Thread: Living in Thailand
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11-23-09 18:26 #2300Craigslist does offer a huge range of possibilities, although personally I find them to often be well overpriced or just higher end. A far better option in my book would be to use prakard http://www.Prakard. Com/, you can then click on the area of town you are interested in, and under that section they show virtually ever major condo and development project. You then click on specific ones and there will be a thread entitled Buy and Rent which has daily postings. Outside of the Sukhumvit listings, most of the postings are in Thai, but it is easy enough to read the numbers and square meter specs. And have a Thai friend help out for anything else. Lots and lots of nice condo rental offerings right now in Lat Phrao, Ratchada, and elsewhere near public transit stations in the 10,000 range.
Originally Posted by Idol1
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11-21-09 20:11 #2299
Both Hawaii and North Dakota have state income taxes. South Dakota has no income tax. Also if one is eligible for Social Security retirement benefits based on age one is automatically not eligible for SS disability.
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11-08-09 01:06 #2298Crazy Jim Wood, has made a lot of good points. But let me put it this way for you. Originally Posted by Boricua
I have been screwed over with a red hot poker more than once by the Government so I take the attitude now " that the less they know the better " but before you take that approach you have to spend the time to do your research and take the time to ask some questions which I don't think you are really doing. In regards to the VA benefits you can pretty much go online or to a local office and sit down and ask your questions and get it first hand. But when you do you got to remember to tell them you are only thinking and not actually doing it!!!! Testing the waters only....
Not knowing your exact age! You mentioned that you are collecting Social Security already and that you are fighting to collect disability. This is confusing to me? Are you collecting S.S. because you are 62,65, and trying to collect disability through S.S. because the monthly payout is the higher? If so once you get classified and payment starts coming it's payout just like your regular S.S., you need to contact S.S. as to living outside the country... you don't need to necessary identify yourself to ask this question! You need to really provide more information regarding the above.
Now in regards to Thailand! The Bangkok Bank Headquarters in New York has a contract with Social Security to deposit benefit checks for Expats living in Thailand that are collecting S.S. but not sure about the P.I.? But if your goal is for them to not know you are living full time overseas certainly this method they would know. And as far as knowing with the Patriot Act... today they know everytime to check out of a U.S. Airport.. They know everything.. but the key is as screwed up as the Government appears to be only you can decide whether you want to take the chance in deceiving them and whether with all the things they got to do have time to fuck with you?
Assuming you are disable now and collecting social security I'm going to guess you are maybe 62-65 of age! Since you have Medical with the VA, you don't need Medicare since I was told if I don't live in U.S. for at least 6 month I don't get Medicare! Not sure if VA will do direct billing for you in the P.I. unless there is a VA American hospital in P.I.
As for Taxes etc.....Unless you are already living near North Dakota, personally who the f--K wants to live or use that State as a resident unless you have family or you have no choice to get around the system. Since we don't know where you live... Nevada. Florida, Washington, Hawaii, has no State tax and if you have family or friends and can use their mailing address they are States at least closer to the coast to catching a Flight out to P.I. but North Dakota,, I say Hee Hawg! Otherwise, if you don't have to move and don't have lots of money since you seem to be living off S.S. and if you qualify for Disability you might now even have to worry about taxes... but check with a professional tax person!
In the end.. the less the Government knows the better as far as I'm concern f--k them.
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11-07-09 16:21 #2297
Expat and U.S. residency
It is quite likely that the U.S. government in general would not consider you to be a non-resident as long as you do not make any effort to convince them otherwise.
You may want to change your state residency before moving, since some states do not have state income tax.
Some U.S. states also have relaxed residency requirements.
For example, North Dakota I think you only need to be there one day to become a resident.
You can also get a service there to handle your mail. That way all your veteran's benefits and tax paperwork goes to a U.S. address.
You show up once a year (if even that is necessary) vote or do something then go back to Thailand.
I know that many insurance companies honor overseas medical expenses, although I have no way to know about medicare.
However there may be important distinctions between receiving medical care while overseas travelling and receiving medical care while residing overseas. But there is really no way for anyone to know what your situation is if you do not make an effort to become a non-resident.
If you have significant income, you might want to be a non-resident, since your first 80,000+ is not taxed in the U.S., and jsut cover your own medical that is not covered by insurance, but if your income is not that significant, pay taxes as a full time U.S. resident and hopefully no one will be the wiser.
You can also come back to the U.S. for expensive medical care, in which case there should be no question of coverage.
Regardless what you do with U.S. residency, if you are actually going to be out of country most of the time, you might as well change your state residency to a state that is more favorable. For example, some states tax pensions and some don't, some have state income tax some don't, etc. If it was me I would change at least to North Dakota (or is it South?) which has not state income tax, and a 1 day residency requirement, then if I find an even better state I would change again. I think most other states are a little more difficult to establsih residency but not impossible.
Originally Posted by Boricua
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11-07-09 09:25 #2296Now wouldn't be a good time to tell you that my rent alone is 80k would it? Originally Posted by J Jack
however, 93k is enough to live like a prince.
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11-07-09 09:14 #2295Really depends on how you like to live, and what makes you happy. 93K baht a month is a nice chunk of change in the LOS, even for a farang! You'll do just fine, (actually better than that), as long as you live within reasonable means (e.g., a small, but nice, apartment; no car - maybe a motorbike; do not sponsor a girl(s); don't drink 1000 baht daily; budget massages, barfines and sanook; etc., etc.). Originally Posted by J Jack
The only issues I see, (and feel), are that prices are moving up as time goes on, and whatever currency you receive your income in might fluctuate a bit with the exchange rate. When I first came here it was 40baht/$1us; today it is 33baht/$1.
Today, you could easily live on 60K a month, and bank the rest for travel and a reserve for a rainy day (e.g., clothes, health care, a new TV, etc). I've found that the longer I live in the LOS, my normal needs have become less costly as I've downsized my western lifestyle.
My suggestion is to try it first for a few months in the dry season, go home and see how it feels, and then try it again for a longer period (incl: hot season and rainy season). You'll know if you like it after a couple of extended stays.
Just don't let some little Thai vixen get you all wound up with, "Darling, I miss you too much...!"
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11-07-09 04:36 #2294
Some thoughts from real expats
I had the opportunity to visiting Thailand about 3 years ago, roughly three weeks purely a tourist adventure spent time in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Krabi. It was during songkran, it was hot but I survived as a fat white man. It was long enough to hook me. In 5 years time (taking me to 48 years of age) I will generate a fixed source income of about 93, 399 BHT per month without ever having to touch my principle. I wouldn't need to be employed in Thailand. What kind of lifestyle would that afford me lets say in Bangkok, or Pattaya, or even somewhere else close to a beach. I guess what I am looking for is the ability to sit on a beach once in awhile, enjoy a drink, simple food, not give a shit if I am gaining weight or losing it, a clean safe place to live with air conditioning and the internet. A nice looking lady to play with when I want, and time to be all by myself if I want that too. Am I stuck in a one time visitors pipe dream or is it doable?
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11-02-09 06:52 #2293
I've been traveling to Asia 4-8 times a year for the last two decades and just made the permanent move to Bangkok at the beginning of October.
I have been staying with a friend in the Asoke area but am ready to start looking for my own apartment. I would appreciate the opinion of what parts of town to consider and/or any recommendations of good real estate agents.
My budget is less than 30,000 a month and I want to be near either the BTS or Metro.
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10-18-09 06:45 #2292
Thanks for the input, Fon Tok and NicFrenchy.
I never thought about craigslist. And the Victory Mon. area looks nice to me. Not as many farang-specialized thais there as in sukhumvit and well connected.
I feel comfortable now to just hit town and arrange things the first days there.
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10-16-09 10:20 #2291You can also find some studios in the Victory monument area for as low as 6~7k per month Originally Posted by Fon Tok
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10-16-09 09:19 #2290
A needle in the needle stack
You might check the Bangkok Craigslist website. There's a few good deals on there for "regular" apartments (as opposed to serviced ones). Originally Posted by Idol1
If you know where you want to live you could just walk around and look for "for rent" signs. There's places for rent everywhere. I'd pick one of the lesser known BTS station areas away from the popular ones, maybe out toward Mo Chit. It would give you a good chance to practice your Thai, as well.
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10-15-09 19:32 #2289
Apartment rental
Would anybody of you experianced BKK folks get me some input on how you would handle an apartment search.
I really got to like our hobby and LOS as a whole during my visits over the years. The thing that always put me off a bit was the communication problem. So I decided to give it a shot and start learning thai. I did some diy at home and want to spend now up to 3 month there to primarily learn the language and see how it goes. So I am looking for an apartment.
An internet search turns up some rental agencies and I was wondering if you would make use of their services while still being at home or if you would rather shop around the first days yourself and run into some of their offices and see what s available at short notice.
I am talking about November - January ,so there isn t much time for notice anyway.
I would really appreciate some first hand insights.
(Thx Jeff46 for the information provided about your lodging areas. I am rather looking for something traditional thai than the latest in-room fancies.
So it would be cool to know how you found your current place)
Many thanks in advance
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10-12-09 05:55 #2288
What I have learned is many Expats go through a lot of hoops to do the right thing like getting Long term Visa, Driver license, Bank Accounts, etc... then after they relocate they find out their dream land isn't what is suppose to be after only a few months.
Although after the Patriot Act.. the government seem to know everything about us when we come and go. I personally don't give a fuck what they know. If I was collecting S.S. and you let them know you are living outside the country at 65 you don't qualify for Medicare! Not sure of the VA, funny they sent you to another country to fight a war yet they won't allow you to have medical care in another country. We speak of globol economy but if a country want to save money you would think they would allow you to get medical care in another country if the institution is accedited and do the billing direct or Fax back to the U.S. for payment into your account.
Personally, I wouldn't would not say a things until I had to and let S.S. deposit the money into your Country bank and just ATM, it out every month.
They can't even run the country what is the % that they will track you down?
LBM
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10-12-09 01:44 #2287
From the Horses Mouth
Did you ask the VA? I'm sure they will know. Originally Posted by Boricua
www.va.gov
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10-11-09 18:25 #2286
Collecting disability in Thailand
I am currently collecting social security and am sure I can continue to collect if I relocate to Thailand. I am fighting to collect disability am need to know if I can collect disability if I move to Thailand. I receive my medical from the VA and I know that I can continue to receive my VA benefits in Manila.
Any way to continue VA if I live in Thailand?
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