PLEASE HELP ME TO DECIDE. Should we move from Khon Kaen to Hua Hin soon or wait until we have had the Covid-19 vaccine?

[Keith5588]

A bit about myself.

I am age 68 and from the UK, my Thai gf aged 55. We both like to keep healthy. We both play Patanque almost every morning, in the early evening my gf does exercise dancing in the nearby park and I play tennis. We almost never go out socialising later in the evening, ready for sleep about 10:30 pm.  Writing this to explain that we naturally social distance.

We rent an apartment in Khon Kaen. It would be ideal to have the covid-19 vaccine tomorrow and give notice to leave our apartment, but that is not going to happen.

 

There is a low number, sometimes zero people testing positive for covid-19 in Khon Kaen. More people testing positive in Hua Hin but mostly from 2 or 3 factories.

 

Living in Khon Kaen has been good but we feel Hua Hin would be better and it is time to relocate.

I own a scooter, we feel there is no need to have a car but to relocate I would plan to hire a car for a few days.

I am keen to move to Hua Hin, have already details of several clubs, plus of course an occasional swim in the Gulf of Thailand.

 

We would stay in accommodation on a daily basis until we find a condo to sign for a 1 year rental.

 

There is probably less chance of catching Covid-19 in KK than in HH but because of our lifestyle is it so small in both places that it is not worth worrying about? Am I worrying about very little?

 

SO THE BIG QUESTION IS WOULD YOU RELOCATE NOW?

 

Any thoughts and comments very much appreciated.

Thanks

Keith

[connda]

Do what makes you feel safe.  ????

[jvs]

I would give it awhile,just to be sure get vaccinated before you move.

A few months can make a big difference.

 

[Maha Sarakham]

Do you have any underlying health conditions?  If not, then just make the move safely.

[Keith5588]

Thanks for the comments and advice. I am lucky and don't have any health problems, nor my gf, neither of us take any medication and both healthy.

At the moment I'm still not sure.  I have looked at the climate in HH and see that in Sept and Oct there is a lot of rain. So if we leave it much longer then we may as well wait until November.

Sorry all, I'm not normally so indecisive, well maybe occasionally, but my girlfriend said about a week ago that she would like to have the covid jabs before moving, so I would feel guilty if I was too insistent about moving soon and we caught the virus.

 

But I think she is coming around to my way of thinking about moving soon after I decided to rent a car for the move.

 

Thanks again

Keith

 

[RobMuir]

3 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

I am age 68 

Well you are the spot on Farang demographic for HH.

 

I wouldn't put of moving locations because of covid. The numbers in Thailand are still comparitivly low, especially compared to your home country. Very low risk if you take precautions.

 

Personally I wouldn't choose HH to live. In my opinion there are better places to live in Thailand but if you and your young girlfriend like it that is up to you.

[Maha Sarakham]

Might want to go visit Hua Hin to see if it is still in your interest.  It has experienced quite a bit of farang oriented closures since the pandemic hit and continues to get worse as businesses continue to give up on international arrivals coming anytime soon.

[Keith5588]

Thank you for the comments and advice.

Let me first detail my experiences and why I have chosen to give Hua Hin a try.

Before 2017 I had only been to Thailand for short stays, actually visited Cha Am just for 2 nights. I was very inexperienced and Thailand was very different for me. Rightly or wrongly after those 2 nights I concluded that I did not like the “Touristy” places and wanted to live a normal life and so choose to try Khon Kaen.

I had already met my gf Pet and in 2017 I obtained a Non-Imm O-A visa and came to live in Khon Kaen Thailand after renting out my house in the UK.

Had a holiday in Vietnam, then first Thai holiday in Koh Samui, other holidays to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya/Koh Chang.

 

Khon Kaen has been good, I love the warm weather.

I also like the Thai food and have no cravings for Western food.

We play Petanque most mornings and love that.

I am not intelligent enough to learn the Thai language to have a conversation, it doesn’t help that the Thai people we play Petanque with speak Isaan, tennis friends mostly speak Thai. I rely on Pet also speaking English for any sort of conversation with Thai people. 

 

I have chosen to give Hua Hin a try because.

1. I think we can live the same ordinary life there and there will be more farang for me to talk with, hopefully we will make some good friends. 

2. From the internet I see that there is a good Petanque club, 2 running / walking clubs. We did join Hash House Harrier running events in Chiang Mai and Koh Samui which were very good.

3. Tennis clubs including the Sports Arena  and outdoor exercise dancing for Pet.

4. The occasional visit to the beach for some exercise and a swim will be a plus.

5. The air in Khon Kaen seems fine to me but I believe that the air is cleaner in HH.

 

I thought Koh Samui was good, Phuket too touristy when back to normal times, Chiang Mai has air pollution and I feel like a change to be able to have a swim in the sea occasionally.

 

The above are my conclusions.

 

@RobMuir -  I am curious where you would prefer to live and why ……. Thanks.

 

@Maha Sarakham  -  Thanks for your comment. We do not go to the bars or restaurants at night. I am just guessing but as long as we can do the activities I mention above then I feel sorry for the businesses affected but it would not be a disadvantage for us. Khon Kaen has very little farang places and we do not even go to them.

 

Sorry that I went a bit off topic

Thanks again

Keith  

[RobMuir]

23 minutes ago, Keith5588 said:

I am curious where you would prefer to live and why ……. Thanks.

 

 

I thought you might have been a relatively new to Thailand person and just think the HH is ok, but there is a lot better further south that you might not have seen.

 

However considering your interests and situation HH appears to be a perfect match for you.

 

Good luck mate.

 

Your girlfriend sounds like she is a real diamond.

[CharlieH]

I would go there for a month and check it out before "moving". Just go and explore and see how it feels before commiting to anything, then you can make an informed decision having experienced it.

[NCC1701A]

14 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

There is probably less chance of catching Covid-19 in KK than in HH but because of our lifestyle is it so small in both places that it is not worth worrying about? Am I worrying about very little?

I live in Hua Hin and I am 65 years old.

yes there is very little to worry about. everything is shut down here and not much to do.

good time to find super cheap rentals. 

I just go about my business of trying not to die of boredom. 

and you will not be swimming in the ocean here, to polluted. maybe down south a bit. 

 

One thing I have noticed, Thais in Hua Hin are not like Thais up north, I would be interested to see how your girlfriend reacts to HH. 

Edited June 14, 2021 by NCC1701A

[poohy]

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

One thing I have noticed, Thais in Hua Hin are not like Thais up north, I would be interested to see how your girlfriend reacts to HH

Correct i have to agree

We live south of Prachuap albeit in the countryside Mrs. Poohy is from Pra Padeang Bangkok and has worked in southern Thailand Samui Krabi etc as a chef 

She rates this area as particularly unfriendly to outsider Thais (especially Bangkokians)

[Ireland32]

Move Now before you die from Boredom 

[Neeranam]

I'm moving from Khon Kaen to HH next year. 

My circumstances are very different. 

One reason I'm moving is to put one kid in a good school and also I'm near another kid in BKK. 

I'm buying a house there and selling the one in KK, probably, nothing here for us. 

KK was good 20 years ago but not now, and so expensive. 

I'm moving for close proximity to golf and tennis, more foreigners. 

I work online so can be anywhere. 

I wish I had your freedom, it will take a few trips for me to settle and some big removal trucks. 

Where do you play tennis? 

 

[paul1804]

I have visited Hua Hin several times & not for me to live which is why I ended up living in Samui.

Samui is a great place with plenty of sports activites, nice beaches, clean air, very good amenities like supermarkets, shopping, hospitals etc with an International airport. Everything a big city has without the hustle and bustle, I think the best climate in Thailand, also lots of Farangs to speak with but most Thais here are fairly fluent in English, a lot very fluent!! It makes life a lot easier when you don't speak Thai. 

[Stevemercer]

I would just go ahead with your plans to move. The vaccination process will catch up with you sooner or later. In the meantime, the risk still remains low.

 

Too many people have already had their lives put on hold for 18 months because of Covid.

 

But there is nothing stopping you. Don't be hostage to the Covid situation. If you have made up your mind, just do it!

[Keith5588]

Thank you all very much for the comments and advice.

Before we went to play petanque this morning we had decided to go ahead and relocate. This afternoon we changed our minds and decided to wait for a while longer until hopefully the covid-19 situation improves.

  @Neeranam  I live very close to the Sports Stadium which is approx 600 metres West of Kaen Nakhon lake and I play tennis there. I have played a couple of times up past the main post office at the courts opposite the Police Station. Where due you play? I have played some golf around KK but stopped as I much prefer playing Petanque.

Thanks again for all the comments everyone, I am sure we will move to HH, I hope it will be fairly soon.

Cheers

Keith

[Neeranam]

32 minutes ago, Keith5588 said:

Thank you all very much for the comments and advice.

Before we went to play petanque this morning we had decided to go ahead and relocate. This afternoon we changed our minds and decided to wait for a while longer until hopefully the covid-19 situation improves.

  @Neeranam  I live very close to the Sports Stadium which is approx 600 metres West of Kaen Nakhon lake and I play tennis there. I have played a couple of times up past the main post office at the courts opposite the Police Station. Where due you play? I have played some golf around KK but stopped as I much prefer playing Petanque.

Thanks again for all the comments everyone, I am sure we will move to HH, I hope it will be fairly soon.

Cheers

Keith

I used to be a member at Saragan, next to the provincial Hall. Sometimes play at Piman 2.

[onekoolguy]

Hi Keith,

I live in HH and it suits me just fine. It's pretty quiet but the beach is very nice, there are a couple of shopping malls and you can find most of what you need. Rents are very low right now and if you bargain you can find some great deals! The downside is that it is pretty quiet! For years we kept a place in Bangkok and split our time. Now we just go there about once a month for a change of pace. Also until the recent covid wave, we were going on trips around the country frequently. You can get bored.

Best to just come here and spend a few days and look around to decide if it is what you like? I don't think that there is much covid here now? I asked a doctor yesterday and he just said that he was not allowed to talk about it. We are careful but I think that it is pretty much ok?

[spornb]

Look at Cha Am next to Hua hin we prefer it , we live in KK

 

Covid is almost a non event here in thailand, look at the number of deaths not cases

 

motor bike riding far greater risk and the deaths far far greater than covid

 

Go ASAP you may even find better deal on rental, we were in hua Hin 9 mths ago very dead and deserted

[Ireland32]

Air B &B monthly is way to go til you find your spot in Hua Hin , cheap as hell and not  much deposit , if they do  rip you off , I’m doing it in Pattaya, 8,000 b a moth for HiSo places , TechRentalsPattya  on Line app , Great Deals 

Edited June 14, 2021 by Ireland32

[Stargeezr]

Hey Keith there is a Hua Hin Forum, that you could check as well, and the expats could probably give you lots of pointers.

  I stay at Hua Hin for at least a month each visit to Thailand, and 2 weeks at Jomtien beach Pattaya.

    Hua Hin has 3 hospitals as well as the 2 shopping malls, and a Makro at the north end.

     Lots of restaurants to eat at with British, and some other western type dining, as well as lots of Thai

restaurants as well.  The banking is good at both Malls, and lots of friendly staff.  I always enjoy the ocean breezes and

there are lots of beaches at Hua Hin, as well as near Pranburi and south, all within a scooter ride. I usually stay at a guest house

just off soi 94, The Pearl  085 385 4533, it built a new guest house with pool just across the alley from the older guest house.

  If you are looking for a place to stay while you are looking for an apartment.

Geezer

[Keith5588]

@Stargrazer9889Thanks for your helpful information.

[grain]

I've lived in both locations for considerable periods. I'm currently in KK now, for a few days, and IMO KK city is much nicer than HH, and prices are cheaper for many things than HH. On the plus side HH has the beach, has lots of seafood, and has the Hash House Harriers. If you're a beach person than yes go for HH, but if not then I see no advantages in leaving KK. As for the original question regarding covid, then IMO HH is more risky and frankly I'd stay in KK until vaccinated.

[Felt 35]

On 6/14/2021 at 9:35 AM, NCC1701A said:

not be swimming in the ocean here, to polluted.

 

NCC1701A is unfortunately spot on.

 

22 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

I live very close to the Sports Stadium

 

Hua Hin don't have a public sports stadium neither a public swimming pool and IMO and with my small experience from Hua Hin. Made for the Bangkok elite not the general Thai/ Foreign residents.

Felt.

 

 

[Keith5588]

Thank you @grainand @Felt 35  

I had looked at the Petanque club in HH which looked very good, free for 3 months then 1000 baht membership for 1 year. Members play free. Very reasonable I thought. Also the 2 running / walking clubs, low charges or free, also very good. Pet can do the outdoor exercise for the same cost of just 10 baht for an hour. 

All very good and I thought with the benefit of lovely beaches and a swim in the sea.

After your comments I have had another look and tennis seems to be very expensive at 400 per hour at the Arena or at a private tennis club in HH. Also I now realise that swimming in the sea may not be so good as I was thinking, pollution and jelly fish possibly being a problem.

Opinions differ a lot.

I would still like to go and live in HH for 1 year to decide for myself, we would both miss Petanque if that didn't work out well but tennis for me is not that important. The running clubs I am sure will be good.

After all we can always return to Khon Kaen.

Thanks for your comments

Keith 

[ed strong]

From reading your posts in this thread......if i were you then i would probably just do what the gf decides is best, as mentioned women can be a bit bit clicky in Thailand depending on where you come from or your background, so if she is happy there then i am sure it will make your transition alot easier.

 

I would have thought you would prefer it to KK as there's more options for activities however the tennis stadium is a bit of rip off.

 

One thing i would ask if you dont mind, is why your gf seemed keener on the move when she heard you were hiring a car?

[Keith5588]

Hi ed to answer your query.

Pet is very easy going, she is a great cook, actually very interested in cooking, the breakfasts I have are like on "master chef" .... I do my bit in the morning and do some cleaning but it is only a studio apartment ????

The main reason for me is that there are more clubs (not nightclubs) attended by more English speaking people. Khon Kaen has been good and still is but I would like to try living in Hua Hin for a year. 

Due to the Covid-19 and high rain in Sept and Oct in Hua Hin and all the helpful comments it now looks like it will probably be November before we move.

So Pet was much like me a bit undecided due to Covid-19, the virus is low in KK, lower than in HH. There is added risk if we travel to Bangkok then to HH by public transport ......... just a social distancing thing.  Less risk if hire a car.

[Felt 35]

I would certainly not discourage you from move to Hua Hin. Personally I don't live here permanent but my better half work and live here so I'm here 2-3 month and if a "normal year" heading back down South in Thailand for some months and reply. However and as said when it comes to swimming in the sea here which can be done but this year I gave up because I looked as a mud wrestler coming up of the water more often than not in April/May. That the possibility to go to a public swimming pool is no existent disappoint me because its actually says who the place is for and that's not the people keeping the wheels turning. The same with a sports stadium. Not impressed because most major cities, even with less influx of tourist money and property business, usually have this in Thailand. 
What's good here IMO is less traffic if you do not live in the middle of Hua Hin and a more adult audience and generally a milder(less rain) rainy season, but at the same time it can IMO be relatively cool here from November to February at least if you enjoy hot weather 365 days a year.

Btw, you mentioned running/walking clubs here and if you have a link to post that would be great because I never have heard about it.

Felt.

[Keith5588]

Hi @Felt 35 I have learnt a few things, that swimming in the sea at Hua Hin is not so good as I thought and that the True Arena was a public place as the one in KK is public and free or cheap to use. Also there being no public swimming pool surprises me a bit. For me it makes little difference as I intend to stay in a condo building that has a large pool but it does suggest that Hua Hin does not cater for the local people. 

One running club is the Hash House Harriers - it has groups all over the world, there is a group in Hua Hin, the other group is the Hua Hin Trail Runners. You think you can easily find these by a Google Search. 

Keith