Tropical Southeast Asia with world-class beaches, Buddhist temples, and street food that costs $1-2 per meal. Bangkok is a modern megacity; Chiang Mai and the islands are laid-back and walkable.

Your dollar goes 3-4x further here. A comfortable lifestyle runs $1,500-2,500/month including rent, food, and healthcare. Huge American expat communities in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket.

No retirement visa per se — the Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay) requires 800K baht (~$22,000) in a Thai bank or 65K baht/month income. Digital nomad visa (DTV) launched 2024: 5-year, $270 fee, requires proof of remote work.

Foreigners cannot own land. You can own a condo unit outright (freehold) as long as foreign ownership in the building stays under 49%. Houses require a leasehold on the land (30+30+30 year terms) or a Thai company structure.

Cash only for foreigners — Thai banks don't lend to non-residents. Some developers offer 1-3 year installment plans during construction. Most Americans pay cash from US equity or retirement accounts.