Alberto, 66 years old, has lived for more than a decade in Udon Thani, in the northeast of Thailand, far from the hustle and bustle and cost of living in Spain. With a modest pension, this former bank employee manages to maintain a comfortable lifestyle and claims that his house, purchased for 62,000 euros, would be unthinkable on national territory.
According to the Spanish digital newspaper, Noticias Trabajo, Alberto decided to move permanently to Thailand, attracted by the low cost of living and the calmer pace he found in the Asian country.
Reasons for change
The move was not only an economic option, but also a personal one. Alberto met his current wife, Thai and significantly younger, which made his decision to settle in the country clear.
The former banker admits that dividing the year between Spain and Thailand would be financially unfeasible, which is why he opted to settle permanently abroad.
A calm, stress-free routine
The Spaniard’s daily routine is marked by a calm rhythm. He gets up without an alarm clock, eats breakfast calmly and dedicates his mornings to reading the international and Spanish press. He has an early lunch, exercises in the late afternoon in a nearby park, where he meets locals walking or running, and ends the day with a shower, dinner and a series before going to bed.
Alberto states that “the pace is different here. There is no stress. I don’t know anyone who lives in a hurry” and emphasizes that this way of living has brought him more calm.
The low cost of living is another determining factor. Alberto states clearly: “I paid 62,000 euros for my house, something unthinkable in Spain”. The house where he lives, modest but spacious, was purchased for that amount and the rent for a similar house would not exceed 200 euros per month.
Out-of-pocket expenses are reduced, including token trash fees, private insurance, and affordable healthcare.
Alberto reports that “I had surgery here and didn’t pay anything. I left the hospital without going through a cashier.” As the same source states, the Spanish pension allows you to live comfortably, something that would be impossible in Spain with the same income.
Challenges and personal balance
Despite the advantages, Alberto recognizes that not everything is easy. The language continues to be a challenge and cultural adaptation requires patience. “It’s hard to say no here. If you ask for something impossible, they’ll say yes… and then it won’t arrive”, he comments with humor.
The couple’s relationship also reflects this balance: each person maintains their own space, sleeps in separate rooms and follows their own routines.
The Spaniard does not seek to advise others to follow his path, but warns of the need to keep an open mind: “Everything is cheap, but if you buy what you don’t need, it will be expensive”.
According to , the 66-year-old Alberto doesn’t have any big plans and claims to live happily in the Asian country, with no intention of returning to Spain.
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