LANative,
I just read the first few pages of this thread as I was off line for a few days.
I moved here 5 years ago and I was rock solid and stable... now I need a therapist.
You mentioned that you would be on a government pension... be careful if it is in U.S. dollars. My pension has decreased by 20% just due to the exchange rate change in my time here and with the way the U.S. government is spending (read printing and borrowing) money the dollar will be worth very little in the coming years.
Also, you have chosen one of the most expensive places in Thailand to relocate to. Don't burn your bridges as I did. I'm stuck here now and haven't been able to even go back to the states to see my family since 2005!
questions from a potential expat
Checked out Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. Actually it was pretty much of a toss up between Thailand and Panama. But did not actually find a spot in Panama that felt like the right place. Hua Hin area felt like it would be a nice place to live.
All the expats we talked to in Costa Rica had a long list of complaints. Belize was very expensive and crime seemed to be the number one occupation there. Mexico just never felt like home to us. Spent a fair bit of time there and covered a great deal of it in a beat up Toyota.
Also checked out the Caribbean, and many of the south pacific Islands, Fiji, always having a coup, Cook Islands nice but immigration rules were prohibitive. Tonga and Samoa Islands to remote feeling. The Caribbean was to expensive for what you got. Although lived in Cayman Island for a couple of years and it was nice, but not home.
New Zealaqnd is to cold for our taste and Australia is a great place, lived there as a retiree for 12 years and then they changed the rules and did away with the retirement visa.
But I have no regrets about ending up in LOS, no where is perfect so you have to weigh the good against the bad.
Norm
All the expats we talked to in Costa Rica had a long list of complaints. Belize was very expensive and crime seemed to be the number one occupation there. Mexico just never felt like home to us. Spent a fair bit of time there and covered a great deal of it in a beat up Toyota.
Also checked out the Caribbean, and many of the south pacific Islands, Fiji, always having a coup, Cook Islands nice but immigration rules were prohibitive. Tonga and Samoa Islands to remote feeling. The Caribbean was to expensive for what you got. Although lived in Cayman Island for a couple of years and it was nice, but not home.
New Zealaqnd is to cold for our taste and Australia is a great place, lived there as a retiree for 12 years and then they changed the rules and did away with the retirement visa.
But I have no regrets about ending up in LOS, no where is perfect so you have to weigh the good against the bad.
Norm
getting stuck
to HHFarang and sargeant- you've given me a topic for the start of my next therapy appt. ( and a larf/ laugh in American). This is one of the anxieties in the back of my mind, being trapped.
Just one more reason I am disgusted with the U.S., the printing of "Monopoly" money and sticking future generations with the bill, just so a few already too rich can get their multimillion dollar bonuses and prop up corrupt and reckless banks. Is that Capitalism? Where is the concept of justice this country was built on?
But now emmigrating ANYWHERE looks like a bad idea.
Cheers
LA Native
Just one more reason I am disgusted with the U.S., the printing of "Monopoly" money and sticking future generations with the bill, just so a few already too rich can get their multimillion dollar bonuses and prop up corrupt and reckless banks. Is that Capitalism? Where is the concept of justice this country was built on?
But now emmigrating ANYWHERE looks like a bad idea.
Cheers
LA Native
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margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:28 am
- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
questions from a potential expat
As HHADFan quite rightly says, you're priorities DO change after a couple of years in LOS. Or even sooner than that. Whether it's food tastes, clothes, or the need for fluffy towels!
Take coffee as an example. In the UK I drink coffee to excess. In LOS can't hack more than one or two a day, and stick with tea and juice.
Clothes wise I can understand men wanting good quality substantial sandals - they do expect them to last after all, and don't see the need for different colours - but for me it's quantity over quality and cheap in LOS.
On the more serious note of location - ChaAm is probably much easier to get around by bike than HH. And safer. There are plenty of grocery stores as well as the very good market, and regular (cheap) buses to HH. Certainly worth a look IMO.
And no - the monsoon season doesn't trap you in the house. Rains are usually short and sharp in the HH area. It does vary of course, but is still hot. You get wet - you dry out.
As for acclimatizing - you know you've been in LOS too long when you need a fur coat in January
Take coffee as an example. In the UK I drink coffee to excess. In LOS can't hack more than one or two a day, and stick with tea and juice.
Clothes wise I can understand men wanting good quality substantial sandals - they do expect them to last after all, and don't see the need for different colours - but for me it's quantity over quality and cheap in LOS.
On the more serious note of location - ChaAm is probably much easier to get around by bike than HH. And safer. There are plenty of grocery stores as well as the very good market, and regular (cheap) buses to HH. Certainly worth a look IMO.
And no - the monsoon season doesn't trap you in the house. Rains are usually short and sharp in the HH area. It does vary of course, but is still hot. You get wet - you dry out.
As for acclimatizing - you know you've been in LOS too long when you need a fur coat in January
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
pessimism and discouragement
Considering ALL the responses since I began seeking info on this blog, I must tell all who have responded " Congratulations, I am so discouraged that I am seeking an alternative Plan E to replace my Plan D of retiring in HH". If you are somehow threatened by the prospect of a not so affluent American retiring in your midst, I say "No worries, I will go elswhere". If you are Elitist and want to protect your "Paradise" from the "Riff Raff" then "No Worries , I will look elsewhere." If you are generally a complainer and pessimist then I say" No worries I don't want to be around you". If you are old and bored and need something to do, I say "Get a life". If you are stuck there without enough cash to get out, I say "Thanks for the warning". If you are from the U.S. and use HH as your vacation get away, then we have nothing in common. If you are afraid of introspection and self examination and therefore are threatened by those in therapy I say to you "I won't bother with you anymore or make you uncomfortable". If you are one of those who are trying to keep the population in HH small by discouraging "outsiders" I say "No worries I wil seek acceptance elsewhere".
Personally I would feel MORE comfortable amongst those with a common language living together in a small retirement community. In the event of political upheaveal (like the kind that often occurs when there is a power vacuum upon the death of a political leader like the King) I would feel safer amongst expatriats, especially when foreigners are often targeted as "the problem" like in east Timor. Civil unrest is recent in Thailand and promises to continue in the future. Wouldn't you want a political ally in such times? A retirement enclave can be a safe haven in such times. The more the merrier in that circumstance. But the discouragement from this blog has led me to look elsewhere. Thefts, traffic jams, parking problems, high tourist prices, boredom, corrupt offifials, violence upon "Farangs", disappearing beaches at high tide etc. are enough to repel me elsewhere. Good work! You are safe from Americans there.
Goodbye
LA Native
Personally I would feel MORE comfortable amongst those with a common language living together in a small retirement community. In the event of political upheaveal (like the kind that often occurs when there is a power vacuum upon the death of a political leader like the King) I would feel safer amongst expatriats, especially when foreigners are often targeted as "the problem" like in east Timor. Civil unrest is recent in Thailand and promises to continue in the future. Wouldn't you want a political ally in such times? A retirement enclave can be a safe haven in such times. The more the merrier in that circumstance. But the discouragement from this blog has led me to look elsewhere. Thefts, traffic jams, parking problems, high tourist prices, boredom, corrupt offifials, violence upon "Farangs", disappearing beaches at high tide etc. are enough to repel me elsewhere. Good work! You are safe from Americans there.
Goodbye
LA Native
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dtaai-maai
- Hero
- Posts: 14924
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
- Location: UK, Robin Hood country
I don't think I'd be inclined to take the personal opinions of a handful of members (many writing from outside of Thailand) quite so seriously. Including some Americans!
There are probably around 2-3,000 farang living in this area, most of them Scandinavian, and goodness knows how many more in the rest of Thailand.
Good luck, though, whatever you decide.
There are probably around 2-3,000 farang living in this area, most of them Scandinavian, and goodness knows how many more in the rest of Thailand.
Good luck, though, whatever you decide.
This is the way
Re: pessimism and discouragement
I've deliberately not participated in this thread because you specifically directed the question at ex-pats. You seem to be a man of the world, so should have expected the interference when asking such a question - forum posters like to have fun. However, being a man of the world you should have been able to sort the wheat from the chaff without throwing your toys out of the pram.LAnative wrote:Considering ALL the responses since I began seeking info on this blog, I must tell all who have responded " Congratulations, I am so discouraged that I am seeking an alternative Plan E to replace my Plan D of retiring in HH". If you are somehow threatened by the prospect of a not so affluent American retiring in your midst, I say "No worries, I will go elswhere". If you are Elitist and want to protect your "Paradise" from the "Riff Raff" then "No Worries , I will look elsewhere." If you are generally a complainer and pessimist then I say" No worries I don't want to be around you". If you are old and bored and need something to do, I say "Get a life". If you are stuck there without enough cash to get out, I say "Thanks for the warning". If you are from the U.S. and use HH as your vacation get away, then we have nothing in common. If you are afraid of introspection and self examination and therefore are threatened by those in therapy I say to you "I won't bother with you anymore or make you uncomfortable". If you are one of those who are trying to keep the population in HH small by discouraging "outsiders" I say "No worries I wil seek acceptance elsewhere".
Personally I would feel MORE comfortable amongst those with a common language living together in a small retirement community. In the event of political upheaveal (like the kind that often occurs when there is a power vacuum upon the death of a political leader like the King) I would feel safer amongst expatriats, especially when foreigners are often targeted as "the problem" like in east Timor. Civil unrest is recent in Thailand and promises to continue in the future. Wouldn't you want a political ally in such times? A retirement enclave can be a safe haven in such times. The more the merrier in that circumstance. But the discouragement from this blog has led me to look elsewhere. Thefts, traffic jams, parking problems, high tourist prices, boredom, corrupt offifials, violence upon "Farangs", disappearing beaches at high tide etc. are enough to repel me elsewhere. Good work! You are safe from Americans there.
Goodbye
LA Native
I personally think you have been given the best advice possible. Visit and live in Hua Hin, without making any major commitment for as long as you can, and decide for yourself - I think you'd be crazy to make such a major commitment based on forum advice alone.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: pessimism and discouragement
Deleted SJ.
respnse to responses
I have already purchased a non-refundable plane ticket to BKK for Oct. so I WILL be visiting Thailand a 2nd time but I may just skip HH in favor of Pattaya/Jomtien. Altho' "seedier" and dirty from some accounts, I would likely associate with happy tourists on holiday and there would be more of a party mood there. If worse comes to worse there is always Chiang Mai.
I really can't afford to live there 6 months and see. It would be too costly to move around a lot. Moving is stressful. I don't have to tell you I'm sure you know. You can't "unjump" from a plane. Once I leave the U.S. I'm pretty much unable to return and re-establish myself there without getting another job. (where at my age?). So it is sink or swim, to quote a 2nd cliche' in a paragraph. I either go or I don't. It is a digital world these days (only 2 states, off or on, go or don't).
Thanx again to all who have responded with a genuine desire to help. I appreciate that good people still exist.
To TIGR, I don't bat from EITHER side of the plate. In fact I haven't used my bat in many years. Damn anti-depressants!
Cheers and signing out
LA Native
I really can't afford to live there 6 months and see. It would be too costly to move around a lot. Moving is stressful. I don't have to tell you I'm sure you know. You can't "unjump" from a plane. Once I leave the U.S. I'm pretty much unable to return and re-establish myself there without getting another job. (where at my age?). So it is sink or swim, to quote a 2nd cliche' in a paragraph. I either go or I don't. It is a digital world these days (only 2 states, off or on, go or don't).
Thanx again to all who have responded with a genuine desire to help. I appreciate that good people still exist.
To TIGR, I don't bat from EITHER side of the plate. In fact I haven't used my bat in many years. Damn anti-depressants!
Cheers and signing out
LA Native
Re: pessimism and discouragement
Hua Hin too rough, so ...........LAnative wrote:But the discouragement from this blog has led me to look elsewhere. Thefts, traffic jams, parking problems, high tourist prices, boredom, corrupt offifials, violence upon "Farangs", disappearing beaches at high tide etc. are enough to repel me elsewhere. Good work! You are safe from Americans there. Goodbye LA Native
There's 2 things that come to mind that Pattaya has that Hua Hin doesn't ......... a water park and machine guns.LAnative wrote:I have already purchased a non-refundable plane ticket to BKK for Oct. so I WILL be visiting Thailand a 2nd time but I may just skip HH in favor of Pattaya/Jomtien
SJ
Re: pessimism and discouragement
Phew! Saves us having to move out.LAnative wrote:But the discouragement from this blog has led me to look elsewhere. Thefts, traffic jams, parking problems, high tourist prices, boredom, corrupt offifials, violence upon "Farangs", disappearing beaches at high tide etc. are enough to repel me elsewhere. Good work! You are safe from Americans there.
Just kidding.
Why allow yourself to be put off so easily? There are many people here happy with their lives. Pattaya has most of those negatives and far more IMO. Depends where you go, who you mix with and if you walk around with a sign on your head saying 'Mug Me'. I'm sure you have met people who are accidents waiting to happen.
When I was considering buying a powerful motorcycle, everyone had cautionary tales of carnage on the roads. I bought one anyway and loved it. This applies to pretty much everything you wish to do.
Plough your own furrow, sack your therapist, and pay less attention to others. Your life is not their life.
"Let no one who has the slightest desire to live in peace and quietness be tempted, under any circumstances, to enter upon the chivalrous task of trying to correct a popular error."---William Thoms
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margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:28 am
- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
questions from a potential expat
Sorry LA'N but I've got to take issue with some of your reasoning - if you are still out there - points to note pleeeeease before you opt for Pattaya!
Yes, there will be more of a 'party' atmosphere in Pattaya. Of the rowdy drunken letching variety. Which is maybe fine for a holiday, but believe me it can wear a bit thin when you live there.
Pattaya isn't for the faint hearted. If you think HuaHin is all shootings/muggings etc you ain't seen nothing yet.
HuaHin offers a much more relaxed lifestyle, despite some of the problems, which can happen anywhere. Yes, it is more expensive than some other places in LOS, but when compared to say the UK it is still cheap.
The expat mix is different. Yes, you will probably find more Americans in Pattaya. And more Germans. Maybe more middle eastern folks as well. You will also find a damn sight more expats of all nations who are living on the bones of their backsides.
HuaHin - as pointed out already - has a high percentage of Scandinavians as well as Brits. It does tend to attract the more well heeled expat, and with property prices as they are now that is no surprise.
But at the end of the day you won't find that safe expat retirement enclave anywhere in LOS without some considerable financial cost. And safe from what? Any political unrest occurs in Bangkok, or (for different reasons) in the southern provinces.
HuaHin, for anyone who is worried about the possibility of a junta or insurrection, is as safe as anywhere IMO. Probably safer than most places, as there is a fairly quick escape route to Malaysia. Because to be honest if the worst did happen the expats would take care of themselves first, whichever country they are from. Human Nature. And personally I would put my trust in some Thai friends for protection first (with no disrespect to forum colleagues and friends, but many of you would likely feel the same.)
Living in a foreign country isn't about finding a comfortable set of neighbours who all share the same language, and live inside their security patrolled compounds sharing BarBs and Bangkok Post crosswords. It's about pushing your personal boundaries and widening your perspective on life. Taking a few risks.
Come to think of it maybe Pattaya is a better option.
Yes, there will be more of a 'party' atmosphere in Pattaya. Of the rowdy drunken letching variety. Which is maybe fine for a holiday, but believe me it can wear a bit thin when you live there.
Pattaya isn't for the faint hearted. If you think HuaHin is all shootings/muggings etc you ain't seen nothing yet.
HuaHin offers a much more relaxed lifestyle, despite some of the problems, which can happen anywhere. Yes, it is more expensive than some other places in LOS, but when compared to say the UK it is still cheap.
The expat mix is different. Yes, you will probably find more Americans in Pattaya. And more Germans. Maybe more middle eastern folks as well. You will also find a damn sight more expats of all nations who are living on the bones of their backsides.
HuaHin - as pointed out already - has a high percentage of Scandinavians as well as Brits. It does tend to attract the more well heeled expat, and with property prices as they are now that is no surprise.
But at the end of the day you won't find that safe expat retirement enclave anywhere in LOS without some considerable financial cost. And safe from what? Any political unrest occurs in Bangkok, or (for different reasons) in the southern provinces.
HuaHin, for anyone who is worried about the possibility of a junta or insurrection, is as safe as anywhere IMO. Probably safer than most places, as there is a fairly quick escape route to Malaysia. Because to be honest if the worst did happen the expats would take care of themselves first, whichever country they are from. Human Nature. And personally I would put my trust in some Thai friends for protection first (with no disrespect to forum colleagues and friends, but many of you would likely feel the same.)
Living in a foreign country isn't about finding a comfortable set of neighbours who all share the same language, and live inside their security patrolled compounds sharing BarBs and Bangkok Post crosswords. It's about pushing your personal boundaries and widening your perspective on life. Taking a few risks.
Come to think of it maybe Pattaya is a better option.
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.