Additional Coverage:
- I moved my family to Thailand, and it was surprisingly easy. I set up our new life in less than a week — without spending a lot of money. (businessinsider.com)
Trading Florida Sunshine for Thai Smiles: A Surprisingly Simple Move Abroad
Early exposure to travel sparked a lifelong wanderlust in Kimanzi Constable. From a childhood trip to Kenya to stints in Maui, Medellín, and various European locales, Constable and his wife, now empty nesters, always knew retirement would be an international affair.
Their goal: retire by 50 (him) and 55 (her) and embrace life abroad. Thailand, with its enticing combination of affordability and excellent healthcare, beckoned.
What they didn’t anticipate was just how seamless the transition would be.
Sky-High US Living Costs Drive Family Overseas
The ever-increasing cost of living in the US, particularly in Florida where they last resided, made reaching their financial goals feel impossible. Having traveled extensively, the couple realized that other countries offered a higher quality of life at a fraction of the cost, including affordable healthcare, accessible visas, and the luxury of household help. After careful consideration, Thailand emerged as their ideal destination.
A New Life in Three Days: Settling into Thailand with Ease
With a few adult children in tow, the family embarked on their Thai adventure. Visas were secured in under a week – a five-year DTV visa to be exact.
Constable booked a trip to Bangkok to finalize the move, arranging apartment viewings in advance. Within two days of landing, he had toured four apartments and signed a two-year lease.
The stark contrast between this experience and the cumbersome US rental process was astonishing. No credit checks, background checks, renter’s insurance, or exorbitant upfront fees (their last US rental demanded a staggering $8,550).
First and last month’s rent were paid seamlessly via a mobile app, and the apartment complex facilitated the setup of utilities. The entire process was remarkably efficient.
Less Bureaucracy, More Life: Embracing the Thai Advantage
The simplicity of setting up life in Thailand was a refreshing change from the endless red tape Constable had encountered stateside. This newfound freedom from bureaucratic burdens has allowed him to focus on enjoying life rather than constantly hustling to make ends meet.
He now enjoys affordable healthcare, lifestyle upgrades, and a significantly lower cost of living. Working less, he has more time for leisure activities like reading, watching movies, learning Thai, and exploring his new surroundings.
His income stretches further, and he reflects, “I wish I had made this move sooner.”