laolover88 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 There are many countries. Plenty of good places to go on holiday and many retirement havens. Most people, I guess, live, until they are old, where they can work or have 'family'. If you did not have a Thai wife/ girl friend/business are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HeijoshinCool Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Given those criteria, no. If not for the girlfriend, and a 13 year old mutt on his last legs, I'd be outta here, to a country with similar values to my home country. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MJP Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 If it wasn't for the two nippers I'd never have come back here to be honest. I'd much prefer to see the rest of the World first and then retire to Devon. Oh well. Never mind. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post uptheos Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 OP "are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else?" Well, I guess if I lived in another country I might ask myself, "are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else?" 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kevozman1 Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 I came out here to further my interest in bird-watching. I have found a particular liking to the the brown coloured, short legged varieties mostly native to the north and north-east areas of the Kingdom. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stoneyboy Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 I guess the OP has never been to Great Yarmouth. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Spoonman Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 I came for work. when that finishes I'll go home. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ukrules Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Why live anywhere when you can always go somewhere else ? 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiftyTwo Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 If I didn't currently have a wife/gf here, next week I would have. That's what's great about Thailand, the ease of acquiring a wife/gf/children. I'm guessing there might be other countries where you can do that easily, but I haven't found them (yet). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rct99q Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Lived here and there....and compared to Jamaica this place is paradise. For this region Thailand for me is the best option. Live near Vientiane and go there often....now that is a real dung hole. Sort of like the Tijuana of Mexico. So yes the weather, the people, easy lifestyle, no big brother atmosphere, moderate cost of living, great place to raise children, not many foreigners (in my area anyways) and good food. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post soi41 Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Many reasons: The climate. The women! It is cheap. I know some posters will not agree. But I think it is cheap! The smiles. 90% fake or for money, But I still enjoy it. Easy the get permission to stay long time. The food. Both the streetfood and all the good restaurants. Thai politics!! You couldn't make it up. Super entertainment. I became hansum without plastic surgery! The very colourful everyday life. Been here 10 years. My only regret is, that I didn't come earlier. 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I came out here to further my interest in bird-watching. I have found a particular liking to the the brown coloured, short legged varieties mostly native to the north and north-east areas of the Kingdom. No sighting of the lesser spotted tit yet? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bcgardener Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Moved my business here about 6 years ago. When I sell up or retire will probably split my time between here and Australia probably more in Oz. I think I would go round the twist if I was forced to live out all my retirement years here. Too many things frustrate and annoy me here. Need a break in a structured society for a while to regain my senses. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HeijoshinCool Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 I came out here to further my interest in bird-watching. I have found a particular liking to the the brown coloured, short legged varieties mostly native to the north and north-east areas of the Kingdom. Don't forget the beautiful Double-Breasted Mattress Thrasher. Mostly nocturnal, but often found in flocks near beach communities. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rgs2001uk Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else? Yes, tax reasons and ease of living here, no one asks any questions. Its at time like this I feel sorry for my American friends with the draconian IRS on there back. Personally I would rather be elsewhere and so would the mrs, but the visa situation prohibts this. Never could understand why the good old US of A has never introduced some sort of retirement visa, guess they would rather have illegals than those with money. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJP Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else? Yes, tax reasons and ease of living here, no one asks any questions. Its at time like this I feel sorry for my American friends with the draconian IRS on there back. Personally I would rather be elsewhere and so would the mrs, but the visa situation prohibts this. Never could understand why the good old US of A has never introduced some sort of retirement visa, guess they would rather have illegals than those with money. That's a bloody good point. US retirement visas. Where are they? Why aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yingyo Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Because Thailand is the best country in the World, ever. We number one. Because Thailand is the best country in the World, ever. We number one. Because Thailand is the best country in the World, ever. We number one. Because Thailand is the best country in the World, ever. We number one. Because Thailand is the best country in the World, ever. We number one. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitker Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Still better than other places for setting one's own business. But would rather leave somewhere else for retirement. To a place with more to visit/see, more substance. Also Thai partner's wish. So will see how we can manage it altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kikoman Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 I came here to get away from there, maybe after all the dissatisfied expats leave, I can enjoy it more. Moving to Thailand was the best decision I ever made. Cheers: 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMavec Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I'd rather be in Latin America but for a variety of personal reasons it is better for me to be here now... can't say I love it anymore though, especially after learning Thai language. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forethat Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) 3 words sums up why I decided to stay, but also what I miss: The Lovely The Lively The Ineffable Edited October 31, 2013 by Forethat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post i claudius Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 Because i am a lazy sod ,so as my wife is Thai and my son half Thai ,i sold the buisness ,the house and came here to do sod all ,while my son is now in uni ,the wife does the house and the garden while i waste my time posting on here, 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ToddWeston Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 It's the "hub" thing for me - I like telling friends and family I live in a hub, mention anything and I'll say it. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NeverSure Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else? Yes, tax reasons and ease of living here, no one asks any questions. Its at time like this I feel sorry for my American friends with the draconian IRS on there back. Actually, yes, I have to pay taxes to the IRS but they are less than 20% of my gross adjusted income. I posted a link earlier showing that the average American pays about 20% in taxes - even the rich. People from other Western countries on here say they would have to pay much more than that in their home country. Also the US doesn't have import duties, so consumer items are cheap. The US government deposits about $2,500 (78,000 baht) into my bank account every month for my social security payment. It also provides me with full health insurance including prescription drugs for about $150 (4,700 baht) per month. I don't have much to complain about. Personally I would rather be elsewhere and so would the mrs, but the visa situation prohibts this. Never could understand why the good old US of A has never introduced some sort of retirement visa, guess they would rather have illegals than those with money. That's a bloody good point. US retirement visas. Where are they? Why aren't they? Maybe they read ThaiVisa and the comments about the US by all of the "foreigners." 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CharlieH Posted October 31, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) If you have to ask then you clearly dont know and I aint tellin !.......Sshhhhhh or more will come. Edited October 31, 2013 by CharlieH 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSpade Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I don't have wife / gf / kids (at least that I know of), business or a job here. I just like it here. I can be almost anywhere but I choose to be here. This is a good country to live in IME. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nana Cowboy Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Wife is the reason I stayed here after 7 years. Can't really say if I'd have remained where I am. I think I'd be bored enough to consider it had she not come along. Life is always going thru changes after a clump of years it seems; for me at least 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mca Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I guess the OP has never been to Great Yarmouth. I'm more of a Hemsby man myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancealot Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Farming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpokaneAl Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) are there actually any good reasons for living here rather than somewhere else? Yes, tax reasons and ease of living here, no one asks any questions. Its at time like this I feel sorry for my American friends with the draconian IRS on there back. Actually, yes, I have to pay taxes to the IRS but they are less than 20% of my gross adjusted income. I posted a link earlier showing that the average American pays about 20% in taxes - even the rich. People from other Western countries on here say they would have to pay much more than that in their home country. Also the US doesn't have import duties, so consumer items are cheap. The US government deposits about $2,500 (78,000 baht) into my bank account every month for my social security payment. It also provides me with full health insurance including prescription drugs for about $150 (4,700 baht) per month. I don't have much to complain about. Personally I would rather be elsewhere and so would the mrs, but the visa situation prohibts this. Never could understand why the good old US of A has never introduced some sort of retirement visa, guess they would rather have illegals than those with money. That's a bloody good point. US retirement visas. Where are they? Why aren't they? Maybe they read ThaiVisa and the comments about the US by all of the "foreigners." Just a minor point concerning your statement that "The US government deposits about $2,500 (78,000 baht) into my bank account every month for my social security payment" lest our non American friends get the wrong impression. Social security is based on a lifetime of income and social security payment withholdings made by each of us. If compared to other investment alternatives, the return on our investment is not particularly impressive. I am not complaining and am looking forward to drawing my own social security in a few years, but did not want to have anyone walk away thinking that this was free money from the US government. Also, when analyzing US income taxes, adjusted gross income is income after deductions and exemptions. The most recent data (2009) tells us that the average tax rate, based on adjusted gross income, was 11.09%. Obviously, when calculating taxes based on total income, the percentage is substantially smaller than that number. Cheers. Edited November 1, 2013 by SpokaneAl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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