Hello Everyone,

[Ronin6]

I'm relatively new to the forum and I have some questions regarding potentially relocating to Thailand from America. Let me preface this by saying that I am not coming here for a woman or because I couldn't make it in America. The reason is that i have travelled to Thailand for the last 7 years and it brings me a type of peace that I have never experienced before. As my country tears itself apart from within I feel like I want to get away from here because it breaks my heart.

I have been mainly to Phuket but also to Rayong and Bangkok. I'm 41 and I have steady money from a trust that should allow me to live inThailand comfortably.

So my questions:

1-with respect to owning a home is getting a corp to buy it still the way to go or is buying a condo safer in the long term?

2-Does anyone have experiences they could share about leaving their home countries, what they miss most, what they were surprised to miss or surprised not to miss.

3- I have only been in Thailand in 3 month stints over the years and I may not have pierced the veil so to speak, are there any dire warnings you could give me to potentially save me from some if any of the hard lessons you learned?

4-if you own a home or condo would Thailand typically renew visas as normal or do at some point restrict you from coming in and out on visa runs and make you get a different type of visa? I would be concerned about moving there and then having my status change and I can't get back to the country.

5-safety seems to be an issue here at times (as is everywhere else) 2 villas that I stayed in at times have been robbed in the night. What tricks tactics do you employ to make you a less attractive target? This is one reason why I am considering a condo over a house.

6-for those that have lived in Thailand for a long time and watched the baht rise and fall do you envision a time where $10-12k/ month would not be enough to live comfortably and safely?

7-having only been to Phuket, Bangkok and Rayong are there any particular spots I should also consider looking at. I am looking for a semi-upscale area that still has a strong element of thai culture. While I enjoy ex pat and ex pat bars I don't need to necessarily be in the middle of an ex pat community.

thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward reading some responses

[EASYDOGG]

You feel peace in Phuket? It's a horrible place. Head for the quieter places and the places less frequented by farang.

Sent from my GT-S5830 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[taotoo]

"As my country tears itself apart from within I feel like I want to get away from here because it breaks my heart."

You probably don't want to come to Thailand then.

[Sam Gold]

"For those that have lived in Thailand for a long time and watched the baht rise and fall do you envision a time where $10-12k/ month would not be enough to live comfortably and safely?"

No, thank God for most of us!

[wym]

First of all, don't "settle down" at all until you've explored the country a bit, live for a few months at a time in various places until you find one you like.

I would advise not purchasing anything at all, just rent. If you really like a place, then lock in three years at a time with an annual renewal on the full three years, so you can fix up the place if you like without the landlord kicking you out or raising the rent arbitrarily.

Even a 30 year lease is possible, but then needs to be properly registered with the land office.

Don't bring in more than you actually need to spend for a few months at a time. Any so-called "investment" you make here, log as consumption expense and treat accordingly, if you happen to get any of it back then it's a pleasant surprise.

WRT security, you are making yourself a target by wanting to live in a way that makes it obvious you have "big money" compared to most foreigners here.

Much better to give the impression you are actually poorer than most and you will greatly improve your security.

Doesn't mean you have to live uncomfortably, just spend your money in ways that aren't obvious to your neighbors, servants if you have them etc.

[robertthebruce]

Hi

Just read your posting, i have been living in ''Phuket'' for just 4 years, and am loving it, some beautiful beaches and nice restaurants..

Whatever you want, is at hand... only downside, is ''Public transport'' is non existent, so you need to buy a car or scooter or something similar..

No hastle , plenty to do and see...

[smokie36]

Rent and don't buy anything or bring large sums of money to Thailand....enjoy yourself too!

[osiboy]

Hi

Just read your posting, i have been living in ''Phuket'' for just 4 years, and am loving it, some beautiful beaches and nice restaurants..

Whatever you want, is at hand... only downside, is ''Public transport'' is non existent, so you need to buy a car or scooter or something similar..

No hastle , plenty to do and see...

if you live long enuf that is ! , i lived there for 3 yrs and lost 3 friends to RTAs and 1 in tsunami , others only lost their life savings or businesses ,..... be careful out there ! IMO ppl from the south are more greedy and violent than the rest of los .

[RandomSand]

"For those that have lived in Thailand for a long time and watched the baht rise and fall do you envision a time where $10-12k/ month would not be enough to live comfortably and safely?"

No, thank God for most of us!

I read that purchasing power of money roughly halves every ten years. That would make 12K into 3K twenty yrs down the line. Add in a 30% decline the dollar/baht and you're looking at $2.1K.

Of course you have most of the capital in stocks and bonds and they certainly won't crash in twenty years.

Edit- Asian economies have been notorious for their bouts of rapid inflation in the past.

[ABCer]

Ronin6, basically I agree with almost all wym's advice's.

1- your 10-12 K per month will allow a trouble free life for a long time.

2- try to avoid commitments to any place (by purchasing RE) at least for a few years.

3- before you make a move here decide for yourself what are you going to do; being 41??? ... getting bored to death??? On the other hand the fact that 'you have made it' in the West does not guaranty you will make it in the East. You will have to consider your Visa status in Thailand.

4- consider alternatives to Thailand: Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Burma, Vietnam,... so far as you are free.

5- and finally - 'I'm not coming here for a woman' - whatever it means might be a a pitfall unless you adopt and strictly stick to PAYG system. Remember that the strongest and smartest are undone be the dumbest and weakest all around the world.

Good luck.

[Nautilus05]

I'll only comment on what I know about:

2-Does anyone have experiences they could share about leaving their home countries, what they miss most, what they were surprised to miss or surprised not to miss.

For me, the biggest (and aside from faimly, only) thing I miss is the nature. No beautiful forests, Rocky Mountains, clean mountain springs, etc... here. There's some decent nature I guess, but nothing that even comes close to Canada.

3- I have only been in Thailand in 3 month stints over the years and I may not have pierced the veil so to speak, are there any dire warnings you could give me to potentially save me from some if any of the hard lessons you learned?

Many, but two things off the top of my head:

a) Your privacy is out the window. Even if you're a recluse, still expect everyone within a 3km radius to know everything about you -- when you sleep, when you leave your house, what you do during the day, what you buy from the markets, what you eat / drink, etc. It's just the way it works, but once you're used to it, it's actually a great environment and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Your average street cop here is very friendly. Back in the West, when you see a cop on the street you somewhat seize up, and put on your "yes, I'm a good samaritan officer" pose. Whereas here, the cops are friendly, smily, like to laugh and joke with you, etc. You don't have to be scared of the police here. Granted, if you break the law, they'll have no problem throwing you into a cell, but for the most part, they're great.

5-safety seems to be an issue here at times (as is everywhere else) 2 villas that I stayed in at times have been robbed in the night. What tricks tactics do you employ to make you a less attractive target? This is one reason why I am considering a condo over a house.

I personally use dogs. Seems to have worked well for me over the years, as nobody has ever even attempted to break-in. I'm sure some have scouted it out, but once they see my dogs, they move onto the next house.

7-having only been to Phuket, Bangkok and Rayong are there any particular spots I should also consider looking at. I am looking for a semi-upscale area that still has a strong element of thai culture. While I enjoy ex pat and ex pat bars I don't need to necessarily be in the middle of an ex pat community.

Good choice. Don't move to an expat area. Grab yourself a house in a Thai area. Not only is it cheaper, but just all around better -- better people, don't have to woirry about tourist / expat scams, double pricing, etc.

[Bender]

phuket

my best advice dont burn the bridge...

[jacksam]

Lot of good advice by members here. What your going to do to occupy yourself is a big one especially as your only 41. ...Don't buy there is little point. You don't need the capital gain and here that doesn't stack up anyway. Renting you can move about when you feel the time is right. May even end up being to Vietnam or some such.

You will need a woman not just for the obvious but you will have a lot of time and women make the best company. Drinking buddies are fine for your ventures outside. The bloke that advised you topay as you go is stop on. What's will all the poor old pity me stories from farang who put real estate or car or whatever in Thai girls name.??? Oh forgot "she has good heart" those blokes are dills. You will miss the nature. Like the guy mentioned from earlier. When you live in places like Canada ,Australia etc the beaches countryside etc can't be compared. Not to mention the roads to get you there. I don't talk about beaches here by comparing them to what I'm used to but I have been to many here and well they ain't good.

[wym]

a) Your privacy is out the window. Even if you're a recluse, still expect everyone within a 3km radius to know everything about you -- when you sleep, when you leave your house, what you do during the day, what you buy from the markets, what you eat / drink, etc. It's just the way it works, but once you're used to it, it's actually a great environment and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Actually I find the privacy element much STRONGER in Thailand.

Sure the people around your house, neighbors maids security guards etc will gossip. But only about what they see.

If you're doing anything you wouldn't want (for example) a potential fiance to see, then just get a second flat, not expensive here.

People don't actually care what you're doing behind closed doors, unless you give them a reason to care.

So much easier to buy everything with cash here, even expensive properties, in fifteen years here I've left hardly any traces I care about in computer systems.

Just look like an ordinary expat in your neighborhood and you can pretty much do what you like when you're out and about.

WRT people talking about the Rocky Mountains etc it's not as if you can't just hop on a plane and take a foreign holiday anytime you like either. It's day-to-day life that's most important. . .

[zeichen]

Visas will be an issue at 41. YOu will most likely need to enroll in a language course and get an ED visa.

Work 9-10 more years and then retire. Retiring at 41 is just plain silly. Unless you are just coming to Thailand to set up base and then create some international business that requires traveling.

Don't buy a condo or create a fake company and purchase a house illegally through that dummy company.

Renting is usually the best and quite cheap even for a very nice place. 20-40k Baht a month will give you something equiavalent to a $200k home

Gated communities are very safe. You must have had bad luck with 2 robberies. In 15 years I have never been robbed or harrassed. I find Thailand quite safe. Dad did have his country estate robbed by a drunk farmer but everything was returned 1 week later.

300k baht a month is barely enough to live off especially if you are snorting 10 lines a minute. Realistically, you could save half that trust and reinvest in the future. 5k USD 150 baht a month will give you quite a comfortable lifestyle unless you are used to living a jetset lifestyle. 150k baht a month in Thailand will equate to about to the life you would live on 150k usd a year.

I love how you want Thai culture in tourist destinations. Sorry to break it to you but you won't find anything authentic Thai anywhere near Phuket. Bangkok is fast paced and filled with torment during political crisis. However there are some nice estates outside the city where ambassadors and diplomats live rents are usually about 3-4k dollars a month though, but you will definitely be with interesting people.

I will echoe other people. Unless you find something to invest your time in, you will go crazy.

Come for 6 months before making any major decisions. Spend the first month visiting the entire country and then settle down in your favorite area for the other 5. Build some roots and establish a community and a routine, then if you are still happy, move permanently.

[Nautilus05]

Actually I find the privacy element much STRONGER in Thailand.

Really? I find the complete opposite. Back in Canada, privacy is almost something sacred, and everyone respects it almost too much. I've lived in plush condos for 1 - 2 years before, and never even got to know any of my neighbors. There'd be the odd awkward "hello" during the odd meeting in the hallway, but that was about it.

Whereas here, I find the total opposite. There's not much respect for privacy at all, and I think it's simply due to the fact Thais have more of a communal mindset. Everyone is supposed to be up in each other's business, and that's just the way it works, type of thing. This thing is, it's completely fine, and not only that, but it's actually great, and one of the many reasons I enjoy living here.

Everyone will be watching you, and will be gossiping about you, but it's not a bad thing at all. It takes some getting used to, but once you're used to it, it's great. Even though they may know things about you, nobody actually cares. I like being able to just hop into a tuk-tuk almost anywhere, and half the time being able to just say "gap baan", and they already know where to go. It's weird, and takes some getting used to, but something I really enjoy about living here.

[wym]

Yes, obviously most Thais still live with the village mentality of everyone knowing everyone's business.

I meant at the systematic level of officialdom watching and caring what you do.

Just because someone asks you how much you make or spend on your girl or your shoes or dinner, doesn't mean you have to answer.

Just smile and move on, or if your Thai is good enough I've found they don't take offense at "in farang culture such things are private". With friends and family that have already been informed many times, a short "none of your business" with a smile of course will do the trick.

[Ronin6]

Hello Everyone,

I was amazed at so many articulate and wise people answering my questions , thank very much!

You all have given me a lot to think on. Yes, I am "only 41" but I am burnt out .too much responsibility in my area of work i watch people pass away despite all we do for them all the things we do to save them has crushed my soul and I need a breather.

So I thought of the place I have been going once or twice a year for a long time.

I will think long and hard about giving up my life here.

As far as keeping busy or working I doubt any of the hospitals want a farang on staff and I don't think it would be legal regardless.

if any one has some suggestions for places that have more Thai culture but have a modicum of western comfort please let me know doesn't need to have Falange food I only eat Thai when I am there.

Again I sincerely thank you all for taking the time to help me

[steven100]

Come to lie land .. sorry I mean thailand , find yourself a nice honest girl in Nana, phuket or pattaya to take care of you and your ATM card ... open a bar so you won't get bored ... you can sit and hear all the farang stories all day long .... wow .. wouldn't that just be the life .

Sent from my TR736 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MB1]

6-for those that have lived in Thailand for a long time and watched the baht rise and fall do you envision a time where $10-12k/ month would not be enough to live comfortably and safely?

Number six did it for me, call me cynical but I smell.................A .......... What was that under the bridge....

Or did I get it wrong, was that 10 to 12 thousand baht a month........Apologies.....

[MB1]

Hello Everyone,

I was amazed at so many articulate and wise people answering my questions , thank very much!

You all have given me a lot to think on. Yes, I am "only 41" but I am burnt out .too much responsibility in my area of work i watch people pass away despite all we do for them all the things we do to save them has crushed my soul and I need a breather.

So I thought of the place I have been going once or twice a year for a long time.

I will think long and hard about giving up my life here.

As far as keeping busy or working I doubt any of the hospitals want a farang on staff and I don't think it would be legal regardless.

if any one has some suggestions for places that have more Thai culture but have a modicum of western comfort please let me know doesn't need to have Falange food I only eat Thai when I am there.

Again I sincerely thank you all for taking the time to help me

Wish you well if you ever get here, I'm sure someone as articulate as you self will find some thing worth while to do and with the troubles in Thailand at the moment, I'm sure that with your experience you'll make sure that the needy will pass away knowing that you did your best to help...

Your country is getting you down but Thailand needs you now, get here ASAP...Thanks...

[OMGImInPattaya]

"As my country tears itself apart from within I feel like I want to get away from here because it breaks my heart."

You probably don't want to come to Thailand then.

What the h#ll are you talking about...[uSA] tearing itself apart...Thailand peaceful. What frekin planet are you living on? Is Washing DC shut down by mobs of anti-democratic mobs trying to limit the right to vote for poor people in America? Are their roving bands of gunmen in major cities in America shooting into groups of demonstrators and lobbing grenades into them killing people, including young children? Is there a long standing separatist movement is some states necessitating the declaration of martial law in those states and daily shootings and IED bombings of all manner of people that's killed over 6000 people over the past decade and maimed countless more? This is the peaceful paradise you think Thailand is...think again!

[zeichen]

There are foreigners that work in hospitals, there are also positions at universities training students in the medical field. I know of PR people working in the medical field. You might also want to create a training/exchange program for hospital staff and hospitals you are affiliated with in your home country.

There are plenty of options to actually do something with your life that are legal/worthwhile and will allow you to create a sense of community with educated locals.

Most major cities now have access to all your needs and still retain the culture. People call Chiang Mai very touristy but I think if you get out of the city center it really isn't. Khon Kaen though in the NE has a very good university, and exposure to many things. Also with your pension/inheritance/trust you could live anywhere in Thailand and fly into BKK for culture (art, music, performances, clubs) or other international hubs quite easily.

Mb1 hate to break it to you but most professional people make 10-12k dollars a month so it isn't a great leap for him to have that kind of money in a trust/pension saved up by 41.

If you had the perserverance, I would stay and work for another 9 years, and then come at 50. Will be easier for visas, a lot more money for you to be comfortable with and still a great deal of living to do. Don't come running to Thailand as an escape, it will chew you up and spit you out. Come with a plan.

Good luck with your choice.

[thailampang2012]

Hello Everyone,

I was amazed at so many articulate and wise people answering my questions , thank very much!

You all have given me a lot to think on. Yes, I am "only 41" but I am burnt out .too much responsibility in my area of work i watch people pass away despite all we do for them all the things we do to save them has crushed my soul and I need a breather.

So I thought of the place I have been going once or twice a year for a long time.

I will think long and hard about giving up my life here.

As far as keeping busy or working I doubt any of the hospitals want a farang on staff and I don't think it would be legal regardless.

if any one has some suggestions for places that have more Thai culture but have a modicum of western comfort please let me know doesn't need to have Falange food I only eat Thai when I am there.

Again I sincerely thank you all for taking the time to help me

I see you are a medical doctor in the US. I am not..my brother is a very well know medical researcher in the US. I am not in the medical field, but I move to Thailand looking for alternatives from a bad diagnoses I had in the US. Thailand saves my life, and put me in contact with very good people in your field. I can tell you about them. Who knows?.. Send me a message if you are interested...

[kimbathewhitelion]

Phuket is the least "Thailand" city you can live in, depending on what your needs are, there're many smaller villages throughout which represent all worlds though very Thai. However if so new to this country, would recommend skipping it for one of the surrounding countries with exception to Laos & Cambodia. Settled in BK after trying North, Central & South. If BK fails in the future, will relocate to Vietnam.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[kimbathewhitelion]

Phuket is the least "Thailand" city you can live in, depending on what your needs are, there're many smaller villages throughout which represent all worlds though very Thai. However if so new to this country, would recommend skipping it for one of the surrounding countries with exception to Laos & Cambodia. Settled in BK after trying North, Central & South. If BK fails in the future, will relocate to Vietnam.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Also, never trust anyone here, equally Thais, tourists & expats...absorb the info & decide on your own.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Ronin6]

Hello Everyone,

thank you for another round of sound advice.

To those that suggest that I wait until fifty to retire I want to thank you for giving me the "right"advice. This is what my friends, colleagues and family (my mother thanks you) all suggest as well. As a way to compromise I am going to take a short sabbatical this summer maybe from May-August and take that time and review my priorities.

I knew that when I came here for the first time 7 years ago that it would always be a place that I would want to come back to year after year. Some days I think about just expediting things...

To the gentlemen that very gently implied that the figure I posted was inflated, I would reply that sharing that made me very uncomfortable but I figured if there was anyway I could get honest advice I would have to be honest upfront. My monthly expenses for where I live are a minimum of $10-12k/a month. My concern is not that it wouldn't be enough now but if it became a fixed income and suddenly that figure wasn't enough I wouldn't want to be shuffling back to America with tail between my legs at 65 to try and start a new life.

In fact, money was part of the reason I have been thinking about a change, I have been looking at the astronomical amount of money that I spend and I contrast it with the lifestyle I have in LOS. I don't have to keep up a social status there I one knows me, I eat som tam off of a cart , I drive a reasonable car and I am happy. So it occurred to me to just simplify my life.

As far as me having been to Thailand before, I do know most of the scams, I have spoken with broken down westerners that came there for love and are both broken hearted and broke. These issues I can avoid, it's the things that I wouldn't have come in contact with that concern me.

For example is there a mafia and how does it effect town life?

I had heard that if you give the police tea money every month they will tell the thieves your place is off limits, is this true or just nonsense?

are there rental scams I should be aware of?

I don't want to be the guy who just jumps in and finds out later...like these poor tourists who rent jet skis and we all know the hell they go through.

Lastly, to the gentlemen who asked if I was crazy thinking that the LOS is peaceful. I actually said that Phuket is where I have found peace. By the end of 17hrs of flight I am just finishing decompressing. When I get off the plane all of the worries and difficult experiences I have dealt melt away for the nonce. I have friends that I have known for years and I see them all at the same bars, most of time in the same seats!

I do know from reading Thai Visa at work every day that there are terrible things happening to the country right now and that good and innocent people are being maimed and dying. I wish I could help, I certainly have the skills ,but I am wise enough to know that I would only add to the problem and quite possibly end up dead.

So, I want to thank everyone here for their incredible input. I have a lot to think about between now and May. I will be lurking in the forums now and again, I enjoy the culture that you have all created here, while it can get rough and tumble at times,to my eye, you all are contributing to making this place special and unique. I thank you for you time.

[wym]

For example is there a mafia and how does it effect town life?

I had heard that if you give the police tea money every month they will tell the thieves your place is off limits, is this true or just nonsense?

Nonsense.

And much more dangerous to get unnecessarily involved with the police, there's your mafia.

Just keep your head down, nose clean, fit the expected patterns no problem.

Petty theft does happen, implement security precautions, IMO cheapest is always have people living there, servants are cheap.

are there rental scams I should be aware of?

Might lose deposits is all, NBD.

Lastly, to the gentlemen who asked if I was crazy thinking that the LOS is peaceful. I actually said that Phuket is where I have found peace. By the end of 17hrs of flight I am just finishing decompressing. When I get off the plane all of the worries and difficult experiences I have dealt melt away for the nonce. I have friends that I have known for years and I see them all at the same bars, most of time in the same seats!

IMO much of Phuket is as bad as Pattaya, certainly attracts the same scam artists, much better quality of Thai nearly anywhere else in the Kingdom.

But sounds like you won't be mixing with them much anyway, just beware the farang scammers also.