Starting in a new country is a mix of the familiar, the new, and the weird. When I settled in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I discovered all three. And, as I wandered through the country’s cultural thickets,I kept track of my mistakes.
In 2009 the financial crisis swallowed my California business and my home. After I paid off my employees I was left with only a Social-Security check. Where could I live comfortably on $1,240 a month while I rebuilt my fortunes? I did some research and decided on Thailand. Peaceful, warm, beautiful, prosperous, and welcoming to retirees, it offered me the best balance of lifestyle and affordability. I packed my belongings into duffel bags and bought a one-way ticket to Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand.