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After the financial considerations have been determined and you know you can afford to live here then next is preparing physically and mentally. We expect that people coming here to retire are over 50 years of age and will come here with a Retirement Visa obtained from the Thai Consulate or Embassy located in their home country.
Physically you should consider some type of exercise program. If you just retired you were active working and if you suddenly retire with not as much to do physically chances are you will gain weight and have less energy. So consider even starting with some light stretching exercises before breakfast, and a short walk during the day and lengthening the distance over time. You should also ensure that when you move abroad to retire that you have sufficient medication and renewals from your physician and your physician's fax number or email for further medication renewals. After we hit 50 we seem to acquire some sort of medical condition that requires regular or periodic treatment and often medication is involved so best be prepared. In terms of getting preparing mentally this is not condsidered or even known to many people who are about to retire. We get used to living our lives in an environment that has pressures on the job, financial, family and health. We watch TV or read newspapers that focus on the fires, killings, accidents and do not cover good and positive events in any comparable degree. So we get used to the pressure and negativity. But in order to live out our lives happily and longer we have to get away from unecessary pressure and think positive and be happy. Stop watching the western TV stations that have financial or news events when you get here. Watch the movies if you like. Think of the new things you would like to do. Start some new hobbies and keep the brain active and do things you enjoy. Get away from uncessary pressure and eat well and healthy and you will see that you become a happier person.
I see people coming here to retire and to consider retirement here and they watch the financial programs late in the night and keep pressure on themselves that does not allow them to relax and enjoy Chiang Mai to the fullest. When I first arrived in Chiang Mai I did the same. Had to watch my stocks and keep abreast of what was happening financially. But after a while you will see that it does not really matter financially as what will happen will happen if you watch or not and all you are doing is putting yourself in a unhealthy environment. There are many things to do here in Chiang Mai both locally in the city and outside of it at the mountains, man made lake, hot springs, and resorts. Most of the activities are cheap including entrance fees and transportation to and from. I have found that in my life some of the things I enjoy doing most were things that I did not even want to try. So best to try new things and you may be pleasantly surprised. When I first arrived in Chiang Mai I thought that I would never be able to drive here. Steering wheel on the opposite side of the car, motorcycles weaving in and around cars, street vendors pushing carts, animals laying on the streets all made me believe I could not do it. But you know what I rented a car and got used to it quickly and it is easy and the traffic is light during most of the day. I never thought I would drive a motorbike. Never driven one in my life before arriving here. But again I gave it a try. Rented an automatic bike and it was easy to drive and actually lots of fun. Driving it cooled me off and parking was a breeze and diesel fuel costs next to nothing. So I thought initially that I would never do it or enjoy it if I even did try and after trying it I loved it. The drive out of town was what I enjoyed most. Up and down hills and winding roads with mountains, streams and other sights to see and small roadside restaurants to drop into for a quick bite to eat. As to getting older and driving a bike and thinking you cannot do it. Try it for one day and you will be surprised. I passed by one bar to see a Harley Davidson with a U.S. flag on a steel pole at the back of the bike. When I took a look to see who was driving it was a 60-65 year lady who was about 5 ft tall with 2 ft high boots. So if she can do I think I can also. I used to find that when I when on vacation it took me about a week to get into a relaxed frame of mind. So if I had a weeks vacation it was only towards the end of it that I felt truly relaxed. This applied to out or town trips and fishing was a particularly relaxing activity because we did not have a tv or radio so the negativity and uncessary pressure was not there with us and we enjoyed ourselves by talking and playing cards. You may even want to consider starting off your retirement out of town in a homestay for a week. Fresh air, healthy food, perhaps no tv or newspapers and a bit more exercise. After a week of homestay out of town you will be in a relaxed frame of mind and ready to commence what you have worked these many years for.  For anyone visiting Chiang Mai we have "daily", "weekly", "monthly", and "yearly" accommodations ranging from:  Fully Furnished Home Rentals
Condo's for the budget minded
and Executive Condo's
SAVE up to 80 % over Hotel rates.
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