Career vs. Pattaya

[polan]

Just wanting to know how many of you blokes have changed jobs, careers, or even quit current jobs to work around your frequent patts trips. It seems to be a common occurence that a city can adjust lives of so many. Has it worked out for the better? and do u have any regrets. I myself have changed career paths in the last few years to try and earn more but work less. And has pattaya motivated u to do things u wouldnt have done before?

 

keen to hear of some success stories and not so successful stories, thanks guys

[American Psycho]

I first visited Pattaya in 2003 with my Thai wife, so no opportunity for mongering. She was foolish to bring me here as the thought of Pattaya stayed in my mind. We visited again in 2006 and in early 2009 I made the decision to go for the mongering lifestyle. I moved the wife and kids back to Bangkok...prepared a spreadsheet titled "6 months to freedom"...with all the financial plans and logistics for the move...and on May 31st I arrived solo in Pattaya.

 

I rented a condo at Northshore on soi 5 and beach road and split my time between Bangkok with the family and Pattaya. I am fortunate that as a business consultant I was able to leave full-time status with my employer and word as an independent contractor...or 1099 employee as we refer to it in the States. In 2009 I worked 3 days a month in Malaysia and this year I am working in Malaysia and India about 5 - 8 days per month. With the falling exchange rate I had to work a little harder. I unloaded all my crap in the US...house, condo, cars, furniture...it's amazing how much freedom you feel with no mortgage and car payments to worry about. I'm living on about half my former income, but working much less and enjoying life. I had a Thai GF for about 6 months...then in September 09 I made my first trip to the Philippines and now have filipina GF who is visiting me in Pattaya. She goes back to Philippines on Novermber 3rd...and I will be back on Soi 6 that same day. I can only handle monogamy for short durations. I now rent a condo in Jomtien...as you get tired of the bar and gogo scene every night after a few months. I enjoy my daily runs by the beach.

 

All I can say is that in my situtation...no regrets. Work prospects look good for the next 12-18 months. I don't want to work full-time ever again. So far I have been able to balance spending time with family in Bangkok and time in Pattaya and the Philippines...my wife thinks I work alot more than I really do. She is happier in Thailand able to spend time with her family and friends.

 

Pattaya is an addiction...but with smart planning and preparation...you can live the BM life.

[mal129]

I am going through the process of living the los dream. I am approaching my 5th month of living in los. I will admit I am loving it, but it's a little different from being the 2 week millionaires when BMs come here on holiday. You have routine and responsibility.

 

It's difficult to earn your Falang salaries here in los, hence you will have a budget that less than that of your vacation dollars. Teaching English is the easiest job to get for a falang and that pays modestly for the common monger. Plus you'll likely be in BKK or CM for those jobs, not Patts. For me, I have rental income from home to subsidize my lifestlye in addition to teaching English. Any other falang job will also be tough to earn a decent income. Even starting your own business is quite risky.

 

Keep in mind that living here will not be like your two week holiday everyday. If you know you want the rest of your days to be the LOS lifestyle, then go for it. Your happiness is the most important thing in life. However, if you have a promising career you enjoy, I'd say stick with it come be a two week millionaire whenever you can.

 

But as AP put it, with smart planning and preparation, IT CAN BE DONE!

[BostonSteve]

I just changed my 401K after going over my finances. It really has nothing to do with Pattaya, just retiring early in another country.

 

Now I am dumping a 1/4 of my salary into it. I am hoping that in 15 years I can retire and travel. I will let you know in 15 years.

[odiecologne]

ever since finding pattaya i have been looking for a way i can get there more often or even live there. i am currently looking at getting a job up in the north of oz in the middle of nowhere which would allow me to visit patts for one week of every month! definately something i would never have done if i hadn't discovered pattaya.. i guess polan that pattaya is not only the city of smiles, but also the city of motivation. some may even call it the city of despair!

anyway, everyone needs to have a goal in life and for us pattaya is a good one to chase!!

[fostraswift]

Your happiness is the most important thing in life. However, if you have a promising career you enjoy, I'd say stick with it come be a two week millionaire whenever you can.

 

agree..good advice..IMO..

i'm 30..i enjoy being a 2 week millionare,doing 3 or 4 two week trips per year..happy days

but i also enjoy my career..

with another 10 years experience i plan to move to Los and get a job..

I like work...but would love to hit pattaya every weekend..lol

work hard play harder...lol