https://www.expattaxthailand.com/

Hi John & Sheri, We have literally just returned from Penang ( & Langkawi) as part of a 6 week Asia trip. We basically wanted to ascertain if there was any place in Thailand or Malaysia that would woo us away, for part of the year, from a very nice (but expensive) life in Australia. Alas we did not find anywhere that suited. We gave it a good crack, staying 4-6 days in airbnb's in each town/city experiencing/engaging in both expat and local areas.

Hey Mike - that's fantastic! Unfortunately I leave on the 27th for two weeks otherwise I would have happily caught up with you. Straits has changed a lot, for the better in the last year or so too with lots of good restuarants opening. Healy Macs for social events like trivia too on a Monday night is pretty popular. Sorry that I'll miss you - next time.

Hi Jim! Sorry to for the late reply. I just got access to this forum. Send me your email address and I'll contact you with some helpful information. I'm glad you like the article!

Panama offers a variety of private & public hospitals with new medical treatment equipment, diagnostic personnel from english speaking fully vetted doctors trained in the USA to technicians, nurses and man-power at every level in any medical setting. Immigration is encouraged requiring only $1,000. per month retirement or disability income for lifetime benefit period including spouse for only $250. additional benefit paid monthly by Social Security/military retirement/disability income verification for lifetime disbursement. YouTube "Panama Relocation Tours" hosted & owned by Jackie Lange for a wealth of knowledge in establishing a relocation exploratory to a Latin American country absent of hurricanes & tornadoes with an Eternal Spring climate in the highlands and year round balmy warm temperatures on 1500 miles of beaches on the Pacific & Carribean Oceans.

Hi there! I can’t speak from personal experience, but IL published a report in 2023 called “Hidden Land of Luxury” which has a few pages on Bali. Here’s what the report had to say about living there: The cost of living in Bali is much more affordable than living in the U.S. This is probably why Bali is such a desirable destination for many expats. A budget-minded couple can live comfortably on as little as $1,100 a month or less. Up that to $2,100 a month and you’ll be living very well. As for what life is like in Bali, this report also details one couple's experience in the town of Sanur. Here's an excerpt from that section: Choosing Sanur was easy. “The beach path, the calm waters of the ocean, the ability to sit and enjoy a meal with our feet in the sand, it was an easy decision,” Stephen explains. And after his many surgeries, Sanur was the place he would visit with Kim to recuperate. The tranquil surroundings have a special place in their hearts, Sanur is their “happy place.” On Stephen’s last birthday, they could sit by the beach and watch as a group of Balinese children were training for their soccer team. It’s being able to sit and relax like this, enjoying local life, that makes it all worthwhile they say. If you’re interested in reading more about visas and residence in Bali, you can find this report here. Bear in mind that it's an older report, and prices may have changed since it was published in 2023.

airbnb, booking.com, Craigslist, hailand-Property.com and check on facebook communities..

We loved vietnam and if you are mobile you can just flit between the triangle in that part of Asia.. Tourist/Visitor Options: E-visa (30 days, single entry) Apply online Cost: ~$25 USD Processing time: 3-5 business days Visa on Arrival (15-90 days) Requires pre-approval letter from authorized agency Single or multiple entry options Cost varies by duration ($25-95 USD plus stamping fee) Longer Stay Options: Business Visa (DN) Up to 12 months, multiple entry Requires business sponsor/company invitation Can be renewed Temporary Resident Card (TRC) Valid 2-3 years Requires qualifying employment, investment, or marriage to Vietnamese citizen Allows multiple entry/exit Retirement Options: Vietnam doesn't have a specific retirement visa, but retirees typically use these routes: Investment Visa (DT) Requires business investment (minimum varies by project) Can lead to TRC Renewable long-term Long-term Tourist Visa Available through visa agencies 6-12 months Multiple entries possible Must leave country to renew Key Considerations for Long-term Stay: Health insurance requirement Regular reporting to local police Cannot own property without permanent residency Income requirements vary by visa type May need to work with local visa agent

I would always check on facebook as have found many expat groups around the world where we have traveled.. Here is just one of them.. https://www.facebook.com/groups/729233734132891

Hi John, Having lived in the Philippines, here are my thoughts from my experience: Urban Areas (Metro/Tier-1 Cities): Cities such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao are equipped with advanced medical technologies and specialized care options. These cities also have more healthcare professionals and private facilities, which translates to shorter wait times, but the cost of services can be high, particularly in private hospitals. Rural Areas (Provincial): In contrast, provincial and rural areas face significant disparities. Facilities in these areas are often underfunded, lack modern equipment, and face shortages of trained healthcare professionals. Access to specialized care is limited, and people may need to travel to nearby urban centers for more comprehensive treatment. Affordability in public facilities is generally better, but the quality and accessibility are challenging. And then, you have conveneient access to afforadable healthcare in the neighborhood countries like Thailand & Malaysia including Medical Tourism option. Please do let me know if you would like to know further. Happy to help. Cheers! Thanks, Pramod

My bank's debit card will not work overseas, and even if it did, I would have been subject unfavorable exchange rates. An option that I, and several other expats I know use, is creating an account with Wise. com. Although not exactly a bank, they allow you to hold amounts in several currencies which can be a useful option. Plus, the exchange rates are competitive.

The much-awaited Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa has been relaunched with new terms and conditions. We've just posted an update on our website: https://internationalliving.com/malaysias-mm2h-relaunch-what-expats-need-to-know/

Hi John, That really depends on where in Thailand you would like to live, and how integrated with the locals you plan to get. If you’re living in one of the major cities, a popular tourist area, or a known expat community, you can get by with speaking English. However, when you move out of these areas English is not widely spoken, and some Thai language is needed. Learning the language can improve your understanding of the culture, make it easier to communicate within businesses and officials, make new Thai friends, get better prices at markets, keep your brain active and help you find out what is happening in your town by being able to read or communicate with Thais. It’s also respectful, and Thai people appreciate foreigners who try—even if you’re not especially fluent. And that’s understandable, because the Thai language can be quite difficult for English speakers to learn. It’s a tonal language, which means individual syllables have a corresponding tone and may result in different meanings. Most expats learn minimum greetings, polite requests, and thank you. That’s generally enough to get by in expat areas and to show willingness with the locals, given the complexity of the language to Western ears. If you choose to go further than this, identify precisely why you want to learn Thai and to what level. Do you want to be at a beginner level and understand greetings and make polite requests? Are you aiming for advanced, detailed conversation in Thai? Do you want to be able to read and write? Having a clear picture in mind can help you refocus if you lose your mojo. A clear goal will help you choose the right learning methods for you and your budget. Fortunately, there are many resources online and a fantastic range of ways to learn Thai. Initially, I would recommend an online program like ThaiPod 101. This site sometimes offers packages giving full access to their online programs from about $7 per month, and you can upgrade to receive online tuition. The company also has a YouTube channel with lots of free lessons, which you can find here.

Hi Greg, One big benefit to living in Thailand is its excellent, inexpensive healthcare. The quality, particularly in the private system, is as good as what you’ll find in the U.S. or Canada. And prices are low. They’re a third to a half of what you’d pay back home for similar services. In fact, because of the low cost of treatment, most expats do not bother with insurance for outpatient care. Inpatient-only coverage combined with a reasonable deductible can result in affordable monthly premiums for most people. Some expats only purchase accident insurance, which is much cheaper than full health coverage. Others forgo medical insurance altogether and rely on the money saved from living abroad for unforeseen medical emergencies. Expats don’t have access to Thailand’s public health scheme. But they do have access to three healthcare options: local clinics, private hospitals, and public hospitals. Local Clinics Local clinics are set-up for the resident population, but expats are also welcome. All are operated by well qualified and experienced medical practitioners. A consultation with an English- speaking doctor, treatment for any ailments, plus any required medications (which is usually dispensed by a pharmacist on staff at the clinic) typically cost no more than $14 a visit. Private Hospitals Outpatient departments at the major hospitals serve as an alternative to the local clinics. And Thailand has a large network of public and private hospitals. In fact, the country has 51 private hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the gold standard for hospital care. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai’s private hospitals, you can expect a quality equal to standards in the U.S. There are also some very good private facilities in Hua Hin, Udon Thani, Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui where most primary and secondary medical care problems can be dealt with. Public Hospitals Public or government run hospitals are much less expensive than their private counterparts, but they are generally more crowded and sometimes less well-equipped. However, all the medical facilities in the country are staffed by well-trained doctors and nurses who provide excellent care to both expats and locals alike. Read more about healthcare in Thailand on the dedicated page of our website here.