Moving to Thailand is an exciting decision, no matter your reasons for moving here. Many are drawn to the warm climate or the cost of living (compared to many countries in the west), like the lifestyle, or move to be closer to family. But before you pack your bags, it helps to understand the steps involved in starting a new life here.
Here are 5 things to consider when moving to Thailand:
1. Choosing where in Thailand to live
This is key. You have the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, you have the sleepy town of Hua Hin, you have several parts of Phuket each with their own advantages and disadvantages relative to each other, you have Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and so forth.
It’s important to consider which place best suits your lifestyle and preferences; have the comforts, malls or food options you consider important; etc. There is no one size fits all.
Living costs and the size/quality of your accommodation should also be factored in. For example, you may be able to rent a mid-sized apartment in central Bangkok for the same price you can rent a large villa for in Hua Hin or Pattaya – or, perhaps, in the outskirts of Bangkok.
2. Visas, work permits and other legal requirements
There are a range of visa options that you can consider when planning a move to Thailand, depending on your work situation, your investments or investment potential, your age, among other factors. If you are planning on working in Thailand, you may also need a work permit. It’s important to stay on top of the legal requirements when it comes to visas and work permits.
3. Renting or purchasing a place to stay
Once you’ve decided on where in Thailand you want to move, you may want to begin considering accommodation options. As with every city, there are different neighborhoods and different types of homes. You may also wish to move somewhere temporarily before finding a more long-term housing situation.
Once you have a neighborhood and type of accommodation in mind, you also need to consider whether you want to buy or rent a place. Keep in mind that there are restrictions to foreign ownerships of property in Thailand, including on condominiums where you may have to consider “foreign quotas” due to the requirement that no more than 49% of condominium units in a complex be foreign-owned.
4. Cost of living and financial planning
Part of planning your move to Thailand involves making financial plans. This means considering the cost of living, your budget, and more. If you plan on living a highly luxurious life in downtown Bangkok dining out 4-5 times a week at restaurants charging 500-1,000 for a dish and constantly buying foreign food items to cook, you can assume you will be spending several times more than if you were to live in a quiet street in the countryside.
5. Healthcare considerations
One of the key things to consider when planning your move to Thailand is healthcare costs. Many visa types may already require you to obtain health insurance, and it’s important to consider a plan that is suitable for you, and consider any exclusions to a plan, including when it comes to pre-existing conditions.
If you’re looking to speak with a consultant on planning your move to Thailand, reach out to GDO Thailand. We’re happy to connect you with our consultant-partners, experts in various fields.