Planning our move to Thailand (Bangkok)

We are working on our plan to move to Thailand from the US in a few years. I'm starting to do research now. Are there any members that can give me information on getting visas and what not? We're trying to make a list of all of our options and possibilities. We have a few friends that live there but they're Thai and have no idea about the laws and such.

We'd also eventually be looking for housing. We'd prefer a whole house but as I said it's going to be a few years before we move. At least 6. I want to have all my ducks in a row and know how things operate before we move. ;)