Why Move To Thailand

[Borey the Bald]

Why Move to Thailand – Second thoughts and an honest self-assesment


This is something we have been thinking of doing for years. But it is only natural to consider and reconsider what we are about to do. So why have we – my Thai wife of over 35 years and I – decided to make the move to Thailand?


Money: I think of myself as an average 62 year old retiree. I have sufficient income to live in the US – not wealthy, only a little above the average for US retirees. But I could qualify for a retirement visa (Thai bank statement showing 800,000 Baht deposit or proof of 65,000 Baht monthly income). And in Thailand, we would be considered upper middle class. Buying a car and renting or buying a house should be no problem. I believe we should have plenty remaining to live well (although the wife may try to prove me wrong).


Health: At age 62 and still in very good health, I figure at best to have about 10 more good years in me, followed by probably about 10 years of deterioration until death. In the US that would be a very grim reality. The health care system being so expensive (even with insurance), we could expect for the wife to have only her retirement income of less than $1500 per month remaining after my death. All of our savings would be eaten up by the system.


On the other hand, in Thailand they still have the tradition of family taking care of the elderly. This would especially be true for the “rich farang” uncle. Here in the US, a grim assisted living care facility can be expected to cost over $3000 per month. In Thailand, for a small fraction of that, we could get someone who really cares to stay in our home and help the wife wipe my wrinkled ass.


The Wife: The wife is used to working hard, but because I have been overly indulgent, she is also used to spending hard. This is a real concern of mine: that she, in her leisure, will have too much time on her hands for shopping. Hopefully she will adjust to a slower, less material country life.


But the matter of her health in 20 years is the real consideration. Having the support of her family and friends in her village would be most important and would probably make her old age much more enjoyable. On the other hand, she is an extremely nice and sociable person and has made many friends as I have dragged her around the world. She would succeed anywhere.


Family Considerations: We live near my mother now, and she has come to rely on us. If it wasn't for this, we probably would have moved back to Thailand years ago. My nearest siblings live nearly an hour's drive away, so before any move we need to clearly pass on the family responsibilities. They (four sisters) have been ducking their duties for years, so I do not feel like too much of a putz for leaning on them.


As for my kids, my daughter and grandson live 2500 miles away, so we only see them every couple of years now. My son, who's single, has been taking yearly vacations to Thailand, so he welcomes the thought of having a base to operate from while in country.


An Avocation: Keeping busy is a necessity. I am the kind of guy that likes to putz (the other meaning) around in the garden. We luckily sold our property a couple of years ago and moved into an apartment, so I am looking forward to being able to play the gentleman farmer in Thailand.

[taxexile]

we would be considered upper middle class

no you wont, you will be considered a foreigner, rich or poor your status here is "foreigner". its not always a bad thing, but it does help to remember that.

[Borey the Bald]

we would be considered upper middle class

no you wont, you will be considered a foreigner, rich or poor your status here is "foreigner". its not always a bad thing, but it does help to remember that.

Quite right, I should have said "consider myself....."

[Lorenzo]

You have carefully considered many issues.

All of our savings would be eaten up by the system.

Not likely, old geezers get cheap medical in the US and other discounts

On the other hand, in Thailand they still have the tradition of family taking care of the elderly. This would especially be true for the “rich farang” uncle.

Very unlikely

But the matter of her health in 20 years is the real consideration. Having the support of her family and friends in her village would be most important and would probably make her old age much more enjoyable.

Yes for her but not for you!!


The overriding consideration is do you want to spend your golden years with as a second class visitor in racist Thailand? In any village that will be a bunch of uneducated peasants looking to scam your money at every turn.

[Carrabow]

Can you afford to keep your properties /investments at home and try renting for a year or 2 to see how it works out?

[Borey the Bald]

Can you afford to keep your properties /investments at home and try renting for a year or 2 to see how it works out?

Since we are renting now, we would be able to make the move then return in a couple of years. Hopefully, that would not be necessary.

[Borey the Bald]

All of our savings would be eaten up by the system.

Not likely, old geezers get cheap medical in the US and other discounts

The long-term care system for "old geezers" is designed so that the government does not reimburse for much of that care until you can prove that you have no more liquid assets.

[can123]

Best of luck, Borey ! I don't have the same concerns as you have about health finances but I feel I have a duty to ensure that my wife is returned to her home and family before I "pop my clogs".

[Carrabow]

Can you afford to keep your properties /investments at home and try renting for a year or 2 to see how it works out?

Since we are renting now, we would be able to make the move then return in a couple of years. Hopefully, that would not be necessary.

You may have a change of heart after a few years, I have thrown the idea around a few times when discouraged.

[Borey the Bald]

On the other hand, in Thailand they still have the tradition of family taking care of the elderly. This would especially be true for the “rich farang” uncle.

Very unlikely.

Are you saying they would not make the effort with the expectation of receiving a good monetary reward?

[Borey the Bald]

The overriding consideration is do you want to spend your golden years with as a second class visitor in racist Thailand? In any village that will be a bunch of uneducated peasants looking to scam your money at every turn.

I have been dealing with these people for over 40 years. The Thais are racist, but no more so than any other nationality. Visitors (or immigrants in general) are looked upon as 2nd class everywhere. I have more respect for these uneducated peasants than for many educated but otherwise ignorant westerners.

[meat]

farang = perma-tourist/foreigner

[Borey the Bald]

Best of luck, Borey ! I don't have the same concerns as you have about health finances but I feel I have a duty to ensure that my wife is returned to her home and family before I "pop my clogs".

Thanks. After being with the same woman now for approaching 40 years, I too feel that duty.

[nigelandjan]

Sounds like a fair and reasoned assessment to me ,, as you say your moneys freed up so as someone's suggested suck it and see .

I think it depends more on your current lifestyle and your projected future lifestyle , for my part I live a simple but very expensive lifestyle for what it is , in a mostly cold and damp Country , so I may as well when I get to your age retire in a warm relatively cheap to live Country and carry on with the simple lifestyle .

Good luck in what you decide

[Borey the Bald]

Sounds like a fair and reasoned assessment to me ,, as you say your moneys freed up so as someone's suggested suck it and see .

I think it depends more on your current lifestyle and your projected future lifestyle , for my part I live a simple but very expensive lifestyle for what it is , in a mostly cold and damp Country , so I may as well when I get to your age retire in a warm relatively cheap to live Country and carry on with the simple lifestyle .

Good luck in what you decide

Thanks. Cheap and simple. That's me.

[Takeovers]

So you consider bringing your wives back to their home in old age.

I believe I could make the move to the Philippines in a few years, especially with the available option to move back if necessary.

But there is no way I could get my wife to do that. She insists that Phils are a good place for a vacation but no way she would want to move back there permanently.

[Mathos]

Good luck whichever path you decide to follow.

Just don't burn the bridges though.

Nature itself has a special and somewhat sensible way
of implanting deep within the innermost parts of our being,
a rather sacred detachment to the country to which we own
our creation and indeed upbringing, which is extremely special.


I rather think you would give your all to Thailand,
with an open, candid nature and application.

When seeking a fair return, and being met with;-

'Not Thai'

You may well become totally disillusioned.


Remember, America is a very young Country.

The backbone of the nation is from all over Europe, and
Africa.

It will be a good while until all runs like clockwork.

But one day, it will.






So watch this young lass and think.

Best wishes to you in all respects.

[Stinky]

Hunter S Thompson sums it up nicely.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

Go for it you'll love the rush.

[sabaii sabaii]

That is neo's signature also, and I agree wholeheartedly with that

Do you have any friends in Thailand, Borey ?

I wonder how you will fare with other Farangs your age, who have wives a fraction the age of yours

Enjoy your retirement, nothing ventured, nothing gained

All the best bud

[bangkokbonecollector]

On the other hand, in Thailand they still have the tradition of family taking care of the elderly. This would especially be true for the “rich farang” uncle.

Very unlikely.

Are you saying they would not make the effort with the expectation of receiving a good monetary reward?

I think you are going down the wrong path by asking for niceties in return for one day hoepfully receiving some dosh.

Dont also go down the path of being the village farang sugar daddy.

With regards to your financial and relationship situation, I think you will do fine here.

[crocman]

To live in Asia you must think asian. Asian custom dictates that the children must look after their elders.
So here is the plan. Take your wife and your money to LOS and go absolutely fcuking mental doing whatever you like for next 10 to 15 years. Then when you are starting to really feel your age head back to the states broke and spent and inform the kids of their new responsibilities. What could possibly go wrong?

[ltnt]

I have more respect for these uneducated peasants than for many educated but otherwise ignorant westerners.

Foolish, foolish man.

[BobR]

Moving to Thailand is somewhat vague since the experience will be completely different depending on where in Thailand you choose to live. To me, living in some remote village in Isaan would be a lot like living in Hicktown, Iowa, absolutely intolerable because of the boredom. Maybe even worse because of the language and lack of decent food.
Living in Bangkok or any well developed area except Pattaya is quite enjoyable. Also, do you really want to spend the rest of your life orbiting around your wife's family?

[bangkokbonecollector]

Moving to Thailand is somewhat vague since the experience will be completely different depending on where in Thailand you choose to live. To me, living in some remote village in Isaan would be a lot like living in Hicktown, Iowa, absolutely intolerable because of the boredom. Maybe even worse because of the language and lack of decent food.
Living in Bangkok or any well developed area except Pattaya is quite enjoyable. Also, do you really want to spend the rest of your life orbiting around your wife's family?

Good point, I was going to metion this. Instead of moving to her village, I do not see any harm in moving somewhere close but not too close. This way you can have a bit of privacy and keep the family at arms length but also keep the misses happy, buy her a car to ferry herslef back and fourth. I would say try and live on the out skirts of a city/ large town near her village, that is if she is from a village which I do not think you have told us yet.

Just remember, Your wife and her family are two different people. Your wife has been living in the west and understands you and your feelings about a whole range of issues, her family do not and will never unless they do a 30 year stint themselves.

Good luck !

[Khun Custard]

Instead of moving to her village, I do not see any harm in moving somewhere close but not too close.

Better point!!
Your long term enjoyment/partisipation levels in rural Thailand will almost totally depend on your ability to communicate in Thai. Otherwise, you will live in a cone of silence only connected to the outside world by TV, the wife and falang associates.

If you have the language skills then any location which also gives you access to western services you require will work . If you don't then best consider the outskirts of the usual falang haunts.