Decisions made for returning to the USA

[farang000999]

This has been a very emotional topic for the forum.

[fey]

Reading between the lines, it reads like the op has some doubts about the move.

He keeps harping on the negatives of thailand and how perfect the new place in florida is, taking the wife out of poverty, even with pics of the table perfectly set.

Just reads odd likes he's justifying something.

I would be focused just on the new arrangement at this juncture, and not posting long books in a forum about the negatives I just left behind.

Being from the USA myself I also find the patriot talk somewhat discomforting. I don't hear that a lot from people in the states, if anything it's more negative.

It reads like a IRS shill that's trying to get people back into the US to retire.

Edited July 26, 2015 by fey

[farang000999]

Pictures make any story much more interesting and entertaining.

[SpokaneAl]

Very nice. We all create our own luck and you are an excellent example of that.

[curtklay]

This has been a very emotional topic for the forum.

Indeed it has, and I can't help wondering why. The OP has set off 8 pages of heated replies based on doubt, competition, and certainly, jealousy. I keep waiting for someone to say, "Well, my penis is bigger than yours". I don't blame the OP for bailing out. When I first read his post, I thought 2 things; maybe he's just trolling, or maybe he's proud of his accomplishments and rightfully so. If his story is for real, he has found a near perfect life for himself and his family, and deserves some bragging rights. The "amateur psychologist" who suggested that his wife is only part of his personal decorating scheme really made me laugh. The OP set up a warm and welcoming environment so his wife and child would feel "at home" after being separated, and coming into a new world. Maybe he is familiar with her taste, and did what he thought would appeal to her. If she didn't like the pictures on the wall, she could easily change them. The OP's decorating is surely better than escorting her to a vacant lot, and saying "Welcome to your new home".

I'm still laughing about the poster who prefers "an Isaan shack" to the Florida coast.

As usual, TVF posters have taken the topic off in a thousand directions, mostly misguided. If the OP is honest, and his story is true, then I say "Good for you. You have found the joy that we all seek, whether it's in Thailand or the USA." If he is a troll, he's a damn good one!

Edited July 26, 2015 by curtklay

[Phaeton]

This has been a very emotional topic for the forum.

Indeed it has, and I can't help wondering why. The OP has set off 8 pages of heated replies based on doubt, competition, and certainly, jealousy. I keep waiting for someone to say, "Well, my penis is bigger than yours". I don't blame the OP for bailing out. When I first read his post, I thought 2 things; maybe he's just trolling, or maybe he's proud of his accomplishments and rightfully so. If his story is for real, he has found a near perfect life for himself and his family, and deserves some bragging rights. The "amateur psychologist" who suggested that his wife is only part of his personal decorating scheme really made me laugh. The OP set up a warm and welcoming environment so his wife and child would feel "at home" after being separated, and coming into a new world. Maybe he is familiar with her taste, and did what he thought would appeal to her. If she didn't like the pictures on the wall, she could easily change them. The OP's decorating is surely better than escorting her to a vacant lot, and saying "Welcome to your new home".

I'm still laughing about the poster who prefers "an Isaan shack" to the Florida coast.

As usual, TVF posters have taken the topic off in a thousand directions, mostly misguided. If the OP is honest, and his story is true, then I say "Good for you. You have found the joy that we all seek, whether it's in Thailand or the USA." If he is a troll, he's a damn good one!

Exactly. And, side note, not many of us really take pictures of our living room and dining room with no people. I wouldn't be surprised, if some of the OP's pictures, were shots that he took just when he had finished set up. Or even stuff the previous house owner had in place, to "stage" the house. So if you don't like the art, or the crystal dinner ware, it looks to me like things set up to stage a house.

I don't think it would occur to the OP that he was "showing off." He's got a used, restored, jeep! Not a Gelandewagen. Also, it may all be a troll post. But I image searched his wife, on Google, cause you guys got me nervous, and nothing. Doesn't prove much. But I think these are shots of a normal life back in Florida. He's far from just scraping by, but he's not showing off. His post to me says, well above average, but normal life.

I'm a bit of a novice here, but I just thought he was sharing one scenario for marrying a Thai girl. Not "I did it right, you guys suck who stay in the land of Thais."

[Shadychris]

Carl Benze did not invent the Car Engine .you are clearly a pup of the Net.

Nobody is claiming than Benz invented the 'Car Engine' - the honour of building the first petrol engine in 1876 goes to Nikolaus August Otto, not an American but another German.

Mr Fixit is quite correct to state that the first practical car was not invented by an American as TT claimed (along with a number of other ridiculous claims) but by Benz in 1885. The worlds first production car also by Benz, with some 1200 units built was the Benz Velo of 1894.

Edited July 26, 2015 by Shadychris

[taiwangirl]

I don't think it would occur to the OP that he was "showing off." He's got a used, restored, jeep! Not a Gelandewagen. Also, it may all be a troll post. But I image searched his wife, on Google, cause you guys got me nervous, and nothing. Doesn't prove much. But I think these are shots of a normal life back in Florida. He's far from just scraping by, but he's not showing off. His post to me says, well above average, but normal life.

I'm a bit of a novice here, but I just thought he was sharing one scenario for marrying a Thai girl. Not "I did it right, you guys suck who stay in the land of Thais."

+1 If my parents are like most people here, their wish was for when I was grow up was that I would be happy and successful. I do not think that anyone told their kids, "I hope you grow up to be poor and struggling". The OP seems to be happy and successful. Good for him!!!

As Phaeton says, the OP is just showing a normal life in Florida - it is not "lifestyles of the rich and famous". I have some trouble in my mind understanding why some people seem to be reading too much into his post. He did not say Thailand is bad, he was not putting down people of us who live here - he is one person showing one person's life.

Anyway, just my two baht worth.

[CharlieH]

Off topic removed

[thehelmsman]

I stop working in a few years and have thought long and hard on where we'll live. We have a 4 yr. old to think about. The house the OP showed us can be bought in Florida for the same if not cheaper price than Thailand. In Florida I'd still be compelled to provide private education for my baby. Where we live in Thailand now the baby can go by herself down the small soi to play with friends. My wife always has a friend to share som tam for lunch and just gossip her heart out. That would be hard to duplicate in the USA.

[Time Traveller]

You really sound like a fool to have stayed here all those years. I mean , you have " an advanced degree" , you bought your wife a car, oh yes and you just happened to buy a house too. I'm an economic refugee here.I would much rather be able to afford to rent a decent little studio apartment in my own country, my own state of California , but I cannot afford to. And I have no hope of finding a job that would pay enough to survive there. I'm 60 and I'll probably die here.

I'm wondering who the fool is. As much as we don't like Californians moving to live in our states, the law still does allow you to relocate somewhere cheaper. Out of 50 states, I'd guess 47 of them are much cheaper places to live than california.

No need to wonder there, Sparky, just look in the mirror. I don't want to live in your lousy state. Cal. is my state. And I don't care a crap what you don't like.

That must really eat you up inside. Loving California so much but those Californians then let you down that you no longer can afford to live there.

Edited July 26, 2015 by Time Traveller

[taiwanatoa]

You really sound like a fool to have stayed here all those years. I mean , you have " an advanced degree" , you bought your wife a car, oh yes and you just happened to buy a house too. I'm an economic refugee here.I would much rather be able to afford to rent a decent little studio apartment in my own country, my own state of California , but I cannot afford to. And I have no hope of finding a job that would pay enough to survive there. I'm 60 and I'll probably die here.

I'm wondering who the fool is. As much as we don't like Californians moving to live in our states, the law still does allow you to relocate somewhere cheaper. Out of 50 states, I'd guess 47 of them are much cheaper places to live than california.

No need to wonder there, Sparky, just look in the mirror. I don't want to live in your lousy state. Cal. is my state. And I don't care a crap what you don't like.

That must really eat you up inside. Loving California so much but those Californians then let you down that you no longer can afford to live there.

"those Californians then let you down" ? Your brain must be " really eaten-up inside" , Sharpey . The whole system of unrestrained corporate-capitalist greed is the problem. But I'm not going to waste my time on trying to educate someone who hasn't even started to learn the basics yet..

[VIPinthailand]

in the USA at night I would not go out . even when it s dark. best to stay inside.

in Thailand I walk to 7 11 even around midnight...

woooow!

Edited July 26, 2015 by VIPinthailand

[thehelmsman]

in the USA at night I would not go out . even when it s dark. best to stay inside.

in Thailand I walk to 7 11 even around midnight...

woooow!

Don't you get tired of posting the same anti USA retoric. Try a different approach perhaps, something less dull.

[Shadychris]

in the USA at night I would not go out . even when it s dark. best to stay inside.

in Thailand I walk to 7 11 even around midnight...

woooow!

Don't you get tired of posting the same anti USA retoric. Try a different approach perhaps, something less dull.

Oh I don't know - it kind of balances out a lot of the anti Thai rhetoric that seems so common on this forum..

[KonaRain]

Amazing stories..having to take care of aging Mom in Australia..

Tsunami..Shipwreck..

On f.b. we have to be careful of making statments that would get us unfriended..by people I don't even know..musical acossiates of old friends. I've seen women's comforters on beds, selfies, whatever..

many people post things online that could be bragging, but its o.k...

I'm dirt poor in Hawaii, but hope to begin eco-tours on my land..aloha to all!

[lostoday]

I stop working in a few years and have thought long and hard on where we'll live. We have a 4 yr. old to think about. The house the OP showed us can be bought in Florida for the same if not cheaper price than Thailand. In Florida I'd still be compelled to provide private education for my baby. Where we live in Thailand now the baby can go by herself down the small soi to play with friends. My wife always has a friend to share som tam for lunch and just gossip her heart out. That would be hard to duplicate in the USA.

I didn't see the OP post anything about how much his home cost; did I miss it? Last I saw a similar house in Florida cost 227% more than Thailand.

[thehelmsman]

I stop working in a few years and have thought long and hard on where we'll live. We have a 4 yr. old to think about. The house the OP showed us can be bought in Florida for the same if not cheaper price than Thailand. In Florida I'd still be compelled to provide private education for my baby. Where we live in Thailand now the baby can go by herself down the small soi to play with friends. My wife always has a friend to share som tam for lunch and just gossip her heart out. That would be hard to duplicate in the USA.

I didn't see the OP post anything about how much his home cost; did I miss it? Last I saw a similar house in Florida cost 227% more than Thailand.

I've been doing alot of online searches for houses in different areas in Florida and the area he bought. 120K

USD gets you a pretty nice house, pool and not far from beach. Roughly 4mil baht....roughly.

[HeijoshinCool]

Amazing stories..having to take care of aging Mom in Australia..

Tsunami..Shipwreck..

On f.b. we have to be careful of making statments that would get us unfriended..by people I don't even know..musical acossiates of old friends. I've seen women's comforters on beds, selfies, whatever..

many people post things online that could be bragging, but its o.k...

I'm dirt poor in Hawaii, but hope to begin eco-tours on my land..aloha to all!

.

PM me when you're ready, and I'll be your first customer.

[lostoday]

I stop working in a few years and have thought long and hard on where we'll live. We have a 4 yr. old to think about. The house the OP showed us can be bought in Florida for the same if not cheaper price than Thailand. In Florida I'd still be compelled to provide private education for my baby. Where we live in Thailand now the baby can go by herself down the small soi to play with friends. My wife always has a friend to share som tam for lunch and just gossip her heart out. That would be hard to duplicate in the USA.

I didn't see the OP post anything about how much his home cost; did I miss it? Last I saw a similar house in Florida cost 227% more than Thailand.

I've been doing alot of online searches for houses in different areas in Florida and the area he bought. 120K

USD gets you a pretty nice house, pool and not far from beach. Roughly 4mil baht....roughly.

1. Where would that be? 2. Online searches of the rust belt get you some mighty nice homes too.

I've done a lot of searches and the average cost of living in Florida is 200% higher than Thailand for housing and the related expenses. But don't take my word for it, I've only bought and sold 10 houses in Florida.

Build a house in Thailand above the flood plain and do the same in Florida and the Florida house will be 200% more money all things being equal and that's my experience talking not any salesman stuff.

I know a lot of people who have moved from Florida to Thailand and except for stories on Thai Visa I don't know any who moved back.

But maybe.......Maybe you can tell me why those few who do think it is necessary or that anyone would be interested in hearing about their story in Thailand?

There are Florida forums and I can guarantee you they are not filled with Thai people saying how happy they are living in in Florida.

[fey]

I stop working in a few years and have thought long and hard on where we'll live. We have a 4 yr. old to think about. The house the OP showed us can be bought in Florida for the same if not cheaper price than Thailand. In Florida I'd still be compelled to provide private education for my baby. Where we live in Thailand now the baby can go by herself down the small soi to play with friends. My wife always has a friend to share som tam for lunch and just gossip her heart out. That would be hard to duplicate in the USA.

I didn't see the OP post anything about how much his home cost; did I miss it? Last I saw a similar house in Florida cost 227% more than Thailand.

I've been doing alot of online searches for houses in different areas in Florida and the area he bought. 120K

USD gets you a pretty nice house, pool and not far from beach. Roughly 4mil baht....roughly.

1. Where would that be? 2. Online searches of the rust belt get you some mighty nice homes too.

I've done a lot of searches and the average cost of living in Florida is 200% higher than Thailand for housing and the related expenses. But don't take my word for it, I've only bought and sold 10 houses in Florida.

Build a house in Thailand above the flood plain and do the same in Florida and the Florida house will be 200% more money all things being equal and that's my experience talking not any salesman stuff.

I know a lot of people who have moved from Florida to Thailand and except for stories on Thai Visa I don't know any who moved back.

But maybe.......Maybe you can tell me why those few who do think it is necessary or that anyone would be interested in hearing about their story in Thailand?

There are Florida forums and I can guarantee you they are not filled with Thai people saying how happy they are living in in Florida.

You can get waterfront property in the usa that's not real expensive. The issue is always the same. What do you do in a remote location that's way out there?

Well you fix up the house, by cars, twiddle and diddle until you go nuts, form a religious sect, or you get too old to want to go out much anyhow.

You are either retired with a spouse and/or sexual partners already there, or you go nuts living alone with nothing to do and no social life.

Getting that property closer to civilization puts the price out of reach for most people. For example, living in a home in San Francisco with a water view.

Not something I'm going to be able to do anytime soon, though I may be able to get it out in the boonies or somewhere way off in Florida and just spank it like crazy, but sooner or later something's got to give.

[lostoday]

I didn't see the OP post anything about how much his home cost; did I miss it? Last I saw a similar house in Florida cost 227% more than Thailand.

I've been doing alot of online searches for houses in different areas in Florida and the area he bought. 120K

USD gets you a pretty nice house, pool and not far from beach. Roughly 4mil baht....roughly.

1. Where would that be? 2. Online searches of the rust belt get you some mighty nice homes too.

I've done a lot of searches and the average cost of living in Florida is 200% higher than Thailand for housing and the related expenses. But don't take my word for it, I've only bought and sold 10 houses in Florida.

Build a house in Thailand above the flood plain and do the same in Florida and the Florida house will be 200% more money all things being equal and that's my experience talking not any salesman stuff.

I know a lot of people who have moved from Florida to Thailand and except for stories on Thai Visa I don't know any who moved back.

But maybe.......Maybe you can tell me why those few who do think it is necessary or that anyone would be interested in hearing about their story in Thailand?

There are Florida forums and I can guarantee you they are not filled with Thai people saying how happy they are living in in Florida.

You can get waterfront property in the usa that's not real expensive. The issue is always the same. What do you do in a remote location that's way out there?

Well you fix up the house, by cars, twiddle and diddle until you go nuts, form a religious sect, or you get too old to want to go out much anyhow.

You are either retired with a spouse and/or sexual partners already there, or you go nuts living alone with nothing to do and no social life.

Getting that property closer to civilization puts the price out of reach for most people. For example, living in a home in San Francisco with a water view.

Not something I'm going to be able to do anytime soon, though I may be able to get it out in the boonies or somewhere way off in Florida and just spank it like crazy, but sooner or later something's got to give.

There is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California. Texas had a few last time I looked but you can't buy the land as it's owned by the State.

[beachproperty]

There is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California. Texas had a few last time I looked but you can't buy the land as it's owned by the State.

Well...actually there is

If we use Satellite Beach area (where OP moved to) there is the following for sale for $800,000 (probably can get it for $700,000):

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Satellite-Beach-FL/pmf,pf_pt/43458525_zpid/20367_rid/1_pnd/28.171182,-80.581424,28.159246,-80.601079_rect/15_zm/?vie

Comparable home in Thailand ON the beach would be either the same (25 million Baht) or MORE.

Sooo...as for BEACH front homes ....Thailand and US are about the same (Obviously depending on what part of Thailand OR US you are looking at)

EDIT:

As a side note.....My wife and I have a beach front home (actually made it a mini resort with 6 units) 2 hours from Bangkok that cost 10 million baht (land was 4.5 million baht several years ago and build out and furnishings etc were 5.5 million).....Wouldn't sell for less than 30 million Baht.

One thing FOR SURE...is that it's a lot CHEAPER to build in Thailand than vs the US ($25/sq foot in Thailand vs $100 and UP in the US per sq foot)

Edited July 27, 2015 by beachproperty

[lostoday]

There is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California. Texas had a few last time I looked but you can't buy the land as it's owned by the State.

Well...actually there is

If we use Satellite Beach area (where OP moved to) there is the following for sale for $800,000 (probably can get it for $700,000):

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Satellite-Beach-FL/pmf,pf_pt/43458525_zpid/20367_rid/1_pnd/28.171182,-80.581424,28.159246,-80.601079_rect/15_zm/?vie

Comparable home in Thailand ON the beach would be either the same (25 million Baht) or MORE.

You are only 20 million baht high. Not bad. I can get a new home on the beach similar to Satellite beach area for less than 6 million baht. I'm not in the business of selling real estate you can use google.

If you really can't find it call an agent on the Eastern Seaboard.

$800,000 is not cheap to me. Maybe you but I think my comment, "there is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California" still stands correct.

Edited July 27, 2015 by lostoday

[DrDave]

<snip>

One thing FOR SURE...is that it's a lot CHEAPER to build in Thailand than vs the US ($25/sq foot in Thailand vs $100 and UP in the US per sq foot)

Not from my experience.

My two homes (one in Thailand and one in Florida), both built at about the same time. Thai cost was about 150USD per sq ft. Florida cost was about 102USD per sq ft. There's no comparison in the build quality, fit and finish - the Florida house is much, much better and included more land.

I don't argue that you can build a house in Thailand for 25USD per sq ft.... I've done it. Actually, the one I built was about 22USD per sq ft, but I certainly wouldn't want to live in it.

[Gecko123]

I think a lot of people who commented on this thread in a less than laudatory fashion were legitimately put off by some of the comments the OP made in the process of sharing his story about his transition back to America. Because many people, some of whom I have a degree of respect for, seem to not understand why some reacted this way, I would like to say a few words in defense of “the vulture club,” even though I do not consider myself a card-carrying member of said club.

Tim Robbins in the house?

The OP makes several comments which suggested he saw his post as a sort of motivational pep talk for other expats who may have lost sight of or perhaps forgotten all that America has to offer. For example, he starts out by saying, ‘The decision to return to the USA after 10+ years living in Thailand was not as hard as what I imagined,’ and concludes by remarking, ‘For those contemplating moving back or starting over, it is not impossible.’

So far, so good. At first blush, this all sounds encouraging enough. But once the gist of the OP’s story is fully digested, the reader quickly realizes that in order to do what the OP has recounted, a person would more than likely need to be relatively young (in order to restart his career, pay off the mortgage, earn money to support his family in a suburban lifestyle, etc.), as well as have highly marketable job skills (mostly gained through higher education), and have had a way to have maintained these skills while on a 10+ year sabbatical in Thailand. The number of expats who enjoy all of these life circumstances is fairly limited, and for those who are fortunate enough in this regard, I seriously question whether they need the OP’s guidance as their self-appointed life coach in deciding whether returning to their home country is the best course of action. For those who don’t fall into this niche, they cannot easily emulate what the OP recounted. A person obviously can’t turn back the hands of time or acquire advanced degrees or in-demand job skills over night. I think that this is why some readers perceived the OP as doing something other than giving us a collective pep-talk.

Does somebody need an ego-boost?

When you set aside the OP’s claim that he was just innocently sharing his story in the hopes that it might inspire others to consider following his example, the tone of the post did strike my ear as, if not outright bragging, certainly a little too self-congratulatory, at least to my ear:

“….my own business doing quite well… huge SUV…

I have an advanced education in engineering …easy to find a very high paying job in the USA…. bought my wife a brand new car… live in Florida about 1600 feet from the beach… my mother, who is a retired doctor.”

The OP also posted a picture of a youthful, attractive Thai woman who was impeccably made up (hair highlights, meticulously plucked brow line, sophisticated mascara and lipstick, perfect teeth, maybe even wearing colored contact lenses? It’s hard to believe that that picture wasn’t calculated to instill envy in viewers. I also asked myself If everyone’s so blissfully happy and adjusting so well, why no pictures of the family together? Why just the wife?

America good; Thailand bad. Americans good; Thais bad. (yawn)

The OP doesn’t have much of anything positive to say about Thais and Thailand and glorifies America and Americans in an unbalanced biased manner.

Thailand is the land of insufferable heat, floods, water shortages, power outages, grinding poverty, and low educational standards. America is just the opposite: no extreme weather, crime free, a social paradise where anyone can grow up to be President. The land of “no hardships.”

Thais are scam artists, corrupt, poorly educated, dishonest, and criminally inclined. Americans are warm, friendly, welcoming, non-judgmental, better educated, just plain smarter, hard-working, and well bred.

The OP may be fortunate enough to be able to largely insulate himself and his family from the realities of what day to day life is like for many Americans, but as we all know there’s two sides to every story, and the OP does seem to be in need of being reminded of this.

Should I head to Mukdahan to look for my next wife or not???

The OP at first describes Isaan as a mecca which anyone hoping to find a wife in Thailand should make a beeline to. But then the OP says stuff like: “Many of the people working or even owning the restaurants appear to me to be the same types as you would run into in Isaan with the same behaviors.” or “ poverty and lack of education in Isaan.” The OP also opined that: “Honesty is not a common trait in Thailand.” Isn’t Isaan part of Thailand? I don’t understand why the OP is recommending Isaan as a good place to look for a wife, when he appears to hold everyone else in Isaan aside from his wife in quite low regard. I mean, why would I look for a wife in a place where everyone behaves badly, is poorly educated and dishonesty is part of their genome???

Newsflash, OP, we’re not all emotional retards in need of marriage counseling from you.

If there’s one thing in the OP’s post which really had me gagging it was the insufferably self-congratulatory rhetoric about how the OP had “grown up” and “unlike some men saw his wife as his equal” and how it takes a “special kind of person to put his family first.”

Just, FYI, OP, what you describe here is the norm, and nothing special at all. I don’t know any family men who don’t put their family first. As far as treating your wife as your equal, I am curious to know ---beyond buying her a car and setting her up with ATM and credit cards--- the extent to which you encourage her (1) to embrace her Thai culture (music, religion, art, customs, heritage, decorating the house, etc.), (2) to develop a social life independent of you (perhaps with other Thais), (3) to improve her English skills, (4) continue her education, and (5) seek employment? That would be the real test of your true commitment to helping her fulfill her full potential, not just providing things such as a car and ATM cards to facilitate her role as a housewife. Frankly, some of the comments you made about your wife being Americanized (de-Thai-ed, if you will) and the negativity you have expressed about Thailand and Thais (which is after all your wife’s homeland) disturbed me, and I hope that you will give this a great considerable thought, for the sake of your wife and future domestic happiness.

But, again, I genuinely wish the OP and his family happiness ever after, and it was informative to read his story.

[beachproperty]

There is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California. Texas had a few last time I looked but you can't buy the land as it's owned by the State.

Well...actually there is

If we use Satellite Beach area (where OP moved to) there is the following for sale for $800,000 (probably can get it for $700,000):

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Satellite-Beach-FL/pmf,pf_pt/43458525_zpid/20367_rid/1_pnd/28.171182,-80.581424,28.159246,-80.601079_rect/15_zm/?vie

Comparable home in Thailand ON the beach would be either the same (25 million Baht) or MORE.

You are only 20 million baht high. Not bad. I can get a new home on the beach similar to Satellite beach area for less than 6 million baht. I'm not in the business of selling real estate you can use google.

If you really can't find it call an agent on the Eastern Seaboard.

$800,000 is not cheap to me. Maybe you but I think my comment, "there is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California" still stands correct.

I live on the Eastern seaboard! I AM in the business of buying and selling Real Estate for my personal porfolio....and have for the last 7 years .... When I say ON the beach ...I mean ON the Beach....$800,000 US dollar for BeachFront property is Cheap (Never said it was cheap for me) but in relative terms ..it is about the cheapest you will find in the US .

Yes ...you can get a "home" on the beach on the Eastern Seaboard for 6 million Baht (a condo) BUT ....NOT a house and land.....And I don't care how far down the Eastern Seaboard you go (Cheapest decent house ON the Beach was 15 million Baht down near Chantaburi...4 hours from Bangkok ...closer to Bangkok the more expensive!)

Now...looking at Satellite Beach, Florida once you get off the beach the homes (not condo's) plummet to an average of $200,000 (6.5 million Baht) AND the same phenomenon occurs in Thailand .....go 100 meters from the beach and Home prices drop dramaticly (many even cheaper than your 6 million Baht)

This post isn't about home prices in Thailand vs US.....it was about a farang moving back home and telling us he's happy about it (well...actually, not so sure myself if he's happy ....because its not the location where you live that makes you happy but the people around you...)...

BUT if it makes you happy ....I agree "there is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California"

[beachproperty]

<snip>

One thing FOR SURE...is that it's a lot CHEAPER to build in Thailand than vs the US ($25/sq foot in Thailand vs $100 and UP in the US per sq foot)

Not from my experience.

My two homes (one in Thailand and one in Florida), both built at about the same time. Thai cost was about 150USD per sq ft. Florida cost was about 102USD per sq ft. There's no comparison in the build quality, fit and finish - the Florida house is much, much better and included more land.

I don't argue that you can build a house in Thailand for 25USD per sq ft.... I've done it. Actually, the one I built was about 22USD per sq ft, but I certainly wouldn't want to live in it.

Not sure about your finishes.....but for $25/sq foot this is an example of the bathrooms (1 of 11)

In the US remodeling the a bathroom to the same specs would cost at least $25,000 (800,000 Baht).....NOT bashing the US but Thailand if you watch your workers and balance what you buy (look for value) there's NO comparison....Thailand is a LOT cheaper ...(In my previous life in the US I was a Real Estate Developer)

Maybe you could post pictures next time to see if you really got what you paid for ....or are you just puffing?

Edited July 27, 2015 by beachproperty

[lostoday]

There is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California. Texas had a few last time I looked but you can't buy the land as it's owned by the State.

Well...actually there is

If we use Satellite Beach area (where OP moved to) there is the following for sale for $800,000 (probably can get it for $700,000):

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Satellite-Beach-FL/pmf,pf_pt/43458525_zpid/20367_rid/1_pnd/28.171182,-80.581424,28.159246,-80.601079_rect/15_zm/?vie

Comparable home in Thailand ON the beach would be either the same (25 million Baht) or MORE.

You are only 20 million baht high. Not bad. I can get a new home on the beach similar to Satellite beach area for less than 6 million baht. I'm not in the business of selling real estate you can use google.

If you really can't find it call an agent on the Eastern Seaboard.

$800,000 is not cheap to me. Maybe you but I think my comment, "there is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California" still stands correct.

I live on the Eastern seaboard! I AM in the business of buying and selling Real Estate for my personal porfolio....and have for the last 7 years .... When I say ON the beach ...I mean ON the Beach....$800,000 US dollar for BeachFront property is Cheap (Never said it was cheap for me) but in relative terms ..it is about the cheapest you will find in the US .

Yes ...you can get a "home" on the beach on the Eastern Seaboard for 6 million Baht (a condo) BUT ....NOT a house and land.....And I don't care how far down the Eastern Seaboard you go (Cheapest decent house ON the Beach was 15 million Baht down near Chantaburi...4 hours from Bangkok ...closer to Bangkok the more expensive!)

Now...looking at Satellite Beach, Florida once you get off the beach the homes (not condo's) plummet to an average of $200,000 (6.5 million Baht) AND the same phenomenon occurs in Thailand .....go 100 meters from the beach and Home prices drop dramaticly (many even cheaper than your 6 million Baht)

This post isn't about home prices in Thailand vs US.....it was about a farang moving back home and telling us he's happy about it (well...actually, not so sure myself if he's happy ....because its not the location where you live that makes you happy but the people around you...)...

BUT if it makes you happy ....I agree "there is no cheap ocean front property in Florida or California"

5,800,000 baht list price. House on the beach..... East coast Thailand.

[beachproperty]

5,800,000 baht list price. House on the beach..... East coast Thailand.

So-So house for being on the beach????? Where's the beach? And what area? Chantaburi? Trat?

where's the link? If truly on the beach ...ready to buy now!

Edited July 27, 2015 by beachproperty