Expat living inland

[calcmandan]

Firstly you need to know you can't own a house on a block of land in your name. Secondly for condos etc foreigners can't own any more than 49% of that title. More to the point say there's 100 condos where you prefer to invest, if 49% are owned buy foreigners you can't buy a condo in your name. I've been through all this 20 years ago.

I'm aware of all that but my question is there an expat community inland or is it mostly clustered around the major metros?

[Dodger]

I'm aware of all that but my question is there an expat community inland or is it mostly clustered around the major metros?

Great question:

Most of the large clusters of expats are of course centered around the most popular retirement destinations, e.g., Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pattaya, etc., although some prefer living more remote lifestyles and nest in some of the other cities/provinces such as Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Buriram, Surin, Hua Hin, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Kanchanaburi, etc. etc. etc.

One of the main decision making factors would be "choice of lifestyle". For those expats residing in some of the more remote areas life is very basic without a lot of the comforts and conveniences offered in the more popular areas - where entertainment is extremely limited and having a full-time partner would be as necessary as a toothbrush.

I know expats who live in some of these more remote areas and they claim to be able to live comfortably on 30,000 THB/month which also seems to be a key motivating factor (or necessity) for some. Their hobbies seem to always include things like gardening, writing, cooking, etc. with very little interest (or opportunities) to enjoy nightly entertainment and/or boy-hunting.

Personally, and after giving it a lot of thought, I decided to retire in the town of Bang Saray - primarily because it has cleaner water at the beach for swimming, cleaner air for breathing, a lot less traffic - with a more peaceful and tranquil environment as compared to living in the bowels of Pattaya - and it's just a short 25 minute motorbike zoom around the bay to Pattaya when I feel the urge. Best of both worlds!

A lot to consider....but being realistic about the type of "lifestyle" you'd be happiest with during your retirement is the real deal-breaker. Just close your eyes - envision what you'd like to see outside your window every morning - and take it from there.

Good luck

[bkkmfj2648]

A lot to consider....but being realistic about the type of "lifestyle" you'd be happiest with during your retirement is the real deal-breaker. Just close your eyes - envision what you'd like to see outside your window every morning - and take it from there.

And that is more or less how I decided to retire in the Dongtan Beach section of Jomtien. Near enough to Pattaya - but far enough away.
Like Dodger wrote, I wish that the beach water at Jomtien was cleaner - but when I want clean water I take a boat over to Koh Larn where it is blue, transparent and clean.

I still have not yet visited Bang Saray - as what Dodger wrote to have clean beach water where you live is a BIG plus. My resistance is that I fear to drive in Thailand (due to the way that they drive here and road safety is not very apparent) - so Bang Saray would be too far away for me. Here at Dongtan Beach I can walk almost everywhere and when I need to go into Pattaya city there is the ever dependable bahtbus.

[Dodger]

......And that is more or less how I decided to retire in the Dongtan Beach section of Jomtien. Near enough to Pattaya - but far enough away.

Absolutely perfect location!

After spending 24 years of holidays in Thailand this is exactly the spot I had pegged for retirement for the very reasons you mention.

The fact that you're within easy walking distance to the vibrant gay light life, massage parlors, restaurants, shopping, gay beach etc, make this an ideal place for retirement. If it weren't for the fact that I truly love riding my motorbike, especially the early-morning cruises along he coast from my dwelling in Bang Saray, I would be residing there as well.

Another area close to you that I like as well is along Pratamnak Road - which has a nice upscale village-type atmosphere that I really like.

One of the things on the top of the list when deciding where to retire - was that the place had to make me feel like I was on vacation...so being within walking distance of a beach was a must.

[maump]

Absolutely perfect location!

Another area close to you that I like as well is along Pratamnak Road - which has a nice upscale village-type atmosphere that I really like.

I was looking at this on google earth... no real info, just a short street you cannot go down. or is there more than I can find?

[RonanTheBarbarian]

I was looking at this on google earth... no real info, just a short street you cannot go down. or is there more than I can find?

To find it on Google Maps you have to spell it "Phra Tamnak".

It is the road Behind Big Buddha Hill, between Pattaya and Jomtien. The main sub-sois betweeen it and the sea have a lot of somewhat cheaper (I believe) apartments.

[Armando]

I know expats who live in some of these more remote areas and they claim to be able to live comfortably on 30,000 THB/month which also seems to be a key motivating factor (or necessity) for some.

Given that the minimum monthly income to be remitted into Thailand for a retirement visa has to be Bt. 65,000, is there much point living on 30,000? Either they want to accumulate a lot of savings or they take the fixed annual sum route which means having Bt. 800.000 untouched in a bank account for 5 months and then Bt. 400,000 untouched for the remaining 7.

[Dodger]

Given that the minimum monthly income to be remitted into Thailand for a retirement visa has to be Bt. 65,000, is there much point living on 30,000?

I guess there would be a point of living on 30,000 if that's all they had was 30,000...LOL.

One would assume that people in this predicament use the services of an agent.

TIT

[maump]

Great question:



Personally, and after giving it a lot of thought, I decided to retire in the town of Bang Saray - primarily because it has cleaner water at the beach for swimming, cleaner air for breathing, a lot less traffic - with a more peaceful and tranquil environment as compared to living in the bowels of Pattaya - and it's just a short 25 minute motorbike zoom around the bay to Pattaya when I feel the urge. Best of both worlds!

Good luck

Tell me more about Bang Saray. I see no men on grindr there but it is a close ride. how much for taxi on those drinking nights? do any B-buses run that far? do the boys come to visit? are the beaches clean? is the rent less? good food?

[Dodger]

Tell me more about Bang Saray. I see no men on grindr there but it is a close ride. how much for taxi on those drinking nights? do any B-buses run that far? do the boys come to visit? are the beaches clean? is the rent less? good food?

I have my own transportation - but buses run 24/7 to/from Bang Saray (20-60 baht).

I have my own condo - but condo rentals are typically 20% - 30% less than Pattaya.

I have my own boy - but hundreds are available for rent 25 minutes away.

Beach is pristine - great for swimming.

Plenty of good restaurants, bars, massage parlors (girls), etc..

NOTE:
As nice as Bang Saray is, If you don't have a live-in boyfriend and/or prefer spending your evenings at the boy bars you're better off in Pattaya.