Popular Post Thai Spice Posted January 15, 2020 Popular Post Posted January 15, 2020 So, it is now a little over 2 years since I retired and settled down in Bali. Time for a look abck on those 2 years and a SITREP ? Let’s split this in a few points : 11) Stopping your professional activity : Working is for most of us the thing where we spend a good part of our life on, being it time or energy. So, when suddenly you remove this from your life it is quite a change. Hence many people delay retirement, are afraid to be bored, and plenty other reasons. In fact, the adaptation is very easy, and you soon realize that even without you putting in 12h x 6d a week, the company continue to thrive and the world to spin. Yes, in the beginning I sometimes missed the intellectual or technical challenges, but that didn’t last long. One has to accept when it’s time to hand the wheel to the younger generation and sit back. 22) Moving from country : I understand this can be a bit stressing for some, especially if they never did it, but for me that was a very easy part. The country selection, well it happened to be Bali because I am with an Indo woman, it could have been anywhere near the sea in a sunny place. Of course, the administrative process (hassle) for the retirement visa in said country is to be considered with attention. It could turn into a stressing event every year and take away a lot of the enjoyment of “retirement under the sun”. 33) Staying with your partner 24/7 : For people having had a nomad professional lifestyle, this IS quite a challenge ! And even for people who had a more “regular” 8-17 job and every evening at home. I have known several couples who struggled seriously with this part, even in the West. It is a big difference seeing your companion every weekend, or even every evening and being 24/7 with her. In my case I apprehended it a bit, but as we still have our regular separations when the Miss is in Java and me here alone, I makes for nice breaks appreciated by both and it works. Here again a reasonable age difference probably helps as well ! 44) Adapting to your new financial status : Of course, switching from a full expat package to a regular pension, with your income divided by 3, and having to pay yourself for your lodging requires a bit of adaptation and change in habits. But if having a long-term partner, well you don’t hang out in bars every night anymore. And age helps you as well, even you don’t really like it. For those who come to places like Pattaya to finally ,at the end of one’s life, “live the dream” it could be more tricky. Plenty examples around that ended badly. Hence I can not repeat enough “prepare your retirement from very young !”. It must be horrible to realize that suddenly you are out there with 500 Euro/month to live on at 65 y old… 55) What to do with all this free time ? Yep, that is a good question. My answer is simple, we live like we would live a “normal live” in any country. Grocery shopping, buying bread, supermarket run now and then, restaurant, reading etc.. In my case I always loved reading, learning things about the world, so now I have again plenty time for it. But sure, depending on where you settle down, this will be an issue. There are things I would do in France that I can’t do here, but on the other hand there are things I do here I couldn’t do in France (like swimming pool every morning). Important is to impose oneself a certain daily discipline. From my experience in the past 2 years, having a partner helps also as you have a “normal couple” life. I appreciate when the Miss is away for 2 weeks, but longer than that it becomes a bit difficult and knowing myself living alone would be a tricky path. Conclusion : Till now no regret concerning retiring or the partner and country I choose. But I am not saying I found paradise, and I will stay here for life. 10 3 5
Thai Spice Posted January 15, 2020 Author Posted January 15, 2020 Grrrr, for some reason the bullet points 1) 2) etc... don't show up. Even I re-inserted them after paste and copying from Word ? 1
Lanzalad Posted January 15, 2020 Posted January 15, 2020 It good to see you view in this matter and I think what you do with all this free time is the key to it all. I realised this when I was in Pattaya not for my self but for other where i was installing video tv boxes, I'd always get chatting to the buyer while i'd be installing the box and i'd find out they are board and spend too much time on the booze. Many i'd offer a after service and call back maybe a month a so down the line to find the spending all the time on the booze had stopped and they have spare money to do things. its amazing a little bit of tv and a few movies changed many of them.. I see many blow everything before time and go back home with nothing.. I've never once looked at you and thought your one of them as you keep your self busy all the time. 👍 One of the reasons i've not continued building the house in Udon as when its time to move there it was going to be my project. I think you need a purpose in life.. 3
Thai Spice Posted January 15, 2020 Author Posted January 15, 2020 29 minutes ago, Lanzalad said: It good to see you view in this matter and I think what you do with all this free time is the key to it all. I realised this when I was in Pattaya not for my self but for other where i was installing video tv boxes, I'd always get chatting to the buyer while i'd be installing the box and i'd find out they are board and spend too much time on the booze. Many i'd offer a after service and call back maybe a month a so down the line to find the spending all the time on the booze had stopped and they have spare money to do things. its amazing a little bit of tv and a few movies changed many of them.. I see many blow everything before time and go back home with nothing.. I've never once looked at you and thought your one of them as you keep your self busy all the time. 👍 One of the reasons i've not continued building the house in Udon as when its time to move there it was going to be my project. I think you need a purpose in life.. Keeping yourselve busy and your mind awake and sharp is vital.
john1000 Posted January 15, 2020 Posted January 15, 2020 Filled my time in the UK with walking and cycling clubs as keeping fit is important. Also house improvements. Having a timetable, IE.. Getting up at the same time as when you were working, is important. Good thing about joining groups is you do meet people from all walks of life and form new friendships. Look forward to regular three month break in Thailand. As for a partner, hmm not sure I want this full time. Had a Thai GF visit UK for five months, and was relieved when she went home which surprised me. 2
code_slayer_bkk Posted January 15, 2020 Posted January 15, 2020 A good attitude JM .... nothing is ever perfect ... it is how you respond to the diversity that makes it all good or bad .... 1
Popular Post code_slayer_bkk Posted January 15, 2020 Popular Post Posted January 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Lanzalad said: I think you need a purpose in life.. Yea , I agree ..... my entire purpose in my adult life was banging great code .. and I loved it ... But, my purpose in life has changed since Ziggy was born ... now, it is to be the best father I can possibly be ... 3 5
Stillearly Posted January 15, 2020 Posted January 15, 2020 Good post TS , it's been 20 months for me and Its flown by ... I don't miss working , apart from the social interaction.. have enjoyed being able to watch the footy and cricket WC matches and the TDF in the afternoons , plus I was busy decorating and furnishing a new apartment and getting the snags sorted out , I am still in the process of selling my old home hopefully that completes at the end of this month ... 🤞 I don't get up at 06:30 any more , normally it's around 09:00 I go to the gym , pool and sauna a few times a week , particularly enjoyable when it is quiet during the daytime ..and when the weather improves I'll get my push bike out I meet up with my Dad for lunch a couple of times a week my main hobby is Family History ( Genealogy ) and I aim to spend more time on that and write up my research so I can share it with other family members Plus I want to travel more , not just Asia , there are loads of places I haven't seen in Europe that are on my bucket list 1 3
Smiler Posted January 15, 2020 Posted January 15, 2020 Sarcasm mode OFF Nice post TS, what does SITREP mean? I think it's interesting to hear how people handle one of the biggest transitions of their life. Add in moving to another country plus the relationship challenges. Fair fucks to you mon ami 🙂 1
Thai Spice Posted January 15, 2020 Author Posted January 15, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, Stillearly said: Good post TS , it's been 20 months for me and Its flown by ... I don't miss working , apart from the social interaction.. have enjoyed being able to watch the footy and cricket WC matches and the TDF in the afternoons , plus I was busy decorating and furnishing a new apartment and getting the snags sorted out , I am still in the process of selling my old home hopefully that completes at the end of this month ... 🤞 I don't get up at 06:30 any more , normally it's around 09:00 I go to the gym , pool and sauna a few times a week , particularly enjoyable when it is quiet during the daytime ..and when the weather improves I'll get my push bike out I meet up with my Dad for lunch a couple of times a week my main hobby is Family History ( Genealogy ) and I aim to spend more time on that and write up my research so I can share it with other family members Plus I want to travel more , not just Asia , there are loads of places I haven't seen in Europe that are on my bucket list Thanks mate, and replying to a few of the points you raised : Social life : Yep, my social life was mainly centered around my job, and working colleagues, so that is a bit a empty void now. Add the fact that a majority of residents here are Australians, a circle I have "culturally" little in common with. I mean, sitting in a noisy sport bar drinking beer for hours while watching sport on TV is not my thing. Most socializing happens now in my "regular french cantine" where at least I can speak my language. Getting up : still 06.00 am for me. And 07.00 am I am in the pool. But I have been an early raiser all my live. Wake up in the jungle residence even a bit earlier, thanks to my mate Ahmed ! Travelling : Having travelled extensively during my "career" I am tired of it now, and really not motivated. Edited January 15, 2020 by Thai Spice Grammar 1 2
code_slayer_bkk Posted January 16, 2020 Posted January 16, 2020 (edited) On 1/15/2020 at 12:58 PM, Thai Spice said: 33) Staying with your partner 24/7 : For people having had a nomad professional lifestyle, this IS quite a challenge ! And even for people who had a more “regular” 8-17 job and every evening at home. I have known several couples who struggled seriously with this part, even in the West. It is a big difference seeing your companion every weekend, or even every evening and being 24/7 with her. In my case I apprehended it a bit, but as we still have our regular separations when the Miss is in Java and me here alone, I makes for nice breaks appreciated by both and it works. Here again a reasonable age difference probably helps as well ! Moving from Country to Country ---- I have done that since I was out of school ... all over Europe, South America and Asia -- for over 25 years and I am still going strong ... it has been an adventure and would not change a thing ... except some of the crazed women I have been with -- or just maybe I made them crazy -- never mind though Staying with your partner 24/7 --- this has been easy for me -- the only women I have ever cared about is Beach gal ... she is so easy to be around ... but, I still take off to BKK a week or 10 days a every month .. she is cool with it ... no problems ever with her ... I think I would go crazy tied to a woman 24 * 7 * 365 .. no way .. I could never handle that ... I need to feel free and when ever I get the urge just get away ... this has nothing to do with Beach gal -- nothing .. she is a life time keeper for me ... I have been alone my entire life .. that feels normal to me .. never answering to anyone or caring for their feelings ... just living on my terms .. my way .. being free ... ( sounds selfish - I know ) -- in life I am not a man with a lot of words .. talk is cheap I have always thought ... so that is why I have always avoided anything serious .. to much drama, emotions and talk from all woman .... and it is a waste of time ( IMHO ) to wait and see when the going gets tough .. will they get tough also ? Most won't .... Don't know what compels me to being by myself and do whatever I want to do ... but, Beach Gal has made a significant change inside me .. and for the better ... Edited January 16, 2020 by code_slayer_bkk 3 2
Popular Post KhunDon Posted January 16, 2020 Popular Post Posted January 16, 2020 (edited) @Thai Spice A great thread that I feel many on this forum can relate too. 👍 I’ve been lucky, as I retired young and had 20 years to get used to it, now that I’m 67. 😟 I married a very young Thai girl and moved to Thailand to be with her and I make no excuses for the fact, that from way back then, until now, my life has revolved around her and later our little son. I still keep in touch with my old employer, or rather, they keep in touch with me, even after I moved to Thailand and even now 20 years later, I still go out to lunch or dinner with several of them a few times a year, where they gently pick my brain. My social life, such as it is, seems to be divided into two parts. First, is things we have to do, like school runs and chasing around taking my son to his after school and weekend activities and secondly, holidays during his out of term time, which is usually Italy, Thailand, Australia, and other countries and also within the UK. That uses up virtually all of my time, with the exception of the odd night out at the pub with mates. The wife and son often go off to Thailand on their own, which gives me a bit of a break, but I still fill my time pottering about with my projects. Many days, my wife and I are like ships passing in the night, she’s out on the morning school run at 7.30am and they don’t come back most evenings until dinner time. So the only time during the week when we are all together as a family, is for a few hours in the evenings, but it works well for us. I was always busy doing things in Thailand with the wife and her family and since being back in the UK, I seem to fill what little free time I have doing “projects” which usually revolves around property. Spent the last two years overseeing the work on our new house here and many others over the time since we’ve been back in Europe. Luckily, finances aren’t something that we spend much time thinking about, as I’ve 3 good pensions and savings etc and that more than covers what we require for our lifestyle, plus the wife has money of her own as well, which helps. All in all, the transition from full time work to retirement has been an enjoyable experience, but it’s only been 20 years, so early days yet. 😉 Edited January 17, 2020 by KhunDon Spelling 7 3
Aqualung Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 Great thread TS but I'm loathed to get involved right now. 9 months since finishing work and the main purpose of that was to spend more time with the TW based in Sweden. I've considered hi jacking Codes thread re the drug addiction of an acquaintance of his and have been encouraged to do so by the occasional bm... But I think it's asking to much of me or the bms to get involved. Even though I have no choice. Let's just say taking care of a mother who has bowel cancer along with a long term drug addict who don't give a shit for anyone unless it's herself doesn't bode well for a year off work by myself. And being made guilty for being away from my wife for a couple of weeks is taking its toll. Let's just say my part time retirement, a sojourn, hasn't turned out as I expected. 3
code_slayer_bkk Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 4 hours ago, Aqualung said: Great thread TS but I'm loathed to get involved right now. 9 months since finishing work and the main purpose of that was to spend more time with the TW based in Sweden. I've considered hi jacking Codes thread re the drug addiction of an acquaintance of his and have been encouraged to do so by the occasional bm... But I think it's asking to much of me or the bms to get involved. Even though I have no choice. Let's just say taking care of a mother who has bowel cancer along with a long term drug addict who don't give a shit for anyone unless it's herself doesn't bode well for a year off work by myself. And being made guilty for being away from my wife for a couple of weeks is taking its toll. Let's just say my part time retirement, a sojourn, hasn't turned out as I expected. Bro .. keep the faith ! 1
Thai Spice Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 10 minutes ago, code_slayer_bkk said: Bro .. keep the faith ! Yep, that's important ..even vital. 1
Krapow Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 I attended a Pension 'workshop' put on by my employer, options, different scenarios etc. They said amongst other things, people retiring and then being with their partner a lot more, led to a big surge in divorce or break up. So said you have to be aware and plan for such. 1
thegrogmonster Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 5 minutes ago, Krapow said: I attended a Pension 'workshop' put on by my employer, options, different scenarios etc. They said amongst other things, people retiring and then being with their partner a lot more, led to a big surge in divorce or break up. So said you have to be aware and plan for such. I'm planning on overcoming this in our retirement years by me mainly staying in Australia and the missus moving back to Udon Thani fulltime. 1
Thai Spice Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 11 minutes ago, Krapow said: I attended a Pension 'workshop' put on by my employer, options, different scenarios etc. They said amongst other things, people retiring and then being with their partner a lot more, led to a big surge in divorce or break up. So said you have to be aware and plan for such. I saw this a lot. Specially in our construction sites environment were even married, even working on a project in France, you're away all week. A bit like a long haul trucker. And at 60+, after each person getting used to his/hers freedom and individual livestyle, suddenly beeing together full time is a challenge. It went easier than I expedected for us, probably because both of us had a rather wild live before (after all we were both expat and single) and when we decided to settle down together one of the first things in the "agreement" was that we both stopped that livestyle, and switched to "good old papa and mama". And it worked. 4 minutes ago, thegrogmonster said: I'm planning on overcoming this in our retirement years by me mainly staying in Australia and the missus moving back to Udon Thani fulltime. To each his own, but that it in my view exactly the opposite of "enjoying together a relaxed retirement", which was our target. 1
thegrogmonster Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Thai Spice said: To each his own, but that it in my view exactly the opposite of "enjoying together a relaxed retirement", which was our target. Like yourself I came to the conclusion awhile ago that Thailand would not be a place where I could live full time. At this stage of her life the wife wants to return to Udon Thani when she retires. We have around 10 years before this happens and a lot of things could change. We may even end up splitting our time between Thailand and Australia. I would like to spend a couple of years travelling around Australia while the wife has no interest in this. For our entire 18 years together we have led reasonably separate lifes even though we get on well most of the time. I actually prefer my own company and like doing things by myself (except for sex). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited January 17, 2020 by thegrogmonster 3 1
Thai Spice Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 17 minutes ago, thegrogmonster said: Like yourself I came to the conclusion awhile ago that Thailand would not be a place where I could live full time. At this stage of her life the wife wants to return to Udon Thani when she retires. We have around 10 years before this happens and a lot of things could change. We may even end up splitting our time between Thailand and Australia. I would like to spend a couple of years travelling around Australia while the wife has no interest in this. For our entire 18 years together we have led reasonably separate lifes even we get on well most of the time. I actually prefer my own company and like doing things by myself (except for sex). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Clear, and fair enough. 1
Nickrock Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 1 hour ago, thegrogmonster said: Like yourself I came to the conclusion awhile ago that Thailand would not be a place where I could live full time. At this stage of her life the wife wants to return to Udon Thani when she retires. My Mrs is totally determined to build a house ( more hi so than the rest of the village) picked a picture off the internet and wants that one regardless that the orientation is all wrong you will rip you car door open on the gate post getting in from the narrow lane , even after suggesting she gets a mirror image .that is just one reason it won't work Told her till I'm blue in the face ( have no desire to retire in Thailand ,even less up in the eastern brown zone ) and it's 15 years till she retires 1
Thai Spice Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 16 minutes ago, Nickrock said: My Mrs is totally determined to build a house ( more hi so than the rest of the village) picked a picture off the internet and wants that one regardless that the orientation is all wrong you will rip you car door open on the gate post getting in from the narrow lane , even after suggesting she gets a mirror image .that is just one reason it won't work Told her till I'm blue in the face ( have no desire to retire in Thailand ,even less up in the eastern brown zone ) and it's 15 years till she retires A lot can happen / change in 15 years.... Impossible IMHO to plan that long in advance.
Nickrock Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 10 minutes ago, Thai Spice said: A lot can happen / change in 15 years.... Impossible IMHO to plan that long in advance. She's getting it built in about 4 months when we go back ( her for a month me for 10 days) Her plan is to get it started asap ,she's got 4_500k in her account right now and about another 100k coming at end of the month
CalEden Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 Quote 8 hours ago, Nickrock said: She's getting it built in about 4 months when we go back ( her for a month me for 10 days) Her plan is to get it started asap ,she's got 4_500k in her account right now and about another 100k coming at end of the month Just a thought maybe your wife has other plans closer to the present.
Recommended Posts