Nothing

[glalt]

Quote;
I moved here way to early I think. I am 44. 10 -15 years from now i will probably want to do naff all every day. It feels like i have retired way too early and i am bored and lonely here.

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I can easily see your problem. You are simply too young to appreciate the slow laid back life. When I was 44 years old, I was interested in bright lights, booze and women. I can say that living in Udon would also be boring for me even now. Just too flat. As always it is different strokes for different folks. I live in the boonies of Loei province. Rice paddies and sugar cane fields as scenery are not too exciting but there are the mountains, rock formations and small waterfalls. There are many ponds for fishing and just sitting and watching. I do spend entirely too much time on my computer but I keep in touch with world news. I have a large workshop and have many projects that I manage to pretty much ignore. Our house sits on 2.5 rai and there are squirrels living in some of the trees. One multi colored squirrel enjoys teasing one of the cats. The cat tries her best to catch him but hasn't a chance. Old people enjoy simple things like that.

[felixcat]

Many of you have been "institutionalized" for too long and got no idea what it is like to be "free", instead of being a "robot". If your not ready to get out of "the system" as we know it, then you should go home and get a job. and remain "institutionalized". Then you will feel your life "has purpose" again.
Hope that helps.....

[rick]

Ok, some people took offence at 'Nothing'. Of course there is plenty to do - IF what is around floats your boat. I would say that being retired or semi-retired in your 40's, Udon is not the right place to be. First, unless you are financially secure, Udon is a hard place for a falang to make money. Some manage it (i.e. Drunk monkey) but many more have failed. Second, pace of life is a bit slow, perfect for us over 55's. Night life is either very Thai or aimed at the occasional visitor.The only 2 people i know of who retired here in there 40's without anything to do just became psychotic forum trolls who got their kicks from pissing people off....

First, type of person you are. I hate big cities. A nice city is OK for a couple of days, but i would never want to live there. And Bangkok, with it's pollution, traffic and hardened conmen (e,g, Taxi drivers) makes it a place that i avoid if possible. Pattaya is more like Blackpool crossed with the wild west. Some like the beach, but i like the countryside more. Also, many of us are not well off enough to have infinite choices, particularly after a divorce .... So, housing costs cuts out a lot of potential destinations - if i was a millionaire, i doubt i would be here! If choosing between a one bedroomed flat in the costa geriatrica, waiting for a monthly (or less frequent) visit from the kids, and Thailand with more spacious housing, friendly and available female partners and better climate, choosing was easy. I was at that time of my life that i accepted that i would never get everything i wanted and just wanted a nice place to call home.

As for the rest, my disco days are long gone, i like nature, fishing and gardening. Plenty enough to keep me busy, I also socialise with my friends a couple of times a week, but i am only a social drinker. I play bridge (we need more bridge players though!), I have a young daughter to tire me out. And i have a lake full of red water lilies only 50 metres from my house - something i would never get in the UK. There are concerts, a few exhibitions, i can go shopping without having to drive for half an hour, and can afford to eat out sometimes. I can watch films, play a few computer games, or read an ebook. I do not have time to do everything i want! More than i had after being made redundant back in the UK.

Udon is not for everybody, Quite a few realise this and get out after a year or two. Most of the rest of us are content (or, possibly, have run out of options!)

Sure we have our fair share of grumpy alcoholics, but so do most pubs in the UK. Thailand does seem to be a magnet for the flotsam and jetsam of the western society, so you do meet some interesting people.

[Shado]

Good post rick. I believe you've summed it up quite well. I'm retired and enjoy every new morning. I find more positives than negatives here.

[Giggle]

You must think exactly the way I do, or you're an idiot. And Hitler.

[thighlander]

I can empathize with many of your comments. A sane person might assume that one could engage in some type of business here, as a jobby or whatever, but everything is a damn minefield as a foreigner, here. Make a list of places, where you will get a different story from every different employee, in every different office...Immigration, banks, pharmacies...just the tip of the iceburg. Oh, and now you can't use your visa card to buy beer at 7-11, even though it was never an issue the other forty times I used it at ten different 7s. I trade stocks, and am a student of Economics. Found myself becoming more and more reliant on New York time, staying up till 5:30 and now 4:30....gotta get those mutual funds repriced. I actually went to the SET in the City expo at Central Udon in 2012....the largest broker didn't even have English forms, but they were there to promote their markets. I wound up opening an account with CM Office. Just a few hundred thousand, just something to watch in the mornings. What a mistake...they are so clueless on the rules for foreigners, and it will cost you. Even collecting dividends is a chore. Zeroed the account...never again. I can buy the THD if I really feel the necessity to invest in Thailand. But, basically, a sane person is going to soon realize that dealing with "them" is generally going to be a one sided, losing proposition. I have sold two homes here, and that was fine, but again...a damn minefield out there. Active property management might come to mind as something to do, but again, a very grey area, and yet another minefield.

Sports betting is a decent jobby, but you have the time zone thing, need for broadcast signals, and it is still illegal, but probably a lot better than betting EPL with the local Thai guy.

Teaching part time.....very grey area, nonsense pay, and no WP....

Gardening and cooking...great if you have a house..water is cheap, and the climate is right.

Scoping out ladies....year in and year out, some real trophies out there...never been scolded for looking.

Shopping...something to pretend you are doing, when you are scoping, but mall stuff is quite a bit more than I would pay in the US, which brings me to ripoff import taxes here, that really poop the party.

I have had a good four years here...have more than I came with, and made very little of it here. Always was within reach of great medical and dental care...actually dated two different nurses. Both hated alcohol, but not as much as cigars...sheesh.

One's personal life can change quickly here. Single today'; but maybe not for long.

So, just to summarize. I think we need to realize that there will be some things we just cant do here, and will have to make adjustments for those chunks missing from our daily lives. Always have a backup plan, and dont make the mistake of many; severing ties with your home country. Make a spreadsheet of your monthly expenses...especially the ones you have to make before taking your first breath of air...property taxes, water, sewer, health care, mobile phone, internet....it will usually make you a lot happier about living here. But, no doubt, repatriating is the best choice for some. Cheers!

[TAXIfor7/11]

just a few members from the ''NWS SCOOTER CLUB''On one of their weekly ride outs these guys know how to party

[Marcosteffano]

just a few members from the ''NWS SCOOTER CLUB''On one of their weekly ride outs these guys no how to partyLastoftheSummerWine_CastCar_600x338.jpg

Yes mate they look like they are having the time of their lives and not sat around saying I'm bored.

[Faraday]

Stanley, lighten up a bit. Most of the comments are just banter.

[GARYZX6R]

[. Cant help but feel as though the guy has it in for me a little lol?
Maybe its because you ride a Vespa ? Now if you wanted an immaculate Honda Pcx 150 ,I know just the bike for you.

[Marcosteffano]

[. Cant help but feel as though the guy has it in for me a little lol?
Maybe its because you ride a Vespa ? Now if you wanted an immaculate Honda Pcx 150 ,I know just the bike for you.

Funny you should say that and believe me to not im swapping my filano in for a pcx 150 tomorrow morning as it was a really nice scooter but not the coolest one to go whooping and a wailing through remote villages on.now I can do it in style and a little faster.cant comment on vespas because I've not to a great look at them for many years.very expensive in today's market with lots to so many makes to choose from.must say I do like the destinctive sound they give out.so it's goodbye yamaha and hello Honda..

[TAXIfor7/11]

NWS is the place to be,not only do they have a active scooter club that does jungle safari ride outs,once a month they go really crazy and have a full blown morris dancing event,''rock n roll''

[Faraday]

Faraday - you are right, sorry. Cant help but feel as though the guy has it in for me a little lol?

I'm sure that being British, you understand what a "wrist merchant" is?

There are a few on here...

[TAXIfor7/11]

Theres just no stopping these boys in NWS they really no how to enjoy themselves

[Udon Map]

Friends, this is not the "Let's Slag Each Other Off" thread. Can we tone it down a bit, please?

[stattointhailand]

Friends, this is not the "Let's Slag Each Other Off" thread. Can we tone it down a bit, please?

That would make this thread so B O R I N G

[Faraday]

Friends, this is not the "Let's Slag Each Other Off" thread. Can we tone it down a bit, please?

That would make this thread so B O R I N G

And dear Marco wouldn't be able to make thinly veiled warnings. Bless him.

[tamada]

Faraday - you are right, sorry. Cant help but feel as though the guy has it in for me a little lol?

Let's just get this right.if you go back to the start of all this you've done nothing but slag everything off from yellow ducks,lotus lakes,soi sampan,the bars in it,the munchkins,the gormless locals,the expats,NWS and me and my filano.all because I said try a bit of trainspotting or bowls because you fancied a game.trying your best to insult me with the mr rock n roll with the perfect life because I ride a filano and visit nong khai and meet up with the lads for a poker day.i don't think nobody has gone on about your life in this thread but yourself.go read through them.as for me having in for you,well think what you like because I won't lose sleep over it...oh and if you do ever get out here then don't forget to promote udon thani as the most boring place in Thailand with the most ignorant farang around.this is a place that I have chosen to retire and spend the rest of my life and I don't think the name Stanley don't suit you Matt.try another one.

So is that 'banter' is it as someone else said? How am I supposed to 'lighten up' when he starts like that?

I just had to come back in and edit this as I was too wound up.

Everything I said was tongue in cheek but you obviously dont get the dry humour - now your getting personal with me and kicking off. You started all this first with your snide comments, I was just having a crack back for a laugh but like i said it seems like you have a problem with me.

Im done here man this is winding me up too much. Ill be having a beer at the Irish pub in Udon on Sunday afternoon around 5pm if there is something you want to get off your chest.

Handbags!!!

[AussieBoy]

Faraday - you are right, sorry. Cant help but feel as though the guy has it in for me a little lol?

Let's just get this right.if you go back to the start of all this you've done nothing but slag everything off from yellow ducks,lotus lakes,soi sampan,the bars in it,the munchkins,the gormless locals,the expats,NWS and me and my filano.all because I said try a bit of trainspotting or bowls because you fancied a game.trying your best to insult me with the mr rock n roll with the perfect life because I ride a filano and visit nong khai and meet up with the lads for a poker day.i don't think nobody has gone on about your life in this thread but yourself.go read through them.as for me having in for you,well think what you like because I won't lose sleep over it...oh and if you do ever get out here then don't forget to promote udon thani as the most boring place in Thailand with the most ignorant farang around.this is a place that I have chosen to retire and spend the rest of my life and I don't think the name Stanley don't suit you Matt.try another one.

So is that 'banter' is it as someone else said? How am I supposed to 'lighten up' when he starts like that?

I just had to come back in and edit this as I was too wound up.

Everything I said was tongue in cheek but you obviously dont get the dry humour - now your getting personal with me and kicking off. You started all this first with your snide comments, I was just having a crack back for a laugh but like i said it seems like you have a problem with me.

Im done here man this is winding me up too much. Ill be having a beer at the Irish pub in Udon on Sunday afternoon around 5pm if there is something you want to get off your chest.

Handbags!!!

Go to the Brick House Inn, they all moved from the clock to the new joint.

[Marcosteffano]

Theres just no stopping these boys in NWS they really no how to enjoy themselves morris-dancers-01.jpg

Where's the Leo vests? Way too energetic for us boys out here.