cheaper to live in USA or Thailand?

[mania]

I think a big difference is whether you rent or own.

 

We left Thailand back in August & moved back to our US home

I  keep very good complete expense records.... not because I'm cheap but because for years

I did computer data work/ trend analysis & actually like it. I like to see trends after a few years etc

looking back at data.

 

So believe it or not after moving back to our US home (in one of the more expensive COL States)

We found we spend pretty much exactly the same. In fact if current trend continues it looks like

it will end up being lower than Chiang Mai shortly.....At least that is where the trend is now headed

& I see no reason for it to change

 

This was due to usual restart costs buying things we needed back at the house. But now after a few months it has

continually gone down each month. Now it is exactly or within a small amount of being exactly the same with current home

being slightly lower last month but looking forward to seeing 1 years worth of data to really get bigger snapshot

 

So I think the housing costs may be a big piece of what folks fear or think makes the biggest difference.

 

Of course some things cost more like electricity & eating out

But those are offset by us not needing climate control/AC etc  & also we like to cook at home as my

wife is a great cook. Foods in general are cheaper to buy/ higher quality if your cooking at home etc.

Plus we have a greenhouse & gardens

 

But this is why I like to chart things....In the end I see irrefutable data & for us .....USA/Thailand

costs the same. But we owned in both places ( Have since sold Thailand )

 

You mileage may of course vary

 

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

What I'm assuming from your post, though you don't clearly say it, is that you already owned your home in the U.S. that you returned to. So were you including your mortgage costs in your cost comparison, or you own the house outright and thus have no direct housing expenses?

 

I'd certainly agree that IF someone could factor out their comparative housing expenses, the cost of living comparisons would be much closer. But then again, housing is typically either the No. 1 or No. 2 living expense that most people have.

 

It's probably also true that most expats living in Thailand, at least those NOT here on some short-term corporate assignment, don't have an already owned U.S. house that they can easily return to.

[craigt3365]

11 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

What I'm assuming from your post, though you don't clearly say it, is that you already owned your home in the U.S. that you returned to. So were you including your mortgage costs in your cost comparison, or you own the house outright and thus have no direct housing expenses?

 

I'd certainly agree that IF someone could factor out their comparative housing expenses, the cost of living comparisons would be much closer. But then again, housing is typically either the No. 1 or No. 2 living expense that most people have.

 

It's probably also true that most expats living in Thailand, at least those NOT here on some short-term corporate assignment, don't have an already owned U.S. house that they can easily return to.

Rent is super cheap here!

[Gary A]

Living Thai style has been mentioned a lot. What exactly is Thai style? I live out in the boonies. Does that mean I am living Thai style? I have air conditioning, Internet, a car and a truck plus two motorbikes. I like Thai food but not all the time. Pork, chicken, fish and a vast variety of vegetables are available in the village fresh market. I like to make stews once in a while in my pressure cooker. Potatoes, carrots, onions and celery are the main ingredients. All are easily available. I cook sometimes but my Thai wife also happens to be a good cook. I admit that Thai beef is not very good but since red meat in not supposed to be good for me, I'm happy to have good pork and chicken.

 

I still remember paying property tax, home insurance and huge vehicle insurance bills in the USA. I'm not tempted to pay $20 a pound for great beef steaks here in Thailand but they are also available if I want to pay the price for imported beef. Since my wife cooks food better than restaurants, we VERY seldom eat out at western style places. Once or twice a week, I have a few beers with the local farangs. I pay 65 baht for a big bottle of beer. Cigarettes cost me 49 baht for a pack. If I had to pay 200 baht for a pack, I would quit smoking.

 

The bottom line is that I know what the cost of living in Thailand is and since I don't like surprises, I don't want to even think about returning to the USA. Cost of vehicles? I paid about $24,000 dollars for a new top of the line 4X4 pickup truck. I doubt that I will ever buy another highly taxed car. My diesel powered 4X4 truck gets more kilometers per liter than my gasoline powered car.

 

ADDED - We live in my wife's house located in a scenic area and I still have a condo near the beach when I/we want a change of scenery. We have no mortgages or vehicle payments. If I am living Thai style, it suits me just fine.

Edited November 7, 2016 by Gary A

[mania]

42 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

What I'm assuming from your post, though you don't clearly say it, is that you already owned your home in the U.S. that you returned to. So were you including your mortgage costs in your cost comparison, or you own the house outright and thus have no direct housing expenses?

 

I'd certainly agree that IF someone could factor out their comparative housing expenses, the cost of living comparisons would be much closer. But then again, housing is typically either the No. 1 or No. 2 living expense that most people have.

 

It's probably also true that most expats living in Thailand, at least those NOT here on some short-term corporate assignment, don't have an already owned U.S. house that they can easily return to.

 

Hi John

Yes we owned our home in US outright & returned to it

But also the same was true in Thailand we owned outright with no mortgage in either place

 

One thing I learned very early in life was like baseball...home base should be safe 555

Older generations from before ...like my grandparents etc always made a big deal about

"burning the mortgage" That stuck with me & was something I always agreed with

 

But before clearing my mortgage I also followed another piece of advice from my grandfather & that was

housing should never exceed 25% of your income. so I always kept my mortgage below that & when ever my income rose i would

throw more against the mortgage saving tons in interest with our earlier payoff.

 

I agree with what you also said about housing typically being the #1 or 2 high expense for most.

Transportation/cars etc being maybe second which we also found cheaper once we moved back.

 

Lastly...It is too bad what you said about many expats dont have another home to return to

Because truth is if they had decent working years income they could have bought in the US & rented it out

letting renters pay off their mortgages while equity rose.

[Gary A]

After I was certain that I wanted to stay here in Thailand, I gave my last US property to my kids. I told them if things get really bad, they should consider that as their inheritance. 

 

My son has done well for himself and he is still convinced that I will return to the US. He has offered to build me a home on his acreage. That adds to my feeling of security but even with that advantage, I would not consider going back unless absolutely forced to by the Thai government. I don't consider that as likely.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, mania said:

Lastly...It is too bad what you said about many expats dont have another home to return to Because truth is if they had decent working years income they could have bought in the US & rented it out letting renters pay off their mortgages while equity rose.

 

I don't think there's any one size fits all answer to the issue you're raising, especially when you talk about "while equities rose." In my case, I did just the opposite, and I think history would show, it was a very smart decision to do what I did.

 

Specifically, sensing that a fall was coming, I sold my house in the U.S. at near the top of the real estate market before retiring early to move to Thailand. The profit off that sale provided a substantial investment income stream to help support my life in Thailand (one that continues to this very day, as I've never spent the principal from that).

 

And then, in the next couple years after I sold my house, the RE market in the U.S. tanked and values dropped thru the floor. Had I waited and held onto my house, I would have lost most of my equity in the house and would have been unable to sell at any decent profit for many years thereafter.

 

Likewise, if I had decided to hold onto my house, move to Thailand and try to rent it out as an absentee landlord, I would have lost out on a long and large income stream from my house sale. And, I would have been lucky to cover my house mortgage with any rental income after deducting rental agent fees, etc. Not to mention the potential headaches of being an absentee landlord.

 

As for owning in Thailand, while it works for some, I'm not a fan of it -- not when rental prices here are relatively low, when mortgages for retirees here are hard to obtain, where there's no zoning or real legal protections to safeguard one's property investment, where recent built condos are often of questionable build quality along with a poor re-sale market, and where most of us are only legally allowed to live here ONE YEAR at a time by Thai Immigration retirement or marriage extensions.

 

If I ever need to move back to the U.S., I'll move back and rent for some period. And if I decide I really want to buy again, I'll simply wait for what inevitably will be the next crash/downturn in the RE markets (there's always one coming, somewhere down the line).

 

Bottom Line: I have absolutely no regrets about having unloaded my U.S. house when I did. And I'm happy with the benefits that's provided me all these years.

 

Edited November 7, 2016 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[mania]

9 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I don't think there's any one size fits all answer to the issue you're raising, especially when you talk about "while equities rose." In my case, I did just the opposite, and I think history would show, it was a very smart decision to do what I did.

 

Bottom Line: I have absolutely no regrets about having unloaded my U.S. house when I did. And I'm happy with the benefits that's provided me all these years.

 

 

Yes for sure one size does not fit all.

We actually also did the same as you & sold another house we had  in 2008

Was perfect timing because as you say that was in fact the top of the bubble. It was also how we paid

off the small balance we had on our 2nd home there

 

Your also right about how it could be hard for some to handle rentals from afar

In our case I was fortunate to have my grown kids take care of things while we were away

also had a good tenant that kept everything perfect

 

Glad your doing well & you sound like your a good planner good luck going forward

 

Edited November 7, 2016 by mania

[gk10002000]

Rancho bernardo ca is me, north of san diego.  Can't even find a 1 BR apartment for under 1500 and that doesn't include utilities.  I got lucky with a very decent 1 BR 1 Ba furnished granny flat from an older couple I used to rent from years before, overlooks a a golf course for 1200 all utilities included, and only 4 miles from work. Not fancy but really is good all things considered.  Wouldn't and won't live here long term though. A bit better than some 32 M2 places I have been in Pattaya, but apples and oranges. If I wasn't here for work, I would take the Thailand place!   So one would not go here to live casually, no public transport of any use, no night life down the street, etc.  I just paid $40 bucks for a lousy oil massage.    

 

Frankly, the best place to live I had was a few years ago in Huntsville, Alabama.  Plenty of asian food around.  I rented a 2 br 2 ba furnished mobile home for 450/mo.  The complex had a pool which was great in the summer.  Very green place and peaceful.  Florida has been OK, but that's because I have been able to rent with a family member and sharing the expenses made it very affordable (Jupiter FL area).  But all these places are so different than a thai city like pattaya or chiang mai.  You have to have a car to get around.  Nowhere near as much nightlife or day life frankly. 

[gk10002000]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I don't think there's any one size fits all answer to the issue you're raising, especially when you talk about "while equities rose." In my case, I did just the opposite, and I think history would show, it was a very smart decision to do what I did.

 

Specifically, sensing that a fall was coming, I sold my house in the U.S. at near the top of the real estate market before retiring early to move to Thailand. The profit off that sale provided a substantial investment income stream to help support my life in Thailand (one that continues to this very day, as I've never spent the principal from that).

 

And then, in the next couple years after I sold my house, the RE market in the U.S. tanked and values dropped thru the floor. Had I waited and held onto my house, I would have lost most of my equity in the house and would have been unable to sell at any decent profit for many years thereafter.

 

Likewise, if I had decided to hold onto my house, move to Thailand and try to rent it out as an absentee landlord, I would have lost out on a long and large income stream from my house sale. And, I would have been lucky to cover my house mortgage with any rental income after deducting rental agent fees, etc. Not to mention the potential headaches of being an absentee landlord.

 

As for owning in Thailand, while it works for some, I'm not a fan of it -- not when rental prices here are relatively low, when mortgages for retirees here are hard to obtain, where there's no zoning or real legal protections to safeguard one's property investment, where recent built condos are often of questionable build quality along with a poor re-sale market, and where most of us are only legally allowed to live here ONE YEAR at a time by Thai Immigration retirement or marriage extensions.

 

If I ever need to move back to the U.S., I'll move back and rent for some period. And if I decide I really want to buy again, I'll simply wait for what inevitably will be the next crash/downturn in the RE markets (there's always one coming, somewhere down the line).

 

Bottom Line: I have absolutely no regrets about having unloaded my U.S. house when I did. And I'm happy with the benefits that's provided me all these years.

 

I agree 100% with all the things you said about owning in Thailand.  Back in 2005/6 I came very close to moving in on the country, but am so glad I didn't.  I was cautious for all the things you mentioned, zoning, neighbor issues, useless legal courts and processes for falangs.  Immigration wasn't a concern to me originally, but it sure would be now.

[craigt3365]

3 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

Rancho bernardo ca is me, north of san diego.  Can't even find a 1 BR apartment for under 1500 and that doesn't include utilities.  I got lucky with a very decent 1 BR 1 Ba furnished granny flat from an older couple I used to rent from years before, overlooks a a golf course for 1200 all utilities included, and only 4 miles from work. Not fancy but really is good all things considered.  Wouldn't and won't live here long term though. A bit better than some 32 M2 places I have been in Pattaya, but apples and oranges. If I wasn't here for work, I would take the Thailand place!   So one would not go here to live casually, no public transport of any use, no night life down the street, etc.  I just paid $40 bucks for a lousy oil massage.    

 

Frankly, the best place to live I had was a few years ago in Huntsville, Alabama.  Plenty of asian food around.  I rented a 2 br 2 ba furnished mobile home for 450/mo.  The complex had a pool which was great in the summer.  Very green place and peaceful.  Florida has been OK, but that's because I have been able to rent with a family member and sharing the expenses made it very affordable (Jupiter FL area).  But all these places are so different than a thai city like pattaya or chiang mai.  You have to have a car to get around.  Nowhere near as much nightlife or day life frankly. 

Rancho Bernardo is pretty hi so.  There are some great housing communities there.  Wonderful infrastructure.  But insane traffic if you have to commute downtown!  Great golf courses also.  Near perfect weather. Expensive housing.

 

Just had some friends move there from here.  They love it. 

[gk10002000]

Just now, craigt3365 said:

Rancho Bernardo is pretty hi so.  There are some great housing communities there.  Wonderful infrastructure.  But insane traffic if you have to commute downtown!  Great golf courses also.  Near perfect weather. Expensive housing.

 

Just had some friends move there from here.  They love it. 

Yep. It's a nice place.  I have been in and out of here since 2009 on contracts with Northrop.  I don't have to commute anywhere, just a few red lights down the main road.   Northrop just made me a direct salary offer I really couldn't refuse. My private medical premiums were getting out of hand.   The job locks up my long term retirement and gets me to social security age of 62 + or more if I want, so for 3 years I took the job.  I can always leave and go back to my contracting gigs.  I start with over 3 weeks vacation plus holidays and a one week shutdown at Christmas.  I know the job, the people, etc.  So Cal weather is pretty darn nice.  If any of you get out this way, do plan a day, I recommend a Sunday at Balboa Park.  Hit maybe one or two of the museums then just enjoy the weather.  The ponies are running the fall/winter meet at Del Mar so probably will hit that next saturday for a few races.  This area has lots of casinos so that is a decent diversion now and then just for something to do.

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

Yep. It's a nice place.  I have been in and out of here since 2009 on contracts with Northrop.  I don't have to commute anywhere, just a few red lights down the main road.   Northrop just made me a direct salary offer I really couldn't refuse. My private medical premiums were getting out of hand.   The job locks up my long term retirement and gets me to social security age of 62 + or more if I want, so for 3 years I took the job.  I can always leave and go back to my contracting gigs.  I start with over 3 weeks vacation plus holidays and a one week shutdown at Christmas.  I know the job, the people, etc.  So Cal weather is pretty darn nice.  If any of you get out this way, do plan a day, I recommend a Sunday at Balboa Park.  Hit maybe one or two of the museums then just enjoy the weather.  The ponies are running the fall/winter meet at Del Mar so probably will hit that next saturday for a few races.  This area has lots of casinos so that is a decent diversion now and then just for something to do.

Housing aside, how do you compare the cost of living with here? I left SD in 1999.

 

Girls aside (I know that's hard! 555) how do you compare the quality of living with here?

 

I love SD, but living in Carlsbad, the traffic was just insane.  I had a boat at the SDYC, weekends would take me over an hour to get there, and an hour back!  Worse than weekdays!

[gk10002000]

21 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Housing aside, how do you compare the cost of living with here? I left SD in 1999.

 

Girls aside (I know that's hard! 555) how do you compare the quality of living with here?

 

I love SD, but living in Carlsbad, the traffic was just insane.  I had a boat at the SDYC, weekends would take me over an hour to get there, and an hour back!  Worse than weekdays!

Carlsbad and the I-5 area is horrible.  Overall, and this is subjective I rate the quality of life here better than Pattaya.  If one had a decent technical job say at Northrop or General Atomics, one could have a decent house, Poway has an excellent school system, Poway has very very good hospital services. Frankly the Asian areas south of Rancho are pretty nice.  Tons of restaurant variety in Clairmont Mesa blvd, asian markets, etc.  Local secondary road traffic really is no issue.  The I-15 through Rancho Bernardo is a bit busy in the morning if one is going to downtown SD, quite bad actually and has gotten noticeably worse than when I first was here in 2009. Also if one is going from Escondido south to Rancho Bernardo the I-15 becomes stop and go as the freeway goes over that one "bridge" for lack of a better word.  The I-78 is very heavy in the rush hour but goes away.  Mira Mesa has tons and tons of new condo developments, as does the whole Del Mar Heights area.  Getting near SD, the I-8, 805 areas just have to be avoided around rush hour.  Not as bad as like 3 hour LA rush hours, but getting close to 1.5-2 hours where you just can't drive it.  Southern Cal weather here is pretty nice.  Low humidity, warm summers good for pool weather.  Winters get quite a chill at night which I like.  Never sees freezing.  Might get frost on the car window on clearest cold nights with no car cover.  Several Wal Mart super centers around, dollar general for cheap stuff.  Plenty of shopping malls with Macy's and all that stuff.  I just found out that CA does not tax social security which puts it back in the contender for retirement depending on how housing shakes out.  And speaking of housing, really is hard to buy a decent stand alone house for 500K USD.  Plenty of condos and townhouses, but some of those have HOA fees of $300/month!  So Pattaya is going to win the price comparison and have decent quality.  Overall, northern San Diego I rate slightly better. Things do work here.  Utilities, roads, water (assuming the drought doesn't get too much worse")

[Gary A]

I worked in Southern California for five LONG years. If I ever have to set foot there again, it will be too soon. It does have great weather and if two thirds of the people and cars were gone, it would be a great place to live.

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, Gary A said:

I worked in Southern California for five LONG years. If I ever have to set foot there again, it will be too soon. It does have great weather and if two thirds of the people and cars were gone, it would be a great place to live.

Where in SoCal?  But yes, pretty much anywhere is a mess due to the traffic.  Unless you do like I use to do when I lived in Newport Beach.  Never leave the area!  And for sure don't leave on weekends or your garage will get blocked.  Ugh.

 

The house I bought in Carlsbad for $290 in 1988 is now selling for close to $700.  Built in the 60s, it's just an OK house.  Unreal.  Property taxes would be killer.

[gk10002000]

3 minutes ago, Gary A said:

I worked in Southern California for five LONG years. If I ever have to set foot there again, it will be too soon. It does have great weather and if two thirds of the people and cars were gone, it would be a great place to live.

Agreed.  I first got in California back in 1982 when I was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base up the central coast.  Due to my Air Force time and profession, I have been in and out of the state since then, living over 20 years total I think it is now (82-86,90-96, 97,99, 2002,2004,2007,2009-2012,2014-2016!). Jesus. Where has the time gone!

[gk10002000]

2 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Where in SoCal?  But yes, pretty much anywhere is a mess due to the traffic.  Unless you do like I use to do when I lived in Newport Beach.  Never leave the area!  And for sure don't leave on weekends or your garage will get blocked.  Ugh.

 

The house I bought in Carlsbad for $290 in 1988 is now selling for close to $700.  Built in the 60s, it's just an OK house.  Unreal.  Property taxes would be killer.

My co-worker here at Northrop lives in carlsbad and he just retired, max pension, etc.  He took a year off and he is financially OK, but he just took a contract to go support B2 software out in Oklahoma City with paid trips home, full per diem, etc.  They made him three offers and he finally took the 3rd offer.  Not clear if he just got bored or he wanted or needed the money. 

[gk10002000]

I personally like Orange County (selected areas). My friend who used to go to Pattaya a lot before he married his filipina wife, has a place in Laguna Hills.  But even that is getting plowed under with new developments.  They recently cut a mini hiway all the way to the beach, and the hills are now dirt and staked and condos going up.  Oh and OC and the LA area really do have the best poker rooms around aka commerce casino

[Gary A]

3 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Where in SoCal?  But yes, pretty much anywhere is a mess due to the traffic.  Unless you do like I use to do when I lived in Newport Beach.  Never leave the area!  And for sure don't leave on weekends or your garage will get blocked.  Ugh.

 

The house I bought in Carlsbad for $290 in 1988 is now selling for close to $700.  Built in the 60s, it's just an OK house.  Unreal.  Property taxes would be killer.

 

I worked in Commerce and lived in Montebello. I was afraid to walk to a 7-11 after dark.

[craigt3365]

17 hours ago, Gary A said:

 

I worked in Commerce and lived in Montebello. I was afraid to walk to a 7-11 after dark.

Commerce is about as bad as it gets.  I lived in Manhattan Beach, then Newport Beach, then Carlsbad.  Fantastic places to live.  If you don't have to commute.  Which I did!!!  Many times to Commerce and Montebello.  I covered the aerospace industry marketing software for many years.  Lots of miles!

[gk10002000]

20 hours ago, Gary A said:

 

I worked in Commerce and lived in Montebello. I was afraid to walk to a 7-11 after dark.

Heck, I used to frequent Hollywood Park casino when it was actually busy.  Walked, took the bus, etc.  Interesting times.  The city of Commerce is nothing, and I don't like a lot of the people at the Commerce casino, but it does have the most poker action around. 

[fiddlehead]

On 10/10/2016 at 6:24 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

It appears to be a Medicare supplement plan that is only offered to Pennsylvania residents. And to be eligible, you'd have to at least claim to be living in the U.S. as opposed to a foreign country.

 

https://www.thehealthplan.com/Gold/Landing_Pages/Why_Geisinger_Gold_/
 

 

 

Note that that coverage is limited to the first 60 days of each trip outside the U.S.

Just talked to them about this. 
They said: "That's for supplement plan C" which is NOT what you have. I have their Gold  PPO Advantage Plan. 
Covered for emergencies worldwide up to $25,000 per year, but NOT covered for emergency medical evacuation. 

So I hope that clears some things up. 
I suspected I didn't have this Plan C thing (above) that Tallguyjohnin BKK seemed to think I had.

I do live part of the year in Pennsylvania. So perhaps that leaves most of you guys out of luck.
 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 hours ago, fiddlehead said:

Just talked to them about this. 
They said: "That's for supplement plan C" which is NOT what you have. I have their Gold  PPO Advantage Plan. 
Covered for emergencies worldwide up to $25,000 per year, but NOT covered for emergency medical evacuation. 

So I hope that clears some things up. 
I suspected I didn't have this Plan C thing (above) that Tallguyjohnin BKK seemed to think I had.

I do live part of the year in Pennsylvania. So perhaps that leaves most of you guys out of luck.
 

 

I'm glad you finally clarified about that. When people post things here about insurance plans and such, obviously, it helps to be clear about just what you're talking about, what it covers, and who is or isn't eligible to apply.

 

[A1Str8]

Overall Thailand is cheaper. And the police is also better in Thailand. They don't have teasers. 

[Boon Mee]

4 hours ago, A1Str8 said:

Overall Thailand is cheaper. And the police is also better in Thailand. They don't have teasers. 

Absolutely.

Also, remember to always saa-peak (speak) English to them.  They want to get rid of you faster as 90% of the cops here can't speak it. 

[sirineou]

On 11/6/2016 at 11:14 PM, Gary A said:

After I was certain that I wanted to stay here in Thailand, I gave my last US property to my kids. I told them if things get really bad, they should consider that as their inheritance. 

 

My son has done well for himself and he is still convinced that I will return to the US. He has offered to build me a home on his acreage. That adds to my feeling of security but even with that advantage, I would not consider going back unless absolutely forced to by the Thai government. I don't consider that as likely.

Or health reasons force you.

I dont know what your financial situation is, perhaps you can self insure. Even if I could  I would not spend my wife's and children's  I would return to my insurance in the States.

My mantra has always being "don't burn your bridges" . It is good that you have not.

As far as the question concerning this Thread. 

" cheaper to live in USA or Thailand? "

Not really, it might be better, but it is certainly not cheaper. The only things that are cheaper in Thailand are items depending on Thai wages, and all these savings are offset by the more expensive imported goods.

It is less expensive to live in Thailand because we can do with less. but it is certainly not cheaper.   

 

 

 

[lopburi3]

Actually it can be cheaper to live in Thailand for many people - for one thing there is no requirement to pay local/school/property tax here - that amounts to a considerable expense for many in USA.  True you do not own land here but a lifetime of not paying such tax can buy a lot other things.

[Gary A]

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

Or health reasons force you.

I dont know what your financial situation is, perhaps you can self insure. Even if I could  I would not spend my wife's and children's  I would return to my insurance in the States.

My mantra has always being "don't burn your bridges" . It is good that you have not.

As far as the question concerning this Thread. 

" cheaper to live in USA or Thailand? "

Not really, it might be better, but it is certainly not cheaper. The only things that are cheaper in Thailand are items depending on Thai wages, and all these savings are offset by the more expensive imported goods.

It is less expensive to live in Thailand because we can do with less. but it is certainly not cheaper.   

 

 

 

 

Just off hand, I can't imagine anything imported from the west that I would need. I do have a lot of imported items but they usually come from China or Taiwan. I am self insured and am confident that I could pay for any serious problem. Since we have no children and my wife is financially self sufficient, I would have no hesitation spending even all of my nest egg. Whether Thailand is more or less expensive, this is my home and I intend to stay if at all possible.

[craigt3365]

23 minutes ago, Gary A said:

 

Just off hand, I can't imagine anything imported from the west that I would need. I do have a lot of imported items but they usually come from China or Taiwan. I am self insured and am confident that I could pay for any serious problem. Since we have no children and my wife is financially self sufficient, I would have no hesitation spending even all of my nest egg. Whether Thailand is more or less expensive, this is my home and I intend to stay if at all possible.

Stereo equipment. Pool stuff. Music gear. Cars! Wine and single malt scotch. Quality travel gear. Quality clothes. Bedding. Towels. Etc. Etc. Etc. All expensive here and limited stock.