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Living in Laos by 2010

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jodha
  5/7/2008 08:49 EST

Hi All,

I am currently paying off my debts to cut my links with the UK, then will be saving an equivalent amount to cushion my entrance into the choosen land where I wish to move to: Laos.

Its a long way away, and who knows... stuff might happen that makes me change my mind (although I seriously doubt it!).

Thought I'd sign-up here and say hello, an initial step towards getting to know some people who are already doing what I wish to do.

So basically... Hello! Anybody got any good ideas about how to stay in Laos long term?

Cheers mateys

Mark

jenniferbarnett
  5/27/2008 19:09 EST

Hi Mark,

My partner and I are also considering moving to Laos within the next 2-3 years. There doesn't seem to be a lot of info about moving there or visa options so please let me know what you find out. We would like to buy a business possibly in Luang Prabang or Vientienne but have no idea how things work. Anyway I just thought I'd say hello and I'll let you know any info I find out.

Cheers
Jennifer

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fanhin
  8/14/2008 04:31 EST

Hi All
This seems one of the most recent and update post on people with intention to move to Laos in the near future.....
I am also having that consideration and is friviously searching the web for information on moving to Laos and starting a small and simple biz to keep life moving....
I am also writing to say hello to anyone out there who can share information.
Fanhin

bmw530d
  10/3/2008 18:30 EST

hi all,,, you all seem to be moving there in long distance future, i am going next week, hopefuly i can buy land and build a home, i have been talking to a guy there and he said that land can be bought in my name no problem,, he wouldnt go into detail, maybe because he wants me to get it throu him, i will be renting until i find right land to buy and then build,hopefuly in vientiane, i will let yous know how things go in the future, fingers crossed theres no scams like thailand,,, JAMES

xgolfman
  10/4/2008 13:23 EST

Hi James,
Lately, I was thinking about moving back to Laos; but I'm still afraid of the situation there. Well, like after you bought the land and have the house built; and the goverment come and take it away from you.
Since u're moving there, please keep us posted. I would love to get away from this busy life in the US and just live a sample life in Laos. I miss that.

Good Luck!
xgolfman

Kezzle
  10/5/2008 21:02 EST

Hi Folks

Just a quick message to say hello to all the others considering a move to Laos. Having visited Laos many times before on relatively short trips, I would like to buy a house in Luang within the next few years with a view to retiring and I would appreciate any advice.

Cheers

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Elise
  10/24/2008 01:31 EST

Hi,
I just arrived 2 weeks ago to join my partner. Don't know anything about legislation and visa (all arranged for :-)) but check out www.falanginlaos.com for some info on land, houses, jobs, cars, etc. Good luck!

sirrom
  11/6/2008 07:47 EST

hello all,im also trying to find a way to live in lao,only went for three days ,stayed two months,looking at voluntary work until get organised,to do my own thing,,,interested in fishfarming,river trips,air con (if i have to)but seriously interested in doing something,,,anyone with similar intent give me a shout,,,thanks.

ici789
  11/16/2008 04:20 EST

Hello all,
I am just join this forum : myselft intend to move to laos asap, but step by step.
First I woulkd like to buy a land in Vientiane-for myselft but also to make a guest-house for rent, in a good area.
It seems that lao's regulations in regards of expatriate's people moves very quickly : long terme visa-making a small business and also the right to put on the own name the possion of land. Many foreigners in Laos knows (thai, singapor's people etc..)
If any is interested to make a joint venture for this operation, please contact me directly : alone is not funny and I have to work until a cup of year more before staying definitly in Laos...
Sorry, my english is not so good...but good luck to all of you and if any question I can answer, please feel free-even in my private e-mail.
Cheers

khampone
  12/2/2008 04:04 EST

it is good if you plan to live and work in Laos. I am Lao.

it is cheap and people are nice and friendly. what sort of business will you plan to do? Laos is too relax.

Any help, let me know.

cheers
Pone

ici789
  12/2/2008 12:10 EST

Thank you very much Khampone,
I firstly intend to buy a land-as I said on the last post, and will go step by step to build the house...
As you know : it is very simple but very complicated. If every thing is O.K on thai airport, I suppose to be in asia area around the 12-12-2008 for one week, and may be 2/3 days in Vte. I would like to go to Wat Nakoune Noi, because I help Achane Saly to set up an hospital first-aid there, with others friends in medical file around europe
May be we can get luch together ? Before comming to France, I was in Lycée Vte (70 to 75), may be you was also there ?
See you soon
Regards
[email protected]

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mitchhum
  1/5/2009 22:57 EST

Hi..my name is John and I live part of each year in Lao for the last 10 years..I have few problems with anything as my wife is Lao...to live there full time most get a business visa as it is cheapest and wil allow travel...or you can just leave country every 30 days to renew...no one checks if you do business..you cannot buy land or house if you are not a citizen...we have land that we have in her parents name....it is a very nice place and very eazy to get along...remember rules change all the time in Lao so best to go there and check with someother expat to see what they are doing ...most I know have Lao wives so they can stay....

aveniko
  1/22/2009 02:46 EST

if we live in laos, how much are the cost and citizen of other country? I mean do we have to pay like $2/per day. This is the inform I am getting at US Embassy on the website. This could be a lot.

alexisin
  1/22/2009 08:42 EST

I currently live in Thailand. I met a lady from Laos. Would you know if it is OK to live with her in Laos without being married. If not, is there a way a falang can get around this problems?

alexisin
  1/22/2009 08:50 EST

Can I marry my Lao lady using the ceremonial marriage only as in Thailand? What happens if we just live together?
Thanks
Alex

aveniko
  1/31/2009 00:51 EST

good luck James. I am planning to move to Laos in dec. 2009 if all goes well. How long are u planning to stay in Laos? Please let us know your experience there.

debbieinlaos
  2/9/2009 17:52 EST

Hello All,
Wow! Lots of you ready to move to Laos for all different reasons! I am here already - my husband and I moved here in November 2008. We live in Savannakhet which is right at the 2nd Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos.

We have business visas so I can't tell you much about other visas. I don't work but have mine through his company. Before I had this visa - when I was just operating on the tourist visa - It cost me $35 every time I went across to Thailand and wanted to re-enter Laos. This made the shopping trip pretty expensive! Now we just pay the minimal fees involved and get across to shop. Plenty of reasons to go across the border.

Savannakhet is WAY behind the times. Charming...a little dirty - well, pretty dirty actually....no litter campaign going on here! The fresh food, veggies, etc., from the local market are great - the meat I try to buy frozen in Thailand....too many flies on the fresh mean!

I love my Lao friends - they are lovely and kind. I have a housekeeper (we're on expat salary) who is a dream.

We eat out a lot with friends - the food is cheap and pretty good at most places. There are a couple of restaurants that are more Western here in Savannakhet - and you can still have a great meal for less than $20. Beware of one on the square that boasts pizza...crazy expensive!!! Try Dao Savan for great food when you want to splurge.

Don't know if this is helpful or not but I brought plenty of extra things in our duffel bags...mostly cosmetics ,etc. Anything that you can't get here that I really didn't want to do without....pack it!!!!! You WILL NOT be able to find it.

Well - I'd love to ramble...need my morning coffee! If you have specific questions please respond to this and I will get back with you! Laos is wonderful....but you need to be real about what you can own here (nothing) and what there is to do here (little) and what you need to survive here (you decide!).....

aveniko
  8/15/2009 17:46 EST

good luck James yea hope no scam. But if all goes well please keep us inform. I plan to move to Laos also somewhere in Nov. of this year 2009.

aveniko
  8/15/2009 18:05 EST

Hi, I plan to live in Savannakhet in Nov. of this year. What village you live in, I mean the name of the village. Are you US citizen and how long have you been living in Laos. Thanks for sharing your experience in Laos.

LaoHap
  9/2/2009 10:48 EST

Really helpful advice. A few more questions for you:

1. Do you need to be able to drive to get around in Laos? If you don't how can you get around?

2. What do you do with your spare time?

3. How bad is the humidity?

4. What do you miss from back home most other than friends and family

5. What'd the best thing about living there in your opinion

6. Have you done any meditation since being there?

All sounds pretty negative but I know about soe of the good stuff so want to hear about the other side

Elise
  10/6/2009 04:49 EST

1. No you don't have to, but will make things a lot easier. Although traffic is crazy in Vientiane and becoming worse very day. People really don't know how to drive and cause a lot of accidents. And as a Falang you are always guilty... Otherwise tuk tuk, bike, motor bike.
2. Relax, drive out of town to national park
3. Terrible if you don't like it. 6 months a year are nearly unbearable according to me.
4. not much, most things are for sale here, or otherwise in Thailand
5. Great social life, nearly everything is very cheap
6. no but a lot of massages help!

paperclip
  10/16/2009 08:17 EST

good info there...

ok, here's where i'm at.. i was in laos last year, and i've got a pretty good business idea that i know would work...

from what i've read on here... can i just get a business visa and start doing business? can it be that easy?

i met a swedish lad in thailand who was burned bad by his thai girlfriend, he wanted to set up a hostel type thing... so, i'm a bit wary.

so, couple of questions i hopw someone in the know could help me with.

1) do i really just need a business visa to start a business?

2) i'd need to rent some land, it's a outdoor activity type thing... how would i go about this?

3) hiring locals and even backpackers... is this all done cash in hand?

4)insurance? i've done tubing... and it all seems very lax... good ol lao.. do i need any....

basicly... is this possible?

cheers

fanhin
  10/20/2009 06:59 EST

I was reading thru the threads and was surprised to see that I posted here before just about a year plus ago.....since then, I have seen some many new posts.....
my plans of moving to Laos is still alve, and seems getting closer....nevertheless, as I search the web for more information like property and others, it seems that cost of starting a small business there to just make a decent living is not as low as I would thought of......would be great if can linked up with some expats who are doing business there, like a restaurant, cafe, or hostel business.....

Dia77
  2/10/2010 03:55 EST

Q6.

Hi! I used to live in Bangkok and there I went to a group meditation every week. I've only been in Vientiane a month but so far I haven't found anything similar.

But it's easy to practice meditation in the temples here. There is weekly meditation every Saturday at one of the temples and it's open to everyone. They practice Vipassana meditation here (sitting and walking).

I'm actually thinking about seeing if my friend can come here every month to lead a meditation and healing if I can't find anybody else, but I would need enough people for a group to make it work.

Take care,
Dia

Johnlao
  2/20/2010 01:43 EST

Alexsin is ok to live with lao girl as long as you have money to take care of her

HelenG
  6/11/2012 12:15 EST

Hi aveniko.
My husband it currently working in Laos for 2 weeks and has had a job offer. I have never been. It is for 3 years in Vientiane, 4 bdr house with maid. We have a 10 mth old son and are trying for our second. My question is, how do you think a child that young would go in such a country & what is the hospital & medicinal situation like? Is there much english spoken there? Hubby says no but hasnt really seen the city due to work. Any advise would be great. Thanks, Helen

pepperdepper
  6/12/2012 00:40 EST

Helen, there is a news portal for people living in Laos where you may be able to find answers to your questions.

www.worklivelaos.com

Good luck!

shareem
  6/12/2012 03:03 EST

Hi Helen,
More and more people are speaking English in Lao. I've lived here for 5 months with a wee one and life's great. Once you get your home sorted and either a driver or drive yourself, life gets free and easy. My nearly 2 yr old daughter goes to Kindy each morning where they teach both English and Lao and she's comes home each day with new words, songs and is thriving. Medically there are two great clinics, the Australian Embassy Clinic and the French Embassy Clinic. Ive been to both and both give a great service and medicines such as pamol. If it's serious there's a reallly good hospital in Undon Thai approx 2 hours drive across the border which we unfortunately spent 4 days there, but it was a private hospital nicer than an hotel.

Personally I'd say jump at it, life is relaxing, there's alot of expats and wives/mum's get togethr regularly.

If you do take the leap and move here, email me and I can show your around and help you settle in.

Good Luck, Sharee

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