Samui for Retirement

[ThaiPauly]

Hi

Is Samui suitable for retirees or is it more suitable for  younger people?

 

I would like to have your opinions

 

Cheers

 

 

[bignok]

It's suitable for anyone who likes westernised crowded islands with high transport costs.

[bignok]

Thai islands all ages

Hua Hin mostly older people

Pattaya hmm all ages, all lifestyles

Chiang Mai all ages, good for road trippers

Phuket all ages, westernised

 

 

 

[Tom H]

CM, pollution

Phuket expensive

HH boring after a while

KS traffic accidents and no real good hospital

Pattaya, precariat

why not Krabi or Bang Saen?

Edited August 11, 2023 by Tom H

[OneMoreFarang]

Why Samui?

Why an island?

 

Long time ago when I decided to live in Thailand I also thought about Samui. Exotic island, beach, all nice and quiet.

 

And then I looked at reality: Everything is more expensive: Transport, entertainment, hospital, etc.

And if you are seriously sick then you need medical transport to Bangkok.

 

And then there are all those tourist, many of them forget on which side of the road they are supposed to be.

 

If you still want to go there, then try at least a few months before you make expensive decisions. 

 

 

 

[lopburi3]

Medical facilities could be a serious issue.

[bignok]

19 minutes ago, Tom H said:

CM, pollution

Phuket expensive

HH boring after a while

KS traffic accidents and no real good hospital

Pattaya, precariat

why not Krabi or Bang Saen?

Krabi has bad traffic now unless krabi town which is boring.

 

HH is close to Bangkok at least. 

[bkk6060]

Could never do it full time, there is such thing as Island Fever in my opinion.

 

[marin]

5 minutes ago, bignok said:

Krabi has bad traffic now unless krabi town which is boring.

Krabi town is quite a lovely southern Thai town. Completely clean as the streets are swept each morning. Great Chinese coffee and tea shops to wonder around in the morning. It also has just a beautiful river walk you can jog as well.  A lovely estuary you can travel by boat which is inexpensive and fun. Plus its just an hours drive to Thailand's best hot springs along with an incredible crystal blue pools for swimming. Ao Nang is the dump of the island. 

 

Have you really spent any time there? It was one of my most pleasant surprises in Thailand. 

[bignok]

3 minutes ago, marin said:

Krabi town is quite a lovely southern Thai town. Completely clean as the streets are swept each morning. Great Chinese coffee and tea shops to wonder around in the morning. It also has just a beautiful river walk you can jog as well.  A lovely estuary you can travel by boat which is inexpensive and fun. Plus its just an hours drive to Thailand's best hot springs along with an incredible crystal blue pools for swimming. Ao Nang is the dump of the island. 

 

Have you really spent any time there? It was one of my most pleasant surprises in Thailand. 

Ao Nang isnt an island. Sounds like you have never been there. I've been there about 6 times. Ao Nang ruined, Lanta ruined. Town boring. The only nice spot is Klong Muang beach. The crystal lagoon and hot springs full of tourists.

 

Overall the food is also dreadful.

 

NST is more interesting plus better food.

[phetphet]

My opinion. Samui has a bit of "something for everyone".

 

What you do need to consider is that flights to and from BKK are expensive. Taxis are expensive so most people own or rent a small motorbike or scooter, and rents have apparently increased quite a bit since the invasion of Ukraine. Its probably still possible to find cheap deals though.

 

The island has changed quite a bit since pre Covid. Places like Bangrak, which was an ideal, quieter place for retirees has morphed into a much busier places lined with many of the ubiquitous cannabis shops, and lots of traffic. New bars and restaurants opening all the time.

Minibuses and taxis race here several times a day to meet the ferries to Koh Phangan, which causes traffic jams. Not the best beach due to all  the speedboats.

 

Choengmon and Maenam are quieter, but less facilities. Bang Por even quieter.

 

Lamai, I can't comment on.

The west coast south of Nathon, far too quiet for me personally..

 

Chaweng is the busy bar and club oriented area for young tourists, families and party animals. Also has the Central Festival Shopping Mall.

In saying that, I have a retired friend who prefers to live there because everything he needs; (gym, supermarket, many restaurants and beach) is all within walking distance.

 

In saying all that, Samui is ideally situated for visiting the other islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Also ferries to the mainland. The air is clean. At least for now, and being further south the weather is nice and hot. I like it here

 

 

 

 

 

[bignok]

I think the towns on train lines are better. PKK, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Chumphon, NST if near beach.

 

If you like rivers Nong Khai, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai.

 

 

[marin]

25 minutes ago, bignok said:

Overall the food is also dreadful.

 Ao Nang does have dreadful food, but Krabi town is for Thai's and is delicious. Chinese, Muslim and Thai are all good. Mate I was first in Krabi in 1999, only Ao Nang long enough to get a longtail to Raillay which at the time was heaven. Now gone to sh#t. 

 

By the way you mentioned Chiang Rai to Petchabun. Just back from Petchabun, Khao Kor, I think you would find Khao Kor to Chiang Khan, to Loei a much better trip. Many more back roads and alternate ways to go. Lots of accommodation as well. 

[bignok]

2 minutes ago, marin said:

 Ao Nang does have dreadful food, but Krabi town is for Thai's and is delicious. Chinese, Muslim and Thai are all good. Mate I was first in Krabi in 1999, only Ao Nang long enough to get a longtail to Raillay which at the time was heaven. Now gone to sh#t. 

 

By the way you mentioned Chiang Rai to Petchabun. Just back from Petchabun, Khao Kor, I think you would find Khao Kor to Chiang Khan, to Loei a much better trip. Many more back roads and alternate ways to go. Lots of accommodation as well. 

Been to Chiang Khan. I went to Krabi in March. Disappointed. Not going back. PKK is just better overall. Id rather go back to Chumphon or NST.

[Tropicalevo]

Message for the OP.

Do not make the move permanent at first. Come for a two month stay and look around the island.

The island changes quickly.

Lots of retirees here and still a relaxed lifestyle if you want it.

Quite a few 'snowbirds' come here for 3 to 4 months in the European winter.

If it doesn't work for you then you can easily go to the next place.

phetphet's review is a good one and there are lots of other places to look at although Choengmon is my favourite beach area with lots of good restaurants.

Plai Laem, Chaweng Noi, Lipa Noi etc etc

The south and the west coasts are more quiet and not many tourists It is very much a 'village' life here but with supermarkets. (Including Waitrose.)

5 private International hospitals of varying quality. Insurance is a must. The government hospital has good doctors but long waits.

Return flights to Bangkok are just under 5,000 baht each for residents. Similar prices to Phuket and to Pattaya.

For the last 23 years I have been looking at this view. No regrets. Usually about 300 days of sunshine a year.

[steelerian]

If you get a Bangkok Airways resident discount card, one way flights to BKK are 2750, which is very reasonabale. So ignore the grumpy old sods who say its expensive transport.

 

Samui is a fabulous place to live, for all ages.

[ThaiPauly]

After reading your answers to my question, I don't think Samui would be right for me.

I rely on good hospitals a lot now after a life of deborchary it's been catching up with me lately and I need hospitals.

I can't get health insurance, I am uninsurable, if some of you follow the Health Forum I was a regular poster on that up to a year ago  but things are better for now. 

I am in CM , have been for almost 20 years, only been to Samui once , and that was before I moved to Thailand.

 

Figure I would probably fit in in Hua Hin

I'm coming up 70, have spent a lot of time there recently sussing it out, I have sold my house , I've gotta get away from the annual burning, my doc says it would do me the world of good to "go south".

 

But before I make that leap, I just wanted to throw Samui into the mix and you guys have helped open my eyes regarding why it would not be so good for me.

 

I thank every poster for taking the time to write their thoughts here

Much obliged

[Tom H]

3 hours ago, bignok said:

Krabi has bad traffic now unless krabi town which is boring.

 

HH is close to Bangkok at least. 

Only Ao Nang has bad traffic. You can travel by ship to Phuket and 20 other bigger Islands/Phang Nga area. Living in Krabi is cheaper, good hospital compared to KS and you even have mountains. Of course when you need as a retired person nightlife, go to Patty. 

 

Boring after some years, believe me.

[bignok]

Hua Hin to CM by train suits. 

[bignok]

1 hour ago, ThaiPauly said:

am in CM , have been for almost 20 years

What have you been up to?

[khunPer]

6 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

Is Samui suitable for retirees or is it more suitable for  younger people?

 

I would like to have your opinions

Chaweng Beach is mainly for younger folks and party-people, if you considers to live at that place; however great for elder and non-partyers for shopping, dining and cinema visits. However, Chaweng Noi and the hills are for all ages.

 

Samui is for for all groups of retirees, depending of you personal life style – you might choose an area fit for you, plenty of possibilities – and what you can afford.

 

A few things costs more on Samui than many other retirement options. Fuel is a few baht more per liter, as it's an island and fuel need to be transported by trucks on a ferry. Same for building materials, so construction prices are slightly higer, which means that general home costs – including rental – is little higher. But you can still find accommodation from about 10,000-15,000 baht per month depending of what you need. Another point for home- og rental costs is location; beachfront and sea view can cost quite a relative lot.

 

Air fares too Samui are relative high, but if you can get registered in a House Book – or have a work permit – you can obtain a "Resident Card" and lower air fares with Bangkok Airways, at present around 2,700 baht all inclusive for a ticket between BKK and USM with a Resident Card.

 

Daily needs are about same price as everywhere due to competition between between supermarket chains.

 

You might need to take local transportation into consideration, also as the traffic can be quite chaotic for riding you own motorbike. In daytime – 6am to 6pm – you can use song thaews from about 20 baht to around 120 baht depending on distance. Otherwise there are taxis, but they are relative expensive and the drivers prefer to use fixed prices rather than the meter. A (very) short ride is 200 baht and a medium ride of circa 10 kilometers is 500-600 baht. Having your own car can be an excellent option, if you need to get around, and also for shopping.

 

There are, as mentioned above, plenty of areas to chose for living, depending of what your are looking for and life style. In some areas most or almost all shopping can be within walking distance, in other areas transportation is a must.

 

I've been living here as a retiree for 18 years now, and so far I don't regret my choice. Before I decided to settle on Samui, I checked a number of other possibilities in Thailand; so, get around a see places for yourself, before you make a decision...????

[gearbox]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:30 AM, bignok said:

It's suitable for anyone who likes westernised crowded islands with high transport costs.

The transport costs are high for tourists, not the residents. I use mostly a bicycle to go around, but we have 2 cars and a motorbike too. The fuel is around 5-7% more expensive than Surat Thani.

[bignok]

5 minutes ago, gearbox said:

The transport costs are high for tourists, not the residents. I use mostly a bicycle to go around, but we have 2 cars and a motorbike too. The fuel is around 5-7% more expensive than Surat Thani.

Flights, boats are expensive. Unless people want to stay put.

[KhunLA]

On 8/11/2023 at 7:30 AM, bignok said:

It's suitable for anyone who likes westernised crowded islands with high transport costs.

I wouldn't visit again, let alone live there.

@ThaiPauly

If looking for the island life, consider Phuket instead, as way more options for everything, and can drive off the island if wanting.

 

Living on the mainland, surfside is pretty much the same as living on an island.  Plenty of coastline to pick from, and a lot cheaper than both of those islands, without all the tourist.

 

You only know you're on an island, if you drive around it, or at a 360° viewpoint.

[bignok]

11 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I wouldn't visit again, let alone live there.

@ThaiPauly

If looking for the island life, consider Phuket instead, as way more options for everything, and can drive off the island if wanting.

 

Living on the mainland, surfside is pretty much the same as living on an island.  Plenty of coastline to pick from, and a lot cheaper than both of those islands, without all the tourist.

 

You only know you're on an island, if you drive around it, or at a 360° viewpoint.

I would agree. Much bigger and cheaper than most think.

[EVENKEEL]

On 8/10/2023 at 5:30 PM, bignok said:

It's suitable for anyone who likes westernised crowded islands with high transport costs.

I don't think owning a car and MB is so much more expensive on Samui

[gearbox]

1 hour ago, bignok said:

Flights, boats are expensive. Unless people want to stay put.

It is a proper island. If the transportation was too cheap it would be overpopulated. I'm a beach person and do often kayaking and open sea swimming. Samui has the best weather pattern in Thailand for this, with around 2 months of wet season. Air is clean. No way I would live in a smog infested areas like CM or Bangkok.

 

[marin]

On 8/11/2023 at 1:00 PM, bignok said:

Hua Hin to CM by train suits. 

Seventeen hour journey via Bangkok if the train is on time. ????

 

No direct connection either. 

Edited August 13, 2023 by marin

[Sigmund]

It's fine as long as you rent and never buy.

 

And also if you don't minde being overcharged for everything with the special falang price, like the other popular beach town of Hua Hin where they seem masters in ripping off farangs and overcharge....even if you have a lovely thai wife or a great rent-per-week local girlie with you. But or else, Samui is a lovely place no question of that and you will definately have many nice moments.

[Tropicalevo]

11 hours ago, bignok said:

Flights, boats are expensive. Unless people want to stay put.

Not for residents.