On 9/22/2025 at 2:47 AM, emptypockets said:

At the bottom?

Whose?

On 9/22/2025 at 3:09 AM, jerrymahoney said:

https://www.rockdomaingym.com/

Always wanted to try rock climbing. I’ve done plenty of hikes but never actually climbed. I almost gave it a go in Vang Vieng. I’ve heard it’s great for runners as cross training 🙂

On 9/22/2025 at 3:52 AM, Celsius said:

That was only 4 years ago for me...

 

Four years ago, my life here in Thailand began its slow, agonizing collapse. The pandemic, it turns out, was just the polite introduction. The real clown show began a few years back, when they finally let the tourists back in. That's when things went from not bad to much worse.

And this thing called time in Thailand runs very fast.... can not explain it, but last I checked, I was a spry 20-something, wasting what little purpose I had on these forums. Now I'm  yelling at clouds and questioning every single thing I’ve ever done. The funny thing about time is that it doesn't exist until you're an old man with a sudden, inexplicable fondness for sensible shoes and viagra.

 

Some forum veterans will tell you live life to the fullest. BS. If that was not a lie they wouldn't be up on every post mainsplaining how life is great for them.

 

The absolute worst is being literally on the opposite side of the planet waiting for everyone to wake up in Thailand so I could get some attention and a like from another equally pathetic anon member.

Time really does seem to fly in Thailand. In my case it might be all the leisure time. Even Thais say the world feels like it spins faster here. Then again, that is just how it feels, not anything scientific. Bless them. 🙂

On 9/22/2025 at 4:55 AM, KhunLA said:

Not much different than it is now, except I was a single parent, with a school schedule and dined out, more than in house.   Just lived in a different location, Udon Thani instead of PKK.  

 

That would be 2002, and freshly divorced from first Thai wife.  Nice break, being single, till meeting present wife, late 2005.   Enjoyed being single, enjoy being married even more.

Thanks. I’m guessing it’s your positive outlook, even with tough stuff like a divorce. From what I’ve read of your posts, you seem to squeeze more joy out of life than most of us. The cooking, the EVs, all of it. Good on you 🙂

On 9/22/2025 at 6:15 AM, Prubangboy said:

I retired at 45. At 48, 9/11 really freaked me out, I was in the building that day.

 

It made me misjudge a budding love affair with an English woman who I met on aThai beach. I moved to a small village in England soon after.
 

Call it three good years and five bad ones. I loved England, and at those then prices of two dollar pound conversions, I should.

 

I remember looking at my future and thinking that the 50s would be my last good decade. The last 22 years I’ve been by far the happiest of my life.

 

 

Thanks for sharing. I’m noticing a pattern of folks retiring in their 40s. In the UK, at least in academia where I was, that was rare. People would “retire,” then keep working at the uni. More than once a meeting reminder got a reply saying someone didn’t attend because they had passed away. That really put me off academia.

9/11… wow. I only watched it on TV as a student with my girlfriend, and it was shocking. I can’t imagine being in the building that day.

Sorry the relationship didn’t work out. England is easy to love, and at two dollars to the pound it must have felt even better. I’m really glad the last 22 years have been your happiest 🙂

Working hard to put two children through college and running marathons. Thirty one years later comfortably retired and headed back to Thailand on vacation next month.  

On 9/23/2025 at 8:50 AM, spidermike007 said:

I was a single man living in Los Angeles was more or less in denial about how lonely I was, and a couple of years later I came to Thailand and met a woman that had been with for the last 20 years. Later that year I decided to move here and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

Sounds like you made a brave call and it paid off. LA can feel crowded yet lonely, so finding your person in Thailand and building 20 years together is huge. Moving here as one of your best decisions really says it all.

On 9/22/2025 at 7:05 AM, doctormann said:

That was a long time ago but mortgage was paid off and kids sent off into the world.  Never been so well off financially.  Started to travel the world.  Life was good.

Sounds like you hit the sweet spot. Mortgage cleared, kids launched, money in good shape, and the world opening up. Any favourite trips from that first run of travel? 🙂

On 9/22/2025 at 7:11 AM, Grumpy one said:

At 48 my early onset midlife crisis of wanting a V12 Jaguar came to a sudden stop.

8 years after buying a new XJS I knew that continuing this madness would drain my bank account quicker than a Thai bar girl could ever do.

Haha, Bet the XJS was worth it though. What did you switch to once you came to your senses, something that still delivers big? 

6 hours ago, wavodavo said:

I reckon that you oughta just run as far as the nearest pub now old fella.

I almost joined the Hash House Harriers. I don’t drink now, and back home the pubs got too noisy full of foreigners. And yeah, them literally parking their ar*e on the table where my pints used to sit. Killed the vibe 🙂 

4 hours ago, Jonnapat said:

It was a good feeling because Margaret Thatcher had just been deposed.

I can see why. Whatever people think of her, that was a huge moment. Did it change anything for you day to day? 🙂

 

 

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

48? The last time I held a job. 

How did you manage that? In my case I just walked away 🙂

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Aged 48 I was living and working in Taipei, Taiwan. Happy days. Lovely island, great people. Thai wife joined me from Thailand from time to time. She picked up Mandarin very quickly, and she also liked Taiwan a lot. All in all a good time for me. Long since retired to live happily in Thailand with wifey. Been together now for 40 years.

Never made it to Taiwan, but it sounds fantastic. I used to teach at a uni in the UK and had Taiwanese students who always spoke highly of it. Congrats on 40 years together, that’s brilliant 🙂

4 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

I would say that at age 48 I was enjoying life the most I had done, up to that point, especially as I had suffered a full on nervous breakdown due to the toxic office environment I had been working in a couple of years previously. I was travelling between Australia & Europe & the UK caddying on the Australian men's & women's pro golf tours and the ladies European & Senior men's golf tours. It was while I was doing this that being out in the open air, on all the different  golf courses the tournaments were held at, that it felt right and that this was where I was meant to be at that time in my life. Didn't make a lot of money, but absolutely no regrets.

Sorry to hear about the breakdown, but the travel and caddying sound amazing. Was it hard to get into that line of work? Are you a golfer yourself? I think plenty of us used to daydream about LPGA players without ever having played a proper round of golf LOL.

I also notice a common theme here of people leaving toxic workplaces and ending up in Thailand. It’s funny, because back in the UK even my GP suggested I must be heading here for a cheap s*ag. My ex wasn’t too happy hearing that from a doctor.

Just now, Suetape said:

Working hard to put two children through college and running marathons. Thirty one years later comfortably retired and headed back to Thailand on vacation next month.  

That’s impressive. I’m still trying to build my mileage. My longest run was about 27 km three years ago, but right now even 6 km feels tough. I’m doing 5k three times a week and trying to be consistent. Do you still run?

Enjoy your trip. If you’re around then, the Chiang Mai Marathon is in December 🙂

On 9/21/2025 at 8:15 PM, falangUK said:

How did life feel at that age?

work, health, money, relationships, day to day vibe?

Anything you’d do differently, anything that surprised you, or simple wins that made life easier?

Just your average, honest experiences so I can see if I’m vaguely on the right track. Cheers.

1997 – awful time, utterly awful – was fighting to keep my business surviving. I Could hardly afford food; so, avoiding meat and syrviving from vegetables and eggs, which were cheap, one meal a day and some coffee. Work and sleep, apart from the one meal – my girlfriend during 15 years had already kicked me out, because I worked too much – so, that was what my life was, when I was 48 years old...😒

 

However, I was on the right track; "always look on nthe bright side of life":.. It was worth the strugle. When 51 years old I was finally upgraded from debts and worth 0 money – as in zero – only five years later I had enough, to take an early retirement, move to Thailand and build a, for many folks, kind of dream house and living with lots of joy, good food and partying... I still do and never regret my choice for a moment...

 

So, are you vaguely on the right track..?

4 minutes ago, khunPer said:

1997 – awful time, utterly awful – stronling to keep my business surviving. I Could hardly afford food; so, avoiding meat and syrviving from vegetables and eggs, which were cheap, one meal a day and some coffee. Work and sleep, apart from the one meal – my girlfriend during 15 years had already kicked me out, because I worked too much – so, that was what my life was, when I was 48 years old...😒

 

However, I was on the right track; "always look on nthe bright side of life":.. It was worth the strugle. When 51 years old I was finally upgraded from debts and worth 0 money – as in zero – only five years later I had enough, to take an early retirement, move to Thailand and build a, for many folks, kind of dream house and living with lots of joy, good food and partying... I still do and never regret my choice for a moment...

 

So, are you vaguely on the right track..?

Thanks for sharing. I’m sorry you went through that. I really believe things happen for us, not to us, and your story shows what a positive outlook and persistence can do. If I’d faced the same, I’m not sure I’d have kept that attitude.

What’s your secret for staying positive through the rough patches?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_-q9xeOgG4 🙂 
 

Quote

What was life like when you were 48

 

Excellent, money was rolling in.

Allowing me to retire 4 years latter. 

Sorted. 

1 hour ago, falangUK said:

Sounds like you hit the sweet spot. Mortgage cleared, kids launched, money in good shape, and the world opening up. Any favourite trips from that first run of travel? 🙂

The idea was to visit exotic, long haul destinations while the wife and I were still relatively young and active and to do the European stuff later.  The highlight, I think, was probably Peru.  China was also a bit of an experience.  The European stuff never really took off though. We did Spain and France and Greece a bit but then we got divorced so everything stopped until I decided to move to Thailand.  After 20 years here I'm still not sure that this was one of my better decisions though.

what was I doing at 48? It was that long ago, I can't remember!

16 hours ago, falangUK said:

Haha, Bet the XJS was worth it though. What did you switch to once you came to your senses, something that still delivers big? 

Sadly, I downgraded to a Land Rover Discovery

Not the greatest 4x4 I have ever owned

When I was 48 yo I was single, never been married. I had a good job, my own home, modern car and cash in the bank. I also had 3-4 overseas trip but I never managed to go to Thailand. Actually I never really knew where Thailand was. So I decided to go to Thailand 10 years later, I met a Thai lady, we where shacked up for 11 months and I got married on my 59th birthday. Actually she was my first wife, as I was always on the move and having fun to get tied down to one person. Whe're still together and I'm now 80 yo and she's 69 yo.

     I was 48 in 1999.  I had been in the same job since age 22 and, though I loved the job and the people I worked with, I was starting to get both burned out with the job and frustrated by the low salary and small, sometimes infrequent, pay raises.  In about four years time I would take early retirement when I reached 30 years of service and would receive a pension.

     During this period, after years of living paycheck to paycheck, I had received a financial windfall when I sold my condo to my next-door neighbor, who wanted to put the two units together.  She was filthy rich and paid me far more than the going rate for my type of condo in the building.  My advice to any young person, anywhere, would be to try to buy a place to live as soon as you can, rather than renting.   Had I not bought my first condo, by age 48 I really would have had very little to show financially for all my years of working.  

       I ended up netting $70,000.  This likely won't seem like much to many but, remember, this was the 1990s and I was only making around $30,000 to $38,000 a year during the decade so it was a lot for me.  For the first time in my adult life I could breathe easier, financially.  The rich are fond of saying 'money can't buy happiness'.  Perhaps.  But, I can assure you, money can buy some financial peace of mind.  

     I've mentioned on the Forum in the past about my low salary when I was working.  But, the state job did have one good thing--a traditional pension with COLAs.  In hindsight, I now know I am extremely lucky to have this type of pension.  I don't have to rely on a likely very underfunded 401K.

     I've been retired for over 20 years.  My current pension nets me $28,560 a year.  It was less in earlier years but even using an average of just $20,000 a year, that's $400,000 I have received--so far.  I would, I'm sure, be in deep kimchi if I only had a 401K and SS.  The traditional pension is taking some of the sting out of the low salary.  

     But, partly due to that low salary, I did decide to retire early and do something different.  I continued to work part-time for 5 years but I devoted more of my time to doing condo fix-ups and resales, something I enjoyed doing.  Did this until 2010, when I followed my Thai boyfriend, and now spouse, to Thailand.   I have no regrets about retiring early or taking SS at age 62--very happy that I did both.  

     

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was in my third year of living in Thailand at age 48 (2008).  I was having a blast!

22 hours ago, falangUK said:

What’s your secret for staying positive through the rough patches?

Thanks for your reply. Sometimes you might reach that low that it can only get "better, a little better, all the time"...😉 – when business and finance, giving up might mean that you lose everything, whilst if keep going, there might be a lot of values to save. The "secret" – if there is any – was for me to keep my pride and an illusion of having a great life. My modest supper was made and served like a gourmet meal – wine replaced with cheap Swedish (non alcoholic) apple or pear cider – kept me "looking on the bright side of life"...😋And it was indeed worth it, I ended up making enough funds in five years for an excellent life on a paradise island...😊

36 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Thanks for your reply. Sometimes you might reach that low that it can only get "better, a little better, all the time"...😉 – when business and finance, giving up might mean that you lose everything, whilst if keep going, there might be a lot of values to save. The "secret" – if there is any – was for me to keep my pride and an illusion of having a great life. My modest supper was made and served like a gourmet meal – wine replaced with cheap Swedish (non alcoholic) apple or pear cider – kept me "looking on the bright side of life"...😋And it was indeed worth it, I ended up making enough funds in five years for an excellent life on a paradise island...😊

Thanks for sharing those amazing life lessons. It's easy to forget that even when things are at their lowest, that's often the point where you can only go up, as you said! 😉

4 hours ago, newnative said:

     I was 48 in 1999.  I had been in the same job since age 22 and, though I loved the job and the people I worked with, I was starting to get both burned out with the job and frustrated by the low salary and small, sometimes infrequent, pay raises.  In about four years time I would take early retirement when I reached 30 years of service and would receive a pension.

     During this period, after years of living paycheck to paycheck, I had received a financial windfall when I sold my condo to my next-door neighbor, who wanted to put the two units together.  She was filthy rich and paid me far more than the going rate for my type of condo in the building.  My advice to any young person, anywhere, would be to try to buy a place to live as soon as you can, rather than renting.   Had I not bought my first condo, by age 48 I really would have had very little to show financially for all my years of working.  

       I ended up netting $70,000.  This likely won't seem like much to many but, remember, this was the 1990s and I was only making around $30,000 to $38,000 a year during the decade so it was a lot for me.  For the first time in my adult life I could breathe easier, financially.  The rich are fond of saying 'money can't buy happiness'.  Perhaps.  But, I can assure you, money can buy some financial peace of mind.  

     I've mentioned on the Forum in the past about my low salary when I was working.  But, the state job did have one good thing--a traditional pension with COLAs.  In hindsight, I now know I am extremely lucky to have this type of pension.  I don't have to rely on a likely very underfunded 401K.

     I've been retired for over 20 years.  My current pension nets me $28,560 a year.  It was less in earlier years but even using an average of just $20,000 a year, that's $400,000 I have received--so far.  I would, I'm sure, be in deep kimchi if I only had a 401K and SS.  The traditional pension is taking some of the sting out of the low salary.  

     But, partly due to that low salary, I did decide to retire early and do something different.  I continued to work part-time for 5 years but I devoted more of my time to doing condo fix-ups and resales, something I enjoyed doing.  Did this until 2010, when I followed my Thai boyfriend, and now spouse, to Thailand.   I have no regrets about retiring early or taking SS at age 62--very happy that I did both.  

     

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's a fantastic story, thanks for sharing such a detailed look at your journey. It's really insightful to see how things lined up for you, especially coming from that pay check to pay check life.

 

You nailed the key piece of advice, buying that first condo was an absolute game-changer. That windfall, while maybe not huge by today's standards, was massive for you back then and gave you that crucial financial breathing room. You're spot on—money might not buy happiness, but it sure buys peace of mind, which is probably even better.

 

And what a great point about the pension. A lot of people today don't have that security, and $400,000 received so far is a seriously impressive safety net. That traditional pension really did take the "sting" out of the low salary and gave you the freedom to retire early and find work you enjoyed before making the big move to Thailand.

 

I always assume the common narrative is people escaping toxic workplaces or bad relationships, so it's genuinely refreshing to see another perspective where you actually loved the work and your colleagues but chose to retire early for financial reasons and a change of scenery.

It shows that moving to Thailand isn't always about running away from something negative; sometimes, it's about running toward a long-awaited life of freedom and doing things you enjoy

 

Wish the very best for both you and your Thai boyfriend (now spouse!). You've earned that paradise life! 🥂

6 hours ago, Mason45 said:

When I was 48 yo I was single, never been married. I had a good job, my own home, modern car and cash in the bank. I also had 3-4 overseas trip but I never managed to go to Thailand. Actually I never really knew where Thailand was. So I decided to go to Thailand 10 years later, I met a Thai lady, we where shacked up for 11 months and I got married on my 59th birthday. Actually she was my first wife, as I was always on the move and having fun to get tied down to one person. Whe're still together and I'm now 80 yo and she's 69 yo.

That is an absolutely fantastic story! It just goes to show you can start a whole new, happy chapter at any age.

 

You were nearly 60 when visiting Thailand for the first ime, and you ended up meeting your first wife and getting married on your birthday! That’s incredible timing and a great result for someone who spent so many years "on the move."

 

What a successful way to finally get "tied down" to one person. Huge congratulations on still being together 21 years later! 80 and 69 is an awesome milestone. Enjoy your life together in Thailand. That's a true inspiration. 👍

7 hours ago, Grumpy one said:

Sadly, I downgraded to a Land Rover Discovery

Not the greatest 4x4 I have ever owned

Still a dream car for some of us 😁

22 hours ago, doctormann said:

The idea was to visit exotic, long haul destinations while the wife and I were still relatively young and active and to do the European stuff later.  The highlight, I think, was probably Peru.  China was also a bit of an experience.  The European stuff never really took off though. We did Spain and France and Greece a bit but then we got divorced so everything stopped until I decided to move to Thailand.  After 20 years here I'm still not sure that this was one of my better decisions though.

That's an interesting approach to travel, focusing on the long haul, more adventurous places like Peru and China first! Smart thinking to do that while you were still young and active. I can only imagine how incredible Peru must have been.

 

It's a shame the divorce stopped the European part of the plan. Life definitely throws some curveballs, doesn't it?

 

And wow, 20 years in Thailand is a serious commitment. Why are you still on the fence about whether it was one of your better decisions? That's a long time to be unsure! I'd be really curious to hear what keeps you questioning it after all this time. 🤔