Page 67 - Demo

9. Thailand
Southeast Asia offers some of the world’s most attractive retirement programs, astounding geographic and cultural diversity, and climates to suit all tastes, ranging from hot beach resorts to cool highland hill stations. You’ll find sophisticated cities, ultra-modern, affordable healthcare, and luxury accommodation for a fraction of North American prices.
Nestled between Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, Thailand enjoys the warm-water coastlines of both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. This is a country that has never been colonized by any Western or European countries, so Thai culture is untouched, rich, and ancient. What’s more, it’s ideal for expat living.
My husband, Mick, and I retired in Chiang Mai two years ago, and we even brought our 16-year-old son along for the adventure of a lifetime. We sold our house and cars and set off for a better life. And we found it.
Rentals here can be as little as $400 per month for a modern studio apartment. Utility bills are also signifi- cantly cheaper. Imagine paying a monthly water bill that is only $32.
“I order most of my shopping online and get it delivered for free, and that includes cleaning products. It generally costs $45 every two weeks. Sometimes I go to the local market and spend $4 on armfuls of fresh fruit and veggies,” says Raelene Haines.
Thailand generally has a tropical humid climate. No cold winters here. Perfect for people who like swimming and sunshine. Arthritis sufferers find great relief in this climate.
There are many modern private hospitals in Thailand. Doctors practice with current medical knowledge and general practitioner visits can cost as little as $10.
For expats with a wandering spirit, travel within the country is inexpensive. A flight of two hours can take you from one end of the country to the other for as little as $100 round trip. Float freely in a long-tail boat or go swimming at beaches from Hollywood movies. Then, within a few hours, you can be in the northern Thai jungle, drinking a cocktail in an infinity pool overlooking rice paddies and ancient temples.
As a home base, Thailand is well situated. On average, it only takes an hour-and-a-half to fly to anywhere in Southeast Asia.
If you worry about finding friends in Thailand, have no fear. Expat communities are alive and busy. You will find meet-ups taking place regularly, and lots of local interest groups. If you want to maintain an active lifestyle by joining a gym, hiking, or biking, or if you prefer to dive into history and art, it’s all here. There are hundreds of Facebook pages dedicated to expat interest groups, so finding your tribe is not difficult. The most enjoyable parts of Thai culture revolve around the idea of sanook (meaning “fun”). Whatever you find yourself doing, you are encouraged to make it fun and enjoy every minute.