Whats it like living in Udon Thani?

[advancebooking]

If you're currently living in Udon Thani could you tell us what's it like to live there? 

 

What the social life like there? Restaurants/ cafes? 

 

Price of houses on average?

 

I heard they recently opened a new Central Festival? Did this result in any price increases in the area?

 

Are the local people friendly in general?

 

thanks

[CharlieH]

Better to ask in the local Isaan forum. 

//MOVED

[Fritz4]

Udon Thani is a nice friendly place, generally cheaper than Bangkok great parks and facilities, however one word of warning, avoid getting involved with a guy named Charles Law, he is the mafiosi of the area and totally corrupt and out to steal money of you in any which way he can, so be warned, he runs the Kulapaparock City Condos and takes your deposit without refund 

[jingjai9]

I have lived in Udon for the better part of the last 20 years. It is a nice town, not too big, not too small. Most of the westerners here are over the age of 50. Many foreigners have lived in Udon for  a number of years. There are still a few old timers who were stationed here in Udon in the late 60s and early 70s in the Air Force and have been here over 30 years. There is a variety of things to do as you can see on Udonmap.com or a multitude of other websites.

 

Udon has been known for its nightlife and bar scene for many years. In my opinion, I think that is fading a bit. Seems as thought the girly bars are slowly closing down and the nightlife is geared more towards middle class Thais or tourists. Come on up and have a look.

[ndreamer]

26 minutes ago, Fritz4 said:

takes your deposit without refund 

That's kinda common. 

 

20 hours ago, advancebooking said:

Udon Thani could you tell us what's it like to live there? 

we stay at home generally and drink with our neighbors. Our local shops are very friendly. 

 

plenty of bar areas and bars. Most farang go to bar areas near centralplaza theres more outside the cbd.

 

Plenty of markets & Concerts. 

 

Food is mostly isaan but the cbd does have plenty of western food. 

 

We live just out of the city. Very peaceful. 

 

Police are generally nice, we drink with officer in our street some nights. 

[lagavulin1]

There is a Central mall not festival, but its been open a few years now. I guess 5-6.

There are two international supermarkets plus Big C & Tesco carry imported foodstuffs if that's important to you. 

[CGW]

22 hours ago, advancebooking said:

If you're currently living in Udon Thani could you tell us what's it like to live there? 

The spoiler for me with Udon is the traffic, associated noise & the pollution levels can be quite high, pretty much the same as any other NE town, it does get stinking hot in the summer months as well, but TIT.

The people are generally friendly, shops and restaurants leave a lot to be desired if you are coming from an area that has a large expat community, limited farang foods stocked though if you look hard can find.

House prices? whats your budget - land is still relatively cheap up here so the price of property reflects that.

[bluejets]

Different for each person I would imagine.

 

I think it's great, but I'm pretty sure it would not suit my brother at all.

 

Exchange rate is the killer at the moment.

 

As an example, say a hotel which cost 900 baht a few years back, probably the same now or near to it BUT what used to be AU$30.00 is now AU$45.00.

[727Sky]

4 Golf couses 2.5 of which are generally in good shape. Central Plaza Big C and Tesco for pime shopping but there are many other places.

 

I have never had a problem with Immigration or the Cops. Speaking of Cops they started stopping people late at night to see if they have been drinking so many of the bars are just about out of business.

 

I live in the country but I would suggest you rent a house or a Condo before you buy just to get the lay of the land.

[thrilled]

I believe in all Thailand Udon is the place to live. Started going there in 1971.

I don’t live there but I visit it as often as I can. Probably the best place to be in Thailand if your not fond of Asian food.

[KhunBENQ]

About every three weeks I do the 120 km (oneway) to Udon just for shopping.

The only Villa market in all of Isan as far as I know.

Big C (southern) and Central are also better than Khon Kaen (which is closer for me).

And if you care for expat bars and restaurants also better and more choice.

Flight connections are comparable (all domestic so far).

 

Edited December 12, 2019 by KhunBENQ

[Kalasin Jo]

7 hours ago, bluejets said:

Different for each person I would imagine.

 

I think it's great, but I'm pretty sure it would not suit my brother at all.

 

Exchange rate is the killer at the moment.

 

As an example, say a hotel which cost 900 baht a few years back, probably the same now or near to it BUT what used to be AU$30.00 is now AU$45.00.

Yup the reason Thailand seems expensive now as against even a few years ago is the exchange rate not rising prices within Thailand, although they have risen a bit

[Ron jeremy]

Took my friend from bkk there last winter, he was looking at relocating. The age class of expat there is older than most places in Thailand, nightlife is ok but very limited. Same as restaurants.

friendly people, but after a few nights he bailed, could never live there he said. Boring. Guess that's why nobody younger is lving there. Seems like a decent place to settle before your time has come. Seems like everyone was close to that point.

[flyingsaucersarereal]

Udon is okay but not amazing or great. 

 

It has a airport that is a HUGE plus!  You can get all over Asia by just jumping on a plane. 

 

I am in my 30's and have yet to find a lot of expat friends here so I basically just do my own thing with my GF. 

 

It has Central Plaza, UD town and the lake. All of these places are nice but nothing that special.

 

It has a small nightlife area compared to big cities like Pattaya or Bangkok.

 

The traffic at certain times is absolutely terrible if you are driving a car. 

 

It has Macro Big C Tesco all the major food shopping places.

 

You can find farang food but obviously not as much as Pattaya or Bangkok. 

 

I think it makes sense to live here if you have a Thai wife or GF but as a single man there are better places. 

 

It gets a 7/10 in my opinion.

 

 

 

[Khon Kaen Jeff]

On 12/12/2019 at 9:17 AM, Fritz4 said:

Udon Thani is a nice friendly place, generally cheaper than Bangkok great parks and facilities, however one word of warning, avoid getting involved with a guy named Charles Law, he is the mafiosi of the area and totally corrupt and out to steal money of you in any which way he can, so be warned, he runs the Kulapaparock City Condos and takes your deposit without refund 

Get over it and dry your eyes out, hardly anyone gets their deposit back here.

[banagan]

I'm here for 2 days now, leaving tomorrow, back to Chiang Mai.

 

Smaller than CM, less coffee shop, restaurant options, but not too small.

Day mosquitos are pi55ing me off.

Funny little bar street, with lots of old style small Thai bars + overpriced massaaaaa, 300 baht, no thanks. Like a mini Loi Kroh.

The mall is nice, and so is the cinema inside. 

 

Seeing mostly older expats, guess its a slower pace here.

Seems to be less English spoken, they don't even understand my Thai, different dialect I guess...

 

Handy that the airport is close.

 

Found a hipster looking coffee shop to park for the day, they had what looked like a western breakfast, but got a hot dog instead of a real sausage, ah well.

 

 

[tlcwaterfall]

16 minutes ago, banagan said:

I'm here for 2 days now, leaving tomorrow, back to Chiang Mai.

 

Smaller than CM, less coffee shop, restaurant options, but not too small.

Day mosquitos are pi55ing me off.

Funny little bar street, with lots of old style small Thai bars + overpriced massaaaaa, 300 baht, no thanks. Like a mini Loi Kroh.

The mall is nice, and so is the cinema inside. 

 

Seeing mostly older expats, guess its a slower pace here.

Seems to be less English spoken, they don't even understand my Thai, different dialect I guess...

 

Handy that the airport is close.

 

Found a hipster looking coffee shop to park for the day, they had what looked like a western breakfast, but got a hot dog instead of a real sausage, ah well.

 

 

Like every new place it takes a few days/nights to find out where the best places are to stay, eat, socialise etc. And interacting with the local friendly mostly older expats will give you some more information to allow you to enjoy the city more. I personally like the slower pace in Udon compared to other places. Everyone likes different places. Lots of information on the local expat forums too.

[cyril sneer]

To those discussing losing the deposit. 
 

Leave the hot shower running and AC on at 18 degrees for a month before checking out 

 

 

[GeKoSc]

On 12/13/2019 at 12:00 AM, flyingsaucersarereal said:

Udon is okay but not amazing or great. 

 

It has a airport that is a HUGE plus!  You can get all over Asia by just jumping on a plane. 

 

I am in my 30's and have yet to find a lot of expat friends here so I basically just do my own thing with my GF. 

 

It has Central Plaza, UD town and the lake. All of these places are nice but nothing that special.

 

It has a small nightlife area compared to big cities like Pattaya or Bangkok.

 

The traffic at certain times is absolutely terrible if you are driving a car. 

 

It has Macro Big C Tesco all the major food shopping places.

 

You can find farang food but obviously not as much as Pattaya or Bangkok. 

 

I think it makes sense to live here if you have a Thai wife or GF but as a single man there are better places. 

 

It gets a 7/10 in my opinion.

 

 

 

The UT airport is international or all flights are going through Bangkok? 

[CGW]

1 hour ago, GeKoSc said:

The UT airport is international or all flights are going through Bangkok? 

Not international, 25 flights a day to various domestic locations...