Why I would rather live in Thailand than America

[3SoiDogNight]

If people don't like Thailand and prefer sooooo much the life in the USA, you are welcome to go back home!

This is what strikes me, they are all here living in thailand and writing that the USA is so much better. So what do you do in thailand? Take a plane, fly 20 hours or so, and welcome back in your little narrowed minded fatca country. I bet once you are In the USA, you say to all your friends that Thailand is sooooo much better than the USA.

"all"?!?!?!

You think "all" Americans living in Thailand want to go back?

Really?

Also, there isn't a single American living abroad that supports FATCA. That is a bull$!t law signed by Barack Hussein Obama and his ignorant, narrow-minded, welfare recipient, illegal alien, uneducated supporters think all of us American expats are hoarding all the cash an somehow responsible for them being poor.

THAT is the reason that law now exist.

[thailiketoo]

1. A poster who hasn't figured out how to usse the quote function wrote, "You’re WAY off base here. You DO need a car in Thailand – even here in Bangkok!"

I have lived in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. It is simple. You call a taxi or tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi. When you find a guy or girl driver that you like ask them for a card. They all have cards you know!

2. Rat race in Thailand? For retired guys? Of course not.

3. He wrote, "It’s actually about the same over all. You’re just comparing Thailand to the big expensive cities like New York and San Francisco. Some big cities in the US are cheaper than Bangkok."

I think you mean that one can compare Bangkok and New York? I had an apartment in Bangkok for $90 a month. Now you tell me what kind of apartment I'd get in NYC for $90?

Maybe that's not what the poster meant. Maybe he meant compare smaller cities. OK Rayong and any city on the Gulf of Mexico with a large industrial base. Or Chiang Mai and any city in the USA that has warm weather and mountains.

Because of the ownership issues one can only compare apartments or condos to apartments or condos.

Northern Michigan is a sportsman's paradise. Thailand is an old man's paradise. Northern Michigan is wasted on a couch potato and Thailand is wasted on the young. I lived here in my 20's and my 60's. 60's is much better.

Aw isn't that cute. Throw in a little insult towards someone because they don't share the same views an experiences as you.

FYI, I've used the quote feature many times but having technical glitches on my end with my Internet connection. Also I don't post at ThaiVisa that often to fully manipulate all of the features here. Your comments are a reminder as to why I don't post here very much...

You give terrible advice mind you. You speak as if all taxi driver disputes can be resolved by simply asking for their card? Also you need to re-read my post. How do you ask for the card of taxi drivers that don't even stop for you? Explain that to us since you have all the answers.

I'm all ears on this one.

New York isn't the only big city in the United States. I'm paying more for my place here in Bangkok than my friends with similar sized places in Detroit and Pittsburgh. Those aren't exactly "small towns". Before you start lashing out at those cities, they have over a million in their metro area and are home to international Fortune 500 companies and those cities have airports with international commercial air service. Not exactly the tumbleweed junctions you make them out to be.

$90 in Bangkok? That get's you a pigsty in just about any city - including Bangkok.

So you saved a buck; good for you. I see no point in moving to another continent to live in a pigsty.

What ever floats your boat I guess.

"Maybe that's not what the poster meant."

Maybe you should let the poster speak for himself.

You wrote, "You speak as if all taxi driver disputes can be resolved by simply asking for their card? Also you need to re-read my post. How do you ask for the card of taxi drivers that don't even stop for you? Explain that to us since you have all the answers."

I wrote, "You call a taxi or tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi. When you find a guy or girl driver that you like ask them for a card. They all have cards you know! The key phrase there is "When you find a guy or girl driver that you like" Get it?

You wrote, "New York isn't the only big city in the United States. I'm paying more for my place here in Bangkok than my friends with similar sized places in Detroit and Pittsburgh."

I wrote, "I think you mean that one can compare Bangkok and New York?" And, "Maybe that's not what the poster meant. Maybe he meant compare smaller cities." I am asking a question. What cities are you comparing to what cities? Bangkok to NYC or Bangkok to Detroit? Or maybe something else. I don't know.

See, what people do on here is compare things that are not alike to get a erroneous conclusion.

So I will ask again. What cities in America are you comparing to what cities in Thailand.

Since it is really a no win comparison most American positive posters change the argument to land ownership or building quality at this point just to save you from going there.

[3SoiDogNight]

I wrote, "You call a taxi or tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi. When you find a guy or girl driver that you like ask them for a card. They all have cards you know! The key phrase there is "When you find a guy or girl driver that you like" Get it?

You wrote, "New York isn't the only big city in the United States. I'm paying more for my place here in Bangkok than my friends with similar sized places in Detroit and Pittsburgh."

I wrote, "I think you mean that one can compare Bangkok and New York?" And, "Maybe that's not what the poster meant. Maybe he meant compare smaller cities." I am asking a question. What cities are you comparing to what cities? Bangkok to NYC or Bangkok to Detroit? Or maybe something else. I don't know.

See, what people do on here is compare things that are not alike to get a erroneous conclusion.

So I will ask again. What cities in America are you comparing to what cities in Thailand.

Since it is really a no win comparison most American positive posters change the argument to land ownership or building quality at this point just to save you from going there.

I've done that. When I lived out in Ratchayothin, I had about 7 different taxi numbers of taxi drivers that I liked. They were usually too far away, stuck in traffic in another part of town or in their family province. I've arranged ahead of time for a taxi driver I like to go longer distances such as Chonburi, Pattaya and Rayoung. I've done that only twice but decided to stop doing that an rent a car from Budget rental and drive myself until I got my own car. Planning days an hours in advance for a 2 mile commute to the MRT station is bit ridiculous. Not to mention, plans can change at the spur of the moment and may have to get up an go.

All irrelevant now that I have my own wheels.

As far as city comparisons, you may want to ask the thread starter. Unless he's answered that within the 10+ pages, I haven't seen what city he is comparing it to. Also there are so many variables to take in to consideration. Climate? Dominate industry? Geography? Population? You can make comparisons of Bangkok to just about any city in the world. It's the thread starter that came up with these erroneous conclusions. Me an many other members just called him out. Big deal.

That said, I am happier here in Thailand than in the US but I'm not going to pretend that the place is perfect. We all take the good with the bad.

[thailiketoo]

I've lived in Thailand for over a decade and part of the time I've had a car and part of the time only a motor scooter or motor cycle.

I had a used Nissan it was in good shape, started every day, no problems. Now I have a Honda Click because I can put a lot of groceries on it and the wife likes it for us to go to the beach. It is fun riding by the ocean with not much traffic to worry about. I don't weigh that much and it's fast and dependable for my size.

I have a deal with a Thai family who have a car, tuk tuk and motor scooter for transportation and my home is not that far from a main Thai road so there are vans and buses there.

When I lived in Chicago and NYC I never used my car because the parking fees. Garage space in Manhattan is 17,000 baht per month and what is Chicago hourly parking in a lot? 600 baht an hour.

[Cypress Hill]

Thailand is an old man's paradise. Northern Michigan is wasted on a couch potato and Thailand is wasted on the young. I lived here in my 20's and my 60's. 60's is much better.

Maybe because you were too poor to enjoy it properly in your 20s.

Helluva lot of older members here say they wish they'd moved to Thailand at a much younger age.

Better to do this place when you're younger, fitter and better able to keep up with the pace.

[thailiketoo]

Thailand is an old man's paradise. Northern Michigan is wasted on a couch potato and Thailand is wasted on the young. I lived here in my 20's and my 60's. 60's is much better.

Maybe because you were too poor to enjoy it properly in your 20s.

Helluva lot of older members here say they wish they'd moved to Thailand at a much younger age.

Better to do this place when you're younger, fitter and better able to keep up with the pace.

In 1968 in Thailand it didn't take much money not to be poor.

[3SoiDogNight]

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I've lived in Thailand for over a decade and part of the time I've had a car and part of the time only a motor scooter or motor cycle.

I had a used Nissan it was in good shape, started every day, no problems. Now I have a Honda Click because I can put a lot of groceries on it and the wife likes it for us to go to the beach. It is fun riding by the ocean with not much traffic to worry about. I don't weigh that much and it's fast and dependable for my size.

I have a deal with a Thai family who have a car, tuk tuk and motor scooter for transportation and my home is not that far from a main Thai road so there are vans and buses there.

When I lived in Chicago and NYC I never used my car because the parking fees. Garage space in Manhattan is 17,000 baht per month and what is Chicago hourly parking in a lot? 600 baht an hour.

I'm much more spontaneous here in Thailand than I was back in the US. I really hated being without a car when I first got here. Mainly because I wasn't living on a BTS or MRT line. Now I do in Thong Lo but I still need a car. Mainly for work since I have to visit many clients, job sites, factories and construction sites. Sometimes I have to drive out to Chonburi, Pattaya, Rayoung and Cheongsangsao(sp) on a moments notice for work. Sometimes I have to bring large & heavy items with me along with laptop and still have to present myself professionally (shirt & tie). There is no way in hell I'm going to do that using these cramped vans with yaba induced drivers only to have to find another mode of transportation once I get to those cities. Then asking a client to get me a taxi or bus to their remote job site to pick me up after meetings just does not look professional at all an is a big pain in the arse. It's so much easier to just throw those work related items in the trunk an change of clothes an fire up the engine an drive by myself. It's much easier an faster that way.

Bought a used Toyota Crown Royal Saloon. Nothing flashy but the closest and most reliable to what I drive in the US - Lincoln Town Car.

I'm a big guy an like a roomy, soft riding sedan, powerful, rear-drive yet has easy to get parts that's shared with other down-market Toyotas sold here in Thailand.

I still use the BTS an MRT for my in-town commutes.

When I'm in Chicago, I used the 14 Jefferey Express bus in to downtown from the South Shore. That's if I'm going in the day time. When going downtown at night (usually Rush street or Wicker Park), I drive. I don't have problems parking downtown Chicago at night. All of my relatives in Chicago and surrounding suburbs have garage space or long enough driveway to park my vehicle.

In all the 15 years I lived in San Francisco, I always had a car. The MUNI buses & trains are horribly unreliable an slow. I also liked getting out of the city a lot to drive up the coast or visit friends in the East Bay or down the Peninsula. BART stops running at midnight so using BART was rarely an option for me. Also BART is way too expensive. I have a friend that works at the SFO airport but lives out in Concord (45 miles). His 5.4 liter V8 Ford Expedition and his 1968 Mercury Park Lane convertible with 428cu" V8 is still CHEAPER to drive to work than ride BART.

That's including gas, bridge toll, insurance, registration and repairs (since he works on his own vehicle).

Public transit even in the SFO Bay Area is a joke.

Thailand is an old man's paradise. Northern Michigan is wasted on a couch potato and Thailand is wasted on the young. I lived here in my 20's and my 60's. 60's is much better.

Maybe because you were too poor to enjoy it properly in your 20s.

Helluva lot of older members here say they wish they'd moved to Thailand at a much younger age.

Better to do this place when you're younger, fitter and better able to keep up with the pace.

You two are both correct.

Once upon a time, thailiketoo's comments were correct. In the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, the US had plenty of good paying jobs. Today jobs are scarce in the US. With the exception of the lucky few who can get on at Google or doing high-end design in aerospace an medical equipment, there just aren't that many opportunities for younger people anymore. Asia on the other-hand is growing and there are needs in certain sectors for Westerner's expertise.

Despite the high stress levels and lower salary, I'm doing a hell of a lot more career-wise than what would be available in the US today. This wasn't the case 20 years ago.

I'm neither young or old (I'm 41). Sometimes I can be a cranky old man and sometimes I feel like I'm back in 6th grade (not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing).

[opalred]

a few times been throught usa never again every one in world think is like movies and hollywood it is 100%

wrong you cannt get on bus train or walk down any side street without being fronted for money from drugos or drunks please stay home and leave los without you tainted ways

[Lukecan]

1. You can rent a high end condo for 30-40k baht

2. Bangkok is a nice bustling city, with a very good public transport system

3. Day to day life is cheap

4. Thai girls are easy if you're a decent looking farang

But you need an income of at least 150k baht in order to truly enjoy this city.

[thailiketoo]

1. You can rent a high end condo for 30-40k baht

2. Bangkok is a nice bustling city, with a very good public transport system

3. Day to day life is cheap

4. Thai girls are easy if you're a decent looking farang

But you need an income of at least 150k baht in order to truly enjoy this city.

Garbage men in NYC after 4 years make 120k baht.

[Cypress Hill]

1. You can rent a high end condo for 30-40k baht

2. Bangkok is a nice bustling city, with a very good public transport system

3. Day to day life is cheap

4. Thai girls are easy if you're a decent looking farang

But you need an income of at least 150k baht in order to truly enjoy this city.

Dunno for sure what it is you're overpaying for but I've got a pretty good idea

Some people pull down 150K monthly (and then some) but don't have to spend even HALF of that to enjoy Bangkok properly.

[3SoiDogNight]

Garbage men in NYC after 4 years make 120k baht.

That may be true but unless your uncle or some other relative pulls you in, you ain't getting hired. If you do get hired, I'm sure they fire you once the probation period is up an can't join the union. I know how those big city union jobs operate. Nepotism is out of control. Yet union dues an initiation fees are collected up-front regardless if you get in to the union or not.

I know it exist here in Thailand among government jobs that only Thais can have. Us farangs aren't in that arena.

[thailiketoo]

Garbage men in NYC after 4 years make 120k baht.

That may be true but unless your uncle or some other relative pulls you in, you ain't getting hired. If you do get hired, I'm sure they fire you once the probation period is up an can't join the union. I know how those big city union jobs operate. Nepotism is out of control. Yet union dues an initiation fees are collected up-front regardless if you get in to the union or not.

I know it exist here in Thailand among government jobs that only Thais can have. Us farangs aren't in that arena.

My point was that in Bangkok a NYC garbage man would live like a king; in NYC he would live like a garbage man. People get old and retire so there are always new garbage men. Who is irrelevant to my point.

[3SoiDogNight]

Garbage men in NYC after 4 years make 120k baht.

That may be true but unless your uncle or some other relative pulls you in, you ain't getting hired. If you do get hired, I'm sure they fire you once the probation period is up an can't join the union. I know how those big city union jobs operate. Nepotism is out of control. Yet union dues an initiation fees are collected up-front regardless if you get in to the union or not.

I know it exist here in Thailand among government jobs that only Thais can have. Us farangs aren't in that arena.

My point was that in Bangkok a NYC garbage man would live like a king; in NYC he would live like a garbage man. People get old and retire so there are always new garbage men. Who is irrelevant to my point.

I understand that wasn't your main point. I do need to point out that at $120,000 per year, you're not living like a king in New York City. That's middle-class. Then again, maybe they could considering the only people getting those jobs are long-time New York residence who's family history dates back 100 years in New York and their homes are paid for. Those union thugs aren't going to let outsiders get in on those secure, high paying union jobs. They are very protective of who they let in. The old guys retiring there are being replaced by their sons, grandsons and nephews.

I know people living in New York that make $100,000 per year an still need to live with roomates. To some people, having a 100_ _ zip code means the world to them.

I used to think that way when I lived in San Francisco. Then I grew out of it.

[thailiketoo]

Garbage men in NYC after 4 years make 120k baht.

That may be true but unless your uncle or some other relative pulls you in, you ain't getting hired. If you do get hired, I'm sure they fire you once the probation period is up an can't join the union. I know how those big city union jobs operate. Nepotism is out of control. Yet union dues an initiation fees are collected up-front regardless if you get in to the union or not.

I know it exist here in Thailand among government jobs that only Thais can have. Us farangs aren't in that arena.

My point was that in Bangkok a NYC garbage man would live like a king; in NYC he would live like a garbage man. People get old and retire so there are always new garbage men. Who is irrelevant to my point.

I understand that wasn't your main point. I do need to point out that at $120,000 per year, you're not living like a king in New York City. That's middle-class. Then again, maybe they could considering the only people getting those jobs are long-time New York residence who's family history dates back 100 years in New York and their homes are paid for. Those union thugs aren't going to let outsiders get in on those secure, high paying union jobs. They are very protective of who they let in. The old guys retiring there are being replaced by their sons, grandsons and nephews.

I know people living in New York that make $100,000 per year an still need to live with roomates. To some people, having a 100_ _ zip code means the world to them.

I used to think that way when I lived in San Francisco. Then I grew out of it.

I wrote, 120,000 baht not $120,000 dollars. But I get your point, "Taxpayers in the Big Apple are forced to pay $144,000 a year for salary, health and pension benefits for garbage workers, who are unskilled but unionized laborers."