THAILAND is the #1 country for Expat Quality of Life
Nov 14th, 2010, 12:55 PM
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THAILAND is the #1 country for Expat Quality of Life
Nov 14th, 2010, 04:58 PM
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Funny that South Africa is also on the list. It's the only other destination I've considered living besides Thailand.
I'm eyeing these places as central locations for extended vacations, but wonder if it would be as exciting if I were a resident rather than visiting. Would I be as tolerant of the differences in culture if I were there for months rather than weeks? I also wouldn't have the hotel/travel office staff to help me out with the more challenging aspects of my new life. New language/s to learn...
Kathie I know you're much further ahead in making it (expat life) reality, do you share these concerns?
I'm eyeing these places as central locations for extended vacations, but wonder if it would be as exciting if I were a resident rather than visiting. Would I be as tolerant of the differences in culture if I were there for months rather than weeks? I also wouldn't have the hotel/travel office staff to help me out with the more challenging aspects of my new life. New language/s to learn...
Kathie I know you're much further ahead in making it (expat life) reality, do you share these concerns?
Nov 14th, 2010, 06:48 PM
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Thailand gets my vote and I plan to be partially retired there and zip back and forth between L.A. and Bangkok.
Although I've been to Africa, North and West, 4 times since the early 80s, I haven't been to South Africa, but my best friend really liked it. I think she was there the same year that apartheid had ended and people were hopeful for a better future. Femi, you met her at my GTG.
Femi: As for concerns of the challenges of living overseas, my biggest concern for Thailand would be the language. That's the thorn in my side. I started studying Thai there and have studied nearly 10 languages over the decades and that one is a bear. It would be a lot easier if I knew the Thai alphabet and not have to do everything in phonemic translation. And it would be great if I could read Thai, as in street signs, other signs, and other significant things.
By not knowing a language of the country one resides in, it does limit one's freedom. Then there are things like just having to pick up the phone and call somewhere for a service and if the person on the other end doesn't speak English, then one needs to get a Thai friend to take care of some things.
As for cultural differences, I lived in Danmark for a couple of decades, during the whole summer months for half of those years, and there will always be times when cultural differences will wear on one, but usually it passes and one moves on. What's really important is to make lots of local friends, of which I had tons, and to stay busy. That helps to keep one feeling connected. And in Danmark at least I could speak the language which gave me a lot of freedom to move around the country. Happy Travels!
Although I've been to Africa, North and West, 4 times since the early 80s, I haven't been to South Africa, but my best friend really liked it. I think she was there the same year that apartheid had ended and people were hopeful for a better future. Femi, you met her at my GTG.
Femi: As for concerns of the challenges of living overseas, my biggest concern for Thailand would be the language. That's the thorn in my side. I started studying Thai there and have studied nearly 10 languages over the decades and that one is a bear. It would be a lot easier if I knew the Thai alphabet and not have to do everything in phonemic translation. And it would be great if I could read Thai, as in street signs, other signs, and other significant things.
By not knowing a language of the country one resides in, it does limit one's freedom. Then there are things like just having to pick up the phone and call somewhere for a service and if the person on the other end doesn't speak English, then one needs to get a Thai friend to take care of some things.
As for cultural differences, I lived in Danmark for a couple of decades, during the whole summer months for half of those years, and there will always be times when cultural differences will wear on one, but usually it passes and one moves on. What's really important is to make lots of local friends, of which I had tons, and to stay busy. That helps to keep one feeling connected. And in Danmark at least I could speak the language which gave me a lot of freedom to move around the country. Happy Travels!
Nov 14th, 2010, 07:17 PM
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Femi, yes, I share those concerns. I figure when we get to the point of nearing making a move, we'll spend several months at a time in Thailand several times before deciding if we want to be there full time.
And I have to admit I'm concerned about Thailand's political stability once the king dies. He has been the glue that holds the country together.
And I have to admit I'm concerned about Thailand's political stability once the king dies. He has been the glue that holds the country together.
Nov 15th, 2010, 08:38 AM
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Hi Guen 
! Your best friend was so right about South Africa! It dosen't seem like the GTG was that long ago, but I've been to SA 3 times since then and am already planning the next visit. If it weren't for the weather I might even consider Denmark after hearing your descriptions!
Political stability also requires some thought, but it is less of a concern for me in Thailand than the language barrier. Just in listening to people on the street, the multitude of languages in SA (including Afrikaans) are much easier on my ear than Thai, and of course so many more people speak English in SA.
What also got me seriously thinking about spending more time in Thailand is that the government actively encourages more people to become residents, a refreshing change.
! Your best friend was so right about South Africa! It dosen't seem like the GTG was that long ago, but I've been to SA 3 times since then and am already planning the next visit. If it weren't for the weather I might even consider Denmark after hearing your descriptions!Political stability also requires some thought, but it is less of a concern for me in Thailand than the language barrier. Just in listening to people on the street, the multitude of languages in SA (including Afrikaans) are much easier on my ear than Thai, and of course so many more people speak English in SA.
What also got me seriously thinking about spending more time in Thailand is that the government actively encourages more people to become residents, a refreshing change.
Nov 15th, 2010, 10:40 PM
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Kathie: Thanks. I occasionally read the threads here although I don't always post.
Femi: I think I need to get to South Africa. I have lots of friends who have been there over the last two decades. What part of South Africa would you be considering?
As for Danmark, the weather is a major problem for me as I don't do serious cold weather. I was always living there the entire summer months, except for one Christmas, when I went there to be with one of my best friends who was terminally ill. So, I bit the bullet and bought a full length Eddie Bauer, real, down coat , fur-lined, knee boots and a down cap with flaps over the ears. I could hardly walk with all of that stuff on. I'm not used to having to wear lots of clothes here in L.A. and that was like trying to walk a tightrope and keep from falling off! LOL!
My Danish friends told me that that was a warm December/January. Some of the Danes were walking around in wool, knee-length Bermuda shorts, while I looked like Big Foot in black, thermal clothing.
I know you've been to Buenos Aires. Would you consider settling there? I think it might be fun. I liked it down there. Happy Travels!
Femi: I think I need to get to South Africa. I have lots of friends who have been there over the last two decades. What part of South Africa would you be considering?
As for Danmark, the weather is a major problem for me as I don't do serious cold weather. I was always living there the entire summer months, except for one Christmas, when I went there to be with one of my best friends who was terminally ill. So, I bit the bullet and bought a full length Eddie Bauer, real, down coat , fur-lined, knee boots and a down cap with flaps over the ears. I could hardly walk with all of that stuff on. I'm not used to having to wear lots of clothes here in L.A. and that was like trying to walk a tightrope and keep from falling off! LOL!
My Danish friends told me that that was a warm December/January. Some of the Danes were walking around in wool, knee-length Bermuda shorts, while I looked like Big Foot in black, thermal clothing.
I know you've been to Buenos Aires. Would you consider settling there? I think it might be fun. I liked it down there. Happy Travels!
Nov 16th, 2010, 05:15 AM
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Picturing you in that getup made me LOL! I definitely DO NOT do cold weather either. That is why we live in sunny Southern California isn't it? 8-)
I couldn't have been more surprised to find that Buenos Aires just didn't do it for me. Try as I might I found it rather difficult to enjoy. Perhaps because it was more urban than I typically prefer? Because of this we stayed in the suburb of San Isidro which was an improvement, but I don't think I will be returning anytime soon. So far, Guatemala has turned out to be my favorite Latin American country. Lots of expats there as well, but somehow I don't see me living there.
I really enjoy Cape Town in South Africa, it reminds me in many ways of Santa Monica and I could see myself being there for longer stretches of time. When I go it's mostly for wildlife rather than the urban sights. For my next trip I'll be exploring parts of the Garden Route along the Western Cape before going on safari farther north.
I couldn't have been more surprised to find that Buenos Aires just didn't do it for me. Try as I might I found it rather difficult to enjoy. Perhaps because it was more urban than I typically prefer? Because of this we stayed in the suburb of San Isidro which was an improvement, but I don't think I will be returning anytime soon. So far, Guatemala has turned out to be my favorite Latin American country. Lots of expats there as well, but somehow I don't see me living there.
I really enjoy Cape Town in South Africa, it reminds me in many ways of Santa Monica and I could see myself being there for longer stretches of time. When I go it's mostly for wildlife rather than the urban sights. For my next trip I'll be exploring parts of the Garden Route along the Western Cape before going on safari farther north.
Nov 16th, 2010, 05:17 AM
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...hit the button too soon. I meant to add that of North, South, East, and West (haven't been to Central Africa yet), Southern Africa comes out tops for me in terms of both sights and convenience of daily life.
Nov 17th, 2010, 09:57 PM
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Interesting, Femi. I'll have to try South Africa now.
If it weren't for the monster lizards, I could probably reside, part-time, in Ghana. I was there solo, two back-to-back Decembers, and I really liked it there. However, I just absolutely detest lizards. And the first place I stayed at I found out from a Ghanaian ,after returning home, that it had been built on a lizard reserve. He said his parents wouldn't even allow him and his siblings, when they were kids, to play on the land that I was staying on.
I felt like I was in an episode of Fear Factor for two weeks straight. LOL! I think every lizard in the lizard kingdom was residing on the same land with me. Talkin' about the eebeegeebees! It made my skin crawl.
My best friend has a spider phobia and had to deal with lots of them in South Africa. She told me some stories that made me laugh my head off. Happy Travels!
If it weren't for the monster lizards, I could probably reside, part-time, in Ghana. I was there solo, two back-to-back Decembers, and I really liked it there. However, I just absolutely detest lizards. And the first place I stayed at I found out from a Ghanaian ,after returning home, that it had been built on a lizard reserve. He said his parents wouldn't even allow him and his siblings, when they were kids, to play on the land that I was staying on.
I felt like I was in an episode of Fear Factor for two weeks straight. LOL! I think every lizard in the lizard kingdom was residing on the same land with me. Talkin' about the eebeegeebees! It made my skin crawl.
My best friend has a spider phobia and had to deal with lots of them in South Africa. She told me some stories that made me laugh my head off. Happy Travels!
Nov 18th, 2010, 12:56 AM
#14
Interesting...
We've been actively avoiding assignments in Thailand...just doesn't appeal to us. Perhaps we're missing something.
I agree that Bahrain would make a great assignment. We visited often when we lived in Saudi. It was an oasis after Saudi, but then again I'm not sure I'd classify Saudi as the third worst place for an expat to live. It definitely had its drawbacks though.
Based on my personal experience, I'd put Indonesia WAY ahead of Saudi in terms of worst quality of life (Sumatra to be specific). Ugh.
We've been actively avoiding assignments in Thailand...just doesn't appeal to us. Perhaps we're missing something.
I agree that Bahrain would make a great assignment. We visited often when we lived in Saudi. It was an oasis after Saudi, but then again I'm not sure I'd classify Saudi as the third worst place for an expat to live. It definitely had its drawbacks though.
Based on my personal experience, I'd put Indonesia WAY ahead of Saudi in terms of worst quality of life (Sumatra to be specific). Ugh.
Nov 18th, 2010, 02:40 AM
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That is funny that you mentioned Sumatra. I have done a fair amount of traveling in my lifetime but I never forgot the horror of being marooned in Medan for a week due to some kind of flight glitch. That city struck me as one of the circles of hell..and that had nothing to do with the dog satay!
I am sure things have changed a lot since my visit in the 1980s, but I will not darken any doors there again! No desire to return to any part of Sumatra, based on what I experienced during an admittedly short trip of a couple of weeks..
I am sure things have changed a lot since my visit in the 1980s, but I will not darken any doors there again! No desire to return to any part of Sumatra, based on what I experienced during an admittedly short trip of a couple of weeks..
Nov 18th, 2010, 04:02 AM
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Interesting discussion here. Sorry I've missed it!
I travel to Thailand very often, as in 3-4 times a year, but I probably would not consider becoming an expat. I don't think I'd want to be an expat anywhere... give me the extended stay vacations instead. I'd like to 'pick up and go' quickly, should there be political problems.
(and yes, welcome, Guenmai!)
Carol
I travel to Thailand very often, as in 3-4 times a year, but I probably would not consider becoming an expat. I don't think I'd want to be an expat anywhere... give me the extended stay vacations instead. I'd like to 'pick up and go' quickly, should there be political problems.
(and yes, welcome, Guenmai!)
Carol
Nov 18th, 2010, 05:12 AM
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I consider the possibility of putting down roots every place I go. There are several classified as 'Maybe', more that are 'Probably Not', some that are 'No' and a few that are 'Heck No!' (to put it politely).
Thailand, Singapore and South Africa are Maybes.
Indonesia and India are Probably Not.
Saudia Arabia is in the Heck No category.
Still looking for the location with a definitive 'Yes!' . So far that's only happened in Los Angeles for me.
Melnq8 has peaked my interest in Bahrain.
Ha Ha Guenmai, I feel the same about lizards! I'm reading about them now thinking that to know them is to love them, but it's not working!
Thailand, Singapore and South Africa are Maybes.
Indonesia and India are Probably Not.
Saudia Arabia is in the Heck No category.
Still looking for the location with a definitive 'Yes!' . So far that's only happened in Los Angeles for me.
Melnq8 has peaked my interest in Bahrain.
Ha Ha Guenmai, I feel the same about lizards! I'm reading about them now thinking that to know them is to love them, but it's not working!
Nov 18th, 2010, 09:54 AM
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I can think of lots of places in the USA that are/would be better than my home in Illinois. It's too darn cold here in the winter!!! HT, your home in HNL would, indeed, be fantastic! But I'm thinking more of a warm/er place on the mainland!
It's great fun to travel to so many places; but it's also such a great relief to 'get home' on US soil...
Just my opinion!
Carol
It's great fun to travel to so many places; but it's also such a great relief to 'get home' on US soil...
Just my opinion!
Carol
