If you dream of living part of your retirement in some tropical paradise, living the expat lifestyle, Thailand might be perfect for you. Not only will your US dollar go much farther, owning a property in Thailand is quite possible. Land ownership requires jumping through hoops, but you can fully purchase a condominium easily. The only restriction is that the whole building must be 51% Thai owned. When you leave the country, you can rent it out.

Thailand has fairly laidback visa policies for foreign retirees, helping to make it one of the best places to live in Asia for expats who are retiring. If you can prove that you are 50, retired and have an income of US$2,000 per month or US$25,000 in savings, or an equivalent combination – in a Thai bank account, of course – then it is easy for a couple to get a one-year retirement visa.

Some of Thailand’s most popular destinations are also considered among the best places to live in Asia for expats. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket and Hua Hin are especially popular. In one of these five, you might find what you believe to be the best place to live in Thailand for expats. You could find yourself in an expat community. Medical care is exceptional yet inexpensive in each of these cities, and modern conveniences are readily available, yet history and exotic beauty are everywhere in Thailand.

1. Bangkok

Bangkok is the nation’s capital and its largest city. It is metropolitan, and it is more expensive than the other cities, but it is still among the best places for expats to live in Thailand. High rise buildings, nightclubs and markets are set against elaborate palaces, stunning ancient temples and historic canals. Khao San Road is a famous street for tourists, with inexpensive dining, shopping and nightclubs.

Wat Phra Kaew temple contains the world-famous Emerald Buddha. It is considered the single most important Buddhist temple in the country. You can see the Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon, the 5.5 ton Golden Buddha, in the temple of Wat Traimit.

Read Also: Travel: Experience The Beauty Of Bangkok

Yee Peng Festival in Chiang Mai during cold season

2. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s main cultural centers. There are art galleries, annual festivals, the University of Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai International Airport. The city is in northern Thailand, and it is surrounded by mountains, so residents enjoy cool nights during the dry season. The land is lush, and the weather is among the most pleasant in the country. During the cool season, the temperature averages about 77 F. Cosmopolitan eateries and western-style shopping malls might make life a little more comfortable for many expats. In fact, there is an expats social club that meets once a month.

Chiang Mai abounds with traditional and modern Thai architecture and history, including many Buddhist temples. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of Thailand’s most famous Buddhist temples. Its golden stupa and white elephant shrine overlook Chiang Mai from one of the mountainsides. Wat Chedi Luang is right in Chiang Mai’s historic city center.

Koh Samui Tropical Holiday

3. Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a wildlife reserve and national park in the Surat Thani province of southern Thailand. It is home to Asian elephants, Malayan tapirs and several breeds of monkeys. Trails lead through the jungle forests to waterfalls, natural pools and limestone karsts. Its beaches are lined with palm trees. It is only a short flight to Bangkok, but Koh Samui provides a fun in the sun lifestyle year round as well as nights out dancing.

A quieter beach experience in Hua Hin

 4. Hua Hin

Hua Hin has a more subdued beach lifestyle on the Gulf of Thailand, in the southern Prachuap Khiri Khan province. At night, the Cicada Market supplies fresh-caught seafood along with art and entertainment. The Hua Hin annual jazz festival takes place on the beach. There are art galleries and coffee shops on Naeb Kehardt Road, which is lined with beautiful tropical flowers. The famous stark white Buddhist temple, Wat Khao Takiap is surrounded by many statues of Buddha and roaming wild monkeys, on Khao Takiap Hill.

Phuket – Thailand’s most popular destination

5. Phuket

Phuket City is in Phuket Island and the capital of Phuket Province. It is filled with history. The Shrine of the Serene Light is a Chinese Taoist temple was built here in 1889. It is famous for its etchings and ceramic sculptures that stand atop its structure. Wat Put Jaw is a Chinese Buddhist temple that is at least 200 years old. Wat Khoa Rang temple is the home of a large golden Buddha.

Phuket is famous for its warm, clear waters and mountain jungles. There is a constant breeze over the island’s white-sand beaches, and its temperature is generally in the 70s F. Phuket has some of the best seafood in the country’s southern region. The lifestyle is generally laid back, but the Patong area provides clubs with cabaret shows, music and an exciting nightlife.