Why This American Retired in Bangkok — What He Learned After 2 Years

After spending years living in Southeast Asia — including time in Da Nang and Manila — JJ ultimately chose Bangkok Thailand for retirement. In this interview, we discuss why Bangkok stood out, the realities of retiring in Thailand, cost of living, visas, social life, condo hunting, healthcare, banking, and what he learned after nearly 2 years living in the city. 🟢 Checkout JJ's Youtube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/@JJthelonelybullinasia Sandee Language School: https://www.sandee.ac.th/ 🌐 If you're interested in doing an interview, email me at: ajarncal@gmail.com Chapters: Intro 0:00 Decision to Retire Early 1:53 Visa & Language School 3:57 Immigration 5:21 Opening a Bank Account 7:36 Finding 1st Condo & Mistakes 10:44 Finding Second Condo 12:45 Choosing an Area 14:58 Cost of Living 16:44 Bangkok v Da Nang v Manila 23:43 Making Friends 26.28 SUPPORT 💵 🟢 Buy me a cup of coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ajarncal Recommendations ✅ ✚ My Health Insurance (Safetywing): https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance/?referenceID=25111590&campaign=6&utm_campaign=6&utm_source=25111590&utm_medium=Ambassador 🌐 My esim - https://saily.com/bangkokguide (use coupon code 'bangkokguide' for a 15% discount) 🔗 My VPN - https://nordvpn.com/thebangkokguide (use coupon code 'thebangkokguide' for exclusive offer + 4 months free) Travel Tools ✈️ 💵 How I transfer money internationally (Wise): https://wise.prf.hn/click/camref:1011l3CdDM ✈️ How I book flights (Skyscanner): https://skyscanner.pxf.io/BnPPx4 🚂 How I book Train and Bus Tickets in Thailand (12Go): https://12go.asia/?z=10875997 The Music in my Videos: https://share.epidemicsound.com/c9rtec My Film Gear 📸 💻 Main Camera - https://amzn.to/4av6EHK High Quality Camera - https://amzn.to/4kwoJtD Action Camera - https://amzn.to/4twsrYp External Microphone - https://amzn.to/3MsvArl Drone - https://amzn.to/4rfGErh Main Computer for editing - https://amzn.to/3MucP6V Second Computer - https://amzn.to/4kwoJtD FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA 🌐 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajarncal/ 🌐 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ajarn.cal ✅ SUBSCRIBE & JOIN TO BE A MEMBER: https://www.youtube.com/@thebangkokguide/