What’s the best area in Thailand for expats to settle for long-term living?

[freedomnow]

The answer is of course 'Luang Prabang'.

[GypsyT]

2 hours ago, freedomnow said:

The answer is of course 'Luang Prabang'.

Close but not quite. The answer is Vang Vieng 😉

 

[simon43]

26 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Close but not quite. The answer is Vang Vieng 😉

 

I've recently lived in both towns.  Luang Prabang is still as beautiful as before, but the numbers of 'locust' tourists in increasing rapidly since the train line opened.  Plus the burning season pollution gets worse every year (and that is what finally drove me to leave..).

 

Vang Vieng might be OK for a short holiday, but as a long-term stay it is definitely not! Thinking of relocating from Luang Prabang, I stayed in VV for 2 weeks, riding around by motorbike to seek out houses to rent.  The choice was abysmal - everything was targeted at short-stay tourists.  Plus eateries were expensive and 'useful' shops (supermarkets etc) almost non-existant.

[BigStar]

10 hours ago, Hummin said:

Also visiting and use all venues as well travelling with motorbikes in the near area, I would choose Hua Hin over Pattaya any day if I had to. 

 

You would.. But the OP and other interested parties must consider that despite your vast travels you know nothing more about Pattaya than does any typically ignorant monger. It's rather like Thais who travel to Paris but never really leave Udon Thani. Serious inquirers should listen to long-time residents such as @newnative or @scubascuba3and see whether Pattaya can't fit most lifestyles pretty well. Many members here have stated their preference for Pattaya over Hua Hin, BTW, based on a number of factors.

 

 

 

Edited September 20 by BigStar

[Cameroni]

On 9/19/2024 at 5:59 AM, Conan The Barbarian said:

Well for now we are thinking of staying here in Bangkok but near Bangna to avoid more crowds or traffic 

 

I win!!!!!

[Hummin]

33 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

You would.. But the OP and other interested parties must consider that despite your vast travels you know nothing more about Pattaya than does any typically ignorant monger. It's rather like Thais who travel to Paris but never really leave Udon Thani. Serious inquirers should listen to long-time residents such as @newnative or @scubascuba3and see whether Pattaya can't fit most lifestyles pretty well. Many members here have stated their preference for Pattaya over Hua Hin, BTW, based on a number of factors.

 

 

 

You wish I was a monger, 

 

Good luck convince everyone else than yourself and alike. 

 

Pattayas reputation doesn't need help from me, it speaks for itself

 

 

All this started with 

"I would relocate to Koh Phangan anytime", and your short time friend started ranting about Pattaya had everything I was looking for, which I did not agree with, since Pattaya have nothing of those things I'm looking for.  clear water, cleaner air and beach bungalows.

 

Stop this nonsens now, you just making a laugh out of yourself 

Edited September 20 by Hummin

[save the frogs]

1 hour ago, BigStar said:

Pattaya over Hua Hin, BTW, based on a number of factors.

well, at least one of those posters had admitted he likes to partake in the bar scene.

 

what percentage of girls living in pattaya are bar girls? 92%? your chances of meeting a non bargirl for dating seem slim there. if that's what you want. 

 

oddly, you seem to play your cards close to your chest and not admit that you enjoy the bar scene. 

 

[still kicking]

5 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

well, at least one of those posters had admitted he likes to partake in the bar scene.

 

what percentage of girls living in pattaya are bar girls? 92%? your chances of meeting a non bargirl for dating seem slim there. if that's what you want. 

 

oddly, you seem to play your cards close to your chest and not admit that you enjoy the bar scene. 

 

I have been to Pats many times and have never been to a bar and have many friends who don't work in the bar scene 

[save the frogs]

21 minutes ago, still kicking said:

I have been to Pats many times and have never been to a bar and have many friends who don't work in the bar scene 

I dont believe you.

Jesus was the only male to ever go to Pattaya and not take part in the bar scene.

Cuz he didnt need cheap sex. He found God. 

[still kicking]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I dont believe you.

Jesus was the only male to ever go to Pattaya and not take part in the bar scene.

Cuz he didnt need cheap sex. He found God. 

Well meet Jesus, I have 4 friends who all work at the Hilton (and no not in the bar) and some more who have their own business I also check on my property in Ratchaburi (not in my name)

[save the frogs]

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

Well meet Jesus, I have 4 friends who all work at the Hilton (and no not in the bar) and some more who have their own business I also check on my property in Ratchaburi (not in my name)

where will you meet jesus?

you tell your wife you're flying to pattaya just to meet up with "the boys" and she believes you? 

[rickudon]

Obviously we do not know what the OP likes. For me, I am not a beach or big city person. First trip to Thailand i went straight to Udon Thani after researching it extensively online (yes, i was conversing with a girl there). Never met the girl, but was pleasantly surprised and felt at home straight away (2008). moved there in 2010, married now with daughter.

 

Plus factors -

low cost of living especially accommodation.

Very little 'Farang pricing'.

Reasonable levels of English spoken

Quite a few retired expats, so some shops and bars serve this community.

Airport only 20 minutes away (for me, as on other side of town). most of city is less than 15 minutes away by car

City small enough you can actually walk everywhere if you have to.

Good weather in cool season.

Few tourists

Quite a few women in their 30s and 40s looking for a partner 

Air quality rarely bad.

Good road system.

Reasonable hospitals.

 

Negative factors -

Hot season is hot!

Wet season is humid and still quite hot

Not a beautiful city, just OK

Not a city for the younger expat.

 

[sidjameson]

57 minutes ago, rickudon said:

Obviously we do not know what the OP likes. For me, I am not a beach or big city person. First trip to Thailand i went straight to Udon Thani after researching it extensively online (yes, i was conversing with a girl there). Never met the girl, but was pleasantly surprised and felt at home straight away (2008). moved there in 2010, married now with daughter.

 

Plus factors -

low cost of living especially accommodation.

Very little 'Farang pricing'.

Reasonable levels of English spoken

Quite a few retired expats, so some shops and bars serve this community.

Airport only 20 minutes away (for me, as on other side of town). most of city is less than 15 minutes away by car

City small enough you can actually walk everywhere if you have to.

Good weather in cool season.

Few tourists

Quite a few women in their 30s and 40s looking for a partner 

Air quality rarely bad.

Good road system.

Reasonable hospitals.

 

Negative factors -

Hot season is hot!

Wet season is humid and still quite hot

Not a beautiful city, just OK

Not a city for the younger expat.

 

Nice summary. I'm considering udon, do you think 56 is old enough to fit in? 😂

[scubascuba3]

5 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I dont believe you.

Jesus was the only male to ever go to Pattaya and not take part in the bar scene.

Cuz he didnt need cheap sex. He found God. 

He married the first bar girl he met and has been happy ever since, except he is in Australia and she's in Thailand

[Prubangboy]

22 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

 

Korat and Khon Kaen are some of the better places in the country to find a GF. Not tainted and sick in the head like Pattaya.

 

I thought all the women in Pattaya came from those places. How do they remain "untainted" when it's only a six hour drive away?

 

To come here and right off the bat move to the sticks with no personal connections or language skills must be a rare occurrence. 

 

Anyone here done it?

 

My private language teacher is beautiful in that cute Thai way and comes from Khorat. And we def chat a lot besides doing language-learning. But I def get that ultra-goodgirl, long courtship, blah in bed vibe. 

 

So give me a decadent fat whitie any day of the week, thanks.

 

 

 

[newnative]

6 hours ago, still kicking said:

Well meet Jesus, I have 4 friends who all work at the Hilton (and no not in the bar) and some more who have their own business I also check on my property in Ratchaburi (not in my name)

     Jesus 2 here.  And, many of my friends.  Save the frogs is just totally clueless--especially with his utterly ridiculous statement that 92% of the women in Pattaya are bargirls.   Guess he missed all the women working in the thousands of retail establishments, in all the hotels and tourist businesses, in the hundreds and hundreds of restaurants, in the 4 or 5 large hospitals Pattaya has, plus its numerous optical stores, pharmacies, general and dental clinics, etc., etc.  Yet another one who visited Pattaya and, from his laughable comments, never left Walking Street.   

[save the frogs]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

He married the first bar girl he met and has been happy ever since, except he is in Australia and she's in Thailand

what about bigstar? has he ever admitted that he partakes in the bar scene or does he claim he's in pattaya for the cheap Indian suits? 

[KhunLA]

7 hours ago, save the frogs said:

well, at least one of those posters had admitted he likes to partake in the bar scene.

 

what percentage of girls living in pattaya are bar girls? 92%? your chances of meeting a non bargirl for dating seem slim there. if that's what you want. 

 

oddly, you seem to play your cards close to your chest and not admit that you enjoy the bar scene. 

 

I guess it depends what you consider the bar scene.   A place that simply serves alcohol w/food, or also serves P4P.

 

After living here, I've met a few lasses in bars, and never paid for their company.  But they were Thai themed bars, clubs, not geared toward tourist/expat market or adult entertainment venues, where one would go specifically for P4P.

 

A few gals I met in normal settings, not prowling the bars.  At the markets, or service reps while going about everyday living, and no different than living and meeting like minded ladies in the USA.

 

Obviously if living on P4P, need to be in tourist area, or larger metro, that has areas that cater to that market.

 

Obvious choices, Bkk, Patts, Phuket.   Udon Thani has an area for.  Would guess CM and Hua Hin also have, though a bit low key.  Khon Kaen probably still has.  Though any area, Hua Hin and north of, you may have to deal with 4-6 months of very unhealthy air pollution.

[Hummin]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I guess it depends what you consider the bar scene.   A place that simply serves alcohol w/food, or also serves P4P.

 

After living here, I've met a few lasses in bars, and never paid for their company.  But they were Thai themed bars, clubs, not geared toward tourist/expat market or adult entertainment venues, where one would go specifically for P4P.

 

A few gals I met in normal settings, not prowling the bars.  At the markets, or service reps while going about everyday living, and no different than living and meeting like minded ladies in the USA.

 

Obviously if living on P4P, need to be in tourist area, or larger metro, that has areas that cater to that market.

 

Obvious choices, Bkk, Patts, Phuket.   Udon Thani has an area for.  Would guess CM and Hua Hin also have, though a bit low key.  Khon Kaen probably still has.  Though any area, Hua Hin and north of, you may have to deal with 4-6 months of very unhealthy air pollution.

3 months not 4-6 

[simon43]

Some posters have a very skewed idea of what Pattaya offers.  Yes, there is the bar scene of course.  But the majority of Pattaya has none of that, and  no doubt many people who live in Pattaya partake in none of that either.

 

I have lived in Pattaya many times, typically 3-6 months at a time.  Like other posters who replied, I too have never partaken in the bar or P4P scene.  I like Pattaya for its boardwalk for exercise, large shopping malls, restaurants,  largevariety of shops etc etc.

 

The only reason why I have never settled in Pattaya is because long-term I prefer a rural location with a garden for my ham radio antennas 🙂

[Celsius]

I have also been to Pattaya many times and never went to a bar (I don't drink) or had sex with a dirty prostitute.

 

But I am not the guy who likes slippy thousands.

Edited September 21 by Celsius

[KhunLA]

27 minutes ago, Hummin said:

3 months not 4-6 

Location dependent ... Udon Thani, easily 4 months (A. Muang).  Many areas in North (CM) and Bangkok may start as early as Nov and last till the rains in May arrive.

 

We get about 2 months down here at Muang PKK, and Hua Hin, easily 4 months.

 

Not even October yet and many areas are registering 'moderate' AQI #s, meaning the PM2.5 #s are unhealthy

Edited September 21 by KhunLA

[newnative]

33 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Some posters have a very skewed idea of what Pattaya offers.  Yes, there is the bar scene of course.  But the majority of Pattaya has none of that, and  no doubt many people who live in Pattaya partake in none of that either.

 

I have lived in Pattaya many times, typically 3-6 months at a time.  Like other posters who replied, I too have never partaken in the bar or P4P scene.  I like Pattaya for its boardwalk for exercise, large shopping malls, restaurants,  largevariety of shops etc etc.

 

The only reason why I have never settled in Pattaya is because long-term I prefer a rural location with a garden for my ham radio antennas 🙂

      Sometime you might explore the Darkside area of Pattaya, if you haven't already.  That's where my spouse and I have ended up and we are liking it.  Wide variety of housing available and there are still some rural areas.  We are near Lake Mabprachan but can be places like T21, Index, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Central Festival, etc., in a half-hour or less, non-rush times. 

[Hummin]

42 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Location dependent ... Udon Thani, easily 4 months (A. Muang).  Many areas in North (CM) and Bangkok may start as early as Nov and last till the rains in May arrive.

 

We get about 2 months down here at Muang PKK, and Hua Hin, easily 4 months.

 

Not even October yet and many areas are registering 'moderate' AQI #s, meaning the PM2.5 #s are unhealthy

 I can't argue with you, and will not, you are right, all depending on noticeable levels of course, or unhealthy. 

 

Never experienced noticeable levels around Hua Hin, except the dump between soi 94 and 102 burning once and awhile. 

 

Measured levels is of course different. 

[Hummin]

22 hours ago, Old Croc said:

Sounds good, but a bit cold for many.

Easy to deal with the coastal climate up north, compared to 38 - 40c here.

 

Chop some wood or clean snow keeps you warm. I can do nothing in the heat here, its to warm. 

 

Im used to cold climate and have been doing winter sport, winter fishing 4 seasons, and enjoy being active. Can't do much activity here. 

[Will B Good]

16 hours ago, Kinok Farang said:

Next door to you?

 

Nice try, but about two weeks too late......3/10

[BigStar]

16 hours ago, save the frogs said:

what percentage of girls living in pattaya are bar girls? 92%?

 

5%? With typical blindness, you're overlooking the vast number of girls working in the malls, restos, hotels, dept stores, convenience stores, real estate, tourism, transportation, supermarkets, condos, schools, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, shops, and various other businesses.

 

It's kind of like our ANF Economists who've never seen a shopper in a Thai mall, because, as only farang have money, and farang won't pay those ripoff prices, they by definition cannot exist. Nor, for the same reason, can Thai domestic tourists. Middle class Thais don't exist because the average ANF poster has never met one, LOL.

 

Good illustration, though, of how brainwashed posters here are about Pattaya, even living here w/o knowing much of anything about it except their coveted bar scene.

 

 

16 hours ago, save the frogs said:

your chances of meeting a non bargirl for dating seem slim there. if that's what you want. 

 

What, with that vast number of available women you can't see? Easy, except for the typical farang monger, who didn't and wouldn't succeed well w/ the nice, attractive ladies in his home country, either.

 

16 hours ago, save the frogs said:

oddly, you seem to play your cards close to your chest and not admit that you enjoy the bar scene. 

 

But in fact I don't enjoy the bar scene and never did. Just nothing more boring than sitting there having an utterly inane conversation with a bar girl trying to get money out of you or listening to blather emanating from the barstool next over.

 

The go-gos were kinda fun back in the 90s when the music was bearable, owing to the visuals. Those were a draw. The TQ still played listenable music long thereafter, so I'd stop in during the day when I'm out anyway. Very retro, with some great characters. But I found it's also changed a bit. I still wish the place well and hope it continues, but haven't been in for over a year.

 

I've been with an educated, middle-class office lady, now business owner, for a couple of decades. Always worked and had her own money. Fluent English, great shape from diet, working out, and yoga. “Why would I settle for hamburger when I have steak at home," as Paul Newman said.

 

Overall, I found Pattaya the most convenient place to live in Thailand, and I think it still is. I enjoy my quiet life here by the beach. You have to consider the total package, as I did, in which the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. And those disadvantages can usually be worked around or minimized, if not eliminated. One can live a pleasant life in Pattaya without ever visiting or even seeing the bar scene.

 

Edited September 21 by BigStar

[save the frogs]

2 hours ago, BigStar said:

Overall, I found Pattaya the most convenient place to live in Thailand, and I think it still is. I enjoy my quiet life here by the beach. You have to consider the total package, as I did, in which the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. And those disadvantages can usually be worked around or minimized, if not eliminated. One can live a pleasant life in Pattaya without ever visiting or even seeing the bar scene.

 

Ok, fair enough. You made your point and you are correct. Pattaya has a lot going for it besides bars.

I admit defeat in my feeble attempt at a debate. 

[save the frogs]

2 hours ago, BigStar said:

I enjoy my quiet life here by the beach.

that's exactly what I'm looking for.

i'm not there yet.

but will steer clear of ladies with hopes and fantasies of houses in the sticks in isaan. 

if you see someone with a frog t-shirt or a "don't do drugs" t-shirt or a clown costume walking around in pattaya, that's me. say hi. 

Edited September 21 by save the frogs

[Hummin]

After all it is just a yellow P contest among members who think they know best, and whats better for others. Nothing else

 

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

 

Ok, fair enough. You made your point and you are correct. Pattaya has a lot going for it besides bars.

I admit defeat in my feeble attempt at a debate.