Thanks Les. No need to think - just do it. On my return to UK from a great 4 weeks in Thailand, I need to clear out my junk then get my skates on = done deal in my eyes where I can actually have a life and not an existence. Thanks for the motivation and huge assistance.
Agree completely Les. I moved to Thailand from Australia in Dec last year. You can live on pretty much any budget here. I have some money in the bank and a few investments, but basically live here on a small military pension and live in a 3 bedroom house in Phuket. I want for nothing and have a great life. I was working in a high paying corporate job in Sydney and coming here has shown me just how little I actually need - although I still have a lot compared to many people here. Whilst not everything is cheap in Thailand; the cost of living is a fraction of the ridiculous prices in Australia now.
Hi Adam, Living in Sydney for a month was my most expensive stay on my round the World trip but we did a lot in Australia as a whole, many 1st's there in Australia. Glad you seen the light and well done and thanks for sharing.
Cheers Bill, just come in from my morning coffee sat on our veranda nice warm morning Blue sky Ahhhhh heaven. So happy to be back. thanks for your comment and for watching.
Great video I'm an American and everything is a rip there buying a new car there you pay tax, license, dock fees, dealer prep they are twice as expensive just bought a Hilux for 20k they are 40k in the states and diesel much cheaper I had a semi truck and was paying 15k year to keep the emissions legal.....any how glad I'm here.
One issue U.K retirees to Thailand may want to consider is that your state pension will no longer receive the annual increases. It becomes frozen at that level and inflation will result in ever reducing real term purchasing power. This is in contrast to say the Philippines and other countries for example where reciprocal arrangements exist. Sufficient Health insurance costs will eventually equate to a small mortgage by the age you need it most. It may even become unaffordable for many or indeed unavailable to those over a certain age. Serious conditions are normally those that are unexpected and expensive to treat ( eg heart attack etc ). Jumping on a flight back to the U.K for treatment may not be possible. Also you may need to wait 6 months before becoming eligible for free NHS treatment because you are an expat. I am not saying you should not retire abroad but just be aware of the possible long term implications.
Thanks Terry I cover this in my various videos, but thanks for bringing it up here. You just could sit in a chair once your old and worry about such things. Or get out of that chair and live the best live you have left for as long as you can. This in my mind is going to happen one Day I will die but until I cross that bridge I live as good as a life as I can. I have got things in place if my health gets worse ( it is ok at the moment ) I have got ideas to get my pension increase even though I live in Thailand. ( All Legal ways ) Increasing health insurance is a price to pay for getting Old. If I could fix this answer then I would be a millionaire. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Hi Jo 90 great watching that puppet show in its day. Never been to Columbia so can't comment but where ever you lay your hat that's your home. Thanks for your comment.
Hey Les I'm chris just found your Chanel...you seem to be a realy nice Bloke I'm from Australia moved thailand october last year... yes getting more exspencive I'm living on phuket but moving north next year
Thanks Les and good insight to how you can retire and live in Thailand n actually have a lifestyle there rather than an existence just paying higher n higher bills now here in the UK n the crap weather and crime rates don’t help either. I’m looking at finishing work within 18 months depending on work and bills left to pay. You always need more than you think when living in Thailand but I’ve always said abt 50,000bt per month is modestly ok if you have your own property and transport…the 2 big requirements and key items that you need.
Yes mate that's about the right figure but renting is OK you can find really nice places to live for 10k baht a month or even less except in Bangkok and phuket
Hi Gord, 50,000 is livable for sure, Exactly the same thoughts Crime crap weather high bills Here where I live almost 0 crime nice temp blue sky's just got my electric bill 14 pounds 39 pence for the month my water is 2 pounds for the month. You can see why Thailand is a good place to be. Best wishes for your future plans.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thx Les…well I’ve been delaying my move back to Jomtien long enough now so I’m hoping in next 18mths. Forgot to say when budgeting it helps if you have a thai partner that has a job with some income coming in too….otherwise you would have to increase your budget by at least 50%.
Les, I wanted to ask you and some of the other vlogers I'm following a question. I want to retire in Thailand but I have to ask, what do retirees do every day when they are retired? Unless you open a business or do some sort of work, what does ones do every day? I can't golf, sightsee or just walk around every day. Honest, after I settle in then what would i do? I have no worries for money. My retirement is great. How does a retiree stay busy and active in Thailand? The problem with retirement for me is the fear of getting bored and having nothing to do. Can you talk about this in a vlog? How do retirees in Thailand stay active, busy and healthy? Thanks mate.
Gym swimming walking, keeps the med insurance claims down. Discovering new places and travel, just a couple of days away to new places is very cheap to do so long as you use a bus. Learn the language but do it half heartly otherwise it will stress you. And of course the holy grail of free time**FISHING**. Seriously i had same worries as you, i got my head round it all by thinking what would you be doing when retiring in your own country and compare it to what avialable in Thailand. Also remember you can always go back home if it doesnt suite.
I will try to do a blog on this for sure, me my feeling now is how did I make time for work as my days are all full of things I want to do I can say out of 12 years being retired i have never been bored I never want to Retire from being retired.
Another great video Les. As far as I am concerned you can’t make enough cost of living videos, be it housing, health insurance or just day to day costs and expenses. 😁 They’re always interesting and useful and as things change a new video is always on topic.
Les, You will be getting a good pension because you were in the fire services in the UK and then you will get the basic state pension so happy days for you.
Lovely chill video Les!! thankyou! Pre covid i was living very comfortably in Thailand for 6 months of the year on my NZ pension and the rent from a small flat I have in NZ. I dont drink, eat very simple food, mostly Thai and have a pretty low key lifestyle and being a woman I obviously dont need to pay bar fines etc...LOL!! I'm just about to return again next week. YAY!! And while my visits have been on hold i've been seriuosly considering relocating to Thailand full time. So it was good to hear your take on things as I've been wondering if it is still within my reach financially. It seems they are! Thankyou again. Is that your garden youre sitting in?? It looks beatuiful!
Hi Sue, yes it is our garden, we live in a wonderful location 5 min drive from the beach and in a village location, nice people nice surroundings heaven on earth. I visited NZ for 3 months in a van did both islands a truly stunning location. Living the simple life here is very affordable good luck with your future plans. Les & Ploy
100% Spot on Craig, I have made mistakes in the past but I have no regrets what is done is done look forward, learn from your mistakes and live as good a life as you can.
Hi Les, another great vlog. You are dead right about the unaffordable cost of living for retirees, whether in the UK or US. My sister is struggling with rising living costs in the UK. The only good thing about the UK is the NHS and that seems to be in a perilous state. I am about to retire in the US and don’t think I could afford to live in a decent neighborhood. Even with Medicare, my health insurance costs will probably be over $500 a month. Because of my advanced age and medical conditions health insurance in Thailand will probably be about the same, but everything else will be much cheaper. And, as you say, best to take out minimal health insurance and then fly back to the UK if there is a serious problem. I am still in the process of finding out how much my health insurance costs will be (I have contacted Blue Cross) and will let you know what they quote me (my check up is scheduled for June) . Assuming that it goes to plan, I am hoping to arrive at the end of August. Still trying to decide between Hua Hin and Rayong. Perhaps you could do a vlog on the properties in your neck of the woods (or at least drive around and film the neighborhood) . I think quite a few of your subscribers will be interested. By the way, on a slightly different topic, I think Thailand is in a good place to weather the rising food costs that are hitting Europe, since the staple crop in Thailand is rice, which is grown domestically and exported in abundance. Petrol (gas to Americans) is no doubt going to cost more, but at least there should not be food shortages. Once, again thanks for sharing your vlogs with us-I’m always looking forward to the next one. Colin
Hi Malin, I have done several videos on property here and I have also done a few videos on Ban Phe and Rayong and the Island of Koh Samet, many hours of viewing in these videos. I will do a cheap budget video this week including accommodation food and entertainment.
Hi Les, another good vlog. The picture is much worse than the one you just painted, fuel will be £2 a litre very soon, my energy bills are about to nearly double in price this April, and our food bill seems to be higher every week some people even have to make the terrible choice of either heat or eat. My thoughts are that you can either retire in the UK and try to exist on the pension or sell up and move to Thailand and actually have a life. I know which one I would pick.
Hi John, people need to re-assess their living experience Think outside the box look at different country's. Just got my Electric bill for the month 14 pounds 39 pence or 637 Baht. Even with a 54% hike that would be 980 baht or 22 pounds 47 pence Not like the huge increase the UK is asking for
Me and my Thai wife are moving to Thailand in July. Our budget for the 4 first years is 40 000 bhat pr month. ( have some old debt to pay off the first 4 years ). My wife is going to find a job, She will probably get 15 000 bhat pr month in salery. So probably 55 000 bhat pr month for the two of us. After 4 years we will have 110 000 bhat pr month to live of. But Living of 40 000 bhat is possible. It wont be extravagant but it will be way better then living in the west. Buying food at the market, rent a house for 10 000 bhat, owning our own motorbike, not eating at fancy restaurants, not partying like we are on holiday. Its just a matter of being smart about it. We do have backup amount in savings, that is a must have. Thank you for your videos, they are a great help btw.
@@isaanman5399 Me and my wife will be starting off in Pattaya, more precise 20 min outside Pattaya. Udon Thani is on the cards as well as my wife is from Bung kan. But first and foremost we will start our Thailand living outside Pattaya.
Insurance is what you want it to be I have had many who say I am under insured and others say they are not insured and Some that have a minimum of 3 million of insurance. I know the risks involved living here health wise and as long as I am happy with my cover then that's ok with me. I know plenty of guys with nothing at all. Thanks for your comment.
Also, Les, they say Australians have to return to Australia every 6 months to continue the aged pension. Which sucks as I have been paying tax in Australia since 1984....
Hi Jeff, I am going to do a video shortly about the pension situation in the UK and as with Australia you have to be resident in the UK or one of the country's approved for you to live in to claim your pension to get the yearly rise. If you do not live in the UK and live in Thailand you still get your pension but not the yearly increase, but once you return for the 180 days all them increases are added to your pension but not back dated. so when it was 1 to 3% not worth bothering with but for the next couple of years it will be about 6 to 9% with what is happening around the world. But as I say I will do a video shortly about what can be done.
Hi, Les. Thx for the informative videos. I'm an American with a small VA disability pension of $1338 per month. How will that work for me, taking into consideration that I'll be living on the coast in Hua Hin or Pattaya, and that I don't drink or patronize the red light districts? Thank you in advance. Al
Hi at the moment I am helping an American guy out who has only his Social Security $1300 per month. It is doable for sure but hit the entertainment zones, too much Alcohol and this Budget is not enough. Moderation is the key. So in answer to your question yes you can live a very basic life here on that amount but a basic life here in my opinion is better than both the UK and USA. Many people would agree I'm sure. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Thanks Les , came at the right time ! Saw this coming in the West ; only going to get worse . Really appreciated, just needed the extra encouragement from a recognisable voice from the UK . Decisions made..later this year to visit .Barriet thankyou
Glad to help I was happy to leave the UK in 2010, I return as little as possible and when I do I get home sick for Thailand. Seeing the place I grew up and the crime Graffiti everywhere the Chav's everywhere. The price of everything, I want the people to see there is better things for them outside of the UK. America documentaries have shocked me over the past few days Tent City Teachers employed people living in cars because they can't afford to rent property's. What a crazy world we are living in. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
I agree 1,000% Thailand is cheaper than USA - HANDS DOWN! A pension of $3,000 to $4,000 per month is nothing in NYC, USA - if you are living in Bangkok $3,000 per month is the sweet spot for a good quality of life with medical insurance included!
Your never to old lol. Have a try 1st a little holiday just to test the water but give it a go, send me a email if you require more information. lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
I did not buy the 1 million Baht house we spent more and bought the house we have rented for 5 years but the houses are still available for 1 million Baht in the Rayong district. But my friend bought one and it is getting built now.
Hi Les its been awhile i dont do much YT since moving over ten months ago. I have to admit I found the first few months horrendous no honeymoon period missed work and been front line (you can relate to this) worker I missed the friends I relied so much at work. I think you build special bonds with work mates when dealing with situations you face daily its only some one that works in front line profession can only understand. So to keep busy I decided to develop land we owned in the gulf of Thailand and build a holiday home on it for personal use and a rental income also as it a holiday island. My money was decreasing in Europe getting negative interest in the banks so this way I earn a rent and can sell on in a few years if needs be. I often tell my son our life here is something I could never have aspired to in the west never in a million years but I have a good Thai wife and we work well together as a team. So its definitely not a bed a roses here but start using the Thai logic forget yesterday and don't worry about tomorrow just live for today " don't think too much " my wife always says. Thanks Les sorry for the long update.
Thanks for taking time to comment, Westerner's can Learn from the Thai people, yes live for today is a good plan because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Good luck with your future in Thailand. Well done.
Hi Paul, I lived by the coast all my life so would miss the coast if I did not live close to the sea. I have the best of both worlds, my wife has a house in the Country and now we have one by the coast. Thanks for taking time to comment.
I will be looking forward to your videos coming interesting that you brought up the UK living as I'm thinking about what I should do we're I want to live etc
So many videos to do, now I am back from my wife's farm it is time to get cracking again. The next 2 weeks is going to be busy for me. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
If I received a pension in Australia🇦🇺🦘, I could not live any sort of quality of life. I would be bound to cheap rental accommodation sharing with my brother and his wife. I would be steeped in poverty and struggle to buy a coffee in a cafe each day. You've nailed it brother. Now.... I moved to Indonesia 🇮🇩. I live a great life way better than I could if back in Australia🇦🇺. I don't qualify for a pension yet, but I can live in $10 a day here in my island. That's $10 a day for my wife, child and I. I could not afford to own a house back in Australia, but here I own property. It's true... I live like a king👑. Thanks for the video mate. I strongly advice others to go where you're valued. Living in Asia is cheaper despite the global economic recession.
Well said and thanks for sharing, you would not believe how many emails I get saying this can't be done but when others say such things like yourself others can see, I am totally honest in my videos and no B S about unrealistic living standards. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Best wishes for your future.
Thx Les. Another great vid. I have a house in Surin, Thailand, built 4 years ago. When I retire I will be living there, but do you and your viewers think it might be a good idea to buy a cheap $30,000-$50,000 AUD condo in maybe Krabi, Koh Samui, etc, so I can get out of the Issan country life once every 4/6 months for a few weeks? Thx.
For sure at the moment there are good deals to be had if you have the money. There is only one direction to go now we are at the bottom and that is upwards. Best wishes for your future. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
A good topic at some stage Les would be the heat it's one thing to have enough money to retire but some and I'm in this category really struggle with the heat especially about this time of year
I agree the heat affects some people, a friend of mine Loved the heat when she 1st arrived only to be within 2 years a prisoner within her own house with the Aircon on 24 hrs a day. The hottest part of the year lasts for about 3 months Hot and sticky, but I still prefer this to dull grey sky's and cold for more than 6 months of the year in the UK. I hope you find that sweet spot as far as Temperature goes. Best wishes and thanks for taking time to comment.
Yes that's me prisoner in my own house with aircon on 24/7 I'm in Melbourne and apart from about 3 months when its cold the other 9 months is great great channel mate and very easy to tell you jai Dee mak mak
Will do! 100,000 baht deposit then another 100,000 baht when the roof goes on then the balance paid over a maximum of 7 years at 5% APR. sorry about the delay this message has just popped up
I'm receive a good pension from the USPS & Miltary presently and less then 2 months will be recieving my Sosial Secuirty and I also will begin to save funds for my first trip to Germany in years for a single man and I will decide later if I will move their pernanetly or travel there it all depends on how much I will get in Social Securty for working 41 plus years. Any helpful comments is more than welcomed. psps Thx for the video.
Hi and thanks for your comment, Retirement is a wonderful time full of adventure and excitement if that's what you desire, spending time with family or friends. The one big thing to say,🙏🙏 It is up to you. It's your life and you chose to do what you wish, All them years have led up to this moment. Enjoy and best wishes for your trip to Germany.
Hi Les just watch your video and just retired and was thinking about moving to SA Philippines or Thailand and found your video very interesting and would like to know more if you have any useful information that could help i would be grateful Regards Frank
Hi Sue Pacific Cross is my insurance provider, I will talk with him today as my renewal is due next month Ill send a link to you later so you can talk direct to him. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Les, Just got a letter from EDF, gas and electric will go up by £1100 for the year, Council tax is touching £2800. I was 55 last month, with a tiny private pension. Even with my investments, the future worries me. It will be like watching every penny kind of an existence. I just wish I had planned this when I was in my late 20s. I’m an optimist, hopefully it will be fine but it is scary.
Hi thanks for taking time to comment, Ask any 20 year old about planning for the future and they will laugh, I remember joining the Fire Service at 19, he told me I could Retire at 50 my thoughts at that 50 your an old Man, but wow did it come quick been retired now for 12 years and like a click of the fingers 12 years has passed. Best wishes for your future. I started planning 8 years before I retired but Divorce skewered that plan when I Retired so Plan Z works for me.
U done well I look forward to the next blog I live in Northern Ireland and it’s worse than the uk mainland I am looking for a device that will help me walk again after a big stroke it will cost me from 800 to 5000for the latest device but u can get it on the nhs in the mainland they tax us the same that’s only 1thing and it’s a big 1i would be better off if I had insurance I enjoy watching ur blogs
Hi Gary it depends on a few things, if you pay your wife a salary or not if other members of the family live with you. As a guide many guys living in a village location live on about 30,000 baht per month owning their own house. I have guys who say they live on 20,000 baht and others say 40,000 so look in the middle at around 30,000 If I lived at my wife's farm in Korat I was looking at 30,000 a month. If we were not buying this house we could live on 35,000 to 40,000 baht per month for sure. One day we will have no loan on the house so look forward to that day.
Given that "nice location" is very broad as a term, but In south Italy you could actually get a nice house/apartment for around 30k euro, especially in Puglia, in the surroundings of Bari/Lecce... And it's even better in Basilicata or Calabria.
Hi ZK, I love Italy and would loved to have lived there but the areas I liked were very expensive, I lived in Orvieto for 4 months and loved the place. But as I said look around the World for living a better life than where you are now. Thailand tick the boxes for me. But Italy will always have a place in my heart.
im retiring early at 59 so i just got to put up with it for another year then im off to thailand ive got the required funds for the bank account but im not sure which retirement visa to go for the o or the oa visa .definately having health insurance tho so i can protect my lump sum if anything goes wrong .keep up the good work les your information is top class cheers
@@keithy507 Just look at "kev in thailand" (YT) RIP,.no medical insurance in thailand, spent around £40k on treatment for cancer and still had to come back to uk to die, sad story alround,.
Thanks so much Jonny, Th O/A visa can be obtained outside of Thailand and you require Medical insurance for the duration of your stay. The O visa can be obtained within Thailand and no insurance is required. I would suggest Enter on a Tourist visa then apply for the O visa once here. You will find once your here many things can be sorted. It's getting here is the complicated bit. Thanks for watching.
@@cabovermike I heard about Kev but did not know he spent so much on his treatment in Thailand. Poor fellow. For cancer, at least you get some warning, whereas for heart attacks and strokes they can happen at any time and maybe one does not have time to fly back for treatment. Still, looking on the bright side, better to pass away in a tropical paradise than in dreary England or crazy US.
Hi Malcolm. Yes we have bought a house for not much more than we were paying rent so one day it will be ours ( My wife's ) You are 100% correct only Thai's can buy Land and property and foreigners cant own Land in Thailand. ( A Foreigner can own 100% of a Condo with strings ) I have gone into this in more details on one of the videos. but briefly we have been renting this house for 5 years and having a chat with one of my Subscribers he convinced me and showed me a way to buy the house and have little risk. It is all about the risk here. I will never own the house I know but being married and know that we have 100% trust in each other then buying the house provides my wife with a financial future once I am gone. I would not recommend doing this unless you trust your partner 100% When we have fully paid for it and if we parted I would still be better off than renting for this period. I would be entitled to Half the value of the house. There are many ways to look at it. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching if you want anymore information send me a email lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
We do have roosters but we are surrounded by trees and our next door neibour has a bird Avery so the sound of birds is with us all day. We live in Rayong. Thanks for watching
Wealthy comes in all sorts shapes and sizes my wealth is the good living standards I get living here the lack of crime here, the feeling safe, friendly people it is not money I strive for its a good living standard without the hassle. UK would never be able to provide this with what I have. Retirement is more than just the money.
Hi Les, I have a question about a fear I have. I would like to own a house and live their with mt thai wife. If I was to pass away first, my wife would get the house and I have no issues with that. If she passed away first, would her family then get the house and in theory, kick me out of my home , since farangs can't own houses in Thailand?
Hi Scot an easy answer, yes the house would pass to your wife's family but to ensure you can live there if she passed away you would set up a Lease agreement giving you the pleasure of living there for 30 year periods which is renewable, this also protects you should things go wrong with your relationship to cover you against being evicted from your house. No worries it can be done.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thanks for the reply Les. So basically, I would have to rely on the good nature of my in laws if they would allow me to continue living in my house ? Or this something that could be written in some legal contract while she's still alive?
@@scotttracy9333 Yes the Legal contract allows you to live there as long as the lease lasts. as long as your in good relations with the family there would be no problem. hope this helps cheers.
Hi Brandon, I was one of them 2 week Millionaires but a Retired Millionaire in the early days. were talking about 9 years ago but a few things I remember my condo rental was 18,000 baht per month. Although I did not drink a lot I was eating out every day massage, every couple of days + extra service. Holidays outside of Pattaya taking girls you like with you as company, ( learnt no need to do this ) In Thailand there are Girls everywhere. Bowling Movies I did live it up. So I would say 60 to 70,000 baht per month. But Enjoyment 100% no where else like this in the World. Pattaya has everything you could ever want in a place to live. I would say Every SINGLE GUY needs to visit Pattaya just once it will change your view on life for sure. Pattaya give me many 1st Time things in my life. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream cool, 70k per month is a an affordable amount. I am planning to spend a year or so in Pattaya, go wild, ahem ahem you know what I mean, and then cool my heels off the rest of my life in a quiet sublime thai town just like you’re doing. Thanks for such a detailed response. And eagerly waiting for your upcoming video series. And on a side note, as you said buying a house can be done by legit work arounds, do you provide any consultation or connect with the right people? Thanks again.
When ever talking about a Thailand budget know if that person knows what he's talking about. I have over 13+years of living here. Ok. You first must know or ask how or what standards you want/require. Yes you can get by on one thousand dollars. Now if you drink/smoke then think about it. Can you eat only Thai food? OK you see now visas are another big factor to learn about especially when or if you are under 50 years old. Get good advice first, research a lot. Good luck.
Wise words I have lived here for 10 years now and have seen many things happen here, money can be your biggest problem here or should I say the lack of it.
Les, isn't a UK state pension income frozen, for those retiring from state pension age in Thailand? Frozen, meaning the individual gets the income he/she retired fully in Thailand, but without any yearly increases...which he/she would receive if they stayed in the UK.
You are correct you have to live in the UK for at least 180 days to receive your pension increase but having an address in the UK helps show you still have connections in the UK. ( there are work arounds ) I also believe but may be wrong if you return to the UK for the 180 days you get all the increases in your pension you have missed, the money is not backdated but the rises are, for those in the know please advice please I would like to know for sure, different answers from different people.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Hi Les, a vlog to go over the aspects of UK pensions (private & state) in Thailand, the ins & outs, would be great, when all info is obtained.
Hi Curtis, I would for sure rent for your 1st year to see if you like the area then consider buying, we lived in our house for 5 years and were happy to be able to buy. You will struggle to get private finance without a Thai partner but I do know a place you can buy over a 7 year period there may be Condo chains that will offer you deals but you will not get a bank loan to buy anything if you do not have a work permit. In essence you need a Thai partner. Thanks for watching
Thanks Les, Australian’s lose any government pensions 30 days after leaving the country! You need to be self funded to live overseas! Thanks for your video mate!
Hi Paul I know a couple of Australians getting money from Australia at 61 I think its a private pension and they say to get a State Pension they have to return to Australia 2 years before getting that Pension. Plenty of Australian guys here though. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Hi mate if your 67 and apply for old age pension in Australia and have worked in Australia for more than 20 years you can get the old age pension and live in thailand but it's just a flat rate example if you live in Australia you might get about 1600 a month after 26 weeks living in thailand they will cut it to a flat rate the secret is you must be living in Australia when your 67 get the pension then go live in thailand at the flat rate which is about 1200 a month which is a little less than 30k baht I recommend with health insurance and air conditioning we need 50k Thai baht a month yes it can be done for a lot less but then I'm struggling like I am here in Australia
An Australian disability pension entitles you to 6 months in Thailand then it gets cut off. I'm a pom in aus 45years and I get $987 a fortnight age pension 24,000bt so I stay 4weeks and supplement it with 50,000bt + air fare of$915 so its go rinse repeat 3 times a year, insurance is $10 a week see you all in August mark from slough
I have one year to go before retierment money comes i live of the same amount now as i will get when my money comes from the government so i wont be shocked for money i have my own home car motorbike everything and my lifestyle is excellent if you use your brain and dont live above your means it a great place to be
Yes you can. it is a little less than what I live on but it is doable for sure, unless you want entertaining and the girls then you would need double this amount until you settle down then this amount would be fine. language barrier, I still can't speak thai and I get by. The visa is always possible here by one way or another.
That's really light on medical. An accident that requires surgery, recovery for 10 days and medical transport to your home country, could approach 2 million baht. I know because this happened to me.
I agree but it is better than nothing, sorry to hear about your accident hope your better now. I do Plan on an increase this year as I have a cunning new plan that someone showed me.
@My Thailand When you had your issue, did you have enough med insurance to cover the 2 million? If so and it was covered with no issue, any suggestion on which medical insurance company I should look at? I do not want to have to get back on a plane and suffer on a 23 hour plane ride to go back to the United States to get treated for a major medical issue.
I love your vlogs and advise Les, I currently live in Sydney Australia, but grew up in the UK. I have dual nationality for Oz and Uk. Australia as the Uk was great in the hay day. But so expensive now. I own an apartment in Sydney and live alone. I am coming up to retirement...64 years old now. But I want to get out and live somewhere where I can have a comfortable life to see out my days.... lol.... I have been to Thailand many times travelling and am not into bars etc. apart from a social meeting with friends. Les can I retire to Thailand without a Thai wife, and can I buy a property on my own. I love the people in Thailand and the delicious food. Also, les I have had a Thai bank account for years.... Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing from you. Jeff
Hi Jeff having spent 6 weeks in Sydney I HAVE TO AGREE ITS SUPER EXPENSIVE. I also intend to see out my days here in Thailand its a great place to live for sure. Here in Rayong we have a weekly Brunch club where we eat chat and put the world to rights until next week. at 61 I am the youngest one there. Living here can be as entertaining or as quiet as you choose it to be. As far as buying a property if you buy a Condo then it is in your name, you can buy a house and put it into a company name and although its not 100% in your name technically its yours there are legal ways of doing this. I never suggest doing anything illegal here I might do a Play on words but everything I suggest is Legal.
Now please answer this honestly!! Can a single U.S. male, with no intention of "hooking up" with anyone, purchase a house in Thailand without fear of the government passing a law at any time to take it away at any point in the future? I have the resources but would go ballistic if it were stolen out from beneath me.
Morning Brian. My honest opinion no one ever knows what rules the government can do for sure. in this country or any country. You can't own land here in Thailand you can own the house on the land but not the land it sits on, you have to lease the land for 30 year terms. Sounds complicated but it is not. So in answer to your question you can buy a property here but with strings. Buying a condo it will be in your name and 100% yours.
Not a fan of Thailand. Highly recommend Phillipines over Thailand. It's cheaper, people are much more friendly and there's a huge surplus of beautiful woman!
Thanks for your wisdom Les away appreciated and include "Canada" in can't live on government pension, at least not like you can there. Got you Email thanks
Watched a Documentary on Canada wow that's so bad also the homelessness about 245,000 at any one time and 25,000 to 30,000 on the street on any given night. What a world we live in sad.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream yes sad and true, although the country is so large you might find those numbers misleading, but the majority of homeless congregate in our large city's like Toronto or Vancouver where the winters are a little less harsh. I will point out that living here in Ottawa the Nations Capital, there seems like every intersection with traffic lights has someone holding a sign and a coffee cup. Not there for six years you say hmm interesting, probably saving it till he retires!
No officially if you leave the UK for more than 6 months you have to pay for treatment if you return to the UK and you will have to go onto a waiting list for 2 years to get your free treatment. Sad if you paid into the system all this time. Perhaps return on an inflatable boat at Dover and you will get everything you require.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Putting aside your (not-so-odd) attitude to immigrants/migrants/expats when you are one yourself, the "go back to 'your country' for treatment" advice isn't very good then. You're clearly from my neck of the woods and my wife's and my council estate comp education puts us at the same age. We've been immigrants in France since 1986, working, and became French citizens after the referendum vote. Well done on the house. We'll continue watching as your advice is generally good. Don't envy you but great to see one of us working-class northeasterners making a success of life 👍. Be happy and grow some positive karma 😁. 🇪🇺🇫🇷
@@RetiredandLivingthedream It's really a gamble.... The worst outcome being the Kev in Thailand scenario. Got to be better than being old in County Durham though.
I started looking at retiring in Thailand for the exact reasons you mentioned at the beginning of this video. I did the math and it is impossible to retire in America. I can live well as long as I keep working. When I stop working I'll have to move in with my children. My mortgage is $1730 a month and it's a good deal. The average is higher. You'll be lucky to find a studio apartment in America for under a thousand dollars. I haven't done the math, but I suspect a trailer park might be out of reach. Maybe I can convert a van while I'm still working. I hear stealth camping in walmart parking lots is a thing. Or maybe move into a lawless Democrat City with Government assistance where we can be robbed and beaten for being white. I understand the good intention of so many vloggers who want to warn people they may not be able to afford retiring in Thailand. What I think so many don't understand is we have been priced out of our home country. We're not Expats, we are economic refugees.
The Richest Country's are not always the best to Retire in. Unless you have more than enough to live a good lifestyle. This now seems to be not affordable to the working class how sad working all your life looking forward to them Golden years only to have them beyond your grasp because of the cost of living crisis caused by years of poor pay. Whilst the Elite take advantage of the poor pay they impose on their workforce. I seen this years ago and decided to make the move and I am so glad I did. I would not want to live in the UK at the moment.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream It works quite well for me as long as I stay on the hamster wheel and keep running. But I'm getting a bit tired and it seems the only place to get off in my home country is the grave. The grave is quite expensive too, now that I mention it.
Good video but you skip over some key questions. When you get over 70 it’s hard to get insurance or it becomes very expensive. You said go home if you get a major illness for treatment. You will need a place to back too also do you still pay your national insurance every week to keep your access to nhs which you lose if you stop paying for more than 3 months. Also what happens when you get too old to look after yourself or develop dementia heavens forbid.
Thanks for your question, I do think out of the Box for this one it's not everyone's cup of tea my answer but it would work for sure so let me explain I agree health for the over 70's that goes without saying in any country insurance is going to be high so Thailand is no different, its a fact of life. Once you leave the UK for 6 months then officially you have to pay for NHS treatment, If I needed life saving treatment and If I was challenged with that then a Brick through the local gold shop window would give you a short time in prison where they are duty bound to look after your health ( I said thinking out of the box ) This is of course if you have a life threatening illness other not so drastic illness I would buy a van put a mattress and a porta potti in drastic but cheap and of course this is if you have very little money drastic situation's call for drastic measures, I have family in the UK but would not burden them with my problems. As I said not every one's cup of Tea but that's what I would do. I have paid my dues and I should be entitled to claim this at any time is my thinking but I also hope to live a long illness free life but no one knows for sure.
10,000 baht a month, You wouldn't be able to leave the house on that. Im spending more than that a week but if I tried very hard I could prob get monthly expenses down to 30,000 a month.
I can’t wait to retire to Thailand. Unfortunately I have to wait 9 longggg years. Yes I’d say 40,000 a month would be grand. I only earn £1000-£1200 a month here in Northern Ireland and have a £250 mortgage and run a car (another £250 a month) and just about scrape by. So I know personally I could live on 40,000 a month in Thailand. Thankfully I’ve only 2 years on the mortgage, so I’ll rent my house out and cash in my private pension. It’s been my dream now for 19 years now to retire there. So in 2 years time when I’ve no mortgage, I can go holiday there for 2 months a year until then. 🙏🏻
Sounds like a Plan, I will be doing a video next week on cheap living as I am for the ordinary working person and being able to show how this can be done. I live on 55,000 baht per month now but I am buying this house but living on 40,000 can be done so easy. Renting your house out is a good plan that will make things much more easy living here. Best wishes for your plans.
Rayong district of Thailand. Yes you can buy a house without a Thai on a Lease basis but it is yours to sell also when you decide too. There are many Lawful ways to do this. Thanks for asking I can give you a Lawyer's details if required and he can explain your options. Just send a email to lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
Easily manageable as long as you don’t chase skirt or booze. Great weather, beaches and you can make good expat friends( clear out the suckers). Then act as if you are a happy 10 year old with pocket money. If you’ve still got your looks. You can marry an educated, lady with a proper job who is not out to juggle 4 farang boyfriends sponsorship income. If you just want to play, play but wise to the fact that you should never, ever get married unless she has money and is prepared to share.
Hi Les once again another terrible video . Sorry just thought I would go against the other 99% of comments, :P I thoroughly enjoy your videos they are always full of interesting topics and very informative . Just a comment on the pension here in Australia it is approximately $988 a fortnight which of course totals to $1976 and judging by what I have read and watched online this is pretty good money for living in Thailand or am I mistaken. I am at present applying "again" for a tourist visa for my friend who live in Mukdahan , my first attempt I did by myself because I thought it would be easy but have discovered that it is not easy at all and I think Australian has some the strictest visa requirements than most countries., so I have now made contact with an agency in Bangkok in hope that I have more success . Have you touched on this subject on any of your previous videos.? cheers Willie
Hello from a Hot Thailand, you can live a good lifestyle on that amount of money for sure we live on a similar amount and we are buying our house. No I have not done a video on this as I know very little about it, many people have asked me if I am taking Ploy to the UK for a holiday the short answer is no, the reason why would I take her to a place i left which is so expensive spending a couple of months in holiday mode would cost a fortune. I would rather spend the money here, also Ploy does not want to fly as she is scared to fly. Thanks for your comment and for watching. Les.
@AVRO filmvideo I think getting a visa to take your wife Ofer gf to Australia will cost more than $150 my friend paid 35,000 baht for a visa to visit the U.K. so $150 sounds remarkably cheap.
I went to Japan for 2 weeks I found it very expensive and I did not like the food. but then I was in Tokyo for the two weeks very clean and men is suits working in Mc D on their laptops at 10 pm is my memory
Decisions about my pension savings were taken out of my hands it was done by my employer and I am happy it was. Young people do not think about Retirement but now I'm retired I would say they need to look at it. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Dead right Australia is far to expensive 20 years ago not many homeless people now I see homeless people everywhere old age pension in Australia for a single person is 1600 a month my rent is 1500 a month retirement age here is 67 they want us dead about then
You may think so but I know two guys who live on this amount and only this amount every month, It depends how you see things, 800 in the UK goes no where but 800 pounds here you live ok. You don't have to be wealthy to live most places but you need to be realistic what you can and can't have. I was contemplating living in a van for a couple of years and travel as cheap as I could. A positive frame of mind is a good thing. Thanks for your comment.
❤❤❤UK is finish No life for a working person...For pensioner it is graveyard ❤❤❤
Retire as soon as you can for as long as you can. They want you to work as long as you can then Die Job done.
Thanks Les.
No need to think - just do it.
On my return to UK from a great 4 weeks in Thailand, I need to clear out my junk then get my skates on = done deal in my eyes where I can actually have a life and not an existence.
Thanks for the motivation and huge assistance.
Thanks Darryl, you have seen 1st hand what is possible, good luck with your plans I hope all goes well for you.
Best wishes Les & Ploy
You won't regret the decision to move where you actually get the chance to live your dream. It's not wishful thinking, it's a real possibility ☕🥳
Bad advice.. Use your head to think not your penis.
Agree completely Les. I moved to Thailand from Australia in Dec last year. You can live on pretty much any budget here. I have some money in the bank and a few investments, but basically live here on a small military pension and live in a 3 bedroom house in Phuket. I want for nothing and have a great life. I was working in a high paying corporate job in Sydney and coming here has shown me just how little I actually need - although I still have a lot compared to many people here. Whilst not everything is cheap in Thailand; the cost of living is a fraction of the ridiculous prices in Australia now.
Hi Adam, Living in Sydney for a month was my most expensive stay on my round the World trip but we did a lot in Australia as a whole, many 1st's there in Australia. Glad you seen the light and well done and thanks for sharing.
I’ve only just come across you on UA-cam brilliant videos
Thanks so much for watching and for your Kind Words.
It’s easy to see how much happier you are to be back in the Kingdom Les, cheers mate
Cheers Bill, just come in from my morning coffee sat on our veranda nice warm morning Blue sky Ahhhhh heaven. So happy to be back. thanks for your comment and for watching.
Great video I'm an American and everything is a rip there buying a new car there you pay tax, license, dock fees, dealer prep they are twice as expensive just bought a Hilux for 20k they are 40k in the states and diesel much cheaper I had a semi truck and was paying 15k year to keep the emissions legal.....any how glad I'm here.
Well said Dave thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video Les, new subscriber.
cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks for the sub! Glenn thanks so much for your support. many more video's to come.
Thank you les for information your video are great am 56age going to retire in Thailand one day from Scott new Zealand
Best of luck! with your future plans it's worth it.
One issue U.K retirees to Thailand may want to consider is that your state pension will no longer receive the annual increases. It becomes frozen at that level and inflation will result in ever reducing real term purchasing power. This is in contrast to say the Philippines and other countries for example where reciprocal arrangements exist.
Sufficient Health insurance costs will eventually equate to a small mortgage by the age you need it most. It may even become unaffordable for many or indeed unavailable to those over a certain age. Serious conditions are normally those that are unexpected and expensive to treat ( eg heart attack etc ). Jumping on a flight back to the U.K for treatment may not be possible. Also you may need to wait 6 months before becoming eligible for free NHS treatment because you are an expat.
I am not saying you should not retire abroad but just be aware of the possible long term implications.
Thanks Terry I cover this in my various videos, but thanks for bringing it up here. You just could sit in a chair once your old and worry about such things. Or get out of that chair and live the best live you have left for as long as you can. This in my mind is going to happen one Day I will die but until I cross that bridge I live as good as a life as I can. I have got things in place if my health gets worse ( it is ok at the moment ) I have got ideas to get my pension increase even though I live in Thailand. ( All Legal ways ) Increasing health insurance is a price to pay for getting Old. If I could fix this answer then I would be a millionaire. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Lived in Cali Colombia for 5 years
Rent on penthouse apt $450 Jardin Plaza
Rest on good food and Entertainment
Total $1200 month
Easy Peasy
Hi Jo 90 great watching that puppet show in its day. Never been to Columbia so can't comment but where ever you lay your hat that's your home.
Thanks for your comment.
Hey Les I'm chris just found your Chanel...you seem to be a realy nice Bloke I'm from Australia moved thailand october last year... yes getting more exspencive I'm living on phuket but moving north next year
Thanks Les and good insight to how you can retire and live in Thailand n actually have a lifestyle there rather than an existence just paying higher n higher bills now here in the UK n the crap weather and crime rates don’t help either.
I’m looking at finishing work within 18 months depending on work and bills left to pay.
You always need more than you think when living in Thailand but I’ve always said abt 50,000bt per month is modestly ok if you have your own property and transport…the 2 big requirements and key items that you need.
Yes mate that's about the right figure but renting is OK you can find really nice places to live for 10k baht a month or even less except in Bangkok and phuket
Hi Gord, 50,000 is livable for sure, Exactly the same thoughts Crime crap weather high bills
Here where I live almost 0 crime nice temp blue sky's just got my electric bill 14 pounds 39 pence for the month my water is 2 pounds for the month. You can see why Thailand is a good place to be.
Best wishes for your future plans.
Bangkok and Phuket are the two most expensive places to live.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thx Les…well I’ve been delaying my move back to Jomtien long enough now so I’m hoping in next 18mths.
Forgot to say when budgeting it helps if you have a thai partner that has a job with some income coming in too….otherwise you would have to increase your budget by at least 50%.
Les, I wanted to ask you and some of the other vlogers I'm following a question. I want to retire in Thailand but I have to ask, what do retirees do every day when they are retired? Unless you open a business or do some sort of work, what does ones do every day? I can't golf, sightsee or just walk around every day. Honest, after I settle in then what would i do? I have no worries for money. My retirement is great. How does a retiree stay busy and active in Thailand? The problem with retirement for me is the fear of getting bored and having nothing to do. Can you talk about this in a vlog? How do retirees in Thailand stay active, busy and healthy? Thanks mate.
Gym swimming walking, keeps the med insurance claims down.
Discovering new places and travel, just a couple of days away to new places is very cheap to do so long as you use a bus.
Learn the language but do it half heartly otherwise it will stress you.
And of course the holy grail of free time**FISHING**.
Seriously i had same worries as you, i got my head round it all by thinking what would you be doing when retiring in your own country and compare it to what avialable in Thailand.
Also remember you can always go back home if it doesnt suite.
I will try to do a blog on this for sure, me my feeling now is how did I make time for work as my days are all full of things I want to do I can say out of 12 years being retired i have never been bored I never want to Retire from being retired.
I have been retired here 8 years. I volunteer at a dog shelter. Many chances to volunteer. Win win.
Another great video Les. As far as I am concerned you can’t make enough cost of living videos, be it housing, health insurance or just day to day costs and expenses. 😁 They’re always interesting and useful and as things change a new video is always on topic.
Thanks for your comment Graham ,will do more of these just got my monthly Electric bill in total 14 pounds 39 pence.
Thanks for watching.
Les,
You will be getting a good pension because you were in the fire services in the UK and then you will get the basic state pension so happy days for you.
Lovely chill video Les!! thankyou! Pre covid i was living very comfortably in Thailand for 6 months of the year on my NZ pension and the rent from a small flat I have in NZ. I dont drink, eat very simple food, mostly Thai and have a pretty low key lifestyle and being a woman I obviously dont need to pay bar fines etc...LOL!! I'm just about to return again next week. YAY!! And while my visits have been on hold i've been seriuosly considering relocating to Thailand full time. So it was good to hear your take on things as I've been wondering if it is still within my reach financially. It seems they are! Thankyou again. Is that your garden youre sitting in?? It looks beatuiful!
Hi Sue, yes it is our garden, we live in a wonderful location 5 min drive from the beach and in a village location, nice people nice surroundings heaven on earth.
I visited NZ for 3 months in a van did both islands a truly stunning location. Living the simple life here is very affordable good luck with your future plans.
Les & Ploy
@@RetiredandLivingthedream 🙏❤️
Cheers Les. You make good sense.
There is no rewind switch in life.
Enjoy every day!
100% Spot on Craig, I have made mistakes in the past but I have no regrets what is done is done look forward, learn from your mistakes and live as good a life as you can.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream you set an fine example in life, Les.
Some people get to 60 and never learn. Cheers and best wishes !
Excellent production .
Many thanks! Denis thanks for watching.
Hi Les, another great vlog. You are dead right about the unaffordable cost of living for retirees, whether in the UK or US. My sister is struggling with rising living costs in the UK. The only good thing about the UK is the NHS and that seems to be in a perilous state. I am about to retire in the US and don’t think I could afford to live in a decent neighborhood. Even with Medicare, my health insurance costs will probably be over $500 a month. Because of my advanced age and medical conditions health insurance in Thailand will probably be about the same, but everything else will be much cheaper. And, as you say, best to take out minimal health insurance and then fly back to the UK if there is a serious problem. I am still in the process of finding out how much my health insurance costs will be (I have contacted Blue Cross) and will let you know what they quote me (my check up is scheduled for June) . Assuming that it goes to plan, I am hoping to arrive at the end of August. Still trying to decide between Hua Hin and Rayong. Perhaps you could do a vlog on the properties in your neck of the woods (or at least drive around and film the neighborhood) . I think quite a few of your subscribers will be interested. By the way, on a slightly different topic, I think Thailand is in a good place to weather the rising food costs that are hitting Europe, since the staple crop in Thailand is rice, which is grown domestically and exported in abundance. Petrol (gas to Americans) is no doubt going to cost more, but at least there should not be food shortages. Once, again thanks for sharing your vlogs with us-I’m always looking forward to the next one. Colin
Hi Malin, I have done several videos on property here and I have also done a few videos on Ban Phe and Rayong and the Island of Koh Samet, many hours of viewing in these videos.
I will do a cheap budget video this week including accommodation food and entertainment.
Hi Les, another good vlog. The picture is much worse than the one you just painted, fuel will be £2 a litre very soon, my energy bills are about to nearly double in price this April, and our food bill seems to be higher every week some people even have to make the terrible choice of either heat or eat.
My thoughts are that you can either retire in the UK and try to exist on the pension or sell up and move to Thailand and actually have a life. I know which one I would pick.
Hi John, people need to re-assess their living experience Think outside the box look at different country's. Just got my Electric bill for the month 14 pounds 39 pence or 637 Baht. Even with a 54% hike that would be 980 baht or 22 pounds 47 pence Not like the huge increase the UK is asking for
Me and my Thai wife are moving to Thailand in July. Our budget for the 4 first years is 40 000 bhat pr month. ( have some old debt to pay off the first 4 years ). My wife is going to find a job, She will probably get 15 000 bhat pr month in salery. So probably 55 000 bhat pr month for the two of us. After 4 years we will have 110 000 bhat pr month to live of.
But Living of 40 000 bhat is possible. It wont be extravagant but it will be way better then living in the west.
Buying food at the market, rent a house for 10 000 bhat, owning our own motorbike, not eating at fancy restaurants, not partying like we are on holiday. Its just a matter of being smart about it.
We do have backup amount in savings, that is a must have.
Thank you for your videos, they are a great help btw.
@@isaanman5399 Good info. Thank you for sharing.
@@isaanman5399 Me and my wife will be starting off in Pattaya, more precise 20 min outside Pattaya. Udon Thani is on the cards as well as my wife is from Bung kan. But first and foremost we will start our Thailand living outside Pattaya.
Sounds like a good Plan Robbie, best wishes for your Future the 4 years will soon pass. Thanks for taking time to comment and for watching.
I do like your video's Les. I'm looking at retiring to Thailand early next year. Is 800,000 a year about average for health insurance? .
Insurance is what you want it to be I have had many who say I am under insured and others say they are not insured and Some that have a minimum of 3 million of insurance. I know the risks involved living here health wise and as long as I am happy with my cover then that's ok with me. I know plenty of guys with nothing at all. Thanks for your comment.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream thanks for replying
Also, Les, they say Australians have to return to Australia every 6 months to continue the aged pension. Which sucks as I have been paying tax in Australia since 1984....
Hi Jeff, I am going to do a video shortly about the pension situation in the UK and as with Australia you have to be resident in the UK or one of the country's approved for you to live in to claim your pension to get the yearly rise. If you do not live in the UK and live in Thailand you still get your pension but not the yearly increase, but once you return for the 180 days all them increases are added to your pension but not back dated. so when it was 1 to 3% not worth bothering with but for the next couple of years it will be about 6 to 9% with what is happening around the world. But as I say I will do a video shortly about what can be done.
Canadian has to return in 6 months
How do we get the Ebook’ just subscribed. Have a Thai gal and looking to retire at 52 in Thailand. Couple of years if not sooner. Thanks.
send me a email to lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
I will then send you the e-book thanks for the Sub and for watching.
Hi, Les. Thx for the informative videos. I'm an American with a small VA disability pension of $1338 per month. How will that work for me, taking into consideration that I'll be living on the coast in Hua Hin or Pattaya, and that I don't drink or patronize the red light districts? Thank you in advance. Al
Hi at the moment I am helping an American guy out who has only his Social Security $1300 per month. It is doable for sure but hit the entertainment zones, too much Alcohol and this Budget is not enough. Moderation is the key. So in answer to your question yes you can live a very basic life here on that amount but a basic life here in my opinion is better than both the UK and USA. Many people would agree I'm sure. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Les, can you advise me on the last 2 posts. Thank you Jeff
Hi Jeff I have replied to your comments hope my replies help. Thanks for your question.
Thanks Les , came at the right time ! Saw this coming in the West ; only going to get worse . Really appreciated, just needed the extra encouragement from a recognisable voice from the UK . Decisions made..later this year to visit .Barriet thankyou
Glad to help I was happy to leave the UK in 2010, I return as little as possible and when I do I get home sick for Thailand. Seeing the place I grew up and the crime Graffiti everywhere the Chav's everywhere. The price of everything, I want the people to see there is better things for them outside of the UK.
America documentaries have shocked me over the past few days Tent City Teachers employed people living in cars because they can't afford to rent property's. What a crazy world we are living in.
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
I agree 1,000% Thailand is cheaper than USA - HANDS DOWN! A pension of $3,000 to $4,000 per month is nothing in NYC, USA - if you are living in Bangkok $3,000 per month is the sweet spot for a good quality of life with medical insurance included!
That's double my income I could live really really well on that.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Hey this is homework completed after going to Thailand for 9 years straight!
Love your videos ,am I too old at 72 to retire in Thailand,my husband is 68
Your never to old lol. Have a try 1st a little holiday just to test the water but give it a go, send me a email if you require more information.
lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
What part of Thailand did you buy for 1 million baht ?
I did not buy the 1 million Baht house we spent more and bought the house we have rented for 5 years but the houses are still available for 1 million Baht in the Rayong district. But my friend bought one and it is getting built now.
The usual great video and advice.
I appreciate that Mr Bruce
Hi Les
If you don't mind me asking what insurance company do you use for your health insurance...
Keep all the good information coming 👍👍👍
Pacific cross is the one I use, hope this helps.
Hi Les its been awhile i dont do much YT since moving over ten months ago. I have to admit I found the first few months horrendous no honeymoon period missed work and been front line (you can relate to this) worker I missed the friends I relied so much at work. I think you build special bonds with work mates when dealing with situations you face daily its only some one that works in front line profession can only understand. So to keep busy I decided to develop land we owned in the gulf of Thailand and build a holiday home on it for personal use and a rental income also as it a holiday island. My money was decreasing in Europe getting negative interest in the banks so this way I earn a rent and can sell on in a few years if needs be. I often tell my son our life here is something I could never have aspired to in the west never in a million years but I have a good Thai wife and we work well together as a team. So its definitely not a bed a roses here but start using the Thai logic forget yesterday and don't worry about tomorrow just live for today " don't think too much " my wife always says.
Thanks Les sorry for the long update.
Thanks for taking time to comment, Westerner's can Learn from the Thai people, yes live for today is a good plan because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Good luck with your future in Thailand. Well done.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thanks Les keep up the good work.
Hope to retire to Thailand, but for me would have to be coastal
Hi Paul, I lived by the coast all my life so would miss the coast if I did not live close to the sea. I have the best of both worlds, my wife has a house in the Country and now we have one by the coast.
Thanks for taking time to comment.
Thanks for the info! I will be looking at $ 4300 USD a month,pension and social security, in July. Time to have a yard sale.
Wow your going to have such a good time with that amount. Enjoy and best wishes on your future plans.
Great video Les.
I would be interested in the possibility of living in Thailand on a State Pension, including retirement visa info'.
Go for it! send me a email with what your looking for and I will point you in the right direction
lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
I will be looking forward to your videos coming interesting that you brought up the UK living as I'm thinking about what I should do we're I want to live etc
Thanks Simon for taking time to comment. I have done a couple of Video's already about why I left the UK and why I like Thailand.
Yes please record that video!!! We're very interested..
So many videos to do, now I am back from my wife's farm it is time to get cracking again.
The next 2 weeks is going to be busy for me.
Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
If I received a pension in Australia🇦🇺🦘, I could not live any sort of quality of life. I would be bound to cheap rental accommodation sharing with my brother and his wife. I would be steeped in poverty and struggle to buy a coffee in a cafe each day. You've nailed it brother. Now.... I moved to Indonesia 🇮🇩. I live a great life way better than I could if back in Australia🇦🇺. I don't qualify for a pension yet, but I can live in $10 a day here in my island. That's $10 a day for my wife, child and I. I could not afford to own a house back in Australia, but here I own property. It's true... I live like a king👑. Thanks for the video mate. I strongly advice others to go where you're valued. Living in Asia is cheaper despite the global economic recession.
Well said and thanks for sharing, you would not believe how many emails I get saying this can't be done but when others say such things like yourself others can see, I am totally honest in my videos and no B S about unrealistic living standards. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Best wishes for your future.
Thx Les. Another great vid. I have a house in Surin, Thailand, built 4 years ago. When I retire I will be living there, but do you and your viewers think it might be a good idea to buy a cheap $30,000-$50,000 AUD condo in maybe Krabi, Koh Samui, etc, so I can get out of the Issan country life once every 4/6 months for a few weeks? Thx.
For sure at the moment there are good deals to be had if you have the money. There is only one direction to go now we are at the bottom and that is upwards. Best wishes for your future. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Thanx for the info
No problem! thanks for watching
A good topic at some stage Les would be the heat it's one thing to have enough money to retire but some and I'm in this category really struggle with the heat especially about this time of year
I agree the heat affects some people, a friend of mine Loved the heat when she 1st arrived only to be within 2 years a prisoner within her own house with the Aircon on 24 hrs a day. The hottest part of the year lasts for about 3 months Hot and sticky, but I still prefer this to dull grey sky's and cold for more than 6 months of the year in the UK.
I hope you find that sweet spot as far as Temperature goes.
Best wishes and thanks for taking time to comment.
Yes that's me prisoner in my own house with aircon on 24/7 I'm in Melbourne and apart from about 3 months when its cold the other 9 months is great great channel mate and very easy to tell you jai Dee mak mak
Awesome guidance as always Les - many thanks!
My pleasure! Thanks for your comment.
Hey mate. Great videos! Can you share more details regarding the 7 year plan for buying land&house. Cheers
Will do! 100,000 baht deposit then another 100,000 baht when the roof goes on then the balance paid over a maximum of 7 years at 5% APR. sorry about the delay this message has just popped up
Scary the cost of living in the UK now. I love my life in Thailand, we live on 1000bt a day no problem.
Well done, One day we will not have to pay rent then we will be about the same.
I'm receive a good pension from the USPS & Miltary presently and less then 2 months will be recieving my Sosial Secuirty and I also will begin to save funds for my first trip to Germany in years for a single man and I will decide later if I will move their pernanetly or travel there it all depends on how much I will get in Social Securty for working 41 plus years.
Any helpful comments is more than welcomed. psps Thx for the video.
Hi and thanks for your comment, Retirement is a wonderful time full of adventure and excitement if that's what you desire, spending time with family or friends. The one big thing to say,🙏🙏 It is up to you. It's your life and you chose to do what you wish, All them years have led up to this moment. Enjoy and best wishes for your trip to Germany.
Hi Les just watch your video and just retired and was thinking about moving to SA Philippines or Thailand and found your video very interesting and would like to know more if you have any useful information that could help i would be grateful Regards Frank
Hi Frank send me a email with your questions and i will do what I can. lesliepearson58@yahoo.com Thanks for your question,
What health insurance do you use?
Hi Sue Pacific Cross is my insurance provider, I will talk with him today as my renewal is due next month Ill send a link to you later so you can talk direct to him.
Thanks for watching.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thanks Les!! Much appreciated.
Thanks Les, Just got a letter from EDF, gas and electric will go up by £1100 for the year, Council tax is touching £2800. I was 55 last month, with a tiny private pension. Even with my investments, the future worries me. It will be like watching every penny kind of an existence. I just wish I had planned this when I was in my late 20s. I’m an optimist, hopefully it will be fine but it is scary.
Hi thanks for taking time to comment, Ask any 20 year old about planning for the future and they will laugh, I remember joining the Fire Service at 19, he told me I could Retire at 50 my thoughts at that 50 your an old Man, but wow did it come quick been retired now for 12 years and like a click of the fingers 12 years has passed. Best wishes for your future. I started planning 8 years before I retired but Divorce skewered that plan when I Retired so Plan Z works for me.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Who was it that said,. i spent all my money on wine women and song, and i wasted the rest,. lol.
@@cabovermike George Best said I spent my money on women and fast cars and the rest I just squandered
U done well I look forward to the next blog I live in Northern Ireland and it’s worse than the uk mainland I am looking for a device that will help me walk again after a big stroke it will cost me from 800 to 5000for the latest device but u can get it on the nhs in the mainland they tax us the same that’s only 1thing and it’s a big 1i would be better off if I had insurance I enjoy watching ur blogs
Thanks for watching, So sorry to hear about your Stroke, best wishes from here to you, hope you get what you require soon.
Best wishes.
Les.
Hi Les me and my wife already own a house in in her village all payed for how much you reckon we could live on per month with no rent to pay
Hi Gary it depends on a few things, if you pay your wife a salary or not if other members of the family live with you. As a guide many guys living in a village location live on about 30,000 baht per month owning their own house. I have guys who say they live on 20,000 baht and others say 40,000 so look in the middle at around 30,000 If I lived at my wife's farm in Korat I was looking at 30,000 a month. If we were not buying this house we could live on 35,000 to 40,000 baht per month for sure. One day we will have no loan on the house so look forward to that day.
Given that "nice location" is very broad as a term, but In south Italy you could actually get a nice house/apartment for around 30k euro, especially in Puglia, in the surroundings of Bari/Lecce... And it's even better in Basilicata or Calabria.
Hi ZK, I love Italy and would loved to have lived there but the areas I liked were very expensive, I lived in Orvieto for 4 months and loved the place. But as I said look around the World for living a better life than where you are now. Thailand tick the boxes for me. But Italy will always have a place in my heart.
im retiring early at 59 so i just got to put up with it for another year then im off to thailand ive got the required funds for the bank account but im not sure which retirement visa to go for the o or the oa visa .definately having health insurance tho so i can protect my lump sum if anything goes wrong .keep up the good work les your information is top class cheers
Yes definitely get health insurance. Too many stories of people not having it and having to beg on “go fund me” etc or left on the street!
@@keithy507 Just look at "kev in thailand" (YT) RIP,.no medical insurance in thailand, spent around £40k on treatment for cancer and still had to come back to uk to die, sad story alround,.
Thanks so much Jonny, Th O/A visa can be obtained outside of Thailand and you require Medical insurance for the duration of your stay. The O visa can be obtained within Thailand and no insurance is required. I would suggest Enter on a Tourist visa then apply for the O visa once here. You will find once your here many things can be sorted. It's getting here is the complicated bit.
Thanks for watching.
@@cabovermike I heard about Kev but did not know he spent so much on his treatment in Thailand. Poor fellow. For cancer, at least you get some warning, whereas for heart attacks and strokes they can happen at any time and maybe one does not have time to fly back for treatment. Still, looking on the bright side, better to pass away in a tropical paradise than in dreary England or crazy US.
Hi Les, You mention buying a house. I thought only Thai's can buy a house?
Hi Malcolm. Yes we have bought a house for not much more than we were paying rent so one day it will be ours ( My wife's ) You are 100% correct only Thai's can buy Land and property and foreigners cant own Land in Thailand. ( A Foreigner can own 100% of a Condo with strings ) I have gone into this in more details on one of the videos. but briefly we have been renting this house for 5 years and having a chat with one of my Subscribers he convinced me and showed me a way to buy the house and have little risk. It is all about the risk here. I will never own the house I know but being married and know that we have 100% trust in each other then buying the house provides my wife with a financial future once I am gone. I would not recommend doing this unless you trust your partner 100% When we have fully paid for it and if we parted I would still be better off than renting for this period. I would be entitled to Half the value of the house. There are many ways to look at it. Hope this helps.
Thanks for watching if you want anymore information send me a email
lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
Nice birds in background (no roosters) where are you
We do have roosters but we are surrounded by trees and our next door neibour has a bird Avery so the sound of birds is with us all day. We live in Rayong.
Thanks for watching
What do you call wealthy?
I'm retired US Navy and I'm living here great, everything is so cheap!
Been here for 10 years now!
Wealthy comes in all sorts shapes and sizes my wealth is the good living standards I get living here the lack of crime here, the feeling safe, friendly people it is not money I strive for its a good living standard without the hassle. UK would never be able to provide this with what I have. Retirement is more than just the money.
Hi Les, I have a question about a fear I have.
I would like to own a house and live their with mt thai wife.
If I was to pass away first, my wife would get the house and I have no issues with that. If she passed away first, would her family then get the house and in theory, kick me out of my home , since farangs can't own houses in Thailand?
Hi Scot an easy answer, yes the house would pass to your wife's family but to ensure you can live there if she passed away you would set up a Lease agreement giving you the pleasure of living there for 30 year periods which is renewable, this also protects you should things go wrong with your relationship to cover you against being evicted from your house. No worries it can be done.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thanks for the reply Les.
So basically, I would have to rely on the good nature of my in laws if they would allow me to continue living in my house ? Or this something that could be written in some legal contract while she's still alive?
@@scotttracy9333 Yes the Legal contract allows you to live there as long as the lease lasts. as long as your in good relations with the family there would be no problem. hope this helps cheers.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Thanks Les, some great food for thought
Cheers ✌️
Good one again Les 👏👏👏
Thanks for listening Ian as always very much appreciated leaving a comment.
Hi Les, I’m curious about how much were your expenses in your glory days while you lived in Pattaya.
Hi Brandon, I was one of them 2 week Millionaires but a Retired Millionaire in the early days. were talking about 9 years ago but a few things I remember my condo rental was 18,000 baht per month. Although I did not drink a lot I was eating out every day massage, every couple of days + extra service. Holidays outside of Pattaya taking girls you like with you as company, ( learnt no need to do this ) In Thailand there are Girls everywhere. Bowling Movies I did live it up. So I would say 60 to 70,000 baht per month. But Enjoyment 100% no where else like this in the World. Pattaya has everything you could ever want in a place to live. I would say Every SINGLE GUY needs to visit Pattaya just once it will change your view on life for sure.
Pattaya give me many 1st Time things in my life.
Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream cool, 70k per month is a an affordable amount. I am planning to spend a year or so in Pattaya, go wild, ahem ahem you know what I mean, and then cool my heels off the rest of my life in a quiet sublime thai town just like you’re doing. Thanks for such a detailed response. And eagerly waiting for your upcoming video series. And on a side note, as you said buying a house can be done by legit work arounds, do you provide any consultation or connect with the right people? Thanks again.
When ever talking about a Thailand budget know if that person knows what he's talking about. I have over 13+years of living here. Ok.
You first must know or ask how or what standards you want/require. Yes you can get by on one thousand dollars. Now if you drink/smoke then think about it. Can you eat only Thai food? OK you see now visas are another big factor to learn about especially when or if you are under 50 years old. Get good advice first, research a lot. Good luck.
Wise words I have lived here for 10 years now and have seen many things happen here, money can be your biggest problem here or should I say the lack of it.
1,000,000 Baht is $30,000 to $35,000 US Dollars depends on the current exchange rate.
The $ is at its highest rate here in 4 years. a good time to come here.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream NEXT year 2023 I will be RETIRED and I will buy the ELITE VISA + ONE-WAY TICKET-2-THAILAND!
Les, isn't a UK state pension income frozen, for those retiring from state pension age in Thailand?
Frozen, meaning the individual gets the income he/she retired fully in Thailand, but without any yearly increases...which he/she would receive if they stayed in the UK.
@Alex Arthur
I understood so & it's a bummer for UK nationals wanting to retire fully in Thailand.
@@tman5634 Lets face it, frozen or not, the uk pensions wouldnt give you the steam off theire piss, .any increases are only a few quid,.
You are correct you have to live in the UK for at least 180 days to receive your pension increase but having an address in the UK helps show you still have connections in the UK. ( there are work arounds ) I also believe but may be wrong if you return to the UK for the 180 days you get all the increases in your pension you have missed, the money is not backdated but the rises are, for those in the know please advice please I would like to know for sure, different answers from different people.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream
Hi Les, a vlog to go over the aspects of UK pensions (private & state) in Thailand, the ins & outs, would be great, when all info is obtained.
@@tman5634 ok I will look into this for sure.
I am coming to retire in May, still haven't decided to rent or buy. Where/how can you get financing to buy a house?
Hi Curtis, I would for sure rent for your 1st year to see if you like the area then consider buying, we lived in our house for 5 years and were happy to be able to buy. You will struggle to get private finance without a Thai partner but I do know a place you can buy over a 7 year period there may be Condo chains that will offer you deals but you will not get a bank loan to buy anything if you do not have a work permit.
In essence you need a Thai partner.
Thanks for watching
@@RetiredandLivingthedream , yeah ... I knew there was a catch!
Thanks Les, Australian’s lose any government pensions 30 days after leaving the country! You need to be self funded to live overseas! Thanks for your video mate!
Hi Paul I know a couple of Australians getting money from Australia at 61 I think its a private pension and they say to get a State Pension they have to return to Australia 2 years before getting that Pension. Plenty of Australian guys here though.
Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Oops ..thnx for that .. hope not yet from the UK, but nothing would surprise me . Hence looking at opps to live without £ from UK.. stay safe
Hi mate if your 67 and apply for old age pension in Australia and have worked in Australia for more than 20 years you can get the old age pension and live in thailand but it's just a flat rate example if you live in Australia you might get about 1600 a month after 26 weeks living in thailand they will cut it to a flat rate the secret is you must be living in Australia when your 67 get the pension then go live in thailand at the flat rate which is about 1200 a month which is a little less than 30k baht I recommend with health insurance and air conditioning we need 50k Thai baht a month yes it can be done for a lot less but then I'm struggling like I am here in Australia
An Australian disability pension entitles you to 6 months in Thailand then it gets cut off.
I'm a pom in aus 45years and I get $987 a fortnight age pension 24,000bt so I stay 4weeks and supplement it with 50,000bt + air fare of$915 so its go rinse repeat 3 times a year, insurance is $10 a week see you all in August mark from slough
I have one year to go before retierment money comes i live of the same amount now as i will get when my money comes from the government so i wont be shocked for money i have my own home car motorbike everything and my lifestyle is excellent if you use your brain and dont live above your means it a great place to be
Best wishes on your future plans I hope all goes well.
Excellent information..
My private pension is $1240.00 USD. Can I live on that?
How is the language barrier?
Are the visa requirements ok?
Yes you can. it is a little less than what I live on but it is doable for sure, unless you want entertaining and the girls then you would need double this amount until you settle down then this amount would be fine. language barrier, I still can't speak thai and I get by. The visa is always possible here by one way or another.
That's really light on medical. An accident that requires surgery, recovery for 10 days and medical transport to your home country, could approach 2 million baht. I know because this happened to me.
I agree but it is better than nothing, sorry to hear about your accident hope your better now.
I do Plan on an increase this year as I have a cunning new plan that someone showed me.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream I see. Yeah, I recovered and made it back here after about 18 months. Thank you.
@@chickengod9184
Good to hear your back. Best wishes and thanks for watching.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream hope you can enlighten us about your cunning new plan:)
@My Thailand When you had your issue, did you have enough med insurance to cover the 2 million? If so and it was covered with no issue, any suggestion on which medical insurance company I should look at? I do not want to have to get back on a plane and suffer on a 23 hour plane ride to go back to the United States to get treated for a major medical issue.
Les, my council tax in London is now over £2k per year and my gas and electricity is £347 per month . It’s becoming a bloody joke
Hi Frankie, just got my Electric bill in 14 pounds 39 pence 637 Baht.
Wow so expensive to live in the UK now.
347 pounds per month. Nearly as bad as the states! Both are horrific. When's the citizen revolution coming .... soon I hope!!
I love your vlogs and advise Les, I currently live in Sydney Australia, but grew up in the UK. I have dual nationality for Oz and Uk. Australia as the Uk was great in the hay day. But so expensive now. I own an apartment in Sydney and live alone. I am coming up to retirement...64 years old now. But I want to get out and live somewhere where I can have a comfortable life to see out my days.... lol.... I have been to Thailand many times travelling and am not into bars etc. apart from a social meeting with friends. Les can I retire to Thailand without a Thai wife, and can I buy a property on my own. I love the people in Thailand and the delicious food. Also, les I have had a Thai bank account for years.... Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing from you. Jeff
Hi Jeff having spent 6 weeks in Sydney I HAVE TO AGREE ITS SUPER EXPENSIVE. I also intend to see out my days here in Thailand its a great place to live for sure. Here in Rayong we have a weekly Brunch club where we eat chat and put the world to rights until next week. at 61 I am the youngest one there. Living here can be as entertaining or as quiet as you choose it to be.
As far as buying a property if you buy a Condo then it is in your name, you can buy a house and put it into a company name and although its not 100% in your name technically its yours there are legal ways of doing this. I never suggest doing anything illegal here I might do a Play on words but everything I suggest is Legal.
i have the same amount 52k thb can i live with that every month im on retirment im from belgium europe
Well done Chris it can be done 50,000 baht is enough to live on for sure.
Thanks for taking time to comment.
Now please answer this honestly!! Can a single U.S. male, with no intention of "hooking up" with anyone, purchase a house in Thailand without fear of the government passing a law at any time to take it away at any point in the future? I have the resources but would go ballistic if it were stolen out from beneath me.
Morning Brian. My honest opinion no one ever knows what rules the government can do for sure. in this country or any country. You can't own land here in Thailand you can own the house on the land but not the land it sits on, you have to lease the land for 30 year terms. Sounds complicated but it is not. So in answer to your question you can buy a property here but with strings. Buying a condo it will be in your name and 100% yours.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream , thanks ... that is really helpful! 😃
Love your videos 🙏🏼 Thank You Les!
Thanks for watching!
Not a fan of Thailand. Highly recommend Phillipines over Thailand. It's cheaper, people are much more friendly and there's a huge surplus of beautiful woman!
I have been watching a few video's on the Philippines they will give Thailand a run for their money for sure.
Thanks for your wisdom Les away appreciated and include "Canada" in can't live on government pension, at least not like you can there. Got you Email thanks
Watched a Documentary on Canada wow that's so bad also the homelessness about 245,000 at any one time and 25,000 to 30,000 on the street on any given night. What a world we live in sad.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream yes sad and true, although the country is so large you might find those numbers misleading, but the majority of homeless congregate in our large city's like Toronto or Vancouver where the winters are a little less harsh. I will point out that living here in Ottawa the Nations Capital, there seems like every intersection with traffic lights has someone holding a sign and a coffee cup. Not there for six years you say hmm interesting, probably saving it till he retires!
Are you entitled to free UK healthcare as a full-time resident in a foreign country?
No officially if you leave the UK for more than 6 months you have to pay for treatment if you return to the UK and you will have to go onto a waiting list for 2 years to get your free treatment. Sad if you paid into the system all this time. Perhaps return on an inflatable boat at Dover and you will get everything you require.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Putting aside your (not-so-odd) attitude to immigrants/migrants/expats when you are one yourself, the "go back to 'your country' for treatment" advice isn't very good then.
You're clearly from my neck of the woods and my wife's and my council estate comp education puts us at the same age. We've been immigrants in France since 1986, working, and became French citizens after the referendum vote.
Well done on the house. We'll continue watching as your advice is generally good. Don't envy you but great to see one of us working-class northeasterners making a success of life 👍. Be happy and grow some positive karma 😁. 🇪🇺🇫🇷
@@RetiredandLivingthedream It's really a gamble.... The worst outcome being the Kev in Thailand scenario. Got to be better than being old in County Durham though.
thanks so much
You're welcome!
I started looking at retiring in Thailand for the exact reasons you mentioned at the beginning of this video. I did the math and it is impossible to retire in America. I can live well as long as I keep working. When I stop working I'll have to move in with my children. My mortgage is $1730 a month and it's a good deal. The average is higher. You'll be lucky to find a studio apartment in America for under a thousand dollars. I haven't done the math, but I suspect a trailer park might be out of reach. Maybe I can convert a van while I'm still working. I hear stealth camping in walmart parking lots is a thing. Or maybe move into a lawless Democrat City with Government assistance where we can be robbed and beaten for being white.
I understand the good intention of so many vloggers who want to warn people they may not be able to afford retiring in Thailand. What I think so many don't understand is we have been priced out of our home country. We're not Expats, we are economic refugees.
The Richest Country's are not always the best to Retire in. Unless you have more than enough to live a good lifestyle. This now seems to be not affordable to the working class how sad working all your life looking forward to them Golden years only to have them beyond your grasp because of the cost of living crisis caused by years of poor pay. Whilst the Elite take advantage of the poor pay they impose on their workforce.
I seen this years ago and decided to make the move and I am so glad I did. I would not want to live in the UK at the moment.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream It works quite well for me as long as I stay on the hamster wheel and keep running. But I'm getting a bit tired and it seems the only place to get off in my home country is the grave. The grave is quite expensive too, now that I mention it.
Good video but you skip over some key questions. When you get over 70 it’s hard to get insurance or it becomes very expensive. You said go home if you get a major illness for treatment. You will need a place to back too also do you still pay your national insurance every week to keep your access to nhs which you lose if you stop paying for more than 3 months. Also what happens when you get too old to look after yourself or develop dementia heavens forbid.
Thanks for your question, I do think out of the Box for this one it's not everyone's cup of tea my answer but it would work for sure so let me explain I agree health for the over 70's that goes without saying in any country insurance is going to be high so Thailand is no different, its a fact of life. Once you leave the UK for 6 months then officially you have to pay for NHS treatment, If I needed life saving treatment and If I was challenged with that then a Brick through the local gold shop window would give you a short time in prison where they are duty bound to look after your health ( I said thinking out of the box ) This is of course if you have a life threatening illness other not so drastic illness I would buy a van put a mattress and a porta potti in drastic but cheap and of course this is if you have very little money drastic situation's call for drastic measures, I have family in the UK but would not burden them with my problems. As I said not every one's cup of Tea but that's what I would do. I have paid my dues and I should be entitled to claim this at any time is my thinking but I also hope to live a long illness free life but no one knows for sure.
10,000 baht a month, You wouldn't be able to leave the house on that. Im spending more than that a week but if I tried very hard I could prob get monthly expenses down to 30,000 a month.
It can be done for sure I know a few people who do this and have done it for years.
enjoy :)
I try every day.😀
Survive vs LIVE
Many are Surviving in their home country.
- Increase the standard of living and enjoy a higher quality.
100% true thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait to retire to Thailand. Unfortunately I have to wait 9 longggg years. Yes I’d say 40,000 a month would be grand. I only earn £1000-£1200 a month here in Northern Ireland and have a £250 mortgage and run a car (another £250 a month) and just about scrape by. So I know personally I could live on 40,000 a month in Thailand. Thankfully I’ve only 2 years on the mortgage, so I’ll rent my house out and cash in my private pension. It’s been my dream now for 19 years now to retire there. So in 2 years time when I’ve no mortgage, I can go holiday there for 2 months a year until then. 🙏🏻
Sounds like a Plan, I will be doing a video next week on cheap living as I am for the ordinary working person and being able to show how this can be done. I live on 55,000 baht per month now but I am buying this house but living on 40,000 can be done so easy. Renting your house out is a good plan that will make things much more easy living here.
Best wishes for your plans.
Where is it you actually live Les? Can I buy a house without marrying a Thai person?
Rayong district of Thailand. Yes you can buy a house without a Thai on a Lease basis but it is yours to sell also when you decide too. There are many Lawful ways to do this. Thanks for asking I can give you a Lawyer's details if required and he can explain your options. Just send a email to
lesliepearson58@yahoo.com
Easily manageable as long as you don’t chase skirt or booze. Great weather, beaches and you can make good expat friends( clear out the suckers). Then act as if you are a happy 10 year old with pocket money. If you’ve still got your looks. You can marry an educated, lady with a proper job who is not out to juggle 4 farang boyfriends sponsorship income. If you just want to play, play but wise to the fact that you should never, ever get married unless she has money and is prepared to share.
There are many ways to look at this issue, buyer beware and take care Live your happy life in Retirement. It can be done.
Hi Les once again another terrible video . Sorry just thought I would go against the other 99% of comments, :P I thoroughly enjoy your videos they are always full of interesting topics and very informative . Just a comment on the pension here in Australia it is approximately $988 a fortnight which of course totals to $1976 and judging by what I have read and watched online this is pretty good money for living in Thailand or am I mistaken. I am at present applying "again" for a tourist visa for my friend who live in Mukdahan , my first attempt I did by myself because I thought it would be easy but have discovered that it is not easy at all and I think Australian has some the strictest visa requirements than most countries., so I have now made contact with an agency in Bangkok in hope that I have more success . Have you touched on this subject on any of your previous videos.? cheers Willie
Hello from a Hot Thailand, you can live a good lifestyle on that amount of money for sure we live on a similar amount and we are buying our house. No I have not done a video on this as I know very little about it, many people have asked me if I am taking Ploy to the UK for a holiday the short answer is no, the reason why would I take her to a place i left which is so expensive spending a couple of months in holiday mode would cost a fortune. I would rather spend the money here, also Ploy does not want to fly as she is scared to fly.
Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Les.
@AVRO filmvideo I think getting a visa to take your wife Ofer gf to Australia will cost more than $150 my friend paid 35,000 baht for a visa to visit the U.K. so $150 sounds remarkably cheap.
Japan super cheap to live retired.
I went to Japan for 2 weeks I found it very expensive and I did not like the food. but then I was in Tokyo for the two weeks very clean and men is suits working in Mc D on their laptops at 10 pm is my memory
@@RetiredandLivingthedream Not enough time. Cheap here. If you did not like the food, sorry, pizza, burgers and fries are not the norm.
if you can only save 2% of your salary while working 45 hours a week, its not worth it.
Decisions about my pension savings were taken out of my hands it was done by my employer and I am happy it was. Young people do not think about Retirement but now I'm retired I would say they need to look at it. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Don't know how ur buying house as farangs cannot own property
There are Legal ways to do this.
Dead right Australia is far to expensive 20 years ago not many homeless people now I see homeless people everywhere old age pension in Australia for a single person is 1600 a month my rent is 1500 a month retirement age here is 67 they want us dead about then
Thats about the same as in uk,.
In my round the World travels Australia was expensive for sure Sydney for 6 weeks took a lot of my money. Time to look elsewhere I think.
Printing stupid amounts of currency
The bubble will burst one day for sure.
One thing 800 pounds in thiland a month no way rubbish
You may think so but I know two guys who live on this amount and only this amount every month, It depends how you see things, 800 in the UK goes no where but 800 pounds here you live ok.
You don't have to be wealthy to live most places but you need to be realistic what you can and can't have. I was contemplating living in a van for a couple of years and travel as cheap as I could. A positive frame of mind is a good thing. Thanks for your comment.