Wanting to make the most of their retirement years, many look beyond their own borders for ideal retirement destinations, with a reduced cost of living, a healthier and happier lifestyle, and quality affordable healthcare high on the agenda. Thailand is one such country ticking many of those boxes. And foreigners can buy property in Thailand too.
According to specialist overseas retirement site International Living, Thailand is Number 1 in Asia and 11th of all international destinations in their latest survey. Their retirement index considers housing, healthcare, visa and residence, entertainment, climate, cost of living, ease of assimilation, and more.
An estimated 70,000 retirees call Thailand home for all or a good part of the year, enjoying an easy-going lifestyle and lower cost of living. People are attracted by the country’s diversity, from lush green mountains to sunny seaside locations, warm tropical climate, a renewable 12 months visa, good infrastructure and healthcare, and friendly locals.
So if you are thinking of retirement in Thailand, where or what are your options? This guide provides insights into the most popular destinations among retirees in the Land of Smiles.
Chiang Mai
Located in a mountain-surrounded valley in Thailand’s far north, Chiang Mai offers a serene and more cultured lifestyle with a significant arts and heritage scene, excellent hiking through extensive national and forest parks, and cooler winter months. It is generally less expensive than other prominent tourist locations in Thailand and is home to a large and welcoming expat community, making living in Chiang Mai easy.
It’s easy to get to, with some direct international flights and is only an hour’s flying time from Bangkok. With modern conveniences, including top-notch hospitals are all on your doorstep. One potential downside is what is locally called the “burning season”, where pollution from the burning of farm waste can be extreme for a few months of the year.
Your housing choices are diverse, including villas, detached houses, and condos. One example is Diamant Condominium. In an ideal location, close to shops and the superhighway circling the city. Facilities include parking, 24-hours security, a communal swimming pool, gym, and garden/bbq. One and two-bedroom condos are available, starting from 2,490,000 THB, or around 70,000 USD.
Chiang Rai
For even quieter and more rural living, check out Chiang Rai, about 3 hours northeast of Chiang Mai. It, too, has access to beautiful forests and natural attractions, though the expat population is smaller here. It still has a choice of quality hospitals, excellent recreational and shopping facilities, a well-serviced domestic airport, and is even more economical than Chiang Mai.
This outstanding four-bedroom detached house consists of several buildings. Two buildings each contain a bedroom and bathroom. Another structure has kitchen and dining areas, and another laundry and facilities. A 150 sqm Norwegian-style built warehouse includes an office on the top floor. Plus a swimming pool, sala, outdoor gym and ample parking.
Further from the main buildings is a guesthouse with two bedrooms, allowing privacy for guests and residents. There is also a maid’s room. The complex of buildings is surrounded by lush vegetation, including fruit and vegetable gardens, aquaponics, and a large pond. This significant resort-style property is about 10 minutes from the city centre and priced at 28,500,00 THB or under 790,000 USD.
Pattaya
The beachside resort town is just 150km from Bangkok and popular with retirees with Thai partners. Famous for its nightlife, it also has excellent shopping malls, golf courses, a wide range of sporting and recreational facilities, restaurants and markets, excellent healthcare, and a thriving expat community. If you are considering moving to Pattaya, affordable housing from rural escapes and gated communities to waterfront luxury condos are on offer.
Laguna Beach Resort 3 – The Maldives is a large condo complex with excellent facilities, including 5,000 sqm of Maldives-style swimming pool, relaxation zones, sauna, fitness centre, garden and bbq areas, and a kids play area. Located in Jomtien, this area is becoming increasingly popular, as it’s close to central Pattaya but away from the fray, plus it has easy access to shopping, markets, and amenities.
Studios start from 1,000,000 THB, about 28,000 USD, and two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos are also available.
Hua Hin
On the other side of the broad Gulf of Thailand from Pattaya is a coastal town and region, often referred to as the Royal Coast. Hua Hin operates at a slightly slower pace with less of the bright lights of tourist-heavy Pattaya.
Offering relaxed living, a flourishing restaurant scene, soft entertainment, excellent recreational facilities including international standard golf courses, long quiet beaches, shopping and markets, and a low cost of living. The region is flourishing, being around three hours by road from Bangkok. With improved rail services on the near horizon and expansion of the airport to accept short-haul international flights imminent, Hua Hin will soon be topping many visitors’ lists. ‘Lock-and-leave’ condos are aplenty, as well as fantastic villas and houses, with pools and gardens in more rural settings.
For example, reputable developer Orchid Palms Homes is currently building their 10th development Mali Lotus Villas. For 7,920,000 THB or just under 220,000 USD, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with two covered terrace areas, your own swimming pool, and landscaped gardens is perfect for retirement living. The island design kitchen, vaulted ceilings in the main living area, ceiling-mounted air conditioning, and quality furnishings add to the easy living and entertaining friends ambience.
Phuket
Thailand’s largest island has been awarded the “Number 1 island in Southeast Asia” in the Travel+Leisure magazine’s Best Awards. Not only popular with tourists but an estimated 100,000 expats who also live in this idyllic paradise, Phuket. Glistening aqua-marine seas, lush and verdant mountains, world-renowned white sand beaches, and rocky headlands provide a perfect backdrop.
In addition to the natural beauty, it is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods, from the buzz of Patong to quieter beachside locations like Naiyang, Naithon and Layan, and countryside living around Laguna, alongside all the mod cons for comfortable expat living.
Plus, Phuket International airport has onward journeys around the world. Being in a heavily visited tourist location can make on-island road travel a little arduous at times, with a slightly higher living cost than other Thai locations. Still, the flipside is the plethora of activities like golf, sailing, island hopping, adventure sports and more readily available for residents and visitors alike.
One of our favourite developments is the recently completed Calypso Garden Residence, located in Rawai, with beautiful beaches, seafood restaurants, and low-key entertainment on the doorstep. Elegant condos with a private balcony offer stunning mountainside and sea views. The rooftop is magnificent with a gym, large sun deck, infinity swimming pool, and a sea view pool bar. Prices start from 4,300,000 THB (around 118,000 USD).
Koh Samui
Samui is a little more challenging and expensive to get to, with access only by air, sea or car ferry. But it is worth it. This wonderful island offers an island-style vibe, astounding natural beauty and is much quieter than Phuket. But Samui still has all the amenities needed for living comfortably and caters to expats with low to more expansive budgets, with many housing types available. The island’s ‘ring road’ is about a 55km drive and connects with most of Koh Samui’s hidden corners.
Horizon Villas is a superb holiday and residential villa development. Located in Choeng Mon, it is a five-minute walk to the beach and local shops. This stylish off-plan villa features an open plan living and dining area, a fully fitted kitchen with breakfast bar, floor-to-ceiling glass doors providing delightful views and access to a large terrace and swimming pool. Two of the three bedrooms have ensuites and lead straight onto the patio. This gated community has a fully equipped gym, floodlit tennis court, and maintenance and cleaning services. Koh Samui provides a tropical island life retirement.
Should Thailand be on Your List?
If you are considering retiring overseas, add Thailand to your list. In addition to a reduced cost of living, many discover a higher standard of living with affordable ‘luxuries’ like swimming pools, household help, regular eating out, and a much healthier and happier lifestyle. Quality health care is readily available and more economical.
According to this comparison site, retirees’ cost of living in Thailand is between 25 to 40% lower than in many US and Europe cities. This fact alone means many can retire earlier in Thailand than in their home country. All of the above are essential factors, though, for those who have moved to Thailand, the adventure of learning a different culture and way of life reinvigorates and fills them with a new vitality for life.
