keemapoot

Probably free site yes but it's probably what's known as a boondocker site. most people would be shocked to know how expensive it is to live the "RV" lifestyle, although her vehicle is about the least attractive RV I've ever seen. Most RV sites charge from the lowest price of about $30 to up to $70/80 night close to in in major metro areas. These places have toilets/showers, services, laundry, RV hookups etc., but the average someone pays per night in these places is about $50 nationwide. Even the government official campgrounds cost $30. The only other alternatives that require no payment use a method called boondocking, which means staying in the wild for free, but obviously no services. I go back to the US annually, and I haven't seen any decent hotel for less than about 100/night, and even airbnbs are now expensive. Life is pretty damn expensive in the USA if you don't have a home and have to rent.

Yeah that part was particularly depressing. Gotta feel sorry for people like this with no options but yes brave lady. Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Your bottom line is exactly what I have been saying on here, and you are providing a valuable on-the-ground and in the region scouting report based on your own experiences, observation and those of fellow travelers in the region. At retirement age, It would be extremely unwise to uproot from a place (where ever that is), where you are relatively comfortable, safe and happy to move to anywhere you haven't personally visited and spent meaningful time the way you are doing it now. Anyone seriously considering leaving should definitely plan to make the investment of an extended trip as nothing virtual can really tell the story based on each person's individual perceptions, talents and background.

Yes, but remember, this discussion about health insurance is TOTALLY conjecture and scare mongering at this point. I don't think we will see that happen. Expats can self insure to a point, and if they end up in a hospital, it's usually not a government hospital, but rather a private international hospital. Those folks know how to collect or get your out of their beds. So, I think this health insurance scare mongering is mostly just that.

Honestly, you have a non-issue at this point. You can start over again and there would be no adverse effect from whatever this situation is. There are a lot of experts on this forum about visas especially Ubonjoe. I think if you start over, it would be quite easy.

I did not read your explanation of the reason you have visa issues in Thailand, but with your income, I can't imagine any reason why you should have any worries. Insofar as medical insurance, that is a totally non-issue at this point for most retirees. So, if you should decide to return to Thailand, I don't see any reason why you could not though I don't know your particular issues.

I agree completely with you here, and this also highlights a problem for retirees on fixed income. This effort really requires the kind of long exploratory trip Captain Jack is now doing and hats of to you Jack for this! Failing such a long semi living experience one cannot know whether moving would be a good decision. Previously in this thread you outlined a cost of ten or tens of thousands for such a trip. I maintain it's at least that, and more. So, in the end, upsetting your expat retirement destination plans can be very expensive, even more expensive than complying with new more onerous visa requirements. (Unless you're prepared to move to someplace like Tunisia which is truly probably the cheapest and best place for this purpose - but you need to speak French or Arabic).

No of course I don't reject it, I love several countries in LA and the lifestyle, and as I mentioned, I speak the language. My contention is that you and everyone else arrived in Thailand after due consideration of all the factors and are were well-informed and I think made the right decision. I also understand the feeling of being forced out (or just tired of living here with permission year by year), and maybe that is true, especially when compared to the scheme offered in Colombia for example. I would just counsel to not be too quick to jump because those countries offer no guarantee they will remain visa-friendly too.

My argument is that if you examine the total package of virtually any country in LA (and arguably globally) compared to Thailand you will find Thailand wins for most expats. The food, the laid-back lifestyle, the cost of living, the ease of transport, the ease of hooking-up for those who don't have a steady thing, all those things are better in Thailand. The only thing that is recently bad is the schizophrenic visa situation, which seems to be a crackdown to eliminate a certain segment of the expat population, and for those who can weather this, I think it will return to normal. I stand by my position. Thailand still wins in most categories.

Yes that is the crux of lifestyle trade offs IMO. Good cheap wine and great food make up for other deficiencies. Argentina is the only place for that around Mendoza if you rule out Chile. Overall, I’m in agreement with cryingdick that I just do not see any compelling reason for anyone to leave Thailand. Visa extension will be tightened up but complying is cheaper than uprooting and relocating. Thailand fundamentals are still there (excluding wine of course) and even though I applaud this great effort especially by jack, it just confirms for me Thailand’s superiority in total satisfaction ranking. Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

I have been to Bogota several times on business but the last time was some years ago. I speak Spanish well and at that time it seemed to be a needed ability to be comfortable there. Of course I know Colombia has changed a lot and cleaned up. It is however a relatively more formal lifestyle than Thailand and that is true for most places in SA mentioned in this thread. The costs of exploratory trips and resettlement would likely be as much as funding another 800k for a retirement extension here. I am also following this thread with interest and appreciate your shared research and Captain Jack’s on the ground reports. Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app