Lao Pride Forum - Retirement in Vientiane Laos

William Kelley Ex Member	Retirement in Vientiane Laos 19^th Apr, 2011 at 7:47am My wife and I have toyed with the idea (actually I think she is praying for it) that upon retirement we would move to Vientiane. I found this site, I hope the information is fairly up to date. If not, I hope with the help of the Admin., we can rectify that. http://www.retire-asia.com/retire-vientiane-laos.shtml
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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #1 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 8:15am

The information is quite long and I don't have time to read them all, but some of the things I passed through seems accurate enough.

Thinking too far ahead are we. You haven't been to Vientiane yet, what if you don't like it?

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William Kelley Ex Member	Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos Reply #2 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 9:04am Then I guess, maybe, I will we will move to Antarctica. Hahaha. Who knows what the future holds? Only God, and He isn't tell me a thing.
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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #3 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 9:55am

As long as you're both together then retirement anywhere will be very enjoyable.

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llX

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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #4 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 2:58pm

Good idea. Cost of living is cheaper. Vientiane is a nice and small city compare to Bangkok with 11 million people. I think you can retire and live on just $1,500 a month. rentsbuy.com
Wink

Quote:

My wife and I have toyed with the idea (actually I think she is praying for it) that upon retirement we would move to Vientiane. I found this site, I hope the information is fairly up to date. If not, I hope with the help of the Admin., we can rectify that.

http://www.retire-asia.com/retire-vientiane-laos.shtml

[img]

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llX God Member Offline "Absolute power corrupt." Posts: 2685 Gender: Age: 36 Awards: 2	Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos Reply #5 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 3:01pm At what age are you planing to retire? If you don't mine me asking. Quote: Then I guess, maybe, I will we will move to Antarctica. Hahaha. Who knows what the future holds? Only God, and He isn't tell me a thing.
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Old Man

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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #6 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 4:54pm

That site seemed accurate to me. I appreciated this part:

Quote:

One solution is to have a Lao wife or local partner and try to integrate into a local village community, because for many foreigners it's the ordinary Lao people that are the main attraction of this unique country. This does not mean 'going native', as the British once referred to their 'colonials' who began 'fraternising' with the locals in Africa and India! It's quite possible to maintain a Western style and standard of living, in harmony with Lao neighbours and friends. Although most Lao are poorly educated in the conventional sense, they have an inner understanding of people and emotions, and generally accept foreigners' odd habits graciously and with good humour.

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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #7 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 5:04pm

That's a pretty good description. I know the main reason I like Vientiane is because I feel comfortable there, even with people constantly staring at me.

Sometimes in Thailand you get the feeling the people are staring at you because they dislike you. In Vientiane it just feels like curiosity.

Also, I doubt you'd be judged as much if you were walking around with a dark skinned girl there. Not so in Thailand. I've been asked many times by middle/upper class Thais what kind of girls I like...then they either outright say "do you like dark girls", or "oh, most farang like dark skin".

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llX God Member Offline "Absolute power corrupt." Posts: 2685 Gender: Age: 36 Awards: 2	Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos Reply #8 - 19^th Apr, 2011 at 9:17pm That's funny JSEA. For me I don't mine about skin color. There's less discrimination in Vientiane for sure. Laos is known for lay back attitude and friendly people.
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JSEA Full Member Offline I Love Laos! Posts: 141 Bangkok Gender:	Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos Reply #9 - 20^th Apr, 2011 at 4:14pm Yeah I know, too bad they would only offer me $500/month to "work" there. $500 is closer to a volunteer stipend than a salary.
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llX God Member Offline "Absolute power corrupt." Posts: 2685 Gender: Age: 36 Awards: 2	Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos Reply #10 - 20^th Apr, 2011 at 5:30pm JSEA wrote on 20^th Apr, 2011 at 4:14pm: Yeah I know, too bad they would only offer me $500/month to "work" there. $500 is closer to a volunteer stipend than a salary. $500 is not bad, but $1,000 would be nice. How much they pay in Thailand? Old Man was also a teacher and start low and he make up to $2,000 a month.
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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #11 - 20^th Apr, 2011 at 5:36pm

About 1100USD/month before tax, and the cost of living here is pretty much the same as Vientiane. Beer is a little more expensive, that's all really.

Also you can find decent apartments for $150/month here pretty easily. In Vientiane they all seem to start at $200.

Teaching illegally I can make about $1500/month here.

Anyway, I was really bummed Sad

, I would have moved to Vientiane for $800/month, but they wouldn't budge.

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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #12 - 20^th Apr, 2011 at 5:46pm

You are right cost of living is similar in Vientiane and Bangkok. But they pay more in Thailand. I think foreigner teacher in Thailand get pay more then the locals.

You should try to negotiate with them say you got pay $1,100 in Thailand, but will take $800 in Vientiane or you already ask them. Paying $150 in rent and make $1,100 a month sound very good.

JSEA wrote on 20^th Apr, 2011 at 5:36pm:

, I would have moved to Vientiane for $800/month, but they wouldn't budge.

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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #13 - 20^th Apr, 2011 at 6:02pm

Exactly, $150 rent out of $1150/month is very good. Most Thais make about 8000-10000 ($240-$300) baht or less each month.

It's a pity that the cost of living is so high in Vientiane, yet the pay doesn't make up for it. I can understand Lao people living on $100/month because they have family homes, and share food, etc. But as a foreigner I don't have that option Sad

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Re: Retirement in Vientiane Laos
Reply #14 - 20^th Apr, 2011 at 6:26pm

Its true, but its getting better in Laos. Laos is developing. Thailand is way way ahead.

JSEA wrote on 20^th Apr, 2011 at 6:02pm:

« Last Edit: 20^th Apr, 2011 at 9:05pm by llX »

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