The Best Reasons to Retire in Thailand

If you’re tired of the high cost of living in your own country, you don’t have to stay there forever. With plenty of prime retirement spots all over the world, you could basically stick a pin on the map and go. However, if you want to pick out the best expat destinations, then on top of the list is Thailand. Here’s how moving to this Asian paradise can help you find the retirement home that’s perfect for you:

 

Low Cost

 Everything in Thailand costs so much less than everything in the U.S., based on Numbeo’s figures. Consumer prices are 74.532 percent higher in the U.S., rental rates are 157.31 percent higher, restaurant prices cost about 217.43 percent more, and groceries are 61.31 more expensive in the U.S. than in Thailand. If you do the math, then it’s clear moving to Thailand is a great investment, especially if you factor in the costs.

 

Steady Market

 One of the best things about Thailand is its real estate market. Rates have been steady, so if you’re looking to buy an investment property, then this is a solid choice, especially when you consider other countries in the area such as Singapore—with its rising stamp costs—or Australia’s high cost of living.

 

City Living Comfort

 Are you afraid that you might be trading your home in Europe or the U.S. for something like a hole in the wall? Bangkok, the country’s city of power, offers a lot of modern amenities. That’s one of the reasons why a lot of expats pick this city when they retire, says International Living. You have a slew of public transportation options to choose from, from Tuk-tuks and cabs to trains and buses, so getting to where you need to go is easy and convenient. Just beware of the traffic. If you’re going to be on the the road during the rush hour, you’ll have to mentally prepare yourself for soul-slaying traffic. In Bangkok, it’s not unheard of to find a 10-minute ride stretch to 40 minutes in rush hour traffic. You’re better off hopping off that cab or bus and walking on home.

 

Seaside Getaways

 

If you’ve always wanted to live out your dream of having a home by the sea, then plenty of places in Thailand offer you the best in seaside retreats. Whether you want Hua Hin’s sandy beaches or Koh Samui’s seaside homes, you have a ton of options you can choose from.

 

Convenient Search

 Looking for a small home in Thailand is also easy. DDProperty condominium listings are a great way to find condos without needing to bop over to the property for a first look. You can browse through these listing portals, check out the properties that are well within the locations you love and are within your ballpark, and generate a list of prospective condo buildings in no time.

 

Laidback and Relaxed

 

If you’re looking forward to your retirement after years of living with a highly stressful job, then living in Thailand gives you the perfect opportunity to take it easy. Life in this prime expat destination is more laidback and relaxed, so you won’t have to find yourself trying to do your best in a perpetual game of catch-up. You can relax and make the most out of your life.

 

Great Culture

 

The old and new live side-by-side in Thailand. From temples and convenience stores to cultural beliefs and modern amenities, the Thai people keep their traditions close up to this day. You won’t find a spot in the entire world that looks like the local sights in Bangkok. If you love living in a city that feels alive and vital in every way, one that manages to blend in landmarks from days of yore with banks, malls, and modern living amenities, then this country offers you the best of both worlds.

 

Fun Activities

 Hitting your retirement years means having a lot of time on your hands, and that’s time you could spend on doing whatever you want. From taking a tour of Thailand’s floating markets to learning its culinary secrets and going on food tours every week, you’re sure to have the best time trying out things you’ve never tried before in your life. You could even give kickboxing a try, or dare yourself and your family to indulge in a feast full of exotic fare: grasshoppers, beetles, and worms fried to a golden crisp. Think of it as a handy alternative to traditional fries.

 

More for Your Buck

 Retirement living also means you’ll have to live on a set income. That’s easy to do if everything else costs so much less. You won’t have to worry about losing your home to debt or foreclosure or having zero savings in case you need long-term medical care. You can get so much more out of your retirement money by simply heading over to Thailand instead of living out your years in a country where costs are not only high, but will continue to climb for years down the road.

 

Unforgettable Experience

 Living abroad is one of the best experiences you can have. From learning new cultures and dining on meals you’ve never tasted before to meeting new people and making lifelong friends, it’s the best way to take yourself out to see what the rest of the world—and life—has to offer you. Who says life has to end when you retire? By picking out an excellent place for your retirement home, you could look forward to a world of excitement and fun.