Leaving Thailand for good

[MrWorldwide]

We love our ox cart track, and you know no human being will ever actually live in those condos. It's all just pretend here in Bizarro Disneyland.

[NCFC]

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...

I came back to UK after 12 years in Thailand and loving it.

It's not simply about a given geographical place being better than another location. Where your mind is at in relation to the place is just as important.

You can come to Thailand because it is new, different and exciting. But after a time it is no longer new and different and when you've seen and done most things it is no longer exciting. So maybe that is the time to move on.

Similarly if you came to Thailand for looking for a partner. Once you've found one then maybe the reasons to stay are not so compelling.

We all have different needs and are are different levels of attainment so its a difficult argument to say one place is better than another because of your personal relationship with the place.

[simon43]

I came back to UK after 12 years in Thailand and loving it.

It's not simply about a given geographical place being better than another location. Where your mind is at in relation to the place is just as important.

Agreed. I came back to visit the UK after 12 years in Thailand and hated it! I felt like a fish out of water. My heart and mind were happy in Thailand.

Everyone to their own, and good luck wherever your paradise lies.

[1BADDAT]

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.

I lived near Savannah for a year and used to visit. Definitely not my favorite place in the US. There is good food and a decent vibe in the city. The people are friendly and the cost of living is low. The weather is hot and muggy in the summer but mild the rest of the year. Maybe a decent place to retire, but not an ideal place for a mid 30s single guy like myself.

I prefer thailand much more than Savannah. Having said that and back on topic, I don't see myself here for the long haul just yet. I am fortunate enough to be able to live and work here for 18 months and will be sad to leave in a few months. I just don't see the career path I am looking for here if I was a on a local package from my job. If I could stay here on an expat package long term my mindset would be much different.

[MrWorldwide]

Wait - good food, decent vibe, friendly locals, low cost of living and Old Glory hung proudly from the front of people's homes, and you STILL prefer Thailand ? neversure will be foaming at the mouth ..... even I could use some of that overnight shipping, usually free if you buy enough goodies from Amazon. What the hell am I doing here ?

[1BADDAT]

Wait - good food, decent vibe, friendly locals, low cost of living and Old Glory hung proudly from the front of people's homes, and you STILL prefer Thailand ? neversure will be foaming at the mouth ..... even I could use some of that overnight shipping, usually free if you buy enough goodies from Amazon. What the hell am I doing here ?

One key component missing...beautiful asian women. Not many Asians there either. I don't have to live In Asia, but I need to live near Asians. And California fits that bill for me.

[northernjohn]

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.

But you hang on to it with Thai Visa. Apparently not as easy to leave as you would like us to believe.

I also note that money is no problem to you. You are not like 98% of the Americans.

Edited April 11, 2015 by northernjohn

[Naam]

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.

But you hang on to it with Thai Visa. Apparently not as easy to leave as you would like us to believe.

I also note that money is no problem to you. You are not like 98% of the Americans.

i wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

[MaeJoMTB]

I wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

I usually spend about 300bht ($10) on jeans in Thailand, is that bad?

[1BADDAT]

I wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

I usually spend about 300bht ($10) on jeans in Thailand, is that bad?

Cheap price..but I suspect they don't fit well or last long...I have half a closet of thai purchased inexpensive clothes that just don't fit right...but hey if they work for you that's great. I used to shop for clothes here..now I shop for them when I'm back home ...

[slipperylobster]

But are thai girls less expensive in california?

[MaeJoMTB]

I wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

I usually spend about 300bht ($10) on jeans in Thailand, is that bad?

Cheap price..but I suspect they don't fit well or last long...I have half a closet of thai purchased inexpensive clothes that just don't fit right...but hey if they work for you that's great. I used to shop for clothes here..now I shop for them when I'm back home ...

1-2 years, they fit me very well (but I'm size 34 not the 44 many foreign men are, does anything fit the big boys well?)

[Naam]

I wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

I usually spend about 300bht ($10) on jeans in Thailand, is that bad?

as i wear shorts since 25 years i have no idea about jeans.

[Anthony5]

I wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

I usually spend about 300bht ($10) on jeans in Thailand, is that bad?

Cheap price..but I suspect they don't fit well or last long...I have half a closet of thai purchased inexpensive clothes that just don't fit right...but hey if they work for you that's great. I used to shop for clothes here..now I shop for them when I'm back home ...

Strange, all the jeans I have date from the time I first came to Thailand in 1994, which are copy levi and armani and were bought at that time between 180 and 200 Baht.

[rocketboybkk]

No, I lived there a while but lack of work saw me homeward bound.

Now I don't even know if I'd want to spend more than a month or 2 there per year when I'm lucky enough to retire.

It's exciting for a while then it's just another place to live but where imo you're not an equal to Thai's with the double pricing etc.

Still like it & wife & I own nice house & other bits.

See what the future brings I think.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HeijoshinCool]

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.

But you hang on to it with Thai Visa. Apparently not as easy to leave as you would like us to believe.

I also note that money is no problem to you. You are not like 98% of the Americans.

i wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

.

northernjohn:

But you hang on to it with Thai Visa. Apparently not as easy to leave as you would like us to believe ….

I "hang on to it" because my wife is Thai. That, and I lived in LOS for seven years, have a number of ongoing/permanent connections in Thailand, and will always be returning from time to time for something. I don't want to "leave" it, nor do I hate it by any stretch of the imagination other than those imaginations belonging to certain posters on TV.

It's propaganda propagated by priggish apologists.

Thailand was and still is a big part of my life, with many memories both good and bad. Thailand makes me frown, and even more often it makes me smile. But I don't want to live there full time, nor, in answer to the OP 34 pages back, do I want to die there.

Naam:

i wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

Funny thing about people with money: those that do have it, don't spend it nearly as freely and carelessly as those who don't.

[fey]

i saw a sexpat in bangers drinking a beer and eating fatty food. his face was pot marked and the skin loose and flabby. he had beady little eyes and a far away stare. then i saw another one shuffling towards a massage parlor.

mee thinks, better to leave the undead alone.

[Happy Grumpy]

Came aged 24.

Still here aged 35.

I think Thailand (Thais, really) has about 20 more years for me, at age 55 I may move to Laos, a nice plot of land and humble abode along the Mekhong.

[sirineou]

Came aged 24.

Still here aged 35.

I think Thailand (Thais, really) has about 20 more years for me, at age 55 I may move to Laos, a nice plot of land and humble abode along the Mekhong.

I remember 24 it was great dont remember 35 but I am sure it must had happen since I am 57 now

[1BADDAT]

I wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

I usually spend about 300bht ($10) on jeans in Thailand, is that bad?

Cheap price..but I suspect they don't fit well or last long...I have half a closet of thai purchased inexpensive clothes that just don't fit right...but hey if they work for you that's great. I used to shop for clothes here..now I shop for them when I'm back home ...

1-2 years, they fit me very well (but I'm size 34 not the 44 many foreign men are, does anything fit the big boys well?)

Size 32....or 33 in Thai because they like to lie about the true size of clothing. Makes no sense.

My main complaint about the clothing is shirts that after one wash look like A half shirt and barely cover my belt line.

[NeverSure]

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.

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

Actually I meant that Americans think Thailand is expensive - for a third world country, and if one doesn't "live like a Thai."

[NeverSure]

i wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

Naam:

i wouldn't envy somebody, who recently boasted that he bought a pair of jeans for $22 which would be much more expensive in Thailand, for his "wealth"

Funny thing about people with money: those that do have it, don't spend it nearly as freely and carelessly as those who don't.

Exactly right.

[JLCrab]

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.

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

Actually I meant that Americans think Thailand is expensive - for a third world country, and if one doesn't "live like a Thai."

I have never met an American that, if they even know Thailand is a country, thinks living there is expensive.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

It is just as expewhy compare the USA to Thailand?

They have nothing truly in common,

You can live very cheaply in the US, if you choose.

The drawback to that is, its isolating

Bangkok is unique to itself and has its advantage and disadvantage

If it wasnt for the heat and pollution, I'd seriously consider it, but the weather and air quality just doesn't work for me. The food quality is also very inconsistent, and the way I prefer to eat is less expensive in the USA

By the way.

A six pack of hoegaaden is 300/ baht here and in Thailand it is 240 baht, each. <deleted>

[JLCrab]

(Before I look it up on Google) What is hoegaaden & why should I care what it costs?

[Anthony5]

(Before I look it up on Google) What is hoegaaden & why should I care what it costs?

Hoegaarden is a Belgian beer and for many members of this forum the main survival substance.

[fey]

has this guy left yet?

CLOSED

[JLCrab]

(Before I look it up on Google) What is hoegaaden & why should I care what it costs?

Hoegaarden is a Belgian beer and for many members of this forum the main survival substance.

Well then it seems like they would be better off in Miami.

[VIPinthailand]

don't compare house in Thailand and in the USA. USA have roaches and built with light wood that fly away with tornadoes. quality is very low.

Thai houses are in bricks.

The USA has most obese ladies when here it s very hard to find overweight people.

Tax in the USA is a pain in the butthole, even Séverin(Google man) left to Asia. most people in the USA swim in debts. by the way I m richer than the US government. , I have no debt.

now I m in Europe, and I can not wait to be back in Thailand . Europe is for losers.

Edited April 16, 2015 by VIPinthailand

[grantbkk]

Always have a Plan B just in case life here becomes untenable. Been here for 13 years even though I never intended to stay this long. Can live anywhere but this place seems to have a magical hold on me.