American seriously considering HH for May retirement

[imkoob]

Lots to discover and consider before taking the Hua Hin plunge. I would love to learn more about quality of living vrs cost, medical care costs, rent vrs buy etc. I hope Im in the right place in this topic. I will be visiting HH in late Feb to follow up on any feedback I get from here. Thanks in advance for feedback. I am just trying to figure out where to start.

Regards...Chris

[Babylon]

Book a long holiday, rent for 6-9 months, and try it, with your budget / lifestyle / leisure pursuits see if its the place for you, e.g. if you have the budget to buy a car later, rent one, etc etc. Thats really the best advise. Alternatively, you need to give some more details, just that you are American does not really offer a basis for advise.

[hhfarang]

It will cost you roughly the same to live (the same lifestyle) in Hua Hin as it would in a small town in most places in the U.S. Some things here are much more expensive (i.e., golf, wine, western food from markets, automobiles, electronics), while some things here are a lot less (i.e., Thai food, taxes, out of pocket health care). Most are in the same price range (i.e., restaurant western food, housing of the same quality)... and I'm not talking about a small town like Beverly Hills, I'm talking about your average rural small town in most states. Also remember that trips back to the U.S. are very expensive once you're based here so if you have family or friends you want to visit every year or so that is a big budgeting chunk.

So as the above poster said, it depends on your lifestyle expectations, interests, or hobbies and the suggestion to rent and live here for 6-9 months to see if it is within your budget (and if you even like it) is very wise advice. Also, before making your decision, factor in inflation and possible exchange rate fluctuations in the coming years so that if you do make the permanent move you have a little extra in the budget just in case.

[wpcoe]

As a retired American living in Thailand, I agree with much of what HHF said above, but might differ on the cost of medical care, depending on your age, since most Americans above 65 can avail themselves of the Medicare benefit for little/no cost when living in the USA. In contrast, overseas you are on your own, since Medicare coverage does not extend beyond the USA borders.

If you are under 60, I would recommend investigating BUPA health insurance (or something simlilar) to cover major medical expenses. If you are a customer by 60, they will extend coverage beyond that age, I understand. I am 56 and pay about US$100/month for BUPA's mid-tier coverage.

My previous employer offered retiree insurance at a level of coverage comparable to BUPA, but for about twice the monthly premium. I was able to "temporarily" opt out of that coverage with the caveat that if I ever want to re-instate coverage (e.g. if I move back to America), I need to show that I maintained continuous health coverage during the time I suspended coverage.

Even if my retiree insurance carried similar premiums as BUPA, I would have still gone with BUPA, since with my USA insurance I would need to pay up front, in full, for any medical care and then mail in claim forms for later reimbursement. It's much easier to just present my BUPA card, have the hospital/clinic/doctor deduct what BUPA pays, and present me a bill only for any non-covered amount. I recently had two biopsies at BNH Hospital which cost around B45,000, and my out-of-pocket expense was only about B3,000.

And (sorry to get SO winded on this topic...), if you are going to insure yourself in Thailand, the earlier the better due to fierce "pre-existing condition" clauses. While they have not (yet) verified any of my medical history in America, BUPA was very efficient in tracking my entire medical history since arrival in Thailand. They refused to pay for surgery for a deviated septum (nose) because a few years prior I had consulted a doctor for aerotitis (blocked ear drum). Long story behind how that worked out. I will spare you the details. Just be aware that any medical consultation and/or treatment in Thailand before you are covered by insurance WILL be used against you

[Whaler]

Our company are just about to post us to Huston, KL and South Korea and a few more destinations around the world. We have had many discussions with HR on COLA's, accomodation and daily allowances etc.

Surprisingly the companies that specialise in working out these allowances found the US more expensive than you would think other than your daily food basket and when you factor in manditory cars for family members its a different story.

Many rural locations around the world are much cheaper than living in a major town or city perhaps a better comparision would be how much it costs to live in a seaside holiday resort in the US vs HH, if thats part of you lifestyle change

I think thats why its sound advice to book a long holiday and see if it suits your needs as there are many pro's and cons and it's not aways about money as there will be compromises like on cars/trucks/pick-ups unless you want to pay through the nose for an Audi or a BMW etc.

As for electronics I have not found it true its always more expensive here as only 5 days ago the latest Sony A77 camera thats almost imposible to find in Europe or the US is in Big Camera in Market village for 42500Bht the same price as US if you can find one there. Similary Apple at Power Buy are similar prices and cheaper than some tax free countries like the UAE. Laundry, gardening and general maintenance will be far cheaper as will manicures etc by a factor of 10

It's all about your personal wishes and needs come and see

As for finances theres a long thread on this if you wish to get some idea of the spread of opinions on how much you need to budget.

viewtopic.php?t=18186

[bapak]

Have to put a plug in... over the past few years, we have had a number of people of pre-retirement people sign up for a 1 year Education Visa... You get a long term visa, 180 hours of Thai languages lessons and an opportunity to answer all your retirement questions.

You do not have enough points to PM me but you can email me for details at: info@learningcentre.co.th

[JAFO]

Imkoob,
Man a daunting task to answer with any detail with such little info supplied. I am an American living "near" Hua Hin. I personally think the largest driver of cost is going to be YOUR expectations when you move here. If you want everything western; huge house, new car, eat western food etc etc then your costs are going to be very high, in fact depending on how "US" you want to be it will probably cost you more to live here. However if you plan on adjusting your life, shed the US consumerism madness, live with less(but be far happier IMHO) then you can live here for very little. Of course your current health, age and adaptability are other key drivers as well.

Are you coming with your wife or single? I have found(generally speaking) a lot of married couples run into issues with acclimating primarily as US women have far higher expectations of living arrangements and their ability to go shop. That simply does not exist here.

I guess a big question is why do you want to move to Thailand, that will also help.

Based on your info supplied, I would say rent, check out the area. Everything to be comfortable seems to exist in Hua Hin for foreigners. I personally came here to get away from the western lifestyle so I require virtually nothing western and live very inexpensively but have fun and am enjoying a relaxing life.

Good Luck

[dtaai-maai]

... US women have far higher expectations of ... their ability to go shop. That simply does not exist here.

I'd be most grateful if you could persuade my wife of that...

[tuna22]

As a retired American living in Thailand, I agree with much of what HHF said above, but might differ on the cost of medical care, depending on your age, since most Americans above 65 can avail themselves of the Medicare benefit for little/no cost when living in the USA. In contrast, overseas you are on your own, since Medicare coverage does not extend beyond the USA borders.

If you are under 60, I would recommend investigating BUPA health insurance (or something simlilar) to cover major medical expenses. If you are a customer by 60, they will extend coverage beyond that age, I understand. I am 56 and pay about US$100/month for BUPA's mid-tier coverage.

My previous employer offered retiree insurance at a level of coverage comparable to BUPA, but for about twice the monthly premium. I was able to "temporarily" opt out of that coverage with the caveat that if I ever want to re-instate coverage (e.g. if I move back to America), I need to show that I maintained continuous health coverage during the time I suspended coverage.

Even if my retiree insurance carried similar premiums as BUPA, I would have still gone with BUPA, since with my USA insurance I would need to pay up front, in full, for any medical care and then mail in claim forms for later reimbursement. It's much easier to just present my BUPA card, have the hospital/clinic/doctor deduct what BUPA pays, and present me a bill only for any non-covered amount. I recently had two biopsies at BNH Hospital which cost around B45,000, and my out-of-pocket expense was only about B3,000.

And (sorry to get SO winded on this topic...), if you are going to insure yourself in Thailand, the earlier the better due to fierce "pre-existing condition" clauses. While they have not (yet) verified any of my medical history in America, BUPA was very efficient in tracking my entire medical history since arrival in Thailand. They refused to pay for surgery for a deviated septum (nose) because a few years prior I had consulted a doctor for aerotitis (blocked ear drum). Long story behind how that worked out. I will spare you the details. Just be aware that any medical consultation and/or treatment in Thailand before you are covered by insurance WILL be used against you

Question: Once on a BUPA policy (or it's equivalent) how does one reconcile visiting the USA yearly for care on Medicare or VA care?

[JAFO]

... US women have far higher expectations of ... their ability to go shop. That simply does not exist here.

I'd be most grateful if you could persuade my wife of that...

^Off topic, but persuade her of what...to go shop or PLEASE stop....

[dtaai-maai]

That the opportunity to shop doesn't exist here.

[JAFO]

That the opportunity to shop doesn't exist here.

OH Yeah...I love that. One of the many redeeming qualities here. That is of course if you stay out of Central World Plaza in BKK.

[dtaai-maai]

And ne'er the twain shall meet...

[wpcoe]

Question: Once on a BUPA policy (or it's equivalent) how does one reconcile visiting the USA yearly for care on Medicare or VA care?

I don't visit the USA for yearly care, so don't know how/what to reconcile. If you qualify for Medicare and/or VA care, what would that have to do with BUPA? Use BUPA for Thailand and the other for care in the USA?

[hhfarang]

In contrast, overseas you are on your own, since Medicare coverage does not extend beyond the USA borders.

Funny how that works, isn't it. Paying U.S. taxes on a meager retirement income certainly extends beyond the USA borders, but not the medical benefits.