Where is the next Thailand - retirement research

[czar]

Hey

I am reaching an age where I am seriously looking for my retirement and where to spend my next 20 years. Thailand is very interesting to me. The cost of living, the climate, safe, healthcare, the lifestyle, the beaches, and yes of course the hobbling. But Thailand seems to me… maybe I’m wrong… overrun by tourists, overhyped hobbying activities, and may not be as wonderful as it seems in the reels and websites.

I was wondering where is the next Thailand? An up and coming place, not yet overrun by tourists, yet similar vibe, cost of living, etc.

Thanks
Czar

 

[Frank The Tank]

I have been in Thailand at least 10 times and spent time all over the country. I will consider spending November to March there when I retire.

The intensity of the hobby scene really depends on the place you are. Central Pattaya, Patong, Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Chaweng on Koh Samui can be intense and in your face. However, these spots are not representative of the rest of the country. You can choose a city were it is less omnipresent, like Chiang Mai for example or a calmer spot close to the intense hobbying like Jomtien that is a short baht bus ride to Pattaya central. Anywhere you go, you should be able to meet Thai girls online, whether they are full time working girls, part time working girls or just normal girls looking for the real thing.

I have also been in Vietnam and Cambodia. However, theses destinations do not compare in most ways. Infrastructure, health, transportation, ease of communication, access to hobbying is not at par with what you can access in Thailand. However, everything is cheaper. IMO, the best looking women were in Vietnam. The most noticable misery was in Cambodia. But it is not as easy to find a girl who can handle basic english enought to have a conversation.

If english is at top your list, you are probably better off in the Philipines. However, avoid hobbying in Manilla simce prices seem crazy. Also, there are more scams and the food is probably not as good. Plus transportation can be horrible.

 

[envelopes]

Thailand is probably still the next Thailand. In terms of price, still nothing comes close.

I don't hobby there as I don't see Asian SPs, but in terms of $$$ for accommodations/activities, safety, ease of getting around with just english, weather, still nothing beats out Thailand. I haven't been to Asia since 2019, but last time I was there, I visited Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Laos, I looked up the hobbying and it seemed meager compared to Thailand (take with a grain of salt as I only looked it up out of curiousity, did not experience it)

 

[urquell]

If you're looking for a place in Asia then the Philippines seems like an obvious choice, provided that you don't stay in Manila all the time. Everybody speaks English, the cost of living is cheap and you don't have to live in a brothel town to have good access to hobbying. Cebu offers city living with easy access to hobbying, or Subic offers life on the beach with easy hobbying access. I can't speak to the quality of the healthcare though. If you want to have western levels of healthcare and a cosmopolitan lifestyle the Malaysia is a good choice too, particularly in Kuala Lumpur. Average cost of living is about half what it is in Canada but with all the modern amenities and again vbery easy access to girls without having to live in the middle of a brothel town and English is fairly widely understood. If you're open to latin places too then Panama offers outstanding retiree benefits, good weather and good healthcare. However, it does operate using American dollars as the currency and so the cost can be variable and may be more expensive. Ecuador is definitely an up and coming expat destination.

 

[czar]

Thank you gentlemen for your advice!

 

[milhouse73]

Cambodia is also up and coming, easy visa access and very inexpensive.

 

[Marc20]

Cambodia is also up and coming, easy visa access and very inexpensive.

Any info on Indonesia?

 

[urquell]

Any info on Indonesia?

Indonesia is not up and coming, it's already there, with a huge scene. There is a wide discrepancy in pricing but cheap options are available, and the MPs are the best I've ever seen. Cost of living (in Jakarta) is relatively cheap. However, Jakarta is a huge, dirty city with a very big population and serious traffic issues. It is also predominently muslim and follows muslim cultural values so this may be an impediment for some people, particularly around Ramadan. Bali is more internationally cosmopolitan, culturally, but it's a tourist spot and some of the general amenities may be less than the big city. Some of the other islands are very cheap to live in but culturally isolating and potentially dangerous. Language may be an issue away from tourist and/or hobby centric venues. Can't speak to the health care available. On the plus side, indonesia has what may be the most attractive girls in Asia, depending on tastes, particularly for those who are looking for more buxom asians. It's like the Colombia of Asia.

 

[Samak]

Brazil is great but it feels a lot more dangerous than Thailand. I spent a year there and nothing ever happened to me though.

Kenya would be good too but it can get expensive fast depending on how you choose to live. If you’re willing to venture out to Uganda or Tanzania, you might be in for some great experiences.

 

[NFLMEL]

Cambodia is also up and coming, easy visa access and very inexpensive.

I'm doing an Asian excursian and currently in Vietnam, was planning a month in Cambodia but have been hearing from many that a month is too long, keep it to 10 days and move on. Dirty, way too underdeveloped, thefts are very common and corrupt police.
If you limit yourself to major cities it would be better though.

 

[Skym]

Bangladesh

 

[NFLMEL]

Bangladesh

Search Bangladesh expats issues before you try that.

 

[NFLMEL]

So far I am thinking 90 day Vietnam, 30 day Philippines and 60 day Thailand then back to Canada for the summer. In Vietnam one can easily live on $50 a day or less with nice hotels, good food, drinks and sightseeing. If you rent an apartment the cost would drop. Airfare and trains are very cheap to hop around.

 

[urquell]

I'm doing an Asian excursian and currently in Vietnam, was planning a month in Cambodia but have been hearing from many that a month is too long, keep it to 10 days and move on. Dirty, way too underdeveloped, thefts are very common and corrupt police.
If you limit yourself to major cities it would be better though.

major cities are better for sure. It depends on why you're going too. If it's just to hang out and see stuff or whatever then there's better places to go. The exception to this is Angkor Wat. If you're into history and ancient cities then Angkor Wat is totally worth a visit, but you have to go to Siem Reap to see it. Not much else to do there though. If that's not your bag them Cambodia isn't a must stop.

So far I am thinking 90 day Vietnam, 30 day Philippines and 60 day Thailand then back to Canada for the summer. In Vietnam one can easily live on $50 a day or less with nice hotels, good food, drinks and sightseeing. If you rent an apartment the cost would drop. Airfare and trains are very cheap to hop around.

Again, depends on why you're going and what you want to do with your time. If you went to Pattaya for any length of time you'd be bored senseless in a week, because there's nothing to do there except girls. Bangkok on the other hand, has tons of stuff to do but it gets more expensive (still pretty cheap, but not as cheap). Going up north near Chiang Mai is super cheap and pretty, but language might be an issue in spots and again you'd likely be bored in short order. If you were brave and went into Isan you'd have hot and cold running girls for pennies, but language would definitely be an issue and nothing to do there at all. If you're not going for girls but for the beaches and beers then Thailand is solid and there's lots of expat groups. If it was me I'd probably reverse the time and spend 30 days in Thailand and 60 days in the philippines, just for ease of communication and the general outlook of the girls. Also cheap to live there, but again it depends why you're there. Manila is a dirty, overcrowded city with awful traffic and it wouldn't be my bag, but Cebu is pretty nice, and Subic is quiet and easy mongering. If you're a foodie then stay in Thailand. Thai food is much better. Fiilipino beer is better. lol.

If you're interested in history and culture then Thailand wins hands down. Tons of stuff to see and do. Philippines is more laid back and restful, to me. Totally YMMV and dependent on personal preferences. That's my absolutely useless and unhelpful dos centavos. lol.

 

[NFLMEL]

major cities are better for sure. It depends on why you're going too. If it's just to hang out and see stuff or whatever then there's better places to go. The exception to this is Angkor Wat. If you're into history and ancient cities then Angkor Wat is totally worth a visit, but you have to go to Siem Reap to see it. Not much else to do there though. If that's not your bag them Cambodia isn't a must

Didn't want to copy entire thread.
This is my exploratory trip and yes do like old buildings and culture. I left on this trip with no plans, ticket to Hanoi with a hotel booked for two days and that was it. I may spend more time in the Phillipines only time will tell. Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated.

 

[vivreliberte]

Didn't want to copy entire thread.
This is my exploratory trip and yes do like old buildings and culture. I left on this trip with no plans, ticket to Hanoi with a hotel booked for two days and that was it. I may spend more time in the Phillipines only time will tell. Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated.

You should report on things while you are there or when you get back.

 

[NFLMEL]

You should report on things while you are there or when you get back.

So far I found a fondness for Vietnamese ladies with short black dresses and white button down shirts wearing black pumps. Massage with happy ending for $20, the massage alone was a real treat. Nice for my standards hotels for under $20 a night, great street food starting at $1, beer at $1.50, taxi ride 20 min for $3. Notable is the very friendly people.

 

[Mw66]

Perhaps El Salvador

Heavy investment in crypto, massive clean up of crime and gangsters under current president.