EDMW Retirement Thread

[cyke69sg]

IMO.

1. SG may have good medical facilities but comes at a price, else where in BKK, they are famous for medical treatments too (not just plastic surgery) and cheaper as well.

2. hawker food is no longer affordable, price has been increasing as well. You know, BKK street food or non touristy place is half the price of a hawker food. The same plate of chicken rice is only $2.50 in BKK and SG is $4 (some place still selling $3.50 but lesser and lesser), some hawker food (newer gen stall owners) even sell their food at $7-8! Look at those recent hype hokkien noodles, no $6 no talk. Once those old time stall owners close shop, those new gen will not sell you this kind of price anymore due to high rental cost.

3. Actually, BKK, as compared to SG, has cheaper flights anyway also; SG is not really the base of asia, and it is getting expensive, with higher fuel cost and airport tax.

Are you retired? In Bangkok? Share what you do. Food. Etc. Would be interesting.

 

[d3n]

Are you retired? In Bangkok? Share what you do. Food. Etc. Would be interesting.

not yet retiring.

now saving up for retirement. I still need to pay off my current 3rm flat (in 4 years time) so I can fully utilise it as rental income for retirement. target to retire at 55, still a couple of years away. I will then spent my rental income in Thailand for retirement (probably just need half of it and saved the other half), no need to touch my savings, and my CPF payout time comes, I have 3 source of income (saving & investments + rental income + CPF payout).

i will not be retiring in BKK cos the cost of living there is rising also but instead i will move up north to my gf's hometown instead. i don't mind staying in the country side, less stress, more scenic and chill.

i already planned my Thailand exploration map to spent my retirement. Will buy a toyota hilux and do road trips within Thailand, maybe become a Thailand trip "influencer", or do a small airbnb with tour service.

Thailand retirement visa is easy to apply, just need a $30k~ SGD bank account to open in Thailand. Then you get yearly retirement visa (renew every year and maintain that $30k~ SGD bank account in Thailand).

 

[yokine3a]

No hobbies? What do you look forward to do? You can probably pick up an instrument if you wish so since you got the time.

Have ah, I like reading books, watching dramas, variety shows n buddhism lessons on YT. Not much time left after doing all these, still need to volunteer at temple leh.

 

[cyke69sg]

not yet retiring.

now saving up for retirement. I still need to pay off my current 3rm flat (in 4 years time) so I can fully utilise it as rental income for retirement. target to retire at 55, still a couple of years away. I will then spent my rental income in Thailand for retirement (probably just need half of it and saved the other half), no need to touch my savings, and my CPF payout time comes, I have 3 source of income (saving & investments + rental income + CPF payout).

i will not be retiring in BKK cos the cost of living there is rising also but instead i will move up north to my gf's hometown instead. i don't mind staying in the country side, less stress, more scenic and chill.

i already planned my Thailand exploration map to spent my retirement. Will buy a toyota hilux and do road trips within Thailand, maybe become a Thailand trip "influencer", or do a small airbnb with tour service.

Thailand retirement visa is easy to apply, just need a $30k~ SGD bank account to open in Thailand. Then you get yearly retirement visa (renew every year and maintain that $30k~ SGD bank account in Thailand).

Sounds like you've got a detailed plan!
Excellent!
Look forward to seeing your adventures in 2 years time!
Please come in to share!

 

[cyke69sg]

Have ah, I like reading books, watching dramas, variety shows n buddhism lessons on YT. Not much time left after doing all these, still need to volunteer at temple leh.

What time is your volunteer work? Is it regular hours? Mon to fri? Weekends. Effectively like a job but without pay?

 

[RSKeisuke]

I have plans to relocate to thailand after i retire too..

right now exploring visa options.
i think OA is my only viable option though or just do short visits of close to 30 days, then back in SG for one month or so, then repeat, but this will incur repeated airfare cost and make accommodation complicated

not sure if i will rent out my hdb, as i hate to imagine the mess that will be left behind by tenants

I think BKK is only good for short visit and not for long stays unless one lives in the suburbs.. bangna, bangwa, nonthaburi etc. basically away from the tourist areas. cheaper, less busy, less traffic, more local...

For now, I have shortlisted chiang mai, udon thani or khon kaen.

 

[d3n]

Sounds like you've got a detailed plan!
Excellent!
Look forward to seeing your adventures in 2 years time!
Please come in to share!

haha 2 years time too short, still have few more years sia but less than 10 years lol

 

[GundamG]

TS how old?
i am looking to retire below 50 but it looks funny to retire when all my peers are still working and kids still studying.

i feel we only live our lives during retirement, do things u like and also lead a healthy lifestyle.

When we work, we cannot have time or energy to exercise, choose and cook healthy food.

work is always rushing to commute, no time to exercise, da bao unhealthy lunch and dinner when pass by. reach home do housework. really meaningless.

 

[d3n]

I have plans to relocate to thailand after i retire too..

right now exploring visa options.
i think OA is my only viable option though or just do short visits of close to 30 days, then back in SG for one month or so, then repeat, but this will incur repeated airfare cost and make accommodation complicated

not sure if i will rent out my hdb, as i hate to imagine the mess that will be left behind by tenants

I think BKK is only good for short visit and not for long stays unless one lives in the suburbs.. bangna, bangwa, nonthaburi etc. basically away from the tourist areas. cheaper, less busy, less traffic, more local...

For now, I have shortlisted chiang mai, udon thani or khon kaen.

see you in Thailand.

u can try apply for Thailand retirement visa. not difficult. https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/retirement-visa

1. Must be over 50 years of age

2. Must meet ONE of the following:

• A security deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account held for at least 2 months before applying for the visa
• A monthly income of at least 65,000 THB
• Or a combined security deposit and annual income totaling 800,000 THB

3. Proof of Health Insurance: For applicants of the Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay) Visa, health insurance that meets the Thai government’s criteria is required. This includes:

• Inpatient coverage of at least 400,000 THB
• Outpatient coverage of at least 40,000 THB

4. To meet the financial requirements for a Thailand Retirement Visa, you must provide the following documents:

• For the security deposit: Submit an updated bank book or passbook along with a bank letter confirming that the deposit, sourced from overseas, has been in the account for at least two months.
• For a monthly income of 65,000 THB: Provide an income verification letter from your embassy in Thailand.
• If your embassy does not issue the Income Verification Letter, you can only use the monthly income option when applying for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O E-visa. However, to extend the visa to one year, a deposit of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account is required.

5. Other documents that may be requested (though typically not needed if applying within Thailand):

• Thai Police Clearance Certificate
• Medical Certificate
• Proof of Health Insurance

maybe u can just rent out one room instead of whole house, at least got some income and house will not be empty (pretty wasteful). for me, i am prepared to do overhaul renovation once i return back to sg for good.

 

[cyke69sg]

I have plans to relocate to thailand after i retire too..

right now exploring visa options.
i think OA is my only viable option though or just do short visits of close to 30 days, then back in SG for one month or so, then repeat, but this will incur repeated airfare cost and make accommodation complicated

not sure if i will rent out my hdb, as i hate to imagine the mess that will be left behind by tenants

I think BKK is only good for short visit and not for long stays unless one lives in the suburbs.. bangna, bangwa, nonthaburi etc. basically away from the tourist areas. cheaper, less busy, less traffic, more local...

For now, I have shortlisted chiang mai, udon thani or khon kaen.

Nice. Thailand seems to be a popular spot for Singaporeans to retire to.

Also have seen Vietnam as another popular country to retire to.

Have you worked out the costs in Thailand?

Accomodation?
Food?
Any other costs?

The rental from HDB flat is enough to cover all?

 

[cyke69sg]

haha 2 years time too short, still have few more years sia but less than 10 years lol

Oh. Sorry in your previous post you said a couple of years. That usually means 2 years. I think in Singapore people use "a couple of years" to mean a few years not necessarily 2.

But in other countries it means 2 years.

 

[d3n]

Very Good to retire in Singapore
1. Good medical facilities
2. Lots of good and affordable (relative) food at hawker centres
3. Easy base to go for short haul or long haul holidays
4. City living- easy for retirees to be in easy reach / good transportation network
5. Very safe ( relative) and familiarity of surroundings

That is why a lot of wealthy folks are coming to Singapore as a base for residence

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...er-stall-in-singapore.7218865/#post-159710398

$35 hawker prawn noodles

 

[imooi2018]

Daily afternoon coffee with a mountain or lake view, 20C in summer, 15C in winter

may I know where is this place? Vietnam?

 

[cyke69sg]

TS how old?
i am looking to retire below 50 but it looks funny to retire when all my peers are still working and kids still studying.

Why funny?
Just do what you want. Don't have to compare with others.

i feel we only live our lives during retirement, do things u like and also lead a healthy lifestyle.

I think that applies if one is really spending all their time working. That's pretty bad
Need to have some balance in life. But I guess the Singapore culture is really work very hard.

When we work, we cannot have time or energy to exercise, choose and cook healthy food.

That's very very bad lifestyle.

work is always rushing to commute, no time to exercise, da bao unhealthy lunch and dinner when pass by. reach home do housework. really meaningless.

Terrible life if like that.

My retirement is basically being able to do what I want when I want how I want.

Less so a distinction about whether I have completely abandoned work engagements.

Being able to choose when to work and how much at will is actually quite good for me. I also get to earn a good income to spend.

 

[cyke69sg]

may I know where is this place? Vietnam?

Dalat I think?

 

[d3n]

Nice. Thailand seems to be a popular spot for Singaporeans to retire to.

Also have seen Vietnam as another popular country to retire to.

Have you worked out the costs in Thailand?

Accomodation?
Food?
Any other costs?

The rental from HDB flat is enough to cover all?

a typical 3rm flat (in my area) rental is $3k+ market rate now,

so just say $3000 = 77.5K baht

1 bedder condo at chatchuchak area around 20K+ baht

food, if you are eat like local, per meal is 50-100 baht. 3 meals at most 400 baht? so thats ard 12K baht per month. you will be spoilt by food choices in thailand, some food are relatively similar to SG food, they also have their version of chicken rice, yong tau fu, satay, etc.

transport by MRT/BTS is relatively cheap.

of cos, if u live outside BKK, the COL is much lower.

 

[d3n]

TS how old?
i am looking to retire below 50 but it looks funny to retire when all my peers are still working and kids still studying.

why follow the norm?

i think your peers will be envy at you. they slogging, u just chilling.

 

[imooi2018]

You retiring in Calgary ? wow
that is such a nice place ! Hope to go back there again, one of the few most beautiful places I have visited.

Don't know about other cities but the Calgary food scene for Asian food is actually really really good. I can't think of any Asian food I want to eat which I can't find here.

 

[GundamG]

all my friends discussing to retire in Malaysia, but i think i wont get used to it.

at most just stay there a few weeks and come back.

the good thing abt SG is everything u need is around the neighbourhood. when population density is high, u get to see people, neighbours and friends when u leave ur house. i feel this is warming.

if i live alone in a big house in malaysia, come out walk and barely see anyone, i feel depressing and isolated. especially when u have free time to spare but nothing much u can do or interact.

 

[cyke69sg]

a typical 3rm flat (in my area) rental is $3k+ market rate now,

so just say $3000 = 77.5K baht

1 bedder condo at chatchuchak area around 20K+ baht

food, if you are eat like local, per meal is 50-100 baht. 3 meals at most 400 baht? so thats ard 12K baht per month. you will be spoilt by food choices in thailand, some food are relatively similar to SG food, they also have their version of chicken rice, yong tau fu, satay, etc.

transport by MRT/BTS is relatively cheap.

of cos, if u live outside BKK, the COL is much lower.

Yeah those numbers look really attractive!

Thanks for sharing!