My American husband is always getting questions like “What is your life like in Thailand?”
I think the big confusion for foreigners that have not lived in Thailand, is that living in Thailand is not a holiday.
I honestly think many foreigners do not understand that, or understand what it takes to financially survive here.
Living in Thailand, you are not staying in fancy resorts, eating in fancy restaurants and traveling every other day. Thailand costs money just like your hometown and you have to have money to pay your living expenses each month.
I can guarantee you working in Thailand is no picnic. Is there such a thing as a 40 hour work week in Thailand? Probably not!
Living in Thailand is the exact same as living in your home town.
You have a house, you wake up, eat breakfast, wash your clothes, mow the lawn, fix things around the house.
Do your chores to take care of your property, maybe go to the local market for groceries or what ever supplies you need.
Maybe wash the car once in a while, do some gardening, visit with family.
Sounds just like what you are doing in your own home town, right?
Because it is the exact same, just a different country.
It is called life, which isn’t free no matter what country you live in.
There may be more things to see and do in Thailand, however, over the years when you have seen and done them once, you realize there are many places you do not want to ever visit again.
Overcrowding of the tourist areas is a huge issue and it is not a fun experience at all.
Air pollution in Bangkok is getting worse and worse and if you are visiting from Isaan or out in the country, the air can/will make you sick.
Traffic is a complete nightmare in Bangkok and even in Chiang Mai these days.
If you want to be happy living in Thailand, you need to find a place that works for you!
Because that place will be your home for the rest of your life if you are lucky.
For us, I am so happy my husband loves living in Isaan.
It is easy to get around, very peaceful, friendly people and cost effective. It is as close to a normal life as I believe a foreigner can have.
I lived in Florida many years so I do have something to compare it to.
We like to have the space and peace/quiet.
For my husband, his life is pretty much doing the same daily things he did before he moved here. Putter around the house, supporting local businesses and doing local festivals, holidays, etc.
Living in Thailand is not a full-time holiday.
You still have to financially survive through the years, paying your bills and ensuring you have enough saved when you can no longer work.
You can survive renting a box sized condo and play around, but sooner or later that gets old and boring.
Also if you are interested in meeting someone and settling down, she will want a normal life with a new house, car, etc. just the same as a woman in your own country.
It is Thailand, but the daily operations are the exact same as in any country.
Have money to pay your bills and buy what you need/want.
If you think Thailand will be a life long holiday, you will learn a very hard lesson.
Life here is exactly like the life you already have, except is in a different country.