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How To Enjoy The Perfect Laid-Back Retirement Lifestyle In Thailand

In Hua Hin, Thailand, a retiree's monthly budget of $610 includes a weekly massage for $8, health insurance, and a round of golf. It also covers eating out at least twice a day.
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By Kirsten Raccuia, InternationalLiving.com

"The last time I went exploring by motorbike through the jungle, I saw an elephant just walking down the road. An elephant! Now that doesn't happen in Canada," says Michael Brown, who now makes his home in the Thai resort city of Hua Hin.

Beached Fishing Boats in Hua Hin, Thailand
"I have the time to enjoy my life, and there is truly so much to enjoy here."

In his spare time, he plays tennis, is starting pickleball (think badminton, tennis, and table tennis rolled into one), and runs on the white-sand beach 10 minutes from his condo...all things he never found time to do back home.

In Hua Hin, his monthly budget of $610 includes a weekly massage for $8, health insurance, and a round of golf. It also covers eating out at least twice a day. He has plenty of restaurants to choose from: Greek, Spanish tapas, Indian. But the cheapest and most delicious places are Thai. A Pad Thai with shrimp can be found all over town for under $2.50.

When Michael decided to move from Toronto, his idea was to "go big or go home." His basic requirements included lovely beaches and good weather (in Hua Hin, temperatures average 79 F to 86 F year-round).

He'd traveled through Thailand before and enjoyed it. And since he couldn't travel the world seeking the perfect place -- at least not in 2013, when he first retired -- he did his research and opted for Hua Hin...sight unseen.

Downtown Hua Hin, Thailand
He took the train there from Bangkok, got off at one of the oldest and most historic train stations in Thailand, and fell in love. He had no Plan B. Luckily, Hua Hin had everything he wanted. "Hua Hin is a big enough town that you can find anything you want, but still small enough to feel laidback," he says.

He first rented a condo in the heart of town, within 10-minutes' walk of the beach, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. After renting for a year, he bought his modern studio apartment, for about $46,000, in the same building. The yearly condo fees are only $500. These include access to a pool, parking, security, a convenience store, and a gym. "Its location is perfect," he says. "It's in the center of Hua Hin and close to everything. I can amble home from the bars and restaurants after meeting the guys for a night out on the town."

Last year Michael got a bad case of bronchitis and went to the Bangkok Hospital. It is accredited by the Joint Commission International and is probably the most expensive hospital in Hua Hin. His visit took about 45 minutes from start to finish, and the total cost was $40, including three different prescriptions and all the doctor's fees. "I felt totally comfortable from the minute I walked in," he says. "They all spoke English perfectly and explained everything step by step."

Summanawas Temple in Hua Hin, Thailand
When asked what he loves most about living in Hua Hin, Michael replies without skipping a beat, "The laidback lifestyle. I can live out my dream retirement here, and it's easy."

This article comes to us courtesy of InternationalLiving.com, the world's leading authority on how to live, work, invest, travel, and retire better overseas.

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Earlier on Huff/Post50:

6 Warm-Weather Getaways
Destination: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands(01 of06)
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St. John’s sister island St. Thomas might have the shopping and cruise ships, but if you’re looking for pristine white-sand beaches, natural beauty and quiet charm, St. John is the place. Over half the island is national park, which means lush greenery and hiking trails, as well as historic ruins from the island’s colonial past. Where To Stay and Dine: For an eco-friendly family adventure, try the Maho Bay campground, where pretty tent-cottages sit right near water’s edge and the resort has a load of daily activities including yoga, snorkeling and even glassblowing. The more luxurious will want to stay at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas with its beautiful rooms, spa and tennis courts. For Sunday brunch Ms. Lucy’s is an island must--be sure to try the conch fritters and callaloo soup. Where To Play: Trunk Bay, considered one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean, is the place to head to for snorkeling. For shopping, go to the artisan shops and boutiques in Mongoose Junction. Hikers will want to head to the Reef Bay Trail to see the petroglyphs left over from the island's Amerindians, as well as ruins of sugar plantations. (credit:Alamy)
Destination: Delray Beach, Florida(02 of06)
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The under-the-radar "Gold Coast" town of Delray Beach is bursting with arts and culture, a blossoming restaurant scene, and wide, sandy beaches. Where To Stay and Dine: The sprawling, Mediterranean-style Delray Beach Marriott has two heated pools and spacious rooms with sofa beds perfect for traveling with a large family. Dine at one of its acclaimed restaurants such as O'Grady's Lounge or the Seacrest Grill. Where To Play: The area of Delray Beach is within walking distance of museums and ballet-and-jazz-performing spaces. In Old School Square, ride the carousel in-season, or take in exhibitions at the Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture. A few minutes drive from downtown is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens where kids can enjoy the exhibition, Japan Through the Eyes of a Child. (credit:Alamy)
Destination: Los Cabos, Mexico(03 of06)
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A desert oasis with a mixed personality, Cabo is at the tip of Baja California Sur. Cabo San Lucas is party central, where every day feels like a holiday. Its mellower sister city, San José del Cabo, is popular with the Hollywood elite for serious R&R. Where To Stay and Dine: You'll have to drag the kids away from the kids' club and the lagoon-style pools at the all-inclusive Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe, which specializes in making families feel at home. The Mexican menus feature guacamole made at your table and served in a molcajete (stone mortar and pestle).Where To Play: There are plenty of beaches for sunbathing, but the ocean here is notoriously choppy and unfit for casual swimmers; therefore, the pool culture is alive and well. The area also boasts day-trips to nearby beaches, golf courses, and snorkel sites. (credit:Shutterstock)
Destination: San Diego, California(04 of06)
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Though still sunny, winter brings light jacket weather to San Diego, famous for its zoo and large U.S. Navy and Marine military community. Where To Stay and Dine: A wallet-friendly home base is the 115-room, 80-year old La Valencia Hotel, in the middle of downtown La Jolla, with easy access to the two-mile boardwalk fronting the Pacific. Before heading to Point Loma, see the online camera trained on the line at Phil's BBQ, where diners say it's worth the wait for the price-is-right mesquite-grilled ribs and crispy onion rings. Where To Play: There are tons of family-friendly activities, including whale-watching and seal-watching at SeaWorld and the Birch Aquarium, imagination-stretching at LEGOLAND, and, of course, a visit to the San Diego Zoo, home to 3,700 animals and 700,000 plants. For more activities in San Diego, visit our City Guide. (credit:Shutterstock)
Destination: St. George's, Grenada(05 of06)
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St. George's is called the "Spice Island" because of the nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves that grow abundantly in the island setting. This Caribbean beauty is thriving again after being struck by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Where To Stay and Dine: The all-suite Calabash Hotel & Villas sits on eight acres of gardens facing L'Anse Aux Épines beach. English chef Gary Rhodes's restaurant at the hotel uses touches of spice in dishes like dorado with ginger-butter sauce and vanilla and nutmeg custard brioche. Where To Play: Busy St. George's Market in the center of town is a must for buying freshly dried herbs and pungent spices. At the Gouyave Nutmeg Cooperative, women process nutmeg and mace for export; watch their nimble hands work at unbelievable speed. (credit:Alamy)
Destination: Oahu, Hawaii(06 of06)
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The fiftieth state is all-exotic, but Oahu is comfortingly all-American. It's a fantastic and fun location for families, and the weather couldn't be more enjoyable. Where To Stay and Dine: Hotels here can be quite expensive, but the Aqua chain, with some lanai (patios) and kitchen-equipped rooms and suites in its 14 locations around Honolulu, are made for families. With the savings -- rooms can be had for less than $100 a night -- you can splurge on shave ice, a sorbet-like ice cream that's an island favorite. Where To Play: The legendary beaches of Waikiki beckon surfers to take lessons at the Hans Hedemann Surf school. Head to Oahu's north shore for educational hula shows at the Polynesian Cultural Center. (credit:Shutterstock)

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