Yup; there's a whole subreddit for it: r/thepassportbros
I made the mistake of clicking on it a few times and then it wouldn't stop showing up in my feed. Thankfully, it's stopped.
Some Risks To Expat Retirement
- Thread starter dilettante
- Start date
I made the mistake of clicking on it a few times and then it wouldn't stop showing up in my feed. Thankfully, it's stopped.
Only if you have money. Your pension or social security benefit goes a long way in a developing country .
Oldeagle66
Senior Member
I was considering moving to another country a few years ago, but got sidetracked which is probably a good thing. As my health got worse, I know I need to be near the VA. They handle all my care and private healthcare would bankrupt me.
Thailand's hospitals are second to none and very affordable.
We had neighbors who lived in Costa Rica when one of their mothers was aging and ill. They said the cost and quality of medical service for her was outstanding. They only moved back to Texas to be close to their children and grandchildren. They still own their home in Costa Rica and have a vacant lot next to it. I've been thinking.
Yes I stayed in Thailand for 1.5 years to try it out as my potential retirement destination. But I decided to move back to U.S.
First of all, I would only live in Bangkok if I live in Thailand. I could not stand the quiet suburb or rural area. And I would have to live in a luxury condo in a central location. The average lowrise apartment is nothing to write home about, it's certainly not worth my effort to move half way around the world just to live like a lowlife expact(and there are many in Thailand). During my 1.5 year stay there, I leased a luxery high rise condo next to W hotel by BTS Chongonsi, while I was deciding if I should buy one.
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But I later got bored with my life in Thailand. Unless you have a spouse or companion or family there, or you are capable of building a quick circle of dependable friends, you will be even lonelier than back home. The weather is hot and humid all year round and lots of raining days. Air pollution, chaotic/dirty streets. Yes the healthcare there is great. There is the Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok where most of the established expacts(with money) go to. It is like a 5 star hotel facility, their doctors speak fluent english. But if you go to other hospitals, you may have problem communicating with the doctors and nurse beyond the basics.
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And healthcare is not just about doctor visits. Who is going to take care of you if you have some chronic illness? Who is going to bath you, run errands for you when you are not feeling well. Of course you can hire someone to do all these for you. But anyone in Thailand who can speak fluent English is not going to do this type of work. So you just have to put up with a maid/care giver who you can't communicate with.
Anyway, I decided Thailand is a vacation destination for me, not a retirement destination.
Anyway, I decided Thailand is a vacation destination for me, not a retirement destination.
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Well, I don't know what to tell you, except that life is pretty much what you make it. I live in the Mae Ramphueng Beach district of Rayong with my son and ex-wife and could not be happier. We do have a condo on the 25th floor of a modern Bangkok high-rise, but it's unoccupied most of the time. Anyway, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Maybe a gated community like Casa Seaside would have been more suitable for you.
Look at that. It's just a different version of the McMasion in the U.S., i.e. cookie cutter houses and 2 stories!! Good luck with climbing up and down all day in your old age.
I imagine you would need to drive or have a private chauffeur when living in a suburb or rural area like that. Do you speak Thai to your chauffeur? Anyone who speaks fluent English in Thailand is not going to be just a chauffeur.
And, you didn't tell your whole story, is your wife Thai? Do you speak Thai? I assume your family is Thai when you said your son lives with you there. This can certainly make a big difference in your living in Thailand.
Yes, life is pretty much what you make it. But people have different opinions.
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I see your imagination is working overtime filling in my life story for me. So, I would suggest that you try relaxing instead, it’s far less exhausting than inventing problems I don’t have.
You never know when someone is telling only half of the story, behind the phone/computer screen.
I am just glad I raised my questions.
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You seem more interested in telling your own version of my life than hearing the real one, so I’ll leave you to it. Have fun!
I am glad to confirm that many of my questions to you are better left unanswered.
I have no doubt you’re telling the truth because the reality of my situation simply doesn’t fit the narrative you need to believe, so it’s much easier for you if it stays unanswered. However, for what it’s worth, I would be happy to answer such questions for anyone who is genuinely interested.
Disgustedman
Senior Member
That reminds me of the time back in 2007 I moved out of my sister's place (thank God) and I rented from this Russian guy. And he was wanting a renter to care for the house while he was gone.
so he went to Asia and he had somehow hooked up with this female and I overheard him one night talking to the bank wanting $20,000 to be with him when he flew over there.
He came back FURIOUS as this was the dawn of "Ladyboys" and he'd gotten suckered by one......
That reminds me of the time back in 2007 I moved out of my sister's place (thank God) and I rented from this Russian guy. And he was wanting a renter to care for the house while he was gone. so he went to Asia and he had somehow hooked up with this female and I overheard him one night talking to the bank wanting $20,000 to be with him when he flew over there. He came back FURIOUS as this was the dawn of "Ladyboys" and he'd gotten suckered by one......
Funny story, Disgustedman, but let’s be real: way more men get taken right in the good old USA than in Asia. Plenty of guys lose their houses, their savings, and then pay alimony for years. A ladyboy's scam has got nothing on an American divorce court.
And for what it’s worth, all the American and European expats I know with Thai wives are actually quite happy, but they didn’t marry uneducated bar girls looking to scam them.
Medusa
Senior Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
In your former landlord's defense, ladyboys are gorgeous. I think I remember an Anthony Bourdain episode where he was dancing with them in Thailand.That reminds me of the time back in 2007 I moved out of my sister's place (thank God) and I rented from this Russian guy. And he was wanting a renter to care for the house while he was gone.
so he went to Asia and he had somehow hooked up with this female and I overheard him one night talking to the bank wanting $20,000 to be with him when he flew over there.
He came back FURIOUS as this was the dawn of "Ladyboys" and he'd gotten suckered by one......
Michael Z
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Wisconsin
My brother-in-law was talking about moving to Belize for a while but he gave up on the idea.