If you are one of the many people who plan to retire in sunny Thailand, there is much to consider, but the sooner you begin, the better. We are assuming that you have had several long holidays in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand and are convinced the Land of Smiles is the perfect place to send your golden years.
Here are a few tips to help you make all the right decisions.
- Think Small – When looking at retirement real estate, a new single storey house project (known as บ้านชั้นเดียวชลบุรีโครงการใหม่ in Thai) is more than adequate and you won’t be spending your time cleaning rooms that you never use. A nice bungalow in a housing development in a beautiful location such as Chonburi would be very affordable and living around a lake in a gated community is a perfect environment.
- Take your Time – There are many real estate developments in Thailand and some are more suitable than others. If you come to Thailand for 3 months, you could visit the Southern Thai islands, Chonburi and Rayong, which is on the eastern seaboard, then check out the mountainous northern part of the country. If you love the quiet countryside, Chiang Mai is recommended, while the eastern seaboard offers nice beaches. Once you have decided on an area, start searching online for real estate developments and spend a few days visiting properties in gated communities, which are the best places to live.
- Finished Developments – It is never wise to buy a house that has yet to be built and there are many superb housing developments along the eastern coast, which is one of the nicest stretched of shoreline. You should enlist the services of a local lawyer prior to signing any contracts to ensure that all is above board and study the terms & conditions very carefully.
- Solar Power – There are many housing projects that use solar panels to power the properties and if you are an eco-friendly type of person, clean and renewable energy is most definitely the way to go.
Prior to leaving for Thailand, do check with the Thai embassy regarding Covid-19 restrictions, which might still be in place. Allow yourself at least 3 months to tour the country before starting to look at properties, which should enable you to make an informed decision and once you are living in your dream retirement home, you can forget about the cold European weather and enjoy the tropical sunshine in Thailand.