After years abroad, they retired in Thailand instead of returning to the US. They pay $870 for a 3-bedroom.

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figcaption>The couple said they&#8217;re still settling into their new routine, so they haven’t ventured much into the social scene yet.&#8221;If we’re out somewhere to eat, it’s nothing for us to say, ‘What is your WhatsApp number? Let’s stay in touch,'” he said.

Even so, they said they haven’t fully tapped into that social scene yet, as they’ve been focused on settling in — and looking after two more puppies they recently adopted.

&#8220;I’m probably going to plug into some of the golfing groups because golf is big here. I hadn’t played in years, but I enjoy the game,” Kevin added.

Life in their new home has taken some getting used to.

The couple said adapting to Thailand’s heat and humidity has been a challenge, especially compared to the more air-conditioned lifestyle they had in Doha.

“We are still trying to adjust to the language barrier,” Kevin said.

Even though Google Translate has been a great starting point, it’s not a long-term solution. “Having to pull out your phone, open the app, and go back and forth sometimes wears on you,” he said.

The couple said they sometimes miss the efficiency of getting things done in Qatar and the US, but have learned to adjust to a slower pace.

If anything, the cultural differences have been a positive, especially the friendliness and openness of the people they’ve met.

Kevin says he tries to live by two pieces of advice he once received.

“One, it’s their culture. You don’t have to forget your culture, but plug into theirs. And then two, try to make most of your life an adventure,” he said. “And if you do those two things, you should be OK.”

Do you have a story to share about relocating to a new city or country? Contact this reporter at agoh@businessinsider.com.