Would You Stay, or Go?

[beachers78]

I haven't been in Thailand very long and really have no ties here as in investments, family, etc., and am at a point to make a decision to stay for a few more years, or leave and go back home. I'm happy with either option, even leaning a bit toward leaving as I'm not entirely sure staying is the wiser option.
It's a bit of a quandary so I'd like to get some opinions on the current situation, especially politically and what would you do if you were in a similar situation, would you stay or would you go?

[Bettyboo]

[stroller]

if you were in a similar situation

Tell us more about your situation, not enough info to go by so far.

[Mozzbie47]

I spent 3 months near Nakhon Sawon, I tried to tell my self this is OK, but no, I don't think I could stay there full time. For me it is putting up with Thai's that cant be told anything, then you have to watch them F@#k everything up.
A friend of mine spent 12 months near Udon Thani he thought the cost of living to be more than you think, unless you are happy to sit and watch TV and have 1 beer a day. Doesn't think he will go back full time, just for shortish breaks

[jamescollister]

Guess it depends what you are going back to, given the funds I wouldn't live here, but my Baht goes further.
Just came back from lunch, 8 main meals, 2 large Leos and a bottle of coke, 3 adult, one child, 780 Baht all up.

Back home, OZ, I'd be barely surviving, on welfare or some crappy job, just to make ends meet.

All comes down to money in the end.

[nidhogg]

I haven't been in Thailand very long and really have no ties here as in investments, family, etc., and am at a point to make a decision to stay for a few more years, or leave and go back home. I'm happy with either option, even leaning a bit toward leaving as I'm not entirely sure staying is the wiser option.
It's a bit of a quandary so I'd like to get some opinions on the current situation, especially politically and what would you do if you were in a similar situation, would you stay or would you go?

Very much a "how long is a piece of string" type question. As none of us know all your circumstances, none of us can really offer any sensible advice.

However, I would suggest you consider this: Are you progressing here, or merely treading water?

I suppose I refer to your career, life, development as a person. If the answer is you are treading water, I would look at leaving. If you feel that things are on the up here for you, and are likely to get better, then staying might be an option.

[thaimeme]

if you were in a similar situation

Tell us more about your situation, not enough info to go by so far.

....and even if he did fill us in much, such an inquiry might be quite moot and puzzling - as every situation and circumstance will be different from the next.


Hypotheticals.

[david44]

Prof Smeg in the jail has many opinions on the topic.

It depends on many factors family friends etc age need to work

I could live in freezing misearble Europe choose not to, racism means Australia USA a no no.I'd be happy in Latin America but a big leap for Thai wife.

If retired costs health facility ease to visit froends etc are factors.
If middle age look at creer ops I doubt ordinary work n N Sawan will generate a pension enough to live in develope world.

For climate food people the few I like are Portugal ,Czech Republic,Austria,Colombia,Cuba,Laos,Malaysia Canada Basque Country and Hungary all very different and last too cold in old age.

If your under 30 do whatever you fancy and gain experience new experiences there's plenty of time once married with a mortgage and job to be sensible

Of all of the above with or without Thai wife Lanna N Siam Bokeo,Xishuangbann and Shan state suit my likes.When Flangs can own in China Lao or Burma I might invest there.

A friend of mine called ruledinsirrINN mentioned psychedelics last week he was rapping with Tupac ski-ing in Narnia,turnin Blue and the viewing 22nd century before chewing the rug and waking up with a very sore bottom, lesson never go to bed with a chick called Carlos Costakneed'Herr

[chassamui]

I suspect that, like the Thais, we just let the politics wash over us. It's sensible to take an interest, as long as you realise that you can change almost nothing. living here in LOS you come to understand just how resilient the Thais are in general. Floods, famine, tsunami, political upheaval and all the day to day crap they put up with. They seem to get by and get on with life whatever it throws at them.

For retirement, it seems to run along quite well. Jim Makes a good point about costs here, but he has land and product plus family. Living un the sticks is not for everyone, especially without a purpose.

I am retired and I have lived in the sticks and in a resort area over the last 6 years. Both have their good/bad points, but either way, the cost of living is much less here than back in the UK. Having just spent 6 months back home in UK, I can't wait to get back, but I am under no illusions about what to expect from the host country.

Thailand has myriad flaws as I am sure you are starting to appreciate, but for all that, I still prefer LoS to UK.

[blockhead]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

[kingwilly]

Have you stayed long enough to have made a go of it?

[Bettyboo]

I suppose I refer to your career, life, development as a person. If the answer is you are treading water, I would look at leaving. If you feel that things are on the up here for you, and are likely to get better, then staying might be an option.

This is a nice way of stating it. I found myself treading water in Thailand for over 10 years, rather silly really...

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

I'm not sure it's that safe or that boring.

[NZdick1983]

I agree with James... it's all about the accumulation of money these days bro...

How much can you save? what's your age? those are the 2 critical factors in my opinion.

If we could all halt time, and stay at 25 years of age... then fuck it stay in Thailand of course! but reality states we must gain investments, houses, etc
for our old age... therefore, it depends on your situation bro...

If you can't save money there, you need to go home... if you can save at least
20k per month (some abstract figure I made up lol) then stay and enjoy..

Simple as that... but yeah, we need more information to be of more help bro...

[jamescollister]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

That would depend on where you live in the west, plenty of no go areas in most western countries.
All comes down to what you can afford, upper income, or inner city ghetto, I have never felt threatened in Thailand.

As to boring, again money talks, Europe has it all, sun drenched beaches, mountains, snow and everything in between, better food, better everything.

It really comes down to what life style you can afford, nothing more, Thailand offers a cheap real alternative to an expensive west or an impoverished 3rd world country.

[thaimeme]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

Safe?
Is it really.....in comparison?

[klong toey]

Our solution spend April to October in Blighty then its October through to April in Thailand.

[Bettyboo]

Our solution spend April to October in Blighty then its October through to April in Thailand.

If you can, this is a good option. I hope to be able to do something similar, maybe I'll hook up with Nige - 6 months in Spain, 6 months in the UK.

[Mozzbie47]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

I guess I am lucky, I have a full workshop, engineering metal fabrication powder coating and i still love to make things, anything. I spend 5-6 days a week 40 hrs and enjoy most of what I do. To do the same in Thailand for me is difficult and unless
I set up the same as here in Ozz I would and di d get bored

[Mozzbie47]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

Safe?
Is it really.....in comparison?

I believe it to be much safer than most parts of Australia

[Perota]

Our solution spend April to October in Blighty then its October through to April in Thailand.

December to March in Thailand
April - May in Hong Kong
June to mid September South of France
Mid September to November back to Hong Kong
December back to Thailand

That's the general idea

[Pragmatic]

Our solution spend April to October in Blighty then its October through to April in Thailand.

Similar thing to what the Scandinavians do.

[baconandeggs]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

You make you own fun in life. Western countries vary a lot so you cant judge them overall. Some things in Asia and Thailand are boring too like the sports scene and tv.

[baconandeggs]

It's safe but fucking boring in the West.

Safe?
Is it really.....in comparison?

I believe it to be much safer than most parts of Australia

Look at murder rates and road deaths.

[baconandeggs]

I agree with James... it's all about the accumulation of money these days bro...

How much can you save? what's your age? those are the 2 critical factors in my opinion.

If we could all halt time, and stay at 25 years of age... then fuck it stay in Thailand of course! but reality states we must gain investments, houses, etc
for our old age... therefore, it depends on your situation bro...

If you can't save money there, you need to go home... if you can save at least
20k per month (some abstract figure I made up lol) then stay and enjoy..

Simple as that... but yeah, we need more information to be of more help bro...

Need to save 40,000 a month. Any less and you are treading water.

Stay or go though depends on happiness. Asking the question means he isnt happy. Answer is obvious.

[Stinky]

Sounds like you need to.flip a coin, but stay anyway.