[mcr]

Looking to make a big change this year finally. "Game" has improved my life so drastically over the past few years, but with my work coming to an end in a couple of months, and an LTR that ended over Christmas (no hard feelings - we both knew we have different directions to go), this year will make for an awesome opportunity to do something drastic.

I'm a 45 year old man - I don't party (no drugs, little alcohol) and am an introvert. Game level is 'decent', but cold approaches rusty after my LTR. "Bangs" aren't the top of my todo list - to me, it's about living life and being adventurous - those bangs will come later - and to me, it's really about forming mini relationships.

Any good suggestions for a place to start and get my feet wet in SEA? SEA appeals to me for the history and climate. It has the most of my "travel todo" items on it and I figure a good place to start.

I've got a few dollars in the bank ($600k), but don't want to piss it away needlessly and have to return to 'work' - if I return to work it needs to be from 'wanting' to. Also stuck with a $1k child support payment for maybe another 8 years (although it's more of a bonus fund the ex gets). I have skills with writing, photography and internet marking and can probably supplement my cost of living if and when needed though.

Looking to come up with a comfortable place to move to, but yet experience everything there is - and to not drop in the middle of a party atmosphere.

Chiang Mai keeps popping up in my research - but it sounds like I could end up in a place just full of expats instead. A place with water would be nice too!

Who's out there in similar shoes and has some great suggestions? I've got a lot of reading on the forum here to continue my research too, so any links or recommended reading material is appreciated. Then I'll just need to set a date and go!

[Onto]

That's a nice chunk of change. Especially for investing in some income-producing assets after the market bottoms out. You might want to look at Da Nang, Davao, or Dumaguete for a safe, quiet life-style that's near the water.

You will get bored without having some kind of hobby or work to do. That happened to me anyway, so have a plan for what you will do to keep busy.

[betterasianbrother]

Agree with the above about still having some sort of project to keep busy, especially since you don't party. Things will be awesome and exciting at first but could get boring quick when life appears aimless.

What about living in a place like Cambodia and investing a small portion of your money into a real estate project? Buy a plot of land, build something nice thats almost up to Western standards, and rent it out as a vacation home to Westerners? You can live in the area and have something to work on while enjoying the climate, cheap cost of living, and local culture. Cambodia is a decade behind Vietnam and more so Thailand in terms of development and infrastructure, but given the country's rich history, excellent geographical location, and culture, I don't see why it won't become the next Thailand 10 years from now. Cambodia also has way fewer expats. Sure enough a lot of people visit the historical sights in the country, but few are living there as you would find in BKK, CM, or Saigon. The Aussie party animals also typically stay in Thailand or Bali.

If I had the sort of capital you do, and am looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to chill and enjoy local life, this is what I would look into.

[Onto]

(01-09-2016 02:54 PM)betterasianbrother Wrote:  

Agree with the above about still having some sort of project to keep busy, especially since you don't party. Things will be awesome and exciting at first but could get boring quick when life appears aimless.

What about living in a place like Cambodia and investing a small portion of your money into a real estate project? Buy a plot of land, build something nice thats almost up to Western standards, and rent it out as a vacation home to Westerners? You can live in the area and have something to work on while enjoying the climate, cheap cost of living, and local culture. Cambodia is a decade behind Vietnam and more so Thailand in terms of development and infrastructure, but given the country's rich history, excellent geographical location, and culture, I don't see why it won't become the next Thailand 10 years from now. Cambodia also has way fewer expats. Sure enough a lot of people visit the historical sights in the country, but few are living there as you would find in BKK, CM, or Saigon. The Aussie party animals also typically stay in Thailand or Bali.

If I had the sort of capital you do, and am looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to chill and enjoy local life, this is what I would look into.

That's interesting. At first I doubted whether a foreigner could own land in Cambodia so I did some Googling and found this.

Quote:

Although Cambodian officials would never admit it, Cambodian land law has followed Thai land law in many respects in recent years. As in Thailand, full ownership of land in Cambodia is restricted to Cambodians. There are however the following ways to control or own law open to foreigners in Cambodia:
Leasehold. Although Cambodia restricts foreign ownership of land, foreigners may hold total interest in Cambodian land and house leases. Cambodia lease law allows a 99-year maximum lease period.
Condominiums – Cambodia allows foreigners to own condominiums although the specifics of this are still developing.
Company ownership – Cambodia registered companies with majority Cambodian ownership are able to buy land in Cambodia. In the past it has been common for foreign national to acquire an interest in Cambodian land as minority shareholders in a Cambodian majority company.
Company ownership – The Cambodia Investment Board (CIB) and the Cambodia Development Council (CDC) sponsored companies – Foreign companies with CDC and CIB privileges can own or lease land and build a factory in Cambodia.
Citizenship – A foreigner can become a Cambodian Citizen by payment of $50,000, which is paid to the government and noted as a donation.
Cambodian spouse: A Cambodian spouse of a foreigner may be allowed to buy land or property in Cambodia in his or her own name. This could be problematic in a divorce case or in settlement of ownership at the death of the Thai spouse if the non-Thai spouse was to live longer. A well drafter prenuptial agreement may assist in this but legally both spouses should understand the risks.

So for $50k you can buy citizenship and then actually own land? If I read that right.

[RagnarLothbrok]

I once read about a german woman who bought a relatively cheap plot of land near the beach on Gili Trawangan about 10 years ago when the islands were still unspoiled. Then tourism on the Gilis boomed and now she is sitting on a goldmine. I am sure there are still places all over Southeast Asia that will become major tourist spots in the near future. Indonesia and Philippines would be a good bet.

[thoughtgypsy]

mcr, you've got a nice chunk of change there, and endless possibilities. I can only say what I'd do if it were me. SEA is a diverse place, where different countries have different business and residency laws, different levels of English penetration, different quality of internet providers, different cultural expectations, etc.

You have the time, money, and freedom to explore different places for a few months at a time to get a feel for which ones you like the most. Everyone's preferences may be different, and you may find a place in particular that you'll grow to love. Xsplat seems to be doing phenomenally well in Indonesia. Many guys also like Thailand and Philippines for various reasons. I think it would be wise to try them out first before you make a concrete choice.

Once you've started gravitating towards a favorite, you can get a better idea of what the obstacles will be towards citizenship/residency/asset ownership.

I've only been to the Philippines, so I don't feel qualified giving you a fair comparison between the other places in SEA. A blog I follow has been to different places and might give you a better idea: http://nomadphilippines.com/. Other guys who have may be more helpful here.

If you are thinking about the Philippines, I can give you a few things to consider. English is widely spoken, especially in the major metro areas. You should do more than fine as a 45 year old introvert there- I'm younger but also an introvert who doesn't like the club scene, and I do well there. I would look at calwinston's excellent "Philippines Observations, Suggestions, and Comments" thread to get an idea of cultural behavior that might be a combination frustrating, charming, and confusing.

Asset ownership and citizenship will be difficult. It's a protectionist economy that makes foreign ownership of assets very difficult. You can't own land*, but you can own a condo. You can't own a business**, only a 40% stake. But with your resources, that shouldn't be a huge consideration. You can stay on a tourist visa for 3 years then make a border run for a day to renew, or just go and buy a retiree visa for <$50k if you don't want the hassle. The cost of living is low, so your funds should be more than enough to live off of, especially if you're collecting dividend income.

*You may be able to own a hotel if you're willing to invest $200,000(?) and go the special investment visa route.
** You may able to own a business with the special employment generation visa. Not entirely sure.

[dalbroker]

1. I am 42....not far off age wise.

2. I would make sure you don't lose the 600k in the next
recession which appears to be happening now. Taking a
50% drop would be a very bad thing for you.

3. If you have experience with internet marketing pick a
niche that needs help (ex. chiropractors) and help them
acquire clients. Focusing on 1 niche will help you initially
and the work can be done remotely.

4. Not sure what your tolerance for 3rd world cities are.
This is key longer term. Find the right market that fits
what you want and your lifestyle.

5. Da Nang and Chang Mai both would be cities I would
look at. I have not been to either but have been to HCMC
and BKK. Expats in both end up often times in Chang Mai
and Da Nang.

6. Respect for you pulling the plug. Age 45 and up is a wasteland
in the US. I am already looking at doing the same if I am still
single in 1-2 years.

7. China - They have more women than citizens of the US. Why
not check it out.

8. I would look at spending 3-4-5 weeks in 3-4 markets you select.
I think after you have boots on the ground intel for a while the
decision will be much easier.

Good luck.

(01-09-2016 02:18 PM)mcr Wrote:  

Looking to make a big change this year finally. "Game" has improved my life so drastically over the past few years, but with my work coming to an end in a couple of months, and an LTR that ended over Christmas (no hard feelings - we both knew we have different directions to go), this year will make for an awesome opportunity to do something drastic.

I'm a 45 year old man - I don't party (no drugs, little alcohol) and am an introvert. Game level is 'decent', but cold approaches rusty after my LTR. "Bangs" aren't the top of my todo list - to me, it's about living life and being adventurous - those bangs will come later - and to me, it's really about forming mini relationships.

Any good suggestions for a place to start and get my feet wet in SEA? SEA appeals to me for the history and climate. It has the most of my "travel todo" items on it and I figure a good place to start.

I've got a few dollars in the bank ($600k), but don't want to piss it away needlessly and have to return to 'work' - if I return to work it needs to be from 'wanting' to. Also stuck with a $1k child support payment for maybe another 8 years (although it's more of a bonus fund the ex gets). I have skills with writing, photography and internet marking and can probably supplement my cost of living if and when needed though.

Looking to come up with a comfortable place to move to, but yet experience everything there is - and to not drop in the middle of a party atmosphere.

Chiang Mai keeps popping up in my research - but it sounds like I could end up in a place just full of expats instead. A place with water would be nice too!

Who's out there in similar shoes and has some great suggestions? I've got a lot of reading on the forum here to continue my research too, so any links or recommended reading material is appreciated. Then I'll just need to set a date and go!