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If you haven't been back since 1970 I would suggest you spend several months in Thailand before you make a permanent move.

Many things have changed in the last 40 years.

46 years. Long time gone by fast. That is good advice and I shall probably use it when I make my first trip back. It will be just me; the wife and I are splitsville. My other choice is SW Florida. Been there, too! much longer though. But those are my two options: Florida or Thailand. Chiang Mai edges out Sarasota because of     C of L

There is a good chance my trip there  will be sudden and for several months. Instead of throwing a dart at a map it would be better for me if people in the forum "recommend" the city/town/village that would work.  My desire is to rent something bright, sunny and open with two bedrooms and one bath, kitchen, lanai one or two storey building, gardner, housekeeper. My budget for quarters is 300USD/monthly.

I like things focussed on nature and the outdoors. Although I would prefer to live in a quiet little village I will also look at the city; but, a quiet part of it.

Input, please...

I have never lived in Chiang Mai but it does seem to offers cheap accommodations.  I suggest you come here for several months and try living in different area's to see which you like best.

I suggest you check towns on the coast going south from Pattaya.  Although I currently do not live there I prefer Pattaya because it offers many of the things Bangkok has but in a small town package.  I currently have plans to relocate there from my place in Bangkok in the next several months.

Hi Jim

I'm 63 and I married a Thai woman ten years ago. Two months ago she told me she found another man and wants a divorce. Right out of the blue.  So I've decided to go back to Thailand.

I lived in Khon Kaen for a year back in 2002. I really liked it and initially thought about just going back; however, why go back when you can go forward. So I plan to move to Chiang Mai in April,  get a serviced apartment and look around for a house to rent. What I can see that's changed in Thailand in the last ten years is that the dollar has dropped from 42 to 30 and there been some inflation of the currency in Thailand. But, so what, change is inevitable.

When I moved to Thailand in 2002 I didn't ship anything, just put it in storage in Seattle. I sort of remember it costing me about $5,000 to buy furnishings in Thailand because the place I rented in Khon Kaen didn't have much, like just beds and mattresses.  So I plan to ship my stuff; will probably just store it in BKK until I figure out what I'm doing. 

It may not be the smartest move, but I've been packing this stuff around for a long time and I don't intend coming back to the US this time. I know it's just STUFF but it will make me feel like I'm home. Some of that Thai furniture, like the wooden sofas, are too uncomfortable for my taste. I know they charge more too if it's furnished and I'd just as soon have my own stuff. I'm getting a 20' container door to door to CM for $5500. I didn't think that was too bad.

I live in the Bradenton/Sarasota area now, been here since 2004. The weather is nice for six months but I don't really have any attachments here and you're right about the cost of living. I picked CM because it may be a little cooler, it's a good sized city, a large ex-pat community, lots of things I'm interested in, yoga, tai chi, massage.  So I'm going for it and if it doesn't agree with me, well I can find someplace else. Udon Thani might be good.

Cheers,
Russell