Unveiling the Real Reasons Expats Go Back

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Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel! Today, we're diving into a topic that many expats in Chiang Mai, Thailand, can relate to: why some decide to head back to their home countries. Moving abroad is a big decision, and understanding the reasons behind such choices is crucial. Let's explore two significant factors influencing these decisions.

1. Burning Season:

One of the main concerns for expats in Chiang Mai is the annual burning season. From February to April, the air quality can significantly deteriorate due to agricultural burning, impacting health and quality of life. For those sensitive to air pollution or with respiratory conditions, this period can be particularly challenging. Despite efforts by local authorities to mitigate the effects, some expats find it difficult to endure these months, influencing their decision to leave.

2. Missing Family:

Another heartfelt reason many expats leave Chiang Mai is homesickness and missing family back home. Living thousands of miles away can make it challenging to be present for important family events, celebrations, or simply to be near loved ones during challenging times. The emotional toll of being far from family and friends can weigh heavily on expats, prompting some to reconsider their stay abroad.

[Conclusion]

Deciding to move overseas, like to Chiang Mai, requires careful consideration of various factors. From environmental challenges like the burning season to the emotional pull of missing family, expats face significant decisions. It's essential to weigh these factors against the many positives of living in this vibrant city. Have you or someone you know experienced similar dilemmas? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insights into expat life in Chiang Mai. Thanks for watching, and see you next time!

[stagewait]

I visited CM for the first time in Dec. 2016 on impulse from Milan airport. My plan in retirement was “Chasing 80”. After 40 years in NYC I wanted to be anywhere in the world where it’s 80 degrees. Started traveling for travels sake. I planned to visit India from Morocco. But at Milan airport I had encountered visa problems. So on impulse, at the airport, I bought a ticket for CM because a guy I used to know in college lived there. Stayed for two weeks and liked it a lot. Visited 37 countries in all, I think but kept coming back. Nov. 2019 until Covid and now from July 2022. No plans on leaving.

[AllThaidUp]

I have thought long and hard about all those issues you have raised Fred. I think preparation is the key. I’ll be in CM tomorrow to test all those retirement challenges out. IM READY!

[chrisbunka]

I have watched similar videos with similar themes, but it never hurts to have important advice reinforced. At least now I am getting the viewpoints of two people who live in Chiang Mai. Thank you.

[DavidWilliams-qryj]

I've been here 8 years. I love ❤️ Chiangmai more than ever. So cheap my net worth has in creased $200, 000 . Even after eating out 5 times a week, traveling domesticly and internationally, I'm going where I want to go, doing what I want to do. It's paradise her for me 😊....we love ❤️ Chiangmai. ( my Thai wife and me)

[herbiemann]

Things that make you go Hummm? Great video Fred. Hopefully it informs people enough to think about what they’re willing to sacrifice for the gains they seek moving to Thailand. And, to research what locations within the country that best suits their desires and goals. I’m 68 and have processed everything you’ve talked about in order to be seek our joy until the end because tomorrow is never promised. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and your found purpose.

[chicagogato]

Nice video! I agree that you need to have something to do. Ive been in Chiang Mai for about 20 years and have never considered leaving. Leaving would have equated to failure in my mind. However, this past burning season I would have headed south IF I wasn't so busy! Keep up the good work!

[stanleykyle]

Here in Jomtien, we have guys come and go all the time. we have a group meetup near the pool every afternoon. The latest guy is leaving only after 3 months' time here. He got the retirement visa, paid for a condo for a year.. and now he will leave this week. He has been having some breathing issues and has been sick for about a month. I feel that the issues with him was that he was very unprepared when coming here. He had so many questions and things he needed help with. I say that when you plan to come to Thailand, be prepared. know what things you need. learn about the culture here. also, be prepared to get sick (crud) for the first 6 months while your body's immune system adjusts to the food, water, and bacteria here.

[DiscoveringThailand]

Some important things to be aware of... I hope after my 1st year here I will have jumped over those hurdles successfully. So far so good... Great video once again Fred,

[anivad]

My sister and I are currently staying in Mai Raem area checking out the possibility of moving to Thailand in the future. We are British and at the older end of the age scale and so health care is something we are looking at both in the UK and Chiang Mai. I have listened to 3 videos made by Fred and found them to be very pertinent to our situation. All have contained very helpful advice and I thank you Fred for taking the time and trouble to make these videos. Much appreciated

[traceylankford]

Everything you said is true. The other thing I hear is that people get tired of feeling like a foreigner. I don't know that I'd get bored b/c there's so much to do in Thailand. But everyone is different.

[PaulCousins-kojd]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿greetings to you Fred, I think I agree with your assessment, there could be other factors to add. I think if you are going to retire abroad at least give it a trial first and plan ahead as much as possible, to be retired and bored is a sin, you’ve worked long and hard for the independence!! Blessings to you and your wife 👍🏾🥰🍷

[RobertMcGregor-ysdi]

Just on the topic of friendships, I find in CM I have a much broader mix of friends than what I would have had back home in Sydney, Australia. These folk have given me a more international perspective of life and come from backgrounds that are so different to the middle class suburbs of northern Sydney that I came from. Also to, here in CM, we foreigners tend to look out for each other a bit more than what I'd be used to back home. In a way we are all visitors here. CM certainly does put together an eclectic mix of people from all corners of the world

[RobertMcGregor-ysdi]

I've lived in Thailand for a long time and my wife is Thai. I have had the opportunity to learn the Thai language. I did learn to read, so I am able to read road signs, menus, signage on shops etc. I had always just taken this for granted. Then, when COVID hit, I lost my teaching job in Thailand. We moved to Taiwan for two years. It was interesting to be suddenly thrown into a culture where I suddenly didn't understand the language and certainly lost the ability to make sense of the written word. Having now moved back to CM, which is our permanent home, I now have more of an appreciation for how difficult it must be at times for Westerners making their way in Thailand. I realize now, for example, to be able to just pick up the phone and ring the local plumber can be a real chore. Of course, we can simply say that the solution is go and take Thai lessons, but I beg to differ. I think it took me five years before I could really say I had a good command of Thai. Most of us who come to CM with plans for retirement just don't have that luxury of such a long time span.

[danielmcgrath]

Semi retired retiring next year. I just applied for my passport and am researching chiang Mai. I’m Buddhist so that’s much of my motivation and much of my plans

[expertcomputerhelp]

Hi Fred. Just watched a video with you on Video Abroad? Great video! I subbed to your channel. Interested in hearing what you have to say about your life over there. Looks and sounds like an incredible place to retire. 🍹🏄⛵🐟🍺🍽 Ty. 🤝

[dig]

Great video Fred. My grandkids are why I can’t leave the states. Not having Amazon to buy from would save me a lot of money. 😂

[GRAEMEBOWYER]

Thanks Fred, great information and always good to listen to your grounded comments. Love seeing the rain in the background. You keep reality in perspective. Stay safe.

[GoetzFamilyAsia]

This is my second stay in Thailand for 1 year. Then 2 – 3 months to Germany or EU and back to Thailand. I came to Thailand and got married when I was 70. Previously I was in Thailand 5 times for 1 month and once for 2 months. I'm fit, I don't have any health problems adjusting and I don't mind heat or rain. We have a house on the outskirts of Chonburi with dogs and cats (shown on my YT channel). I don't get bored because I'm always connected to the world via WiFi. And if I feel like it, I'll go to Pattaya (only 65 km away) for a few days to party and meet up with German and Austrian friends there. I have foreign health insurance. This is required for my one-year long-stay nonimmigrant visa (O-A). Without it I wouldn't travel or live here.

[justcurious]

How much is a typical vehicle over there?
Thanks for the video

[jnsa]

Elderly parents needing care is definitely a big factor