Choose to retire in Thailand and Enjoy a Great Lifestyle
December 15, 2020.
Tags: Activities, Thailand
Choose to retire in Thailand and Enjoy a Great Lifestyle
If you’re from a northern country with a temperate climate, retiring to a tropical country like Thailand is certainly tempting. There would be no more long, cold, and dreary winters. You’d enjoy a more active and outdoor lifestyle.
With a substantially lower cost of living than some of the North American and European countries, your limited income would be able to provide you with a better lifestyle, should you decide to retire in Thailand.
When it comes to the best places to live and retire in Thailand, you should start by reviewing the options below, two of which were named in the U.S. News & World Report article ‘The 10 Best Places to Retire in Asia’.
Affordable and Desirable Lifestyle
The two towns in Thailand mentioned in the top ten retirement destinations were Chiang Mai and Hua Hin. Both of which offer low costs for food, transportation, long-term accommodation and medical care, but they couldn’t be more different in their surroundings.
Chiang Mai is one of the oldest cities in the country, surrounded by lush mountains. Hua Hin is a beachside town that was only developed as a resort in the early 20th century when it became a favourite holiday destination of the Royal Family.
Life in both these towns can be idyllic. You can enjoy a filling Thai lunch for less than two U.S. dollars. Public transportation by small, public bus-type vehicles is also very inexpensive. Of course, a day at the beach in Hua Hin is absolutely free and so is strolling around and browsing the markets in both cities.
A one-bedroom, modern condo with a community swimming pool and fitness centre can be had for about THB 10,000 a month. That is under U.S. $350, much less than bare-bones studios in foreign countries cost!
A Healthy Destination
Thailand is becoming world-renowned as a 'medical tourism' destination. Pre-Covid, Thailand attracted elective surgery patients from around the world because of the quality of the doctors and staff, and the low prices charged in Thai hospitals.
Doctors worldwide recognise the cost savings and often suggest Thailand as a destination for their patient’s surgery. If living in rented accommodation and paying for food and necessities during the sometimes lengthy recovery phase of surgery is still less expensive than having the procedure done in your home country, what does that tell you about the cost of living in Thailand!
Other Top Asian Towns and Cities to Retire to
From the cool weather advantages of Udhagamandalam, India, to the exotic and romantic island of Bali, these top retirement destinations’ stunning settings are all part of their appeal. With Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam accounting for seven of the top ten retirement destinations, it’s apparent that the tropics have strong appeal for retirees.
Requirements for a Thailand Retirement Visa for Expats
Before you can rent a long-term apartment to begin your new lifestyle in Thailand, you’ll need a long-term visa. Thailand offers two types of visa that can be used by retirees to live indefinitely in the country.
The basic retirement visa is available to foreigners over 50 years of age but, you’ll need an account at a recognised Thai bank. There are two ways to satisfy the monetary requirements for this visa:
1: The account must show at least THB 800,000 on deposit from an overseas source at least two months before your retirement visa application.
2: Or, you must provide a statement from the bank showing a record of 12-months of at least THB 65,000 a month being deposited into your account, and a certified bank letter from your Embassy in Thailand. Retirement visa holders are required to report to Thai Immigration every 90 days.
Requirements for the Thailand Elite Visa
For those who want to retire before the age of 50, or for those who want to enjoy some special perks, Thailand also offers the Elite Visa. This visa is available for 5, 10 or 20 years. Different validities have varying costs and packages.
The perks of these visas include special discounts to golf courses and retail outlets, no 90-day reporting, and special express lanes at passport control and immigration when crossing Thai borders.
The requirements for the Elite Visa are a bit more prohibitive than the basic retirement visa. You must pass a criminal background check and pay between THB 500,000 and 2,000,000, depending on the length of the visa’s validity.
Spend Your Retirement in Hua Hin
If all of that has piqued your interest in spending your retirement in Thailand, then it would be hard to beat the peaceful beach town of Hua Hin.
Rental for the Holidays has lots of spacious and modern condos throughout the town of Hua Hin.
You can choose a beach lifestyle, or base yourself close to the shops, malls and markets in the town. These modern condos offer all the conveniences you need, including high-resolution, flat-screen TVs, modern kitchens, and wireless internet.
You'll also enjoy 24-hour security, tropical gardens, a community swimming pool and a fitness centre in the condo complex. Enjoy your retirement in style by contacting Rental for the Holidays.
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