hi from Thailand, planning America

[steveh2112]

hi all, i just found this forum via an image search actually and very excited to start reading through the posts.

i'm from the UK, naturalized US, and my wife is Thai. we've lived in Thailand for 10 years but i'm ready to come back to the states and work for a bit now my wife as a working visa. i'm a computer programmer but at 55, not sure anyone is hiring, so may end up in a home depot or starbucks or something, but whatever pays the bills, i'm not fussy.

i love the great outdoors so we are thinking based around Boulder CO. my ex wife and kids live in Palo Alto CA.

my plan is 8 months/year in USA, 4 months (Nov-Feb) in Thailand. living mostly in a van and shared accom/sublets/house sitting or whatever when possible.

after studying vehicles for a bit, i've pretty much decided on a 2004-2005 toyota sieanna AWD, which seem to sell for about $7000 if you shop around. i want the AWD for spring snow and mud in the mountains and that seems to be the only minivan with it. plus i like toyota, i have a hilux vigo here in Thailand and the thing is perfect. i'd get something like a yamaha zuma 125 scooter strapped to the back of the van for short trips. i have a similar bike here that's pretty much the only vehicle i use day to day.

i have a shopping list of goodies to put in the van if anyone interested:
http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-HMXCR-HITCH-HAUL-Motorcycle-Carrier/dp/B00067MVBS
http://www.amazon.com/Earthquake-11...UTF8&qid=1425865016&sr=8-5&keywords=generator
http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-0125...=UTF8&qid=1425864744&sr=8-8&keywords=car+tent
http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Porta...qid=1425864885&sr=8-6&keywords=camping+toilet
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mr.-Heater-Portable-Buddy-Heater/14710768
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Prime-Pac...opane-Burner-with-Regulator-and-Hose/37193405
http://www.amazon.com/Koolatron-Voy...id=1425892112&sr=8-11&keywords=camping+fridge

so with van, bike and camping gear, plus insurance, gas and a few months living expenses i figure i need about $15000 to get started. then hopefully me and the wife can find enough work to cover bills and maybe pay some of that off.

it seems there are some free and cheap camping places within 1 hour of boulder that i expect to use a lot.

so no real questions at the moment, except i haven't really figured out what to do about internet yet.

steve

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Steve and family! It appears you've done some solid research. I know a lot of people think Colorado isa great home base.

An acquaintance lives 6 months in Thailand and 6 months here, in the USA. Works hard while he's here and then lives like a king in Thailand. He's been doing it for years.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

sounds like a good plan, good luck and welcome.