Expat Retirement in Phuket - Pros & Cons? Where to live?

[NamKangMan]

have two farang friends, both married to western women, both wives are added to their husbands , "retirement extensions" each year for no additional costs,

the wives only need get their first non immigrant visa out of Thailand

Out of interest, if there is a farang married couple and hubby is 50, and wifey is 49 - can she be added to hubby's retirement visa?

[KarenBravo]

The 800,000 Bt that you have to show immigration must be seen to have come from abroad. You cannot borrow baht from someone and then use it as proof of earnings.

That is the law, but, I do realize that sometimes immigration don't care.

[nedkellylives]

@ nedkellylives

So, you have gone from "the long term expats i have met only rent property because they have no money to buy property" to "all the expats i know and can afford it have invested in property here." Which one is it? The expats you have "met" or the expats that you "know?"

I've met many expats who can afford to buy here, but choose not to.

What I am saying that is not "completely true" about your post is you are saying "long term expats you have met only rent property because they have no money to buy property." How do you know their financial status???? Do you ask them how much money they have got?

Many expats have a property portfolio in their home country, but would never buy a property here. So, as they even continue to expand their property portfolio in a western county, do you still believe they can afford to even buy even one property here?

I don't own a car here, not because I can't afford one, because I have nowhere to park it, and parking for a car, in general, is a problem here, but because I don't own a car, does that mean I can't afford one???? Would you judge me, and my financial status, on car ownership?

Sure, some expats can't afford to buy a property here, but many can and simply choose not to. I know quite a few that could easily buy, but choose not to.

I know some that have leased business premises here, but would never buy a property here. They paid more for the business lease than the cost of many properties here.

It's got nothing to do with negative opinions of Thailand, it's strictly a business decision.

The money I have that I would use to buy a decent property here is making more money for me than the cost of my rent here, plus some, also, it's at call for me, I always retain ownership of it, the fees for the investment are less than the fees for owning a property here, I have no repairs and maintenance to pay and it's less affected by the financial market than the property market here.

Compare that to a property on Phuket. You don't own the land your property sits on and at best have a 30 year lease that is diminishing each year. The construction is poor, therefore repairs and maintenance are imminent. There may be management fees, insurance and taxes to pay attached to the property. The property is hard to liquidate (turn back into cash) In general, the property can not be left to your heirs. The property's value is exposed by the oversupply of property on Phuket, and they are building more and more everyday here. There is no town planning here - they could build anything next to, or in front of your place tomorrow. Your neighbourhood (the people living next to you) could change, either slowly, or overnight. Eg. in 5 years your property could be in a Russian slum.

Each to their own. If you are happy with your decision - great. I am not criticizing you, but you shouldn't assume expats your either "meet" or "know" that haven't bought a property here is because they can't afford to because that is simply not true.

What a load of rubbish, met plenty with no money who rent which is fair enough as rent is cheap

You can rent a room with cold shower here for 3000 baht a month even in Patong if you shop around

And buy or rent a 20YO honda dream for nearly nothing, plenty do

People who pay the right price for property have no problem selling it for a resonable profit

If you own propertiesc as you claim you would know there are repair and maintanance costs anywhere in the world

All the long term expats i know(not just met) have bought property here if they can afford it, is that simple enough for you

I remember you posting at one stage you would not buy property here because you wanted to look after your childrens interests

IF you really cared about your childrens future you would be in the same country as them to make sure they were OK

Not living it up in Patong, just my opinion of coarse

[KarenBravo]

All the long term expats i know(not just met)

How's that work then?

You know expats that you've never met?

[nedkellylives]

All the long term expats i know(not just met)

How's that work then?

You know expats that you've never met?

Post the whole sentence and work it out for yourself if you can

[KarenBravo]

All the long term expats i know(not just met) have bought property here if they can afford it, is that simple enough for you

My question still stands.

How do you know expats you've never met?

Please explain in words of less than two syllables so that even a simpleton like me can understand.

Or, is it that English isn't your first language.

Edited May 11, 2014 by KarenBravo

[nedkellylives]

All the long term expats i know(not just met) have bought property here if they can afford it, is that simple enough for you

My question still stands.

How do you know expats you've never met?

Please explain in words of less than two syllables so that even a simpleton like me can understand.

Or, is it that English isn't your first language.

Plenty of expats i have only met and do not know personally, others i have met and do know

Met a bloke who called himself Sirburr once who donated $200 so the owners of a forum could have a night out at his expense

Thought he was supporting a poor farang

[KarenBravo]

All the long term expats i know(not just met) have bought property here if they can afford it, is that simple enough for you. What you should have said was Expats I've met (not just the ones I know). That would have made sense.

My question still stands.

How do you know expats you've never met?

Please explain in words of less than two syllables so that even a simpleton like me can understand.

Or, is it that English isn't your first language.

Plenty of expats i have only met and do not know personally, others i have met and do know

Met a bloke who called himself Sirburr once who donated $200 so the owners of a forum could have a night out at his expense

Thought he was supporting a poor farang

Thanks for the clarification. I think you meant "expats I've met (not just the ones I know)".

Yes, I did donate $200 to a forum owner so he could have a good night out and as thanks for the many hours of enjoyment his forum gave me.

Glad I did as he passed away last year from cancer.

I see you tried wrestling with a chicken and the chicken won

Edited May 11, 2014 by KarenBravo

[NamKangMan]

All the long term expats i know(not just met)

How's that work then?

You know expats that you've never met?

Well, that was my question as well.

Whether you "meet" them, or "know" them - how do you know their financial status?

Just because they haven't bought into property here, doesn't mean a lot, really.

I could easily say, "What? You haven't bought a bar here. You must be poor and can't afford to live here." :)

Of course, many see buying a bar as a poor financial decision, as I do with buying property here, but once again, each to their own.

[NamKangMan]

@ nedkellylives

So, you have gone from "the long term expats i have met only rent property because they have no money to buy property" to "all the expats i know and can afford it have invested in property here." Which one is it? The expats you have "met" or the expats that you "know?"

I've met many expats who can afford to buy here, but choose not to.

What I am saying that is not "completely true" about your post is you are saying "long term expats you have met only rent property because they have no money to buy property." How do you know their financial status???? Do you ask them how much money they have got?

Many expats have a property portfolio in their home country, but would never buy a property here. So, as they even continue to expand their property portfolio in a western county, do you still believe they can afford to even buy even one property here?

I don't own a car here, not because I can't afford one, because I have nowhere to park it, and parking for a car, in general, is a problem here, but because I don't own a car, does that mean I can't afford one???? Would you judge me, and my financial status, on car ownership?

Sure, some expats can't afford to buy a property here, but many can and simply choose not to. I know quite a few that could easily buy, but choose not to.

I know some that have leased business premises here, but would never buy a property here. They paid more for the business lease than the cost of many properties here.

It's got nothing to do with negative opinions of Thailand, it's strictly a business decision.

The money I have that I would use to buy a decent property here is making more money for me than the cost of my rent here, plus some, also, it's at call for me, I always retain ownership of it, the fees for the investment are less than the fees for owning a property here, I have no repairs and maintenance to pay and it's less affected by the financial market than the property market here.

Compare that to a property on Phuket. You don't own the land your property sits on and at best have a 30 year lease that is diminishing each year. The construction is poor, therefore repairs and maintenance are imminent. There may be management fees, insurance and taxes to pay attached to the property. The property is hard to liquidate (turn back into cash) In general, the property can not be left to your heirs. The property's value is exposed by the oversupply of property on Phuket, and they are building more and more everyday here. There is no town planning here - they could build anything next to, or in front of your place tomorrow. Your neighbourhood (the people living next to you) could change, either slowly, or overnight. Eg. in 5 years your property could be in a Russian slum.

Each to their own. If you are happy with your decision - great. I am not criticizing you, but you shouldn't assume expats your either "meet" or "know" that haven't bought a property here is because they can't afford to because that is simply not true.

What a load of rubbish, met plenty with no money who rent which is fair enough as rent is cheap

You can rent a room with cold shower here for 3000 baht a month even in Patong if you shop around

And buy or rent a 20YO honda dream for nearly nothing, plenty do

People who pay the right price for property have no problem selling it for a resonable profit

If you own propertiesc as you claim you would know there are repair and maintanance costs anywhere in the world

All the long term expats i know(not just met) have bought property here if they can afford it, is that simple enough for you

I remember you posting at one stage you would not buy property here because you wanted to look after your childrens interests

IF you really cared about your childrens future you would be in the same country as them to make sure they were OK

Not living it up in Patong, just my opinion of coarse

Maybe you have more money than me. Maybe I have more money than you.

BUT, what has that got to do with our individual decisions on property purchase here????

My children are not the main reason I have not bought property here. Just one of the reasons.

Rest assured, one day, you will be leaving your property here to someone's Thai kids, not your own.

[NamKangMan]

All the long term expats i know(not just met) have bought property here if they can afford it, is that simple enough for you. What you should have said was Expats I've met (not just the ones I know). That would have made sense.

My question still stands.

How do you know expats you've never met?

Please explain in words of less than two syllables so that even a simpleton like me can understand.

Or, is it that English isn't your first language.

Plenty of expats i have only met and do not know personally, others i have met and do know

Met a bloke who called himself Sirburr once who donated $200 so the owners of a forum could have a night out at his expense

Thought he was supporting a poor farang

Thanks for the clarification. I think you meant "expats I've met (not just the ones I know)".

Yes, I did donate $200 to a forum owner so he could have a good night out and as thanks for the many hours of enjoyment his forum gave me.

Glad I did as he passed away last year from cancer.

I see you tried wrestling with a chicken and the chicken won

What's this all about, KB? If you care to tell.

[canda]

Hi usasia888 & a belated welcome to the forum.

Hopefully you might still be following your post & have not been put off by some of the doom mongers who tend to turn an interesting request for information into a rather boring game of one upmanship.

My partner & myself have lived on Phuket for several years now, we were originally living in Australia & after a couple of holidays here we started to consider the option of actually relocating to this beautiful island we now very much call home.

The plan was to move here to retire but we realised that financially we could make the move much earlier than we had antisipated.

As a couple of posters have mentioned some areas & particularly some of the south end of the island are quite overpopulated to be comfortable, in our early days searching for a property to buy, we concentrated on the northern part of the island, the fact that we travel a lot, it made more sense for us to be closer to the airport & eventually we ended up finding a pool villa development just on the edge of Laguna Resort complex, it was early days for the development & we ended up buying one of the first villas to be built.

The development has continued to be built at a very good standard & our villa has needed little if any mainenance,

We have quite recently retired & our previous home is now an income, as we have bought into another pool villa development, again off the plan, on Chanote title, though this one is a bit different than most others, I won't give certain posters the opportunity to "pick it to pieces" as is a common occurence, so if you are at all interested pm me & I'll give you some further info... what I can say is it's set in a real paradise situation, away from the hustle & bustle but close enough to all that Phuket has to offer, the resort is set up for both residential & rental pool, full services are included, pool service every second day, gardeners & maid service if required, the land lease component can be purchased & a buyer then has up to 2 years to decide to build, the actual build is of quite good standard & generally takes a year to complete, a major plus is the pricing is not overinflated as so many others are.

We have been here in our new place for just over 6 months now & really enjoy the fantastic environment, fresh air & mountain fed freshwater, the choice of swimming in our own pool, the resort one or at the beautiful secluded ocean beach, the resort restaurant & bar is available whenever we want a meal overlooking the sea & full the facilities of an adjacent resort are available.

Other than our ownership & the share options that are available to the various owners, we aren't financially connected to the development, we like the other owners are expats, a couple of retired ex pilots, executives & business folk who have stumbled across a small piece of paradise.

In regard to Phuket overall, I wouldn't be too put off by some of the previous posters, Patong & it surrounds are just what they are, set up for the pleasure of wall to wall tourists, maybe nice for an occasional night out or to take overseas friends to, once they start visiting your paradise home, believe me there are a lot of really beautiful places to visit on Phuket, not forgetting day trips / weekends to the mainland & off shore islands, come & visit, take your time & find your way to some of the hidden gems that the average tourist never sees, also, the new airport is fast approaching its finish, new road systems soon coming online, upgraded & new shopping centres & world class hospitals & facilities that are important to a retired couple are available.

There are a lot more pluses than minuses here on the 'Pearl of the Andaman', you just have to ignore the bit of bad press & focus on all the positives that the island has to offer... a lifestyle ( and a damn good one at that!)

Regards,

CANDA

[usasia8888]

I wanted to thank most of you for some very helpful thoughts, ideas and overall just good advice. What I have learned from the many replies on this topic (which was really efficient to learn quickly) is:

1. My wife and I should be pretty comfortable living in Phuket knowing our personal situation;

2. I knew before the posting but thank you for the person who explained the wife tagging on the husband retirement visa. I have sevearal good Thai business friends ( i do have non Thai business friends too just so no one decides to correct me or debate me that I don't have other friends) who explained the same thing. My wife is more than 10 years less than me so it would be quite a few years until she qualifies on her own retirement visa;

3. The "rent and live around the island" for a bit advice is clearly the winning one which many of you gave. From some of your postings along with some other's personal advice and research, we probably will focus around: Bangtao, Kamala, Laguna, Nai Thon, Surin (all West/North) and possibly Cape Yamu and we are leaning to Villa vs Condo but as many pointed out, rent, look around, get a feel. However, we really do need to get around and see for ourselves;

4. Many of you debated the gated vs non-gated and it depends upon what you prefer, can afford, get for the value, etc. I think since we are probably lookin for a private pool villa we will more likely go with gated but TBD. We also prefer quieter, high quality and beautiful views (which for us will include the water (ie ocean or bay) so it may limit us which we understand;

5. We are sincerely looking to stay in Phuket until its time to go up or down the elevator to the next life. (My wife is probably going up and I will be even in a more warmer place that Phuket... for prior sins LOL), however, for us, since we are in very good health, this could easier be 50 years. With that in mind, we will probably be heavily leaning to owning vs renting. Some of you mention personal choice and we just feel more comfortable in one place than permanent renters for 50 years. What some people told me (who own) is get a very good lawyer;

6. If I mispelled, incorrectly used the english language or didn't put in the right comma, please don't tell me. I don't give a sh*t. The "sport" of verbal beating of people is just not my style. I came from the US to HK many years ago and I saw it then. Just not my thing although probably the handful of university degrees gave me some advantage when dealing with these types of people but also probably my talents, hard work and getting along with most people helped a little too. While I realize I speak and write American English, so for some of you, you may or will find fault. I have found most people from many countries especially Australia dont mind as they, along with Americans and Canadians as we are all generally immigrants (well unless you were aborigine or native american indian);

7. On the snakes, insects and rats, we will be ok. Not a fan but I am sure we will figure out how to put up the battle especially against the centipedes, ants, mosquitoes among other things; and

8. On driving situation, we probably own at least 1 car/truck/suv and probably go with the Japanese. Hard to beat vehicles that dont depreciate but sad to think its basically down to Toyota, Nissan, Honda and possibly Ford (yes I know that is a US brand); and vehicle ownership. We don't car much about face and I read (another post) someone had a car (ie Mercedes or BWM) which was same as their condo. Wow or ! (oops going to hell now for sure).

We sincerely appreciate all the good, fun (and even some questionable) advice. Its good to learn. Please continue on the post with ideas and thoughts if you have some and would like to share.

USASIA8888

Edited May 12, 2014 by usasia8888

[usasia8888]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

8888 You do realise your wife will also require a visa don't you? she cannot have a

joint visa with you. She must qualify in her own right for a visa. This could be a problem

if she does not qualify for a retirement, and if she does you will require double the deposit

in the bank ie. 2 X 800,000 Baht.

her visa can be "tacked " on to yours as your legally married, no resason for more thna the 800,000 baht in bank for 2 months ( 1st application)

I stand corrected if you are right Richard but I seem to recall a thread on here where

someone was talking about him and his wife staggering there extension application times

to allow them to use the same 800,000 as their individual amounts, by transferring

between their accounts. maybe I got it wrong?? alt=thumbsup.gif> alt=wai.gif width=20 height=20>

I don't know about this staggering approach but I will ask around to some of my thai business friends along with another person who has a similar situation to mind but they spend their time between thailand and HK vs my wife and i thinking about thailand only (with traveling around of course). If possibly, its quite smart to move money back and forth between the accounts so minimize the outlay. thanks guys!

[nedkellylives]

I wanted to thank most of you for some very helpful thoughts, ideas and overall just good advice. What I have learned from the many replies on this topic (which was really efficient to learn quickly) is:

1. My wife and I should be pretty comfortable living in Phuket knowing our personal situation;

2. I knew before the posting but thank you for the person who explained the wife tagging on the husband retirement visa. I have sevearal good Thai business friends ( i do have non Thai business friends too just so no one decides to correct me or debate me that I don't have other friends) who explained the same thing. My wife is more than 10 years less than me so it would be quite a few years until she qualifies on her own retirement visa;

3. The "rent and live around the island" for a bit advice is clearly the winning one which many of you gave. From some of your postings along with some other's personal advice and research, we probably will focus around: Bangtao, Kamala, Laguna, Nai Thon, Surin (all West/North) and possibly Cape Yamu and we are leaning to Villa vs Condo but as many pointed out, rent, look around, get a feel. However, we really do need to get around and see for ourselves;

4. Many of you debated the gated vs non-gated and it depends upon what you prefer, can afford, get for the value, etc. I think since we are probably lookin for a private pool villa we will more likely go with gated but TBD. We also prefer quieter, high quality and beautiful views (which for us will include the water (ie ocean or bay) so it may limit us which we understand;

5. We are sincerely looking to stay in Phuket until its time to go up or down the elevator to the next life. (My wife is probably going up and I will be even in a more warmer place that Phuket... for prior sins LOL), however, for us, since we are in very good health, this could easier be 50 years. With that in mind, we will probably be heavily leaning to owning vs renting. Some of you mention personal choice and we just feel more comfortable in one place than permanent renters for 50 years. What some people told me (who own) is get a very good lawyer;

6. If I mispelled, incorrectly used the english language or didn't put in the right comma, please don't tell me. I don't give a sh*t. The "sport" of verbal beating of people is just not my style. I came from the US to HK many years ago and I saw it then. Just not my thing although probably the handful of university degrees gave me some advantage when dealing with these types of people but also probably my talents, hard work and getting along with most people helped a little too. While I realize I speak and write American English, so for some of you, you may or will find fault. I have found most people from many countries especially Australia dont mind as they, along with Americans and Canadians as we are all generally immigrants (well unless you were aborigine or native american indian);

7. On the snakes, insects and rats, we will be ok. Not a fan but I am sure we will figure out how to put up the battle especially against the centipedes, ants, mosquitoes among other things; and

8. On driving situation, we probably own at least 1 car/truck/suv and probably go with the Japanese. Hard to beat vehicles that dont depreciate but sad to think its basically down to Toyota, Nissan, Honda and possibly Ford (yes I know that is a US brand); and vehicle ownership. We don't car much about face and I read (another post) someone had a car (ie Mercedes or BWM) which was same as their condo. Wow or ! (oops going to hell now for sure).

We sincerely appreciate all the good, fun (and even some questionable) advice. Its good to learn. Please continue on the post with ideas and thoughts if you have some and would like to share.

USASIA8888

GM vehicles are avaliable here as well as Ford,Both makes sell well especially the pickups, remind you of USA

Edited May 12, 2014 by nedkellylives

[usasia8888]

I wanted to thank most of you for some very helpful thoughts, ideas and overall just good advice. What I have learned from the many replies on this topic (which was really efficient to learn quickly) is:

1. My wife and I should be pretty comfortable living in Phuket knowing our personal situation;

2. I knew before the posting but thank you for the person who explained the wife tagging on the husband retirement visa. I have sevearal good Thai business friends ( i do have non Thai business friends too just so no one decides to correct me or debate me that I don't have other friends) who explained the same thing. My wife is more than 10 years less than me so it would be quite a few years until she qualifies on her own retirement visa;

3. The "rent and live around the island" for a bit advice is clearly the winning one which many of you gave. From some of your postings along with some other's personal advice and research, we probably will focus around: Bangtao, Kamala, Laguna, Nai Thon, Surin (all West/North) and possibly Cape Yamu and we are leaning to Villa vs Condo but as many pointed out, rent, look around, get a feel. However, we really do need to get around and see for ourselves;

4. Many of you debated the gated vs non-gated and it depends upon what you prefer, can afford, get for the value, etc. I think since we are probably lookin for a private pool villa we will more likely go with gated but TBD. We also prefer quieter, high quality and beautiful views (which for us will include the water (ie ocean or bay) so it may limit us which we understand;

5. We are sincerely looking to stay in Phuket until its time to go up or down the elevator to the next life. (My wife is probably going up and I will be even in a more warmer place that Phuket... for prior sins LOL), however, for us, since we are in very good health, this could easier be 50 years. With that in mind, we will probably be heavily leaning to owning vs renting. Some of you mention personal choice and we just feel more comfortable in one place than permanent renters for 50 years. What some people told me (who own) is get a very good lawyer;

6. If I mispelled, incorrectly used the english language or didn't put in the right comma, please don't tell me. I don't give a sh*t. The "sport" of verbal beating of people is just not my style. I came from the US to HK many years ago and I saw it then. Just not my thing although probably the handful of university degrees gave me some advantage when dealing with these types of people but also probably my talents, hard work and getting along with most people helped a little too. While I realize I speak and write American English, so for some of you, you may or will find fault. I have found most people from many countries especially Australia dont mind as they, along with Americans and Canadians as we are all generally immigrants (well unless you were aborigine or native american indian);

7. On the snakes, insects and rats, we will be ok. Not a fan but I am sure we will figure out how to put up the battle especially against the centipedes, ants, mosquitoes among other things; and

8. On driving situation, we probably own at least 1 car/truck/suv and probably go with the Japanese. Hard to beat vehicles that dont depreciate but sad to think its basically down to Toyota, Nissan, Honda and possibly Ford (yes I know that is a US brand); and vehicle ownership. We don't car much about face and I read (another post) someone had a car (ie Mercedes or BWM) which was same as their condo. Wow or ! (oops going to hell now for sure).

We sincerely appreciate all the good, fun (and even some questionable) advice. Its good to learn. Please continue on the post with ideas and thoughts if you have some and would like to share.

USASIA8888

GM vehicles are avaliable here as well as Ford,Both makes sell well especially the pickups, remind you of USA

Yes. Stand corrected. I'm sure others may add on. Btw, my first new car I bought was a Honda Civic 4door, made in the USofA! LOL Unfortunately, my vehicle choice will come down a lot to my wife for the first one so I suspect I should be dieting now so I can squeeze in. I did notice Ford had a new SUV launch in Bangkok Auto Show 2014 and VW looks to be expanding the line up but with the protest going on in Bangkok, the new investments by some of the vehicle manufacturers are on hold or they look at Indonesia or Malaysia. Maybe the second vehicle I can get a chevy pickup with monster wheels and a gun rack and line the back for a swimming pool to take me back to my redneck days! YeeeeHaaa!! (ps, I was born in SF, CA)

[phuketrichard]

the new ford truck looks nice and the explorer is a good suv

also a honda crv is a good car to own here;

for pool villas

look at Loch Palm in Kahu

and Sai tan villas in laguana and numerous others up there.

Wasn't born in sf but did attend art school there an my daughter is at Sonoma state now;

Without a doubt the best city to visit/live in in the world

[usasia8888]

the new ford truck looks nice and the explorer is a good suv

also a honda crv is a good car to own here;

for pool villas

look at Loch Palm in Kahu

and Sai tan villas in laguana and numerous others up there.

Wasn't born in sf but did attend art school there an my daughter is at Sonoma state now;

Without a doubt the best city to visit/live in in the world

thank you. will take a look!