Retire
to Asia - And
Why
by Brian Bees
In reading this article you may
realize that the best part of your life could be in Asia, and the best
time is now.
The theme of most retirement articles
is the best place to retire in the USA. However, according to the AARP
about 80 percent of Americans do not plan to move when they retire.
Work a lifetime, and with the door open to have a fresh start in
retirement, one just stays in the same town, the same house, the same
routine. There must be a better quality of life in retirement, and
there is! Nowadays, more retirees are not only moving from their house
to another city or state, but are moving out of the United States.
Over recent years I have had an
increasing number of friends write to me about my life in Asia. The
motives behind the questions have varied from political discontentment
to financial. Many of the concerns are related to the high cost of
living, including heating and A/C bills, taxes, grocery bills, the cost
of gasoline, medical bills, dental bills, home repair bills, and list
goes on. There is no doubt about it, the cost of living in the USA goes
higher each day. Many of those who write to me are not really enjoying
their Golden Years but are just getting by. If you are in the stage of
retirement planning or are now retired that should concern you, as each
day is precious and we should be enjoying life to its fullest. The best
is yet to come.
Travel with me down a different road
of thought. I have lived in retirement for the past 7 years in Asia, in
the beach resort city of Pattaya, Thailand. Being a tourist
destination, you immediately picture an area with a beautiful bay view,
fine restaurants, and entertainment galore. It is more than just that.
It is so easy to get around the city using public transportation that
my car sits in the driveway. We have modern shopping centers, movie
complexes, health spa's, fitness centers, golf courses, and even an IT
center with 5 floors of computers, mobile phones, and electronics.
Pattaya has not one, but two International Standard hospitals. Health
care is affordable. Being a tourist city, the Thai staff in most stores
and restaurants speak English, German, Russian, and other languages.
Language is not a problem, but learning a little basic Thai is both fun
and useful. A Hollywood movie with English sound track, shown in a high
tech theater costs around $2.50. The air-conditioned city bus is 50
cents, private buses around 25 cents. A Thai food-bar meal runs around
75 cents. We have clubs that meet weekly where the foreign community
can get together. They have Open Forums where newcomers to the
community can ask questions. The glimpse just given is representative
of life for foreigners in most Asian countries. A stress free, quality
lifestyle on your retirement pension.
Why Asia? Because Asia is the most
exciting, the most user friendly continent on earth. Luxury living for
pennies - not just "getting by" on your retirement pension. The United
States and Europe are becoming almost impossibly expensive to live and
retire in. Learn more about the Asian countries, which ones to consider
for retirement, and why. If funds permit, plan a holiday visit to some
of the countries of interest. Alternatively, the Internet is a great
source of information. Also, one can join an Internet blog or group and
gain information and tips from persons already living overseas. As I
said in my opening, the best part of your life could be in Asia, and
the best time is now.
About the Author
To learn more, country by country, a
"must read" is the Retire to Asia! E-Book. It is an instant-download
that you can print. 67 pages of text and stunning photographs. Visit me
at http://www.retiretoasia.net
Brian Bees has lived and worked in Asia for 27 years and has been
retired in Thailand for the past 7 years.
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