I'd like to spend more time there before deciding whether to get a long stay visa. Initially I might use an education visa to learn the language. An education visa is also for 10years.
Only been to the south like Hatyai, BKK & Pattaya. Still haven't visited the north e.g. Chiangmai, Changrai,... I may decide to spend my time between a few places like Spore, Thailand & Australia. My place in Spore is fully paid for & quite convenient.
I think it would be easier living in LOS than in Spore. Motor bikes & cars are cheap & when you get older they make grocery shopping easier as you don't need to carry the heavy stuff. If you don't like to cook you can either eat out or hire a part time/full time maid to help with the cooking & cleaning.
In Spore getting a maid is a hassle because of all the gov't regulations e.g you must pass a course, you must show that you have enough $$$ to afford a maid, you must send the maid for regular pregnancy tests, you can only hire girls who are X old and above, you must use a maid agency, you must pay a monthly maid levy, ...
In Spore I've lived on private property & in condos. Pte property is quieter but it's harder to keep clean because of the larger area. Condo living is more appropriate when you get older because you don't really need a large area.
Spore is also getting more dangerous with zika, dengue, foot & mouth, bird flu,..... and the influx of foreigners from the 3rd world. Don't forget about the haze problem.