I'M LEAVING ENGLAND AND I'M NEVER COMING BACK: HERE ARE MY REASONS 

It always feels better to be a foreigner in a foreign land, than being a foreigner in your own land.

I’m 82 years old and I left England 60 years ago promising never to return, and I’ve kept my promise.

I retired at 60 and moved over here with my (then) partner. I've been here just about 8 years and have no plans to move back, I went back over 5 years ago for a wedding but, that was the last time. I look at the state of the country now and see nothing that would entice me. Having spent 44 years in the Army and the police I think I've done my bit and deserve to spend my retirement in the sun. Good luck on your retirement and your future travels.

'I'm not a drinker... Only 3 pints with my meal' 🤣

Well, this didn’t age well but hope you make a full recovery, Eddie.

Good for you Eddy, I’ve been on my retirement Visa for only 4 months and have settled well in Jomtien , it’s so much different than being on holiday now that I have a routine and got my fav places to go.The costs come down dramatically after a few months if you can keep out of a relationship and the want of horizontal Olympics does get less which saves a load also,I’ll see you around👍

Mans making a video about how he stopped drinking whilst sitting at an airport pub eating fish & and chips and downing THREE pints

Sir i believe you are returning to the UK....hope you haven't burnt your bridges. Get well soon.

Glad to see you doing what you LOVE to do,Eddy! Thank you as always for taking us on this journey with you as you start your retirement! I'm around your age (I'm 60) so I know about the whole "life" equation thing and I can relate! Looking to eventually do what you are doing in the near future. Looking forward to more videos!

well that didn't age well

Drinking will be the end of you Eddy - be warned 🤨🤨🤨

I haven't seen my doctor in about 4 years , I don't have an NHS dentist , miserable weather for most of the year , cost of living up , cost of heating your house up . Can't see why you want to leave Ed . Good luck on your new life . Your video seemed to be in black and white all the way through ( I know it wasn't) untill those last couple of minutes on the beach 🏖️ , when the world turned to colour 😊

Same old . I am leaving UK. NEVER COMING BACK ... OOPS. I am on my way back urgently.. i need NHS treatment urgently......Same old ...

Wish you the best of luck in your new life Eddy! Looking forward to seeing your adventures too! Awesome start with that trip, but well worth it once you landed. All the best Eddy, take care, cheers!

The King of Thai vlogging departs via The Queens Terminal. So fitting. I'm genuinely pleased for all you've achieved in the past and excited for what your future holds. Keep positive and keep vlogging. You're an inspiration to us all.

I'll be in Pattaya for 3 months starting March 1 to get some dental work done. I was in Thailand in 2011, and just loved it. I'm coming from crime-ridden, cold Chicago, and we have problems with migrants like England does too. I'm 69 and I'm testing this out to see if I'm going to get a retirement visa for Thailand.

Good luck Eddy. I did the same in 2006 Had good and bad times in Thailand but after all this time, i still think i made the right decision (@ 48years old). My advice to you.... 1) Dont fall in love & build a house you can never own. (RENT Propery &woman only). 2) Dont become a miserable expat (there are many). Dont worry about things, you cannot change (Thai laws/ways of thinking).

Well done Eddy...you speak for the majority of us Brits born in the ‘50s and ‘60s who understand that our country is completely failing as we speak whilst politicians merely highlight the issues whilst doing sod all. Good luck with your move here. I have lived here for around seven years...the light levels are great, the service industry is superb, its easy to see a doctor and dentist, you won’t see any scumbags hanging around the shopping centres, you won’t pay £50 a day to park your car at an airport, you will have change out of £20 when the plumber comes round and, finally, you have status here, you are not a sad, middle aged loser as we are thought of back home. Good luck with the visa!

If he's having 3 pints of beer at the airport on day 1, you could say he's back on the booze

Eddy, my husband and I left Britain in 2007 and never even returned for a visit . We live in Italy. My husband passed away suddenly on the second of January and I have never known such kindness from people in my life. Do I miss Britain? No. It has lost it's identity and it's heart. Be happy my love. Have a great time in your new home and surround yourself with pretty girls! ❤❤❤❤

Left england in 2014, age 27. Live in china since best decision I've ever made. I travel every month, great lifestyle, cheap to live in china and got married to a young lady too. Don't regret leaving england and don't miss it at all . Good luck Eddie.

Ed, I can't say enough to convey how many good wishes I want to convey to you for this move. When you say 'never coming back to the UK', I hope you just mean to live.... I have heard that the reason 'a year' seems so long when you are young, is because everyday is different. Ongoing change and new things is all part of it. Anyway, enough said, Some talk about it. Some do it. You are opening doors for yourself. You choose where, it's never cold, girls are an option, it's less expensive... You can develop the YT channel to tell people like me who are still 'thinking' about it..... You are totally doing the right thing. I really look forward to seeing how the 'big move' goes by watching your channel. I think watching the last 30 seconds of the video with 30c and blue sky says it all with nicely chosen music. Onwards and upwards Ed. 'Happy New Year'. Happy New Future. 👍

Good for you Eddie, I retired at 58 and am now 78 . 20y in Malaysia.

Hey, Ed. Congratulations on your retirement and your defection to Thailand! I enjoy the documentation of your journey. I made the same move in 2022. It may sound obvious, but living in Thailand is very different than visiting. You will discover things about yourself, and Thailand, that you never expected. Good luck and welcome.

Wish you all the best mate, And hope all your plans work out, Will be following you all the way !! ❤

Thank for sharing your travels and experiences with us. You inspire me to do the same and leave Australia behind for a better life elsewhere!

This aged well

Wow he is returning ! Unfortunately.

Well in mate, have a great adventure Eddie, looking forward to following you, safe travels and best wishes for 2024, cheers.

I am envious and wish you well Eddy. Hope to get over myself and have a plan for the future. Travel safe and ......" Live the life you love." Will be watching your story!

All the very best Eddie ! I think you've defintely made the best the decision for you at this stage of your life and I'm sure it will be a success.

I could almost feel your euphoria as you got into your hotel room. BUT I can also understand that the euphoria is very much suppressed by the fatigue of the journey. Well Ed, here you are in your WONDERFUL new life in a WONDERFUL part of the world. Looking forward in following your story via your evolving channel. 🙂👍

Great stuff Eddie. All the best, and we are all looking forward to lots more videos!

I was 65 at Christmas (2023) 17 years in the Philippines and no intention returning to the UK (Devon) With the wonders of the I/net UK is just a click away, best wishes for the future Eddy 👍

Ive been in Pattaya for month now. Hope I run into you while I'm still out here. Congrats on making the move Eddy! You deserve it!

Not the cleverest thing you've ever said Eddie?

I loved the fast pace of your trip! (Haven’t we all seen enough airline meals and terminal stores? ) You were spot on everything you said ! I just want you to know that you’re quite the inspiration, and I really needed to hear it today. Cheers.! 👍 (content 5/5)

Nice one Eddy, You made the right choice. I agree 100 percent about airports and planes. They are the necessary evil to get you to your dream. I'm 55, and maybe the same future awaits. Nothing for me here after a few inevitable events take place. Parents are not getting any younger. I'm going to need an antidote to my deep sorrow.

Just be careful mate. I spent the 90s and 00s in Asia, working in Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok. I was in my 40s and 50s. I met a lot of “retiree expats”. They were doing ok and having fun at 60, although most of the ones I met had been ripped off, sometimes multiple times. It all sounds fun. Bars, nightclub, pretty girls, cheap food, cheap cigarettes cheap taxis and accommodation. The reality could be very different. Asia wasn’t the safest of places back then, and it still has its problems. There were as many coups as democratic elections, I never knew what tomorrow would bring. Tanks of the streets, Generals on the TV news, hurried explanations from strangers. I was in Jakarta in 98 when to quote Lee Kwan Yew “the entire fabric of the nation collapsed”. 10,000 students rioted, 1000 people were trapped in burning buildings, the police shot at the rioters, the army shot at the police. I was trying to do a deal and ignore government pleas to get on the last aircraft out. The deal fell apart. Natural disasters were a common occurrence. I was in Manila in 95 when Typhoon Angela hit. 96,000 houses were destroyed and 1000 people killed in a few hours. I have seen flooding so bad it was terrifying to watch entire inner-city villages disappear in minutes. Standing helplessly as people wash to their death. Corruption and crime was ever present. Boys would step out of the shadows waving knives. Your maid would steal your watch and say “bad spirits did it”. You GF would take you to some bar, get you drunk then stand there while a bunch of her brothers friends try to mug you. Everyone shook you down for money. Police saw you as a walking ATM. Mid morning break time? They would pull over a white man and hassle cash off him. Park your car on the street and some junior thug would turn up and tell you hell will “look after it” - for a fee. Don’t pay and the tyres are flat or the window smashed. Health and safety were a huge issue. Most travellers spent days clutch stomachs in the bathroom - if they were lucky. Don’t drink the water. Don’t eat some foods. Girls with every disease known to man. Typhus. TB. Lice. Bed bugs. All fun in your 20s and 30s, liveable in you 40s and 50s, but hard going in your 60s and 70s. I regularly met those “retiree expats” who were in mess. Health had gone. They needed surgery and were begging for money to get back to the UK and the NHS. One died alone in a cheap boarding house in Bogor. He suffered from malnutrition, he had given his UK passport as security for loan, he was behind in his rent, and no one even wanted the body. Be aware of what you re getting into.

Welcome to your new life in paradise Edwardo. Look forward to the up and coming vlogs on your new life in SEA. Take care of yourself.

ALL THE VERY, VERY BEST FOR THIS AMAZING NEW CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE, EDDIE! 💪🏿👌🏿🌞🌴🇹🇭✈️🙂

Look what can happen the body in 5 months!!

That was one of the best, most genuine, real and intersting volgs i have watched mate. Brilliant. And thank you. Good on you for sharing your life. I areive for a few days in march and would love nothing more than to have a beer with you mate.

Wishing you all the best ed in your new life .i hope it all works out and you find the happiness you are looking for .good luck .

Inspiring stuff. I'm 63 going on 103 but watching this has lifted me up. Thank you.

Good for you Eddy, wishing you all the best for your new life in South East Asia. 😎

I never regretted leaving the UK. All the best Eddie.

Eddy, Thank you for sharing your life with us. You are very interesting, in an ordinary why. I sincerely wish you happiness in this new chapter, and you can count on me to be faithful viewer. I got a sneaky feeling you are going enjoy this next chapter.

Safe journey, Steady!! Looking forward to hearing more about this amazing chapter in your life

Eddie, wishing you the best as you embark on this new chapter abroad at 61! May this adventure bring you joy, growth, and unforgettable experiences. Safe travels and embrace the journey ahead.

Good luck Steady we are all with you and looking forward to following your new life and i dont blame you mate

All the best Eddy looking forward to seeing what the future holds for you. Keep up the top vlogs.

A day to remember for all of us that nothing is impossible and you never too late to get what you want in life, Show us all Eddy hows it done properly! Stay safe and blessed mate Happy new 2024 year!!!🥳

Good luck Eddie, you'll never be short of friends as we all feel like we've gotten to know you over the years mate.

Great to see you again Ed. All the best to you in your new adventures of 2024!

Nice one Eddie. And I wish you all the luck in the world. Look forward to new vlogs and how you are getting on in your new life abroad. All the best mate .Colin

30+hour journey. Wow. I saw flights on Ana for £550, but i much prefer the fastest possible route. We're of similar age, Ed. I couldnt do the hanging around etc. From leaving the Midlands on train, direct flight from LHR, taxi to Pattaya, 20hrs total travel time, I paid £890 total for train, flight, taxi. Just my opinion, well worth the extra for shorter journey time.

Good luck to you Dude 👏 I recognise a lot of what you say about the UK and admire you for actually doing something to improve your future life for the better.

lol his coming back to use the NHS after slating it, cant make it up 😂😂😂

He did return. And England health system saved his life. Ive given up alcohol as he drinks 3 pints at the airport. 😮

Good for you Eddie. If you decide to plant roots in Pattaya, check out condos in Jomtien. Central Pattaya gets a bit too much if you stay a long time. I have lived in the same condo for three years in Jomtien and plan on staying right here.

It’s heartening to see you make the move. I think many people are happy for you.

Happy New Year Ed! And what better start to the year than living the dream and escaping to LOS, away from the misery! Lucky you! Best wishes......Bill

I hope things work out for you Eddy , I'm on the same page as you regarding to the UK.

I wish him the best. He was smart to have insurance and fortunate to have the NHS. Things could have gone far, far worse. However he is 61 and could pass for 71. Too much British food, too much beer. Probably no exercise. Abusing his body for decades. It eventually catches up with you.

As many here have already said - good on you Eddie and all the very best. I can only imagine how life has deteriorated in the UK over the last couple decades - for some obvious reasons- and living somewhere like Thailand has got so much more going for it. It's heading that way here in Australia...and that's why I'll be out of here in approximately 6 years. Yes we do have lovely beaches and sunshine. But the infrastructure is definitely on the decline. And it's getting bloody expensive here too. So it will be Thailand or the Philippines here I come in a few years. Enjoy Eddie! You deserve it mate.

You sound very committed Ed. Congratulations on your move. Im looking forward to following your journey.

Good luck Eddie .I'll be watching along. Happy New year and a new life .

Good on you Eddie. I'm only 42 but I'm leaving blighty in a couple of months. Unfortunately not in a position to retire so I'll be having to work as I go but I can't be doing with this crappy climate and miserable people anymore. Add on the price of everything here (especially housing) compared to wages and it just doesn't make sense to stay here

Your my number 1 Ed, im so glad i found your youtube channel when i did dont ever change mate.❤

Good onya Eddy Ive been in Pattaya 3 weeks and heading back to Perth Australia in the morning, my door door journey is only 15 hours all up and im dreading it, not sure i could do the UK journey, i admire all you guys travelling so far just to be in Thailand.

Well Eddy the time has come…. Wishing you lots of happiness in your new life. Look forward to seeing the vlogs.

Congratulations and good luck on your big move. I'm 55 and hope to make the big move this year. You're right about how the years creep up on us. I say this is the best time as any to make the move (even more so because the U.S. elections are coming up and I don't want to be here for any of that BS).

"It's like shovelling shit against the tide"..excellent saying, first time I've heard it. hehe.

This vlog popped up on my listing, watched it, now subscribed, look forward to your future vlogs. Like yourself, I got totally fed up of life in south west England and made the move 18 months ago after 15yrs visiting. I don't regret a day. Take care and enjoy.

Eddie good luck with operation. May you be in the best hands and wish you fast recovery🍀🍀🍀

Good for you Eddy, I'm glad you made the move. I made the move in November, I'm here in the Philippines and enjoying every warm minute of it. Take good care and safe and happy travels!

He'll be back for free NHS treatment when he gets gets the clap, and free benefits and housing when his money runs out.

Well done mate for making the big but right move. Ive been here since 2020 and loved pretty much every moment of it. Keep your friendship circle here selective and small. Lots of scammers and wronguns here in Patts Eddy. Other than that you have definately 1000% made the correct decision. Good luck brother 😁👍🇹🇭

Happy new year to you! Must have just missed you. I was in Pattaya from 20th of Dec till Jan 3rd. Back in PP now. Hope see you here again soon.

I have always enjoyed your straightforward vlogs well suited for the not overly rich crowd like me. Being from NYC I love living in this part of the world… Vietnam in my case living in Saigon. I am now retired and only a few months from turning 70 years old and I am never bored and have not been out of Vietnam in nearly five years. No disdain for New York but I am simply happier here with my wife and pets and anyway it’s not like the days of the pilgrims… we have FaceTime etc to keep in touch with family and friends. And so yes… time can build up without going to the home country. I have been to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos many times in the past and would be happy in any of them as the basic elements are all shared being warm weather, warm smiles, great food and many beautiful people not to mention beautiful scenery. No not a paradise but certainly the preferred place to be. Ps. I met my wife who was a Vietnamese refugee in NYC in 1976. We married in 1977. Came here first time together in 1988 and moved here full time in 1995. Regrettably… Vietnam does not yet have a retirement visa and so not as easy to stay long term without border runs if not married. But Thailand really is a great place too. Anyway … wishing you all the best Eddy!

I left the UK 4 months ago, weather & the cost of living were the main factors on leaving. I hate the cold with a passion. Now I start to feel cold when the temperature drops below 20c. Same age as yourself Eddy, now retired. Living in Bangkok, which I now consider home. Do I miss the UK? not one bit

Well done mate ,I wish I could do the same thing, looking forward to seeing your new experience 🎉

Loved the video Eddy. I live in Australia so you just have to expect long hours travelling to get anywhere from here but it never gets any easier especially as you get on in years.

Grass isn't always greener on the side, good luck for having a go.😅

Yes, Eddy! Really chuffed for you mate. I'm a couple of days away from pulling the trigger on a 2 week Pattaya trip in April. That's as good as it gets for me for at least 15 more years, haha! I actually don't mind the super long trip on the way out...I'm usually excited enough to not care. It's the super long trip home that is horrific. Luckily, you don't need to worry about that anymore! Did the first morning in Pattaya feel different, knowing that this country is now your home?

I have only just seen this, but it was worth the wait. THANK YOU for sharing this big move with us. It was compelling viewing. I am looking forward to more uploads on your retirement adventures. I agree with all the reasons for you leaving. I was living abroad, but I returned to England to be here for my elderly parents. But I have the same plan as you for when the time comes! Please stay healthy!! Very inspiring, as are many of the other comments on here.

Why such a long flight when direct it's only 11 hours, but I guess the prices are very expensive now, My guess about £1300 direct or £850 via somewhere / which is twice the amount then four years ago ?

Well you have finally made the break. Best wishes for your new life choice. I left Australia for good 10 years ago at age 66 never regretted a minute since I left. Thailand a great destination to retire. Your choices of Siem Reap and Pattaya were exactly my favoured choices too, so have ended up in Jomtien beach because of the better resources especially medical. As for ladies, totally aligned to not having a relationship at my age, despite the constant efforts of the ladies trying to hook a meal ticket 555.

I’ve Always liked your vlogs Ed. Great edge of realism as you make the final step. Sorry if you have said in previous content - do you have any children? I appreciate they might not be young uns now. Great vlog and can’t wait to see more and how you get on - good luck!

Good luck Eddy, lying in bed watching this in a condo in Bangsaray just down from Pattaya, the sun is shining and life is good really hope it works out for you I’m pretty sure it will , back to Pattaya tomorrow for me for 3 weeks 👍

Hallo Eddy, please advise on the title of your book and publishers. I have enjoyed everyone of your past vlogs, looking forward to the new chapter in your life and travels. Thank you for inviting us along. Best regards Ashley 🇿🇦

@22:40, that fish, chips and peas looks like s**t! You got well ripped off fella. I plan on doing the same as you. I'll be in touch when my journey starts. Best of luck, Scott.

All the best Ed. I'm 50 and I'm saving like mad to retire at 60 to pattaya. Enjoy and I look forward to your vlogs

Incredible news Eddie , watching the vid with interest . You are a thoughtful, intelligent fella so looking forward to hear your reasons .

Congratulations Eddie!🎉 All the best to you mate!🎉

All the best Eddie! Will be watching you adventures here

Best of luck Eddie good luck hope all goes well & i look forward to seeing your update 👍

Good Luck Ed I hope the move works out chap & is everything you wished for.

I think you’re unwise Ed but nevertheless wish you all the very best. I look forward to your updates. You have established a healthy routine and look very well, I hope this move works out for you. I’m 61 and live in the south west too. I have a 12 month ER visa for Cambodia where my fiancée lives and I think having a foot in both country’s is the best option - both for the state pension and easy access to the NHS. Good luck Ed but don’t close the door on the UK.