Reader Submission: Don't keep dreaming!
You have a number of categories of foreigners in Thailand:
- The holidaymakers stay for several weeks.
- The backpackers stay for several months.
- The part-timers stay on and off for several months
- The permanent residents stay for a number of years.
I fall under the ever-growing group three. More than ten years ago, while staying as a holidaymaker, falling under group 1, I dreamed about a permanent residence as soon as it was possible.
Could retire and then live permanently in Thailand. They thought differently in The Hague, the state pension age went to 67 for me. Two years later than in my plans and the company pension a lot less due to this increase. My solution part-time retirement and keep working.
On average two months in the Netherlands and then two months in Thailand. In retrospect, I think I can thank the government in The Hague. I like it so much. To reduce the fixed costs in the Netherlands, I rent out my house for a few hundred euros below market value. And the months that I stay in the Netherlands, I am a boarder in my own house.
For example, the tenant in the Netherlands is happy with a low rent and I am happy with a stay as a boarder. The mail is scanned in this way and passed on by e-mail. And not unimportantly, my cooking skills are bad, the only thing I can cook is water. This is how I keep my weight as a boarder.
My living costs are also low in Thailand, I don't pay any rent there. Or at least it's called differently. My girlfriend gets 15.000 baht every month for daily expenses, even the months I'm not there. And yes, I pay the bill for electricity about 3000 baht per month when I'm there. This is due to the air conditioning from Samsung of 12.000 baht that I purchased myself.
Even if something breaks in her house, I fix it myself, go to the hardware store for material. Last year the house was painted and minor repairs were made. Wall paint not so cheap either, was 20.000 baht together. Labor was paid (free) in kind.
This way I can still make my dream, from ten years ago, to make Thailand my home come true. Everyone will have dreams of how something can be improved. But my advice, for what it's worth, don't keep dreaming. Change your dream customize it. To the new reality.
Submitted by Piet, part-time Thailand resident
Nice story, well arranged. And so you can achieve a lot with improvisation and good will and pursue what will always remain a dream for many because they only think in terms of obstacles and bears on the road instead of practical solutions and flexibility. Cheers!
Very sensible Piet, you have good adaptability.
And if I may agree with your slogan. Never look back, what has been has been
Yes Pete,
This is THE way to enjoy the Netherlands and Thailand to the fullest. And you put it together cleverly and adapted your dreams.
And so you have 6 complete holidays a year!
Keep enjoying!
Peer
How recognizable! I went from 1 (2 weeks in 1990) to 2 (traveling around for 1 or 2 months a few times) via 3 (5-4 months each time in the last 6 years) and now to 4. Another 6 weeks of packing now and then and in Thailand at the end of August.
I have been married to a Thai lady for 14 years. Living in Belgium and she has had Belgian nationality for 12 years. I have been retired since this year and would like to immigrate to Thailand. Where my wife has her house. One thing is stopping me: I have to have an annual checkup for my bladder and colon to remove any pollipes. I can't get one health insurance policy.
My question: is it possible to have me examined annually and not pay too high costs for this.
I would appreciate if someone could answer me in all honesty and maybe wrong in the same situation. I am 65.
Try to go back to Belgium every six months with a postal address and health insurance that you now also have?
Yes ok sure 2×2 tickets is also money.
Wonderful solution to this problem.
I'm actually in almost the same situation and your story immediately made me think..
I planned to take early retirement at 65, but that costs a lot of money.
Thanks for this very useful tip!!