The other thing that MUST be factored in, where-ever you think you can legally buy property/rent and retire, is the bl**dy visa!

Even if one didnt get carried away and buy in Goa a few years back and opted for a sustantial longer term rental, life is still a nightmare with the 180 day max/2 months out cr*p.

So even if you buy elsewhere, or more sensibly rent, and even if it isn't a Mickey-Mouse country that changes its property laws on a whim, you can still get caught up in irrational and pointless visa changes.......


.

... and then there's the finance rules - I always thought that the Baht 65,000 a month for long term Thai visas covered a couple, but I happened to check something yesterday and now it clearly says 65,000 for spouse as well or 180 (?) day visa trips.

AndyD 8-)#

Andy, are you saying a long term Thai visa costs £1382 per month.........EACH?

No - to get a long term visa (pensioners' visas) without the need for regular 'visas trips' you need (amingst other things) to show a regular monthly amount (currently 65,000 Baht) paid into a Thai bank, or a fixed deposit (currently 800,000 Baht). I think this used to cover a couple, but I just read it is each.
There are probably others on BE who know more.

AndyD 8-)#

In hindsight its just far too risky to set up home and/or buy property in any country which you require a visa for.

Spoke to our friend in Vietnam last night and he said that the above quote was very wrong - as a foreigner he is having nearly as many problems in Vietnam as in other parts of Asia. His Vietnam wife owns the property and it has legally nothing to do with him but it was his money that bought it and they run the guest house together (it was not a marriage of convenience).
They are advertising Condos for on the seafront by Crowne Plaza (world wide company) but he told us not to touch them due to the visa situation which could change at any time.

The answer all over the world.

So exactly what problems is your friend in Vietnam having?
i`d have thought being married to a Vietnamese national his problems should be very minimal!

When we go to see him in April I will question him in depth and let you know. His property was not our main topic of conversation yesterday. It was a question I asked and he said what I quoted earlier knowing what problems are happening in Goa.

When we meet in April I will discuss it further with him and let you know. Are you thinking of buying there?
His property was not our main topic of conversation yesterday but I quoted what I read here and he just said what I have already reported, it is basically to do with foreigners owning land.