John
@1happykamper
English expat in Thailand
Forum posts
48
About me
English, Single
Lives in Pattaya, Chon Buri
Speaks English
Registration: 03 April 2017
Can you hear me now?
Good grief this forum is quiet. No posts for two years?Greetings from Chiang Mai. The heat is making things miserable here. I've put up with it for 11 years in Thailand.Is Da Lat, Vietnam my next base? Is it yours? Read More
Border runs by tomtomshay
any good聽 companies HCMC ? for moc by border runs
@OceanBeach92107 I know of one company in Da Nang. How many times a year can I apply for an "urgent visa" though? I plan on staying more than a year or five. Read More
Mexico, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Mexico, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
@JulianDave Less than a thousand usd, impressive! As long as I don't need to spend above 1500 usd I would be happy. I must admit I'm curious where you live... on the road to QRO... in the hills? Please send me a message if you are so inclined. ... Read More
Did you leave Mexico, only to return? by 1happykamper
If not M茅xico then where?When I retired to San Miguel de Allende in 2012 life was fantastic. It was cheap and wonderful. I became a permanent resident of Mexico and was happy. That is until 2015 when the killings in San Miguel de Allende just ...
Thanks Kerry. I read your blog.. Nice article... I disagree that the weather can be "chilly". I remember a few mornings of zero Celsius and then mostly 8C December and January.. Maybe even a month or two more.. Correct? If I do return... Which I ... Read More
Did you leave Mexico, only to return?
If not M茅xico then where?When I retired to San Miguel de Allende in 2012 life was fantastic. It was cheap and wonderful. I became a permanent resident of Mexico and was happy. That is until 2015 when the killings in San Miguel de Allende just ... Read More
Mexico, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Mexico, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
@MexicoAfterlife "only"? Wow that's a lot of money. If you ask a M茅xico that lives where you live see if he would agree with *only 30k"馃檹 Read More
Mexico, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Mexico, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
Right, I had forgotten about the financial residency qualifications... Extremely high now. The real estate prices in Thailand are 2 to 3 times higher than Mexico. But strangely my rent in Thailand is less than it would be in expat areas of Mexico. I ... Read More
Mexico, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Mexico, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
@Cheryl Great question. I'd like to expand on that if I may...and ask... If not M茅xico then where? When I retired to San Miguel de Allende in 2012 life was fantastic. It was cheap and wonderful. I became a permanent resident of Mexico and was ... Read More
Mexico, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Mexico, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
@kerry66 Wow. I'm impressed and surprised. I didn't think it was possible, anymore, to live in SMA on 1500 usd a month! Greetings from Thailand Read More
Newbie wanting to retire to Thailand by AmandaFlo
Hi allI'm a 68 year old lady, still active (sounds like a dating profile - it isn't!) at the moment.Retried police office and local government officer. I've been retired for coming up to three years.I've contacted a few retirement villages in ...
@1happykamper Sounds fantastic, is Ao Nang best part to stay? - @daviddomoney The best.. That's up to you. For your first time in Thailand I would stick to Ao Nang.. Until you get bored of lots of tourists.. High tourist prices and the traffic ... Read More
Newbie wanting to retire to Thailand by AmandaFlo
Hi allI'm a 68 year old lady, still active (sounds like a dating profile - it isn't!) at the moment.Retried police office and local government officer. I've been retired for coming up to three years.I've contacted a few retirement villages in ...
@daviddomoney I live in Krabi. The mountains here are different. Limestone monolith things that jut right out of the ground. Stunning scenery. Beaches "mountains" and fresh air Read More
Are Bangkok visa agents necessary for retirement or not? by lenichan7
I'm getting ready to look at doing the retirement visa application and oh buddy there is so much conflicting information especially on FB groups. Any question you ask, you will get a dozen comments and private messages from people trying to sell you ...
@lenichan7 Drama? No chance.. If you use a well known agent. When you visit your local immigration for any reason... who will they love more... the visa holder who paid 1900 thb (DIY) or the guy that used an agent.... immigration IOs share 10 to 35k ... Read More
Areas for living in Da Nang
I'm thinking of changing my home base country from Thailand to Vietnam. I'm in Da Nang now.. For a month or so. I'm 84.3% certain that I've picked the right city.. But I haven't visited Da Lat or Nha Trang yet... I digress... In the My An /An ... Read More
Visa Agents & Immigration Troubles by Eile
Don't trust Visa agents I had the worst experience with Agent and Danang immigration at the airport section. Both officers have denied me to fly to UK from Da Nang airport. There reason by immigration female was I was 4 days overstay when I was in ...
Don't trust Visa agents I had the worst experience with Agent and Danang immigration at the airport section. Both officers have denied me to fly to UK from Da Nang airport. There reason by immigration female was I was 4 days overstay when I was in ... Read More
Your experiences getting through customs with excess luggage pls by Ikgarcia83
My family and I are relocation to Hanoi in August and was hoping to travel over with a couple of pieces of additional luggage which seems to be more cost effective than shipping, but wondered if there would be custom issues. We will only be moving ...
@Ikgarcia83Thanks for asking this. Same question... I will have 4 suitcases and a large computer monitor... Read More
Help with Tech by Xpatdaughter
HI I am writing on behalf of my father who has been living in Bangkok for nearly 20 years. He is 85 and lives in the Sathorn area. He has someone that helps him with daily chores etc. But he does not have a good relationship at all with Technology. ...
I live in Hua Hin. Not close to Bangkok. I would enjoy helping your dad...no cost at all.. Happy to help. I'm 74 years old but as a retired engineer I kept up with technology. I'm still a geek. Please send me a private message if you want to discuss ... Read More
Will retirement in M茅xico be affordable in the next 10 years? by 1happykamper
Hola todos! I retired to Mexico in 2012. I secured my residente permanente at a much, much lower financial hurdle than needed today. For the most part I enjoyed living in Mexico a lot... the friendly Mexicans.. the music, dancing and the ...
@lanigma It is better to rent and put the money you would have bought the house with into a cedes which pays 11.55% and .5% mexican taxes. Rent to hone prices in ex pat areas are way out if wack for every 1k usd rent should be 100k USD to buy the ... Read More
Will retirement in M茅xico be affordable in the next 10 years? by 1happykamper
Hola todos! I retired to Mexico in 2012. I secured my residente permanente at a much, much lower financial hurdle than needed today. For the most part I enjoyed living in Mexico a lot... the friendly Mexicans.. the music, dancing and the ...
@1happykamper Thank you for sharing your perspective. My husband and I are favoring Mexico over Asia because if its proximity to "home", family and friends. -@shanonbond.. and with current economic trends in Mexico... will you be able to ... Read More
Will retirement in M茅xico be affordable in the next 10 years? by 1happykamper
Hola todos! I retired to Mexico in 2012. I secured my residente permanente at a much, much lower financial hurdle than needed today. For the most part I enjoyed living in Mexico a lot... the friendly Mexicans.. the music, dancing and the ...
I'm choosing to live in Thailand now due to the following reasons 1. The home I rent is 14km from the city of Hua Hin. In M茅xico this would be described as El campo. No way would I risk living in the countryside of Mexico. Thailand life.. ... Read More
Will retirement in M茅xico be affordable in the next 10 years?
Hola todos! I retired to Mexico in 2012. I secured my residente permanente at a much, much lower financial hurdle than needed today. For the most part I enjoyed living in Mexico a lot... the friendly Mexicans.. the music, dancing and the ... Read More
Vietnam or Thailand by Jimpdxusa
Hello group, it's been a while since I posted but have been lurking.聽The world is certainly different as is life.聽A few years ago before Covid, I was researching hard on living as an expat in Da Nang.聽Many of you were kind enough to ...
I currently live in Thailand and have done so since 2015... with 25% of these years in M茅xico. I lived.. Forced to stay ha ha.. In Da Nang in 2020. I like Vietnam people MUCH MORE... curious and friendly. Thai.. Not so much. Da Nang weather.. ... Read More
Outbound flight with an O type visa by GuestPoster371
Does anyone know if when I arrive into Thailand with an O type visa, do I need to have an outbound plane ticket or can I arrive with a one way ticket?Thanks
@Guy DolevGreetings from Hua Hin. One way ticket is sufficient Read More
Us medicare claim by forwardhenley
Anyone have any experience submitting a Medicare claim once discharged?thankspeter henley
What? There is no Medicare claims for Healthcare in Thailand Read More
Community and a sense of belonging by 1happykamper
Since 2015, I've spend more than half my life living in Thailand... from Krabi to Chiang Mai... Bangkok, Jomtien Beach and more...I've never felt a sense of belonging... expat crowds are often not my cuppa tea... Thai people don't want to know me... ...
@scbrockI think Thai people are very kind.. But not friendly or social. Nor are they curious. Read More
Community and a sense of belonging by 1happykamper
Since 2015, I've spend more than half my life living in Thailand... from Krabi to Chiang Mai... Bangkok, Jomtien Beach and more...I've never felt a sense of belonging... expat crowds are often not my cuppa tea... Thai people don't want to know me... ...
@Ralf Bachmann thanks Ralk. I agree with these thoughts and it does explain a lot. I remember telling a monk. during my first year here.. "ohh, Thai people are so kind and friendly" ... to which he replied.. "NO Thai are scared and suppressed". Yikes Read More
Community and a sense of belonging by 1happykamper
Since 2015, I've spend more than half my life living in Thailand... from Krabi to Chiang Mai... Bangkok, Jomtien Beach and more...I've never felt a sense of belonging... expat crowds are often not my cuppa tea... Thai people don't want to know me... ...
@Leeds forever! Sorry.. Poor English... Half my time since 2015 in Thailand Read More
Community and a sense of belonging
Since 2015, I've spend more than half my life living in Thailand... from Krabi to Chiang Mai... Bangkok, Jomtien Beach and more...I've never felt a sense of belonging... expat crowds are often not my cuppa tea... Thai people don't want to know me... ... Read More
Housing Near Border by Yishai Gidon
Hi,So I am looking to live in Mexico for at least 6 months.I currently live in California and initially planned to live in the Ensenada -Rosarita area.However, because that area is so cloise to the border the prices seemed rather high given my ...
400 usd a month... For rent.. Or your total monthly expenses? Read More
Becoming a resident by 1happykamper
Hola! I currently live in M茅xico and have PR status. I also have dual citizenship with UK and USA. I am considering moving to Spain.. Sevilla as a retiree. I may have failed before I even begin more research. I read that the passive income ...
Ohhh... 29k savings... In Spain or any country? Read More
Becoming a resident by 1happykamper
Hola! I currently live in M茅xico and have PR status. I also have dual citizenship with UK and USA. I am considering moving to Spain.. Sevilla as a retiree. I may have failed before I even begin more research. I read that the passive income ...
@1happykamper I completely messed up that number ha ha... I think it's 27,500 鈧� per year and I have 25,700鈧� income. Read More
Becoming a resident
Hola! I currently live in M茅xico and have PR status. I also have dual citizenship with UK and USA. I am considering moving to Spain.. Sevilla as a retiree. I may have failed before I even begin more research. I read that the passive income ... Read More
Do u like to relocate why & where? by syed zee
i want relocate in any part of world to prove my professionalism with my work and with my commitment
Typo 馃槑.. Crazy beautiful Read More
Do u like to relocate why & where? by syed zee
i want relocate in any part of world to prove my professionalism with my work and with my commitment
Dear Happy Kamper,Which of these locations in Mexico do you preferor recommend .. and why?聽-- Mexico City聽-- Metro Canc煤n聽-- San Miguel de Allende聽-- Guadalajara聽-- othercccmedia -@cccmediaIn 2012鈥� I moved to ... Read More
Do u like to relocate why & where? by syed zee
i want relocate in any part of world to prove my professionalism with my work and with my commitment
@nz7521137Because I live alone I value community over freinds. -@1happykamperSo in Thailand there was no suitable community for you? I am really curious, because I hear of many people wanting to move there. -@nz7521137Correct. Lots of beach ... Read More
Do u like to relocate why & where? by syed zee
i want relocate in any part of world to prove my professionalism with my work and with my commitment
@nz7521137 Because I live alone I value community over freinds. Read More
Retiring to Koh Samui by midge6262
Hello, We are Terry and Midge and are looking forward to retiring to Koh Samui in April 2023. The first sort of things we need is to find a good agent to help us with our initial move, how we go about getting our Visas. Advice 聽on the different ...
@dpmalkie1 That's a lot of money for ANY developing nation popular with expats.. in addition to Thailand you can live in Panama.. Costz Rica or M茅xico... the posh parts.. La Condesa example. In fact 50% of that monry would be plenty! Even ... Read More
Do u like to relocate why & where? by syed zee
i want relocate in any part of world to prove my professionalism with my work and with my commitment
Keep this in mind... I've been an expat from the UK since 1973 and lived in Australia, USA, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. I'm now 72 years old and considering leaving Thailand to return to M茅xico. It's it's not the most beautiful place ... Read More
Visa Confusion by Guest8928
Based on what I have, I need a Visa Temporal. I plan to renew it twice a year for 4 years until I can gain permanent residency. I am not seeing anywhere online if I can do that without leaving Mexico every time I need to renew. Can anyone clarify ...
@michelewalterlmt Congratulations! Enjoy Semana Santa ..next month? I think. Easter. Enjoy your new adopted country Read More
Retirement in chiangmai! by harry1582003
Going to retire in chiangmai next October and would like to buy accidental insurance, dose anyone have any suggestions at the age of 76.Thank You,
Following... Read More
Your year 2022 by Mickael
Hello everyone, Every year, our lives are punctuated by events, twists and turns and all sorts of unexpected things. Local and international news has inevitably had an impact on your life and your projects in Mexico in one way or another. As ...
@bollicina3..... The problem with all central and South American countries is safety. I enjoy cities and I enjoy nature. I would NEVER live in the countryside in M茅xico, Colombia or Ecuador... too much crime in the campo. Other countries I ... Read More
Your year 2022 by Mickael
Hello everyone, Every year, our lives are punctuated by events, twists and turns and all sorts of unexpected things. Local and international news has inevitably had an impact on your life and your projects in Mexico in one way or another. As ...
@Mickael Happy New Year everyone! My 2022 highlight in Mexico was leaving Mexico January 2022 and deciding to live in Thailand. I lived in Mexico since 2012. I miss mariachi music and the food and I miss the friendly and curious Mexicans. Thee are ... Read More
Rent in Campeche by Dominiquebelge
Hello everybody, I want to come to live for 6 months or more in the city of Campeche and i search a furnished appartement or house. Can you help me ? Thanks a lot. Dominique Vandenberghe.
@Dominiquebelge Hola! Saludos desd茅 Tailandia. Did you move to Campeche? Still there? Read More
Locations in San Miguel that are frequented by expats by frankpgavin
I have been in San Miguel for about five weeks. I鈥檓 from Florida, and my expectation is to be in San Miguel for a year. I would like to find places where ex-pats frequent as an opportunity to meet some friends and make acquaintances Are there ...
Seriously? I left San Miguel de Allende because I could trip over foreigners in every restaurant, bar and Plaza! Are you sure you are in San Miguel de Allende? Hanks for sure. Probably the same people sitting at the bar. Plaza principal. Hecho de ... Read More
Visa Confusion by Guest8928
Based on what I have, I need a Visa Temporal. I plan to renew it twice a year for 4 years until I can gain permanent residency. I am not seeing anywhere online if I can do that without leaving Mexico every time I need to renew. Can anyone clarify ...
@Mike Bluett initially applying for residency must begin at a Mexican Consul.. ie.. Outside M茅xico. The extreme pandemic event changed a few things temporarily. The biggest hurdle for many now is the new financial requirements. Much higher.. ... Read More
Ladies Hairdresser in Hua Hin by gatorman320
Hi guys, happy new year, we are travelling to hua hin (just bought some land there) we will arrive this week and the wife wants to see if there's a ladies hairdresser that can do colouring for foreigners? any info appreciated
@gatorman320 she should get her "foreign colour" hair in a foreign country.... like Thailand for example Read More
Rent or Buy in Thailand by Guest8552
I see this issue come up many times on this forum and also others, and I thought I would provide my views for people to consider.Firstly - an Expat cannot own any property on land (house) in Thailand - period. The best they can do is buy a house and ...
@AussieBob99 Greetings from Pattaya, Thailand...you forgot the other way to get rid of the debt or the obstacle in the way of getting the house... kill that person. Extreme yes, but Thai will "often" kill another thai in order to remove a debt or ... Read More
Mexico travel warnings by katesparks
How are people reacting to the US travel warnings to Mexico? Is anyone concerned about the drug cartels in Michoacan moving into Guanajuato in particular SMA? Is anyone concerned about what the warnings will do to the housing market in SMA? I was ...
I would be more afraid of being severely hurt or being killed! property value would not be as important. I left SMA after living there from 2012 to 2016.. it's too dangerous for my tastes. Read More
Will return to live rest of my days in Mexico. by daretiree
Lived I Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico for 2 months, and loved every minute of my time there. Had to return to states for personal reasons. The cost of living in Bucerias is so cheap, I still cannot believe it. However, I have heard that Progreso, ...
After living full-time in several places in Mexico between 2013 and 2017 I gave up on the notion of "I am moving to such and such city". I simply say.. I am travelling to this place or that country. This is how I have ended up trading ... Read More