Leaving Thailand for good

[fey]

Lasted seven years, came back last fall.

Cost of living is cheaper here, better quality of life, and:

People smile without hoping for anything other than a smile back;

Haven't heard a single dog bark in three months, let alone been attacked by a pack of them;

No burning of plastic;

No loud music, caterwauling as the moon sets, or unbridled exhaust;

Haven't seen one person pick their nose. Nope, not even the person preparing my food ...

Were there good things about my time in Thailand? Sure, but no where near enough to consider living there any longer, let alone dying there.

My wife is joining me in April. We have a bucket list in the first month that includes:

The Grand Canyon- camping and rafting;

Las Vegas- attending a Cirque de Sol show, and, in the casinos, losing money;

Driving north from San Diego through Malibu, sailing to and about Catalina, then taking Hwy 1 up the coast into Washington State and eventually Victoria, B.C. We'll stop at wineries and cheese farms along the way, detouring for camping in Sequoia National Park, and Redwood National Forest. Then Yosemite and back over to the coast .

Absolutely no way I would consider wasting another precious day of life in LOS.

You obviously have the money where you could live anywhere. You're right Thailand may not be the place for you. For people like mean on limited means I don't have that much choice, I would far rather be poor in a nice warm climate amongst friendly people who are genuine, than back in a cold climate, where I seldom see a smile. Come to think of it, even if I had all the money in the world I'd still live here, but maybe I'd take the trip you are planning, or take a summer trip to Europe or Japan, or Alaska or Iceland, two places I'd always wanted to visit. However I would always come home. Yes Thailand is my home now, and if all goes well I will die here.

of course like many foreigners you will want your body repriated home so it can 'rest in peace'

i find it amusing how few foreigners who call thailand home want to die or be buried here

[berybert]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

May I ask why, if you have the dollar to live anywhere you want too. Why do you choose the low cost of living as one of your reasons for living here ?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I think I can answer that, since it's not really a Brit specific question.

Just because you have the the income available to spend on something, doesn't necessarily mean you WANT to spend it for that particular purpose.

By having a lower cost of living, if you live at that level, it may mean you can save to provide more for your children's future, buy assets here for yourself and your family and their future, or indulge other hobbies/expenses that you might not be able to afford if all your regular income was being spent on the essentials/basics.

[Gecko123]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

Agree. There seems to be some folks who really "want to believe" that many of us are stuck here. But like you, I have no financial constraints and can live comfortably most anywhere. Yet, I choose Thailand.

+1

I don't have "unlimited resources" but then again who does, Uptheos? But I am quite financially secure, and I live in Thailand strictly by choice.

For me, it's all about the people, the social inclusion, the warmth and friendliness.

From this perspective, I don't think there's anywhere better than Thailand to live.

Edited April 10, 2015 by Gecko123

[JB300]

Lasted seven years, came back last fall.

Cost of living is cheaper here, better quality of life, and:

People smile without hoping for anything other than a smile back;

Haven't heard a single dog bark in three months, let alone been attacked by a pack of them;

No burning of plastic;

No loud music, caterwauling as the moon sets, or unbridled exhaust;

Haven't seen one person pick their nose. Nope, not even the person preparing my food ...

Were there good things about my time in Thailand? Sure, but no where near enough to consider living there any longer, let alone dying there.

My wife is joining me in April. We have a bucket list in the first month that includes:

The Grand Canyon- camping and rafting;

Las Vegas- attending a Cirque de Sol show, and, in the casinos, losing money;

Driving north from San Diego through Malibu, sailing to and about Catalina, then taking Hwy 1 up the coast into Washington State and eventually Victoria, B.C. We'll stop at wineries and cheese farms along the way, detouring for camping in Sequoia National Park, and Redwood National Forest. Then Yosemite and back over to the coast ….

Absolutely no way I would consider wasting another precious day of life in LOS.

You obviously have the money where you could live anywhere. You're right Thailand may not be the place for you. For people like mean on limited means I don't have that much choice, I would far rather be poor in a nice warm climate amongst friendly people who are genuine, than back in a cold climate, where I seldom see a smile. Come to think of it, even if I had all the money in the world I'd still live here, but maybe I'd take the trip you are planning, or take a summer trip to Europe or Japan, or Alaska or Iceland, two places I'd always wanted to visit. However I would always come home. Yes Thailand is my home now, and if all goes well I will die here.

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Like where? Can you please give some examples & please don't mention anywhere in the US as I'm a Brit so can only spend 6 months of the year there.

If you're a British Citizen you can live anywhere you like and if you're a person of unlimited resources I'm sure you could find somewhere beautiful to live. Of course if you're a bit strapped or on benefits that's a different story.

Bibury in The Cotswolds would be a good place to start.

Thanks, it was a genuine question as whilst not having unlimited resources I can afford to live anywhere I choose (basing this on the fact that I've just spent 6 1/2 years living in the most expensive city in the world, Singapore) I'm thinking there are so places I've never been to, I'd love to hear alternative suggestions to Thailand/Asia for a long stay "visitor" (I'm "only" 49 )

I love the UK, hate UK haters, but haven't finished my travels yet so not quite ready to move back HOME

Oh & I have to get this off my chest, I am from a working class family (Father a scaffolder, Mum a cleaner) & I've never received a single penny of "Benefit"... Sorry, that's my chip on my shoulder...

[HooHaa]

Absolutely no way I would consider wasting another precious day of life in LOS.

But you sure do spend a lot of time on "Thai"Visa. Must be something about the LOS that keeps you coming back.

there is a lot of that going around here.

[JLCrab]

Most of those co-op apartments in central Khon Kaen are bought by persons from Bangkok and in many cases have no immediate plans to live in them.

Some are some aren't. I attended the ludicrous launch where the great and good of town bought several at a time off plan using sponsored credit cards. It was nuts.

The plan they have for kkc is horrendous.

I say the same thing about KKC as I used to say about living in/around Orlando, Florida: It's a great place as long as you don't have to drive during rush hour.

They have basically deliberately created gridlock. One shopping centre and 8 planned condos around one junction. Idiotic. Truly idiotic

That all doesn't much impact me as I don't own a 4-wheel vehicle. It's also easy enough for me to get to the Central Mall without even going on the main north-south Mittraphap Road or east-west Sri Chan Road and I can do so non-rush hour. No big deal.

[MaeJoMTB]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

San Francisco, warm weather most of the year and skiing at Lake Tahoe a few hours away.

Great hiking and cycling out by Muir woods, nice beaches.

If I were rich, I would be there.

[simon43]

May I ask why, if you have the dollar to live anywhere you want too. Why do you choose the low cost of living as one of your reasons for living here ?

TallGuyJohninBKK basically answered that question

Everyone is different in their opinions and beliefs. One of mine is that just because I have money (or have the abil;ity to make money), doesn't mean that I should spend it or proceed to make that money.

I've been down the million+ $ house before. I've done the expensive game shooting, horse-riding outings. I've had the expensive cars and multiple holidays each year. I've lived the rich life and found it wanting. I have no interest in rubbing shoulders with the jetsetters anymore. I'm happy in my little 'hovel' in Phuket.

*****************************

Once a fisherman was sitting near seashore, under the shadow of a tree smoking his beedi. Suddenly a rich businessman passing by approached him and enquired as to why he was sitting under a tree smoking and not working. To this the poor fisherman replied that he had caught enough fishes for the day.

Hearing this the rich man got angry and said: Why don’t you catch more fishes instead of sitting in shadow wasting your time?

Fisherman asked: What would I do by catching more fishes?

Businessman: You could catch more fishes, sell them and earn more money, and buy a bigger boat.

Fisherman: What would I do then?

Businessman: You could go fishing in deep waters and catch even more fishes and earn even more money.

Fisherman: What would I do then?

Businessman: You could buy many boats and employ many people to work for you and earn even more money.

Fisherman: What would I do then?

Businessman: You could become a rich businessman like me.

Fisherman: What would I do then?

Businessman: You could then enjoy your life peacefully.

Fisherman: Isn’t that what I am doing now?

[Berkshire]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

San Francisco, warm weather most of the year and skiing at Lake Tahoe a few hours away.

Great hiking and cycling out by Muir woods, nice beaches.

If I were rich, I would be there.

Hmmm, I know San Francisco well and it doesn't quite fit your description. It's actually quite cold most of the year and the beaches are not that great. Pretty much everything is way overpriced. Traffic is pretty bad, and the city is just packed together with not a lot of open space. Don't get me wrong, SF is a beautiful city. Great to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[Berkshire]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

May I ask why, if you have the dollar to live anywhere you want too. Why do you choose the low cost of living as one of your reasons for living here ?

It's about value. Most wealthy guys--self-made anyways--got that way by not being stupid with their money.

[MaeJoMTB]

^^^^^

I can think of a load of rich guys that were stupid with money.

Robin Williams had $100M, lost most of it, committed suicide.

[JLCrab]

I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better. -- Sophie Tucker (1887 -1966)

Edited April 10, 2015 by JLCrab

[simon43]

"There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich"

Marlene Dietrich

[Gecko123]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

San Francisco, warm weather most of the year and skiing at Lake Tahoe a few hours away.

Great hiking and cycling out by Muir woods, nice beaches.

If I were rich, I would be there.

Hmmm, I know San Francisco well and it doesn't quite fit your description. It's actually quite cold most of the year and the beaches are not that great. Pretty much everything is way overpriced. Traffic is pretty bad, and the city is just packed together with not a lot of open space. Don't get me wrong, SF is a beautiful city. Great to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

I was going to question this assessment as well, but I didn't want to be argumentative.

Lived within the city limits for 7 years. The conclusion I walked away with?: most over-rated city in America.

You hit the nail on the head: great to visit, hellish to live there. Over-priced real estate. No parking. Unfriendly. Lousy weather. What did Mark Twain say about the weather?

Further down the Peninsula, well that's another story.

[Anthony5]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

Are you the same Simon43 who only last year was taking up teaching jobs in Birma to make a living?

Life must have been good in the past 12 months.

[JLCrab]

"There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich"

Marlene Dietrich

Thanks -- I'll take both.

[1BADDAT]

That's what people with limited resources always say.

There is no question that there are far, far better places to live than Thailand.

Here's another Brit asking the same question.

Thailand may not be perfect, (where is?) but it seems to tick many boxes, especially compared to other destinations around the world.

I have the $$$ to live wherever I want (visa rules allowing etc). But I can't think of a better choice than Thailand (of course, this is all subjective and many would disagree with my reasons for living here ==> good weather, friendly people, low cost of living, good private hospitals, tasty food, general lack of female lard-buckets etc)

San Francisco, warm weather most of the year and skiing at Lake Tahoe a few hours away.

Great hiking and cycling out by Muir woods, nice beaches.

If I were rich, I would be there.

Hmmm, I know San Francisco well and it doesn't quite fit your description. It's actually quite cold most of the year and the beaches are not that great. Pretty much everything is way overpriced. Traffic is pretty bad, and the city is just packed together with not a lot of open space. Don't get me wrong, SF is a beautiful city. Great to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

I was going to question this assessment as well, but I didn't want to be argumentative.

Lived within the city limits for 7 years. The conclusion I walked away with?: most over-rated city in America.

You hit the nail on the head: great to visit, hellish to live there. Over-priced real estate. No parking. Unfriendly. Lousy weather. What did Mark Twain say about the weather?

Further down the Peninsula, well that's another story.

+1 within one exception. I don't even like to visit it. Fly into airport there when I fly home for a visit and can't wait to get out there. I live 100 miles away.

[taiwanatoa]

HC.... That is a thorough post. My wife joined me for a while when I was working in the USA last year and she pointed out that meats and seafood were cheaper in the markets there than in Thailand. Plus, the seafood tasted better, likely as it was not preserved with nasty stuff. Vegetables and fruits are definitely more expensive in the USA, about 3-4 times what they are in LOS. Most off the shelf items in the grocery stores were cheaper. Medical care is the big hitter in the USA, but if you can avoid that, it is indeed cheaper in the USA these days if you can find inexpensive housing.

.

Yep. The beef has gone up recently, but the quality is far superior and still cheaper than LOS. Some veggies are cheaper in Thailand, but not much of a variety. Ever buy a spaghetti squash or Brussels Sprouts in LOS?

The key in America is to work hard at that job that pays so well, long enough to be debt free and have your house free and clear. Then stay in good health, and life is far less expensive, with far more variety and benefits, than in SE Asia.

Oh yes, "THAT job" !, and "your house free and clear" ! I wish I had only known . Thanks for telling us so now we know!

[MrWorldwide]

SF sounds a lot like Sydney - esp the 'great place to visit' part - and their other big drawcard isn't their iconic suspension bridges. The only people I know who are looking at Sydney as an alternative to Thailand are women who've landed their catch and are in the process of dragging him to the altar.

Given that Bill Bryson wandered all over the US way back in 1989 and pronounced Savannah, GA his ideal rendition of small town America, I wondered how it stacks up on 2015 ? Probably not good from a cost-of-living POV but the images look great. I can almost see Rhett Butler standing at the front door, beckoning me in for a cool lemonade and a pistol whipping, not necessarily in that order.

[nij68]

How can you see yourself leaving ? I am here in boring dull UK waiting to be in LOS forever!!

[NeverSure]

SF sounds a lot like Sydney - esp the 'great place to visit' part - and their other big drawcard isn't their iconic suspension bridges. The only people I know who are looking at Sydney as an alternative to Thailand are women who've landed their catch and are in the process of dragging him to the altar.

Given that Bill Bryson wandered all over the US way back in 1989 and pronounced Savannah, GA his ideal rendition of small town America, I wondered how it stacks up on 2015 ? Probably not good from a cost-of-living POV but the images look great. I can almost see Rhett Butler standing at the front door, beckoning me in for a cool lemonade and a pistol whipping, not necessarily in that order.

It's really hard to understand why Americans think Thailand is expensive, especially since we can't buy houses in LOS and the import taxes are so high. Taxes on domestically built cars are very high in Thailand giving us sticker shock. The same is true of most consumer goods from TV's to computers to....

You mentioned a city so here's a quick look at home prices. These homes are Western style with full kitchens, two real bathrooms, often garages, etc. etc.

BTW Savannah is beautiful and the weather is great - not unlike N. Florida.

Some homes for sale.

Edited April 10, 2015 by NeverSure

[Berkshire]

^^^^^

I can think of a load of rich guys that were stupid with money.

Robin Williams had $100M, lost most of it, committed suicide.

Celebrities are a different animal. Actors, athletes, musicians....these people are almost required to be stupid with their money. I was mostly referring to us normal people.

[JLCrab]

SF sounds a lot like Sydney - esp the 'great place to visit' part - and their other big drawcard isn't their iconic suspension bridges. The only people I know who are looking at Sydney as an alternative to Thailand are women who've landed their catch and are in the process of dragging him to the altar.

Given that Bill Bryson wandered all over the US way back in 1989 and pronounced Savannah, GA his ideal rendition of small town America, I wondered how it stacks up on 2015 ? Probably not good from a cost-of-living POV but the images look great. I can almost see Rhett Butler standing at the front door, beckoning me in for a cool lemonade and a pistol whipping, not necessarily in that order.

It's really hard to understand why Americans think Thailand is expensive, especially since we can't buy houses in LOS and the import taxes are so high. Taxes on domestically built cars are very high in Thailand giving us sticker shock. The same is true of most consumer goods from TV's to computers to....

You mentioned a city so here's a quick look at home prices. These homes are Western style with full kitchens, two real bathrooms, often garages, etc. etc.

BTW Savannah is beautiful and the weather is great - not unlike N. Florida.

Some homes for sale.

I'll presume you meant why Americans think Thailand is INexpensive.

For me, I only owned a house in USA for 3 years of my adult life -- I was a happy renter even there. I don't own a car; don't buy much imported consumer goods or food. I stock up on my trips to USA each one or two years including a new laptop each trip -- 2 - 20 kg check-in bags can go a long way.

[Mr Somtam]

How can you see yourself leaving ? I am here in boring dull UK waiting to be in LOS forever!!

Boring and dull is up to you, I am in Thailand and bored shotless...

[Rhys]

You're going to miss the place....

[Naam]

I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better. -- Sophie Tucker (1887 -1966)

rich is not having money, rich is spending money and still have it

[simon43]

Are you the same Simon43 who only last year was taking up teaching jobs in Birma to make a living?

No, I am the Simon43 who went to Myanmar a couple of years ago for a 'rest' after I completed the construction of my 3rd little hotel in Phuket, (I have now completed and opened my 4th...).

My rest of about 14 months in Myanmar consisted of teaching at, and managing a school in Yangon (paid employment).

Plus teaching for free in the very poor slums of Dala Township.

Plus getting up at 05.30am to teach English to monks who would then pass on this language knowledge to the orphan kids at their monastery (I taught for free of course).

Plus teaching for free at the poor school in Kawthaung, south Myanmar.

As I said, being 'rich' is not always about money

[JLCrab]

I thought Marlene Dietrich said it. But here in Thailand I like it because as per Greta Garbo:

'I want to be left alone.' ... and here I am left alone but not alone.

[thaibeachlovers]

Most of those co-op apartments in central Khon Kaen are bought by persons from Bangkok and in many cases have no immediate plans to live in them.

Some are some aren't. I attended the ludicrous launch where the great and good of town bought several at a time off plan using sponsored credit cards. It was nuts.

The plan they have for kkc is horrendous.

I say the same thing about KKC as I used to say about living in/around Orlando, Florida: It's a great place as long as you don't have to drive during rush hour.

They have basically deliberately created gridlock. One shopping centre and 8 planned condos around one junction. Idiotic. Truly idiotic

No more idiotic than building condos/ hotels up a concreted ox cart track in Pattaya.