

Anyway, carry on 

[Magictoad]

You need to go first and look around; do it informally. Once you get there you will find loads of places available. NOT everyone is going through agents & the Internet; I assure you. I have rented my place 8 or 9 times over the last few years and always done it informally. 

[simon43]

1 hour ago, Magictoad said:

You need to go first and look around; do it informally. Once you get there you will find loads of places available. NOT everyone is going through agents & the Internet; I assure you. I have rented my place 8 or 9 times over the last few years and always done it informally. 

Yes, but to do that I need to rent an airbnb, get some wheels etc.  To rent a place temporarily in the West Country is about 2,000 per month (I've checked), plus a vehicle etc.  Openrent website advertises direct accommodation rentals and also tells you how many people want to rent each advertised property - the average is about 50!  For me, with zero credit history, I'm at the back of that queue!

 

Therefore, my plan is to save up 20-30k pounds, return to the UK, buy a vehicle for transport, stay in an Airbnb and hopefully persuade a landlord to rent to me because I have a large deposit, eg 6 months.  All this will cost thousands of pounds, so 20k in the bank is prudent!

[FritsSikkink]

On 6/27/2025 at 2:30 PM, youreavinalaff said:

 sewerage, good water pressure, water available 24/7.

Got that in Thailand too.

[FritsSikkink]

On 6/27/2025 at 3:37 PM, Furioso said:

I was in Heathrow this last February. Uh, are you kidding me?  there were literally thousands of immigrants it is a national catastrophe. 

You are an immigrant in Thailand, what must they think.

[FritsSikkink]

On 6/27/2025 at 6:02 PM, Felton Jarvis said:

 with the best healthcare system. 

Not by far: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world

[FritsSikkink]

On 6/28/2025 at 12:03 AM, Celsius said:

2 brand new financed Samsung phones with huge data allowance and food.

You need to finance your phone?

[FritsSikkink]

On 6/30/2025 at 9:25 PM, simon43 said:

A plus point about being a pensioner in the UK is the number of discounts that are provided.  I did a quick check of what discounts are available if I were to live in the Somerset locality:

 

- Rent paid up to 600 pounds/month

- Council tax fully paid

- Free optician checks, discounted glasses

- Free NHS dental

- Free prescription medicines

- Free off-peak bus travel in Somerset
- Discounted train travel
- Wessex water and Bristol water pensioner discount
- Broadband discount

- Possible electricity discount and winter payment (maybe!)

 

I think the biggest possible utility bill would be for electric heating.

 

Private medical insurance (UK cover) is cheaper than what I pay now....

 

Something I checked was the price of food in Tesco's.  Similar to what I experienced when I stayed in Blackpool a few years ago, the prices for healthy food are comparable to Thailand.  Healthy food means vegetables, fruit, salads, grain bread etc.  The price of processed krap was more expensive than Thailand.

 

I only eat healthy food!

 

Now what other expenses would there be?

Warmer clothing

[FritsSikkink]

On 7/3/2025 at 3:52 PM, jori123 said:

 just bought top of range TV,  43 quid,few months old

Sure.

[simon43]

3 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Warmer clothing

Lol, when I was in Blackppol during the winter a few years ago, I popped into a local charity shop and picked up a (seemingly) new North Face quilted jacket, top quality, 5 quid!

 

Here's a photo of me wearing that jacket by the pier 🙂  (For some reason, people don't seem to approach me that much!!)

 

[Nick Carter icp]

59 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Yes, but to do that I need to rent an airbnb, get some wheels etc.  To rent a place temporarily in the West Country is about 2,000 per month (I've checked), plus a vehicle etc.  Openrent website advertises direct accommodation rentals and also tells you how many people want to rent each advertised property - the average is about 50!  For me, with zero credit history, I'm at the back of that queue!

 

Therefore, my plan is to save up 20-30k pounds, return to the UK, buy a vehicle for transport, stay in an Airbnb and hopefully persuade a landlord to rent to me because I have a large deposit, eg 6 months.  All this will cost thousands of pounds, so 20k in the bank is prudent!

 

   Place an advertisement yourself on Spare room 

[Packer]

On 7/13/2025 at 8:41 PM, simon43 said:

My concern is that if I return to the UK without having a rented property ready to move into, I might find myself taking up van life!

 

Either your karma is not as good as you hoped, or basing one's golden years on karma taking care of you rather than a home, pension and investments might not be the way to go. 

[3NUMBAS]

Ilfracombe is said to have places to rent as there’s not much work there but Is ok for retirees .i visited years ago and it’s ok 

[DaRoadrunner]

The Elephant in the room is your medical condition. If it was not for that the decision would be to stay in Thailand.

[3NUMBAS]

Where is the cheapest place to live in the UK?

 

 

What is the cheapest place to live in the UK in 2024? According to the 2024 Zoopla report, Hull ranks as one of the cheapest places to live in the UK, with an average rent of £500 per month and average house prices around £120,000. Other affordable cities include Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent, and Bradford.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, 3NUMBAS said:

 

Where is the cheapest place to live in the UK?

 

 

What is the cheapest place to live in the UK in 2024? According to the 2024 Zoopla report, Hull ranks as one of the cheapest places to live in the UK, with an average rent of £500 per month and average house prices around £120,000. Other affordable cities include Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent, and Bradford.

Worth checking where the migrant hubs are, could easily be the cheapest areas

[Celsius]

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

You need to finance your phone?

 

Yes, i absolutely "need to" finance the phone because literally everyone in the west does it.

 

Instead if paying upfront 100,000 baht for 2 phones the carriers will offer it for 500 each per month and lock you in a 2 year contract. It's a common practice literally everywhere on the planet except Thailand because carriers know thais don't pay their bills.

 

 

[simon43]

5 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

The Elephant in the room is your medical condition. If it was not for that the decision would be to stay in Thailand.

My medical condition has neither worsened nor improved in the past 25 years 🙂  But I'm assuming that as I get elderly, then it probably will get worse...

 

I had a look on the spareroom website.  It's shocking to see how much is asked by landlords (and how much tenants are willing to pay) just to rent a room in a shared property!  Supply and demand of course...

 

I'm in Laos right now, seeing if I should temporarily live here while saving up $$$ before moving back to the UK.  OTOH, I could do the same by teaching again in Myanmar, and save money more quickly (because I would have my in-class teaching income, as well as my pension and my online income).  TBH, it saddens me a lot to see what a mess the UK has become 😞

[vinny41]

11 hours ago, simon43 said:

Yes, but to do that I need to rent an airbnb, get some wheels etc.  To rent a place temporarily in the West Country is about 2,000 per month (I've checked), plus a vehicle etc.  Openrent website advertises direct accommodation rentals and also tells you how many people want to rent each advertised property - the average is about 50!  For me, with zero credit history, I'm at the back of that queue!

 

Therefore, my plan is to save up 20-30k pounds, return to the UK, buy a vehicle for transport, stay in an Airbnb and hopefully persuade a landlord to rent to me because I have a large deposit, eg 6 months.  All this will cost thousands of pounds, so 20k in the bank is prudent!

Have you considered a 2 stage solution Blackpool 1st then West country when you have wheels and more time to explore

If budget is a primary concern, Blackpool is the more economical choice for renting. However, if you prefer a more scenic or rural setting and are willing to pay a premium, the West Country could be a better fit. 

In the West Country, rental prices for both long-term and short-term lets tend to fluctuate with the seasons, with peak periods like summer and holiday seasons seeing higher prices due to increased demand. Conversely, prices tend to be lower during the off-peak or winter months. This seasonal variation is particularly noticeable in popular tourist destinations within the region. 

Where is the Cheapest Place to Rent in the UK?

Knowing the cheapest places in the UK to rent can be a good starting point if you’re looking for somewhere affordable to live. Here’s where rents are lowest right now.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/uk/mortgages/cheapest-rent-uk/#:~:text=

That place that you posted in dulverton the nearest jobcentre / benefits office is in Minehead 17 miles in distance or 90 minutes each way on public transport which would be offputting for anyone claiming benefits/LHA

[Celsius]

First you need to be honest with yourself. Will you really save 20 grand or will you "donate" it again.

 

I still stand by my original post that you're actually loaded. 

[simon43]

4 hours ago, vinny41 said:

That place that you posted in dulverton the nearest jobcentre / benefits office is in Minehead 17 miles in distance or 90 minutes each way on public transport which would be offputting for anyone claiming benefits/LHA

 

UK pensioners claim their benefit online, with minimal actual travel to an office 🙂

 

Yes, a 2-stage return to the UK, staying in Blackpool initially is also a viable option.

 

One other option that I'm investigating is buying a small flat in the west country via an RIO (retirement interest only) mortgage, where the property passes to the lender on my death, (since I have no relatives that I would want to inherit the property).  One issue is that I rent a property, the rental amount each month is mostly paid by the local authority.  If I buy a property, the monthly mortgage amount is not paid, although I might be able to get a reduced loan.

[Nick Carter icp]

28 minutes ago, simon43 said:

One other option that I'm investigating is buying a small flat in the west country via an RIO (retirement interest only) mortgage, where the property passes to the lender on my death,

 

   Isn't that only available to people who borrow money secured on the value of their own home ?

 

:A Retirement Interest-Only Mortgage is a long-term loan secured against your property

https://www.royallondon.com/retirement-planning/releasing-equity/retirement-interest-only-mortgages/