Expats, If You Could Go Back In Time

[expatdreamer 46]

Recently Green77 sought advice on whether he should move to Thailand, and some of the responses got me thinking....for all of you expats - if you could go back in time, what would you have done differently.

For example, Gary A's informative response indicated when he first arrived in Thailand he invested in a couple of businesses which went sour meaning he had to return to the West to work for 5 more years, something I am sure he would have preferred not to have done, before then returning to Thailand for good.

So what would you have done differently?

[Travel2003 872]

I would have moved here earlier.

But I now have the luxury of knowing.

[lazygourmet 614]

I would have continued to do some business instead of procrastinating and living on my rental incomes.

But even after 20 years in South-East Asia I am -only- 46, so it's still not too late for a change.

New year resolution... Maybe!?!

[canopy 1,581]

1. Get the most suitable, long term type of visa you can immediately. Visa rules are always changing, usually raising the bar to qualify, more expensive, or getting phasing out.

2. Devote a lot of effort into learning the language immediately and don't let up.

And as someone mentioned, it's never too late even if you have been here a long time.

[CNF55 2]

I could kick myself for not having applied for PR 10 years ago when it was somewhat affordable and obviously also easier to get.

[lovelaos 505]

Bought more land when it was affordable

[ARISTIDE 236]

I should have learned the piano

[vpi78 15]

I would pay more attention to my gut/common sense and less to/ignore the "web-experts" like Slickman.

It turns out most of those guys are/were shills for the businesses that advertize on their blogs ... but again common sense.

[lovetotravel 1,621]

More money can never hurt. Staying home to earn it and miss out on the great life here is a touch choice.

[GooEng 251]

less drink/drugs, more work/saving$$

Edited December 15, 2011 by GooEng

[Ricardo 7,415]

I would build two smaller houses, next to each other, rather than one larger one, looking-ahead to the days when our kids leave-home & we don't need so much space for just the two of us.

[vpi78 15]

More money can never hurt. Staying home to earn it and miss out on the great life here is a touch choice.

Especially in some of the bars where touching is allowed.

[stoneyboy 6,811]

1323947670[/url]' post='4914345']

I would build two smaller houses, next to each other, rather than one larger one, looking-ahead to the days when our kids leave-home & we don't need so much space for just the two of us.

Is that one for the wife and one for you,I'm confused

[Awohalitsiktoli 819]

More money can never hurt. Staying home to earn it and miss out on the great life here is a touch choice.

Especially in some of the bars where touching is allowed.

I would never have moved here......never have gotten involved with a Thai women (i.e. marriage).......never have invested in anything here. Instead, I would have moved to New Zealand or Panama or some other place. Thailand has been going downhill from the day I first moved here (over twenty years ago), and the decline has accelerated over the past ten years. The really good days (80s and 90s) have gone and will not return. I am looking forward to leaving (yes, I know, do not let the door hit you in the ass on the way out....blah, blah, blah).

[thaimate 50]

If i could go back in time what would i change?

NOTHING!!!!