 New technology, advanced medical care and a more unstable world economy have all resulted in a new definition of retirement. It used to mean “the end of working” (in America, at age 65 people quit working, retired and that was it). This has matched the actual definition of the word retirement, which is a “withdrawal, not only from work but into privacy, seclusion or inactivity at age 65.” The modern definition of retirement is much more exciting and enticing – a new beginning, an opportunity for a change, something new. |
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 Again, the realities of life make it necessary to deal with the health care system in any country you live. In the U.S. and the U.K. both, expectations have become very high when it comes to quality of health care. As beneficiaries of such a highly evolved medical community, we have become quite spoiled and the thought of moving to a smaller country way off in Asia can cause some anxiety about how to take care of our health safely. |
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 Living in a foreign country can sometimes be frightening, especially if you pay attention to the news and watch movies. These paint a picture of life in Thailand that most foreigners living in Thailand don’t experience. Like any other country, Thailand has its problems with drugs, prostitution and other illegal activities but, generally speaking, if you don’t engage in any of that kind of criminal behavior yourself, you will be safe and probably won’t even see much of that type of activity out in the streets, unless of course you venture into the seedier areas of the cities. |
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 As wonderful as Thailand is, there are times when you may want to do some traveling to other countries. In close proximity to other Southeast Asian countries like Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, Thailand is only a short flight to an exciting getaway. Longer trips to China, India, Nepal or Japan are definitely doable from Thailand and you may become quite a seasoned traveler before long. |
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 Thailand has something for everybody and the lower cost of living makes it possible to lead a more luxurious lifestyle than you could back home. Whether you enjoy a laid back round of golf or a night of dancing, there are affordable activities of all kinds. There are beautiful golf courses, parks for picnics, hiking and just enjoying the beautiful, lush countryside. There are many beautiful places to go in Thailand, whether you like the mountains or the beach or anything in between. |
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 One of the most important things to take into account when picking a place to live has to be the cost of living. The most wonderful spot on the planet can only be the place to live if you can afford it. The most essential part of a family’s budget is food. We cannot live without it and, in the Western world, the cost of food has skyrocketed due to rising gas prices, the extremes in weather and the destruction of crops by natural disasters. |
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 Thailand has been called “The Land of Smiles” by many people who live here and many who visit this charming land. The “Smiles” seem to come from a combination of the beautiful countryside, the laid-back, pleasant Thai people, the lower cost of living, a more relaxing pace, many opportunities for fun and entertainment at affordable prices, and the many other advantages of living in the exciting Orient. The country is full of enchanting and exotic locales that provide a wide variety of possible vacation or “get-away” spots. |
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