My wife and I plan to build in the Udon Thani area after I retire in 2012. We have a home in the U.S. that is free and clear. I would like to hear the thoughts of you that have all ready delt with this decision as to what to do with the property back in the U.S. Did you sell it ? ..... Did you keep it ?.....We do not want to rent it.
My wife and I are going to build in Thailand first and live in Thailand for awhile before we decide to sell or keep the home back in the U.S. and travel back and fourth once or twice a year.

Thanks.

It sounds like you've answered your own question.

That would certainly be my advice/recommendation, and I suspect that of many on this forum. Come here for a full 12 months or more, and test the water, before you consider burning any bridges or selling any property in your home country.

I would also suggest, you may well be better advised not to build in Thailand until you have completed your assessment of the situation. Instead rent something for a minimum of 12 months and see how things go and what you think.

I agree with arjay, try the area, take your time and look around before you build. As for house in the U.S. I plan on "selling" 50% of mine to my oldest son with written agreement he must pay all bills, taxes insurance etc. That wat the wife and I have a place in U.S. to go to when we visit every 15 to 24 months.

PF-flyer, have a look at this thread, particularly Banpaeng's post. He is an American and came over for a test run a year or two back and has made some very useful points.

post161668.html?hilit=#p161668

just a thought to consider rents are very low here in Udon if this is the place you want to live
so buying here IMO is not a good idea. I built a house in the boonies (wife Village) for her & I am living in it would I do it again NO was my decision correct IMO NO did I look first NO did I waste money
NO my wife has some thing of her own now after I am no longer around. but I could have built in more populated area were I could have fit in just my opinion

totally agree with arjay, also read the thread he recommends, some good info on there. udon or thailand is definitely not for everyone. also, guessing now or next few years wouldn't be the best time to sell a house anyway. rent for a few years here, move around to couple places, or just long holidays and see what is here. from experience.................not much......will not appeal to many people. especially if having a very close family and social structure back in the states. hobbies and interest have a great implact on some lives. if a golfer, no problem, anything else, especially any arts/plays/music...............you're screwed. sports........hope you like euro football/soccer. obviously negative points, but all things that will effect your smile.

i came from philly, a bit warmer than w.pa, moved to memphis 5 yrs prior, so that prepped me for thailand, and always vacationed at beach or island, so slowly got used to heat, but still not there. inside 50 % of the day during hot season............so the weather is actually going to be a large factor for you also ................it's hot, tomorrow will be damn hot, that's at least 6 months a year, and wet. take i slow when getting here.

good luck and enjoy.

Thank you very much for your responces...We have have been concidering the issues that you mentioned. I am mostly interested in hearing your thoughts and the decision process that you went thru or are currently going thur.
I was stationed in the 70's at Korat Royal Thai A.F.B for one year and about two years at Udorn. My wife and I lived in Chok Boomar which was about one block behind the Old Paradise Hotel. I have and still do embrace the Thai culture and I love the thai people...( I still have alot to learn ). There has been plenty time for any infatuation to wear off.
We visit my wife's famliy in a village about 20 minutes east of Udorn for three weeks every other year.
You are right...... living in Thailand is not for everybody and it is not a trivial decision.

I'd rent for a year before you build. Visit as many homes as you can during that period....falang and thai. Note what's good/bad with each. All the tricks you might have learned in the US are hardly applicable here. Little/No zoning laws, noise, animals, single phase power, neighborhoods with homes both rich and very poor next door to each other. Within a few months, you'll begin to better understand some of the variances to living in Thailand. Probably within a few weeks, you'll realize that building on that plot of land next to ma and pa might not be such a good idea after all. I'm not knocking anyone who lives next door to the in-laws, but, if it were me, I'd be looking at land 20 minutes west of Udon.
Good luck on your retirement!