
Planning for an Icy Future
In Germany the harsh winter has conveyed dramatic warning of how nasty life will become as it proceeds with its extreme Energiewende policy to rely on renewables to meet its electricity needs.
Living the Dream in Chiang Mai. Crime is very low. Violent crime is almost un-heard of. Petty crime is minimal.
Everyone can feel safe walking around the streets, even at night, knowing that you will not be mugged, robbed, raped or murdered.
I regularly leave the front door open, keys in the car and shopping in the basket on the motorcycle.
Many expats here say: ‘Chiang Mai is one of the cheapest places offering the highest quality of life’.
One can live comfortably on less than US$ 1000 a month, as you are not competing with ‘The Jones’ and can simply enjoy what is important to you.
Although the best weather is during the dry or cool season – from November to February, it is a pleasant city to visit, or live in, all year round.
We really enjoy being outdoors, either at the pool, or in the stunning countryside around Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai has so much to do, that there is always somewhere to go, and interesting events. You will never be bored.
Also there are many festivals and parades throughout the year.
There are numerous charities and Church groups to join, and one can get so much satisfaction by giving something back.
Chiang Mai is a modern city with both first and third world qualities and charm.
Thailand has fantastic modern shopping malls with all the top brands of goods and services.
We also enjoy small backstreet stalls and pavement vendors for bargain deals.
Phone, banking and internet services are first world with super fiber optic internet speeds.
Temples, there are literally thousands of Temples in Chiang Mai and Thailand.
Chiang Mai has history going back 700 years, with so much still visible in the ‘Old City’.
It would literally take many years to just view them once.
The list is endless and all just a short drive in and around Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai offers first-world quality medical and dental care, inexpensive and friendly.
The most impressive aspect of healthcare here is that it is instantaneous. When you go to A&E you are seen strait away. Should you need an operation it is done today or tomorrow. After you make a full medical check-up, you get the results and consultation feedback the same day, including a full written report.
In many ways, Chiang Mai’s health services are vastly superior to the West. We have never enjoyed such good healthcare before.
The scenery surrounding Chiang Mai, both natural and man-made is breath-taking.
Lush forests with elephants and monkeys, rice paddy fields, coffee plantations, mist-steeped mountains, lakes, trails, old villages, gardens, caves, national parks – the list is endless and all just a short drive outside Chiang Mai.
What are the costs?
Chiang Mai is home to quaint bars, cool markets, and also a varied amount of restaurants that appeal to both locals and foreigners.
Some of the most famous Northern Thai dishes include ’gang hang lay – delicious Northern Thai curry, ‘khao soi’ – egg noodles in a coconut curry, and ‘sai oi – spicy Northern Thai sausage.
Many expats here say: ‘Chiang Mai is where we feel respected for our age’.
People are so kind and helpful because we are Senior, and go out of their way to extend kindness.
Foreingners enjoy an elevated level of status and get preferential treatment.
With great weather all year round being outdoors is fun and pleasant.
Being out and about in on a lovely day as there is so much beautiful coutryside around Chiang Mai will keep you fulfilled, while improving your health.
Whether you choose to go by Scrambler, or 4 X 4, offroad and countryside trips will keep your busy for years.
For many of us, simply doing nothing is great. One is able to contemplate the meaning of life.
Whether is it being pampered at a Spa, or massage, or simply tanning by the pool, one can relax and enjoy each and every day.
Yoga and meditation resorts also help us to find our inner peace. This becomes more important the older we get.
The slower pace of life in Chiang Mai, and low stress levels has significantly improved the quality of our life.
With great weather all year round being at the seaside is fun and pleasant.
Every few months we take ourselves off to explore another Island or stunning beach.
Some of our favorite passtimes are diving and snorkelling, and making underwater videos.
What are the costs?
The best place to ‘Live the Dream’ is the stunning city of Chiang Mai.
What does ‘Living the Dream’ mean? Well it means different things depending on how young at heart you are, and what gives you inner peace and satisfaction.
We love Chiang Mai because we feel safe, enjoy a fabulous lifestyle that is inexpensive, have great sunny weather all year round, and we are ‘free’ to do as we please, and travel where we like. In our opinion, healthcare is vastly superior to what we got, living in the UK.
Chiang Mai is fantastic because you can do many activity based passtimes, or simply chill out. Day trips to the mountains, or further North, or holidays to the Islands or Seasides, add spice to our life.

In Germany the harsh winter has conveyed dramatic warning of how nasty life will become as it proceeds with its extreme Energiewende policy to rely on renewables to meet its electricity needs.

The first thing most people look at when considering an investment is the annual rate of return they expect to be able to make out of it. Return is the “rent” you enjoy as payment for investing your capital rather than going out and spending it, and also the “reward” for the risk you take.

Longer-term forces are stacking up against the world’s reserve currency, says the FT’s Michael Mackenzie.
The dollar has been falling for several months in trade-weighted terms under pressure from increasing trade and budget deficits, with expectations that ultra-lo w interest rates are set for an extended stay.

Those of us who have been around long enough know something about booms and busts (I was lucky enough to choose to exit the dotcom mania on the day the market peaked). So, is this the right time to flee the share markets? Not yet. I agree with Eoin Treacy that although “there is clear evidence a mania is evolving… there is no evidence it has reached its peak.”

Crossing a main street in a Vietnamese city is unnerving. As you follow the tourist guide advice, ignoring traffic risk as you step out, boldly striding forward at a steady pace, you are engulfed by a torrent of motorcycles. They swerve as they sweep past you, never touching you.

The pandemic has devastated government finances around the world. Savage shutdowns have destroyed millions of businesses and crippled many more, pushing them into debt to survive.
