I get what you're talking about. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your home cooked meals at home. If you moved, not so far away you can have a more relaxed feeling and still be near Pattaya for shopping. I'm a good 30 minutes from Pattaya, near the beach, 7-11 and restaurants a 30 sec MB ride away. Thais here couldn't care less about me. And there are many places such as mine near Pattaya. I go to the malls for movies and dining, sometimes a bif bike ride to Soi Bukhao for some beers and back home again.