The Best Places to Be an Expat

[Karee 4,189]

Always stay on the first or second floor, or better yet, buy a house! We're going to get a condo in Hua Hin when we make the push because staying in the wife's village would definitely make one go tropo!

I was gonna do the village thing until I spent 3 weeks there in April. Now way in h3ll I'm living there. I lived in Bangkok for 3 years and I'm surprised I survived that without a liver transplant, so that's out. I don't want to be anywhere near ex-pats, so I don't think Hua Hin would work. I drove through a mid sized city that I really liked. Lampang. It's 8 hours from the family and 8 hours from Bangkok. Surrounded by mountains, Small, but big enough to have a mall with a Robinsons. I didn't see one farang there. I think that's where I'm gonna settle in about 6-7 years depending on the stock market.

[khwaidee1 196]

I was gonna do the village thing until I spent 3 weeks there in April. Now way in h3ll I'm living there. I lived in Bangkok for 3 years and I'm surprised I survived that without a liver transplant, so that's out. I don't want to be anywhere near ex-pats, so I don't think Hua Hin would work. I drove through a mid sized city that I really liked. Lampang. It's 8 hours from the family and 8 hours from Bangkok. Surrounded by mountains, Small, but big enough to have a mall with a Robinsons. I didn't see one farang there. I think that's where I'm gonna settle in about 6-7 years depending on the stock market.

We spend two weeks there every Songkran and it's 13 days too long! I like Hua Hin, mostly older retired Farangs and not the "nightclub" crowd. Gotta be near the ocean. Good wind for kiting there and close to Bangkok for travel and 5 hours from the village. We also have a place in Fiji which is super friendly to ex pats but, so much rain, seen many an ex pat go tropo and lose their mind (along with the liver!) Market did well today (fingers crossed)

[Operator 1,925]

Better than Netherlands and the US?

True. I'm glad to see China so high on the list.

[unsmiley 111]

I've heard China is good, minus the language barrier, but I suspect you have an in when it comes to that.

I'm looking at Philippines (Palawan, Cebu, Bohol or Boracay), Belize, Thailand. Wanting to stay in each country for 4-6 months, see where we like best.

Belize is VERY receptive to older, retired ExPats. Residency for the asking, tax breaks on buying land, English (official language) is spoken everywhere about as much Kriol.

An ex-girlfriend from the Philippines warned me not to travel there. According to her, Americans can be targets for kidnapping and such.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

An ex-girlfriend from the Philippines warned me not to travel there. According to her, Americans can be targets for kidnapping and such.

No offense, but you need a more reliable source than your ex. I've been to the PI several times and never had an issue. Then again, I was smart enough to stay out of Zamboanga.

[Karee 4,189]

No offense, but you need a more reliable source than your ex. I've been to the PI several times and never had an issue. Then again, I was smart enough to stay out of Zamboanga.

Agreed. The real danger in PI is some 25 year old girl with a nice smile convincing you that you she needs your money more than you do.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I'm throwing the BS flag on this one. Philippines, Belize, and Brunei are mysteriously absent...

The cost of living in many of those countries is greater than the US. That story is bs to the max

[TBoneTX 43,048]

A lot of U.S. expats have moved to Ecuador (which, incidentally, uses the U.S. dollar). The cost of living in Ecu is still better than in the U.S.

[VOL 425]

I have heard Panama is a great place to retire for US Citizens.

I hope to travel there soon and check out the country

Philippines is high on the list for me, but the long flight and poor medical is a downfall for me........

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I have heard Panama is a great place to retire for US Citizens.

I hope to travel there soon and check out the country

Philippines is high on the list for me, but the long flight and poor medical is a downfall for me........

You can get pretty decent medical care in the PI

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You can get pretty decent medical care in the PI

You wouldn't know it by most of the Filipino nurses and doctors I have met working in the US. I have friends that live in the Philippines. Like any third world country, they say it is hit and miss, especially away from the big cities. However, no waiting if you are an American and want to pay the American price.

[MyLittlePony 340]

Cost of living the Philippines went through the roof.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Cost of living the Philippines went through the roof.

Perhaps if your house only has 5 foot walls.

Living in the PI is one half to one third the cost of most places in the US. Probably more like one fourth of where you live.

[MyLittlePony 340]

Perhaps if your house only has 5 foot walls.

Living in the PI is one half to one third the cost of most places in the US. Probably more like one fourth of where you live.

From 2004 till now was cheap then.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

From 2004 till now was cheap then.

Than is only because Obama devalued the dollar faster than any President since Jimmy Carter.