The food can't match the north. The nightlife is very limited. Nice drives here and there but so much of the same same. I've tried hard but the Lanna food kills Isaan food and apart from Loei and Bueng Kan it is just dry and dusty.

 

 

We left CM for reasons not related to pollution, we used to just bolt to a random non tourist beach for a few months.

 

Long story short, we were abroad for a year testing that out, then back to rent my wife's besties place in Korat. A great deal, but it was under lien to the bank, which we knew. 

We intended to find another Korat rental, and rent our two places in BKK and CM.

 

Well the rental idea didn't work in CM and were just done painting BKK, so that wasn't any ROI yet, then the bank took the besties place back much quicker than anyone expected, and we had to find a new rental in Korat (wife's family all there) but by then, we too were homesick for CM, especially the wife! Our house there is paid off, and is far superior to anything we were prepared to pay for in Korat.

 

So we bit the bullet and packed up again, and in spite of the disruption and expense, we could not be happier again. 

Lanna is cooler too, even right now in May. And the well water in Korat was atrocious, the bathrooms were all coated in lime scale. 

Come home, mate! ????

One man's feast is another man's poison, you gotta do what's right for you. We are all different. ????

 

just find what makes you happy and be glad you did.

Khao Lak is nice at the moment. You gave it a go. Sometimes good to admit you’re not into culture and temples as much as you thought and get to the beach. 

Although you fight it, Pattaya is calling you

The entertainment in Pattaya now mostly a gogo and that's sad. So many chasing sex money and the weather is stifling and it's lousy beer. The beach walk less cluttered but in repair again and roads detiorating or in repair or needing it. Welcome to wherever appeals.

Nong Khai has potential but its not there. It needs a Central Mall. It needs some more temples. Some better hotels.

 

Udon is a downmarket version of Pattaya. Khon Kaen is a Isaan version of an attempt to be sophisticated. Korat is a poor man's Bangkok.

 

 

Not a fan of Isaan food either, but I kind of like it here in Khon Kaen. 

It has it's challenges but what place doesn't? 

4 minutes ago, bignok said:

Nong Khai has potential but its not there. It needs a Central Mall. It needs some more temples. Some better hotels.

 

Udon is a downmarket version of Pattaya. Khon Kaen is a Isaan version of an attempt to be sophisticated. Korat is a poor man's Bangkok.

 

 

More temples??

4 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Not a fan of Isaan food either, but I kind of like it here in Khon Kaen. 

It has it's challenges but what place doesn't? 

I used to say the same living in rural Florida as living in Isaan:

 

If you didn't bring it, it ain't there.

18 minutes ago, Haveasay said:

The entertainment in Pattaya now mostly a gogo and that's sad. So many chasing sex money and the weather is stifling and it's lousy beer. The beach walk less cluttered but in repair again and roads detiorating or in repair or needing it. Welcome to wherever appeals.

it's true that many people think that but Pattaya has so much more to offer incl really nice countryside and beaches just outside, but many just stay in the bar area

I am quite a fan of Isaan.

 

The scenery is nice for driving.

 

The larger cities have everything you need. 

 

Though it's more a place for retirees. Not a great place for families. No good work or education. Too many cross eyed hillbillies to worry about and the motorcycle culture is deadly.

 

The food in the northeast is definitely better than Central Thailand. Nice barbequed meats, spicy salad, and sticky rice. Beats the ass off eating pad krapao every day, lol.

 

I don't have much experience with northern food, but like the southern food a lot.

 

I like how cold n windy it gets out in Isaan in the cool season and the rainy season is wonderful out there, except the powercuts.

 

I could see myself going back one day.

1 minute ago, jerrymahoney said:

I used to say the same living in rural Florida as living in Isaan:

 

If you didn't bring it, it ain't there.

We also lived in Florida before we came here. (Palm Coast) weather very similar to Thailand and many Thais , Cambodians, and Vietnamese. living there. We actually had two  cambodian supermarkets in our area, and a few in Orlando.  I must admit , IMO, Thai food was better there than it is in Isaan. We were near the ocean  but I always thought about acreage near Ocala. Not much different here. I have my challenges here  I wont lie, but in the balance I like it better here. I like the freedom to do whatever I like in my property. Back in Florida , by the time I got permits. licenced tradesmen, and plans stumped by an engineer....

As far as food in Isaan, both me and the wife are very good cooks, she takes care of the Thai cooking (to my liking) and I whip up a western meal on accession. Probably no different than most others here. 

 

I like Isaan. Our house is on the outskirts of Khon Kaen.

 

But realistically if you were blindfolded and dropped into any Thai city, not by a beach you'd be hard pushed to tell where the Hell you where, since they all look pretty much the same.

 

Obviously there is not the farang bar scene you get in Pattaya or Phuket, but that never interested me anyway. 

I have lived at or near both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans California (Pt. Reyes) and Florida (Melbourne).

 

I don't need to be near (as some insist on calling it ) the Thai Ocean.

 

A minimum 25 meter salt water pool does it for me.

4 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

I have lived at or near both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans California (Pt. Reyes) and Florida (Melbourne).

 

I don't need to be near (as some insist on calling it ) the Thai Ocean.

 

A minimum 25 meter salt water pool does it for me.

Don't need either, but it's a nice option, if wanting to take a dip, or great therapy, for some reason, and very soothing to see & hear the surf.

 

Always some people or critters to watch, while sipping or now. smoking, (away from prying noses) if wanting.  Lowers one's blood pressure naturally (without the stimulants. of course).

 

Hills are nice also, a nice viewpoint does the same, with less motion, aside from birds.  Isan mostly lacks both, except on the fringes of the plateau.  

 

River can be nice, with limestone karsts toward the East / Laos side.  Always some activity going on for people watching.

 

Half a year of not so good air doesn't help.  Along with too many hours from anywhere to escape.

I just don't get excited about sea or gulf waters with pout waves. (Pulau Nias Sumatra Indonesia)

 

12 hours ago, bignok said:

The food can't match the north. The nightlife is very limited. Nice drives here and there but so much of the same same. I've tried hard but the Lanna food kills Isaan food and apart from Loei and Bueng Kan it is just dry and dusty.

New wife then?

1 hour ago, bignok said:

Udon is a downmarket version of Pattaya.

Didn't get out much then while you were here? There's a whole different social scene once you escape 'Soi Sampan'.

 

But first, you have to try and escape.

1 hour ago, Haveasay said:

The entertainment in Pattaya now mostly a gogo and that's sad. So many chasing sex money and the weather is stifling and it's lousy beer. The beach walk less cluttered but in repair again and roads detiorating or in repair or needing it. Welcome to wherever appeals.

But Pattaya isn't in Isaan.

 

Regards,

Confused of Nuneaton.

1 hour ago, bignok said:

It needs some more temples.

Say what ?  

 

Does it need more beauty salons too ?

 

 

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

New wife then?

Some never learn.

I Don't live in Isaan but on its border.

I like the quiet Mountain retreat. I like the peaceful village, don't drink and the bar doesn't interest me one bit, other than eating in some places that have a bar I can't even remember when I last set foot in one ! 

It's great (for me), with the town being 20 minutes drive away, If I want the beach I go for the weekend, that's usually enough for me. 

We all have different tastes, different ideas, needs, wants. If your lucky you make the life YOU want,

 

Hope you found yours.

I am actually seeing Isaan as being more appealing after 10 years living in major tourist areas.

2 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

I have lived at or near both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans California (Pt. Reyes) and Florida (Melbourne).

 

I don't need to be near (as some insist on calling it ) the Thai Ocean.

 

A minimum 25 meter salt water pool does it for me.

Melbourne is nice as I traveled a lot to Satellite Beach for work. However most of my time was at the relatives in Ft Lauderdale. I could never live in Florida. The only things I enjoyed going there for many times were Disney, cruises to the Bahamas, and of course all the boobies one could see on any given day at South Beach.

 

Living in Isaan (Surin area) sucks n my opinion. Boring and not much to do. Hard to find any western items (for home cooking) unless you order online and have it delivered.

 

I lived in Chiang Mai for many years and enjoyed it there but didn't like the traffic or tourist areas. I considered it as miniature Bangkok. The food that can be found there is excellent in my opinion and I do miss the friends I made there, both Thai and foreigner.

 

My favorite place and where  plan to move to in the near future is Nan.

3 hours ago, sirineou said:

We also lived in Florida before we came here. (Palm Coast) weather very similar to Thailand and many Thais , Cambodians, and Vietnamese. living there. We actually had two  cambodian supermarkets in our area, and a few in Orlando.  I must admit , IMO, Thai food was better there than it is in Isaan. We were near the ocean  but I always thought about acreage near Ocala. Not much different here. I have my challenges here  I wont lie, but in the balance I like it better here. I like the freedom to do whatever I like in my property. Back in Florida , by the time I got permits. licenced tradesmen, and plans stumped by an engineer....

As far as food in Isaan, both me and the wife are very good cooks, she takes care of the Thai cooking (to my liking) and I whip up a western meal on accession. Probably no different than most others here. 

 

But if I recall in Issan you had super noisy neighbours. Or nearby dogs. Or both. That alone would get me out of there. Seriously. 

1 minute ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

But if I recall in Issan you had super noisy neighbours. Or nearby dogs. Or both. That alone would get me out of there. Seriously. 

You forgot loud speakers from the Wats or from the village head, but that's pretty much everywhere, so choose wisely when picking up place to live.

 

You can get away from all that, but that might mean getting away from easier every day living, choices choices choices.

 

As always, one size doesn't fit all.

I spent a month in that area and it was more than enough for me. Every day the same boring routine, and the gf's family trying to mooch off me.

 

Glad I visited, even more glad to be gone.

4 hours ago, 2009 said:

No good work or education

Benjamarachutit School; Nakhorn Sri Thammarat, listed as 12th best high school in Thailand

Benjamarachutit School; Ubol Ratchathani, listed as 15th best high school in Thailand

Khon Kaen Wittayayon School; Khon Kaen, listed as 28th best high school in Thailand

Ratchasima Witthayalai; Nakhorn Ratchasima, listed as 31st best high school in Thailand

 Satit Demonstration School of Khon Kaen University; Khon Kaen, listed as 32nd best high school in Thailand

Kaen Nakhon Wittayalai School; Khon Kaen, listed as 45th best high school in Thailand

Suranaree School; Nakhorn Ratchasima, listed as 46th best high school in Thailand

 

Khon Kaen university is listed as 6th best university in Thailand

Suranaree University of Technology is listed as 18th best university in Thailand

Korat Rajabhat university listed as 42nd best university in Thailand

Udon Thani Rajabhat university listed 43rd best university in Thailand

Sisaket Rajabhat university listed as 50th best university in Thailand

 

????

 

4 hours ago, 2009 said:

More temples??

In the city yes.