Is it possible for a 76-year-old expat to move to Thailand with a cat and buy a condo in one trip?

Don't sell your home in the USA, go to live in Thailand for a year before making an important decision. I would recommend you to rent the place and not even buy a condo.

Thailand is a very good place to explore then if you like it you can stay for a longer time.

I would do business with Thai Visa Expert in Bangkok; they would set you up with everything.

i recently search these:

/01/taxation-in-thailand-inheritance-gift-tax/

still need or better to avoid big flood area, as it maybe difficult to walk out of the unit or nearby area: esp if gug flood like 2011 repeat again. If you live lower floor, better go there and go up to the floor and see if you find noise level ok

Ho

and better live on higher floors and away from highway to avoid noise as it seems many are not quite soundproof. Also avoid living in high risk big floor area, (eg search for bangkok big flood area)

you can do some google search for visa updates and condo information. There are also youtube videos with useful information and comments on condo markets in bangkok and other provinces, and pros and cons of owning a condo. Points to note: most condos not pet friendly so important to choose one that allows or accept pets to live in

thailand will implement worldwide tax for long stayer starting JAN next year, impact on retirement and housing demand or price not known yet at present.

I am in the process of moving from to Florida. Went on a trip and opened a bank account through agent. Returned home and deposited the 800k in the account. Went back to Thailand 3 months later and applied for retirement visa through agent. Took 30 days and was approved. Had to return to US for routine medical appointments. Will return to Thailand in February for the long term. BTW , I FOUND Korean Air to be the most comfortable and one of the shortest flights (26-27 hours with transfers. Fly to Atlanta the Korea then Bangkok.

Also try the north before you commit to location.

Florida is awkwardly long to get here from.

In simplest terms, why on earth buy here in Thailand? I won't repeat the lengthy arguments - readily available from this site.

Hua Hin is a good location for retirees and Sam Yoi Yod an out 30 minutes away is a little village which has many expats from all over again a great place to retire , as we are next year , we have condo there 🙏

@Sharron ******

I moved to Thailand in one shot … actually came on vacation and decided to stay 😊. I live in Hua Hin which is an amazing city for retired westerners to live. I personally think it is better than Bangkok or Pattaya for someone retirement age. Happy to share my experience and give you some suggestions will message you

I've commuted from Florida for years. I try to stop on the West coast to breakup the journey. Then JAL, Singapore airlines are great. But with a pet, you might have less options.

We got an Non Immigrant O Visa. We applied directly in Thailand for this. If you choose this route, get a 60 day visa online. Florida residents apply from Wash DC location. Then you can extend in Thailand an additional 30days. This should avoid having to leave Thailand...if you start the process immediately on arrival.

It just takes a bit of know how and persistence to do the O Visa here on your own. Jomtien immigration has improved in the past 6 months too. We put the requisite 800k into a bank account (but opening the bank account might require an agent's help on a tourist visa. It was easy before April.) I would NOT suggest using an agent for the 800k deposit as you will be forever stuck with them and immigration is clamping down on these kind of twisting the laws. Following the immigration requirements gives a certain piece of mind.

You might be looking at the OA Visa (which you apply for on your home country), this requires both "in and out" patient medical insurance.

We've got full inpatient hospital insurance. But getting coverage after 70 can be difficult and pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Jomtien is a nice place to live. Lots of great restaurants and condos. Most places are completely furnished too. Renting makes more sense. Dont lock up your money in an asset that probably wont appreciate. And you might even decide to move (bad neighbors, or finding a better area or condo) and then need to sell it. We've moved around Jomtien quite a bit trying out different parts. Rents are so cheap. And so are monthly hotel rentals.

Best of luck.

Phuket. Rawai Nia Harn or Chalong.

@Sha****

, we are just about to retire to Hua Hin In December, we have our Non O visa sorted, (90 days) done on the Thai government website, (Uk) we are renting a house, it’s cheap enough not to bother buying, we will convert to retirement visa before our 90 day’s run out. But we know the area we are going to very well, as we have been visiting as tourists for over 10 years, I would definitely rent in an area before you decide, I wish you good luck and hope you get sorted! 👍😀

Rent, much easier than purchasing ,

I did not hire an agent but I did have a person who speaks Thai go with me to immigration office to get all sorted which helped tremendously.

Yes, it is possible. There are plenty of agents who can help you with a visa to get started. But I would get on it the moment you land.

I am 75, on my 14th year. Always handled my visas. I am on extension of stay based on retirement. That is what the so called retirement visa is(365 day ext.of stay for purpose of retirement). You could enter on 30 day stamp in and get a 30 day ext. Message me if you want more info.

I genuinely wonder why you put Pattaya and Bangkok on the shortlist? These would be the last two places on earth I would want to retire :')

Ask here , free info before work

anglothailegal.com

- You can’t work on a retirement visa.

- Start here for pets from USA to Thailand

- Condo purchase…buyer beware. Many people might say a condo purchase in Thailand is not a good investment and will depreciate

- You don’t need a visa to come here…you can arrive visa exempt, get extension and prepare for your long term visa, however.

- 800k THB may need to be in your Thai bank account for 2 months prior to applying for retirement visa.

- Medicare not accepted outside the US or territories

- You will self pay and make claim to your insurance if you have a policy…but it will not be Medicare even though you will still pay the premiums

Depending on your visa choice, OA apply while in the US, or Non O after you get here. I am only vaguely familiar with OA, but I believe the difference is you must have health insurance (medicare not accepted) and get a background check. Experts here can correct me, and can elaborate if I’m wrong about the two main differences.

I suggest keeping a USA address. You con’t need a home, I can explain how - deposit checks, read your mail, etc while living in Thailand.

I did almost everything you are asking about, without the condo purchase, but renting a home twenty minutes south of Jomtien. I sold my home in the US, and bought a new one in the USA last year while in Thailand on a visit. My purchase to come later when I know where I want to be.

I suggest visit Thailand at least once to be certain.

The weather is almost the same as in FL. I moved here from NE FL.

I traveled with two 6kg dogs when I moved here about two months ago.

I opened a BK bank account using an agent during Quarantine lock dawn and it was simple, and cost about $90 with agent. I think it’s double or more than that price now.

Read these forums every day, also some expat forums for Pattaya, Bangkok or other areas.

PM me if you need more info on the little things that will make you think, 'oh crap' why didn’t I think of this.

Don’t rush anything. Do not buy for a month or so. After you get here look,look and look. You really need to find a place that fits you. After your here awhile you will see what you like and not like. I would not buy anything for 6 months. It will take you that long to know what you need and want. There maybe things that drive you crazy here.lol I am in jomtien area.

@Sharron ******

to get everything done as fast as you can you need to use an attorney. If for nothing else, to do the due diligence on any condo purchase you make. They can also help with getting your Thai bank account, and correct visa extension given your situation. Siam-Legal.com is very good for all of this. A few details to be aware of, for Americans Bangkok Bank is the best. Once you get settled the SS can direct deposit your SS payments into your bank account, and at the best exchange rate that day, a little better than the TT exchange rate. Keep in mind on the area you choose to live, of the social atmosphere. In Bangkok will give you the most varied choices of socializing, and entertainment. Pattaya, and Jomtien, are more of a single male dominated area, with HuaHin gearing more to a retired community atmosphere. The best medical facilities are in Bangkok, and some of the best in South East Asia. People from all over the world come here for medical procedures. The farther away from Bangkok you get the less choice you have with everything, if you even have a choice. Above all get an attorney and start working with them before you even leave Florida.

If you would like to chat about the move to Thailand ...private message me ....I'm not a visa agent or a realtor...I'm just an American from the midwest that lives here a few months out of the year....maybe I can give you a bit of advice!

Some advice live hear 1 year before you sell your house in usa

Oh and the veterinary care here is excellent and very very affordable!

There will likely be lots of comments about this, but perhaps find an agent who can advise and help you plan this, yes they do charge but it takes away a lot of the headaches

This site is run by an agency so maybe get in touch with them now for advice

Despite people saying you can do this yourself, it’s simple, it just removes the stress of you can afford it

Have you considered Hua Hin as an option?

I would definitely rent before you buy and try different locations first. Indeed why buy as there is lots of choice.

I would also recommend the O visa.

You do not need an agent to get the visa, it is a fairly straightforward process, just open your bank account ASAP.

Good luck and enjoy.

Apply for a non O ( NOT OA) visa in the states, than no insurance needed> come over, open a bank account, put 800,000 in it.

RENT a condo or travel around and look, ( Phuket is much nicer than Pattaya) Than apply for ur 1 year extension.

Have you ever been to Thailand? DONT burn ur home bridges!!!

If you have an OA visa you will eventually have to get 1 year extensions of that visa here in Thailand. You will need qualifying health insurance to do that. The insurance you use to get the OA in the US may or may not qualify for an in county extension. At your age you may find it nearly impossible to buy into a new insurance policy. You should be certain about the insurance issues.

Alternatively you can get an O visa that will not have an insurance requirement for yearly extensions.

I did the Full Monty in April this year its possible, do you research for condo in advance! If you are lucky as I was the realtor you deal with here can also "help" with the visa and bank account stuff! Not sure about the stuff with needing a us address, no one will check. yiu will need a tm30 though! If you have a contract to buy a condo and a receipt for the deposit, immigration and the bank will accept this. You are going down the easy path but have all your ducks in a row.

Make 1 trip. Stop in LA or Vancouver for a couple nights to break up the time. If able book business class for final leg…worth it for dedicated immigration line at Bangkok airport. Thru in 5 minutes ! Definitely get an agent who can handle the visa maze. Keep your 800k invested in US and your interest will more than pay the agent fees. Forget buying a condo until you’re here for 6-12 months minimum to see what,where you wanna be located. Personally Bangkok is too big…no beaches…I love Jomtien. I’ve basically did all the above steps myself…lol. There are ample agents that can handle your visa process, bank etc. I used “Thai Visa Pattaya” as Singh was able to handle some specific issues other agents weren’t. You can email him and he will advise. Your best to simply land on a Tourist visa as you can do your banking and retirement visas easily once here. Coopers Thai Adventures vlogs all about the Jomtien/Pattaya area awa the visa process…check him out. Youll Love Thailand 🥳

I would look at the retirement visa application but i am no expert