Moving To Thailand Bkk

[siddv]

I'm a 52 yo USA lawyer and I've just been made an offer to have my home rented for the rest of the year!!!!!Business is slow and I've often dreamt of retiring to Thailand. The longest time I have ever spent in Thai has been 3 weeks. Have had many experiences in LOS both good and bad but mostly good during the past 7 years. Spent lots of money there/had many many good times. However I realize that visiting is not the same as living and I feel that this presents a great opportunity to really judge whether I could actually live in Thailand and not just vacation well there. I'm not rich/I'm not poor. I'm not married/not looking to become. I know the TGF scams/pressures. I do not need to work during this time. I just need to judge if I have what it takes and if Thai/BKK is the place for me. 4 months might not be enough to determine this but its the time I have. Should I go for it? Just looking for a good solid push off the board I suppose!!!!

[xen]

You will never know if you never go !!!

[rametindallas]

You will never know if you never go !!!

so true

[gotlost]

It seams as if your standing on the diving board with your toes hanging over and ready to jump. Jump, Jump Jump. You only live once and if 4 months is all you have go for it. BTW double entry tourist visa are free until March and this should do you for your time in the LOS.

[bifftastic]

Would you feel better if you didn't? Then maybe you'd get to ask yourself "perhaps I should've taken that opportunity to go and live in Thailand for four months"

pfffft!

You've been given a chance, take it. Enjoy you might not get another one.

[gotlost]

So the question is SHORT TIME? LONG TIME? Do it!!! You know you want to.

[Amerifarang]

So the question is SHORT TIME? LONG TIME? Do it!!! You know you want to.

[Amerifarang]

Jump in with both feet you only live once,otherwise you'll never know? I wouldn't limit your 4 months to BKK try other parts of Thailand, Phuket, Chiang Mai et.al. All have something to offer! Good luck!

[andytime]

You are only midway through but don't get to the end of your life and say "if only........." nothing ventured nothing gained sounds like a perfect time in your life to experience Thailand more. I am not sure of most other members however seems to be a natural high when I have a bkk bound ticket in my hand and a natural low when one has one leaving here. You seem to have a good idea of what to expect and pitfalls to avoid. Gandhi said "learn as if you live forever and live as if you die tomorrow"......book your ticket!!

[marvinberry]

My friends back home, some of them Thai, said to me "If you don't do it, you'll never know".

I did it and never looked back!

[BigPanda]

I am not sure but don't you think you could get bored here if you are not looking to work ? What kind of activities you plan on doing to pass your time ?

[Rumblecat]

Just do it. Worst comes to worst you can always leave.

I'd strongly recommend signing up to learn to speak and read Thai when you get here- it makes a huge difference, even at a beginner level, to enjoying life here.

[dundee007]

go for it man.....i know heart says GO.....<br>

[Tropicalevo]

I am not sure but don't you think you could get bored here if you are not looking to work ? What kind of activities you plan on doing to pass your time ?

How can you get bored in Bangkok? Loads to do and as Rumblecat says - learn to read,write and speak Thai. Makes a huge difference. Four months - what a chance to learn another language. (A friend of mine has moved to Bangkok to get a degree! Lots of time for learning)

[exterminator]

"Turtle makes progress when he sticks his neck out". One life - live it!

[Wolfie]

Whats the worst that can happen? After a few months you decide you dont like it and wanna move back home...

You got nothing to lose, nothing to be afraid of and nothing holding you back... i say just go for it!!!

[KTD]

Can you bring me an Arrow exhaust pipe for my Kawasaki! lol, joking.

Hope you make the right decision and enjoy your flight.

[LuckyLew]

Now boarding ......................

[CHANGOVER]

"Turtle makes progress when he sticks his neck out". One life - live it!

Conversely 'turtle gets head chopped off by bar girl when he sticks it out'

[moe666]

Lot of encouragment there. I had always spent 2 to 3 weeks in Thailand a year sometime twice a year since 1998. This year I stayed for 3 months best thing I have done for myself in a long time. Go for it what have you got to loose. Since you have been to Thailand before why are you even asking this question.

[Tanlic]

I'd say go for it, but if you find you want to stay, try and find something to do.

Like anywhere in the world it can become a bit boring during the day once you get fed up sightseeing.

A part time lecturing job at one of the universities could be just the ticket.

Great place great life go for it!!

[siddv]

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. I'm sure this presents a no-brainer to those of you already there but its a big step for me. However I'm inclined to go. Anyone have any recommendations on a small reasonably priced serviced apt anywhere in ex pat locales? Say in the 10K-20K monthly range? Also suggestions on how to deal with security deposits, have heard these are difficult to get back no matter what the condition of the apt at lease end. I'm a lawyer but know this means little in BKK. Lots to do now!!!!!!!!!!

[flotsam]

How can you NOT go for it?

[hagler]

nope you stay where you are.

If you have to ask a question like that on a public forum then you don't have what it takes. Go shopping for cardigans instead.

[siddv]

Once again thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm excited to say my flight is booked for the week after next through January of next year. Then it hit me? What do you think my best option is re my visa situation since I'm coming in on a 30 stamp from the USA? Remarkably no consulate here in SF and do not want to let go of the PP now. Any thoughts. Regardless, thanks for the shove, it was just what I needed. I suppose I have 30 days to come up with a solution.

[BangkokBill09]

Hello fellow American,

I can save you a lot of time. I've been coming to Thailand for years and have just recently moved here permanently. Here's what I've discovered now and over the past years:

Everyone who lives in Thailand has got issues. Even I did because I thought I belonged here too. But I'm smart enough to know that when you come from America, you'd be crazy to move to a place like Thailand to live. Remember, the people that are happiest here are from the UK and from Europe, with overbearing socialistic governments, and some of the worse weather anywhere. So, Thailand looks great. But for an American, with the freedoms we have, and the country we have, with all it's goodies, why think the grass is greener somewhere else? I did, but I got really smart, really fast. To live like you are accustomed to in Thailand will cost you plenty, more than living in America. But no matter how much you spend, things won't work out. You won't find what you need, you'll abhor the quality, and you'll miss so much. And if you hook up with a Thai woman, you'll be one of thousands who have given up their self-esteem and self-confidence to live in a land with beguiling woman who will take your money, even if it takes years for the fangs to come out. But, they will come out. Remember, no matter how you try, you'll never be self-sufficient or independent because you cannot speak the language. This alone makes the woman have control over you. And every three months, no matter how successful you've been in your life... you will have to report to a police station and tell them where you are and what you are doing. dam_n if I'm going to do that the rest of my life...

My advice is this. If you are on the poor side and can't make a living in America, Thailand might be attractive. But it won't last. So, make the best in America. Home prices are down in many areas. In Scottsdale AZ you can buy a gorgeous home in an upscale resort like area for less than you would be able to buy a home or condo in Thailand. And there's Seattle Wa. and dozens of other communities in America to settle down.

If you have some money, then find a good place in America and visit Thailand once a year for fun.

I can't speak for you.... but for me I believe an American who moves to Thailand is running from something, or is just kidding himself about this being a great place to retire to. You'd better take a good hard look at why you think Thailand is better than where you are.

Thats my two cents. If you want to call me and talk about this you can contact me through my private e-mail link on Thai visa.

I'm in Pranburi now, having explored living in Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and even Phuket. For me, "God bless the USA....."

Bangkok Bill

[Familyonthemove]

Thanks for posting your thoughts Bangkok Bill .... I admire your clarity of thought and you make some good points. For me - I like it here - but I'm from the UK and yes our weather sucks, but I hope there's more to it than the weather. I don't have a Thai girlfriend but I do have Thai friends and I'm happily married. I've lived in four countries (India, Germany, UK, Thailand) and I've enjoyed them all for different reasons.

I guess I feel I've done the UK and everyday I leave my apartment in Bangkok I see something new and interesting. I may not like everything I see but it's the differences that I enjoy. I'm flying back to the UK for a business trip today and it will be great to catch up with family and frends, but I'll still be glad to return to Bangkok.

If you revel in differences, enjoy adventure and like people .... then this is a great place.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Familyonthemove

[mmh8]

if you are looking to buy a relationship probably best not to come. If you are looking to pay for your pleasure then stay away.

If you have social problems in your native country stay away, you will have the same social problems here but amplified .

If you are just going to add to the riff raff and propogate the sex trade then stay out of the country,

that's my 2 cents worth too.

we know a song about this don't we

[siddv]

Oh my gosh!!! what despair you last two posters present!!! No more Black Label for you two!!! I trust there would be few men living in LOS, particularity BKK, if anyone took heed of the that last post...oh my.No... we each have our own lives to live and experiences to have. I choose to be positive and I'm invigorated to embark on this opportunity. Thanks once again. See you around town!!!

[siddv]

oh... and as to the song...is it Hotel California!!!!!!!!