I’m sure this isn’t the first time this has been asked, but I’m looking to relocate to the Chonburi area and need some suggestions on where to begin looking for a place. I’ve visited Pattaya/Jomtien dozens of times over the years but don’t really know the surrounding areas. I’d like to live close(ish) to Pattaya but anywhere within a 25 mile radius is ok as I’ll only go into the city a couple of times a month. I’ve lived in Chiangmai for the last few years, so am a keen cyclist. I’m not expecting anything that compares to here down there, but a quiet area or town with places to ride nearby are a must. Anyhow, I’ll be down there for a month next week so I’m just looking for suggestions on where to start looking. Do Sriratcha, Bangsaem, and Bangsaray seem like good places to start? Maybe around Jomtien or Naklua? I don’t really need to be near the coast so inland towns would also be ok. Like a lot of us, I live on a budget so rents less than 10,000 baht per month would be in my ballpark. I like to eat local food and buy at local markets, so I’m not too bothered about western restaurants etc. - I can get all that in Pattaya. If you’ve read this far and can help, any advice or suggestions appreciated.

I live in the immediate area of Silver Lake, off the 331 Road. Lovely and quiet, but close to the new By Pass motorway, so I can be in North Pattaya in under 20 minutes. 

Nirun condo's start at around 5k per month , 

Last time I walked around there was a farang shouting to me with a I KNOW IT ALL !! 

emblazoned on his t shirt

 

"I'm Pattaya Lou he shouts to me holding his hand out whilst his other is nursing a bottle 🍾 and I been here for 20 years mate and I know it all !

 

You can also  try FLYBIRD condo's too around 4k I heard 

I heard a poster from here lives there says he is 57 but looks 67 ,hard life some of these blokes , 

 

Well at least you will not only pay cheap rent 5k instead of your budgeting of 10k ,you will meet and HEAR interesting people especially in the early hours.

 

FLYBIRD or NIRUN

 

 

 

 

Sattahip is a growing area, great beaches, quieter than Pattaya area and as Sukhumvit and the many flyovers have been completed it takes 20 mins from Suk Pattaya to Suk Sattahip. Bang Saray also popular and on the same road, about half way

I liked the Bang Saray area, nice little beach, good places to eat out etc, easy distance of Pattaya if thats what you want.

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Nirun condo's start at around 5k per month , 

 

There are better places at this price

Lake Mabprachan area would be OK. 11km loop around to cycle plus many quiet nice country roads near by.

https://www.pattayaunlimited.com/mabprachan-lake/

 

Nearby Kull Bar & Apartents has sign outside "Rooms for 7000THB". At front noisy but if back maybe ok?

https://www.kullapartments.com/room/

 

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I'll check out Sattahip, Bang Saray etc. while I'm there. Lake Mabprachan, in particular, looks like it could fit the bill. Just need to see what smaller properties are available in that area.

2 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

 

There are better places at this price

Can you give more details and places?…

Both Sattahip and Bang Saen are unnecessarily far away from Pattaya. Naklua/Banglamung and Sriricha are too busy, though they do offer a local feel. 

 

Beach towns south of Pattaya are great, notably Ban Amphur and Bang Salay. However, the good cycling is on the other side of Sukhumvit. Riding your bike to an intersection and getting across is easily done in theory. In practice, it's a bit dangerous, and I've heard of a cyclist who got hit trying to do exactly that.

 

Given the cycling interest, the Dark Side is probably where you wanna be. As @GypsyT said above, the Lake Mabprachan area's still nice.

39 minutes ago, BKKKevin said:

Can you give more details and places?…

 

Lots of rooms at 5000 baht all around Pattaya. Nirun is complete crap that's not worth even this price

Does the darkside have public transport options?

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Does the darkside have public transport options?

Not really, you would need your own. There are motorcycle taxis to be found, a few phone number and Bolt required. 

He is asking for reasonable quiet locations not skid row as suggested on the forum

12 hours ago, GypsyT said:

Lake Mabprachan area 

nice country roads 

With city traffic 

 

13 hours ago, CharlieH said:

I liked the Bang Saray area, nice little beach, good places to eat out etc, easy distance of Pattaya if thats what you want.

Based on your post the Darkside of Pattaya would make sense especially if you cycle. House or condo can be had for 7000 baht a month. 

But personally if you want quiet I would look down Beach road Jomtien as far down like Soi 19, as a cyclist you can ride further down to the end and head up to Sukhumvit to darkside and open riding areas.

I would also look Bang Saray very quiet beach community is great, 

Fellow cyclist here.  I like the areas of Bang Saray, Sri Racha, and Bang Saen.  All nice areas.  The Lake Mabprachan area might be nice for you as there is some good cycling right there.  There are also a few farang cycling groups both mountain and road that cycle a lot in that area.  

11 hours ago, BigStar said:

Both Sattahip and Bang Saen are unnecessarily far away from Pattaya. Naklua/Banglamung and Sriricha are too busy, though they do offer a local feel. 

 

Beach towns south of Pattaya are great, notably Ban Amphur and Bang Salay. However, the good cycling is on the other side of Sukhumvit. Riding your bike to an intersection and getting across is easily done in theory. In practice, it's a bit dangerous, and I've heard of a cyclist who got hit trying to do exactly that.

 

Given the cycling interest, the Dark Side is probably where you wanna be. As @GypsyT said above, the Lake Mabprachan area's still nice.

Cycling is fine from Pattaya to darkside, most cyclists i know do that without issue, doing 400km a week.

 

last place I'd want to be is Mabpachan area, darkside is overrated 

10 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

 

Lots of rooms at 5000 baht all around Pattaya. Nirun is complete crap that's not worth even this price

like he said details and prices? most better condos are 7k+, guesthouses from 6k

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Does the darkside have public transport options?

Only worth living there if have a family, pets and mandatory pickup, best thing about the darkside is the name

20 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Nirun condo's start at around 5k per month , 

 

 

 

 

 

Nirun is a slum, i wouldn't live there if it was free.

If you love cycling the Silverlake area with wide empty new roads is perfect for you. Only problem would be finding cheap accomodation.

12 minutes ago, jimn said:

If you love cycling the Silverlake area with wide empty new roads is perfect for you. Only problem would be finding cheap accomodation.

Nice area for cycling, no need to live on top of it, easy to get to from Pattaya, Jomtien, Bang Saray etc

One think I don't like in Lake Mabprachan is hot nights, no wonderful Jomtien ocean breeze!

Jomtien/Pattaya beach has "the best weather in the whole Thailand" has been said many times and now I believe it.

 

The other problem is many nasty dogs... one side of the lake is no go zone after dark. They are noisy too and can be howling for 20 min every night many times.

 

So, I'm back to Jomtien for now.

 

I have been told that View Dee resort on the dark side of Pattaya is very reasonably priced and has a swimming pool and other amenities plus a few restaurants and bars nearby . Not too far from the main town . Run by Brian Jacks ( UK Olympian judo winner ) .

 

 

16 hours ago, 4737 Carlin said:

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I'll check out Sattahip, Bang Saray etc. while I'm there. Lake Mabprachan, in particular, looks like it could fit the bill. Just need to see what smaller properties are available in that area.

My ex wife found me a house near the lake for 5,000 baht….very simple place etc. Look around that area. 
 

17 hours ago, GypsyT said:

Lake Mabprachan area would be OK. 11km loop around to cycle plus many quiet nice country roads near by.

https://www.pattayaunlimited.com/mabprachan-lake/

 

Nearby Kull Bar & Apartents has sign outside "Rooms for 7000THB". At front noisy but if back maybe ok?

https://www.kullapartments.com/room/

 

     I was going to suggest the Lake Mabprachan/Pong area, as well.  The bike trail around the lake is very nice.  Fresh market, post office, gas station, local restaurants, badminton courts, pharmacies, and other services are all nearby.  We can jump on the Motorway and be on Sukhumvit in about 15 minutes.   For an intown location I would suggest Wong Amat.  It's quiet and easy to get to hospitals, malls, T21, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.  A number of condo choices in the 10,000 baht or less range.

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Cycling is fine from Pattaya to darkside, most cyclists i know do that without issue, doing 400km a week.

 

I may have passed you on my motorbike (dangerous enough in itself) and the usual thought "What an idiot" probably crossed my mind. Now I speak as a former cyclist myself. Even used to cycle to work downtown (big city, no bike lanes) from a suburb. Loved my light, swift "outlaw" bike at the time.

 

The OP may gauge Pattaya's chaotic streets and traffic against his appetite for risk. Dunno his age, but an older guy really doesn't want even to fall off his bike.

 

Nor is Pattaya known as a quiet town.  I suggest the OP read through the discussion on this thread:

 

 

Posters there also address your "I'm safe in a group" delusion.

 

A group I know, one of whom has had the Sukhumvit experience, transport their bikes in a truck to the Silver Lake area on Saturday mornings. Way to go.

 

On 12/19/2023 at 12:18 PM, Doctor Tom said:

I live in the immediate area of Silver Lake, off the 331 Road. Lovely and quiet, but close to the new By Pass motorway, so I can be in North Pattaya in under 20 minutes. 

 

We live in the same area but a bit closer to Ban Ampur, it is quite, peaceful and affordable plus there are miles and miles of designated cycle tracks all over that area, if you want off road biking there are all kinds of trials just a bit past WatYan area.

 

Accessibility wise the new four lane roads and overpasses to Pattaya / Sattahip in the other direction are great and make it a ten minute only journey to Makro from our house.

 

At the back of Wat Yan / silverlakes on the 331 as Doctor Tom says is the spur to the Bangkok / Ban Chang,  Sattahip motorway.  A 15 baht toll gets you to North Pattaya

 

Beach and sea views and lots of great restaurants along the sea front in BangSaray as well.

2 hours ago, BigStar said:

 

I may have passed you on my motorbike (dangerous enough in itself) and the usual thought "What an idiot" probably crossed my mind. Now I speak as a former cyclist myself. Even used to cycle to work downtown (big city, no bike lanes) from a suburb. Loved my light, swift "outlaw" bike at the time.

 

The OP may gauge Pattaya's chaotic streets and traffic against his appetite for risk. Dunno his age, but an older guy really doesn't want even to fall off his bike.

 

Nor is Pattaya known as a quiet town.  I suggest the OP read through the discussion on this thread:

 

 

Posters there also address your "I'm safe in a group" delusion.

 

A group I know, one of whom has had the Sukhumvit experience, transport their bikes in a truck to the Silver Lake area on Saturday mornings. Way to go.

 

Good advice for those living in fear, luckily thousands ignore that scaremongering