Gabi7

We recently returned from a trip to Thailand and have fallen in love with Chiang Mai. So much so that we are considering buying a place there and spending more time there in the coming years.
I'd love to hear from anyone who is living or has a residence in Chiang Mai about suggestions about purchasing and living there? My husband is 52 and we have been told about a retirement visa. Since our return we have been reading a lot and talking to many people about it so I would appreciate any feedback/advise/information from any Fodorites who have had experiences in doing this? Please feel free to contact me offline at [email protected]
Thank you.

jenskar

Gabi -- I would pose questions to Susan Stem -- she and her hsb have retired to Chiang Mai. I know they're renting and may have made that choice for a reason. Her website is www.tribaltrappings.com and you can find her email address there.

JohnH

If you haven't already seen it, the Chiang Mai forum over on thaivisa.com has lots of info:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?act=idx

glorialf

Gabi-- I'm with you. That is where I also would like to spend more time when I retire (probably not for another 5-10 years).

JamesA

Do have a look at Thaivisa and read the postings there, be sure you are fully aware of the visa situation and what is required for the 1 year extensions, if you plan just to stay for short periods those won't apply. Also check the posts regaring home ownership ( you cannot own the land itself ).

kaneda

Going on a holiday to a place is not the same as retiring there. Don't burn your bridges behind you until you are 100% sure you want to live there.

A friend is planning on moving to Thailand to live soon but is keeping up a UK address (renting it out) so he has a cheap yearly insurance policy which will fly him back to the UK for hospital treatment if worse ever comes to worse, rather than staying in a Thai hospital.

As a Swiss man found out recently when he got drunk and defaced five pictures of the king, Thailand is not the same as his homeland. He got 10 years in prison, reduced from 20 years because he pleaded guilty. A British man was still in prison several months later because he had not had enough money to pay for his overstay, staying past the date of his visa. Read a book called : "The Damage Done" to see what a nightmare Thai prisons are.

glorialf

My plan would be to spend about 3 months there when I retire -- not move there lock stock and barrel. I would miss theatre and my friends too much to make a complete break.

Bisbee

Here's some good information on permanent residence in Thailand.

http://www.thaivisa.com/residency/re...-thailand.html

kaneda

I stayed in Bangkok from Dec 05 to Mar 06 and enjoyed it. I did the same from Dec 06 to Mar 07 and it dragged to the extent that I won't go this year.

Be careful with visas as they are for different lengths of time. A Non-Immigrant one lasts for 3 months. Overstay costs 500 baht per day.

rhkkmk

kaneda...what you have described is just what i fear...

we are interested in 3 month stays in thailand in upcoming years...can you elaborate on why the time dragged...where you stayed...what you did...etc...maybe even start a new thread about it as many of us are interested in doing this and would appreciate your insights....thanks

bob

JamesA

Forget overstay these days, do not overstay! The permenant thing is pretty much a non starter for almost everyone.

Each individual will have very different circumstances, so difficult to give one overall comment.

I would say 'never ever' buy until you have spent several months frequently over a long times and then think very carefully.
Think 'neighbours' for a start!!

Guenmai

I lived in a Scandinavian country for 20+ summers. I would usually be there from June to September each summer and living in my same rented place.I even had my bicycle and clothes in storage in the building. There was far less to do where I was living than I find to do in Bangkok for instance, especally due to the rainy, damp weather I had in Scandinavia. But, it seldom dragged because I was involved in a lot of activities. I enrolled in language school and went every morning. I met so many people until I ended up having to schedule to visit people at their houses for breakfat, lunch, and dinner. Plus, I really put myself out there and met lots of native people in that country. I still have lots of friends there although I first started going in the early 70s. So, really getting involved heled me with it not dragging on. As for Thailand, I'm starting to teach myself Thai and wish I could have three months straight right now. If I did,I'd get off the plane and go and enroll in language school right away. Plus, I'd find some organizations to get involved with. Happy Travels!

glorialf

You hit the nail on the head, Guenmai. I suspect the key is getting involved and not thinking of yourself as a tourist. And people is a key. The reason I'm thinking in terms of chiang mai is 1) I think it would be easier to get involved with residents there; and 2) it has a huge number of NGO's that I could volunteer with.

jenskar

I'm with guen and gloria -- I think time dragging really depends on what you do with your time. Some of the men my hsb works with keep telling him to make sure I'll be ok if we move to Asia and he keeps telling them they just don't know me. I'm quite sure I would in short order set up some kind of arts and crafts sales web site, volunteer with a local organization, take language courses, and heaven only knows what else.
I was so thrilled to meet Susan when I was in CM, as she has crafted the kind of "retirement" I can see myself living, because I never really plan to fully retire.

Guenmai

I agree with the above. I'll always be active. My definition of retirement is not having to work for a salary. My mind is always working...thinking...even when I'm asleep. And I'm sure it'll be like that after retirement in quite a few years to come. Finding new things to do has never been a problem for me. Before I'm done with one project, I'm on to the next. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

Also... what helped on long stays was for me to immediatedly get into the mind-set that I was a resident and not a tourist and I planned accordingly. Happy Travels!