Requestimg visa advice:

Over 50. US citizen. Current income from multiple sources - investments, small w-2 income, and interest received from lending money.

I plan on spending ~6 months a year in Thailand, 4 months in Japan, 2 in usa and take short trips around the world. I don't mind getting health insurance in Thailand (currently looking at AXA).

I'm currently back in the US. Looking at Non-O retirement and Non-OA retirement or possibly METV. Ironically the Chicago and DC consulates show different wording for the requirements than each other.

What are the pros & cons to 90 day O vs 1 year OA?

Any experience with Chicago vs DC?

Both consulates require a bank account with a minimum balance but doesn't specify if the account can be outside of Thailand (don't really want to park a bunch of cash in Thai back account if possible plus since I'm not there can't set one up)

Thanks