Category: Retirement issues

Some of you drive or take public transport in Singapore.  For me, I can bicycle but not motor-cycle.  No licence too.  However, there are some remote areas in this world where there are very few cars.   Take Vietnam, Laos or Thailand, for example.   I think it is a good skill to be able to ride a motor cycle.  Helps one to get around quickly from the house to the provision shop. or just to go out and get a newspaper.

Hi everybody, as a show of hands, can you ride a motorcycle and has a license?  If you cannot, I guess the only way is for you to find someone who can, and you be the pillion rider.  You dont need a motor cycle.

Terence Seah

Registration list for motorcycle riders:

1. Dan Huang – got licence, but needs a pillion rider
2. Douglas Chan – also got licence
3. Susan Chang – only wants to be pillion
4. KC Lau – can ride, but no bike
5. Jeffrey Lim – got no licence, but can ride one in HCMC.
6. Janet Chan – waiting to ride as pillion for fun
7. Pearlynn – no licence, but want to ride as pillion in HCMC
8. Mary Tan – loves to go motocycling too, in Malaysia
9. Stephen Tan – loves to join a motocycle holiday
10. Ah Nee – thinking of getting a licence too, may be pilliion rider
11. Lina Ng – thinking of being a pillion rider, I guess?
12. Nolinda – only can be sit at the back
13. Jane Wong – also thinking of getting a licence
14. Dolly Lim – afraid this will be a ninja turtle event.  Guess can sit at the back only.
15. Lily Ho – thinks activity for men only.  No lah, can be pillion too. Wonder can sit in front or not?
16. Andrew Koh – got licence, long time no cycle.  I think it is ok.  Needs a day to refresh.

Hi All

My husband and I hope to do a self-drive of the eastern states visiting viz. Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney in April 2009. The plan is to fly to Adelaide or Melbourne, rent a car and then travel up south/north, staying at B & Bs/caravan park homes etc. We hope to take maximum of 3 weeks.

April is autumn time and the weather is cool. If any member is interested in doing the trip/part of the trip, then there can be a few cars driving too. All you need is to fly down and we can meet up. I’ll be sourcing for reasonable accomodation places.

BTW, I’m residing in Perth.

Cheers

Joan

If you know of a place for rent, not for a few days, but from 1 month to 1 year to a few years, please let us know here.  I shall get someone to organise this availability to members. 

The place can be a house, condo or a townhouse.  Location can be Singapore, China, Philippines, India, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos or Indonesia.

Get one digital picture of the place, the street name (exact address not required), city, number of rooms, no. of bathrooms, dates availability, TV, internet, proximity to hospitals, markets and department stores, contact email address, mobile tel (optional), distance from airport and interesting sites and places of interests around the place, and finally the rate on a per week or per month basis.  Dont worry if the place is on the tree top, somewhere up in the mountains, on some rice fields, remote beaches or right in the middle of the city. Once you have the above details, you may email me all the above, at one time please.

Compilation will be done on the internet (www.2GreenDots.com).  Responses will go directly to you, via your mobile number or email address given.  When we reach approx 50 locations, we shall invite one or two members to manage this project professionally. 

Hopefully, this will be another way of getting short-term retirement living or holidays started.  This idea came about from yesterday’s monthly gathering.  Have fun.  Let’s get started.

Terence Seah

We have had a number of discussions on retirement and retirement village.  Ronald Wi (retired) went to Phuket, and we should hear from him.  For those who have not retired, share with us your plans and thoughts.  For those who have retired, share with us your ideas too.

What is your dream retirement?  Please comment on your retirement plan and ideas.

Terence Seah

From Kaushal:

This is a follow-up to the gathering at Kaushal’s place on Jan 4.  With regards to India Trip in Feb/March 2007, it is a simple & easy going trip organised by me as I have a farm house (FH) in Hyderabad (HYD). From Hyderabad, the members can visit to nearby places by 2 or 3 Tier AC trains & buses/cars. One can stay in farm house as long one wants. India is a big country with lots of historical and relegious places of interest, which one can not see all in one visit as the objective is to relax with some sight seeing.

The following is tentative itinerary for the trip:

• Arrive Hyderabad from Singapore by SQ.
• Stay at the farm with the lodging & boarding provided.
• Visit places of interest in HYD.
• After HYD, depart for Bhopal, Jabalpur, Varanashi, Lucknow, Agra, Gwaliar & back to Hyderabad.

Accomodation: 3 star hotel outside HYD.
Transport: AC trains & buses/cars.
Depart HYD for Singapore.

A local person will make all the arrangement and be with us throughout the trip outside HYD.
Duration: 2 weeks to 1 month.
Cost: Actual on ‘No Profit & No Loss’ basis. A general Expense Account will be given at the end of the trip.

Interested to join, please register here.

Kaushal

We are organising a briefing session cum dinner at Kaushal’s house at Lichfield Road (Serangoon Garden, near Chomp Chomp) on 4 Jan from 1730 to 2030 hrs. Find out what it is like to live in India, short-term during retirement. A trip to Hyderabad is likely to be organised by Kaushal in early 2007. Limited to 15 people, $10, if you are having food.  Free, if not having food.

Registered to participate:

1. LH Jie
2. Christina Chan
3. Irene Chan
4. Terence Seah
5. KT Wong
6. Ronald Wi
7. Rosalind Tan
8. Tan S.T.
9. Linda Chang
10. Pauline Chew – unable to come
11. Ronald Li

Ronald Wi is organising the follow-up meeting on Sat, 2nd Dec.  If you like to join in, please add your name in the comments so that Ronald is aware.  We will send you the address via email.  Terence Seah

"Just to update everyone on the upcoming meeting on the 2nd Dec. Will meet at 2.30pm at the same barbecue area. Holland area.   Jocelyne has volunteered her house for the meeting if we so prefer, depending on the number of people and the weather.

I have a friend who will be joining us for the meeting and he will be glad to share his experiences about owning and renting out your condo in Pattaya. He currently owns 2 units, one he bought earlier for his own travel use, as he has a business there in Thailand.  He later found  that is was vaible to buy another to rent out as an investment, bought at $45,000 (S$) for a studio unit.

He has plenty of advice to share, and can tell us more also about the foreigner home scheme and why it may not be right or what to watch for.  He also has advice on how to stay legal and to be protected when owning a property in Thailand, as he has been in and out of Thailand for almost 15 years.

Secondly, after the meeting, Jocelyne, has kindly also offered to conduct another preview of her art and hobby to share her joy and introduce others to this hobby of procelain painting.  I myself and Christina ahve enrolled in her class and must say , it is something i find interesting, unique and something that  opens up a new interest which is rewarding in many ways, to me. I have travel quite a bit, and find that maybe painting the pictures of beautiful places that i have been on procelian adds a new kind of dimension as a sort of documenting my past, my beautiful memories and hopefully leaving a loving legacy behind . 

I have painted 2 plates, one small and one large, maybe can show them to you all (provided Jocelyne agrees to it,pendings teacher’s review ). I have discovered i like painting scenery of Par 3 holes of famous golf courses , that i have played and will play hopefully in future. I find that it does give a totally different kind of satisfaction to other type of painting, as it is easier  to display your plates of keep it or even use it and there is no need to add frames unlike canvas paintings. 

3. Lastly , let us make it an enjoyable meeting , if not just for the sake of having a chat, maybe sharing some good tibbits if anyone wants to introduce any baking skills, or foodstuffs they have of their travel ? As i will be going down to Malyaysia, will get some tidbits to share also.  Terenece , now that i now of your Tiramisu skills , i am almost drooling about it, hopefully , dont have to die waiting for it.  About bread making ,i did it before using the bread machine when i was in   USA. I must say the joy of being awaken up by the smell of fresh bread makes you just want to jump out of bed , and the taste is defintely different from gardenia. Fresh bread, timed exactly to be eateh, is warm, moist ,fragrant and almost melts in your mouth, along with a cup of coffee , expresso also from a coffee making machine, brewed fresh.

Cheers, Ronald Wi"

Discussions before the first meeting https://silverhairsclub.com/2006/10/380

First meeting was held at Jocelyne Soh’s place.  A follow-up meeting expected.  Feedback on the meeting in the comments.

 KL RATED ONE OF THE CHEAPEST CITIES IN THE WORLD- TODAY PAPER PAGE 19

ANOTHER PLACE TO STRETCH YOUR DOLLARS.- AFEW MONTHS IN THAILAND, MALAYSIA,PHILLINES – NO NEED TO WORK TILL DROP DEAD. THINK ABOUT IT. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. DO NOT WORK AND JUST BUILT YOUR RESERVE  . TOWARDS THE END YOU HAVE TO PAY  MANY  MANY FEES.. YOU GOT OPTIONS  NUMEROUS OPTIONS. EXERCISE IT .LIVE WHEN YOUR LEGS ARE STRONG AND HEALTHY. AFTER THAT NOTHING MATTERS.

The numbers are chilling. 22,000 seniors in single households is a rise of 47% in 5 years (see Straits Times Mon 7 Aug 2006, Review Section, Page 21. If you take away 4,000 singles you potentially have at least 18,000 couples assuming both are seniors.

How many senior studios are on plan? 200, 300 or 1,000 tops for the NEXT 5 years?! The global aging is onto us. Not in drips but like the smashing of a meteorite to ground. Just look at a "modern" city like Sydney.

There are 700 retirement villages in NSW alone supporting supporting 35,000 residents of age range 70 to 75. The residents break up into 50% female and 10% couples. If Singapore is to come to par with Aussie retirement lifestyle, then we need to project RVs for a 180,000 senior residents. 

The maths shouldn’t surprise anyone. Everybody knows that there are more kangaroos then people down under. We may be small in size but we have 4 million smiles. The news is shocking made all the worse by the fact that we consider senior at ages above  55 or 62 depending on what you are looking for.

Look at the bright side. Silverhairs should have no problem finding recruits.  Also better step on the accelerator on finding the ideal RV. Long quesues expected anytime soon.

Hi SHC members,

I am planning to make trip to UK, Europe not only to sight see , but also on a Eco-village discovery tour. Such Eco-villages are under  GEN ( Global EcoVillage Network) and are endorsed by United Nations. They have all- year volunteer programmes and also conduct courses on various topics on Eco-village Matters  that are also endorsed by UN. Overall, i would say, the intention is to travel not to just the towns but also the countryside, and  learn from people of different cultures, on the Main issue of living and doing something to care for the environment that is around us. Singapore, in many ways is quite pro-active in being ECO- friendly , from the ways we recycle water,  to be self sufficient and the concept of making a greener Singapore with rooftop gardens, etc.  A very few like Ivy Singh-Lim has even started Singapore’s most well-known back-to-nature countryside living and have expanded into the farming business “Bolloywood veggies”.

Right now, for me it is just to travel and visit  other countries that i have not been to, while i am still strong and healthy. There are many such Eco-villages all round Europe, England, Italy, Spain ,  that have all-year round volunteer programmes,, that you will probably take a life time to visit. Right now,i t is almost the end of summer so it is the right time to visit Europe and then maybe Australia and New Zealand after Dec.   Estimated cost, will be the air tickets, train tickets, and basic meals cost, and hoping to save as much on hotesl by getting free lodging volunteering in the Eco-villages.  I think it is better than staying at some expensive hotel for a night, this way you can meet friends and  stay longer with them.  You get to see and experienced a lot more and you can learn a lot more, of the food, culture , ideas  and at the same time  leaving a healthy life in the countryside.   I believe the Eco-village concept should start with our own body first.  The first village is our body ( it holds our mind and soul )  that we have to keep healthy to serve us for the many years down the road.  So if anyone of you, is free, after retiring and feel you are healthy and strong enough to take on such travel, do consider, to join me.  You are invited to join me at any stage and at any place while i am on the move in Europe,as i may be there for 3 months or more.

Cheers, maybe i will learn how to make heathlier Sheppard’s Bread by then.

Malacca Resort/Eco Village Tour 10/8 – 12/8 (optional day 13/8) Day 1 – Eco Village ( near Palm Resort Golf Course, 2nd Link), Malacca Ayer Keroh Resort, stay at Hotel Puri (original Nyonya House converted into a 4 star Heritage Hotel ) Night eating in Malacca Town Hawker Centre ( Malacca Newton Centre).

Day 2 – Coasting along Tanjong Kling, Tanjong Bidara and arriving in Port Dickson, staying at the “out in the Beach Hotel” with glass bottoms.  Night enjoy local food along the Beach and Quiet evening.

Day 3 – Visit Port Klang and (Malaysia version of Sentosa Cove and Beach Homes ) Phase 1 completed and PHase 2 for booking.  Expressway back to Spore and stopover at A Formosa Resort for Lunch and evening stop over at JB for cheap bargains and dinner.

Welcome to all SHC members to join in, or form their own Car pool groups to join in. Right now i am driving with Dave and Andrew joining me.  Call me or sms me for more info or details 91519301.

I would like to hear views, opinions, experiences and recommendations on living and retiring abroad. Many members have expressed interest in an alternative lifestyle.

We have been told that it is possible to live in Thailand for under SIN$500. Places like Chiangmai, Chonburi and Krabi have been cited as possible locations. Some members have even visited possible locations for a taste of the possibilities.

Here is a chance for us to collate details and share  information specifically on middle and long term experience of living abroad.

I have just retired upon reaching 55 from active work, so finding myself with a lot of time to pursue the
many things i want to do.

Ready to Travel now : Making trips to Malaysia, Thailand, China and Europe, backpacking or budget tour. Very much like to visit the retirement vilage that Vincent and you have talked about, to learn about other cultures, lifestyles and people.
 
Interested activities: Golf, cycling, sailing, bowling, sking,snorkelling,fishing,table-tennis, tennis, badminton, football, darts, nooker/pools ,all table/card games, karaoke, music listening or jamming along,etc. Food, all kinds, local, Burger or Mexican mainly to hunt around or pot-lucking. Currently also re-searching into Qi Qong, and Feng Shui as a study.

Others: Researching into internet small businnes and Investments (CFD in forex,shares,Indices -this is only available with the latest big player IGmarkets, a remisier who works in POEMS says the rates and info
are much better).

Very interested also to explore the idea of the Retirement village in Malaysia, Thailand, etc to study possibility of a time share setup, that way you can spend a few months here and there.

Glad to know all of you here, and Cheers to the founders and committee members of SHC and their good efforts.

Ronald Wi (Allrounder)

Place: Singapore Recreation Club 060522.

1.  Retirement village concept, by KC Lau and Vincent Khoo.
2.  Retail business with imported products, by Christina Chan.
3.  Internet shopping mall and Flea market, by Annie Loh.
4.  Niche products marketing by Ronald Lee.

Although briefly touched upon, other ideas discussed included internet coaching/education and the use of SilverHairs’ knowledge and experience to companies, outside Singapore.

Terence Seah 

A brainstorm meeting was held on Wed 11 Jan 2006 at Atrium Orchard, Dhoby Ghout MRT. Present:  Evelyn, Ann, Vincent Khoo, Ronald Lee, KC Lau and Terence.  Patrick Ang and Richard Kwok participated briefly.

The group looked at short term stays, with a target of SGD 500 – 600 per month, covering shared rental and food. Other topics include retirement village, comparing with retirement homes in Singapore at SGD 1,000 per month. Living costs were discussed, and while it sounded cheaper to stay for short periods, there was general agreement that most will consider Singapore their real home.

There was strong interest to organise short "no frills" travel to see and understand Thailand’s culture and opportunities.  Other interests include organising meetings with International hospitals.

Vincent takes the lead, and a Thailand trip "No fills" has been organised.  The date and time is set for March 21, 2006, Tuesday 12 noon to March 27, 2006, Monday 12 noon.  SilverHairs to organise their own air tickets.

Only 8 persons can join this program.  To take part, simply add your name, by putting a comment to this posting.  Based on first come basis.

Vincent Khoo

Following Vincent Khoo’s comments at the Nov gathering, that he can live in Thailand for SGD 500 per months, there has been interest to discuss how one can live overseas for this amount.

Vincent has organised a 1st meeting to take the brainstorming process further.  The group includes Evelyn, Ann, Vincent, Richard, Li Mei, K C Lau and Terence.  1st meeting organised at Doby Ghout MRT, 11th January.

Li Mei cannot come, last minute something on.  Instead,  Ronald Lee is attending.

I will be pleased to be involved in your activities one way or another. I have diverse interests and have the time. Just tell me what you need.

As far as Silver hair clubs, I am involved in my own alumnis. SJI and NJC for the class of 50’s. Same age so we have something in common straight out of the bat.

Bangkok was my home too for two years when  I was looking after a Thai-Spore JV some time back. Since then, I have always been very partial to the country and love to go back for holidays.  I am toying with the idea of setting up a retirement village in Chiengmai. Tell me about your stay-and-tour plans. I would like to join your activities. 

You are right too. Get out the smaller informal meetings first. Just a coffee anywhere will do. If the interest is strong it will naturally grow and take root. Forcing it otherwise will not work as well.