Trading Doha for Hua Hin: How One Couple Retired Abroad on Social Security

After eight years in Doha, Kevin and Camille Elliott chose to retire in Hua Hin, Thailand, drawn by a lower cost of living and an accessible retirement visa. They moved with their four dogs and plan to live on about $4,000 a month in Social Security while keeping expenses around $2,500, enjoying a perceived higher quality of life and safety in Thailand compared with the US. They’re adjusting to the heat, language barrier, and a developing expat social scene, but view retirement in Thailand as a sustainable alternative to returning home.