Thailand among top retirement places

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Thailand among top retirement places

Published: 7 Jan 2013 at 11.25
Online news: World

Thailand, praised for its "affordability, exotic locales and outdoor lifestyle," placed ninth on an annual list of best countries for North Americans to retire to.

Thailand and Malaysia were the only Asian countries to place in the Top 10 of the favoured retirement destinations.With its low cost of living, balmy climate and cheap property prices, Ecuador was ranked the top foreign retirement destination for North Americans for the fifth consecutive year.The South American nation bordered by Colombia and Peru scored the highest marks in InternationalLiving.com's annual ranking of the best places to retire.With monthly estimated living expenses ranging from $900 to $1,400, Ecuador surpassed Panama, Malaysia, Mexico and Costa Rica, which rounded out the top five countries."I think the combination of a welcoming culture, the great weather, the affordability and its proximity to the United States all go together to make it a good package," Dan Prescher, the special projects editor for the website, said on Thursday."Panama has a lot of the same things going for it, but it isn't quite as affordable as Ecuador," he added in an interview.Editors at InternationalLiving.com analyzed data and information from correspondents in the countries most popular with American and Canadian retirees to compile the results, which were based on a host of categories: cost of living, climate, property prices, healthcare, ease of integration, retirement infrastructure, entertainment and amenities and special benefits for retirees.A large part of Ecuador's appeal is how inexpensive it is for retirees. A beer costs just 85 cents. A doctor's visit is $25, roughly the same price as a one-hour massage."Seniors resident in Ecuador qualify for half-price entertainment and local...

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onlyasking
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Discussion 9 : 07 Jan 2013 at 14.289
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The great thing of being an expat is if you don't like it in your host country you can move along. For the others of us that wants to live in Thailand, work here, pay taxes here and want to die here, we will continue to do our little bit to make Thailand a beter place.
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rex

Discussion 8 : 07 Jan 2013 at 13.508
Despite the complicated rules, I have had great support from the local immigration office. As for the retirement ranking, as a non US expat, I rate Thailand #1. I whinge about Thai drivers, and I whinge about electrical outlets and plumbing and corrupt practices, but so what. I have a great life here. It is easy to find a myriad of things that keep me here.
from iPhone application.
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Asian Hand
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Discussion 7 : 07 Jan 2013 at 13.447
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D1; you will find the same headaches for foreigners to retire in many other countries. Thailand is not unique in this regard. Foreigners in any country are seen as a source of income.
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cinbkk
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Discussion 6 : 07 Jan 2013 at 13.236
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Thailand is 9th despite the best efforts of the Thai government to make it as inconvenient as possible to stay here.
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wassa
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Discussion 5 : 07 Jan 2013 at 12.565
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i would very much agree with benno and sibley,i'm sure some people will not agree,but some time truth hurts !!!!!
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samurai
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Discussion 4 : 07 Jan 2013 at 12.164
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To those constantly knocking Thailand about the rising crime, try spending a week in Kuala Lumpur on foot and you will appreciate how much safer Bangkok is to walk around, even at night.
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boons
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Discussion 3 : 07 Jan 2013 at 11.553
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> "The places that have been popular with expats for the last five to 10 years tend to stay in the rankings unless something drastic happens, a big political or economic change," Prescher explained.

Would a massive spike in inflation in food prices, medical care and real estate constitute a major "economic change"?
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benno
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Discussion 2 : 07 Jan 2013 at 11.502
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in the future,less and less foreigner will come to thailand,because,it will be less safe,more expensiv for less quality like true vision.the new tv magazine is a joke and they will not show the new EPL season...same money for less.when ASEAN opens,more people with no work,more people with no work=more crime=less secure=more corruption...u get the point,,the domino effect.
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sibley
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Discussion 1 : 07 Jan 2013 at 11.431
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It would be nice of the Thai's if they made is easier for people over 55 to retire in Thailand, the visa system in Thailand sucks it is as if the Thais just want people to come to Thailand for 2 or 3 weeks holiday blow all their cash then leave, but that's Thailand farlang are just seen as ATMs.
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