Thailand Expat Scene....What's that like?

[mojo101]

how about Singapore?
Japan is nice,but who can afford it?
what about China,that Hai Nan island?

[msgsing]

Singapore does not issue retirement visas. Most foreigners there are on a work visa. Even if there was a retirement visa most of the budget type expats like the ones in the Philippines or Thailand could not afford the high cost of living.

It’s a first world country. Unlike other places young Singaporean women are not interest in older men with limited financial resources. It is possible to get permanent residency if you are married to a local although it’s not an automatic or easy process.

[La Quenta]

Originally Posted by mojo101

how about Singapore?
Japan is nice,but who can afford it?
what about China,that Hai Nan island?

Singapore is nice - quite futuristic and very clean.

But it is socially very dull. It seems like almost everyone is a workaholic who devotes themselves wholly to their company.

I really enjoy visiting Singapore, but I don't think I could live there and be happy.

China - is too diverse for me to comment accurately as i've only been to Guangdong Province. Your mileage will vary i'd say. You want the advice of someone who is very familiar with multiple regions.

[stevie60]

I have not been to Thailand in a very long time. I do however try to keep up with the news as I am interested in the Phuket tourism experiment and how that works out. Other countries in the region might follow the example if it works. I watched a few video's about an expat trying to help out. Spend several hundred of his own money to buy food for a village on hard times. The sad part is he will run out of money. In Pattaya people line up by the hundreds for food handouts and there is never enough. Only one example in a large region that is struggling with the lack of tourism dollars.

Not just Thailand but around the world.

I think now would be a good time to remain put until the virus is contained which might be years. Unless you are a missionary or philanthropist? Then by all means do what you can to make a difference.

[Tomboy-]

Hainan is a warmer and cheaper place than major cities of China. Not many foreigners there due to few jobs for foreigners.
Very few or no covid cases in most provinces of China including Hainan this year.

Singapore is similar to HK, it is possible for foreign talents to be a permanent resident. It is more expensive than Taiwan and all other southeast Asian countries.

There are many restrictions in southeast Asia now due to high number of covid cases. Moving there is not like before the pandemic.

Originally Posted by msgsing

Singapore does not issue retirement visas. Most foreigners there are on a work visa. Even if there was a retirement visa most of the budget type expats like the ones in the Philippines or Thailand could not afford the high cost of living.

It’s a first world country. Unlike other places young Singaporean women are not interest in older men with limited financial resources. It is possible to get permanent residency if you are married to a local although it’s not an automatic or easy process.