Why Jomtien is the best place to live/retire in Thailand.

[beautifulthailand99]

 

 

Don’t mind the haters commenting and adding the cons to the list but as we have a condo there and spend 3 to 4 months living here I thought I would try and see if I could come up with a list of the reasons why if you must live in Thailand then Jomtien is the best place to be in my humble opinion. 

 

1. Close to the international airport - Jomtien Bus Station - just 1 ¾ hours away and 150 baht on a fairly safe big bus. From Suvarnabhumi - you can get the airport link for 40 baht right into the heart of Bangkok and connect to BTS/MRT.

2. On the 10 baht bus routes that can get you to the shops and attractions of Pattaya quickly and cheaply. Similarly, the Thepprasit Road 10 baht bus shuttle connects you to Sukhumvit Road and the white 20 baht buses with rapid connections all the way to Sattahip or Naklua and all the roadside attractions on the way. Also great for getting to the cheap Outlet Center and Tesco Lotus and Baan and Beyond home store.

3. Clean refreshing breezes off the bay keep the air clean and cool, particularly during the high season. This is getting more and more important as Chiang Mai and Bangkok choke. Just don’t swim in the sea! That said I’ve never seen a jellyfish which you see all the time in Hua Hin.

4. Wholesale daily fresh fruit market where you can buy all sorts of fresh produce at bargain prices. I’ve even seen Russian trawling through the 3 baht ‘seconds’ pile looking for a bargain.

5. Home to the weekend Thepprasit Road Night Market one of the biggest in Thailand and the nightly Jomtien Beach night market.With cheap fixed prices on display a tourist shopper's dream. Frequent beach and watersports take place opposite here throughout the year as well. 

6. A wide range of cheap and attractive condos to buy and rent. In particular, bargains are to be had in the second-hand condo market - particularly in the well run and built View Talay Condos. 

7. Next door to the Immigration Office on Soi 4 so walkable from most places to sort our TM30 / Visa hassles of which any long term resident will no doubt have many. 

8. Home to what is probably Thailand’s largest gay expat community congregated mostly around Jomtien Walking Street or ‘Boystown’. Gay culture tends to bring great restaurants, bakeries and other food outlets in its wake and with Jomtien, it’s no exception. 

9.  Whilst Jomtien is really Pattaya/Jomtien you can say you live in Jomtien to which most of your relatives and friend’s back home won’t recognise the world infamous nightlife resort. An added bonus is a nighttime stroll along the promenade needn’t embarrass you, straightlaced auntie when she comes over to stay! Though at the weekend the Thai pickups with their boomboxes may shatter your tranquillity.

10.  If the ‘well known’ delights of Pattaya are what you are seeking then Jomtien will have more than enough for all but the most jaded tastes and if not Pattaya is 15 minutes and 10 baht away.

11. Daily morning fisherman's market on the beach - where for the seafood-loving cooks amongst us is a wide range of cheap and delicious seafood at wholesale prices. 

12. Whilst Russians comprise a large portion of foreign visitors here they are mostly trouble free if somewhat standoffish and sullen. And if the Baht bus is full don’t worry there will be another one along shortly. Oh and some Russian women are stunningly beautiful if you like farang eye candy from time to time!

13.  Many of the farang expats are a class above the Chang singlet/tattoo variety who are more often seen in Pattaya. In fact, at a stretch, you could almost call it Chiang Mai on Sea! Many Chiang Mai residents looking to move out because of the smoke issues during much of the year would do well to check Jomtien out - as would digital nomads. Internet speeds are as good as you would get anywhere in Thailand. 

14. The Food Mart near the end of Thepprasit Road has a wide range of imported food and cooking requisites at relatively reasonable prices. Making your own pizzas - then they have the lot !

15. Pretty much half the price of Hua Hin, its more upmarket sister for just about anything and don’t forget point 1 much closer to the airport.

16. Doesn’t seem to get the periodic rainstorm floods that plague Pattaya from time to time. 

17. Whilst it has some noisy hotspots the area is relatively quiet and lets the 'stay at homes' have a good night’s sleep.

18. World Class Norwegian bands are a regular feature at Linda’s an expensive Norwegian restaurant. It would appear that many Norwegian ‘superstars’ (a small group it has to be said) overwinter in Thailand like their compatriots. Sputnik is one such band and a very big cut above the average Thai churn out the classics folk that seem to infest nearly every other bar in Pattaya. Real music a rare quality in farangland Thailand. 

19. Err that’s it …..

 

 

 

 

 

[guzzi850m2]

Nice to read a positive post for a change and I agree with much of what you say.

 

We live in the Naklua area and we are quite happy there.

 

The singer Kim Larsen has sadly passed away, he liked his beer and smokes and he would rather die that give them up but having a good life instead albeit a bit shorter.

 

Would be interested to know where you live the rest of the year?

[beautifulthailand99]

3 minutes ago, guzzi850m2 said:

Nice to read a positive post for a change and I agree with much of what you say.

 

We live in the Naklua area and we are quite happy there.

 

The singer Kim Larsen has sadly passed away, he liked his beer and smokes and he would rather die that give them up but having a good life instead albeit a bit shorter.

 

Would be interested to know where you live the rest of the year?

Thanks for the compliment. Sorry to hear about Kim Larsen. I live in the Uk Kent just outside of London. Find Thailand just too hot outside of November to March I'm afraid. 

Edited June 9, 2019 by beautifulthailand99

[Kwasaki]

16 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Jomtien is the best place to be in my humble opinion. 

Many people different I hate places like Jomtien.

Your avatar reminds me.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=i97FkO3d_lU

YOUTUBE.COM

[beautifulthailand99]

28 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Many people different I hate places like Jomtien.

Your avatar reminds me.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=i97FkO3d_lU

YOUTUBE.COM

Anyway back on topic to Jomtiem.....

[Peterw42]

+1, I live in Jomtien and enjoy it. 

[Kwasaki]

11 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Anyway back on topic to Jomtiem.....

Of course yeah I'm thinking back on the toilet seat. ????

[beautifulthailand99]

Just now, Peterw42 said:

+1, I live in Jomtien and enjoy it. 

Ta the haters will be along soon no doubt !

[beautifulthailand99]

2 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Of course yeah I'm thinking back on the toilet seat. ????

That would explain the smell then...I should have a 20. Say something about the golf but of that I know nothing. 

Edited June 9, 2019 by beautifulthailand99

[Kwasaki]

Just now, beautifulthailand99 said:

Ta the haters will be along soon no doubt !

Nah jokes aside if your happy OK but come on your humble opinion ain't for everyone.

[beautifulthailand99]

2 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Nah jokes aside if your happy OK but come on your humble opinion ain't for everyone.

Obviously not where would you punt as your favourite place to live/retire in Thailand? (if you must - that bit is important and takes into account our Thai partners and families which keep us tied to the place ?.

[mike787]

14 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

That would explain the smell then...

 

I do not recommend either retiring in Thailand or worse, marrying a Thai national for numerous reasons:

Great Post!  Really!  Your comments exemplify what I am looking for when considering a country to live in, it's just not Thailand for me. 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2019 by mike787

[Peterw42]

OP, you forgot to mention the lack of gratuitous police stops and checks, south of Thepprasit Rd its no longer Pattaya police, helmets and up to date registration stickers are optional, lol.

 

[beautifulthailand99]

You're right Thailand surely isn't the place it was and I certainly couldn't live there full time. Without my lovely wife and family, I would have slammed the door shut long ago. But we are where we are and given those considerations I'm punting Jomtiem as the most convenient/cost effective place to put down some roots (if you have to). Very important not to burn your bridges un your home country too - that can be a true lifeline. 

[HeyHeyHey]

7 minutes ago, mike787 said:

If you like living that Machiavellian existence - fine!  Some people are masochists.  But there are better places to retire.  I suggest looking elsewhere.  Had I not married 11 years ago, I would not now be here.  And if this Immigration dog-and-pony show get much more stupid - I'm leaving.  

 

So you have my take - I in no way recommend staying here other than for a short visit, and even at that there are much better places in this world to vacation

Agree with you.

[madmen]

20 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

You're right Thailand surely isn't the place it was and I certainly couldn't live there full time. Without my lovely wife and family, I would have slammed the door shut long ago. But we are where we are and given those considerations I'm punting Jomtiem as the most convenient/cost effective place to put down some roots (if you have to). Very important not to burn your bridges un your home country too - that can be a true lifeline. 

Take her with you and get your kids a real education

[beautifulthailand99]

6 minutes ago, madmen said:

Take her with you and get your kids a real education

I have no kids and my wife and I live semi-retired in the UK. She has a big and close family though from the South (Yala) so we spend a good deal of time visiting them. By staying in Jomtiem I can hang out in the condo whilst she spends quality time with her folks. I would hate to live there outside of November to March but after I go she will return no doubt to the bosom of her family who will take care till death us to part. My plans are in large part providing a legacy and ensuring she will be well looked after with somewhere to stay and call home. Jomtien is that final resting place.

[Puchaiyank]

Lived there...owned several condos...left there...happier elsewhere...

 

You may change your tune once the luster wears off...

 

In my opinion...Pattaya is the anal sphincter of Thailand...Jomtien is guilty by association...????

[brokenbone]

i dont do baht buses, and pattaya is where its at,

whatever it is that i want

[beautifulthailand99]

18 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

Lived there...owned several condos...left there...happier elsewhere...

 

You may change your tune once the luster wears off...

 

In my opinion...Pattaya is the anal sphincter of Thailand...Jomtien is guilty by association...????

That's certainly an informed view. Pattaya is certainly an acquired taste (as is Thailand for the long term expatriate). Can I ask do you live in Thailand full time, how old are you and where do you live? So I can understand the hill on which you live! See point 9 there is a hill between Sodom and ......Jomtiem. A hill where the air clears, the view opens up and the truth becomes clear. 

Edited June 9, 2019 by beautifulthailand99

[beautifulthailand99]

1 minute ago, brokenbone said:

i dont do baht buses, and pattaya is where its at,

whatever it is that i want

With a fixed income which is more than enough if husbanded carefully then baht buses, it must be.  Keeps it real (whatever that is) and helps you to enjoy the black smoke coming from the adjoining Chinese tour buses.  Motorcycles - too dangerous to won or use. Air-con taxis pairng in Patttaya - we have a good go-to man but it is 200/300 baht everywhere and that's 180 baht to spend on fresh fish, cockles and prawns. Obviously, if the pound weren't so rinsed and I had more money I too wouldn't use the baht buses. Plus never hang onto the back - that could be a recipe for disaster once you've got old bones and wiser ways. 

 

Jomtiem I like to say it is both brilliant and rubbish in equal measure. 

[elliss]

1 hour ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Ta the haters will be along soon no doubt !

 

  YEP , they live live on forums , in their cyber caves, boring ..RIP.

 

Edited June 9, 2019 by elliss

[beautifulthailand99]

2 minutes ago, elliss said:

 

  YEP ,  live live on forums , in their cyber caves, boring ..

 

Have changed my hideous profile picture for this thread. 

[Jingthing]

22 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

...

 

In my opinion...Pattaya is the anal sphincter of Thailand...Jomtien is guilty by association...????

As if that's a bad thing. 

[Jingthing]

I completely agree. 

Jomtien is clearly the best place to retire in Thailand for type of expat that isn't interested in going native.

All the conveniences, reasonably cheap, and easy to get to Pattaya for "bigger city" stuff without being stuck in the middle of it.

[beautifulthailand99]

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

As if that's a bad thing. 

It is a little known fact that Jomtiem was the inspiration for John Lennon's song  Imagine a new first draft has just been found...

 

 

Imagine there's no Thailand

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or vote for

And no Buddhism, too

Imagine all the Thai people

Living life in peace

You, you may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you will join us

And Jomtien will be the one

 

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for condos or somtam

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the Thai people

Sharing all they have

You, you may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you will join us

And Jomtien will be the one….

[beautifulthailand99]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

I completely agree. 

Jomtien is clearly the best place to retire in Thailand for type of expat that isn't interested in going native.

All the conveniences, reasonably cheap, and easy to get to Pattaya for "bigger city" stuff without being stuck in the middle of it.

Sadly there is no I Love Jomtiem image on google images. That said if my Uk family members want to come and visit Thailand for the first time Jomtien will not be on the must-see list. 

[elliss]

1 hour ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Have changed my hideous profile picture for this thread. 

 

 Give us a  profile photo of some in-decent tooty in soi 6 . 

 Much appreciated.

 

Edited June 9, 2019 by elliss

[beautifulthailand99]

31 minutes ago, elliss said:

 

 Give us a  profile photo of some in-decent tooty in soi 6 . 

 Much appreciated.

 

 

[Puchaiyank]

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

As if that's a bad thing. 

Still laughing!   Thanks!   ????