Relocating from Thailand to USA

[billybaht]

Hi All!

I retired early in 2003 and based myself in Thailand. I made trips to China, Laos, Cambodia and rode my motorcycle all over Northern Thailand. Been there, done that and I'm returning to the US this coming November to set up a new home base.

First stop Houston:)

Calling all Mustachians for advise/tips about living in Houston, other areas of Texas or the USA for that matter. Since I'm not working, my relocation window is wide open.

A few of the reasons I want to check out Texas:

1 Good International airports at Houston and DFW.

2 Access to the port of Galveston if I feel like taking a cruise :)

3 Close to Mexico for side trips and health care.

4 No state income tax.

As I understand I can drive on my Thai DL for 90 days. I will use busses/public transport as much as possible but renting a car is also an option.

I will use the VA for health care with a back up plan of paying out of pocket in Mexico.

I want to fill up on Tex Mex chow! I'm tired of Thai food, LOLs :)

Thanks in advance for your ideas/comments.

Billy Baht

[fantabulous]

As I understand I can drive on my Thai DL for 90 days. I will use busses/public transport as much as possible but renting a car is also an option.

The only advice I can really offer, for the US in general. Check on the driver's license situation with whatever particular state you settle in. When my Thai cousin moved to Michigan, the state wouldn't do the whole reciprocal license thing at all. Not even for 90 days.

[billybaht]

Thanks. According to what I can get off the net, Texas will honor a Thai DL for 90 days. Its a new style DL, in Thai and English. My first two Thai DLs were all in Thai language.

How does your cousin like the US?

[Thegoblinchief]

Houston is way too car-centric for me and I generally dislike the climate of the south, but obviously that's personal preference.

[billybaht]

After 11+ years in the tropics, the southern USA would be a walk in the park :)

But I hear you :)

[wtjbatman]

I dream of getting a job in Austin and moving away from these god-awful winters. Sorry goblinchief, I am so over our climate up here.

Don't have a lot of advice for you Billy. Just good luck, sounds like no matter where you go, you will have fun and enjoy life.

[Sasha]

I go to houston a couple of times a year to visit in-laws and i am not too crazy about it, personally (not really a mustachian community and very car-centric) I really don't like Galveston much (attracts a rich rednecks type of crowds, expensive greasy food and cheap music in restaurants for example). If I were to retire in tx, I would choose Austin (more educated, liberal and interesting, I think).

[CerebralPrimate]

Just a curiosity... why go back?

For me, I work in the ME rotationally and when not here, I live (and ride) in Chiang Mai. Odds are we probably know some of the same people. That said, after living away from the US and it's nanny-state politics and it's hyper-consumer culture... I just want no part of it any more. Dont get me wrong, I envy their road surfaces and the availability of all things at all times, but overall it's not worth it to me to move back. Not in terms of taxes, not in terms of mindset.

I too have ridden around quite a lot... checked out the nearby countries. But if/when I start to get bored of SE Asia, I'm planning on relocating to latin America. I'm thinking Costa Rica, Panama or perhaps even Uruguay. The last one mostly because they have a path to getting citizenship and a passport... the Thai passport (gf of 3 nearly years now) aint good for squat, really.

Anyway, just curious as to what the reason is for giving up Thailand, which most people there consider to be cheaper and much nicer than living in the US.

[Noodle]

One solution to Houston is to live inside the Loop. You'll still need some kind of transportation (Houston's working on its transit system, but it will be awhile) but that will cut way back on the number of miles you travel but still give you access to the local amenities. The flip side is that a lot of people have also figured this out so housing prices are on the rise. Or, if you don't care about getting to the central areas, clusters are growing up in less expensive areas with shopping, hospitals (including VA clinics) etc that might suit you.

The upside to Houston is that it's really diverse, vibrant, and energetic. The Texas legislature has been completely insane since the days of Sam Houston (so the current Republican version is nothing new) but on a day to day basis I find Texans to be really friendly and tolerant despite the state's political reputation. (Plus, Houston has had a lesbian mayor for years, and Obama got more votes in Texas than in most of the states where he won...so, it's more purple than generally depicted as, despite the governor's best efforts to convince people otherwise).

Plus, the food is great. Very diverse Asian and Latin American cuisines, not to mention top-notch burgers and barbecue and a great local restaurant scene.