Retirees Travel Guide

If you are reading this book there is a good chance that you are considering leaving the country of your birth in search of greener pastures or, more specifically, a country that provides more than your homeland offers. In our modern ever-changing world, it's common for people to feel disconnected from the country they grew up in and once loved, especially when their governments fail to address the concerns of their citizens about the troubling direction many of those nations are heading. Many governments in the countries that accept disenchanted expats looking for a new life have recognised the economic and social benefits of attracting expats to live, retire or work in their countries, and they are happy to take your money and allow you to live there. However, each country presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages and the trick is to choose a country that will tick most of the boxes that fits your lifestyle. This book explores what I consider to be the top eight countries in Southeast Asia for expats looking for a new home, highlighting both the pros and cons of life in each location. Thailand Cambodia Malaysia Bali (Indonesia) The Philippines Vietnam Laos SingaporeI've been fortunate enough to work or spend quality time in each of these countries, and I hold a special affection for each one due to their unique attributes.

My first six months in Thailand were frustrating. When I dreamt about retiring in Thailand, I thought that when I arrived, I would get my retirement visa, rent a condo, buy a vehicle, then spend my time exploring my new country, going to the beach, going out for meals and meeting new friends. Unfortunately, reality took over and I spent most of my time dealing with Thai bureaucracy and trying to sort out the endless problems that arise when moving to a new country. Back in Australia, I already had a visa, my own house, my own car, medical insurance, driving license, bank accounts, credit rating, doctor and dentist. Moving to another country, I was more or less starting my life over and I needed to establish myself within the Thai system. Government, banking, medical, everything that was just part of my everyday life at home, I had to recreate in Thailand. Hopefully, this book will give you the information you need to avoid most of the problems that I had and allow you to retire to this wonderful country with confidence and assurance, as well as saving you time, money and your sanity. I wish I had been able to read this book before I left Australia.

I first came to Thailand more than 50 years ago in January 1983 when the cruise ship, I was working on sailed into Phuket harbour early one morning as the sun rose over the Andaman Sea. Within a few days of the ship tying up, I started to dream about one day living in Thailand. In those days Thailand's tourism industry was in its infancy and far removed from the Thailand we know today. Since then, I have visited Thailand many times for holidays but it took me 34 years to get my wish to live here when in 2017 I retired to Thailand but it wasn't always an easy transition. This book will give you all of the information you will need to make the transition from the life you had in your old country to living your golden years in Thailand without making the many financial and time-consuming mistakes I made when I retired to The Land of Smiles.Is 60 The New 40?There's a growing belief among biologists that 60 is the new 40, thanks to many of us enjoying longer and healthier lives than our parents and grandparents did. While I can't confirm this, I do think that if you have lived in a country with a clean environment, a modern healthcare system, good housing, and access to healthy food and clean water, then 60 might be the new 40. Additionally, having great weather can be a wonderful bonus for longevity. In contrast to third-world countries like Sudan, Burundi and The Congo, it seems unlikely that 40 would be considered the new 60.