If you weren't in Thailand, where would you be?

[2009 213]

After all this time I still think Thailand is an excellent choice for an expat.

 

In no particular order, just shooting from the hip: 

 

1. highly socially developed people (except when driving)

2. sophisticated healthcare

3. affordable 

4. good standard of living

5. lots of fun

6. many things to see and do

7. friendly and polite (mostly) people

8. not too much racism

9. pretty good weather

10. great selection of food

11. safe

12  almost everything is easy and convenient

 

Probably the only thing I would change is the drivers.

 

I struggle to think of anywhere I have been that ticks so many boxes. Actually, I can't think of anywhere.

 

If I wasn't here I am really not sure where I would be. Definitely not China. I don't think Japan. Not Laos or Malaysia. I like Indonesia, but I don't think I would want to live there.

 

Couldn't see myself living in South America. Africa, hmmm...never been, can't say. I like India, but who knows if I could really live there. North America, no chance. 

 

Europe would be too boring, backward, and PC. 

 

Vietnam would be my next choice, I think. Maybe Cambodia.

 

What about you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17 by 2009

[teacherclaire 2,092]

Portugal seems to be nice. And the Senoritas are great, too. 

 

Portugal, with its welcoming locals and pleasant climate, offers expats a very good quality of life. ... Portugal attracts an above-average percentage of retirees. It also ranks in the top 10 for family life. Expats enjoy the climate and weather.

 

Blue Skies and Warm Smiles

Portugal ranks an impressive 6th out of 68 countries in the overall results for 2018. In three indices, the country ranks in the top 10, including fifth for ease of settling in and second for quality of life.

 

Expat Insider 2018: The Pros & Cons of Expat Life in Portugal | InterNations

[JAS21 2,748]

I’d still be in the UK.

[2009 213]

1 minute ago, JAS21 said:

I’d still be in the UK.

 

Interesting, what are the benefits for you?

[Jingthing 70,928]

My choices are greatly limited by visa regulations.

So if not Thailand, then possibly

 

Colombia

Mexico

USA (there's always that)

Philippines

Panama

[Smelg 15]

I would give the philippines a chance

[2009 213]

Just now, Jingthing said:

My choices are greatly limited by visa regulations.

So if not Thailand, then possibly

 

Colombia

Mexico

USA (there's always that)

Philippines

Panama

 

Very interesting mix.

 

Would love to hear a few sentences on why.

 

If there were no visa issues where would you be ideally?

[2009 213]

3 minutes ago, Smelg said:

I would give the philippines a chance

 

What is the attraction for you?

Edited January 17 by 2009

[JAS21 2,748]

7 minutes ago, 2009 said:

 

Interesting, what are the benefits for you?

My wife, who is Thai lived in the UK with me for several years. She said I don’t want to get old in the UK, and I agreed.

 

So we Retired here some 14 years ago now.

 

It is warmer ....Can play golf all year round and never need a jacket ... Hotels are vastly cheaper.... access to hospital is much easier... food is cheaper... never difficult to find somewhere to eat...

 

I’m sure you’ll get a lot more information from others

[Smelg 15]

I have some friends in the philippines ,,the weather is warm ..the money is good ..and just about everyone speaks good english ..not sure about the visa situation.???

[sirineou 17,909]

Ge spend  summers , well at least we used before covid, in Greece. 

 

[Natai Beach 2,352]

33 minutes ago, 2009 said:

struggle to think of anywhere I have been that ticks so many boxes. Actually, I can't think of anywhere.

There isn’t anywhere.

 

Thailand is miles ahead of second place, wherever that may be.

 

I probably would have stayed living in Australia, but probably moved from cold Melbourne to sunny Queensland but that would not have given me a life even half as good as Thailand does.

[Jingthing 70,928]

16 minutes ago, 2009 said:

 

Very interesting mix.

 

Would love to hear a few sentences on why.

 

If there were no visa issues where would you be ideally?

If I could afford it, back in the USA.

But that's more like a last resort.

I don't qualify for Portugal but I like Portugal. 

I don't think very much about options that I don't have. 

Colombia and Mexico are my top interests other than Thailand. 

 

Colombia 

Considerably safer than the PR if you avoid the major cities and obvious crime spots. Modern. Developed. Friendly people. Low cost (can get a nice apartment in a medium sized city in a high tier neighborhood for under 300 dollars a month). Highly rated medical system. Expats are required to enroll in the national health system for a nominal cost. All ages and health conditions accepted. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

Mexico

There are some locations that are much safer than most U.S. big cities. Again a case of bad PR. I know and love Mexico well. Their food is among the best in the world. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

USA (there's always that)

No visa needed. I would need to move to a backwater. 

 

Philippines

English is widely spoken. There are some locations that are safer and not high risk for storms. 

 

Panama

Boquette sounds like a decent option that would probably feel more decent as you get much older. 

Edited January 17 by Jingthing

[Meat Pie 47 1,682]

43 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

If I could afford it, back in the USA.

But that's more like a last resort.

I don't qualify for Portugal but I like Portugal. 

I don't think very much about options that I don't have. 

Colombia and Mexico are my top interests other than Thailand. 

 

Colombia 

Considerably safer than the PR if you avoid the major cities and obvious crime spots. Modern. Developed. Friendly people. Low cost (can get a nice apartment in a medium sized city in a high tier neighborhood for under 300 dollars a month). Highly rated medical system. Expats are required to enroll in the national health system for a nominal cost. All ages and health conditions accepted. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

Mexico

There are some locations that are much safer than most U.S. big cities. Again a case of bad PR. I know and love Mexico well. Their food is among the best in the world. Choice of year long spring like weather available (not on the beach). Fairly easy path to PERMANENT residence. 

 

USA (there's always that)

No visa needed. I would need to move to a backwater. 

 

Philippines

English is widely spoken. There are some locations that are safer and not high risk for storms. 

 

Panama

Boquette sounds like a decent option that would probably feel more decent as you get much older. 

I would be here where I am now, Western Australia, beautiful climate fantastic beaches (sorry not many temples) no immigration hassle no reports every months the best place to life 

[Tagged 2,678]

Brasil

 

Not the same freedom as Thailand where you can travel everywhere and feel safe and be safe. But fantastic clima year around. Visa easy and relative cheap.