A friend asked the other day if it is getting harder to live in Thailand?
I think that would really depend on where you choose to live.
Tourist areas and the cities are quite costly these days.
Young people need an healthy, guaranteed income.
In rural Isaan, I see mostly foreign senior citizens that have settled into a rural lifestyle.
The foreigners are married to local women and I suspect that is how they ended up here in the first place.
Although very cordial, these foreigners keep mainly to themselves and their immediate families.
Same with my husband.
As a foreigner, you have to accept the limitations that Isaan offers and be content with those.
It is the farm belt, and there is nothing much really go on here except living the same life as an Isaan farmer.
Most foreigners have settled into a hobby such as bike riding or fishing, walking, and follow a daily routine.
They seem to have no expectations except a peaceful and stress-free life.
Most foreigners here own a vehicle and can get away if the need arises to visit a nearby city or other local attraction.
I think same as my husband, the older you get, your priorities change.
You can accept a simple, quiet life in place of all the hustle and bustle of the cities and tourist areas.
Isaan is an easy place to live, if you can accept the way things are here.
It will never be perfect, however, it can be a wonderful place to have a relaxing life.