Retiring In Thailand

[janabiyah]

I am seeking the kind assistance of any residents to help with the following.

My wife and I, both western, english speaking, enjoy golf, eating out and generally socialising.

We would like to go and live in Thailand and would love to live where we could meet other western like minded couples.

Are there any expat groups made up of western couples who play a bit of golf, go to restruants and have fun times together? If so we would love to hear from you.

Kind regards and thank you for your help

[cdnvic]

I'm going to move this to the general topics section. You'll get more views there and probably get more help as a result.

cv

[Neeranam]

I am seeking the kind assistance of any residents to help with the following.

My wife and I, both western, english speaking, enjoy golf, eating out and generally socialising.

We would like to go and live in Thailand and would love to live where we could meet other western like minded couples.

Are there any expat groups made up of western couples who play a bit of golf, go to restruants and have fun times together? If so we would love to hear from you.

Kind regards and thank you for your help

Very interesting.

In many years living in Thailand, I have never met a western couple who have retired here, unless they had been working here. Really, I can't remember any. Unlike Cyprus, Malta, etc, Thailand seems to attract single retirees. I don't know any retired single woman either. All men, and all of them are here for one reason - Thai women. What would your wife think of this? My Father said that he would retire here if my Mother died, again for the women.

There may well be some expats groups. My parents recently retired, and have been out here on holiday, but I can't ever imagine them retiring here. There was a culture shock for them. How many times have you been here? How long?

I think your best bet would be somewhere like Hua Hin. If there are any expat western couple groups, that would be the place.

If this is a genuine poat, I would advise you to live here for a few months first, if you already haven't, before making your decision.

Good Luck.

[Kerryd]

I am seeking the kind assistance of any residents to help with the following.

My wife and I, both western, english speaking, enjoy golf, eating out and generally socialising.

We would like to go and live in Thailand and would love to live where we could meet other western like minded couples.

Are there any expat groups made up of western couples who play a bit of golf, go to restruants and have fun times together? If so we would love to hear from you.

Kind regards and thank you for your help

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know of any expat groups made up of just "western couples", but there are groups made up of a mix of people.

There are many places in Thailand that would probably suit you. Take a long trip, and visit some of them. Give you a better idea of where you'd like to live (i.e. near the ocean, or in the interior. Big city, small city.)

Most of the big cities (Bangkok, Pattaya, Chang Mai, ect) have large expat communities. Golfing is probably more expensive around Bangkok than Pattaya.

Restaurants ? So many places to choose from. Pretty much anything you could ask for (although I haven't seen any South American style eateries).

If you've never been here before, you have to take a trip first. It wouldn't be wise to make definite plans, only to realize that the weather doesn't suit you, or you don't like the way things are run here, or the medical facilities aren't up to your standards/expectations and so on.

[Nignoy]

I am seeking the kind assistance of any residents to help with the following.

My wife and I, both western, english speaking, enjoy golf, eating out and generally socialising.

We would like to go and live in Thailand and would love to live where we could meet other western like minded couples.

Are there any expat groups made up of western couples who play a bit of golf, go to restruants and have fun times together? If so we would love to hear from you.

Kind regards and thank you for your help

Very interesting.

In many years living in Thailand, I have never met a western couple who have retired here, unless they had been working here. Really, I can't remember any. Unlike Cyprus, Malta, etc, Thailand seems to attract single retirees. I don't know any retired single woman either. All men, and all of them are here for one reason - Thai women. What would your wife think of this? My Father said that he would retire here if my Mother died, again for the women.

There may well be some expats groups. My parents recently retired, and have been out here on holiday, but I can't ever imagine them retiring here. There was a culture shock for them. How many times have you been here? How long?

I think your best bet would be somewhere like Hua Hin. If there are any expat western couple groups, that would be the place.

If this is a genuine poat, I would advise you to live here for a few months first, if you already haven't, before making your decision.

Good Luck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well my wife and I are retiring to thailand, we are both english/australian, the first time we visited thailand the only pussy in Pattaya had 4 legs a tail and a bit of fur, some people just love the country and its people Nignoy

[Pepe']

I am seeking the kind assistance of any residents to help with the following.

My wife and I, both western, english speaking, enjoy golf, eating out and generally socialising.

We would like to go and live in Thailand and would love to live where we could meet other western like minded couples.

Are there any expat groups made up of western couples who play a bit of golf, go to restruants and have fun times together? If so we would love to hear from you.

Kind regards and thank you for your help

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think Neeranam said it well. No need to reiterate. However if you haven't traveled extensively in Asia/third world countries you might be in for some unpleasant surprises.

And these days increasing "sticker shock" as well.

Enjoy a three month sabatical and see what you think.

If you search the site you'll find lots of discussion on this topic in many departments and in great detail.

Best of luck...

[terry74]

This is interesting, I think Thailand is a good place to retire, however first you must find out what you want and your lifestyle

The air around some areas is not good, so if i wanted to retire in Thailand I would try the mountains like changrai, chengmai, or the seaside like Rayong area

The weather can be hot and dry so good for people who have arthiritis and dont like the cold

Suggest that you stay for a few months before deciding to retire in Thailand, as it may not suit everybody

i am planning a retirement village for people from overseas if you are interested you could come stay, however it is still on the drawing board and there is still alot of work I need to do, I plan to make it affordable for people to stay and the target people will be above 55, it will be tailored to suit expats

[Dragonman]

Lots of ex pats male and female in Pattaya and surrounding areas.Check out Pattaya Mail web site. But most adverts for ex pat meetings in paper itself. Lots of golf,restaurants,etc and if you live in a surrounding area like me you don't even have to see any bar girls Unless you want to that is!

[cathyy]

My husband and I are retiring to Thailand within the next 15 months. We are choosing to live in Korat, away from the big tourist and sexpat areas. We know of an English couple, and two couples with a Thai wife who resided in the US for 30+ years - so quite western and speaking fluent English. Thailand really isn't very popular among couples as a retirement destination. I guess most women are worried about how their husband will behave in a sexual candyland! Frankly, I'm not. I got along well with the sexpats I met at the Nana hotel when I stayed there. They seem to be nice enough men, if they notice the presence of a Western woman. Most don't; they are a bit too focused on sex and automatically filter out non-targets.

We will be doing some volunteer work, most likely. Maybe we'll take up golf. We'd love to get together and play Euchre with other couples. Maybe my husband would learn bridge if we met a couple who played it. We plan to continue spending time on our computers, and doing a bit of computer programming.

[tedkarma]

I am seeking the kind assistance of any residents to help with the following.

My wife and I, both western, english speaking, enjoy golf, eating out and generally socialising.

We would like to go and live in Thailand and would love to live where we could meet other western like minded couples.

Are there any expat groups made up of western couples who play a bit of golf, go to restruants and have fun times together? If so we would love to hear from you.

Kind regards and thank you for your help

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Western couples do seem hard to come by - but really it doesn't matter. My wife and I are both "Western" - she works on the island - I live on Phuket half the year - work elsewhere half the year. We are here as we intend to retire on Phuket - and have kept our "home" here for three + years so far. I socialize with some people who are Western-Thai couples, they are good pleasant company - everyone speaks English well so communication is not a problem. There are a few "Eastern" couples as well.

Phuket, in particular, I think is becoming a bit of a retirement haven - and going upscale quickly. This hasn't affected middle priced housing much - but the million dollar homes have appreciated a lot . . . But this also means that services Westerners want/need are increasing and improving.

Personally, I think you would find plenty to do here - it isn't all sexpats and tourists - particularly if you live away from the those areas. I live in a smallish town near Bang Tao and love it there. Close enough, but far enough. Going out for dinner is my number one hobby - and the tourist industry helps create lots of great restaurants - that are very happy to see you in low season!

Make your own niche here - and you'll find others just like yourself - they are probably looking for you right now!

BTW, I went to a "quiz night" about a month ago and there were - in the crowd of mostly local folks - several western couples. So, I think they are here - but don't worry - there are plenty of just regular couples - nice folks - too.

Edited March 22, 2005 by tedkarma

[skycop51]

Good Luck to you tell us how it goes..look forward to hearing.

skyocp

My husband and I are retiring to Thailand within the next 15 months. We are choosing to live in Korat, away from the big tourist and sexpat areas. We know of an English couple, and two couples with a Thai wife who resided in the US for 30+ years - so quite western and speaking fluent English. Thailand really isn't very popular among couples as a retirement destination. I guess most women are worried about how their husband will behave in a sexual candyland! Frankly, I'm not. I got along well with the sexpats I met at the Nana hotel when I stayed there. They seem to be nice enough men, if they notice the presence of a Western woman. Most don't; they are a bit too focused on sex and automatically filter out non-targets.

We will be doing some volunteer work, most likely. Maybe we'll take up golf. We'd love to get together and play Euchre with other couples. Maybe my husband would learn bridge if we met a couple who played it. We plan to continue spending time on our computers, and doing a bit of computer programming.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>