Advise Etc On Our Big Move In Dec!

[loubrockbank]

hi all

ok so dec 11 2008 is the date we have set to move to thailand!! to explore a bit more of the world while we are young

ive found TVisa great for info from now till then to get prepared for when we go, however im a little uncdecided on a few things and just want some views really - positive and negative all welcome!

we have family from the uk in both phuket and chiang mai, and are coming over to thialnd in august this year again for another visit for 3 weeks to do some looking about, futher research you can call it b4 we come over more long term in dec. Im coming with my boyfriend i will be 24 by this time and he 25

What do you lovely guys and girls think of the following:

a) Chaing Mia or Phuket to start with, what would be the best do you think for us?

We will have some savings so do you think for cash when we are out there I should get my TEFL teaching certificate here and find work once im out there doing this - this is what I think im swaying towards, and seems the only possible income option, plus i would enjoy this type of work

I dont mean to come accross niave with this post just am curious for any pointers, or ideas of other options etc that may help me out a bit

thanks

[noise]

.....ok so dec 11 2008 is the date we have set to move to thailand!! to explore a bit more of the world while we are young ....i will be 24 by this time and he 25....We will have some savings so do you think for cash when we are out there I should get my TEFL teaching certificate here and find work once im out there doing this - this is what I think im swaying towards, and seems the only possible income option, plus i would enjoy this type of work

See my bolded underlined part of your words. I hope that means you are just coming for a short time, not planning on staying here years, and are not cutting any employment strings back home. As I am sure many, many people will reply by saying, living here is not a year round picnic and party just like the 3 week vacation was.

Your chances of earning enough money here to save some, let alone prepare for old(er) age and retirement, are next to nil, if not nil. So, sooner or later, you will realize you have to return/go somewhere else to find work. And keep in mind that recruiters automatically reject people with employment gaps because there hundreds of applicants without them. It doesn't matter what field you are in, it will hurt you. You will be behind your peers in experience and will have a gap because of what could be perceived as indicative of probably quiting later on as soon as you have enough money for another jaunt off around the world.

I put off moving here until my retirement income was fixed effectively at its maximum potential. The baht increasing in value some 20% since I got here hurts but I am still comfortable only because I looked ahead to a specific retirement goal and had no breaks in employment. It may be hard to worry about 40 years from now when you are in your 20s, but can you afford not to?

It sure is fun to pontificate!

[bendix]

I'm not sure i agree with noise.

The OP and her boyfriend are 24/25 and a year or two exploring the world (and working at the same time to support themselves) isnt necessarily a bad thing, even from a future recruiters point of view.

Unlike many people dreaming of being here, they sound like they are relatively clued up. They're not sex tourists / sexpats. The fact they have some savings suggests they have been working already.

I interview people for jobs all the time, and a couple year career break in the 20s before it's time to settle down to focus isnt necessarily a bad thing - on the contrary, it shows an open mind and adventurous spirit.

I didnt start my career until i was 29. Before that i was simply bumming around, doing pretty much nothing.

[submaniac]

Well I would like to wish the OP's sincere good luck. I also don't get the impression that they are clueless, or are here for the wrong reasons (sexpats). I mean if you are young, now is the time to do it. When you get married, have kids, have a job, mortgage payment, it just gets harder. If you ever are going to do it, do it now.

It also helps that they have family in Chiangmai and Phuket, so it is not like they are coming here with just their hat in their hands. Having a 'base' to work from will help. As to the original question of Phuket or Chiangmai...well it depends. My impression is that the cost of living in Phuket is a bit more than Chiangmai, as it is more of a tourist area. If you can handle it (and more importantly if you have a job there) then go for it! I personally like Phuket more than Chiangmai. When I have been to Chiangmai, I have always thought "what is there to do here?" But that's just me.

[wasabi]

I can't see any reason not to do it. As far as deciding where to live, check out both places and see where you like best.