[Jefferson]

(10-18-2018 07:36 PM)Padrino Wrote:  

Vietnam seems to be at least 20 years behind of Thailand in terms of development and has ten times worse traffic where even crossing a road is an operation itself. Also speaking the language isn't necessarily any easier as I believe it has more tones than Thai. Malaysia and Indonesia are Muslim countries, plus KL and Jakarta are not comparable to Bangkok. Singapore is better quality but has also first world prices, which might be ok if you're living off a local salary but not suitable for anyone who is location independent. Add to that the fact that it's also just a small city state. That leaves us the Philippines where the English level is high but from what I have heard has unreliable internet, is somewhat more expensive and bureaucratic and has bad food.

Overall I think Thailand is still a pretty good package in comparison, even if there exists the language barrier and many locals seem to hold some facade in front of them.

I agree that the crime level appears to be on the rise. Although this is only anecdotal I have now twice had things stolen from a condo which seemed hard to believe a few years ago. Also the police is probably harassing foreigners in increasing numbers in hope of fast buck.

I quite agree, Thailand is a very good package, they give you fair visa certainty at a small price for retirees, food is great. Whilst traffic can be bad, they had the foresight to build the MRT in Bangkok which also allows you to walk in the shade. Excellent move. Personally I don't like the sound of the language, the alphabet is hard to learn and I don't trust Thais for some reason, this is just a personal thing.

I hear what you're saying about Vietnam, I expect the language is just as hard as Thai, or worse still. I'm not also not a fan of the poorer infrastructure. Is it me, or are the Vietnamese not as friendly as Thais or Filipinos?

Indonesia is a Muslim country, true, but Bali is not. Bali has excellent resorts and is in fact Hindu-Buddhist. I like that Island. The language is easy to learn and they use our alphabet.

In Malaysia Penang is the only part of SE Asia I think where you can own property as a foreigner, SG excepted.

They all have their pluses.

Philippines has the best package though in my humble opinion. Yes, the internet is poor, but the food is actually very good, the women all speak good English and living there is still cheap, only the hotels are expensive. I've actually sat in a 3 hour traffic jam in the Phil, but no place is perfect really. I just find the Phil a lot more fun than the others, but Thailand and Bali are a close second.

@slowpoke, I meant underrated in the sense that many people will tell you they don't like Bangkok. I actually found it an enjoyable experience.

@Mentavious, plus they really do have the best masseuses in the world. It's wonderful.

[RatInTheWoods]

+1 for Thailand being miles ahead of Vietnam - the Thai people and culture win hands down.

Great post by Vincent, and I know what he means about stepping back on Thai soil (home away from home for me).

I love Phuket, it's got the crazy patong, but just a 20 min scooter ride and you are in the peaceful countryside, there are also cultured and foreigner places aplenty if you look for them (phuket town).

You can make a great, cheap easy life on the beach in Phuket.

The problem for me is Thai women. They may be slim, feminine and will look after you - but that deeper connection is missing. It's more of a practical alliance than love.

[Padrino]

(10-19-2018 02:27 PM)Jefferson Wrote:  

(10-18-2018 07:36 PM)Padrino Wrote:  

Vietnam seems to be at least 20 years behind of Thailand in terms of development and has ten times worse traffic where even crossing a road is an operation itself. Also speaking the language isn't necessarily any easier as I believe it has more tones than Thai. Malaysia and Indonesia are Muslim countries, plus KL and Jakarta are not comparable to Bangkok. Singapore is better quality but has also first world prices, which might be ok if you're living off a local salary but not suitable for anyone who is location independent. Add to that the fact that it's also just a small city state. That leaves us the Philippines where the English level is high but from what I have heard has unreliable internet, is somewhat more expensive and bureaucratic and has bad food.

Overall I think Thailand is still a pretty good package in comparison, even if there exists the language barrier and many locals seem to hold some facade in front of them.

I agree that the crime level appears to be on the rise. Although this is only anecdotal I have now twice had things stolen from a condo which seemed hard to believe a few years ago. Also the police is probably harassing foreigners in increasing numbers in hope of fast buck.

I quite agree, Thailand is a very good package, they give you fair visa certainty at a small price for retirees, food is great. Whilst traffic can be bad, they had the foresight to build the MRT in Bangkok which also allows you to walk in the shade. Excellent move. Personally I don't like the sound of the language, the alphabet is hard to learn and I don't trust Thais for some reason, this is just a personal thing.

I hear what you're saying about Vietnam, I expect the language is just as hard as Thai, or worse still. I'm not also not a fan of the poorer infrastructure. Is it me, or are the Vietnamese not as friendly as Thais or Filipinos?

Indonesia is a Muslim country, true, but Bali is not. Bali has excellent resorts and is in fact Hindu-Buddhist. I like that Island. The language is easy to learn and they use our alphabet.

I have heard the same thing about Vietnamese many times so there might be some truth into it. I don't know if that's necessarily my experience though because I have found the Vietnamese to be quite nice and friendly on average. Maybe they are more straightforward and direct than Thais although my experience of Vietnam is very limited. It's just that Vietnam as a country is too rough around the edges to my liking.

On a visit to Bali I wanted to like the place and kind of did but it's quite a small island and very crowded. Visiting is ok but I don't think I would want to live there.

[Padrino]

(10-19-2018 05:32 PM)RatInTheWoods Wrote:  

The problem for me is Thai women. They may be slim, feminine and will look after you - but that deeper connection is missing. It's more of a practical alliance than love.

My experience is that they are very affectionate and passionate, nothing to do with practical. The problem is their lack of general knowledge due to a lousy education system which on top of cultural differences leads to a sort of shallow relationship.

[Jefferson]

(10-22-2018 03:19 PM)Padrino Wrote:  

I have heard the same thing about Vietnamese many times so there might be some truth into it. I don't know if that's necessarily my experience though because I have found the Vietnamese to be quite nice and friendly on average. Maybe they are more straightforward and direct than Thais although my experience of Vietnam is very limited. It's just that Vietnam as a country is too rough around the edges to my liking.

On a visit to Bali I wanted to like the place and kind of did but it's quite a small island and very crowded. Visiting is ok but I don't think I would want to live there.

I like the constant smiling and kowtowing of Thais, Pinoys, Indonesians myself, but then I also like the slim Vietnamese women, but yes for settling down Vietnam would be too rough around the edges for me as well.

Bali on the other hand was a bit magical, I thought it was plenty big and didn't find it crowded, but then I stayed at Nusa Dua, the paradise enclave, not Kuta, I guess it's a bit about where you were that determines the perspective. The only thing Bali is not that well connected, and after a while the spirituality vibe may get on my nerves.

[zamfir112]

(10-22-2018 03:42 PM)Jefferson Wrote:  

(10-22-2018 03:19 PM)Padrino Wrote:  

I have heard the same thing about Vietnamese many times so there might be some truth into it. I don't know if that's necessarily my experience though because I have found the Vietnamese to be quite nice and friendly on average. Maybe they are more straightforward and direct than Thais although my experience of Vietnam is very limited. It's just that Vietnam as a country is too rough around the edges to my liking.

On a visit to Bali I wanted to like the place and kind of did but it's quite a small island and very crowded. Visiting is ok but I don't think I would want to live there.

I like the constant smiling and kowtowing of Thais, Pinoys, Indonesians myself, but then I also like the slim Vietnamese women, but yes for settling down Vietnam would be too rough around the edges for me as well.

Bali on the other hand was a bit magical, I thought it was plenty big and didn't find it crowded, but then I stayed at Nusa Dua, the paradise enclave, not Kuta, I guess it's a bit about where you were that determines the perspective. The only thing Bali is not that well connected, and after a while the spirituality vibe may get on my nerves.

Bali is great for socializing, or gaming white girls, for gaming locals it sucks, too many thirsty australians .

[Jefferson]

Yah, those Australians really are the curse of Bali. Thankfully they mostly stick to Kuta.

It is indeed not easy to game local girls with all the spiritual vibe, but they are gorgeous. Plus they have western supermarkets in Bali, it would also be a good place to retire.

[zamfir112]

Bali has a great vibe but getting a bit expensive imo
asked a local recently how much he paid for his land. blew my mind how expensive it is.its around 1000 USD per sqm in some touristy areas.it can be up to 2000 dollars per sqm. in other parts of the country its like 50 dollars per sqm tops.

[Jefferson]

Yes, it's not as cheap as one would like, true. But then you can't own land in Indonesia outright, you'd have to hire a local law firm, doesn't seem worth it. I would just rent.

[zamfir112]

i would buy land if i could over there.its one of the few places in the world i would buy land.it has temples.beaches.great weather good restaurants etc etc.well worth it imo. the price is not realistic though.unless your rich

[Jefferson]

Oh yes, if you could own a palace in Bali it would be paradise, the restaurants, the resorts, the girls, the whole atmosphere. Great place. And the best coffee in the world in my humble opinion.