Photo Trip Report: England and Scotland

[Big Boy]

Of course both areas have pros and cons, but it also depends a lot on personal wealth/retirement income. I think back to when the visa rules changed and it was looking impossible for me to stay despite my income being well over the requirement to stay in Thailand. I refuse to keep a huge untouchable amount in a Thai bank until I die. To me, that is paying 400,000฿ for the right to join the annual Immigration circus, for the right to jump through their hoops after depositing even more money for shorter terms.

I was seriously looking at alternatives. I could not see any way I could move back to the UK and do little more than survive. My standard of living would have taken a serious nose-dive. To maintain a similar standard of living, my savings would have eventually become zero.I concluded that if Thailand didn't want me, to maintain my standard of living, it would have to be elsewhere in SE Asia.

[Motyduke]

Of course both areas have pros and cons, but it also depends a lot on personal wealth/retirement income. I think back to when the visa rules changed and it was looking impossible for me to stay despite my income being well over the requirement to stay in Thailand. I refuse to keep a huge untouchable amount in a Thai bank until I die. To me, that is paying 400,000฿ for the right to join the annual Immigration circus, for the right to jump through their hoops after depositing even more money for shorter terms.

I was seriously looking at alternatives. I could not see any way I could move back to the UK and do little more than survive. My standard of living would have taken a serious nose-dive. To maintain a similar standard of living, my savings would have eventually become zero.I concluded that if Thailand didn't want me, to maintain my standard of living, it would have to be elsewhere in SE Asia.

I understand. And did you find which country of SE Asia would be this gem ?

[Big Boy]

I didn't conclude my investigations, because the Thai financial requirements were clarified, but there was a seaside resort (I don't even remember the name now) in Vietnam that was leading the race.

[buksida]

And it doesn't concern you that these financial requirements could change at a whim? Or they could enforce the retirement health insurance requirement with mandatory big-dollar policies? Or the exchange rate could move very unfavorably because this currency is manipulated? Or more anti-foreigner sentiment will be spewed out as Thailand becomes China?

When I first moved to Thailand I also said "never" to going back to the UK, but after a quarter of a century here my outlook and situation have changed (and so has this country). Good luck to those who want to spend the rest of their days here, but its not for me.

[Big Boy]

Yes, of course it concerns me. As I said, I was very close to going a few years back. However, what that experience told me is I couldn't afford to return to the UK - I did the sums. I might have to leave Thailand, but return to the UK is not a consideration because I couldn't afford it without getting a job. At my age, that is easier said than done.

If you have sufficient wealth, and you are of working age, go, and enjoy it. It's a lot bigger than you may imagine, and certainly not one size fits all Here, I have freedom to do what I want, when I want to do it. In the UK, I'd probably become one of the UK's Asda bowl of soup for 99p with unlimited hot beverages to keep warm crowd.

[STEVE G]

I enjoy having a life between Thailand and Europe but it is very expensive to maintain which is why I don't plan to retire early at the moment.
I have been thinking of ways of doing it later but I don't know how it would really be affordable. I might consider buying a holiday chalet or something like that, I've even thought of getting a motorhome and keeping it in storage when not in Thailand.