A Low-Cost Retirement Spot in Asia

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I lived in Thailand about 5 years, in the 1980's and 1990's. I read a lot about the country on my computer, and also made a couple of two and 3 week recon trips. I managed to stay that long by making visa runs to Cambodia every few months. I found out while I was in Thailand I really didnt bring enough money for hotels, going all the places I wanted to see, ect. I found out at one point I needed to rent a car to see some friends in North Thailand. car rental in Thailand was at that time about twice as much as stateside..If you spend any time in the tourist spots, you will definetly notice a jump in prices. How ever I had a great time making friends going places and a visit to a Natural Park produced a huge cobra that was crossing the trail just 15 feet in front of me!. I didnt encounter any wild/loose tigers..how ever.So bring a couple hundred bucks extra in your sock just in case.I'm Thinking about another trip in the very near future,maybe spread out a little and visit Cambodia,Laos and Singapore... zeke

zeke of OK 4:31PM November 03, 2012

Sigh...articles like this crack me right up.
You get another cock-eyed optimist that spends five minutes in a place on vacation, GOOGLE a few facts and figures and then runs around expounding on it's benefits like it's Shangri-La or some place and will be your dream on earth come true.
'Land of Smiles' is all well and good, but you will never EVER be accepted into Thai society no matter who you marry or how many palms you cross with silver. If you weren't born Thai, you're farang, FOREVER and you're plumb out of luck!
Try renting a place and complaining about something that you've paid for when you're NOT a tourist and see how quickly the 'smile' disappears.
Over 50 or 60 and thinking that you will meet a female that isn't trying to 'milk' you for every cent you have?? Haha...grow a brain or keep dreaming.
Nice place for a holiday though.

Guantanamo Guy of LA 8:09PM July 06, 2012

This is a good article which points out the many positive sides to living in Thailand. However, it fails to point out the many bumps you will have to overcome if you wish to retire there. $1,200 a month for a couple is a tad optimistic unless your stay is going to be short; the added costs for things like travel, visa runs, and the $25,000 you will need in the bank to even apply for a retirement visa, adds up. Health Insurance is a must have as the excellent health industry does not finance...it's cash and carry. Also plan on moving to the South each year in order to escape the horrendous air pollution during crop burning. This will mean additional travel and living expenses. Thailand has a very rich culture and you will need to understand it. There are many do's and don'ts which must be observed if you are to be accepted as a guest. Last, but not least, learning to speak Thai is an imperative; English is not the second language here.

Jim Brantley of FL 4:45PM July 05, 2012

No mention of the acrid, toxic smoke that envelopes the city for weeks every, causing serious respiratory problems and the odd death, then?

Chico Guerrera 2:11AM May 23, 2012

I moved to Chiang Mai in March, and while I agree with much of what is written, I think it feels like a much bigger city. The traffic is very busy and the air pollution from the traffic is quite heavy. Aside from the Old City, it is not easy to walk in most parts of the city. And the Old City, while more charming, is the tourist hub so living full-time there would be a bit like living in any tourist area in the world.
And you would have to be very frugal to live on $1,200 a month as a couple. Maybe possible if you live either a distance from the center in a larger apartment or in the center in a small studio and if you buy your food at local markets and cook at home or eat outside at small local restaurants.

Esther 1:50AM May 23, 2012