I left two years ago. My reasons were Crime, Economy, Feminists/dating, Political Divide, No Family or Moral values, Sadness/depression, Western Diet, Taxes, Regulations, No smiles. South East Asia has solved all my problems. I lost weight, I date the most beautiful loyal honest happy energectic genuine Girl, no stress, I’m happy and I have real friends now. No more sleeping with a pew pew under my pillow. To those of you that say you are going soon, I hope you mean it. Stop making excuses and just go. You don’t need to spend another day finalizing anything before your departure. I’ve seen thousands of people on the forums and in comment sections that say they are going soon, then no updates and obviously they never go. Just go now. Don’t wait. It’s a new life.
Loved your explanation. You escaped! I just did my first 30 day in December 2023 on a whim. WOW. Hello new brain. Hello new world! Going back in January 2025 for a 90 day multi-country trek...Thailand (again), Phillipines, and (undecided). Coming back April 2025 I will turn 62 and decide if 3 months SE snowbird, then 9 months US works for me. 61, RN. Beyond fed up. OVER it. Again, I really enjoyed your words and take them to heart. I am enjoying the process (of escape!) that is unfolding...
@@Explorer766 Try Cambodia. Its great. Clean, safe, simple. I think its what thailand was 20-30 years ago years ago. I gave the Phillipines too many chances and we finally broke up haha
@@Mikeycambovideos From Canada . Was thinking of retiring to the Philippines, as my wife is from there, but hear Cambodia and Vietnam are spectacular. What turned you off the Philippines ?
@@garyheidt216 turn offs..... Awful unhealthy food loaded with sugar, salt and fat, too many creepy single white men, traffic, dog barkings, kareoke at 4AM, completely broken infrastructure with water outage power outage, Nothing opens until 10AM or whenever they want and everything is closed by 9pm. flooding due to clogged drains, smelly broken sewers, no sidewalks in the small cities, weather is too hot (vietnam and cambodia is hot but can tolerate) In PH my Aircon was on 24/7 but here I go days with just a fan easily, garbage everywhere on the streets, no trash cans, cash only ( i been to many 7-11 and they wont even take Visa or MC), Im sure there is more but thats off the top of my head. I can tell you NONE of those things are a problem in Cambodia. We have delicious healthy international Cusine, the Dogs are quiet, huge sidewalks, My Debit card is used everywhere, the nightlife is amazing and the Gyms are great. Man, I could go on forever. They say the PH visa is easy..... But I got a multiple Entry Cambidian business visa for the same exact price as PH and it was delivered to my door so easy. The Grocery store here has everything from the West at fair prices. I drive 5 minutes and no lines and back home. In PH i had to go to a SM Hypermarket. It would take all day in traffic and Im not exaggerating the lines in the store were 45 to 75 minutes wait.
Hello there. I’m a 74-year-old retired nurse from Australia. I am about to embark on the biggest change of my life by coming to Thailand, by myself to live on my pension and superannuation. I won’t be wealthy in anyway excepting, I hope, my lifestyle. Fortunately for me I am very healthy despite my age. I agree with you on so many points of politics, financial incompetency of the government and mostly the violence happening around us every day. Next month, I will be arriving in Hua Hin ready for my new life .
I am a Thai person who has grown up in the US since the age of 2 and I am now 56, ready to retire back to the motherland! I am truly grateful to my adopted country but I feel retirement in Thailand will suit me better personally and financially. I need that peace you were talking about in this video. There is too much noise in the US, e.g. divisive politics, crime and mass shootings, and increasing cost of living.
I am on my 56th year of living primarily in Thailand when I first arrived in Thailand with a backpack and spent a year traveling throughout the country along with Laos and Cambodia. I rented a house on the Chapia,
My goodness! 56 years ! What stories you have from Thailand of the past If you have pictures I would ask you to write your stories for everyone You are an early traveler to beautiful Thailand
@@RetireandGo, Tried to reply but having problems with UA-cam changing spellings to my writing and sometimes just shutting down ad it did this morning when I was trying to make my first comment. So I will just try to make a summary of my travels in and out of Thailand when I actually first came to Thailand 2 times from Saigon as a G.I. on two 5 day R&Rs. Was discharged after my one year tour of Vietnam in 1968 at 21 years of age. During my one year in Vietnam I helped found GRUNT magazine that was had a 30,000 circulation in Vietnam and you can still find copies of the magazine on sale by looking up the name GRUNT magazine on Google. I do know that at least the University of Wisconsin has made a archive of the magazine at their library. After my discharge I got a job assembling Ford cars outside of Kansas City and 2 weeks after NASA landed the first men on the moon in 1969 and my friends were making plans to go to Woodstock. I made enough money to buy a back pack and an airline ticket to Bangkok. In 1969 Thailand was a completely different country than it is today. The Thai baht was 20 baht to 1 U.S. dollar and you could buy a good meal for less than 5 baht. The city buses cost 1/2 baht and my rent for a 2 story Thai house on the Chao Phraya river cost me $20 a month water and electric included. I managed to enrol at Silpakorn University (across the street from the Emerald Buddha) where I was able to get a student visa. Having the student visa allowed me to travel all over Thailand and my main Thai professor who had studied as a student in Rome wanted me to see the arts of Thailand and encouraged me to go to different parts of Thailand to see the history of Thailand. I also noticed hundreds of kids my age that also was travelling from Europe, America, and Australia around Thailand. This was the time when the Beatles were in India learning to play the sitar and supposedly being in-lighted. In America marijuana was all the rage and everyone was smoking it and I assumed that it would be popular with the kids at Silapakorn but I learned that first there did not seem to be any law against pot but most of the college educated Thais thought marijuana was low class and only the farmers smoked it in their bamboo bongs. The students thought drinking Scotch whiskey was the cool thing to do. So you could buy 1 kilo of very good pot in Bangkok for $5 dollars (100 baht) that would last you months. Later the American military convinced the Thais to make pot illegal , since the American military were all over Thailand and they were all smoking pot. I stayed in Thailand for one year and returned to Louisiana and enrolled at Louisiana State University, using my G.I. bill and working part time I was able to get a degree in 3 years by taking 3 semesters a year and graduated with a degree in sculpture, knowing I had no chance of finding a job but I still had a heck of a time while attending college. I also learned to weld and was able to get a job welding on the Superdom in New Orleans until I got a job 4 months later teaching welding in Vietnam. Finishing the one year contract in 1973, I went to Bangkok looking for a job and found my true profession as a construction contractor. The American company had a office in Bangkok but the job was building an oil field in New Guinea. My job was to build pipelines in the jungle, flying to work every morning on a Vietnam vintage helicopter with 13 other men and work 10 hours and then fly back to a camp. I did this for four weeks and then the company flew me back to Bangkok for 2 week R&R and then I returned to work 4 more weeks in New Guinea. I worked this schedule for 4 years. Being the youngest man on the job and working with many experienced men they all took the time to teach me everything they knew about construction and I was like a sponge taking it all in. During that time when I was in Bangkok I rented a better home in Sapon Kwai that I maintained for over 15 years, during that time I never had the time for a girlfriend but I had plenty of time for friends with benefits (Keep in mind that most of that time was before AIDS). I was a frequent visitor a Lucy's Tiger Den that was originally located on Silom road .The bar was very famous, I often would walk in to see a New team from some city in America, Europe or Australia doing a News story on the bar, not to mention seeing Lucy's Tiger Dem T-shirts people were wearing in Airports from Europe to America. The bar owner became a good friend of mine and since the bars major customers were construction contractors Tiger Rineberg the owner put me on to many good jobs. Speaking of jobs I went on from New Guinea to work in Libya, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Sumatra, Borneo, Brunei, Qatar, Nigeria, and Thailand. In Thailand in 1995 I was the the construction manager for a $1.8 billion papermill called Double AA, that I completed in 1997 where I met my wife who had just finished medical college. I then got a job with Chevron in Sumatra after 4 years came back to Thailand for Chevron offshore for another 4 years. At 58 I took an early retirement and went back to America for 4 years where I had built a ranch. After 4 years I got a call from Chevron to come back to work on a $7 billion dollar project in Nigeria. The schedule was one month on and one month off. My wife was working as a pharmacist in America but wanted to come back to Thailand so we sold the ranch and I bought a home in Rayong that was near a great school that our then 3 year old son could attend and a large private hospital that my wife could work at. Now 15 years after leaving America and when I reached 67 I retired from Chevron and never returned to America again. I have been blessed with great health at now 78 (my wife makes sure I get a physical every 4 months. Since I love building things I am now working on building our final 2 second home here in Rayong, This time I am building a workshop to continue making the things I like to do.
I’m 53, retired, 2 kids grown and I too have found peace in travel and travel to se Asia. I just spent 2 months in Thailand and will return for 2 more months next year as well as Vietnam and Malaysia and turkey and Albania. I’m finding just like you that I’m at peace when I’m not in the USA.
I like Thailand, especially the condo complex, with a great pool in Pattaya and Jomtien. The local women are easy, but most of them speaks poor English so I am not very interested. I love shopping online at Lazada, they have everything and deliver to my door. Food is okay and inexpensive. Weather is too warm for me, but learned to live with it. The government has decided to tax expats staying more than 180 days, but nobody understands how the law really works. So I decided to take brake from Thailand and travel to Bulgaria for a year and then Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines and see what country I like best. Best is the condo complex with pool and Gym for only $250 to $300 including rent, el and water, great value.
@@firmaforex Vietnam is amazing especially da nang. Very similar in pricing and way of life to pattaya. We will be in da bang in march. Greece, Türkiye and Albania are great low cost/ high quality countries. We will be back in Thailand and Malaysia as well this year.
I agree with what you said about escaping the U.S. I want to retire and spend my money in a country that values peace, healthy food, medical care, and treating each other with respect
It's very rare the Westerners come to realise their home culture is not the only and best in the world. They are well indoctrinated with the comforts and conveniences. Mixing with the locals is not a easy part for them. Every country has its own issues, but ignorance with the local language keeps them at bliss. Crazy phenomenon.
Interesting to hear an IT person talk about the effects of AI in your industry. I retired 13 years ago also driven out by technology changes but fortunately I had a traditional pension to fall back on. I moved to Thailand in 2017 before the divisiveness had gotten as bad as it is. I’m glad to be 8,000 miles away from it. And I am fortunate to be around expats that don’t talk about US politics.
That’s good, I also try to keep away from politics talk with expats. Yes, AI is coming fast for the IT world. I think there will still be lots of jobs but adaptation will be required fast.
You are smart enjoying your life while you can. I am a Canadian and my partner and I were fighting, going to rallies and protests in 2020-2022, but we are kind of over it. We are trying to enjoy our life while we can also. We look forward to heading your way, sometime in the next year or two, but I wish we could sooner.
I agree with you so much, the situation in Europe is almost as bad. In a few months I will be able to go to Thailand and find me a nice little place to live my life in peace.
Good job. Been going to Thailand for over 23 years. Just bought a condo in Pattaya and I got my retirement visa. You did a nice job summing up my thoughts on why to move away. I haven't moved full time yet but I'm there 4 months a year now.
You made the right decision. Go where your life is better & healthier & happier. Ditch the negative platforms. Country means nothing! It is an imaginary line drawn on paper which does not exist in reality. But your life & health is not imaginary. Enjoy, live long & prosper!
Amen brother I couldn't agree more It's funny I have a girl in Thailand and I am here in the USA and working to retire there been there many times and I feel like escaping from the USA every time I go there
I lived in the US for 40 years and moved to the South of France. Best decision l made in my life. I even gave them back my green card. No more tax uncle Sam. The quality of life in the South of France is 20 times better than anywhere in the US. The health care system is excellent. The food is excellent. Education is excellent. So much history and interesting places to visit
Ok fantasy-time for me... Leave the cold winters of the northeast USA in the rear view mirror and move to SEA. Then, escape the summer heat with three months in the South of France ( for me to say Cote d'Azur as a Yank sounds way too pretentious.) But that sounds like the ideal lifestyle... Oh... With a stop-over in Dubai or Sharm el-Sheikh to break up the jet lag. One lottery ticket and the world's my oyster!!!
I had so many certifications years ago. What you learn is here today and gone tomorrow. Did it for 20 years and finally realized that very little of what I learned had any value. For that reason I went into education. Children and cats. I do similar investing. I can make far more than I need and the extra gets invested. Good luck! the politics are ridiculous.
For me in Jomtien now-at 64-my pretty 43 years old thai-pool/sauna/jacuzzi -lost 13 kilos and then Thai food ( I still actively trade on Fidelity)! My kids only call me when they need cash!
Your insight is spot on! Seeing you make these changes inspires me to make radical changes in my life. It would be a pleasure to buy you a beer sometime. Many thanks.
Great video. I did the same thing for similar reasons 1.5 years ago. I sold my house and all belongings in Canada and flew to Thailand with my carry on luggage. It’s a beautiful country. I live in Pattaya for 4-5 months, the rest of the time I travel around the world. Canada was a wonderful country 25-35 years ago. Unfortunately, over the past few years there have been many changes in all areas of life, not for the better.
Re family ........ things change there too. See how you feel if you have grandchildren. I have 6 grandkids under 10. And this is why I am returning to Australia to live for the next few years at least, after living in SEA for the last 15 years. I want to get to know them and become involved in their lives now, otherwise they won't want to know me when they're teenagers. It's time I can't get back. But, best wishes to you on your retirement.
Totally get it. Was not AI, but I was the VP/GM of 6 radio stations, but lost my job in Covid. Talk about a dying industry...I plan to do what you do. Just a couple of years behind you. Truly, I can't wait!
To be honest I fall in love with your amazing blog. You always try to analysis on the subject details. Watching your amazing blogs from India. Keep going ❤
Everything you have said - resonates with me. My kids are grown up and leading their own lives and with their own kids as well. Having recently had a breakup, second time around, life is about me living the best life now before it is too late. I have a 2 year plan. Will look forward to having a cold beer with you down the track mate.... real soon!
I’m very excited for you! You evaluated your situation and made a plan! This is a start of new great things for you ! And … you deserve to be happy. When was the last time anyone told you that? I am telling you that right now
Dude, are you me 10 years from now? I also work in IT and see the writing on the wall. My target retirement time is 10 years from now when I hit 52. No way I can afford to retire in the States. I loved my Thailand trip last year and the laid back vibe.
I am retiring this month and going to live in Malaysia. Malaysia is ( afaik ) the only country in Asia that allows a foreigner to own property outright. That’s important as a base. Yes when covid happened they locked the returning out of the country , but hopefully that’s not a repeat any time soon. 100 k USD you deposit . You get 50 k USD back after a year and it’s enough to buy a house there . The other thing was language and legals. It’s Westminster system in Malaysia. I will keep my property in Australia and rent it out. Will probably go back to Australia and stay there for stints to see my extended family. The main reason for this move for me was cost , society. Because of the cost of living, people have become less happy and it goes around like a disease.
You have a good point ! And you have a solid plan I would like to visit Australia eventually Tell me more about the Malaysian system you mentioned please
Moved to Thailand over 30 years ago. Not one regret. Now retired here. My suggestion to you is focus on obtaining PR here and look at other areas of the country rather than Pattaya or Phuket to live. Good luck
Excellent Video !! Your third point is why I will retire in SE Asia. I have been in a technical position all my career and realized what you did as well. In less than 5 years I will sell all my assets (estimated at 550k+ at the moment) and retire. I want to have a certain amount in 401K and be closer to taking the 67 year old Social Security payout (I have years many years to go) so less than 5 years will give me plenty of time to get to where I need to be or sooner. I feel like someone else gets what I am going to do and why, to me it's a no brainer. I have more $ and assets than anyone I know or work with but still want to do it right and not rush. My $ will last till I am 103 yrs old if that happens at the income I want per month if I wait just a bit longer. Also no kids, no Ex, never married, so never divorced so I am in the clear there too :) I will leave behind lifelong friends but we do not see each other much anyway due to you know, life here in the USA.
You have plenty of capital to invest ! Outstanding ! You deserve a good retirement You earned it Asia and Latin America will be fun for you to travel to and explore
your channel just popped up in my Feed. New sub.............just turned 50 and Living in South Florida and loving the candid talk about life in Thailand. Planning on moving to Bangkok in the next few years.
Agree 100 % with all that you said. Unfortunately, for every person like you who has moved and made the commitment to go to Thai land or elsewhere :1000’s will not . They need to do it now.
I just came back from Pattaya two weeks ago and I had the time of my life! The people are so friendly. I love the culture. The food is absolutely delicious. I am a new subscriber. Thank you for your inspiring video! I’m 55 years old so I’m still working but I have been making plans to have a good retirement and Thailand is number one on my list for a great retirement. I live in California and I’m fed up with all the bullshit, politics and high taxes. It is really hard to find quality woman here.
I totally understand what you are saying My state of Hawaii is similar to California High taxes A political mess I had to get out I’m excited for you traveling The world awaits you
@@regnorse Pattaya Beer Garden near walking street. Tree town night market. Witherspoons on Soi Buachao. Street vendors selling fried chicken are a few of my favorites.
Been commenting a lot... I remember as a kid in Montreal, our neighbour saying that the technology was going to allow us to do banking on the phone. That was in the 60's. Her husband was in tec. It hit home with me. Did they know then how all this was going to play out?
So true I recently watched a video of a guy in Canada in his 20s trying to start a business and live a normal life.. impossible The politics have gone mental there He decided to leave and start a new life elsewhere He said, should I through the best years of my life away fighting crazy people? I understand what he means
Just run into your channel, subscribed….i fully agree with you on your political view, I have 6 more months and will be heading out of here!! Frankly even making 6 figure salary is not cutting it anymore either! It’s sad but a reality of America these days!!
Once again, amazing video! I’ve been binging recently and I’m loving all the content!! I absolutely agree with you on everything! Being from the Midwest U.S. myself, and just U.S. overall, there’s a lot going on and it’s absolutely sad and wild and the politics is absolutely absurd on both parties. That aside, I still agree with everything when it comes to cost of living, location, moods, etc. I moved from the states as well over to Australia and although Australia isn’t necessarily cheap, I’m here on a visa working and making money here and so I’m able to keep seeing it and traveling and am able to now pop on over to SE Asia or Fiji or NZ, etc. I have no desire at 23hrs old to move back home and my dad is the same. I’ll send him your channel! Sorry for the long comment here haha😅 but REALLY enjoyed the video👏🏾👏🏾
If you like salad bar, try lunch at Sizzler... 120 baht fish chips and salad bar. I don't think it's possible to relax and feel retired, on a tourist visa... You are counting days until you have to leave... Check out the Places that offer longer stay options... Thailand makes people jump through hoops every 30- 90 days. Albania is giving Americans 360 day visas, for example.. now thats welcoming.
What?! 360 day visas! I might check that out next year then Yes I agree sizzler in Pattaya has $6 all you can eat salad bar I understand completely your thoughts on short visas They are not for everyone totally! I love them because I love variety
Pattaya is the armpit of Thailand, find another spot in Thailand, good people here as well as good food and much better places to visit or live, Pattaya is packed beaches and night clubs with paknampran is very nice.
It’s a shame the US has lost such a valuable asset (you) in many regards, the country really needs positive thinking people with sound judgement and values now more than ever, alas it’s not to be for those with options, simply because they have the ability to see reality and act accordingly. Cheers from Tarija, Bolivia ( stopover on my travels )
💯🎯I agree with your points. It's very wise to find peace in yourself and in the world. Go where you are wanted. I'm glad you touched on the politics. I agree that a small few decide for the great many. I think points 4 and 5 for me are value of the food and sweetness & femininity of the women. I've liked and subscribed. AI is going to be big(and very disruptive) do you see any opportunities in SE Asia for westerners doing AI startups?
I made the jump this month after retiring from my job in Telecom. I fell in love with Asia when I was stationed in the PI back in the 1980s. I choose to live in Udon Thani.
I totally understand Jomtien is so nice The quiet side of Pattaya I hope to visit Australia eventually, but I have been following the situation there … I get you 100%
Jomtien is wonderful. Us expats need to prove to the Thai people that not all farangs behave badly. This is such a nice place and I just want to go along for the ride with the locals. The pace in Jomtien is nice. You have everything you need right here, all within walking distance of the beach.
I started Asia in 2008, fc, never had a ft decent job in USA. Taught all over korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore's. Traveled as well to many places. Saved every year. In 2020 i was in Vietnam, covid didn't close us down. I built a house. Nha trang Vietnam in 2023. At 46 i can retire but work for adventure. Got me a nice wife. Maybe fatherhood next.
We've lived an expat life for over 20 years. Hubby has not finished working yet, because for the first time in years, loves his job and working from home, he took a step down to ease the pressure. We've both investments, which are being topped up, as we do not live in our home country and prefer the simpler things in life. Our children are grown up with children of their own, so do not need us for daily life, and know we are at the end of a phone in an emergency. This has helped them to grow up and become wonderful, independent people, making their own choices - and mistakes!! Politics and the economy are the main reasons we have no plans to return to the UK anytime soon, each time we go back to visit family, this just reinforces us to want to stay away. As he works from home - home can be anywhere. We choose to have a base now but will be setting off to Sri Lanka for a couple of months soon, returning for a while and then off again. You bring up some interesting points in your vlogs. Thank you
Im 52 yrold Thai that have been the family business of accommodation serving mainly western and Japanese tenants for over 30 years. Thailand always welcomes all the people. But lately there's been many misunderstanding about Thailand that many of our visitors and expats may be having too much fun. I have had my latest tenant arrested for destroying properties and he smoked Marijuana almost every day and pickba fight with people. Many people couldn't control themselves with drugs and alcohol and start to do things they wouldn't do in their country. The police told me there has been many arrests made related to drug problems due to the new law that allow people to use drugs in limited amount and won't get arrested. So welcome to Thailand but be aware of the freedom of Marijuana and watch out for Thai ladies. Many will trick you and only love your bank accounts. Many of my tenants are good people when they first arrive in Thailand. But once thev meet the combination of Thai ladies and drug or alcohol many of them changes to another person. 😂😂😂
Love your videos so much! Thank you for the inspiration you’re bringing to so many of us also ready for this change ❤️ I’m in a US corporate job and agree with you on the technology disruptions coming fast. I’m in my 50s and don’t want to waste more of my life trying to avoid the next RIF list. Retirement and Thailand here I come!!!
Outstanding! Yes I saw AI rolling in fast Many IT jobs will be gone I , being in my 50s like you, needed to make a plan fast Young people can study carpentry and make 50 to 100 an hour ! I would be in pain haha
Thanks for bringing up the political factors. It’s really too much right now. I feel concerned too. Too much manipulation and poor management. I am going to slow travel and see where I might want to settle down.
I understand I am overwhelmed with the anger in politics I don’t see it getting better I need a break from it all You are heading in the right direction :-)
Hello. Welcome back. You are looking well, good shape. My husband loves your point of view regarding on the topic. He is thinking’s the same way you are thinking. We will be in Bangkok towards the middle of the month of May. We hope we will run into you somewhere in Bangkok. Have a good day. Aloha,
Thank you for this wonderful comment Yes I get into better shape when I’m in Asia More walking, less processed food haha ( reality … less booze and more working out haha ) Comment when you are in Bangkok I’ll try to meet but I’ll be in many countries this year
You look like life is treating you well. Is that not one sign of being on a good path? What makes us strong and positive and energized is a fine way to fly! Best of luck in your travels.. (I've enjoyed Pattaya and the central festival as well)
Hard to argue with anything you have said. Another great video and probably your best. I am just about to my savings goal and am hanging it up and following a similar path. I have watched your journey from the beginning and it has been nothing short than an inspiration and motivation to know it is possible. See you on our travels one day.
Excellent video. I'm turning 52 soon and I've worked my whole career in the IT field and I see basically the same thing you're describing. Unless you're the top 10% of the field you won't have a job in 5-7 years. I have dreams of making it to Thailand or Indonesia in the coming years, but I'm trying to make a strategic exit from the system that gets the best out of my remaining years of income and maximizes my savings (I'm not counting on social security when I'm of age). Keep the discussion going and thank you for the video.
Great video! Completely understand why you'd make that move and hopefully, if all goes according to plan, I'll be right behind you in the next year or so. And for pretty much the same reasons. Best of luck to you!
The food looks much better in Thailand than what I see in the Phillipines videos. It also appears that Thailand has much more modern architecture and infrastructure.
So true about the money-printing and democracy and the debt. The unfunded liabilities (promises made to the public for social security and medicare spending) exceed the actual debt number by several times over. Their only option is to aggressively debase the currency, a form of stealthly, non-consensual taxation; and they lie about it. Basically an abusive relationship. Go where you are treated best.
Thanks for the chat and saying what for most people is the silent part out loud. Having lived and worked the U.S and outside the U.S. years and decades ago, coming back to the U.S never felt like a homecoming or even home due to the very reasons you so succinctly described. Having worked in the world of corporate-government politics and then spent years of sacrifice opposing the shadow that now spreads across America and the globe, there is only one element of your experience I would offer an exception to, that being making a difference. I agree that for the most part protesting as apolitical dupe does little but submit one's self to self abuse. However, one person can make a difference and can nudge the course of things more than we might think is possible, I've seen it and done it, and for the most part it only requires a vision, dedication, a cool head and a passion for to live that vision, and not for adulation or self-aggrandizement, but a passion for enduring thankless struggle and abuse to make the course a better one for those to come rather than one's self, similar to what you sacrificed for your life as a father.
Totally support the sentiment in this video. Are you going to take up Muay Thai at a local gym or perhaps some cross fit. Are there any mountain biking clubs there? Good to have healthy hobbies in a place like Pattaya.
I want to check out some options like Thailand, my wife isn't much on-board with it but your points are spot on. We live in Las Vegas and the cost of everything is ridiculous and the political climate nowadays is is so disenfranchising as an American just trying to get ahead and lead a decent life. Look forward to more videos from there.
@RetireandGo I like the stuff I've seen about pattaya, not huge like bangkok, reasonable prices, affordable healthcare in Thailand , the beach, always warm. Seems like a good mix all the way around.
Agree with everything you said but you should have told the audience where the UBI would be coming from to wake up the people who still think their governments have their best interest. I'm in the same boat as you. Moving to Hua Hin this summer.
I'm looking to escape from America. But I am looking for a country where I can have a couple of acres and build my own homestead/country farm/ShangriLa. Peace, tranquility and some animals, that , unlike humans, never go out of their way to inflict hurt on others. How can I make this dream come true in Thailand? If I start a "business?" A "zoo" maybe? Please don't tell me to get married to a local. I already gave away half of my fortune to one ex wife😢
As a retired IT pro for many years now, I concur that AI has made so many jobs replaceable. Good on you for getting out on your own in SE Asia ( Thailand ). Your a good example for many others to follow ! @15:45 that HEALTHY salad bar with DRAGON FRUIT too looks so yummy. Probably $16-20 in the US.
Yes true I saw AI rolling in fast and hard I was like , I need to act ! I see networking being fine as it deals with hardware But almost every IT job will be taken by about 95%
Crazy. I went from the military, to aerospace, to IT. I agree AI will take away a lot of jobs, but that probably in another 10-20 years away. A lot of IT jobs will remain however. Anyway I agree with pretty much everything you're saying. I can't wait to move!
Good points I see networking and cybersecurity holding on Networking requires fingers to get pinched in server racks haha Cybersecurity requires human oversight Thoughts ?
Your thoughts on politics are in line with mine. Unfortunately, I have to hold on for another 5 years but I am moving to Jomtien. Enjoy yourself and stay safe.
Right on, brother. I just found your channel. I am single and in great health, and my fantastic children are going or about to go to university. I have four more years until I am financially independent and will then live in Pattaya full-time. Do you run a network community in Pattaya?
You are 100% accurate of your assessment of America. Thailand is a very good choice. I enjoy Laos, just a little bit better, because of the lower population, which results in less traffic, less stress, slower pace, nicer people, a farm /rural lifestyle, which I prefer, because I grew up on a farm. The food and language are similar. We have friends in Roi Et, Thailand. We will go visit them for a change of pace. Good luck in your travels. Maybe we will cross paths in the future. Stay safe brother.
@@regnorse well Laos capital is amazing. Huge Mekong river in city separating Thailand from Laos z and lots of things to see and do. In north awesome waterfalls and nature. South biggest waterfall in Asia on laos Cambodia border. In the north I stayed in a hotel 15 bucks. With an insane natural waterfall, that came down and made a huge swimming pool for tourists.
I left two years ago. My reasons were Crime, Economy, Feminists/dating, Political Divide, No Family or Moral values, Sadness/depression, Western Diet, Taxes, Regulations, No smiles.
South East Asia has solved all my problems. I lost weight, I date the most beautiful loyal honest happy energectic genuine Girl, no stress, I’m happy and I have real friends now. No more sleeping with a pew pew under my pillow.
To those of you that say you are going soon, I hope you mean it. Stop making excuses and just go. You don’t need to spend another day finalizing anything before your departure. I’ve seen thousands of people on the forums and in comment sections that say they are going soon, then no updates and obviously they never go. Just go now. Don’t wait. It’s a new life.
This is great
It sounds like you are happier and healthier
I’m proud of what you have done
Loved your explanation.
You escaped!
I just did my first 30 day in December 2023 on a whim. WOW. Hello new brain. Hello new world!
Going back in January 2025 for a 90 day multi-country trek...Thailand (again), Phillipines, and (undecided).
Coming back April 2025 I will turn 62 and decide if 3 months SE snowbird, then 9 months US works for me.
61, RN. Beyond fed up. OVER it.
Again, I really enjoyed your words and take them to heart. I am enjoying the process (of escape!) that is unfolding...
@@Explorer766 Try Cambodia. Its great. Clean, safe, simple. I think its what thailand was 20-30 years ago years ago.
I gave the Phillipines too many chances and we finally broke up haha
@@Mikeycambovideos From Canada . Was thinking of retiring to the Philippines, as my wife is from there, but hear Cambodia and Vietnam are spectacular. What turned you off the Philippines ?
@@garyheidt216 turn offs..... Awful unhealthy food loaded with sugar, salt and fat, too many creepy single white men, traffic, dog barkings, kareoke at 4AM, completely broken infrastructure with water outage power outage, Nothing opens until 10AM or whenever they want and everything is closed by 9pm. flooding due to clogged drains, smelly broken sewers, no sidewalks in the small cities, weather is too hot (vietnam and cambodia is hot but can tolerate) In PH my Aircon was on 24/7 but here I go days with just a fan easily, garbage everywhere on the streets, no trash cans, cash only ( i been to many 7-11 and they wont even take Visa or MC), Im sure there is more but thats off the top of my head. I can tell you NONE of those things are a problem in Cambodia. We have delicious healthy international Cusine, the Dogs are quiet, huge sidewalks, My Debit card is used everywhere, the nightlife is amazing and the Gyms are great. Man, I could go on forever. They say the PH visa is easy..... But I got a multiple Entry Cambidian business visa for the same exact price as PH and it was delivered to my door so easy. The Grocery store here has everything from the West at fair prices. I drive 5 minutes and no lines and back home. In PH i had to go to a SM Hypermarket. It would take all day in traffic and Im not exaggerating the lines in the store were 45 to 75 minutes wait.
Hello there. I’m a 74-year-old retired nurse from Australia. I am about to embark on the biggest change of my life by coming to Thailand, by myself to live on my pension and superannuation. I won’t be wealthy in anyway excepting, I hope, my lifestyle. Fortunately for me I am very healthy despite my age. I agree with you on so many points of politics, financial incompetency of the government and mostly the violence happening around us every day.
Next month, I will be arriving in Hua Hin ready for my new life .
I’m very excited for you !
A new chapter
You are traveling to find happiness and freedom
Very nice
Good luck and welcome!
Solo is the way to go
I am a Thai person who has grown up in the US since the age of 2 and I am now 56, ready to retire back to the motherland! I am truly grateful to my adopted country but I feel retirement in Thailand will suit me better personally and financially. I need that peace you were talking about in this video. There is too much noise in the US, e.g. divisive politics, crime and mass shootings, and increasing cost of living.
This is the right time to go back
You have dual citizenship?
You can buy land easy
That’s awesome
การเมืองไทยก็เหมือนกันแหละครับ แค่อย่าไปฟังอย่าไปสนใจ ก็ไม่เครียดแล้ว
Come home. ❤
@@RetireandGo - Yes, I have both Thai and American passports. I actually renewed my expired Thai passport and Thai ID card in April 2023 in Thailand.
@@r-p6278I don't think you understand the vitriol and division in the USA.
I am on my 56th year of living primarily in Thailand when I first arrived in Thailand with a backpack and spent a year traveling throughout the country along with Laos and Cambodia. I rented a house on the
Chapia,
M
My goodness!
56 years !
What stories you have from Thailand of the past
If you have pictures I would ask you to write your stories for everyone
You are an early traveler to beautiful Thailand
@@RetireandGo, Tried to reply but having problems with UA-cam changing spellings to my writing and sometimes just shutting down ad it did this morning when I was trying to make my first comment. So I will just try to make a summary of my travels in and out of Thailand when I actually first came to Thailand 2 times from Saigon as a G.I. on two 5 day R&Rs.
Was discharged after my one year tour of Vietnam in 1968 at 21 years of age. During my one year in Vietnam I helped found GRUNT magazine that was had a 30,000 circulation in Vietnam and you can still find copies of the magazine on sale by looking up the name GRUNT magazine on Google. I do know that at least the University of Wisconsin has made a archive of the magazine at their library.
After my discharge I got a job assembling Ford cars outside of Kansas City and 2 weeks after NASA landed the first men on the moon in 1969 and my friends were making plans to go to Woodstock. I made enough money to buy a back pack and an airline ticket to Bangkok.
In 1969 Thailand was a completely different country than it is today. The Thai baht was 20 baht to 1 U.S. dollar and you could buy a good meal for less than 5 baht. The city buses cost 1/2 baht and my rent for a 2 story Thai house on the Chao Phraya river cost me $20 a month water and electric included. I managed to enrol at Silpakorn University (across the street from the Emerald Buddha) where I was able to get a student visa. Having the student visa allowed me to travel all over Thailand and my main Thai professor who had studied as a student in Rome wanted me to see the arts of Thailand and encouraged me to go to different parts of Thailand to see the history of Thailand.
I also noticed hundreds of kids my age that also was travelling from Europe, America, and Australia around Thailand. This was the time when the Beatles were in India learning to play the sitar and supposedly being in-lighted. In America marijuana was all the rage and everyone was smoking it and I assumed that it would be popular with the kids at Silapakorn but I learned that first there did not seem to be any law against pot but most of the college educated Thais thought marijuana was low class and only the farmers smoked it in their bamboo bongs. The students thought drinking Scotch whiskey was the cool thing to do. So you could buy 1 kilo of very good pot in Bangkok for $5 dollars (100 baht) that would last you months. Later the American military convinced the Thais to make pot illegal , since the American military were all over Thailand and they were all smoking pot.
I stayed in Thailand for one year and returned to Louisiana and enrolled at Louisiana State University, using my G.I. bill and working part time I was able to get a degree in 3 years by taking 3 semesters a year and graduated with a degree in sculpture, knowing I had no chance of finding a job but I still had a heck of a time while attending college. I also learned to weld and was able to get a job welding on the Superdom in New Orleans until I got a job 4 months later teaching welding in Vietnam. Finishing the one year contract in 1973, I went to Bangkok looking for a job and found my true profession as a construction contractor. The American company had a office in Bangkok but the job was building an oil field in New Guinea. My job was to build pipelines in the jungle, flying to work every morning on a Vietnam vintage helicopter with 13 other men and work 10 hours and then fly back to a camp. I did this for four weeks and then the company flew me back to Bangkok for 2 week R&R and then I returned to work 4 more weeks in New Guinea. I worked this schedule for 4 years. Being the youngest man on the job and working with many experienced men they all took the time to teach me everything they knew about construction and I was like a sponge taking it all in. During that time when I was in Bangkok I rented a better home in Sapon Kwai that I maintained for over 15 years, during that time I never had the time for a girlfriend but I had plenty of time for friends with benefits (Keep in mind that most of that time was before AIDS). I was a frequent visitor a Lucy's Tiger Den that was originally located on Silom road .The bar was very famous, I often would walk in to see a New team from some city in America, Europe or Australia doing a News story on the bar, not to mention seeing Lucy's Tiger Dem T-shirts people were wearing in Airports from Europe to America. The bar owner became a good friend of mine and since the bars major customers were construction contractors Tiger Rineberg the owner put me on to many good jobs.
Speaking of jobs I went on from New Guinea to work in Libya, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Sumatra, Borneo, Brunei, Qatar, Nigeria, and Thailand. In Thailand in 1995 I was the the construction manager for a $1.8 billion papermill called Double AA, that I completed in 1997 where I met my wife who had just finished medical college. I then got a job with Chevron in Sumatra after 4 years came back to Thailand for Chevron offshore for another 4 years. At 58 I took an early retirement and went back to America for 4 years where I had built a ranch. After 4 years I got a call from Chevron to come back to work on a $7 billion dollar project in Nigeria. The schedule was one month on and one month off. My wife was working as a pharmacist in America but wanted to come back to Thailand so we sold the ranch and I bought a home in Rayong that was near a great school that our then 3 year old son could attend and a large private hospital that my wife could work at. Now 15 years after leaving America and when I reached 67 I retired from Chevron and never returned to America again. I have been blessed with great health at now 78 (my wife makes sure I get a physical every 4 months. Since I love building things I am now working on building our final 2 second home here in Rayong, This time I am building a workshop to continue making the things I like to do.
I’m 53, retired, 2 kids grown and I too have found peace in travel and travel to se Asia. I just spent 2 months in Thailand and will return for 2 more months next year as well as Vietnam and Malaysia and turkey and Albania. I’m finding just like you that I’m at peace when I’m not in the USA.
Oh my ! Very similar situation!
I’m happy for you
Job well done as a father … now it’s your time !
I like Thailand, especially the condo complex, with a great pool in Pattaya and Jomtien. The local women are easy, but most of them speaks poor English so I am not very interested. I love shopping online at Lazada, they have everything and deliver to my door. Food is okay and inexpensive. Weather is too warm for me, but learned to live with it. The government has decided to tax expats staying more than 180 days, but nobody understands how the law really works. So I decided to take brake from Thailand and travel to Bulgaria for a year and then Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines and see what country I like best. Best is the condo complex with pool and Gym for only $250 to $300 including rent, el and water, great value.
@@firmaforex Vietnam is amazing especially da nang. Very similar in pricing and way of life to pattaya. We will be in da bang in march. Greece, Türkiye and Albania are great low cost/ high quality countries. We will be back in Thailand and Malaysia as well this year.
I agree with what you said about escaping the U.S. I want to retire and spend my money in a country that values peace, healthy food, medical care, and treating each other with respect
I totally understand what you mean
I had to get away from the madness of the west
You didn't touch much on the glorious Thai culture. That's what does it for me. I feel love ,kindness and polite people everywhere I look.
Good point !
Goodness I love the kind and welcoming Thai culture
Peaceful
Caring
This is what so many vloggers fail to mention or promote. It makes me very sad. Culture is the main reason I spend time living in different cultures.
even in Bangkok?
@@regnorseyep
It's very rare the Westerners come to realise their home culture is not the only and best in the world. They are well indoctrinated with the comforts and conveniences. Mixing with the locals is not a easy part for them. Every country has its own issues, but ignorance with the local language keeps them at bliss. Crazy phenomenon.
Interesting to hear an IT person talk about the effects of AI in your industry. I retired 13 years ago also driven out by technology changes but fortunately I had a traditional pension to fall back on.
I moved to Thailand in 2017 before the divisiveness had gotten as bad as it is. I’m glad to be 8,000 miles away from it. And I am fortunate to be around expats that don’t talk about US politics.
That’s good, I also try to keep away from politics talk with expats.
Yes, AI is coming fast for the IT world. I think there will still be lots of jobs but adaptation will be required fast.
You are smart enjoying your life while you can. I am a Canadian and my partner and I were fighting, going to rallies and protests in 2020-2022, but we are kind of over it. We are trying to enjoy our life while we can also. We look forward to heading your way, sometime in the next year or two, but I wish we could sooner.
I understand
We can just waste years fighting foolish leaders that are destroying the country
Just save yourself
The majority don’t care
I've the same feeling and that's why I'm leaving the West also. I'm totally done with it and my children can sustain themselves
This is true and I totally understand
You have worked hard, raised kids, get out there and enjoy life
The reasons change, started out costs, food quality, dating but now Health care and Escaping the Hype. 7 more days until I move. Can't wait
I’m so happy for you
There is a whole world to explore !
Congratulations Matt.
SE Asia is the place to be.
I agree with you so much, the situation in Europe is almost as bad. In a few months I will be able to go to Thailand and find me a nice little place to live my life in peace.
You have an amazing plan ahead of you
I’m excited for you
Thumbs up 👍 Chris and Aloha
A big aloha to you!
Good job. Been going to Thailand for over 23 years. Just bought a condo in Pattaya and I got my retirement visa. You did a nice job summing up my thoughts on why to move away. I haven't moved full time yet but I'm there 4 months a year now.
Oh my this is awesome
Retirement Visa all set up!
And the condo
You are good to go
I’m happy for you !
You made the right decision. Go where your life is better & healthier & happier. Ditch the negative platforms. Country means nothing! It is an imaginary line drawn on paper which does not exist in reality. But your life & health is not imaginary. Enjoy, live long & prosper!
I completely agree
Go where you find peace and appreciation
Amen brother I couldn't agree more
It's funny I have a girl in Thailand and I am here in the USA and working to retire there been there many times and I feel like escaping from the USA every time I go there
I totally understand
I felt that way too
I knew I had to keep working to get the kids into college , but then … I was out ! Haha
I lived in the US for 40 years and moved to the South of France. Best decision l made in my life. I even gave them back my green card. No more tax uncle Sam. The quality of life in the South of France is 20 times better than anywhere in the US. The health care system is excellent. The food is excellent. Education is excellent. So much history and interesting places to visit
Oh my, south of France is some of the most beautiful locations on earth
I’m very happy for you !
Goodness !
Ok fantasy-time for me... Leave the cold winters of the northeast USA in the rear view mirror and move to SEA. Then, escape the summer heat with three months in the South of France ( for me to say Cote d'Azur as a Yank sounds way too pretentious.) But that sounds like the ideal lifestyle... Oh... With a stop-over in Dubai or Sharm el-Sheikh to break up the jet lag. One lottery ticket and the world's my oyster!!!
I had so many certifications years ago. What you learn is here today and gone tomorrow. Did it for 20 years and finally realized that very little of what I learned had any value. For that reason I went into education. Children and cats. I do similar investing. I can make far more than I need and the extra gets invested. Good luck! the politics are ridiculous.
I understand
I learned that my certification gave me 50 percent
The rest was up to me
Work!
Then retire
For me in Jomtien now-at 64-my pretty 43 years old thai-pool/sauna/jacuzzi -lost 13 kilos and then Thai food ( I still actively trade on Fidelity)! My kids only call me when they need cash!
Fidelity is a darn good company and an easy app to use !
Entirely agree with you. Only thing I'd add is that the East has a far better attitude towards age than the West.
True
I feel that as I travel here
Your insight is spot on!
Seeing you make these changes inspires me to make radical changes in my life.
It would be a pleasure to buy you a beer sometime.
Many thanks.
You deserve a change
Invest and prepare for the next chapter in your wonderful life
Great video.
I did the same thing for similar reasons 1.5 years ago. I sold my house and all belongings in Canada and flew to Thailand with my carry on luggage. It’s a beautiful country. I live in Pattaya for 4-5 months, the rest of the time I travel around the world.
Canada was a wonderful country 25-35 years ago. Unfortunately, over the past few years there have been many changes in all areas of life, not for the better.
This sounds very similar to my set up !
Outstanding :-)
My home state was just so expensive
cool. which visa allows you 4-5 months in Thailand every year?
Re family ........ things change there too. See how you feel if you have grandchildren. I have 6 grandkids under 10. And this is why I am returning to Australia to live for the next few years at least, after living in SEA for the last 15 years. I want to get to know them and become involved in their lives now, otherwise they won't want to know me when they're teenagers. It's time I can't get back. But, best wishes to you on your retirement.
Yes good point
I probably will reevaluate at that point :-)
Totally get it. Was not AI, but I was the VP/GM of 6 radio stations, but lost my job in Covid. Talk about a dying industry...I plan to do what you do. Just a couple of years behind you. Truly, I can't wait!
I’m very excited for you
You have broadcast experience!
You should start a woman’s travel experience vlog on UA-cam when you start ok?
To be honest I fall in love with your amazing blog. You always try to analysis on the subject details.
Watching your amazing blogs from India.
Keep going ❤
Very kind of you
I’m happy to have you along for this journey
Everything you have said - resonates with me. My kids are grown up and leading their own lives and with their own kids as well. Having recently had a breakup, second time around, life is about me living the best life now before it is too late. I have a 2 year plan. Will look forward to having a cold beer with you down the track mate.... real soon!
I’m very excited for you!
You evaluated your situation and made a plan!
This is a start of new great things for you !
And … you deserve to be happy. When was the last time anyone told you that? I am telling you that right now
this show is fantastic
Thank you, very kind of you :-)
This lifestyle resonates with me but I still have 9 years until my kids enter college. I’m interested in following your journey.
You are doing the right thing
God bless great fathers like you
Spent 6 weeks in Jomtien..Loved the expat beach town..Lots to do there..Very layed back which totally suits my needs
True
Jomtien is a gem
Really nice
Love it myself. I think it's a good spot because you just jump on a baht bus over the hill to the chaos when you're felling it ...peace
Dude, are you me 10 years from now? I also work in IT and see the writing on the wall. My target retirement time is 10 years from now when I hit 52. No way I can afford to retire in the States. I loved my Thailand trip last year and the laid back vibe.
I completely understand
You are planning ahead !
Very good
Couldn’t put it any better myself. Arriving SE Asia in September from Australia and cannot wait. Learning lots from your videos
This is great to read!
I’m excited for you
All the same reasons my wife and I are on our way in 3 years. If not for a set of twins in high school we would be there now.
You are doing the right thing
Get them into the world first haha
Or put them in an international school in Asia
I am retiring this month and going to live in Malaysia.
Malaysia is ( afaik ) the only country in Asia that allows a foreigner to own property outright. That’s important as a base. Yes when covid happened they locked the returning out of the country , but hopefully that’s not a repeat any time soon.
100 k USD you deposit . You get 50 k USD back after a year and it’s enough to buy a house there .
The other thing was language and legals. It’s Westminster system in Malaysia.
I will keep my property in Australia and rent it out. Will probably go back to Australia and stay there for stints to see my extended family.
The main reason for this move for me was cost , society. Because of the cost of living, people have become less happy and it goes around like a disease.
You have a good point !
And you have a solid plan
I would like to visit Australia eventually
Tell me more about the Malaysian system you mentioned please
Moved to Thailand over 30 years ago. Not one regret. Now retired here. My suggestion to you is focus on obtaining PR here and look at other areas of the country rather than Pattaya or Phuket to live. Good luck
Good info
Have you considered starting a channel to discuss the process
Many want to learn !
Great advice... Pattaya isn't the real Thailand.
@@grantmckay6429 where is it realer?
Rural Thailand where ill be living soon. Nakhon Si Thammarat... Very few westerners. Just a simple humble life.@regnorse
Excellent Video !! Your third point is why I will retire in SE Asia. I have been in a technical position all my career and realized what you did as well. In less than 5 years I will sell all my assets (estimated at 550k+ at the moment) and retire. I want to have a certain amount in 401K and be closer to taking the 67 year old Social Security payout (I have years many years to go) so less than 5 years will give me plenty of time to get to where I need to be or sooner. I feel like someone else gets what I am going to do and why, to me it's a no brainer. I have more $ and assets than anyone I know or work with but still want to do it right and not rush. My $ will last till I am 103 yrs old if that happens at the income I want per month if I wait just a bit longer. Also no kids, no Ex, never married, so never divorced so I am in the clear there too :) I will leave behind lifelong friends but we do not see each other much anyway due to you know, life here in the USA.
You have plenty of capital to invest !
Outstanding !
You deserve a good retirement
You earned it
Asia and Latin America will be fun for you to travel to and explore
I agree with you. I felt much appreciated while staying in Thailand.
Absolutely
It’s a different world entirely from the west
Kind and warm people
Great vlog, very sincere , welcome to Thailand and hope you can adapt to a totally different lifestyle
Oh yes
I’m a military brat
And former military
I adapt to a new location constantly haha
Are you enjoying songkran ?
your channel just popped up in my Feed. New sub.............just turned 50 and Living in South Florida and loving the candid talk about life in Thailand. Planning on moving to Bangkok in the next few years.
This is great! You will enjoy Bangkok
So much to explore
How is southern Florida?
I would like to travel more of North America maybe in a camper van
Agree 100 % with all that you said. Unfortunately, for every person like you who has moved and made the commitment to go to Thai land or elsewhere :1000’s will not . They need to do it now.
True
We don’t have to suffer high prices and crime
We don’t deserve it
Travel and escape
we cant all go there!!
I just came back from Pattaya two weeks ago and I had the time of my life! The people are so friendly. I love the culture. The food is absolutely delicious. I am a new subscriber. Thank you for your inspiring video! I’m 55 years old so I’m still working but I have been making plans to have a good retirement and Thailand is number one on my list for a great retirement. I live in California and I’m fed up with all the bullshit, politics and high taxes. It is really hard to find quality woman here.
I totally understand what you are saying
My state of Hawaii is similar to California
High taxes
A political mess
I had to get out
I’m excited for you traveling
The world awaits you
@@RetireandGo thank you for your encouragement!
where is the delicious food in Pattaya?
@@regnorse Pattaya Beer Garden near walking street. Tree town night market. Witherspoons on Soi Buachao. Street vendors selling fried chicken are a few of my favorites.
@@hm1928 cheers mate
Been commenting a lot... I remember as a kid in Montreal, our neighbour saying that the technology was going to allow us to do banking on the phone. That was in the 60's. Her husband was in tec. It hit home with me. Did they know then how all this was going to play out?
Possible
AI is coming fast and we need to prepare so we grow with it and not against it
I agree with you 100% and it's happening all over the world and we can't stop it so just enjoy what life we have left
So true
I recently watched a video of a guy in Canada in his 20s trying to start a business and live a normal life.. impossible
The politics have gone mental there
He decided to leave and start a new life elsewhere
He said, should I through the best years of my life away fighting crazy people?
I understand what he means
Love your style Brother. Just subscribed I could listen to videos like this all day long.
Very kind of you
Thank you
Welcome and I’m
Happy you are along for the journey
Just run into your channel, subscribed….i fully agree with you on your political view, I have 6 more months and will be heading out of here!! Frankly even making 6 figure salary is not cutting it anymore either! It’s sad but a reality of America these days!!
You deserve a good life
Be happy
Travel and get away from the west
Once again, amazing video! I’ve been binging recently and I’m loving all the content!! I absolutely agree with you on everything! Being from the Midwest U.S. myself, and just U.S. overall, there’s a lot going on and it’s absolutely sad and wild and the politics is absolutely absurd on both parties. That aside, I still agree with everything when it comes to cost of living, location, moods, etc. I moved from the states as well over to Australia and although Australia isn’t necessarily cheap, I’m here on a visa working and making money here and so I’m able to keep seeing it and traveling and am able to now pop on over to SE Asia or Fiji or NZ, etc. I have no desire at 23hrs old to move back home and my dad is the same. I’ll send him your channel! Sorry for the long comment here haha😅 but REALLY enjoyed the video👏🏾👏🏾
I’m very excited for you!
Yes please say hello to your dad for me.
True, the politics made me get the heck out, I can not stand the stress
I subscribed your channel after your transparency about everything happening in the US and around the globe. Enjoy your life in Thailand.
Thank you, have a good day and for sure we will stay positive !
A better world ahead !
If you like salad bar, try lunch at Sizzler... 120 baht fish chips and salad bar.
I don't think it's possible to relax and feel retired, on a tourist visa... You are counting days until you have to leave... Check out the Places that offer longer stay options... Thailand makes people jump through hoops every 30- 90 days.
Albania is giving Americans 360 day visas, for example.. now thats welcoming.
What?! 360 day visas! I might check that out next year then
Yes I agree sizzler in Pattaya has $6 all you can eat salad bar
I understand completely your thoughts on short visas
They are not for everyone totally!
I love them because I love variety
If you are over 50, I believe you can get a longer visa in Thailand.
You know you can pay someone to jump through the hoops for you right?
@@edmundtetch3357 ya, I am not worried about my stay there.
New Albanian Immigration law limited visa-free stay to 90 days.
Pattaya is the armpit of Thailand, find another spot in Thailand, good people here as well as good food and much better places to visit or live, Pattaya is packed beaches and night clubs with paknampran is very nice.
I have to tell you I find so many wonderful places to go in Pattaya and jomtien
I also love Phuket
Give them
Another try ok? :-)
Hi mate what you said is the same here in Australia 🇦🇺 me and my partner are leaving here to move to Khon kaen ( Issan ). Four more years.
You have an amazing future ahead of you
I’m excited!!
Keep us updated
It’s a shame the US has lost such a valuable asset (you) in many regards, the country really needs positive thinking people with sound judgement and values now more than ever, alas it’s not to be for those with options, simply because they have the ability to see reality and act accordingly. Cheers from Tarija, Bolivia ( stopover on my travels )
Oh I would like to visit Bolivia someday
Very kind words thank you :-)
That is awesome that you can still be building over there!
Oh yes
The cost of living allows for some money every month to add some shares of dividend stocks
Building the retirement while in retirement
Awesome video! You touched on so many great points and being a dad and the pressures of life.
Thank you :-)
Yes, reducing my stress now in this time of my life has really helped
💯🎯I agree with your points. It's very wise to find peace in yourself and in the world. Go where you are wanted.
I'm glad you touched on the politics. I agree that a small few decide for the great many.
I think points 4 and 5 for me are value of the food and sweetness & femininity of the women.
I've liked and subscribed. AI is going to be big(and very disruptive) do you see any opportunities in SE Asia for westerners doing AI startups?
Yes I try to avoid some subject but just mention them if they influenced my decisions
Have a great day :-)
U look so happy and handsome when u back to Pattaya.❤️🇺🇸🇹🇭🇻🇮✌️👍
Very kind of you to say
Thank you :-)
I’m humbled by this
Great content live the dream a fan in the UK.
Thank you so much Brian. I appreciate this :-)
Long term goals are you planing on picking the country you like most to call home. And if so love to hear which one if you have one yet
thank you for this question. long term will be living thailand malaysia and indonesia each a few months a year. that will be through my 50s
I made the jump this month after retiring from my job in Telecom. I fell in love with Asia when I was stationed in the PI back in the 1980s. I choose to live in Udon Thani.
Very nice!
You have a lot of experience !
A resource for new expats
Outstanding
I live in jomtien and I'm from Sydney Australia and I will never go back
I totally understand
Jomtien is so nice
The quiet side of Pattaya
I hope to visit Australia eventually, but I have been following the situation there … I get you 100%
Jomtien is wonderful. Us expats need to prove to the Thai people that not all farangs behave badly. This is such a nice place and I just want to go along for the ride with the locals. The pace in Jomtien is nice. You have everything you need right here, all within walking distance of the beach.
I started Asia in 2008, fc, never had a ft decent job in USA. Taught all over korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore's. Traveled as well to many places. Saved every year.
In 2020 i was in Vietnam, covid didn't close us down. I built a house. Nha trang Vietnam in 2023. At 46 i can retire but work for adventure. Got me a nice wife. Maybe fatherhood next.
I really enjoyed reading this
You have a lot of overseas knowledge
And I hope you do have kids for sure !
We've lived an expat life for over 20 years. Hubby has not finished working yet, because for the first time in years, loves his job and working from home, he took a step down to ease the pressure. We've both investments, which are being topped up, as we do not live in our home country and prefer the simpler things in life.
Our children are grown up with children of their own, so do not need us for daily life, and know we are at the end of a phone in an emergency. This has helped them to grow up and become wonderful, independent people, making their own choices - and mistakes!!
Politics and the economy are the main reasons we have no plans to return to the UK anytime soon, each time we go back to visit family, this just reinforces us to want to stay away.
As he works from home - home can be anywhere. We choose to have a base now but will be setting off to Sri Lanka for a couple of months soon, returning for a while and then off again.
You bring up some interesting points in your vlogs. Thank you
You two are in an amazing time in your lives to travel and explore now
You earned it
I’m excited for you both :-)
Im 52 yrold Thai that have been the family business of accommodation serving mainly western and Japanese tenants for over 30 years. Thailand always welcomes all the people. But lately there's been many misunderstanding about Thailand that many of our visitors and expats may be having too much fun. I have had my latest tenant arrested for destroying properties and he smoked Marijuana almost every day and pickba fight with people. Many people couldn't control themselves with drugs and alcohol and start to do things they wouldn't do in their country. The police told me there has been many arrests made related to drug problems due to the new law that allow people to use drugs in limited amount and won't get arrested. So welcome to Thailand but be aware of the freedom of Marijuana and watch out for Thai ladies. Many will trick you and only love your bank accounts. Many of my tenants are good people when they first arrive in Thailand. But once thev meet the combination of Thai ladies and drug or alcohol many of them changes to another person. 😂😂😂
I would say spend a month here
You will get a much better idea than any online source an give you
What do you have to lose!
Book a flight !
Hey, thanks for the fatherly wisdom Good, sir
Absolutely :-)
I hope I inspire you with a positive and uplifting message
That is the spirit of Bodhisattva
That’s the core of this channel :-)
thank you...I love your straightforward, transparent energy...I am in the retirement stage of my life and strongly considering Thailand..
This is good to read
Explore many countries
Southeast Asia has much to offer
Love your videos so much! Thank you for the inspiration you’re bringing to so many of us also ready for this change ❤️
I’m in a US corporate job and agree with you on the technology disruptions coming fast. I’m in my 50s and don’t want to waste more of my life trying to avoid the next RIF list. Retirement and Thailand here I come!!!
Outstanding!
Yes I saw AI rolling in fast
Many IT jobs will be gone
I , being in my 50s like you, needed to make a plan fast
Young people can study carpentry and make 50 to 100 an hour !
I would be in pain haha
Thanks for bringing up the political factors. It’s really too much right now. I feel concerned too. Too much manipulation and poor management. I am going to slow travel and see where I might want to settle down.
I understand
I am overwhelmed with the anger in politics
I don’t see it getting better
I need a break from it all
You are heading in the right direction :-)
dont blame ya at all!! I left UK a couple weeks ago, currently in VN but likely will end up in Thailand as well..
Very nice!
I’ll be in Vietnam later this year
I hope to visit there once every year
Unless you are a party animal, Vietnam is much better than Thailand .
My favorite spot in Asia. I built as house, got a wife.
Very well said ❤
Thank you
Have a great week
Hello. Welcome back. You are looking well, good shape. My husband loves your point of view regarding on the topic. He is thinking’s the same way you are thinking. We will be in Bangkok towards the middle of the month of May. We hope we will run into you somewhere in Bangkok. Have a good day. Aloha,
Thank you for this wonderful comment
Yes I get into better shape when I’m in Asia
More walking, less processed food haha
( reality … less booze and more working out haha )
Comment when you are in Bangkok I’ll try to meet but I’ll be in many countries this year
You look like life is treating you well. Is that not one sign of being on a good path? What makes us strong and positive and energized is a fine way to fly! Best of luck in your travels..
(I've enjoyed Pattaya and the central festival as well)
I agree
Thank you for these kind words
Have a wonderful week
Ausome Vlog Chris, spoken like a true friend. Really appreciate your honesty and positively that it can be done.,......yes we have options
Truth, we have the ability to chose our destiny
Search the world for joy
Totally agree and right behind you.
Outstanding
The world awaits you
Do you have a video on how did you retire and live off your investments?
Yes for sure
I try to do an investing video once a month
Companies , thoughts, all of it
I mean, damn. So true. Right on.
Absolutely! :-)
Hard to argue with anything you have said. Another great video and probably your best. I am just about to my savings goal and am hanging it up and following a similar path. I have watched your journey from the beginning and it has been nothing short than an inspiration and motivation to know it is possible. See you on our travels one day.
Very kind words
I’m humbled
This is a step by step process
You are on your way and I’m proud of you !
( when was the last time you heard that ?)
Nailed the reasons I'm leaving. Retiring from the military soon. Leaving this place that has become unfamiliar.
Thank you for your service
The next chapter is starting for you !
Didnt the Army depose the King a couple of years ago? Major fighting in the north of country.
South Thailand on the border there is a battle but its two other factions
Not Thailand
What a world yes?
Excellent video. I'm turning 52 soon and I've worked my whole career in the IT field and I see basically the same thing you're describing. Unless you're the top 10% of the field you won't have a job in 5-7 years.
I have dreams of making it to Thailand or Indonesia in the coming years, but I'm trying to make a strategic exit from the system that gets the best out of my remaining years of income and maximizes my savings (I'm not counting on social security when I'm of age).
Keep the discussion going and thank you for the video.
Yes true
AI is rolling in fast
Indonesia is wonderful!
Great video! Completely understand why you'd make that move and hopefully, if all goes according to plan, I'll be right behind you in the next year or so. And for pretty much the same reasons. Best of luck to you!
This is great to read
The world awaits you
I’m excited for the next chapter in your life journey
Great sandwich and salad bar at the hypermarket.
True!
Another is at sizzler in Pattaya
$6!
The food looks much better in Thailand than what I see in the Phillipines videos. It also appears that Thailand has much more modern architecture and infrastructure.
I would agree
The food in Thailand will blow you away
Fresh
Delicious
Vietnam food better
Love your videos. Keep them coming. Your points are spot on.
Thank you !
I am enjoying the journey and bringing a positive message to you
We have a complete same mindset...I hope to shake your hand soon somewhere in Asia hahahaha! Great video and I wish you the best of life!
This will be a great year for us
We won’t let them take our joy
Our happiness
Our right to thrive :-)
Amen brother! Great job and look forward to the adventure. Hope to do the same by the end of the year.
Outstanding
There is a whole world out there for you to explore
Keep us updated please !
So true about the money-printing and democracy and the debt. The unfunded liabilities (promises made to the public for social security and medicare spending) exceed the actual debt number by several times over. Their only option is to aggressively debase the currency, a form of stealthly, non-consensual taxation;
and they lie about it. Basically an abusive relationship. Go where you are treated best.
Yes true
We need to plan
Prepare and invest for our future
And with AI rolling in fast as well
My job is so easy so i continue to work and invest and build my nice nest eggs.
Outstanding
You know what is best for you
More than anyone else :-)
Keep building that portfolio and solidify your retirement!
Thanks for the chat and saying what for most people is the silent part out loud. Having lived and worked the U.S and outside the U.S. years and decades ago, coming back to the U.S never felt like a homecoming or even home due to the very reasons you so succinctly described. Having worked in the world of corporate-government politics and then spent years of sacrifice opposing the shadow that now spreads across America and the globe, there is only one element of your experience I would offer an exception to, that being making a difference. I agree that for the most part protesting as apolitical dupe does little but submit one's self to self abuse.
However, one person can make a difference and can nudge the course of things more than we might think is possible, I've seen it and done it, and for the most part it only requires a vision, dedication, a cool head and a passion for to live that vision, and not for adulation or self-aggrandizement, but a passion for enduring thankless struggle and abuse to make the course a better one for those to come rather than one's self, similar to what you sacrificed for your life as a father.
I feel you for sure
I want you to live your best life ok?
And I want you to thrive :-)
how do you plan to make a difference?
Totally support the sentiment in this video. Are you going to take up Muay Thai at a local gym or perhaps some cross fit. Are there any mountain biking clubs there? Good to have healthy hobbies in a place like Pattaya.
That is a great way to get a one year visa
Learning Thai is another
Thoughts ?
I rly love actually LIVING in Pattaya. My favorite city in the world!
I agree with you
It’s like home for me
The US is now a place I don’t recognize
I’m looking for a small city near beach is pattaya very large or smaller city
@@frankcentofanti9317 It's mid-size. You should also research Jomtien - - which is just outside Pattaya but smaller.
I want to check out some options like Thailand, my wife isn't much on-board with it but your points are spot on. We live in Las Vegas and the cost of everything is ridiculous and the political climate nowadays is is so disenfranchising as an American just trying to get ahead and lead a decent life. Look forward to more videos from there.
Yes for sure
Take her to Malaysia as well
It will be a wonderful trip
You may find the right location !
Leave her behind...
@@perrykomick9478 🤔
@RetireandGo I like the stuff I've seen about pattaya, not huge like bangkok, reasonable prices, affordable healthcare in Thailand , the beach, always warm. Seems like a good mix all the way around.
Go to Vietnam
Agree with everything you said but you should have told the audience where the UBI would be coming from to wake up the people who still think their governments have their best interest. I'm in the same boat as you. Moving to Hua Hin this summer.
Good point
UBI is most likely going to be needed
Are you following Andrew Yang on UA-cam?
YES, YES & YES
I agree!
Let’s go!
A great year ahead
Thank you for the info and speaking slowly and clearly. You could be a good teacher. Some youtubes rant pointlessly.
I appreciate this feedback
I will keep this in mind as I make videos
I’ll keep it clear and understandable
Thank you !
I'm looking to escape from America. But I am looking for a country where I can have a couple of acres and build my own homestead/country farm/ShangriLa. Peace, tranquility and some animals, that , unlike humans, never go out of their way to inflict hurt on others. How can I make this dream come true in Thailand? If I start a "business?" A "zoo" maybe? Please don't tell me to get married to a local. I already gave away half of my fortune to one ex wife😢
Goodness what a wonderful dream!
I would explore Philippines more
Check out Philippines locations
As a retired IT pro for many years now, I concur that AI has made so many jobs replaceable. Good on you for getting out on your own in SE Asia ( Thailand ). Your a good example for many others to follow ! @15:45 that HEALTHY salad bar with DRAGON FRUIT too looks so yummy. Probably $16-20 in the US.
Yes true
I saw AI rolling in fast and hard
I was like , I need to act !
I see networking being fine as it deals with hardware
But almost every IT job will be taken by about 95%
@@RetireandGo so true, even Amazon, facebook, google and apple 🍎 are cutting back big time. A big shock to these pros
Crazy. I went from the military, to aerospace, to IT. I agree AI will take away a lot of jobs, but that probably in another 10-20 years away. A lot of IT jobs will remain however. Anyway I agree with pretty much everything you're saying. I can't wait to move!
Good points
I see networking and cybersecurity holding on
Networking requires fingers to get pinched in server racks haha
Cybersecurity requires human oversight
Thoughts ?
Great video, I’m getting ready to do the same thing myself 😎
Outstanding
The world awaits you
Keep us updated as well please :-)
Love the content! Keep it coming, buddy!
Thank you so much
I hope your week is going fantastic
Your thoughts on politics are in line with mine. Unfortunately, I have to hold on for another 5 years but I am moving to Jomtien. Enjoy yourself and stay safe.
You are planning, executing your plan, and preparing for a better future
You are doing the right thing
I’m excited for you !
Right on, brother. I just found your channel. I am single and in great health, and my fantastic children are going or about to go to university. I have four more years until I am financially independent and will then live in Pattaya full-time. Do you run a network community in Pattaya?
You are on your way!
You have a good plan
I’m excited for you !
I don’t know of any communities online except a few groups that discuss the nightlife scene.
But they may offer some information as well.
You are 100% accurate of your assessment of America. Thailand is a very good choice. I enjoy Laos, just a little bit better, because of the lower population, which results in less traffic, less stress, slower pace, nicer people, a farm /rural lifestyle, which I prefer, because I grew up on a farm. The food and language are similar. We have friends in Roi Et, Thailand. We will go visit them for a change of pace. Good luck in your travels. Maybe we will cross paths in the future. Stay safe brother.
Yes true
Laos is wonderful
I am
Looking forward to going there again
Laos rocks, all over Thailand.
@@sagepirotess6312 where in particular?
@@regnorse well Laos capital is amazing. Huge Mekong river in city separating Thailand from Laos z and lots of things to see and do. In north awesome waterfalls and nature. South biggest waterfall in Asia on laos Cambodia border.
In the north I stayed in a hotel 15 bucks. With an insane natural waterfall, that came down and made a huge swimming pool for tourists.
@@sagepirotess6312 i'll have a look cheers