Best Area Of Samui To Live?

[koheesti]

What are the best areas of Samui to live? I suspect the super touristy areas like Chaweng and Lamai would be more crowded and expensive but have more options for killing free time and getting along in English (learning serviceable Thai will take awhile). What about Nathon or along the north or south sides of the island?

I know everyone has a different opinion and I'd love to hear them and reasons behind the choice.

[Samuian]

You should have a look at the North Coast, Choengmon Beach, Ban Ban Rak, Bhoput, Mae Nam, Ban Tai, Ban Bang Po, West-Coast as Lipa Noi...any more details -waht are you looking for exactly?

[SamuiJens]

What are the best areas of Samui to live? I suspect the super touristy areas like Chaweng and Lamai would be more crowded and expensive but have more options for killing free time and getting along in English (learning serviceable Thai will take awhile). What about Nathon or along the north or south sides of the island?

I know everyone has a different opinion and I'd love to hear them and reasons behind the choice.

I guess thats up to what you're looking for!

[koheesti]

You should have a look at the North Coast, Choengmon Beach, Ban Ban Rak, Bhoput, Mae Nam, Ban Tai, Ban Bang Po, West-Coast as Lipa Noi...any more details -waht are you looking for exactly?

Well, I live in the heart of the bar/tourist district here in Tallinn where I am now and while it's good to be within walking distance of most everything, the noise from the bars and idiot drunks can get old (even worse are the British stag groups). On the other hand, I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere either. Of course I'd like to be in a safe place where I can keep my rent down to no more than 20,000 baht/month.

I plan to visit for a couple weeks in September and if all checks out OK, I'll move for a year or so. Of course, that's what I said when I first came to Estonia and I've been here over 10 years. I guess what I'm looking for now is an idea of what the pros and cons are of different areas on the island so I'll have a good idea where to check out when I get there.

[Boo]

We lived in Hua Thanon & I always loved the south end of the island. Ban Rak, Cheong Mon & Bophut are getting busier every year but the south is still faily ignored which makes for a nice quiet life. Anything between Hua Thanon & Lipa Noi is good, go off the main ring road & there are some real treasure places to be found, close to the water (not good beaches though)

[SamuiJens]

We lived in Hua Thanon & I always loved the south end of the island. Ban Rak, Cheong Mon & Bophut are getting busier every year but the south is still faily ignored which makes for a nice quiet life. Anything between Hua Thanon & Lipa Noi is good, go off the main ring road & there are some real treasure places to be found, close to the water (not good beaches though)

I'll second miss Boo's quote!

[suegha]

My house is in Plai Laem, and it's a fairly quite area, however, it's close enough to Bo Phut Bang Rak etc, so not too far to go for, well, everything and anything really. For me the south and west are a bit too quite and a bit too far from what I want. I do agree that it's best to go there and travel around a bit.

If you want a beautiful beach, Chong Mon is the best!

[Lite Beer]

We lived in Hua Thanon & I always loved the south end of the island. Ban Rak, Cheong Mon & Bophut are getting busier every year but the south is still faily ignored which makes for a nice quiet life. Anything between Hua Thanon & Lipa Noi is good, go off the main ring road & there are some real treasure places to be found, close to the water (not good beaches though)

I'll second miss Boo's quote!

I `ll third it.

[koheesti]

If I want to be within walking distance (let's say under 500m) of some shopping and a decent bar/pub/restaurant would I be limited to the high traffic tourist areas? I haven't had need of owning a car since 1994 and I don't plan to change now - especially with the famous driving skills I would encounter down there.

[Beachedwhale]

If I want to be within walking distance (let's say under 500m) of some shopping and a decent bar/pub/restaurant would I be limited to the high traffic tourist areas? I haven't had need of owning a car since 1994 and I don't plan to change now - especially with the famous driving skills I would encounter down there.

come and look for yourself as I believe only you will know what you want and Samui is small enough to get around it in a day, to really explore it in a week ... but then again I have been coming here for around 16 years and lived here around 8 years and still find new things and new areas.

your version of quiet versus busy might be different to mine. But I like the Northeast area ... Choeng mon, Plai Leam, Bangrak, Bophut ... I am not saying the other places are no good, but the North East just suits me and my lifestyle... cant see myself moving out in the short term (or the long term either)...

[koheesti]

I AM planning to come down for 2 weeks in September to scout the place out but don't want to waste time looking in the wrong places for an abode. So let me give an idea of what I'm looking for in an answer to my question. Say someone was planning to move to Tallinn and asked me for advice where to move. Here's what I would give:

OLD TOWN - Most complete walled medieval city in Europe hence a World Heritage Site. Flooded with tourists during the day in the summer but the narrow cobblestone streets and charming centuries old architecture make you feel like you are living in a fiary tale - especially when the first snow comes or a Brit stag party stumbles by. Countless bars and restaurants. You won't need a car as you are within a 15 minute walk of just about everything. This is probably the Chaweng Beach of Tallinn (from what I gather). Highest rents around. If you want to buy here, it'll cost around $5400/sqm. Still, the upside is great.

KESKLINN (city center) - The modern part of the city just outside of Old Town. Also the business district. 2nd highest rent in the city. Plenty of new construction and minutes walk from Old Town. Not charming like Old Town but you do avoid the crowds.

LASNAMAE - The concrete monstrosities built in Soviet times. Mostly Russian, nothing to do except maybe get beaten up. Expect to use taxis/buses everyday as you're far from the action. You don't want to live here.

KOPLI - Like Lasnamae except closer to Old Town. You don't want to live here.

MUSTAMAE - Like Lasname but much greener and safer. Expect to use taxis/buses everyday as you're far from the action. You might want to live here if you like it more quiet and a cheaper rent.

KADRIORG - About a 20 minute walk from Old Town. Named after the large park and small palace (now the President's residence) founded by Catherine the Great. Probably the third highest rents in town, very green, nice early 20th Century architecture. At the end of the tram line so mass tran is still convenient. Also closest to Pirita Beach (30 min walk). I know it's not Thailand but I spent 9 years in Florida and it's a lot better than a lot of the Atlantic coast beaches.

Based on that info the person should be able to narrow down their search. But I know I'm asking a lot. So if someone is bored or doesn't mind typing so much, I'd appreciate it. Or heck, I've got 7 months, add a new area each week.

Oh, and sorry for filling a tropical island forum with descriptions of a place that barely gets sunshine in the winter.

[SamuiJens]

I AM planning to come down for 2 weeks in September to scout the place out but don't want to waste time looking in the wrong places for an abode. So let me give an idea of what I'm looking for in an answer to my question. Say someone was planning to move to Tallinn and asked me for advice where to move. Here's what I would give:

OLD TOWN - Most complete walled medieval city in Europe hence a World Heritage Site. Flooded with tourists during the day in the summer but the narrow cobblestone streets and charming centuries old architecture make you feel like you are living in a fiary tale - especially when the first snow comes or a Brit stag party stumbles by. Countless bars and restaurants. You won't need a car as you are within a 15 minute walk of just about everything. This is probably the Chaweng Beach of Tallinn (from what I gather). Highest rents around. If you want to buy here, it'll cost around $5400/sqm. Still, the upside is great.

KESKLINN (city center) - The modern part of the city just outside of Old Town. Also the business district. 2nd highest rent in the city. Plenty of new construction and minutes walk from Old Town. Not charming like Old Town but you do avoid the crowds.

LASNAMAE - The concrete monstrosities built in Soviet times. Mostly Russian, nothing to do except maybe get beaten up. Expect to use taxis/buses everyday as you're far from the action. You don't want to live here.

KOPLI - Like Lasnamae except closer to Old Town. You don't want to live here.

MUSTAMAE - Like Lasname but much greener and safer. Expect to use taxis/buses everyday as you're far from the action. You might want to live here if you like it more quiet and a cheaper rent.

KADRIORG - About a 20 minute walk from Old Town. Named after the large park and small palace (now the President's residence) founded by Catherine the Great. Probably the third highest rents in town, very green, nice early 20th Century architecture. At the end of the tram line so mass tran is still convenient. Also closest to Pirita Beach (30 min walk). I know it's not Thailand but I spent 9 years in Florida and it's a lot better than a lot of the Atlantic coast beaches.

Based on that info the person should be able to narrow down their search. But I know I'm asking a lot. So if someone is bored or doesn't mind typing so much, I'd appreciate it. Or heck, I've got 7 months, add a new area each week.

Oh, and sorry for filling a tropical island forum with descriptions of a place that barely gets sunshine in the winter.

Around bang Rak would be for you, close to the old town-Chaweng.

[RAZZELL]

make you feel like you are living in a fiary tale - especially when the first snow comes or a Brit stag party stumbles by.

I think you meant nightmare

What about Ban Taling Ngam ? Anyone live there?

RAZZ

[koheesti]

make you feel like you are living in a fiary tale - especially when the first snow comes or a Brit stag party stumbles by.

I think you meant nightmare

What about Ban Taling Ngam ? Anyone live there?

RAZZ

Boy, you got that right! Too many thoughts racing around at the same time and those nasty stags got mixed up with the fairy tale. Maybe because the groom sometimes dresses up a Little Bo Peep? Anyway, they are the nightmare part for sure. Thanks for catching that.

Edited February 16, 2007 by koheesti

[SamuiJens]

make you feel like you are living in a fiary tale - especially when the first snow comes or a Brit stag party stumbles by.

I think you meant nightmare

What about Ban Taling Ngam ? Anyone live there?

RAZZ

Boy, you got that right! Too many thoughts racing around at the same time and those nasty stags got mixed up with the fairy tale. Maybe because the groom sometimes dresses up a Little Bo Peep? Anyway, they are the nightmare part for sure. Thanks for catching that.

Then forget bang rak, too many bars, girlie bars and farang owned shops(mostly Uk, Italian),not to mention the infamous "ghost road". I'd say between bophut and Nathon, maybe. But things changing so fast , that it up to you to find what you want.