USA -- low budget repatriation specific locations that aren't horrible

[lannarebirth]

I have zero interest in gambling and more problematically hanging around people who are interested in gambling or even in the industry.

I've been to casinos and I don't even feel like using the slots.

That's a big point against Vegas for me but I know there is more than that in Vegas, but that is the focus there.

Speaking of which, I have read some recent predictions that there will be very major new development on the strip that is more about entertainment, events, sports, and retail as opposed to casinos and also a prediction that the FREE PARKING on the strip will go away, at least when major events are on. Yes, they're trying to get some major sports team right there on the strip. Of course that may take years, but that's the trend.

The heavy stench of cigarette smoke is enough to keep me from having any desire to visit casinos.

Hey Al, what's Coeur d' Alene like these days? I always thought that was a pretty area.

CdA is stunningly beautiful. I cycle, run and swim over there often in the summer months, and we camp in the nearby campgrounds as well. The town continues to grow without loosing its charm. IMO it is one of the nicest places in the US.

I've had several family issues to take care of and that's brought me back to the states these past 3 years. I'm in western Washington and the repatriation hasn't been nearly as horrible as I thought it was going to be.

I think we're going to take a trip over to CdA in the spring, maybe Missoula too. Washington's getting a bit too crowded for my liking. Thinking Northwest 7-8 months, Thailand 4-5.

[SpokaneAl]

I have zero interest in gambling and more problematically hanging around people who are interested in gambling or even in the industry.

I've been to casinos and I don't even feel like using the slots.

That's a big point against Vegas for me but I know there is more than that in Vegas, but that is the focus there.

Speaking of which, I have read some recent predictions that there will be very major new development on the strip that is more about entertainment, events, sports, and retail as opposed to casinos and also a prediction that the FREE PARKING on the strip will go away, at least when major events are on. Yes, they're trying to get some major sports team right there on the strip. Of course that may take years, but that's the trend.

The heavy stench of cigarette smoke is enough to keep me from having any desire to visit casinos.

Hey Al, what's Coeur d' Alene like these days? I always thought that was a pretty area.

CdA is stunningly beautiful. I cycle, run and swim over there often in the summer months, and we camp in the nearby campgrounds as well. The town continues to grow without loosing its charm. IMO it is one of the nicest places in the US.

I've had several family issues to take care of and that's brought me back to the states these past 3 years. I'm in western Washington and the repatriation hasn't been nearly as horrible as I thought it was going to be.

I think we're going to take a trip over to CdA in the spring, maybe Missoula too. Washington's getting a bit too crowded for my liking. Thinking Northwest 7-8 months, Thailand 4-5.

We do six months in each part of the world. It is a good life.

[BKKSnowBird]

I have zero interest in gambling and more problematically hanging around people who are interested in gambling or even in the industry.

I've been to casinos and I don't even feel like using the slots.

That's a big point against Vegas for me but I know there is more than that in Vegas, but that is the focus there.

Speaking of which, I have read some recent predictions that there will be very major new development on the strip that is more about entertainment, events, sports, and retail as opposed to casinos and also a prediction that the FREE PARKING on the strip will go away, at least when major events are on. Yes, they're trying to get some major sports team right there on the strip. Of course that may take years, but that's the trend.

The heavy stench of cigarette smoke is enough to keep me from having any desire to visit casinos.

Hey Al, what's Coeur d' Alene like these days? I always thought that was a pretty area.

CdA is stunningly beautiful. I cycle, run and swim over there often in the summer months, and we camp in the nearby campgrounds as well. The town continues to grow without loosing its charm. IMO it is one of the nicest places in the US.

I've had several family issues to take care of and that's brought me back to the states these past 3 years. I'm in western Washington and the repatriation hasn't been nearly as horrible as I thought it was going to be.

I think we're going to take a trip over to CdA in the spring, maybe Missoula too. Washington's getting a bit too crowded for my liking. Thinking Northwest 7-8 months, Thailand 4-5.

Thats what I hope to do one day as PNW summers are the best!! OR or WA 8 months and Thailand for the winter. That new METV would be ideal for this and I think there is a Thai consulate in Portland?

I met a nice couple a few years back doing that but winters in Mexico.

Edited December 10, 2015 by BKKSnowBird

[SpokaneAl]

I have zero interest in gambling and more problematically hanging around people who are interested in gambling or even in the industry.

I've been to casinos and I don't even feel like using the slots.

That's a big point against Vegas for me but I know there is more than that in Vegas, but that is the focus there.

Speaking of which, I have read some recent predictions that there will be very major new development on the strip that is more about entertainment, events, sports, and retail as opposed to casinos and also a prediction that the FREE PARKING on the strip will go away, at least when major events are on. Yes, they're trying to get some major sports team right there on the strip. Of course that may take years, but that's the trend.

The heavy stench of cigarette smoke is enough to keep me from having any desire to visit casinos.

Hey Al, what's Coeur d' Alene like these days? I always thought that was a pretty area.

CdA is stunningly beautiful. I cycle, run and swim over there often in the summer months, and we camp in the nearby campgrounds as well. The town continues to grow without loosing its charm. IMO it is one of the nicest places in the US.

I've had several family issues to take care of and that's brought me back to the states these past 3 years. I'm in western Washington and the repatriation hasn't been nearly as horrible as I thought it was going to be.

I think we're going to take a trip over to CdA in the spring, maybe Missoula too. Washington's getting a bit too crowded for my liking. Thinking Northwest 7-8 months, Thailand 4-5.

Thats what I hope to do one day as PNW summers are the best!! OR or WA 8 months and Thailand for the winter. That new METV would be ideal for this and I think there is a Thai consulate in Portland?

I met a nice couple a few years back doing that but winters in Mexico.

I use the Los Angeles, CA Thai Consulate via mail for a new non imm o-a multi entry visa each year and have not yet had any problems.

Edited December 10, 2015 by SpokaneAl

[Jingthing]

For some reason, I think I might have prematurely stopped considering Tucson AZ.

Obviously Phoenix is still up there and Las Vegas fades even more.

I had rejected Tucson based on some strong negatives but now I'm not so sure.

The negatives I saw were:

Lack of freeways so lots of slow stoplight surface driving making relatively short trips take long

Being so near Mexico, less diversity, more Mexican "domination"

Poor job market and lower pay compared to Phoenix

Smaller city so smaller housing stock meaning less choices

Much more provincial than Phoenix ... shopping limited

Nightlife and entertainment not impressive

High crime

Public transport is only buses (no streetcars, etc.)

But then there are some really great positives:

Somewhat cooler and wetter than Phoenix

Using cheaper evaporate cooling more common; summers less like hell than Phoenix and less need to escape summer

Smaller size, relative less urban sprawl than Phoenix

More of a old time "Southwest" feel than Phoenix ... Phoenix very new more like Southern California (with no beach), seems good to feel like the Southwest IN the Southwest

Some arts and culture stuff ... what the hell, Phoenix isn't exactly NYC anyway!

Restaurant scene doesn't compare to Phoenix but there's probably enough to be happy (great Mexican in both)

More of a counterculture type vibe compared to Phoenix.

Related to that, politically more liberal than Phoenix which has that weirdo right wing Maricopa County sheriff

Living costs said to be a little lower than Phoenix (makes sense, lower wages)

Checked some housing ads ... just random but the people sound friendlier and less anal (in the bad way) than in Phoenix.

Have read indeed it's more of a "small town" feel and people are considered more friendly in Tucscon than big city Phoenix (makes sense)

Tucson is not too far from Nogales, Mexico ... not right on the border but if needed there that sweet Mexican health care for sale there.

Bus system supposedly better than Phoenix (but only buses)

Silly of me trying to figure this out from a distance ... but Tucson is sounding better now.

Any subject Phoenix vs. Tucson opinions out there?

Obviously it depends what you're looking for.

For a young ambitious person starting out, no contest, it would be Phoenix.

But that ain't me.

Edited December 12, 2015 by Jingthing

[craigt3365]

Getting to this thread a bit late. Very interesting. I'm guessing we'll move back for a bit at some point. But leaning towards part time RVing.

Phoenix is a huge city with terrible traffic. I've not been in about 10 years, but downtown was pretty bad, as are many communities in and around Phoenix. Crime is/can be quite bad. Scottsdale seemed nice, but expensive. Weather is dreadful for the 100 days above 100. You have to hide out all day. Impossible to go out. The AC in my car would even shut off as the engine would over heat at stop lights. Vegas isn't much better. Traffic is terrible, but some of the outer communities are quite nice. And much more to do entertainment wise.

Tuscon has some tough areas also. Sedona is amazing, but incredibly jammed on weekends with people from Phoenix. Beautiful part of the world.

Albuquerque is also a bit tough with crime. Not a very pretty city, IMHO. Loved Santa Fe, but seemed to be a bit expensive.

Not sure Florida would work for me. Nor most of the south. I've got friends who live in Gulf Shores, AL. 300M to the beach. Beautiful beach. Problems with storm insurance. And they are hating the "bubba" factor. A bit difficult for them, being from California.

California has some great areas, but due to a bunch of taxes, makes it an expensive place to live. Western Oregon might be interesting, but not as much to do culturally. I've heard Bend is nice.

My friend moved to Seattle from the California mountains a few years ago. He's hating it. Everything he buys is waterproof now. When it's nice, it's stunning....but sometimes have to wait a month for sunshine! Too depressing for me. We RV'ed on the Oregon coast for a month a few years ago during the summer. Loved it. Rain started in mid September. We were at a restaurant and it'd been raining for over a week heavily. I asked the waiter when it would stop, and without hesitation, he said "May". And went to place our order. LOL

I like Nevada due to no taxes and relatively cheap living. The casinos add a bit of fun, especially if you take advantage of the specials. Some can be really good. Some, not so good. And casinos get boring after a bit.

Interesting discussion.....

[SpokaneAl]

For some reason, I think I might have prematurely stopped considering Tucson AZ.

Obviously Phoenix is still up there and Las Vegas fades even more.

I had rejected Tucson based on some strong negatives but now I'm not so sure.

The negatives I saw were:

Lack of freeways so lots of slow stoplight surface driving making relatively short trips take long

Being so near Mexico, less diversity, more Mexican "domination"

Poor job market and lower pay compared to Phoenix

Smaller city so smaller housing stock meaning less choices

Much more provincial than Phoenix ... shopping limited

Nightlife and entertainment not impressive

High crime

Public transport is only buses (no streetcars, etc.)

But then there are some really great positives:

Somewhat cooler and wetter than Phoenix

Using cheaper evaporate cooling more common; summers less like hell than Phoenix and less need to escape summer

Smaller size, relative less urban sprawl than Phoenix

More of a old time "Southwest" feel than Phoenix ... Phoenix very new more like Southern California (with no beach), seems good to feel like the Southwest IN the Southwest

Some arts and culture stuff ... what the hell, Phoenix isn't exactly NYC anyway!

Restaurant scene doesn't compare to Phoenix but there's probably enough to be happy (great Mexican in both)

More of a counterculture type vibe compared to Phoenix.

Related to that, politically more liberal than Phoenix which has that weirdo right wing Maricopa County sheriff

Living costs said to be a little lower than Phoenix (makes sense, lower wages)

Checked some housing ads ... just random but the people sound friendlier and less anal (in the bad way) than in Phoenix.

Have read indeed it's more of a "small town" feel and people are considered more friendly in Tucscon than big city Phoenix (makes sense)

Tucson is not too far from Nogales, Mexico ... not right on the border but if needed there that sweet Mexican health care for sale there.

Bus system supposedly better than Phoenix (but only buses)

Silly of me trying to figure this out from a distance ... but Tucson is sounding better now.

Any subject Phoenix vs. Tucson opinions out there?

Obviously it depends what you're looking for.

For a young ambitious person starting out, no contest, it would be Phoenix.

But that ain't me.

If you decide to become a cyclist and/or triathlete, Tucson is one of the finest places in the country for that kind of stuff. There is a huge number of healthy, fit buff people, it is a Mecca for athletes and triathletes during the winter months, and it is a great place to join in on that life style.

[craigt3365]

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/az/tucson/crime/

Safer than 2% of
the cities
in the US.

http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/tucson-in-top-for-property-crimes-nationally/article_d5edb12b-0071-57d0-801d-3012a899b7b5.html

[Kilowatt]

I lived in Phoenix until last year.I know Arizona well and would choose phoenix over Tucson.To many non legal there.yes nicer weather and cleaner air.

If I move back it would be the Verde Valley area.Clean air a diversty of people,property,shopping and a decent water table something Phoenix and Tucson have to worry about.They also have a good VA system.

[craigt3365]

I lived in Phoenix until last year.I know Arizona well and would choose phoenix over Tucson.To many non legal there.yes nicer weather and cleaner air.

If I move back it would be the Verde Valley area.Clean air a diversty of people,property,shopping and a decent water table something Phoenix and Tucson have to worry about.They also have a good VA system.

How did you handle the summer??? In Vegas, we typically left from around Memorial day until just after Labor day....

[Kilowatt]

I worked outside all year.I tried to do the hard physical work very early.It's hard to get away from the heat no matter what you do,by August most folks that work outside are not in a good mood.

I was cold two summers ago when I got off the plane.

Let me know what type of work you do as I may know of something. I had a small business repairing welding equipment and was too busy even at $125/hr.

[bangmai]

Tucson would be OK, housing costs are pretty darn close, with more low end options in Phoenix. It is very spread out, but so is LV. In its heyday, the job market was just as good in Tucson, as Phoenix (but so was LV), but there has been a noticeable contraction in Tucson, too. The big mountains are closer to the city in Tucson. I've actually seen it snow on Easter Sunday in Tucson. The young and upwardly mobile will go to Phoenix, and those who chose Tucson will often be second guessing their decision. I got 131.05 per day to Substitute Teach in Tucson back in 2000, TUSD is about as bad as it gets, and so is CCSD (in LV)...but the pay hasn't gone up 1 cent in the 15 years since....that's indicative of the economic growth problem. Many do fine in Sierra Vista or Vail. If you are going to live without a car; your choices thin a lot, but the savings are immense for someone on a budget. The desert heat is hell on cars.

Edited December 13, 2015 by bangmai

[geriatrickid]

Las Vegas has everything. Plus, you can win your expenses in the casino's with smart money management. If it's too hot in the summer, you simply go up to Reno for a few months. Reno is also inexpensive but fewer food options.

Reno is a sh*thole. There is absolutely nothing positive to say about it. It is a city filled with the trashiest of trailer park trash, the misfits who can't live in Vegas. What kind of advice is it to tell someone to gamble his way to covering expenses? No one makes that kind of money playing the slots. In case you missed it, the subject wants to qualify for Medicaid. That means his income from all sources has to be less than $15,654.10. That's the 133% of the single person poverty line. Do you really think it appropriate to tell someone who is poor to gamble? Seriously? Do you know what that kind of money gets you in Vegas? A vermin infested room in a flop house. He's going to need to be close to hospitals as he ages. For a poor person, the best place is a university town or city, where the state hospitals will take on charity and medicaid cases to allow the medical students some practice. Based upon the climate criteria, he will need to be in AZ or NM. At least the hispanic influence will guarantee some decent food. Latinos also tend to be more accommodating of the elderly and don't bulldoze them aside.

[bangmai]

There are plenty of "pensioners" in LV, doing just fine, but they rely on their monthly checks a lot more than their winnings. If you get in the reward clubs and all that; you can do some very cheap entertainment/dining, but it sure isn't what it used to be. My house was close tot he Carl Hayden VA in 85014...I lived there for two years, worked a school job, and rebuilt a 68 year-old house...without a car. One Summer was Hell, and the next Summer I left to Thailand to escape the heat from 15 June to 15 September. Saved 30K during my time there. Reno has much more of a NorCal, Bay area influence, and for a while it looked like it would be able to capitalize on businesses fleeing California. The old places like Elderado, and the Flamingo were hard to beat, but I've heard a lot of the same reports about the trashiness of the place, but can personally attest to the trashiness of the people in LV, many of whom are refugees from California. Laughlin may be the best bet for a pensioner, who wants to do cheap breakfasts and have a place to go, but it is way hot down there, and many of those folks live in Bullhead City, which is a different flavor of trashiness, but no one has ever disputed that Needles, CA, the third city of the triangle, is clearly the trashiest of the Cal-Nev-AZ area. Likely because CA has the most liberal welfare benefits for single moms. My first trip to LV was in 1993 and I stayed at the Tropicana..I actually thought that the gaming kind of sucked compared to Reno/Tahoe, but back then, you could bet 2 usd every thirty minutes or so, and drink bottles of Beck's for free all day...I kind of felt like they were sticking their noses up at not just the low rollers, but anyone who wasn't dropping off a large amount of cash at the tables (in LV).

Edited December 13, 2015 by bangmai

[craigt3365]

I've lived in Vegas off and on since 1975. We rarely went to the casino. Mainly when visitors were in town, or out with friends. Didn't like the smoke and don't like to gamble...err....lose money! Use to have a big sign saying "97% payout on slots". My father and I would laugh. So if I put in $100, I'll get $97 back? LOL

[bangmai]

There are ample non-smoking casinos now, as well as race books. I remember Ramada Express in Laughlin had two deals, one was 2 nights for 8 usd per night, came to about 19 with taxes. The other was play two hours slots and get two nights free. The first two Canadians I met, told me their "free" room cost them 250 USD. People always bragged about their "comps," but basically meant a) they had lost a lot of money they had slot personnel following them around tracking their gaming. However, they've been known to give great comps to anyone, who wins big, to get them to stay and give it back. They used to almost automatically slide a flyer under your hotel door Sunday morning; stay one more night: 5 USD. I guess if you really hated gambling and smoke, you could just stay at the Super 8, across the River in Arizona. It was 65 per night, which reminds me of Lake Havasu..the place where people go, who are turned off by the Nevada scene...total tourist trap rip-off, more like Sedona price wise, along with plenty of mobile home parks...good boating, but I'll do my almost free hotel room, and taco/steak specials and try to keep my wallet in my pocket.

Edited December 13, 2015 by bangmai

[craigt3365]

I'm not a big fan of Laughlin. Nothing to do but hang out at the casinos. And as said, it's HOT in summer....and windy as get out a good part of the year. We use to have to be careful pulling the RV around there. Dangerous at times.

Spent a fair amount of time at Havasu, Quartzsite, Yuma. Trying to find warm weather during the winter. Even then, we'd head south towards Puerto Vallarta. The really warm weather is south of there still!

[Jingthing]

I do love PV but that's in Mexico. Did you drive your RV there?

Anyway, I'm trying to get a sense of how easy or hard it would be to avoid crime in Phoenix and Tucson. I am hearing that Tucson has the higher crime of the two because of the closer to the border issues, perhaps more poverty, etc. I've lived in cities people think are dangerous and you just don't live in the worse areas or visit them, at least in the day. Heck I've even lived in neighborhoods many people think are scary "too ethnic" and it was OK. It may help that I can visually pass for Mexican. But there are some cities where avoiding crime is not so easy. Obviously, I'm not in a position to live in a guarded mansion but I think this is why I rejected Tucson before, the crime. Still not sure.

Also, obviously I wouldn't be buying a flash car. More like a super ugly car ... on purpose.

Edited December 13, 2015 by Jingthing

[craigt3365]

Yes, spent several winters in Mexico. You need to head quite a bit south for really warm weather. Cabo is really good, the next great spot is down near Ixtapa. If you want to be on the sea.

I'm no expert, but I think you'd like Phoenix better. More cosmopolitan and more options out in the suburbs. Downtown isn't that nice.

In either place, most crime is petty crime. Just like here.

[bangmai]

Baltimore. Oakland, and 1/3 of Berkeley are a lot scarier than Tucson or Phoenix. The black gangs are in South Phoenix, the hardcore Mexican gangs are in West Phoenix. Good areas can be close to bad areas, which makes for a lot of opportunities in real estate. No State income ax in NV, but if you are lower income; you won't owe in AZ. Sewer/water is high in NV and so is electric. Sales tax is high, too. Oregon is murder on property taxes, and their State income tax is bad, too.

[Jingthing]

Yeah, that's kind of the impression I got about good areas being close to bad areas, and mixed up.

In cities I've lived in, it's been kind of more clear cut than that.

I can see the point about real estate opportunities but there is also a risk.

Live if you buy something decent in a fluid area that seems to have potential but near a bad area, it could go either way!

[Jingthing]

Yes, spent several winters in Mexico. You need to head quite a bit south for really warm weather. Cabo is really good, the next great spot is down near Ixtapa. If you want to be on the sea.

I'm no expert, but I think you'd like Phoenix better. More cosmopolitan and more options out in the suburbs. Downtown isn't that nice.

In either place, most crime is petty crime. Just like here.

I'm curious why you think I'd like Phoenix better.

The more robust arts and theater scene, yes that's true.

The much better and also high end shopping ... I won't have the money for that.

The better restaurant scene ... yeah, true, but how many meals can you eat? For example if there'e one Vietnamese place in Tucson that I like, is it that big a loss that there are many more in Phoenix?

The gay scene? Yeah much better in Phoenix but I'm way past enjoying going out to the disco. In the U.S. gay men are basically seen as dead after 40.

Phoenix really does sound like L.A. without a beach and I don't really like L.A. But what do I know?

Now I'm living in Jomtien. I'm perfectly OK with that. It doesn't have everything I would like. There is no theater scene at all. No place to get decent Pho. No decent Mexican food. You make adjustments!

Edited December 13, 2015 by Jingthing

[bangmai]

yes, in Oakland you'll here things like "East of Macarthur" or "above 580" or "above Telegraph." street boundaries determine crime levels, law enforcement, and property values. Google for crime maps by city, and put in a date range and you will see just how bad some areas are, you can even say just violent crime....can be mind blowing. You mentioned SF...I can remember when South of Market was taboo, and a sane person wouldn't go to the Mission, ever. But dollar per dollar, those areas have given investors quite a bit larger returns over the last 20 years than The Marina or Russian Hill. North Oakland might have beaten them all.

Encanto Historic District is probably the gay HQ in Phoenix. Nice mid century and older homes in mostly good condition, 200K+, but also proximate to some pretty bad areas. Plenty of then are 60ish, likely many came from California. Personal safety, as well as financial security were likely major factors for them and many others from California. I moved to PHX from North Oakland, where I had been for 6 years...I could kind of see the writing on the wall that I wold never be able to afford a house in anywhere decent kind of hood....like not even in the same league as the Longview West Neighborhood the pictured 18K house is in. That zip code is 4% black, and without trying to make a racial stir, the larger black populations are value killers.

Edited December 13, 2015 by bangmai

[Jingthing]

I lived for many years in the heart of the Mission District and I loved it. House was never broken into. Was never mugged. Friends of mine with blonde hair were though!

[bangmai]

Maya Taqueria is one of my all time favorites, however, Taqueria San Jose in Fruitvale Oakland IS my all time favorite...I think there was one in San Rafael, too.

I remembered while taking a piss...Maya on Church St. in SF. My friend at 18th and Delores had their bikes stolen, but I practically became an autoglass expert in Oakland...the crackheads would smash a window for toll change you left on your console...coins! But worst was one of their rinds in SF was knocked off his bike in the Richmond District of SF, with a baseball bat, I believe it was Fulton St.. And I was out there during the big riots after those cops in were acquitted in SemiValley.....it was a bad time to be white....that was about when I started to seriously look elsewhere, including Portland, but as much as I love the rain after the desert; I hate the cold, dark, rains of Portland, and actually thought Oakland was a bit on the cold side. They always told me I looked like a tourist in shorts, even though I had been there for 6 years.

Edited December 13, 2015 by bangmai

[SpokaneAl]

I do love PV but that's in Mexico. Did you drive your RV there?

Anyway, I'm trying to get a sense of how easy or hard it would be to avoid crime in Phoenix and Tucson. I am hearing that Tucson has the higher crime of the two because of the closer to the border issues, perhaps more poverty, etc. I've lived in cities people think are dangerous and you just don't live in the worse areas or visit them, at least in the day. Heck I've even lived in neighborhoods many people think are scary "too ethnic" and it was OK. It may help that I can visually pass for Mexican. But there are some cities where avoiding crime is not so easy. Obviously, I'm not in a position to live in a guarded mansion but I think this is why I rejected Tucson before, the crime. Still not sure.

Also, obviously I wouldn't be buying a flash car. More like a super ugly car ... on purpose.

I have friends who have lived for years in Tucson and other friends who live in Phoenix. I know many snowbirds who spend each winter in a variety of AZ locations. None have ever mentioned fear of crime or the necessity of buying a beater car.

Friends are very concerned when learning that my Thai wife and I have chosen to spend half our time in Thailand, and their imaginations go wild when hearing of military coups and the like.

I would really like to visit Angkor Wat but first must convince my reluctant wife that we will be okay outside of Thailand for a couple of days.

Caution is important, but not if it paralyses us. There are huge numbers of people that are living and have raised families in all of those locations you are considering, and most, if not all cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Edited December 13, 2015 by SpokaneAl

[craigt3365]

Phoenix is like comparing Bangkok to Hua Hin. I like HH, but it ain't Bangkok. As for shopping, you'll have better access to mid-range stores also. Same with restaurants. Sadly, Asian food in the US is nothing compared to here. And if it is, it's not cheap. As you well know.

I've not spent much time in Tuscon. After Pattaya, which I like, I think you'll be disappointed. IMHO. A huge notch down.

P.S. I didn't like LA either, except for the smaller communities. Manhattan Beach, West of Highland. Carlsbad. Seal Beach. West LA. Laguna. Etc. Some great places in LA. And the weather is fantastic....near the beach.

[bangmai]

that's true, Al,,,,if people would just take a few precautions....like leaving their stupid gold chains at the pawn shop where they belong, and the women with the big purses, that might have cost a few hundred bucks empty, and flashing large amounts of cash.....I like to travel light, and I just can't see roaming around with a 2-3000 dollar laptop or even an expensive "smart phone." It's bad enough just getting that stuff through airport security. But like I say in Chiang Mai, why book a perfectly good three star hotel room with english tv, cctv, clean, 350 thb per night that is staring you in the face, when you can walk down the street staring into your 4 inch smart phone app. geeez.

[bangmai]

Phoenix is like comparing Bangkok to Hua Hin. I like HH, but it ain't Bangkok. As for shopping, you'll have better access to mid-range stores also. Same with restaurants. Sadly, Asian food in the US is nothing compared to here. And if it is, it's not cheap. As you well know.

I've not spent much time in Tuscon. After Pattaya, which I like, I think you'll be disappointed. IMHO. A huge notch down.

P.S. I didn't like LA either, except for the smaller communities. Manhattan Beach, West of Highland. Carlsbad. Seal Beach. West LA. Laguna. Etc. Some great places in LA. And the weather is fantastic....near the beach.

Of course those places are nice, but choosing between working your ass off to pay 12000 per year in just property taxes, when you could pretty easily live off just that in CM, and probably Patts, it seems like an easy choice.

[craigt3365]

I've got friends living near the beach in San Diego for about what you'd pay for living here in Pattaya. Rentals. Big differences between the two places. But San Diego is pretty nice.