Seriously considering relocating from the US to Vietnam - What is life

4POSTS

11 years ago

OK, so I am a 49 guy from Idaho seriously thinking about retiring to Vietnam or maybe South America, but leaning towards Vietnam. What is life really like? I have been researching Nha Trang or even Da Lat as I am used to the cooler Oregon/Washington weather and don't do really well in humidity...I've read articles that you can retire there on $750 month and I can afford twice that, so it looks pretty appealing...I'd love to hear from people who actually live there and get their input. Thanks - Marty

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milkybunnyHCM Serial expat

329POSTS

11 years ago

Da Lat is cool compared to the rest of Vietnam but I wouldn't call it Washington weather. More like California weather... I'm not sure of temperatures in South America but a mountainous place there may suit you more weather wise. Coming from Southern California to here the first six months felt like I was inhaling water, haha

But that aside, living in those places are fine if you're not ethnocentric and don't mind little English. You're not going to find many expats in Da Lat. Expats in Nha Trang are of the Russian variety and they don't really care for people who aren't Russian, generally.

$750 a month is perfectly fine so long as you avoid too much partying.

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ralphnhatrang Serial expat

599POSTS

11 years ago

Nha Trang for me has the best climate in Vietnam, and is pleasant for most of the year. July and August in summer are very hot and humid, but by mid September the weather is pleasant again. Dalat is good during the Nha Trang summer, but is cold, wet and miserable for months on end. I know a DUTCHMAN who left Dalat and came to Nha Trang because he couldn't put up with the cold any more. Others have made to reverse move from Nha Trang to Dalat to escape the heat. So I guess you just have to decide for yourself.

The daily sea breeze in Nha Trang starts between 1000 and 1200 and lasts through until around 2000, after which the mountain breezes start and continue until after 0800. These local breezes make for a very pleasant climate.

Sure there are Russians in Nha Trang, but it's up to you whether you want to mix with them or not. There are lots of other expats here, too.

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Martyonthemove New member

4POSTS

11 years ago

Ralph - Thanks for the reply. Can I ask what you think my cost of living would be in Nha Trang? I would be looking for just a smaller 1 bedroom condo/apartment with good service such as cleaning and laundry service that is not too far from the beach. Nothing fancy, but decent living conditions.

I have also seen wide differences on things like a cold beer in a restaurant as compared to buying 6-12 pack in a store?

How are the beaches? Are they kept clean or have lots of debris?

I know a lot of expats go over there to find a younger bride, just curious if those younger brides expect to have kids as I have been there done that and don't want to start over again...

Any more feedback would be appreciated.

-Marty

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Martyonthemove New member

4POSTS

11 years ago

Thanks for the reply. The more research I do, it seems Nha Trang might be the best fit and just go to Da Lat during the hot months...

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ralphnhatrang Serial expat

599POSTS

11 years ago

Friends here rent comfortable houses for around $250 a month. Cheapest rooms go for as little as $100 a month, but are not so comfortable. The beaches are cleaned regularly. The main beach is 7km long and has a pleasant park are promenade for more than half its length.

Vietnamese leave the beach entirely for foreigners during the day, because the Vietnamese swim at sunrise and sunset.
day image: https://mathailand.files.wordpress.com/ … am-411.jpg
sunset image in summer: https://adamandmegstravels.files.wordpr … trang1.jpg

Long Beach, 20km south of town, has good surf after storms in winter. Ocean Beach, 4km north is a safer beach in winter, when the main beach can have dangerous waves.

As well as the beaches, there are also three hot springs just outside town, and lovely mountain streams 20km from town. Many hotels open their swimming pools free to the public. The provincial library in town has an extensive collection of English language reference books, which you may borrow. To get a borrowing card, show your passport and pay 700,000 deposit.

A 330ml can of Heineken beer in a restaurant costs between 23,000 dong and 30,000 dong (1USD = 21,400 dong). A 24 can carton of Heineken costs around 300,000 dong in the supermarket.

ALL young women in Vietnam want at least two kids, without exception. Kids are insurance for old age. However, there are very many, attractive middle aged women who have grown up kids and don't want any more. When I say 'attractive', I really do mean attractive, looking 20 years younger than their age.

Should you be wondering, I am married to a lovely, 52 years old Vietnamese wife and we have a seven year old daughter. We own our own house. Our living expenses are 16 million dong a month, but we live like kings. A dollar here goes far farther than it does in Australia.

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Coach Athan Contributor

149POSTS

11 years ago

Hi Ralph,

I envy you so much!

Wow, I didn't know it can be that efficient with 16 mil a month!

Do you live on your own crops and poultry?

My expense in Hanoi is about 93 mil. Gosh......looks like I have to re-look into budget prioritisation.....

Martyonthemove New member

4POSTS

11 years ago

Hello, 93 million seems very very expensive. That is more than most people retire on even living in the US. You must live like a rock star or have some crazy spending habits.

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Coach Athan Contributor

149POSTS

11 years ago

I am sure that number will come down when I am retired.

Probably should start making an exit plan now.....

ralphnhatrang Serial expat

599POSTS

11 years ago

#10

A friend of mine in Saigon budgets 50 to 60 million dong a month. We live very well on 16 million. Like I wrote, a friend who lives very frugally in the countryside gets by on 4 million a month, but I like to enjoy life and drink beer.

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inflymous Member

3POSTS

11 years ago

#11

^4 million is a bit above the average monthly income for someone living in the country side. Is he an expat?

I'd love to hear the amount of other peoples living expenses in vietnam. I've had this crazy idea of retiring in vietnam young for a while and 20+million/month seems doable for me...except maybe Februarys.

ralphnhatrang Serial expat

599POSTS

11 years ago

#12

Inflymous - Yes, he is an expat from Yorkshire.

rlholley Active member

42POSTS

11 years ago

#13

For the past 12 months, I have been traveling in or studying about SE Asia. I am now on the Cambodian leg of that exploration. My objective is similar and luckily I have been able to do the re-con. At this point, Vietnam seems to be the most propitious choice for me. My considerations included finance & climate. I found Nha Trang very livable and the surrounding area and geography were enhancements. The touristy aspect was not an issue for me. I prefer Hanoi but did not visit during rainy season. DaNang was a great place too and is growing economically. The beaches are superb. I find that my expenses are very tolerable during travel and expect them to decline once the costs of airfares and hotels are not being incurred. Importantly, the Vietnamese people are very personable too. Life in VN would be good for me.

Good luck to you. Be bold.

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tfalston New member

5POSTS

11 years ago

#14

Hi
My wife and I retired in 2008, sold everything and moved to Dalat, Vietnam. We love it here and have a large group of friends that did the same. At 49 you must still have some years left before you retire. We have travelled to many places in Southeast Asia and Dalat is the best. Nha Trang is hot and humid, but Dalat is cool because it is almost a mile above sea level. The city is beautiful because of the French influence here.
Most of the veggies come from here and it is very cheap. We have movies at my house 2 times a week. Just got back from Damb'Ri waterfallls developed by a group from Orlando FL.
Suggest you visit before final decision.
My email: tfalston@gmail.com
Tom

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Ena Sharples New member

6POSTS

11 years ago

#15

Hi, I think Hoi An is perfect. It has lovely beaches, rivers, world heritage picturesque old town, fantastic food and an international airport 30 mins away. The right size to mix with Vietnamese and Ex-pats, laid back and relaxed what more could you want?

Claire

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tfalston New member

5POSTS

11 years ago

#16

Hoi An is near Danang where the cleanup of ancient orange clean-up is taking place. It's a great place to visit for a couple of days, but it is hot and humid most of the time. Very crowded during the tourist season and more expensive then the mountain town of Dalat. Dalat is the city of flowers which exports tons to Japan and other destinations. If you want to live in a great cool climate then Dalat should be on your list.
Tom

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Anthony64 Contributor

173POSTS

11 years ago

#17

Basically retired here over 11 years ago. Do not plan on ever heading back to the States. Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon. After living in Saigon for 7 years I moved back to Da Nang two years ago. Great beaches, food and comfortable living. This is now "my home".
You can live very comfortable on a grand or less as others have stated if you hold down on the party time. Usually rentals run $250 to $400 a month plus utilities ($50 to 60 bucks if air). Many expats here as well. Nha Trang is great if you like 'tourist' life. I found it over rated. Da Lat, nice place to live and out of the way. Again, depends on your life style. I like Da Nang due to it being large enough, yet still small enough to enjoy. Very close to the beaches, always fresh sea food and a great bunch of expats as well. From 0800 to 1530 the beaches can pretty much be your living room...hardly a soul other than a few expats during the day hours...There is at least 35 to 50 kms of beaches from Da Nang to Hoi An...and nearly every inch is beautiful...
Make sure that you have copies of all important papers either notarized and/or stamped with the Vietnamese Embassy in the States. Here in Da Nang, it is easy to get things set up if you have all the proper docs to do it with. Also, make sure you have a proper Visa and for more than one month. If you are looking to work, make sure you have a current physical, police report, Grad certs and a passport that is good for at least 2 to 3 years. I've never had a problem with the local police or Immigrations.

Best of luck to you.

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Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

11 years ago

#18

Athanasius Pang wrote:
I am sure that number will come down when I am retired.

Probably should start making an exit plan now.....

over 90million a month?? crazy sure.. I peaked one time near 200 but that was because I bought my bike I also try to keep spending minimal hehe.

Gritman Member

10POSTS

11 years ago

#19

Hi,
I have been living in Vn for nearly 4 years with my Vietnamese wife of 6 years,we live approx 16km out side Phan Rang a coastal city we had a two bedroom,two bathroom,living room and large kitchen/dinner house built for approx £15000.00 so your probably looking at £ 20,000.00 now,my wife runs the house on 7,000,000d a month and we live well I usually drink 6x 20,x 440 creat's of beer and 4 bottles of wine a month,we dine out once a week,we visit coffee gardens,one pot of tea for two and two coffees cost 26000d,however Phan Rang is not a city that has many expats as it is not a tourist attraction for foreigners on our last count only three foreigners live here,myself English,Wes, an American and one Frenchman I have yet to meet. if you want anymore info just ask.

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Ena Sharples New member

6POSTS

11 years ago

#20

Nooooooo!!, its perfect... the old town is touristy because it's lovely, thats why people go there, and if it wasn't touristy you would not be able to sip your iced cafe lattes and eat what you want whenever, anyway a 10 minute cycle from the old town and you are amongst the rice paddies and the locals and it is peaceful and rural.- Most of my neighbours are Vietnamese and very inclusive and friendly. Its a cyclists dream, with endless cycling paths through the rice paddies and the huge bonus of a very nice beach not yet commercialised and ruined. Four months of the year it is quite chilly and main disadvantage here is a long rainy season. We were looking for 2 years for the perfect place to live in Asia and didn't find it until we came here. Cheap, unspoiled beaches, fabulous food, easy to get around, inclusive and warm local people, easy to meet other ex pats, lots of accommodation choices, international airport, there isn't a lot more you could ask for anywhere unless you like girly bars, shopping and nightlife in which case choose Thailand..

sensesofvietnam Contributor

149POSTS

11 years ago

#21

This is only my own view and my choice and that one important ingredient to any country life I choose, that I would like to make sure I like the local food. And here in Vietnam, the food is just very fresh and delicious. I love the food here and that is why I like the country. As for the place to settle it depends on a big city life like HCM, Hanoi, or a coastal cities like Danang, HoiAn or Nha Trang. For cooler weather then Dalat is a good one. However why not choose two city where Da Lat is a few months stay when weather is hot and humid in summer in Vietnam.

Gritman Member

10POSTS

11 years ago

#22

What are you on about, I didn't say it wasn't a nice place,that's why I live here, because it is, you need to read my post properly all I was pointing out was that it's inexpensive to live here and there are not a lot of foreigners and doesn't cater for expats with lots of bars of which I don't frequent, please learn to read English before you make a stupid comment and tell me to go to Thailand

Ena Sharples New member

6POSTS

11 years ago

#23

????was describing benefits of living in Hoi An, for would-be ex pat, have no idea what your talking about....wrong end of the stick I think!!!

Hainguyen3012 Member

3POSTS

11 years ago

#24

You should consider Vung Tau city in your list. Da Lat is a cold peaceful place, but it's too far from many commercial centers especially Ho Chi Minh City. Vung Tau is a small town but it's very convenient to live in. There are many good restaurants, bars, good pavements for walking and enjoying the sea wind, nice beaches. Yes, sometimes it's hot but it's windy, the weather is nice, and there's a small community of foreigners that you can easily find friends and get along with the life here. It's convenient to travel around Vietnam from here. 750$ to $1000 is ok to live in Vietnam. I think you should take a trip to Vietnam, and go to visit these 3 places, to see which one is your best choice.

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Kristinagiang Member

20POSTS

10 years ago

#25

Hey Marty,

If you are considered moving to Dalat, I know alot about Dalat since I have been living/working ( real estate developer) here since 2007.. One of the main/core reason I have chosen DaLat to be my work/living destination is because of the cool climate (1.500 Metre above sea).

you could live very comfortable with budget of anything from 700 USD above. In term of rental, you could get a great place for about 300 USD. Food and hydro/water is cheap. Food wise, you could get buy with 5 USD a day if eating at home and hydro and water around 20 USD a month,

I am currently building and had built many lofts/apartment for rent as starting price at 300 USD a month ( 1 bedroom apartment with 2 bathroom) and house at 600 USD ( 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, and open concept kitchen).

One of the concern I would have would be visa issues as the price changes all the time. However, if you are Viet Kieu and perhaps, considered the options of dual citizen ( apply to be Vietnamese citizen)

Thuy

Kristina

Moderated by Maximilien 10 years ago
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Bruce_M Active member

29POSTS

6 years ago

#26

Hello, I was just wondering if you are still living in Nha Trang?

I just joined this site and I'm staying in Phan Rang for the moment (at least until March) but I'm kind of torn between Phan Rang and Nha Trang as a longer-term base..or maybe Quy Nhon.

Phan Rang has some good qualities, but at least right now the wind is getting to me, and the lack of decent convenieces...one (pretty awful) grocery store, no 7-11 or similar, no Grab or similar..and the city is a bit spread out leading to long walks and expensive taxi fares.

I only was in Nha Trang for 2 days so far, but I felt the weather was better there among the other obvious advantages of a city...I would love to chat with you about your experiences in this general area as well as pick your brain a bit about neighborhoods and other local information.

Still liking it here?

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Bruce_M Active member

29POSTS

6 years ago

#27

Hey Gritman, are you still in the Phan Rang area? Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the area?

gobot ViP

1430POSTS

6 years ago

#28

Bruce_M wrote:
Hey Gritman, are you still in the Phan Rang area? Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the area?

Hey Bruce, forum tips!
1. If you "quote" someone, they will receive a notification email that you responded. Like you just got because I "quoted" your post. If you just "reply" to the post, nobody know who you are replying to.

2. Check the dates. This is a 2015 thread. The people are probably not active on the forum anymore.

3. For finding people in Nha Trang, you should create a new post in the Nha Trang sub forum. Go to Vietnam forum, pick category Nha Trang, then post.

Another good source is Facebook. Search for Nha Trang Expat, or just Nha Trang groups. You can post questions there also, like Where do expats/Americans/new arrivals hang out, etc. Often activities are posted on Facebook. Also will be Nha Trang Teacher groups of foreigners.
ok!

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Bruce_M Active member

29POSTS

6 years ago

#29

gobot wrote:
Bruce_M wrote:
Hey Gritman, are you still in the Phan Rang area? Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the area?

Hey Bruce, forum tips!
1. If you "quote" someone, they will receive a notification email that you responded. Like you just got because I "quoted" your post. If you just "reply" to the post, nobody know who you are replying to.

2. Check the dates. This is a 2015 thread. The people are probably not active on the forum anymore.

3. For finding people in Nha Trang, you should create a new post in the Nha Trang sub forum. Go to Vietnam forum, pick category Nha Trang, then post.

Another good source is Facebook. Search for Nha Trang Expat, or just Nha Trang groups. You can post questions there also, like Where do expats/Americans/new arrivals hang out, etc. Often activities are posted on Facebook. Also will be Nha Trang Teacher groups of foreigners.
ok!

Thank you for the guidance.

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