Moving to LOS

[jballstate 326]

I am now giving serious consideration to retiring and moving to Thailand. I was married for 40 yrs lost my wife 3 yrs ago. Problem is over that long of a marriage you aquire quite a bit of personal property which there is no way to take with you.

 

I mean I don't need silver service, fine china, art ect in LOS. Ussually you can not sell things like this at anyway near a fair price. What did you guys do with a home full of furniture ect. I figure I can buy a furnished condo once there but hate to just give away a whole house full of furniture.

[Owen` 2]

A common problem.

 

Way too many say . . . I'll just keep it in my (insert_relative_here)'s garage.

 

Well, would you want your brother's junk in your garage for 10 years? No.

 

So that ain't gonna fly.

 

In general look up PODS. It's a container-based way to move household goods and you can also use it for storage. Depending on your house size, figure $110/month as a nominal price tag. You pay it as long as you want to keep stuff.

 

On successive trips to see family, you could bring over more stuff and reduce what is stored incrementally. Also, remember that if you fly First Class (miles or whatever) you have extra baggage limits and can move more stuff free.

 

Beyond all this, there are threads in the archives here about shipping pallets of stuff from point A(home) to point B(LOS). You don't need furniture because many places rent furnished, but other stuff . . . you could ship it.

[BigDUSA 71]

When we make the move in a year or so, I plan on donating all my stuff to charity. Let them sort it out and sell it for a profit.

 

Anyone want to buy a 65" Mitsubishi big screen TV? I'd luv to bring that bad boy over with me.

[sexy beast 12]

When we make the move in a year or so, I plan on donating all my stuff to charity. Let them sort it out and sell it for a profit.

 

Anyone want to buy a 65" Mitsubishi big screen TV? I'd luv to bring that bad boy over with me.

Hope you have a house warming! Count me in if invited?

 

legend

[Rex7777 0]

I'll be making the move in the near future and for the last six months or so, I've been getting rid of stuff. The valuable stuff - artwork, oriental rugs, electronic equipment, etc., I've been giving to family members. I might also store some stuff at my dad's place. He's got more room than he knows what to do with. Otherwise, I'm just going to give the rest away to anyone who wants it. When I finally leave for Thailand, I'll have just a carry-on bag and one suitcase. The less stuff I have, the better!!

 

Rex

[Gary 4,119]

I made the move over here three times. The first time I shipped some things over because the company I worked for paid for it. When I went back I sorted through the stuff and only shipped back sentimental things. After I was back in the US and my shipment came I was looking through it and decided that what I had shipped was NOT even worth the $1,500 it cost me much less the hassle.

 

The second time I gave nearly everything to my two kids including the last house that I owned in the US. There were many things that I gave away.

 

This last time I took what I could fit in my luggage allowance and that was it. I was able to sell some of the things but ended up giving most of it away. I did do a little planning and brought two large suitcases with me on previous trips when I was looking for a place to live and generally getting organised. I had friends here who kept those suitcases until I made the move. One of those bags had good hand tools in it. Good hand tools are difficult to buy here. The other bag had a computer and computer related items in it. I actually felt good not having to worry about dragging a ton of junk around with me. The voltage here is 230 so forget about anything electrical unless it is suited to 100 to 240 V such as a computer or many rechargeable things.

 

There are a number of Vietnam veterans who are now well dressed. I worked for many years wearing a suit and tie. Several of the suits I had made here in Thailand. I didn't take any long sleeved shirts, ties or dress pants. I gave three LARGE garbage bags full of clothes to the local vet's organization.

[donny 1]

Cleanse, purge, ebay.

[RWB 0]

Still a few years before I move, but already I am getting rid of "stuff"(Huricanne Rita helped). I will probably bring over some very personal stuff-ie photos of friends, children and some favorite clothes(give me a break ). I have 100's books to either sell or give away. Furniture that nobody wants. My Vietnam and Vietnam Veterans Against the War "stuff" will go to the archives at Texas Tech. Some of my weapons I can sell, some, esp the ones I built or modified(and used well) will stay with my son. My daughter who refuses to speak with me for kicking her fat, mean, bitch, man hating, thief, lying mother out of my house and my life, gets nothing. The '02 Camaro SS, probably sell. The old 79 4X4 Chevy pick up will stay with my old hunting buddies, too many elk, deer and stories there. When I moved from Texas to New Mexico in Jan. 1973 I had my 3 year old son, backpack and seabag. When I move to LOS my son needs to stay with his family.

 

It will be a new life and a new start and damnit I can't wait!

[Owen` 2]

Good thread, guys. Lots of ideas on what was done and why. I'm gonna have to rethink a few things based on what y'all are doing, too.

 

One thing I'd add. The move will have a sense of finality to it, but I suggest we not think of it quite so much that way. If healthcare insurance continues to evolve the way it is and Medicare continues to refuse to send money outside the US, there may be a need to spend more and more time back in the states whether we like it or not.

 

Yeah, I know, that's not the idea. This is just a heads up to keep an eye on that aspect of things. At age 65, private insurers may just start saying no, at any price. Then the world gets real dicey.

[RWB 0]

Owen, some good points. My move will have finality. I have no desire to return to the states, not even to die(same reason I won't go to VA - although I do have a perverted desire to cost the gov't all I can). The loss of usa insurance would be a bit of a problem(mine is supposed to continue after retirement) and the fact the medicare refuses to pay for what you have already paid for just pisses the shit out of me. One more reason I leave this country. Thai insurance is (so far) relativly cheap. One must plan for the worst and hope for the best.

[Eneukman 1]

When I made the move last year, I did it in two stages. Each time, I brought over with me a number of books and CD's and all my photographic equipment. I then shipped over the rest of my CD collection and a number of books. Everything else went to auction where I was happy just to clear the cost of uplifting the stuff. Actually, I'm pretty sure that some stuff that would have sold went to the tip but no matter.

 

Alan

[jballstate 326]

Thanks guys, lots of good info. I will probably sell my home here as it is too large of an investment to let stay empty and I would hate to manage rental property from LOS. I do have one additional rental home which has had the same tenant since 1988 so I just may keep that one and let him continue to live there. After all, he has paid for it so it only seem fair. May put some furniture in storage in case I do return to the states but I do not see that happening.

 

Funny how when you talk about moving to Thailand most of the people here in the states look at you like you are crazy and say " You are going to do what?) When I ask them if they have ever been here the answer is always "No". They would have to visit LOS to understand and the women here would never understand.

[donny 1]

I do have one additional rental home which has had the same tenant since 1988 so I just may keep that one and let him continue to live there.  After all, he has paid for it so it only seem fair.

You're a decent bloke, jballstate.

 

Funny how when you talk about moving to Thailand most of the people here in the states look at you like you are crazy and say " You are going to do what?)  When I ask them if they have ever been here the answer is always "No".  They would have to visit LOS to understand and the women here would never understand.

Tell them that you like diving and have converted to Buddhism

 

They won't believe it for a second, of course, but it'll make conversations a little less awkward.

[The Mook 105]

Give it to a dear relative or friend...

Donate it to a non-profit organization and take the tax deduction...

Sell it on e-bay and make a few bucks...

[Sailfast 503]

Ebay man, ebay.

 

Sailfast

[captcraig2 120]

I'd keep the real estate and turn it over to a property management company..They will take a small percentage off the top and deposit the remaining into your bank account (providing you have a positive cash flow each month), They can even take care of maintaining your property.

 

This only means an extra income while in Thailand and if for some reason you should decide to return home you've always got a place to hang your hat!

 

Besides the fact that you won't be paying any capital gain taxes and you still have the deduction, you also have the equity which you can borrow against..Trick is....if you have a mortgage and owe more than 20 years...you're better off keeping the property maxed out and refi every two years! less than 20 years if you have a good rate is to let someone else make the payment for you and cash in on that rainy day!

[Gary 4,119]

I would bet that jballstate has no money problems and wants to streamline his life. Having to worry about property is a bummer that is best avoided when retired. The best part of retired life is having no responsibilities and having enough money to live as you choose.

[kunjon 1]

I have traveled as an ex-pat far too much. Unless you have a company move or willing to spend the cash to ship it you should reduce the non-sentmentals. Estate sale, consignment shops, gifts to kids,ebay support companies will sell it for a commision. Tax right off if you fit the bill for taking cash outs early.

It's a hassle but done when it's done and you start fresh!

Best wishes on the eandevor.