Often about retired people but not necessarily.

I think this is much more common than people might assume.

Each expat has their own specific story and it doesn't need to be a case as extreme as not being able to afford a plane ticket, but rather about how harsh the actual reality would be upon repatriation (by choice or pushed).

The expat in this video (living in the Philippines) has his own specific story that will in detail be different than others, but there are many possible mixes of specific circumstances that would add up to the same grim conclusion of not really being able to afford to have an acceptable life back home.

His specifics-

A reasonably sufficient pension for Asean

A local partner that he supports.

Apparently, no significant savings other than pension income

Burnt bridges -- lack of a support system to attach to back home

Old age -- beyond hope of starting over with new work situations

I see this as a range.

From the extreme case of not being to afford even an airline ticket to less severe of knowing a life back home would add up to a major degradation in quality of life.

I think somewhere in that range for long term expats is very very common. I'm guessing that probably the middle of that range being relevant to the highest number of long term especially retired expats.

Something to consider for those who haven't made the jump yet. There may be long term

consequences you haven't even thought about.

Edited May 20May 20 by Jingthing

I think quite a number have come to realise that the place they once called "home" and possibly many of the people they knew there no longer exist! Its consigned to history and memories.

They build a life elsewhere, previous situations dissolve, to have to then return for whatever reason and at senior age I believe would be horrific without a support network of some kind.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Often about retired people but not necessarily.

I think this is much more common than people might assume.

Each expat has their own specific story and it doesn't need to be a case as extreme as not being able to afford a plane ticket, but rather about how harsh the actual reality would be upon repatriation (by choice or pushed).

The expat in this video (living in the Philippines) has his own specific story that will in detail be different than others, but there are many possible mixes of specific circumstances that would add up to the same grim conclusion of not really being able to afford to have an acceptable life back home.

His specifics-

A reasonably sufficient pension for Asean

A local partner that he supports.

Apparently, no significant savings other than pension income

Burnt bridges -- lack of a support system to attach to back home

Old age -- beyond hope of starting over with new work situations

I see this as a range.

From the extreme case of not being to afford even an airline ticket to less severe of knowing a life back home would add up to a major degradation in quality of life.

I think somewhere in that range for long term expats is very very common. I'm guessing the probably the middle of that range being relevant to the highest number of long term especially retired expat.

Something to consider for those who haven't made the jump yet. There may be long term

consequences you haven't even thought about.

I think the expat population here and in Asia in general would be 5 times higher than it currently is, if people hadn't already considered the points you made above...............Shame in a way, as I think some overthink it and don't come, when they have been used to safety nets all their lives and are too scared to give it a go; when they could at least dip their toe in and experience and then decide..................

Sure there's more than a few that could, afford to go back to the 'motherland', but what's the point.

For myself, a one year holiday, at USA, would make more sense. Without thinking about leaving house and land here, TH, unattended that long.

There would be no purpose for myself and many others to return. IF I got serious sick, and curable, then using Medicare would be a major advantage. But that's about it.

Not sure I'd want to lessen my pocket / play money as much as I would have to, for the benefit of living some place I left once already.

If I had kids and or grandkids there, that I could interact with, without disrupting their life, then it might be a consideration. Although TBH, if the case, I would have never left.

8 minutes ago, Off Piste said:

....Shame in a way, as I think some overthink it and don't come, when they have been used to safety nets all their lives and are too scared to give it a go ......

Thankfully

If they did, I wouldn't be here. Enough PC idiots that wanted to and succeeded in changing the way of life in USA, and I don't want them here. Too many here already IMHO.

Edited May 20May 20 by KhunLA

I prefer positive videos.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I prefer positive videos.

Yeah, the guy sounds like he's got a very reasonable retirement going on in the Philippines. Not "feeling" like the Philippines welcomes you with open arms (and lets you vote) is just a perspective. You're allowed to live and enjoy life in 'their' country. Other than having to jump through a few hoops here and there (immigration) is sounds like a lovely retirement... CERTAINLY a more comfortable retirement than he'd have in The Land of the Free, given his financial status. He needs to take a freaking CHILL PILL.

I'm in almost exactly the same boat as he's in. I love it. I could never afford to move back to the US and wouldn't if I could.

Clickbait framing, honestly. Not much to see here.

The guy is 70, in the final third of life, living in the Philippines on a pension that’s sustainable there. So the idea that “he can’t get a job in the US” or “can’t afford a condo back home” is kind of irrelevant to his actual situation.

Different expats have very different setups, but people keep turning it into some dramatic cautionary tale about “being trapped abroad.” In reality, for many retirees in ASEAN, that’s just not the case. They’ve chosen a lower cost of living, often have a local partner, and are living within their means.

Of course there are edge cases where people have burned bridges or have no fallback, but that’s not unique to expats—it applies to plenty of retirees anywhere. Repatriation would be a downgrade for many, but that doesn’t automatically make it a crisis.

Feels like this video is stretching a normal retirement situation into something more dramatic than it is.

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Thankfully

If they did, I wouldn't be here. Enough PC idiots that wanted to and succeeded in changing the way of life in USA, and I don't want them here. Too many here already IMHO.

I'm not sure that 'those used to safety nets all their lives' and 'PC idiots' are one of a kind, if that's what you meant....

26 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Sure there's more than a few that could, afford to go back to the 'motherland', but what's the point.

For myself, a one year holiday, at USA, would make more sense. Without thinking about leaving house and land here, TH, unattended that long.

There would be no purpose for myself and many others to return. IF I got serious sick, and curable, then using Medicare would be a major advantage. But that's about it.

Not sure I'd want to lessen my pocket / play money as much as I would have to, for the benefit of living some place I left once already.

If I had kids and or grandkids there, that I could interact with, without disrupting their life, then it might be a consideration. Although TBH, if the case, I would have never left.

Your situation is quite unique and strong compared to many others on this forum.

I must say, you have stronger cards in your hand than many others who rely on renting and live in more exposed areas with higher instability.

The real question is what the future will bring.

Where is the safest place economically, and safest from war, crime, and instability? For me, Thailand looks like the safest option right now, but it depends on my own resources and what we have built around us.

What happens if pensions are frozen, delayed, or lose value because of the world situation? I do not know, but I think it is smart to think ahead. Thailand is not perfect, but with land, family, water, solar, food options, and low costs, you must feel less exposed.

43 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Something to consider for those who haven't made the jump yet. There may be long term

consequences you haven't even thought about.

I reckon most choose not to think about it, what a horrible thought, going back to that awful place to live amongst all those awful, miserable people.

I'd like to know the stat's on how many self harm once they go back, I'd say they would be penny less

Edited May 20May 20 by SAFETY FIRST

Pretty much my position. Having moved here in 2005 and 'sold up' in the UK in 2007, there's no way I could afford to move back with my (relatively) young family.

40 years living here , never been back to UK even once ,why would I,

it was on a downward trend when I left , and certainly has not

improved ,if I had stayed there would most likely been dead years

ago,living a happy stress free life here ,thank you Thailand ....

regards worgeordie

19 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

40 years living here , never been back to UK even once ,why would I,

it was on a downward trend when I left , and certainly has not

improved ,if I had stayed there would most likely been dead years

ago,living a happy stress free life here ,thank you Thailand ....

regards worgeordie

It is a different situation for those who have bonds and family back home.

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It is a different situation for those who have bonds and family back home.

Phoning your kids once a year doesn't really count as a bond.

How many people over 70 do you think can afford to change homes on a whim?

(obviously most of us would find our next home of the 'nursing or assisted living' type)

Edited May 20May 20 by BritManToo

The value of not being under constant financial stress should not be underestimated.

While I do not technically "own" a house here, I do have a right to live in a house and use a large parcel of land on which I can grow food. Aside from the lifestyle benefits this affords me, it also diversifies my assets, reduces my housing costs to next to nothing, and provides a safety net were a systemic financial catastrophe to hit (banking, entitlement program cutbacks, USD devaluation, stock market collapse, hyperinflation, war, etc.)

Often overlooked sobering realities of repatriating at a latter stage of life include the risk of sinking a nest egg into illiquid real estate late in life, and the need to set aside cash reserves in order to cover medical and long term care costs.

A word of comfort: the US and many other Western countries are experiencing unprecedented affordability crises which few would have predicted 20, 30, 40 years ago when they moved to Thailand. I wouldn't beat myself up too much if you didn't see this coming. And when you look at the additional cost of living and repatriation expenses you would incur, the value you would reap from repatriation is quite often a rather crummy deal.

For those who are drawn to repatriation for intangible motives like family and friends or climate, landscape or familiar surroundings (but worry about affordability), I can only suggest trying to fill that void through travel rather than repatriation.

Edited May 20May 20 by Gecko123

It is something I think about from time to time if I lost my wife. Could not really stay here as I cannot speak Thai, too old to do the usual Pattaya/ Phuket lifestyle, so would probably head home. But I would not know where to make home as there are no kids, my siblings are older than me so wont be around for that much longer.

I would mean starting a new life in a new area which is not a pleasant thought for a 76 year old.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Phoning your kids once a year doesn't really count as a bond.

How many people over 70 do you think can afford to change homes on a whim?

(obviously most of us would find our next home of the 'nursing or assisted living' type)

As you say, I am not 70 yet, and I also think my economic situation can be different by then, As it was when I first started to make my move to Thailand and the Nok was 6,50 baht, now on a good year 3,20 on average

West is not that bad after initial reverse culture shock.

Everyone’s situation is different. A lot of people living here long term probably got this far more through circumstance and luck than careful planning. Sure, some have solid pensions, investments, and proper financial security, but in the real world many don’t.

A lot of expats have simply built a life here over time. They’ve secured a roof over their head, have a state pension coming in, and maybe managed to put aside some savings along the way.

The problem is usually the things you never see coming. You live within your means, the weather is better, daily life feels easier, and things tick along fine, until suddenly they don’t.

It can be something simple: a fall, getting seriously injured through no fault of your own, or becoming ill, a visa rule change, missing pension paperwork, or a pension provider claiming you failed to respond so payments stop.

These are all real-world situations that can hit fast, create massive stress, and potentially turn your whole life upside down.

Most people do manage, but many are far more vulnerable than they like to admit. Ultimately, we do what we can with what we have, focus on the positives of what we do have rather than what "might" happen.

We are often our own worst enemies. Sometimes, the things that wear us down most are the fears and scenarios we create in our own minds. There’s no point in creating problems in your own mind before they even exist,

2 hours ago, Rams86 said:

Is this another GoFundMe for his plane ticket?

Nothing like that.

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

We are often our own worst enemies. Sometimes, the things that wear us down most are the fears and scenarios we create in our own minds. There’s no point in creating problems in your own mind before they even exist,

^^^^
Jing, read above and paste it on your bathroom mirror. Chant it each morning.

4 hours ago, Nemises said:

Clickbait framing, honestly. Not much to see here.

The guy is 70, in the final third of life, living in the Philippines on a pension that’s sustainable there. So the idea that “he can’t get a job in the US” or “can’t afford a condo back home” is kind of irrelevant to his actual situation.

Different expats have very different setups, but people keep turning it into some dramatic cautionary tale about “being trapped abroad.” In reality, for many retirees in ASEAN, that’s just not the case. They’ve chosen a lower cost of living, often have a local partner, and are living within their means.

Of course there are edge cases where people have burned bridges or have no fallback, but that’s not unique to expats—it applies to plenty of retirees anywhere. Repatriation would be a downgrade for many, but that doesn’t automatically make it a crisis.

Feels like this video is stretching a normal retirement situation into something more dramatic than it is.

Oh no!

You don’t like the way I framed it!

What topics have you started lately?

Do you think.I make money on clicks here?

The normal hope in starting any topic is the hope others might be interested enough to think about and maybe discuss the topic presumably because they themselves are interested in the topic.

Some topics result in no public interest and some resonate well.

What do you suggest?

That people make an effort to.make sure their topics are duds?

I could have framed it this way.

Headline

Boring video below

Intro

This video is worthless. Don't waste your time with it.

Edited May 20May 20 by Jingthing

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

West is not that bad after initial reverse culture shock.

Clean air and streets. Just bad people lol

.

Moving on from responding to predictable snipers it occurs to me that of course peoplw consider whether they can afford to retire abroad to a lower cost country but its very rare for a person to consider if they'll be able to afford a decent life back home 20 years later.

Edited May 20May 20 by Jingthing

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

West is not that bad after initial reverse culture shock.

If you can afford it and hopefully have some kind of support network still intact.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Clean air and streets. Just bad people lol

Its not that easy or straight forward unfortunately- if I went "home" the only thing the same would be the ground!

English is not the main language there now - signage is even in foreign languages - I wouldn't know anyone around me - Id be the ethnic minority - and honestly- couldnt afford a place to rent even if there was one available, which is doubtful. Id have to search for a town or area that was still predominantly English, and throw myself at the mercy of the local council and or/charity organisations for assistance. Handling and processing all that, suitcase in tow, no bank account or means of obtaining one, and probably living out of a cheap B&B in the meantime does not exactly enthral me.

That "could" be the reality for many Brits if they had to "go home" and had no family support network remaining.

Theres an interesting topic about all this and a geniune real life story about this here:

24 minutes ago, atpeace said:

^^^^
Jing, read above and paste it on your bathroom mirror. Chant it each morning.

Dime store psychological advice I can do without.

Post on the topic.

Something I've thought about in the past but is still the case.

For people who have been incarcerated (prison) for a long time, there are often such things as half way houses to assist people to transition back into society.

Such an infrastructure or social understanding for long term returning expats doesn't exist. People might not help ex cons but they generally understand that they have a big challenge.

Expats going home won't be getting any sympathy or understanding from strangers about this (or even family and old friends if you still have any). Oh, so you've been living in a tropical "paradise" for many years, have you? People won't be able to relate to you one bit.

Maybe that's the answer. Get sent to prison first and then you might get social support later. Kidding of course.

Edited May 20May 20 by Jingthing

5 hours ago, Off Piste said:

I think the expat population here and in Asia in general would be 5 times higher than it currently is, if people hadn't already considered the points you made above...............Shame in a way, as I think some overthink it and don't come, when they have been used to safety nets all their lives and are too scared to give it a go; when they could at least dip their toe in and experience and then decide..................

I don't agree at all.

I don't think people think about repatriating after a long time at all.

The reason more people don't move abroad is because of FEAR of the unknown, attachments at home, that practically it's often a very hard thing to do, and just how in general people dream about doing things they never do. Human nature.

Edited May 20May 20 by Jingthing