Phuket vs Hua Hin

[USNret]

I've been in Thailand since January 2020; non-O extension for marriage with Thai wife & 5-year-old daughter.  We've been in Hua Hin since March and became "accidental residents" as this is where we settled in when COVID came.  Thinking now about resettling to Phuket.  Wondering if people can offer comparisons.  

For perspective... we would like a decent international school for our daughter; choices are slim here.  Air is horrible here from the smoke. We hope to rent a pool villa... 2-3 bedroom home with private pool.  What sort of comparative lifestyle can we expect there?  

Thanks

Edited February 6, 2021 by USNret
corrected the date

[USNret]

How's the air there?  It is absolutely ghastly here in HH; choking smoke for weeks.  The normally-beautiful green hills nearby can barely be seen through the smoke. 

[OneMoreFarang]

I didn't live in any of those places but I looked up the weather data a long time ago.

Hua Hin has little rain compared to Phuket and the rainy seasons are different. 

[zzzzz]

as the 1st poster, been thru HH many times since 85 on the way from phuket to Bangkok until 2016 when stopped stopping there and headed up to Cha Am for the night instead,  Never saw any reason for more than 1 night in HH ; Its just a road thru a city>
 

Phuket offers, so much more

Very good international schools will set ya back $20-28,000/year depending on the age of ur child, a 2-3 bedroom pool villa 40-250,000 baht/month.

No way would i say most expats live in Chalong or kathu, they are all over the island

Plus great shopping, golf, sailing, diving, beaches, clubs, dinning, hospitals etc etc.

as its a island very few days/year is the air ever even close to poor quality

FYI:L been here since 85 and raised my daughter thru International schools ( 2001-20012)

[Nout]

Wythenshaw versus Neasden.

[zzzzz]

so u have lived here 10 or 12 years?? 

Quote

.... Phuket where I have lived for ten years. ....Well I’ve been living here for 12 years and being in real estate am involved in selling/renting expats their homes. 

who cares if ur involved in real estate?
 Never said there wasn't a price difference, but you said MOST live in Chalong or Kathu which is simply not true.

 

To each their own

 

 

 

[DrDave]

Phuket has some real bargains for pool villas at the moment.  Looking at the ads that appear in my Facebook (Phuket Buy/Sell) feed, 2-3 bedroom pool villas that rented for 45-50,000 baht/month in prior years are now going for 20-30,000 baht. This may be a temporary blip due to Covid, but locking in one of these for a year might be a good way to get started.

Edited February 6, 2021 by DrDave

[Olmate]

18 hours ago, zzzzz said:

as the 1st poster, been thru HH many times since 85 on the way from phuket to Bangkok until 2016 when stopped stopping there and headed up to Cha Am for the night instead,  Never saw any reason for more than 1 night in HH ; Its just a road thru a city>
 

Phuket offers, so much more

Very good international schools will set ya back $20-28,000/year depending on the age of ur child, a 2-3 bedroom pool villa 40-250,000 baht/month.

No way would i say most expats live in Chalong or kathu, they are all over the island

Plus great shopping, golf, sailing, diving, beaches, clubs, dinning, hospitals etc etc.

as its a island very few days/year is the air ever even close to poor quality

FYI:L been here since 85 and raised my daughter thru International schools ( 2001-20012)

All correct, add in the Int airport and the beautiful beaches and coastal scenery ..Wins hands down.

[Felt 35]

On 2/6/2021 at 12:17 PM, USNret said:

I've been in Thailand since January 2020; non-O extension for marriage with Thai wife & 5-year-old daughter.  We've been in Hua Hin since March and became "accidental residents" as this is where we settled in when COVID came.  Thinking now about resettling to Phuket.  Wondering if people can offer comparisons.  

For perspective... we would like a decent international school for our daughter; choices are slim here.  Air is horrible here from the smoke. We hope to rent a pool villa... 2-3 bedroom home with private pool.  What sort of comparative lifestyle can we expect there?  

Thanks

There are maybe more choices for schools in Phuket but except the schools I think bringing up a child in Hua Hin is more relaxed and safer (except the air) for both children and parents. That aside and IMO its depends on lifestyle and preferences. Hua Hin is dusty, cool to cold in periods of the year and always windy in my experience.  Phuket have some of the best air in Thailand and still bring out a bit of tropical feeling even if cement have taken over a lot of the island. Phuket is greener but also have more or less rain 6 months a year included periods with flooded areas which sometimes can make it difficult to commute and for outdoor activities. When it comes to rental I think great deals can be made at both places this time.

Felt

[Unify]

On 2/6/2021 at 1:53 PM, USNret said:

How's the air there?  It is absolutely ghastly here in HH; choking smoke for weeks.  The normally-beautiful green hills nearby can barely be seen through the smoke. 

The AQI was between about 80 she 127 up until the last few days. Now Phuket is hovering in the 45-90 range. However, usually it's better than that, depending on where you are on the island.

[Caldera]

It's almost a no-brainer, air and beaches are much better in Phuket. The only thing that Hua Hin has going for it in my book is its proximity to Bangkok (if you need that).

[from the home of CC]

that's like comparing Tijuana with Salt Lake City.. 

[Mansell]

The only plus about HH is BKK is close. Phuket is a pretty cool place overall, but a long way to anywhere in Thailand, but amazingly cheap flights to BKK. Just the clean beaches alone make Phuket the winner in my book. Plus the island offers lots of living choices and some good restaurants. You do need a car or big bike in my book. Time for you to move. Did you take a look at Jomtien?

[AJBangkok]

I have places in both HH and Phuket. my personal experience is that Phuket is quite a bit more expensive than HH and the locals are mercenary as far as taking advantage of foreigners. If you have your own transport it’s fine, but when it comes to hiring a maid, gardener,driver, nanny etc or getting something fixed around the house the amount of drama you go through to get a good employee or a fair price is far more than you do in HH. I would agree the schools are far better in Phuket.

[Felt 35]

1 hour ago, Unify said:

The AQI was between about 80 she 127 up until the last few days. Now Phuket is hovering in the 45-90 range. However, usually it's better than that, depending on where you are on the island.

 

Huh...better than most just couple hours ago Talat Yai, Mueang Air Quality Index (AQI) and Phuket Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

 

Somewhat different in Hua Hin but 90 there is actually acceptable  Hua Hin International School Air Quality Index (AQI) and Hua Hin Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

[Harrywonka]

I lived in Pattaya for well over a decade until 2019 and have been visiting frequently since 1994. Visited Hua Hin dozens of times. Have been to 72 of the 77 provinces. Most more than once (Buriram 100 times lol)

 

I put up with the air pollution for the many months every year, with the aid of multiple air purifiers, but finally said enough is enough in December 2019.

 

I took the bus to Hua Hin en route to Phuket. (Phuket being a place I had avoided for years due to the memories of tossing a 5 Baht coin in Krabi city on Dec 24th 2004 which sent me right across to Nakhon SI Thammarat rather than Patong Beach for Christmas…)

 

Was going to stay in Hua Hin a while but, without the air purifiers it was hopeless.

 

I took an overnight bus to Surat Thani and when I woke up in the afternoon in the hotel I was amazed how much better the air looked.

 

Next day I took the bus to Phuket.

 

There was haze in the distance but compared to Pattaya/Hua Hin it was a dream.

 

I stayed at Patong in a 9th floor apartment from December 2019 to June 2020. Right through Covid lockdown.

 

Only real downside I found was the need for your own transport if you needed to get around much. Phuket taxies are expensive but as I was staying about 150 yards from the huge JungCeylon complex I had pretty much all I needed within walking distance.

 

There are cheap non air con buses around doing a few routes if you wish and also an air con one doing limited ones. (Maybe only one route, I never used it)

 

Taxis from Patong to Phuket town seemed to be about 500 Baht so hardly a problem anyway unless you need to do it a lot.

 

Patong was the most “pushy” part of the island but is, for obvious reasons, very quiet for the time being.

 

All in all, Phuket would certainly be the place to be. It is very varied in the kind of lifestyle on offer at the various locations.

 

Excellent health care, at a price, of course.

 

No idea on schools but it looks like others have anyway.

 

I will say,

 

1.As you have a child, get south asap. If you read up on the effects of air pollution on growing bodies you won’t like what you see.

 

2.When you find accommodation in Phuket, even though the air is usually far better than up north, buy some air purifiers. Even if only for the childs bedroom. Best investment you will ever make in your life. I use some now even though I am in the UK for a while.

 

When I was in Pattaya I used ones that exceeded the recommended room requirements by 100%.

 

On bad days, I could open my door and actually smell the pollution.

 

People with no purifiers couldn’t as they were used to breathing in the rubbish all the time. Sometimes it was like a kind of industrial, heavy fuel type stink. Once outside for a few minutes I didn’t notice it. It was obviously still there though…

 

I make videos, as a hobby, on my iPhone, so to give you a bit of an insight in what to expect, take a look at:

 

 

Some travel websites embedded it so even though its got nearly 6000 views there are only 2 “likes” as the sites had no “like” buttons.

 

The early bits are from December 2019 onwards. Notice the haze in the background but still far better than father north.

 

The actual air quality readings online were showing Phuket being hugely better than anywhere north of Chumphon.

 

Seriously, don’t even think about it. Get south and get south now.

 

If you want the name of the place where the 2 bed apartment I stayed at is let me know. It is most likely empty at the moment. It would give you a base for a while while you explore the island for your perfect home.

 

The owners (Indian family) speak perfect English (and Thai and Hindi come to that) and the place is very secure and within walking distance of pretty much anything you need while you explore. 

 

As for a lot of the beaches, well, what can I say. A world better than the ones in Hua Hin etc!

 

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by Harrywonka

[jkcjag]

On 2/6/2021 at 1:53 PM, USNret said:

How's the air there?  It is absolutely ghastly here in HH; choking smoke for weeks.  The normally-beautiful green hills nearby can barely be seen through the smoke. 

I’m in Hua Hin, near Bor Fai..the air and hills near me are clear as a bell...

[jkcjag]

13 hours ago, Olmate said:

All correct, add in the Int airport and the beautiful beaches and coastal scenery ..Wins hands down.

Turn off the through road and you’ll find Hua Hin

[jkcjag]

2 minutes ago, jkcjag said:

I’m in Hua Hin, near Bor Fai..the air and hills near me are clear as a bell...

Never seen so many stars as of late...

[Olmate]

7 hours ago, jkcjag said:

Turn off the through road and you’ll find Hua Hin

The airport or the scenery?

[madmitch]

On 2/6/2021 at 3:49 PM, zzzzz said:

as the 1st poster, been thru HH many times since 85 on the way from phuket to Bangkok until 2016 when stopped stopping there and headed up to Cha Am for the night instead,  Never saw any reason for more than 1 night in HH ; Its just a road thru a city>
 

Phuket offers, so much more

Very good international schools will set ya back $20-28,000/year depending on the age of ur child, a 2-3 bedroom pool villa 40-250,000 baht/month.

No way would i say most expats live in Chalong or kathu, they are all over the island

Plus great shopping, golf, sailing, diving, beaches, clubs, dinning, hospitals etc etc.

as its a island very few days/year is the air ever even close to poor quality

FYI:L been here since 85 and raised my daughter thru International schools ( 2001-20012)

Those International school prices apply to BIS and maybe UWC. Headstart, BCIS, Kajonkiet International are just over half these prices, Oak Meadow under half. And if your kids are youger there are many additional options at a range of prices.

 

Why someone hasn't opened a decent international school in Hua Hin I don't know.

[Fairynuff]

On 2/6/2021 at 3:52 PM, Nout said:

Wythenshaw versus Neasden.

So exactly the same them

[Unify]

17 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

 

Huh...better than most just couple hours ago Talat Yai, Mueang Air Quality Index (AQI) and Phuket Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

 

Somewhat different in Hua Hin but 90 there is actually acceptable  Hua Hin International School Air Quality Index (AQI) and Hua Hin Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

85 right now at the municipal health center in Phuket Town, which is the meter I usually check.

[NCC1701A]

On 2/6/2021 at 12:17 PM, USNret said:

 We've been in Hua Hin since March and became "accidental residents" as this is where we settled in when COVID came.  

if you are not at least 65 years old and completely done I would not live in Hua Hin.

it is very boring as there are not many restaurants, like the small town that it is you see the same people everywhere you go, horrible shopping, terrible beach, filthy air (AQI yesterday was 182) and water and not much to do, maybe golf or volunteer to take care of a elephant. After 9pm it is hard to find  place to eat.   

 

the up side is immigration office will be better than Phuket, everything is it's cheaper, perhaps safer having a child not having the red light areas like Phuket and less police corruption. everything you need in concentrated in one area. Bangkok only 3.5 hours away by VIP bus.

 

have you actually tried to leave yet? 

Edited February 8, 2021 by NCC1701A

[fdsa]

20 hours ago, Harrywonka said:

2.When you find accommodation in Phuket, even though the air is usually far better than up north, buy some air purifiers. Even if only for the childs bedroom. Best investment you will ever make in your life. I use some now even though I am in the UK for a while.

could you recommend any particular model please?

[Felt 35]

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

if you are not at least 65 years old and completely done I would not live in Hua Hin.

it is very boring as there are not many restaurants, like the small town that it is you see the same people everywhere you go, horrible shopping, terrible beach, filthy air (AQI yesterday was 182) and water and not much to do, maybe golf or volunteer to take care of a elephant. After 9pm it is hard to find  place to eat.   

 

the up side is immigration office will be better than Phuket, everything is it's cheaper, perhaps safer having a child not having the red light areas like Phuket and less police corruption. everything you need in concentrated in one area. Bangkok only 3.5 hours away by VIP bus.

 

have you actually tried to leave yet? 

 

Spot on???? The small experience I have had with Immigration and some other governments offices there make you feel in helpful hands which will be a rare experience down South IMO. Have to ???? of the age thing but correct. First time in Hua Hin I felt the home for elderly was around every corner. Another plus in Hua Hin, unless living in the middle of town, the traffic is much much less than in Phuket and that 24/7. 

Felt

Edited February 8, 2021 by Felt 35

[Felt 35]

6 hours ago, madmitch said:

Those International school prices apply to BIS and maybe UWC. Headstart, BCIS, Kajonkiet International are just over half these prices, Oak Meadow under half. And if your kids are youger there are many additional options at a range of prices.

 

Why someone hasn't opened a decent international school in Hua Hin I don't know.

 

Hua HIn International School | (huahinschool.com) / Halio for International Students - ศูนย์การเรียนหัวหิน - Halio International School Hua Hin / The British Educational Children's Center | Bright Start for a Brighter Future (thebecc.com) / Beaconhouse Yamsaard School school in huahin โรงเรียนสองภาษา โรงเรียนภาษาอังกฤษ รังสิต ปทุมธานี ลาดพร้าว หัวหิน (bys.ac.th)

[SEAsia Traveler]

Is it possible to live a walkable lifestyle on Phuket besides in Kamala and Patong?

 

Where are some good places to live within walking distance of everything you need, but not feel like a mark for touts?

[mike787]

Phuket is far more attractive as many have posted.  I would cut off my testicles with jagged rocks to stay there.  It's worth everything.  Hope you enjoy your move.  Have no intel on schools as a vasectomy and divorce has made my life problem free. 

[zzzzz]

13 minutes ago, SEAsia Traveler said:

Is it possible to live a walkable lifestyle on Phuket besides in Kamala and Patong?

 

Where are some good places to live within walking distance of everything you need, but not feel like a mark for touts?

Phuket town, Kathu
just about everywhere else ur going to need a motorcycle or be wasting lots of baht on tuk tuks

Hands down its just kamala wins cause it is a village and lots of locals made it their home long before the farangs arrived.  Even before there were roads in and out  ????