12 Great reasons to make Thailand your second home
Make it your second home!
Australia has just been awarded the dubious title of THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRY IN WHICH TO LIVE. Frankly it was no surprise. The rising costs of power, petrol, food and general living expenses were obvious. The killer was the more subtle increases in governmental charges and the huge future costs of paying for government excesses and borrowings. No matter what they say the cost of living will not go down.
Australia has just been awarded the dubious title of THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRY IN WHICH TO LIVE. Frankly it was no surprise. The rising costs of power, petrol, food and general living expenses were obvious. The killer was the more subtle increases in governmental charges and the huge future costs of paying for government excesses and borrowings. No matter what they say the cost of living will not go down.
- While the results of the next Australian Federal election may well bring a change of political persuasion the level of expertise offered by both parties is rapidly falling. The knowledge and experience of these politicians is not of a standard to ensure confidence in the future.
- The financial power in the world is rapidly moving to Asia. China is in line to become the financial power of the world. Thailand has a special and favourable “little brother” status with China. China invests billions of Baht into Thailand.
- Thailand is the depositary for a huge amount of industrial investment. In fact the motor car building industry is so large Thailand is also known as the “Detroit of the East”. Almost each day brings an announcement of some major world corporation opening a new plant to build anything from motor cars, to trains right down to widgets.
- The huge floods in Bangkok a few years ago have also caused big dollars to be invested in new factories and housing away from the flood zones. There are many towns and cities outside of Bangkok where construction is going ahead at a fast rate. The Thai government has also committed billions of Baht into new roads and a rapid rail system.
- THAILAND IS A VERY CHEAP PLACE TO BUY REAL ESTATE. Maybe this should have been the number one reason. Housing and apartments, on a like for like basis, are about 20% to 30% the cost of property in Australia. You can buy a beachside condo in say Pattaya Beach or the royal beach holiday city of Hua Hin for less than au$100,000. Spend the Aussie winter in Thailand in your own condo. The kids and grandchildren can also holiday here. You can buy a new completed apartment or choose one off the plan and save even more. WARNING: Make sure you deal with a reputable real estate agent preferably one with Australian connections or an Australian with reliable Thai connections.
- Once in Thailand you will soon be amazed at the low cost of living. Food is fresh, plentiful and cheap. In fact very few expats seem to dine at home. Because Thailand is so popular with people from all over the world one can find something to suit all tastes. I find the cost of a small bottle of beer is a good indication of the cost of living. In Thailand you will pay about AU$0.66. A two course meal in the food hall of an international grocery supermarket about AU$1.10. A big night out for two could tear a hole in AU$30. LOL.
- Your second home could become your retirement home when the time is right. You will be amongst many expats who have chosen Thailand as the ideal place to retire. Thailand is extremely well supplied with international quality golf courses especially around Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai which are the three most popular cities with expats. In the quiet season you can get in 18 holes at one of the courses for as little as AU$25 with both a cart and caddy.
- You can reward your wife with retirement too and maybe you can see her with a housekeeper or maid. The local wages are such this is easily achieved. The local transport system works very well and there is no great need to own a car. For that more important occasion or a longer trip you can hire one with a driver at a very low cost. Most cities are connected with airconditioned VIP buses. For something like au$8 to au$15 for journeys of one to three hours.
- The air travel system between the major cities is very efficient and cheap as well. Au$50 will get you most places on one of the low coast airlines. Bangkok itself is a world air transport hub and getting to Europe quickly is a breeze. There is a direct and low cost flight to The Maldives if you would like to have an exotic holiday. Once again all airfares seem to be much cheaper when purchased in Thailand. The fares back to Australia via Scoot or Air Asia are peanuts. Even Thai Air and Singapore Airlines will not break your bank.
- You will not be the lone Aussie when you have your second home or retire in Thailand. Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai have healthy and active expat clubs. These clubs are good starting points and sources of information. Maybe you don’t want to be surrounded by Aussies because that isn’t the Thai experience but there are times when you just need to hear an Aussie voice.
Maybe this should have been the number two reason. Harking back to real estate. Thailand has a huge tourist inflow. Pattaya gets about 8 million visitors a year and that is growing at double digits per year. Hua Hin and Chiang Mai get their fair share too. The headquarters of the Asian Economic Community will be situated in Thailand. This is a consortium of 10 “Asian Tiger” countries. Thailand will become the “Brussels of the East”. There is a new high speed goods and passenger rail line coming down from China. Thailand is growing and tourism is huge. Investing into the condominium scene can be very profitable. Rental returns of 10% are common and capital gain is extremely good on wisely selected properties. Once again the WARNING: Honey attracts bees and they sting. Choose your agent wisely. Written by Jeff Wilken FREI
If you would like more information about living, or buying real estate in Thailand, contact Jeff
[email protected]
Send us your story about a holiday destination or experience in Thailand.
Find out where the BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS are?
If you would like more information about living, or buying real estate in Thailand, contact Jeff
[email protected]
Send us your story about a holiday destination or experience in Thailand.
Find out where the BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS are?