First thread from this noob:
Trying to decide where to retire.
I know this is likely a very worn topic but... my searches came up thin.

I've been going to Thailand for decades and had always figured I'd retire there.
Lately my Thai wife and I have been leaning towards Cambodia.

We don't drink. smoke, or gamble - and that makes Thailand cheaper for us.
If Thailand, we'd live in Bangkok, Samui, or Chiang Mai.
I do have a fairly chronic weight lifting problem though.

Not wealthy but with a bit of income and not broke.

Looking at Sihanoukville for the beaches and some population.
Or PP for metropolitan action and city view, gyms, pools...

We'd likely rent a house for the 'square meter' value but a condo is fine.

I figure we'd head to Bangkok for significant medical issues if we settle in Cambodia.

Which do you folks like best, Thailand or Cambodia?
Suggestions welcome too of course.

You seem all over the place. Beaches, hilly towns, capital cities... What do YOU want? Sounds to me like you'd be way better off in Thailand, especially if the wife is Thai.

[quoteLooking at Sihanoukville for the beaches and some population][/quote]

You need slanty eyes to live in Snooky !!!!

Firstly I think it is up to the individual for why and what. Why have you and your Thai wife lately been leaning towards Cambodia?
Thailand is way more developed more than Cambodia. So surely a better lifestyle in most aspects. But saying that it may depend on how the Government will spend the new income from the Chinese investors in the country. But this will surely, also raise the prices here. It as the effect now on accommodations.
Medical care must be better in Thailand. It's ok to state we would travel back to Bangkok for this! But what happens if you or your wife are unable, due to a serious medical ailment.
Visa's too are on the change.

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:05 pm no question which one i choose
tried Cambodia for a year in 2008/09
go 1-2X/year, have land and a house there plus a Cambodian gf, and even she prefers it here
Keep in mind ur gf will need a visa as well as you ( $290/year)

why would ur thai wife wish to move there?

I know this question has been asked many times before. In comparison of the two countries on visa requirements.
Lets compare the EB visa in Cambodia with WP and the extra necessities to obtain @$500. Depending on Provence.
What would I need in Thailand to stay and do the same? With costs please.

dont take any notice of phuketrichard, he is paid by the TAT to spread this slanted views across various local forums. for instance and for a start, no self respecting long timer would ever acknowledge any association with phuket

and as you say even your thai wife wants out, she should know the score better than any falang.
condo for what? hotels are plenty and you can flit about all you want, no need to pay big dollars for more than acceptable rooms

if you want to have a business visa and actually need to use it, forget it. the odds are stacked against you.
if you are over 50 the retirement visa is 1900 baht a year but you need other things before you can get it
multiple tourist visa are the preferred choice but they are limiting them theses days so plan on residing in other places in the region for many months of a year, this is the easiest non committal way to live in SEA. as mentioned above, acceptable hotels wont set you back an arm and a leg.

MigueIito wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:32 pm dont take any notice of phuketrichard, he is paid by the TAT to spread this slanted views across various local forums. for instance and for a start, no self respecting long timer would ever acknowledge any association with phuket

and as you say even your thai wife wants out, she should know the score better than any falang.
condo for what? hotels are plenty and you can flit about all you want, no need to pay big dollars for more than acceptable rooms

What is TAT? Do you also know this person you speak of?
Do you yourself have the combined knowledge of Cambodia and Thailand?

MigueIito wrote: if you want to have a business visa and actually need to use it, forget it. the odds are stacked against you.
if you are over 50 the retirement visa is 1900 baht a year but you need other things before you can get it
multiple tourist visa are the preferred choice but they are limiting them theses days so plan on residing in other places in the region for many months of a year, this is the easiest non committal way to live in SEA. as mentioned above, acceptable hotels wont set you back an arm and a leg.

What countries are we talking here? Business visa?
Retirement visa please elaborate! What is needed?

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:05 pm no question which one i choose
tried Cambodia for a year in 2008/09
go 1-2X/year, have land and a house there plus a Cambodian gf, and even she prefers it here
Keep in mind ur gf will need a visa as well as you ( $290/year)

why would ur thai wife wish to move there?

Thanks for the replies.

My wife and I are okay with either Thailand or Cambodia. She liked Siem Reap well enough but it's not a place we want to live.
Honestly, the tuk tuk drivers might drive me a bit nucking futs in Cambodia.

Prices keep climbing in Thailand. That $290 extra visa cost (good point) would balance out pretty fast, it seems, with the lower rents in Cambodia. I don't want to own in SE Asia, rent is so cheap.
Cambodia is like Thailand in the 90's which was like America in the 70's which is a fk ton better than now.
That weighs toward Cambodia.

What do you think of living 6 mo in Thailand and a 6 mo Cambo visa run layover? LOL

It may seem scattered but -We're both okay with either a beach nearby or a big city -and in either country probably.
A small town not so much - but Chang Mai may be alright.
Is there a Cambodian equivalent to CM?