11 replies to this topic

[Harold]

After spending the last month here, I am having second thoughts about retiring in Pattaya. From what I can see, it's almost as expensive to live here now as Bangkok and the traffic is pretty bad now, let alone what it will be like with 90 story condos going up, it's going to feel even more like Bangkok five years from now.

I wonder if any expats who have lived here for a long time can address this question: if you were retiring this year or soon after, are there places in Thailand or perhaps other countries in SE Asia which you think might be better places and greener pastures than Pattaya in the next few years ?

[luvthai]

I have Chiang Mai picked out for my retirement. If i need the sleeze of pattaya its just a short trip away.

[bedbugy]

you could try songkhla by the sea /lake
handy for hat yi
short hop to penang for goodies and cheap flights

[Haloi]

short hop to penang for goodies

Are you allowed to drive into Malaysia and back with your own car that's titled and registered in Thailand ?

[Gaybutton]

A close friend of mine just moved to Ubon Ratchathani. He loves it over there. He says it's beautiful, no crowds, and far less expensive to live and own property there. There's no beach, no bar scene, and no set of great farang restaurants, but if that doesn't matter to you, then you might want to go there some time and have a look.

Smiles lives in Hua Hin and apparently loves it there. You might want to contact him (he posts regularly on the Sawatdee forum) and get some information from him.

If you have decided against Pattaya, but have not made up your mind where you want to live, then why not either place your belongings in storage or just lock up wherever you are staying now and do some traveling? Unless you are in a hurry, you can try different locations, stay there one or two weeks, and then narrow down your choices. After that, you can go back to those locations, stay for a longer period of time, and decide which out of all of them is your true preference. There will be pros and cons to anywhere.

If you have decided against Thailand entirely, I keep hearing that Sihanoukville, in Cambodia, is the next up-and-coming area that may prove to be a paradise for gays. I haven't been there yet, but I plan to go and see for myself in the near future.

As for where to live, I don't think you can go by the suggestions people are going to post. You need to try these places and make your own decisions.

[Jersey]

You don't say why you chose Thailand in the first place. If you are a gay man who came here for the variety of boys and sex life available in a place like Pattaya, then you are probably not going to be happy living in Issan. I agree with you that Pattaya is a seedy, sometimes grubby and increasingly congested place to live, but it's the price you pay for having available lots of action after 60. If watching your budget is also important, there are lots of ways to live on the Pattaya economy and still not spend too much. You just have to avoid the expensive farang places for regular dining.

[bedbugy]

if the car is in your name ( log book )
you can drive in malaysia you must get malay insurance at border

[TheYenta]

if you were retiring this year or soon after, are there places in Thailand or perhaps other countries in SE Asia which you think might be better places and greener pastures than Pattaya in the next few years ?

If Obama gets elected, and with Cuba trying to escape the Castro straight-jacket, you could see a real warming of relations with Cuba, including a return of tourism big time. Cuba could be a gay guy's paradise, and only 90 miles from Florida. I would be tempted to pull up stakes in Thailand, get a small condo in Florida, where the real estate market is depressed, and head for Havana for weeks at a time. Those Cuban boys are HOT and usually much more endowed than most Asian men.

[Palpatine]

Retiring in Pattaya; are there better alternatives ?

If you have not been, you should also visit the island of Bali in Indonesia, which has both wonderful people and a great climate. It's very gay friendly too, with lots of locals available for sex like Pattaya. You cannot own land there, but you can buy what amounts to a 25 year lease with 25 year renewal option, which should be more than enough time for any retiree. One negative: I always got a sort of "island fever" after being in Bali for more than a month at a time.

[J.Bell]

One negative: I always got a sort of "island fever" after being in Bali for more than a month at a time.

I agree with that comment. I think I enjoy Bali and its people more than Thailand when I am there, which is usually for only 2-3 weeks. It's much more luxurious and Pattaya looks like a dump compared to all those great Bali resorts and restaurants. I also think that Bali is for holidays, and much too confined and isolated for to be a good place to retire. You would know every gay man available in the bars within the first few months of living there. Compare that to Pattaya or Bangkok.

But if you think all this talk about retiring in Thailand is nothing but roses, read this commeny made by a well-known expat on SF:

"Thailand is no longer the magic kingdom for me. Mr Quills experience was the final nail in the coffin for this country for me. Time to get out. I'm expecting to sign a sales contract tonight for the magazine, then the car needs to go, and TV, stereo etc. etc. I should be leaving early July hopefully with Thip my bf in tow."

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum...and-t14697.html

[LarryCA]

Thailand is no longer the magic kingdom for me.....

To be fair, I think that the guy who posted that has had some serious health problems lately which may make it advisable for him to head back home and he never was retired here in the first place, having operated several businesses. Living as a retiree is vastly different than trying to make a living in a place like Thailand. If half of the rumors about tea money and corruption are true, I don't think I would even try to run a business in Thailand, no matter how legit.

[Gaybutton]

I have never met Mr. Botting personally (at least I don't think I have). From what I understand, I don't think he cares for me, my moderating style, or my posts. Nevertheless I am sorry he has chosen to depart. I have nothing against him and as far as I know he holds important positions in local community service and has always been a fair, honest businessman as well as someone who provides valuable information and assistance to the gay community. His departure will be a significant loss to Pattaya and I wish him well wherever he goes and whatever he chooses to do next.