Pattaya

[SEAJ]

Originally Posted by Hurricane88

when i was in thailand..

used to dream of retiring in Thailand back in 2000...now no more...choice is Vietnam...just like to stretch my SGD retirement longer...

That's VERY interesting to me as I also had made plans to retire in Phuket; but the past few years, the government and the environment there seems to be turning against foreigners settling there.

How much percentage difference would you estimate Vietnam to be cheaper vs Thailand? Also, how easy is it to be able to retire there - ie are we allowed to settle permanently there without having to make visa runs? How does the health care for foreigners stack up? General facilities like places where foreigners gather, or the food supplies etc or is one gonna just have to adapt to the local lifestyle? The attitude of locals to foreigners - something which I personally feel have deteriorated in Thailand of late. Any other observations?

Thanks beforehand
SEAJ

[matong36]

Originally Posted by SEAJ

That's VERY interesting to me as I also had made plans to retire in Phuket; but the past few years, the government and the environment there seems to be turning against foreigners settling there.

SEAJ

Retire in pattaya better bro! Pattaya town is safe and retirement visa easy to get. Ladies are everywhere and hot as hell too. Im not any where near my retirement age yet but i have planned to when im there

[SEAJ]

Originally Posted by matong36

Retire in pattaya better bro! Pattaya town is safe and retirement visa easy to get. Ladies are everywhere and hot as hell too. Im not any where near my retirement age yet but i have planned to when im there

LOL - thanks for the suggestion, but pattaya is definitely out for me as the place IMHO is just too raucous and scudzy for me. If I do retire in Thailand, it'd be either Phuket or Chiangmai where the weather is way better.

Yes, mongering is important no matter what the age, but I do believe that such plays a lesser and lesser role/importance during retirement years.

Thanks!
SEAJ

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by SEAJ

Any other observations?

Both countries have their cons n pros... No one country or city is more superior or better than others. Dun just listen and read, experience it. I stayed in Hanoi for 2 years, traveled to provinces often but I still prefer Thailand. To add on, Thailand is definitely not more expensive than Vietnam. End of the day, different ppl different views....

Originally Posted by matong36

Im not any where near my retirement age yet but i have planned to when im there

What is the con of retiring in Pattaya?

Originally Posted by SEAJ

LOL - thanks for the suggestion, but pattaya is definitely out for me as the place IMHO is just too raucous and scudzy for me. If I do retire in Thailand, it'd be either Phuket or Chiangmai where the weather is way better.

Chiangmai, yes but Phuket, no... If I want beaches, I rather choose Huahin or Chaam. If city life, then small city, Chiangmai.

[Soi6]

Originally Posted by Driftwood

Bro Soi6, I read about the various events Pattie is holding. I'm keen on the Jazz festival...how is it? Is it as grand as what they reported in their website?

I would rate the lasy year's open air concert at Silverlake as world class. Its a 30 min drive away from Pattaya but well worth the trip. SIilver lake itself is a beautiful location with vineyards. The western acts were great but the best was all from Asia..and top Jazz musicians from within Thailand.

[SEAJ]

Originally Posted by naemlo

Both countries have their cons n pros... No one country or city is more superior or better than others. Dun just listen and read, experience it. I stayed in Hanoi for 2 years, traveled to provinces often but I still prefer Thailand. To add on, Thailand is definitely not more expensive than Vietnam. End of the day, different ppl different views....
.....Chiangmai, yes but Phuket, no... If I want beaches, I rather choose Huahin or Chaam. If city life, then small city, Chiangmai.

Yes, of course there is no substitute for actually being there and I do have many years familiarity with Thai living gained over just about countless visits to LOS. I am though a lot less familiar with Vietnam having only visited there twice.

I happen to be one who insist on doing a lot of research prior to committing to most things and IMHO, the web and especially sites as this provides me with not only facts, but more importantly, the patina of each location. Even the attitude and responses of posters gives me a pretty good indication as to what to expect. LOL!

Thanks
SEAJ

[ahtecklim]

Originally Posted by Soi6

I would rate the lasy year's open air concert at Silverlake as world class. Its a 30 min drive away from Pattaya but well worth the trip. SIilver lake itself is a beautiful location with vineyards. The western acts were great but the best was all from Asia..and top Jazz musicians from within Thailand.

I thought that was the open concert with many stages along Beach Road?

You are right man , I heard a few jazz, ska, regge thai bands and they were good!

[ahtecklim]

RE : Retiring

Why do you have to stay long time in one place? Being Singaporean , I would use this to my advantage and stay 2-3 months at certain places and come back for my mee goring , lor mee , rojak fix now and then.

Every place mentioned is within 2/3/4 hours flight and budget airlines are cheap especially if you book early so why tie yourself down?

[Happyman007]

Originally Posted by ahtecklim

RE : Retiring

Why do you have to stay long time in one place? Being Singaporean , I would use this to my advantage and stay 2-3 months at certain places and come back for my mee goring , lor mee , rojak fix now and then.

Every place mentioned is within 2/3/4 hours flight and budget airlines are cheap especially if you book early so why tie yourself down?

I use to do that, living 2-3 months at jkt, bkk, cnx, China and back Singapore for food fix.....but after sometime really feel so lazy to fly around and just stay put in cnx semi retire. Advantage for long stay also can rent condo at long stay rate which is much cheaper compare to hotel.

Like H88 said about Thailand and wetnam, guess if I were to explore wetnam on my earlier days, think I will also retire there instead of cnx.

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by ahtecklim

RE : Retiring

Why do you have to stay long time in one place? Being Singaporean , I would use this to my advantage and stay 2-3 months at certain places and come back for my mee goring , lor mee , rojak fix now and then.

Every place mentioned is within 2/3/4 hours flight and budget airlines are cheap especially if you book early so why tie yourself down?

haha...your idea is good idea...but just that some ppl like me like to stay in one cheap location which I like for longer to stretch my SGD longer...I only have small amount to last so long after retirement...

example - no more working say after age 55 yrs old

my retiremement fund may last 10 years in Sinkie
in Vietnam (a country I chosen for now) - the fund may last 20 years or longer
by then - I am ready to surrender my NRIC

nothing is right or wrong...just my more than 10 years plan...of course if my finance permit and health permit then I may choose your way...

[vivianee]

Originally Posted by matong36

Retire in pattaya better bro! Pattaya town is safe and retirement visa easy to get. Ladies are everywhere and hot as hell too. Im not any where near my retirement age yet but i have planned to when im there

pattaya is a good place to travel and i believe also a good place to stay.

[gsk721g]

Originally Posted by naemlo

What is the con of retiring in Pattaya? .....Chiangmai.

Con is running out of man juice

[gsk721g]

Originally Posted by Hurricane88

haha...your idea is good idea...but just that some ppl like me like to stay in one cheap location .....way...

I think stay in one location got advantage to find out the soft spots of the ladies there.

For me, i fly often and "a rolling stone gathers no moss" applies to me.

[Soi6]

Originally Posted by gsk721g

Con is running out of man juice

55555..I agree..totally and absolutely. A great 1 liner full of wisdom...had a good laugh thks D !

[SEAJ]

Yes, traveling around is OK and actually great when one is 55, 60, even 65 I guess; but the fact of the matter is that we all have way longer life expectancy these days, and I cannot see having to traipse around when I'm really of advanced age.

And its these advanced ages that I am thinking about, cause by then, it would be too late to change plans and retirement place.

Anyway.....

SEAJ