Pros Cons and Misunderstandings

[David48]

Pros, Cons and Misunderstandings ... observations of living/visiting a Western Nation through the eyes of a Thai

Sometimes, you come across an excellent post.

Maybe not a post that you might write, but you can still see merit in it.

This post, reproduced (in part) below was unfortunately was buried on page 5 of a popular thread and didn't receive the exposure that it might have if it had been viewed as a stand alone topic.

At the time, I contacted the member and asked if I could reproduce it and frame an OP around it ... he said, no problems ... thanks JAFO ...

<snip>

I am in the states right now (California to be specific) in the heart of Silicon Valley. When my wife first landed it was brutal sticker shock on most everything. Now after being here for awhile she has done some very careful assessments and of course reports it back to her sister.

Below are some of her thoughts as she spouted them off at me while I typed this

Biggest Cons:

Housing costs/ Rents, Can never really own your house due to property taxes.

Taxes taken from paycheck, property tax, sales tax, medical insurance fees, car insurance fees, fees to own vehicles, virtually no public transportation,

Environmental charges when buying anything electronic or plastic, processed foods and packaged meats, Cell bill ($158 a month for 2 teles and locked into a 2 year contract with huge fees if you exit early), too many stop lights,

No daily markets to go get fresh food in the morning, rude people and bad drivers,

Going out to dinner costs way too much for what you get (She laughs at Thai restaurants and what they charge and most is not even authentic Thai food), not enough holidays, airfare is too expensive, ocean water is too cold.

Crab and lobster way to expensive.

Biggest Pros:

Mild temperatures, nice roads, good fruit variety, easy to find a job even if over 40, can return anything after you buy it if you do not like it,

Lots to go see and do(But at a steep price), wine selection, low cost high quality clothing and linens, Victoria Secret (555), online ordering, car selection

Things she doesn't understand:

Why they spend millions of tax payers dollars on sidewalks here and nobody walks anywhere, or on big parks that very few use, or huge parking lots that are empty or why they build new buildings for businesses when hundreds sit empty.

Why people are so wasteful and inconsiderate,

She has a hard time with the mix of immigrants, She struggles with loud rude Viets and Chinese and pushy Indians. She does not understand all the Mexicans that clean peoples yards and use leaf blowers to just blow it all out in the street only to have it blow into other peoples yards.

She thinks its hilarious to watch people walk their dogs and have to pick up their poop or get a fine.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In the end I am glad we were able to come this way for awhile while I work. I wanted my wife to see the "Real" US not what the media portrays as the best place to live on the planet. The company paid for her to move with me here and it is for a manageable period of time.

We both agree (after numerous heart to heart talks) we like our life way better back in Thailand. We could stay here no problem but we feel our quality of life will suffer and that I would have to work until I die to sustain the COL. Plus we would have to cram life into weekends and feel exhausted because we had to rush everywhere we go.

Its funny, we have taken some weekend trips and after they were done we had some great pictures but did not enjoy the trip as much as we could have because I had to return to work.

The cost to get away is extremely high. Most people get 2 weeks a year to go relax and see things. That's not much time. Sadly when you finally can retire you are too old to go off and do things as most have medical issues now of some sort.

Anyway I took the time to post this to be clear, I do not hate the US. There are many things I love about it, In fact its a GREAT place to visit quite honestly. I just find I get a bigger bang for my dollar in Thailand, live with way less stress and live life on my terms.

Here in the states someone always has their hand in my pocket. FWIIW, My burn rate here renting a little house, 2 cars, all other expenses costs me roughly 150,000 baht a month not counting any entertainment.

Add in entertainment and any shopping and that number quickly goes over 200,000 baht. That does not include what I have to give out of my check to the Fed and State.

In Thailand my wife and I live very very well on 25,000 to 35,000 as we have no debt because our home and vehicles are paid for.

What I really liked was the open and honest approach to 'Live in the West vs Live in Thailand' as expressed through both Western and Thai eyes.

Currently, I'm facing the same question and for us, the school education for out kids in the future sway us to most likely living in the West.

How have you and your Thai Partner discussed this question and what was the outcome?

Why did you both decide to live in the country that you did?

Did you change this country after 2, 5 or maybe 10 years later? Why?

Lots to discuss, feel free to post observations from your Thai Partner about living in the West or the reason why she (he) prefers Thailand.

.

[NeverSure]

That is a great post, David, and I agree with much of it.

However, Silicon Valley is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. It is called what it is because it become the center of the computer and internet revolution. (Silicon wafers which are used in high tech electronics to make things such as integrated circuits and other things. These are also silicon semiconductors.)

The number of high tech and famous companies there is massive, including Intel, Yahoo and you name it.

The average income there is well above the national average and of course things are expensive. This is basically just South of San Francisco which is also expensive.

So the wife's experience is big city, expensive, not the greatest California weather due to fog rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, crowding, and yes, some people who think they are better than.

I would like to see the same article written by someone who moved to a much smaller and less expensive town with better weather, much less traffic and frankly, more good common people.

The plus side is that the OP who, being transferred by what must be an international tech company, probably has a very good job and income.

[David48]

^^ NS ... if it's not too private a question to ask on a public forum ...

Do you have a Thai Partner (currently)?

Settled in the West?

In Thailand?

Flick between the two?

[geronimo]

My Thai wife, who left school at 11 yrs old and had never been anywhere other than Bkk, visited UK ten years ago. We spent 3 weeks over xmas and on the plane back home, I asked her what her impressions were,

"Everyone is trying to be something they are not" she stated. "Oh and no one is happy"she added smiling.

At the other end of the scale, twenty years ago my mother (then 62) who had never left the UK before, came to Thailand to see her grandson. Within a few hours she asked me if it was a special day in Thailand, to which I replied it was not.

"Strange, cos everyone is smiling" she commented.

"That's because they are happy mother" I replied.

She saw a man sitting on the steps of a tin hut, grinning from ear to ear,

"What's he got to be happy about"? she gestured.

That says it all for me.

Little off topic here, sorry David.

My thoughts on your OP,

once a decision has been made about which country is preferable, then accept it for what it is, warts an all.

[beachproperty]

That is a great post, David, and I agree with much of it.

However, Silicon Valley is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. It is called what it is because it become the center of the computer and internet revolution. (Silicon wafers which are used in high tech electronics to make things such as integrated circuits and other things. These are also silicon semiconductors.)

The number of high tech and famous companies there is massive, including Intel, Yahoo and you name it.

The average income there is well above the national average and of course things are expensive. This is basically just South of San Francisco which is also expensive.

So the wife's experience is big city, expensive, not the greatest California weather due to fog rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, crowding, and yes, some people who think they are better than.

I would like to see the same article written by someone who moved to a much smaller and less expensive town with better weather, much less traffic and frankly, more good common people.

The plus side is that the OP who, being transferred by what must be an international tech company, probably has a very good job and income.

While I agree that Silcon Valley is an expensive place to live .....you fail to point out why?

Jobs, jobs, jobs.....AND high paying jobs!

There's a reason that Poe Dunk Texass is cheap (small US cities) ....few jobs, dying infrastructuce, youth looking for a way to escape....but the fact remains that even in Poe Dunk Texass property taxes, payroll taxes, social security, medical insurance fees, sales taxes etc....add to a high cost of living in the US! Think about it ....small city, Why?...no one wants to live there except for those who are stuck there because they can't afford to move out!

Oh, and by the way, there is NO fog in Silicon Valley (Mountains stops the fog before it reaches the valley) so the weather is fantastic and hot!

Edited October 27, 2014 by beachproperty

[NeverSure]

^^ NS ... if it's not too private a question to ask on a public forum ...

Do you have a Thai Partner (currently)?

Settled in the West?

In Thailand?

Flick between the two?

David, I don't have a partner of any kind. Not even one with a sick buffalo, LOL.

I'm settled in America and visit Thailand about once a year for about 3 months. The longest time I spent there was just under 180 days and I was in Chiang Mai renting at the Riverside Apartments. A girlfriend "found me" that time and we has such a good time that when I left I bought her the scooter I had rented.

Last year I rented a car from Avis in BKK and spent a month touring Isaan. That was a great experience. I returned the car in Udon at the airport when I left after spending almost 2 months in Udon and surrounds including Nong Khai which I really liked.

[AYJAYDEE]

That is a great post, David, and I agree with much of it.

However, Silicon Valley is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. It is called what it is because it become the center of the computer and internet revolution. (Silicon wafers which are used in high tech electronics to make things such as integrated circuits and other things. These are also silicon semiconductors.)

The number of high tech and famous companies there is massive, including Intel, Yahoo and you name it.

The average income there is well above the national average and of course things are expensive. This is basically just South of San Francisco which is also expensive.

So the wife's experience is big city, expensive, not the greatest California weather due to fog rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, crowding, and yes, some people who think they are better than.

I would like to see the same article written by someone who moved to a much smaller and less expensive town with better weather, much less traffic and frankly, more good common people.

The plus side is that the OP who, being transferred by what must be an international tech company, probably has a very good job and income.

While I agree that Silcon Valley is an expensive place to live .....you fail to point out why?

Jobs, jobs, jobs.....AND high paying jobs!

There's a reason that Poe Dunk Texass is cheap (small US cities) ....few jobs, dying infrastructuce, youth looking for a way to escape....but the fact remains that even in Poe Dunk Texass property taxes, payroll taxes, social security, medical insurance fees, sales taxes etc....add to a high cost of living in the US! Think about it ....small city, Why?...no one wants to live there except for those who are stuck there because they can't afford to move out!

Oh, and by the way, there is NO fog in Silicon Valley (Mountains stops the fog before it reaches the valley) so the weather is fantastic and hot!

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

[beachproperty]

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

Neve said that.....read the post. Sadly many of the youth of small towns DO want to get out of small town America as their future prospects are dim. Suppose you would want to live (or maybe do live) in one of the following small towns in America

[JAFO]

My post that David 48 quoted was an assessment as noted by my Thai wife. It is what she has observed. In the end she prefers Thailand(As do I) over what you have to give to live in the states. You give up a lot to live here. While the US claims to be the land of the free it is actually the furthest from it but very few ever really look at it. Most are oblivious to the reality.

Anyway it is what it is. Beauty is we all have choices. I have lived in Thailand more on than off since 2005. I had a few stretches where I was there 2+ years straight. My wife has been back with me here over 2.5 years, by the time we exit it will be 3+. I thinks that's plenty of real seat time to see what one may or may not like about a place. She has never once said ever during our time here that she wanted to stay or even asked me what I think about it staying, Its always been "When are we going home".

[JAFO]

^^ NS ... if it's not too private a question to ask on a public forum ...

Do you have a Thai Partner (currently)?

Settled in the West?

In Thailand?

Flick between the two?

David, I don't have a partner of any kind. Not even one with a sick buffalo, LOL.

I'm settled in America and visit Thailand about once a year for about 3 months. The longest time I spent there was just under 180 days and I was in Chiang Mai renting at the Riverside Apartments. A girlfriend "found me" that time and we has such a good time that when I left I bought her the scooter I had rented.

Last year I rented a car from Avis in BKK and spent a month touring Isaan. That was a great experience. I returned the car in Udon at the airport when I left after spending almost 2 months in Udon and surrounds including Nong Khai which I really liked.

@ Neversure. I am going to do exactly the opposite of you. We will live very well in Thailand and come back and visit the US as we need our fill. I personally think its a GREAT place to visit, just wouldn't want to live there(here). Reality is I can cease working today living in Thailand, Here in the US, NO WAY. I will be forced to work until 65 and maybe beyond. Its just that simple for me.

[NeverSure]

That is a great post, David, and I agree with much of it.

However, Silicon Valley is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. It is called what it is because it become the center of the computer and internet revolution. (Silicon wafers which are used in high tech electronics to make things such as integrated circuits and other things. These are also silicon semiconductors.)

The number of high tech and famous companies there is massive, including Intel, Yahoo and you name it.

The average income there is well above the national average and of course things are expensive. This is basically just South of San Francisco which is also expensive.

So the wife's experience is big city, expensive, not the greatest California weather due to fog rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, crowding, and yes, some people who think they are better than.

I would like to see the same article written by someone who moved to a much smaller and less expensive town with better weather, much less traffic and frankly, more good common people.

The plus side is that the OP who, being transferred by what must be an international tech company, probably has a very good job and income.

While I agree that Silcon Valley is an expensive place to live .....you fail to point out why?

Jobs, jobs, jobs.....AND high paying jobs!

There's a reason that Poe Dunk Texass is cheap (small US cities) ....few jobs, dying infrastructuce, youth looking for a way to escape....but the fact remains that even in Poe Dunk Texass property taxes, payroll taxes, social security, medical insurance fees, sales taxes etc....add to a high cost of living in the US! Think about it ....small city, Why?...no one wants to live there except for those who are stuck there because they can't afford to move out!

Oh, and by the way, there is NO fog in Silicon Valley (Mountains stops the fog before it reaches the valley) so the weather is fantastic and hot!

The high paying jobs go to people with the right education from the right schools. The majority of people living there pump your gas, do your landscaping, clerk in a store and so on.

There are many small towns in the US where people do very well although they don't need to make as much money to live there.

When I was a banker, and specifically at that time an auditor, the bank had a small branch in one tiny town in ranching country. This was in the 1970's and the average balance in all deposit accounts was more than one million dollars. The people who owned those big ranches were wealthy and had a bonus of being able to live in God's country.

Then you have States like Oregon and Washington which have Capitals which aren't big cities. Yet there are many great jobs there due to the government, Universities and all that flows from that.

So let's not generalize too much, OK?

PS The last time I was in San Jose visiting a friend it was foggy.

[AYJAYDEE]

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

Neve said that.....read the post. Sadly many of the youth of small towns DO want to get out of small town America as their future prospects are dim. Suppose you would want to live (or maybe do live) in one of the following small towns in America

small town1.jpgsmall town2.jpgsmalltown3.jpg

yes you did and I would be very happy in a small town like this and its a damn sight cheaper than silcon valley pal!

https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=600&q=whitefish+montana&oq=whitefish+montana&gs_l=img.3..0l10.1299.7343.0.8029.17.15.0.2.2.0.511.2399.2-7j5-1.8.0....0...1ac.1.56.img..7.10.2408.F0pLeNiDu3c#tbm=isch&q=nelson+bc

Edited October 28, 2014 by AYJAYDEE

[JAFO]

^^ NS ... if it's not too private a question to ask on a public forum ...

Do you have a Thai Partner (currently)?

Settled in the West?

In Thailand?

Flick between the two?

David, I don't have a partner of any kind. Not even one with a sick buffalo, LOL.

I'm settled in America and visit Thailand about once a year for about 3 months. The longest time I spent there was just under 180 days and I was in Chiang Mai renting at the Riverside Apartments. A girlfriend "found me" that time and we has such a good time that when I left I bought her the scooter I had rented.

Last year I rented a car from Avis in BKK and spent a month touring Isaan. That was a great experience. I returned the car in Udon at the airport when I left after spending almost 2 months in Udon and surrounds including Nong Khai which I really liked.

@ Neversure. I am going to do exactly the opposite of you. We will live very well in Thailand and come back and visit the US as we need our fill. I personally think its a GREAT place to visit, just wouldn't want to live there(here). Reality is I can cease working today living in Thailand, Here in the US, NO WAY. I will be forced to work until 65 and maybe beyond. Its just that simple for me.

[beachproperty]

Met my Thai wife 10 years ago.....

Brought her then to America and after staying a few weeks asked her the same "would you like to live in America?"

Her response was "America is clean, beautiful, and I love the Supermarkets....BUT no buses (she doesn't drive), no Thai's....I would prefer to live in Thailand but I'm with you ....you want to live America ...we live America!"

Well ...been living in Thailand for the last 10 years, Wife's happy, I'm happy and have the best of both worlds (visit the States at least once a year)

On the other hand have a friend from Oklahoma who met and married his Thai wife during the Vietnam war.....moved to America and lived for over 40 years before retiring to Thailand a few years ago.......

I asked his wife which she prefers ....America or Thailand? ....without hesitation she said America....her friends and life were there.

Two sides to every coin...

Edited October 28, 2014 by beachproperty

[beachproperty]

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

Neve said that.....read the post. Sadly many of the youth of small towns DO want to get out of small town America as their future prospects are dim. Suppose you would want to live (or maybe do live) in one of the following small towns in America

small town1.jpgsmall town2.jpgsmalltown3.jpg

yes you did and I would be very happy in a small town like this and its a damn sight cheaper than silcon valley pal!

https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=600&q=whitefish+montana&oq=whitefish+montana&gs_l=img.3..0l10.1299.7343.0.8029.17.15.0.2.2.0.511.2399.2-7j5-1.8.0....0...1ac.1.56.img..7.10.2408.F0pLeNiDu3c#tbm=isch&q=nelson+bc

Hey PAL!

So you don't believe that if some young people from a small town had the chance (ie the the MONEY or EDUCATION!) to move to a larger town with better propects ....they wouldn't.

Well then...being Alice in Wonderland for haloween would be perfict for you!

[JAFO]

As for Silicon Valley versus "Small town" USA, All depends on what one wants and desires. I was born and raised in California. I watch it grow to what it is, Good and bad. I stayed as it is a great place to make money and there is always a something going and things to go do. I am very hyper type and this area suited me well early on, Now I want to be off somewhere else, but not America.

[Gecko123]

"Everyone is trying to be something they are not" she stated. "Oh and no one is happy"she added smiling.

Geronimo:

Your wife deserves an honorary doctorate in social studies.

Edited October 28, 2014 by Gecko123

[AYJAYDEE]

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

Neve said that.....read the post. Sadly many of the youth of small towns DO want to get out of small town America as their future prospects are dim. Suppose you would want to live (or maybe do live) in one of the following small towns in America

small town1.jpgsmall town2.jpgsmalltown3.jpg

yes you did and I would be very happy in a small town like this and its a damn sight cheaper than silcon valley pal!

https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=600&q=whitefish+montana&oq=whitefish+montana&gs_l=img.3..0l10.1299.7343.0.8029.17.15.0.2.2.0.511.2399.2-7j5-1.8.0....0...1ac.1.56.img..7.10.2408.F0pLeNiDu3c#tbm=isch&q=nelson+bc

Hey PAL!

So you don't believe that if some young people from a small town had the chance (ie the the MONEY or EDUCATION!) to move to a larger town with better propects ....they wouldn't.

Well then...being Alice in Wonderland for haloween would be perfict for you!

LOL! now you are reduced to saying SOME young people!! forget your original statement pal? hahahahahaha

"small city, Why?...no one wants to live there except for those who are stuck there because they can't afford to move out!"

[wwest5829]

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

Neve said that.....read the post. Sadly many of the youth of small towns DO want to get out of small town America as their future prospects are dim. Suppose you would want to live (or maybe do live) in one of the following small towns in America

Whoa, Hoss! Cute pictures of deserted western towns from cowboy days. Looks like you favor the type of propaganda put out in Cold War times. Ha! I moved to Thailand in retirement from rural western Kentucky. Small towns are fine and it depends on your desire in living area. My area produced a good deal of corn, soybeans, tobacco and other farm products. The people of western Kentucky certainly charmed my Thai wife on our last visit. Bottom line is your post is off base. I'll post my reply to the topic in a bit.

[David48]

My post that David 48 quoted was an assessment as noted by my Thai wife. It is what she has observed. In the end she prefers Thailand(As do I) over what you have to give to live in the states. You give up a lot to live here. While the US claims to be the land of the free it is actually the furthest from it but very few ever really look at it. Most are oblivious to the reality.

Anyway it is what it is. Beauty is we all have choices. I have lived in Thailand more on than off since 2005. I had a few stretches where I was there 2+ years straight. My wife has been back with me here over 2.5 years, by the time we exit it will be 3+. I thinks that's plenty of real seat time to see what one may or may not like about a place. She has never once said ever during our time here that she wanted to stay or even asked me what I think about it staying, Its always been "When are we going home".

Mate, thanks for penning the original post, plus taking the time to revisit it.

My first shout ... when I'm up your way.

[David48]

If I could warmly ask the members here?

Don't rip the shit out of JAFO for his post.

Take it out on me ... not him. He had the generous heart to allow me to pen this in the first place.

His is truly a great post. It's honest, no BS ... just recalling the events as it happened.

Just read it for what it is, compare it to how you and your Thai Partner has experienced the Living/Experiencing the West

[NeverSure]

LOL! now you are reduced to saying SOME young people!! forget your original statement pal? hahahahahaha

"small city, Why?...no one wants to live there except for those who are stuck there because they can't afford to move out!"

That isn't true. A lot of people hate cities and love small towns.

I would say that it's more like "Many people hate big cities but they can't figure out how to leave."

The wealthiest guy I know, and I mean Lear Jet wealthy, moved with his wife and kids from LA to a small town in Oregon just before the kids started school. They didn't want their kids going to LA schools but rather wanted the small town culture.

One of my best lifetime friends is a retired heart surgeon and he retired at 55 just so he could get out of Seattle and buy a small farm just outside of a small town North of Vancouver, Washington.

Don't tell me no one wants to escape the city.

Now I would love to hear from someone who took a Thai to live in a small but nice town. (Actually I know one and he's right here painting the inside of my house as I write this.) She doesn't want to go back to Thailand.

[wwest5829]

you honestl;y believe that no one would live in a small rural town if they had a chance to move to the silicon valley?? lol.

Neve said that.....read the post. Sadly many of the youth of small towns DO want to get out of small town America as their future prospects are dim. Suppose you would want to live (or maybe do live) in one of the following small towns in America

small town1.jpgsmall town2.jpgsmalltown3.jpg

You are showing pictures of extremely rural abandoned ghost towns. One for sure is an abandoned gold mining town at least 100 years old.

America is huge. There is something for everyone. It's too diverse to generalize.

In a small town of 10,000 people the local attorney(s) and banker(s) and certified accountant(s) and doctor(s) and nurse(s) and many, many others will make a very good living and find the cost of living to be cheap. There may be another 20,000 people who call that town "going to town" who are really rural on farms and ranches.

Here are true pictures of small town America. LINK

You're absolutely right! America is a very diverse place with many wonderful small towns.

What you fail to point out though, is because they are small, the jobs are few and the opportunities for the youth is limited (ie many have to leave so their future prospects can grow!)

As for local attorney(s), Banker(s), etc......VERY limited opportunities as those that are employed as such already HAVE the job ....which is one, they will have for life there and these small towns can't support hundreds (if not thousands) of these specific jobs.

Job prospects for the youth from small towns is to move to the larger towns or cities where there is opportunity. Education is the key but unfortunately many small town youths thinks sports is their way out (and for some it is)

BUT this thread is not about small town America VS Big city etc....

Its about Thai impressions of the West....sorry about that David48...

I think we can all agree on the observation that worldwide there is an attraction to the larger cities offering more job opportunities. That is why there are many folk from Isaan in Bangkok. Not limited to U.S.

[wilcopops]

Just about as shallow an analysis as you could get.

Edited October 28, 2014 by wilcopops

[JAFO]

My post that David 48 quoted was an assessment as noted by my Thai wife. It is what she has observed. In the end she prefers Thailand(As do I) over what you have to give to live in the states. You give up a lot to live here. While the US claims to be the land of the free it is actually the furthest from it but very few ever really look at it. Most are oblivious to the reality.

Anyway it is what it is. Beauty is we all have choices. I have lived in Thailand more on than off since 2005. I had a few stretches where I was there 2+ years straight. My wife has been back with me here over 2.5 years, by the time we exit it will be 3+. I thinks that's plenty of real seat time to see what one may or may not like about a place. She has never once said ever during our time here that she wanted to stay or even asked me what I think about it staying, Its always been "When are we going home".

Mate, thanks for penning the original post, plus taking the time to revisit it.

My first shout ... when I'm up your way.

Anytime David. All good. PM when you are here

[AYJAYDEE]

LOL! now you are reduced to saying SOME young people!! forget your original statement pal? hahahahahaha

"small city, Why?...no one wants to live there except for those who are stuck there because they can't afford to move out!"

That isn't true. A lot of people hate cities and love small towns.

I would say that it's more like "Many people hate big cities but they can't figure out how to leave."

The wealthiest guy I know, and I mean Lear Jet wealthy, moved with his wife and kids from LA to a small town in Oregon just before the kids started school. They didn't want their kids going to LA schools but rather wanted the small town culture.

One of my best lifetime friends is a retired heart surgeon and he retired at 55 just so he could get out of Seattle and buy a small farm just outside of a small town North of Vancouver, Washington.

Don't tell me no one wants to escape the city.

Now I would love to hear from someone who took a Thai to live in a small but nice town. (Actually I know one and he's right here painting the inside of my house as I write this.) She doesn't want to go back to Thailand.

I didnt say it, that was beachproperty's line not mine.. i happen to live in a small town and my thai wife and I love it

[masuk]

Let's leave "America" for a moment, if I may, and do a couple of minor comparisons.

Cost of housing in the USA and Australia seems much the same, as do taxes, extremely high costs for mobile phone contracts and internet. The thing that got me on a visit to the USA was the nasty habit of adding sales tax/GST, after you've decided you have just enough to pay for something. Thank heavens that's not done here in Thailand or Australia. I can afford to live here in Chiang Mai on my pension, I can afford 24/7 internet, and eating out, registering and insuring the car. I could NOT do that in Australia.

Re: the comment on sidewalks/footpaths. In Chiang Mai they spend nothing on them, few walk on them, and everyone uses them to park their scooters (called motor bikes/sais here).

Seems the USA and Australia have the same attitude to dog poop and litter. You or your pooch drop it - you pick it up. I've actually seen that done here by a non-farang. Compare that to China where everything is dropped and left; under the table, out on the street.

No thanks! I'll stay with Chiang Mai!!

[wwest5829]

Great original post and good observations. I am American, retired with only residence in Thailand and very happy with Thai wife (cultural differences notwithstanding). Grew up close to Philadelphia so I know the megalopolis, attended undergraduate college in Western Kentucky where, due to the more laid back life and friendly way I was treated, I decided to spend my working life (unfortunate financial decision as I was in education).

I agree with many of D48's Thai wife's observations. Bottom line, I am retired in Thailand, several reasons but finances (can't afford to live as well in US), even greater laid back lifestyle (although Chiang Mai is a lot more busy than my KY town). Much of what we find is due to our own raising, cultural orientation. My Thai wife loves visiting the U.S. but there is no way I would take her to live there (as I say, not financially possible anyway). I believe we live a much better life here.

The only thing I would add is that Silicon Valley, like watching U.S. Movies, does not give a true picture of the U.S. Ha! I would not want to live in California either (any more than the east coast). But rural W. Kentucky? I had 18.5 acres, fishing lake, deer, fox, raccoons, etc. very nice setting.

[wilcopops]

Let's leave "America" for a moment, if I may, and do a couple of minor comparisons.

Cost of housing in the USA and Australia seems much the same, as do taxes, extremely high costs for mobile phone contracts and internet. The thing that got me on a visit to the USA was the nasty habit of adding sales tax/GST, after you've decided you have just enough to pay for something. Thank heavens that's not done here in Thailand or Australia. I can afford to live here in Chiang Mai on my pension, I can afford 24/7 internet, and eating out, registering and insuring the car. I could NOT do that in Australia.

Re: the comment on sidewalks/footpaths. In Chiang Mai they spend nothing on them, few walk on them, and everyone uses them to park their scooters (called motor bikes/sais here).

Seems the USA and Australia have the same attitude to dog poop and litter. You or your pooch drop it - you pick it up. I've actually seen that done here by a non-farang. Compare that to China where everything is dropped and left; under the table, out on the street.

No thanks! I'll stay with Chiang Mai!!

"USA was the nasty habit of adding sales tax/GST, after you've decided you have just enough to pay for something. Thank heavens that's not done here in Thailand or Australia" - FHS!!! - get your facts right! - Australia has GST at 10% and the Abbott gov want to increase it..

Edited October 28, 2014 by wilcopops

[carib102]

My wife came to live in America for about 4 years after we were married and she adjusted quite well in small town America. Within 6 months she had a good paying job, learned to drive and bought a car, and had a circle of Western friends (very few Thais in our area). However, she still missed Thailand and wished to come back. So we did and have quite a nice life here. Even so, we will move back to the U.S. within the next few years, primarily because we want a good education for our daughter as well as the more analytical thought process that comes with being educated in the West. We will almost certainly come back to Thailand once my daughter is in university.

On the other side of the coin, my wife has 10-12 Thai friends living in various parts of the U.S. (New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, California) and not a single one of them wants to come back to Thailand. Take that for what it's worth.

And in regards to the cost of living, we spend just as much living here in Thailand as we spent in the U.S. While rent is certainly cheaper, it is offset by the cost of schooling for our daughter and the cost of owning/maintaining a car. Food is probably a wash as we eat a wide variety of foods and as we all know it is only Thai meals that are cheap here. Travel is certainly cheaper here, though as some have pointed put there really isn't as much to see as there is in the U.S. Granted it isn't an apples to apples comparison as we were living in a small town in the U.S. and here in Thailand we live in Bangkok.