I talk to my kids in the states on Facebook messenger almost daily. For free. Also you Dan download LINE DOT COM and make free calls from anywhere on your old phone as long as you have WiFI.
Wife and I moved to Bangkok from Los Angeles. We brought the normal 2 suitcases and a carry on EACH. That’s it. We leased a one bedroom furnished condo for 9,000 Baht. ($258 USD a month) 6th floor, elevator, balcony, nice refrigerator, new bed, lots of closet space. Tub and shower. Everything modern. We can walk to Fashion Island Mall. No laundry so I splurged on a new combo washer dryer that they installed on our balcony. Many balconies have this unit. She loves it, very quiet. Oh, and a pool on the 2nd floor…
Over 50 maybe. Elite visa, marriage visa, retirement visa. With some inventive maneuvers you could do 9 months if you’re under 50. This would require visiting immigration and leaving and coming back…etc.