Anyone have plans to retire in Thailand?
Jan 17th, 2009, 01:21 PM
#41
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Yeah, with the financial decline it's not easy. One of my best male friends will be retiring at the end of this month at the age of 55. He bought a condo, outside of Venice, a few years ago. He bought it from a plan and then waited about 2-3 years for the complex to be built.
Now, he's all ready for the big move, from the East Coast, where he lives, to Italy and the Euro is still high and the dollar low. At least the condo is paid for in full and his condo on the East Coast can be rented out for a substantial amount. He's still going to be losing a lot of money due to the fall of the dollar and all the other financial problems. But, after 30 years, in his career, he's ready to go. I'll meet him there in the spring to toast his retirement. Happy Travels!
Now, he's all ready for the big move, from the East Coast, where he lives, to Italy and the Euro is still high and the dollar low. At least the condo is paid for in full and his condo on the East Coast can be rented out for a substantial amount. He's still going to be losing a lot of money due to the fall of the dollar and all the other financial problems. But, after 30 years, in his career, he's ready to go. I'll meet him there in the spring to toast his retirement. Happy Travels!
Jan 17th, 2009, 05:25 PM
#42
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After our trip to SE Asia last year, we've been seriously considering living in Singapore (if there are enough jobs for the kind of work I want to do). I actually spent 2 months doing nothing but looking for jobs in Thailand after we got back. While Singapore is not Thailand, its close enough to Thailand (and India, proximity to which we care about since our family is there). However, there are always cheap flight deals for us to hop over to BKK (and BOM) whenever we want to. I always day dream of doing that whenever and if we do move to Singapore. However its too early to tell... we've not yet visited Singapore to tell whether we'll like it. But so far, we've loved all the big cities we've been to...
Jan 17th, 2009, 05:35 PM
#43
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Even though I'm Thai, I grew up in America practically my whole life and could never see myself living there forever.
Back when I was in Junior High in 1987, my Dad decided to sell his business and move our family back to Thailand. He thought we were essentially going to live there for the rest of our lives, but things didn't work out and we re-located back to Southern California a year later.
My parents just could not adjust to the tropical climate. My Dad was miserable most of the time.
After returning to America in 1988, I didn't return back to Thailand for a vacation until 2000 and went there for 3 straight years. While I have a good time visiting family and eating delicious and inexpensive Thai food, I just can't see myself retiring there in my golden years.
Back when I was in Junior High in 1987, my Dad decided to sell his business and move our family back to Thailand. He thought we were essentially going to live there for the rest of our lives, but things didn't work out and we re-located back to Southern California a year later.
My parents just could not adjust to the tropical climate. My Dad was miserable most of the time.
After returning to America in 1988, I didn't return back to Thailand for a vacation until 2000 and went there for 3 straight years. While I have a good time visiting family and eating delicious and inexpensive Thai food, I just can't see myself retiring there in my golden years.
Jan 17th, 2009, 06:30 PM
#45
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I've crunched the numbers and determined that I will be able to afford to retire 6-7 weeks after my death. Since I'm worth more dead than alive, that pretty much cinches it. Darned lucky thing someone told me this week I look 10 years younger than my actual age--if I can fool them, perhaps I might still be able to retire and breathe simulataneously.
Seriously, I'm tethered to the American health care system for probably another 5 years anyway.
BC
Seriously, I'm tethered to the American health care system for probably another 5 years anyway.
BC
Jan 18th, 2009, 03:08 AM
#47
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Malaysia has a very simple retirement program.
You get an automatic long term permit.
You don't have to renew every year etc.
Compared with many places it is very simple and easy to do.
When we are lucky enough to retire though it will be here in Thailand due to family etc.
You get an automatic long term permit.
You don't have to renew every year etc.
Compared with many places it is very simple and easy to do.
When we are lucky enough to retire though it will be here in Thailand due to family etc.
Jan 18th, 2009, 05:08 AM
#49
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Gpanda, according to Bob, yours is a very rich fantasy life--as a matter of fact he said it was your entire life. So have fun with the idea of retiring.
As to American health care system, you are likely correct, I should have removed the word "care" for greater accuracy.
Maximus mea culpa,
BC
As to American health care system, you are likely correct, I should have removed the word "care" for greater accuracy.
Maximus mea culpa,
BC
Jan 18th, 2009, 07:59 AM
#50
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Gpanda- I agree with a lot of what you said about missing relatives, friends, your doctors but.... your plumber???? I know the northeast is historical but it must have the worst plumbing around if you have a strong relationship with your plumber! (just having a bit of fun with you here!)
Yes staying abroad for a few months at a time I believe is the best approach. That is our plan. Have a base in the US and move about as much as one can given one's health and finances.
Yes staying abroad for a few months at a time I believe is the best approach. That is our plan. Have a base in the US and move about as much as one can given one's health and finances.
Jan 18th, 2009, 08:40 AM
#51
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BillT-the plumber reference was generic in the sense that moving to Thailand would be separating from all of the services for repairing what inevitably breaks. the forces of entropy are powerful. They will not lessen merely because I move to the other side of the world. I break a lot of things.
Jan 18th, 2009, 08:52 AM
#53
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BillT, I understand Gpanda's comment about his plumber! I live in an 1926 house, and have a plumber whose father did work for me when I first moved to Seattle. But then I realized that wherever I live in SE Asia, I'm unlikely to be living in a house with plumbing of that age!
While I have excellent doctors here in Seattle, Thailand has excellent hospitals. My health insurance pays for urgent care anywhere in the world. And health care in Thailand, for instance, is very reasonably priced. The US healthcare system is "irretrievably broken" (which is grounds for divorce, at least in Washington). As a healthcare provider I look forward to divorcing US health care and getting care in a better system.
My closest friends and two of my three sisters are all willing to travel, and last I heard the flights go both ways, so they could visit me and I could visit them.
No question, uprooting and moving halfway around the world is not to be taken lightly. And I continue to do research on the matter.
Like others, my retirement plans have been impacted by the global financial meltdown. My original target date was the end of 2010. Now I'm guessing it will be the end of 2012.
JamesA's point about the Malaysian retirement visa is a good one. I've also looked into retiring somewhere in Malaysia. As a foreigner, I can own property in Malaysia, but not in Thailand.
While I have excellent doctors here in Seattle, Thailand has excellent hospitals. My health insurance pays for urgent care anywhere in the world. And health care in Thailand, for instance, is very reasonably priced. The US healthcare system is "irretrievably broken" (which is grounds for divorce, at least in Washington). As a healthcare provider I look forward to divorcing US health care and getting care in a better system.
My closest friends and two of my three sisters are all willing to travel, and last I heard the flights go both ways, so they could visit me and I could visit them.
No question, uprooting and moving halfway around the world is not to be taken lightly. And I continue to do research on the matter.
Like others, my retirement plans have been impacted by the global financial meltdown. My original target date was the end of 2010. Now I'm guessing it will be the end of 2012.
JamesA's point about the Malaysian retirement visa is a good one. I've also looked into retiring somewhere in Malaysia. As a foreigner, I can own property in Malaysia, but not in Thailand.
Jan 18th, 2009, 09:28 AM
#54
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Kathie,
an extended stay of 3 to 6 months would be great "research" into seeing if you are both BKK material or not......pick the hottest months
If you survive that amount of time and still love it(lifestyle), then it was meant to be
Of course you must make time to do the research
Aloha!
an extended stay of 3 to 6 months would be great "research" into seeing if you are both BKK material or not......pick the hottest months
If you survive that amount of time and still love it(lifestyle), then it was meant to be
Of course you must make time to do the research
Aloha!
Jan 18th, 2009, 04:34 PM
#56
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Daydreaming about retiring to a foreign country beats the reality of it for me. I am keeping my doctor, keeping my plumber, turning the heat up to 70 degrees in winter, and traveling for a few months a year. That's what I have decided works for us. But it sure is fun to read about other people's retirement plans.
