Is Living Here Difficult for You?

[Korkenzieher]

You know what though, I was in Bangkok a couple of weeks back and as it happened my drive through town coincided with the office workers' daily commute. The dull faces and monotonous trudge so reminded me of the City of London that it was scary. It certainly wasn't an advertisement for going to the UK - but it was a bit of a wake-up call as to how quickly that bubble of innocence can be punctured, and the careworn look can overcome people. In some respects I think Gerard's point could be more widely applied to the idea of getting out of the Urban rat-race altogether, than any given nation state. Keeping up with the Jones, or the Kasit's - either one will grind you down sooner or later.

[hhfarang]

It seems like none of the answers are from U.S. citizens... understandable because most of us stay in the U.S. I'm in the U.S. now and can't believe how cool, clean, convenient it is and how friendly people are. I'm going to buy a home here before I come back to Thailand to pack up and move!!

[Arlo]

It seems like none of the answers are from U.S. citizens... understandable because most of us stay in the U.S. I'm in the U.S. now and can't believe how cool, clean, convenient it is and how friendly people are. I'm going to buy a home here before I come back to Thailand to pack up and move!!

What part of the country are you in?

[hhfarang]

North Carolina

[Dianne]

It seems like none of the answers are from U.S. citizens... understandable because most of us stay in the U.S. I'm in the U.S. now and can't believe how cool, clean, convenient it is and how friendly people are. I'm going to buy a home here before I come back to Thailand to pack up and move!!

I will be interested in knowing how the move back to the states works out for you. I moved back after 35 years in France. At first, I loved the challenge of setting up my new life with all the new conveniences and making wonderful friends, but after 4 years I was ready to move on. There were things I just couldn't get used to; everything being about money (I couldn't subscribe to cable tv because I didn't have and didn't want a credit card), an uncaring government that exploits it own citizens and the interminable sameness of the houses and malls. It made me feel sad and defeated. But everybody is different. Cool, convenient and clean may be just what you need at this point in your life. Enjoy the excitement of living in a new place and please keep us informed.

[hhfarang]

Well, France is a lot different from Thailand. I'm pretty sure I could live and be happy in France if I could afford it. Thailand was fun for about 3 years and then misery for 7 more so I need a change... even my Thai wife is tired of Thailand. It will be tough financially to live back in the U.S., but you can't put a price on happiness, especially if you're my age and only have a relatively short time left to enjoy life.

[Takiap]

Come now HHF, we all know you're going to miss Thailand; the lovely warm weather; Bintabaht; lady boys and etc.

Jokes aside, I hope you don't vanish from the forum once you make the move.

[hhfarang]

Well thanks, but since the only two things I do on this forum is try to help people when they ask questions about where to find local stuff and bitch about the climate, I may not have anything to contribute once I move...

[Name Taken]

It seems like none of the answers are from U.S. citizens... understandable because most of us stay in the U.S. I'm in the U.S. now and can't believe how cool, clean, convenient it is and how friendly people are. I'm going to buy a home here before I come back to Thailand to pack up and move!!

I will be interested in knowing how the move back to the states works out for you. I moved back after 35 years in France. At first, I loved the challenge of setting up my new life with all the new conveniences and making wonderful friends, but after 4 years I was ready to move on. There were things I just couldn't get used to; everything being about money (I couldn't subscribe to cable tv because I didn't have and didn't want a credit card), an uncaring government that exploits it own citizens and the interminable sameness of the houses and malls. It made me feel sad and defeated. But everybody is different. Cool, convenient and clean may be just what you need at this point in your life. Enjoy the excitement of living in a new place and please keep us informed.

In the U.S. it's all about Keeping up with the Joneses.

[hhfarang]

I don't care about the Jonses, I only care about the hhfarangs...

[richard]

Well thanks, but since the only two things I do on this forum is try to help people when they ask questions about where to find local stuff and bitch about the climate, I may not have anything to contribute once I move...

You can keep us up to date with how it going (going back). Give us the pros and cons. There will be both and you know it

[PeteC]

What town/city in NC will you be near? Pete

[dundrillin]

Well thanks, but since the only two things I do on this forum is try to help people when they ask questions about where to find local stuff and bitch about the climate, I may not have anything to contribute once I move...

HHF. Good luck with your new venture,hopefully we have not heard the last of you. I've always found your posts interesting and useful.

[Gregjam]

Perhaps Thailand offers Northern Europeans a lot more compared to what it offers US Nationals. The latter have a choice of different climates within their own country as well as having different costs. I cannot be sure but are things like fuel, food and social activities cheaper in the US while in Europe the public healthcare system is better.
Europeans are also more used to encountering a foreign language without travelling too far while in the US you will generally only have to tackle English or Spanish with the occasional encounter with French. Here you are faced with a difficult foreign language from the day you arrive.

[migrant]

I think wherever you end up, you have to find a way to continue to keep busy. HHF admitted his budget prevented him from golf, travel, etc.

Perhaps, also, other countries have more of a social community than US? I know many European countries gather around the pub as a social venue, that translates well to Thailand. In the US it's not so common to go to the same watering hole that often, so when you do, you do not know the people.

I was always curious how often one went to the corner pub, and how the fellow drinkers ranked as friends. Got to say I enjoy a drink, and envy the neighborhood pub, but rarely go out myself for a drink