Living in Koh Samui?

[jas007]

Long story short:  I currently live in the Wongamat Beach area of Pattaya. I've been here for 2 1/2 years, but I'm in the mood to move, just for the heck of it. I'm thinking about Koh Samui. I may take an exploratory trip in a month or so.

 

Anyway, I don't have a car and I won't ride on a motorbike. I'm OK with taking a Bolt taxi when I want to go somewhere, but it would be excellent if I could walk less than a block or so to the nearest 7/11 or Tops.  And it would be ideal if the neighborhood had some nice restaurants and some ATM machines. On the other hand, I might buy a little car in the future.

 

I'd like to rent a condo with good security, preferably close to the beach.

 

Given all that, for those who know Samui, where should I look? Budget would be preferably less than 20,000 baht, but 30,000 wouldn't e a problem.  I can rent long term. 

 

 

 

 

[Briggsy]

Tell us about your decision to choose specifically Koh Samui. I am sure many can advise wisely.

[Tropicalevo]

31 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I'd like to rent a condo with good security, preferably close to the beach.

 

Not many condo's here. I only know of one. (Replay)

Definitely come and stay for a while and have a good look around.

Do not only look at Chewang, Lamai and Fisherman's village. They are the expensive areas with lots of tourists.

Flights can be expensive in high season, but if you live here, you can apply for a Resident's card from Bangkok Airways.

Bolt and InDrive are here but Grab is more popular.

[Phillip9]

Samui is not a good place to live without a car or motorbike IMHO.  Grab is expensive and not as quickly available as in Pattaya.  The distance between your home, restaurants, beach, supermarket, etc can be far.

 

I would stick to Pattaya or Hua Hin if you want to live on the beach without your own transportation.

[jas007]

20 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Samui is not a good place to live without a car or motorbike IMHO.  Grab is expensive and not as quickly available as in Pattaya.  The distance between your home, restaurants, beach, supermarket, etc can be far.

 

I would stick to Pattaya or Hua Hin if you want to live on the beach without your own transportation.

I could always buy a car.  You're probably right, though.  

[zepplin]

On 1/4/2025 at 8:22 PM, jas007 said:

Long story short:  I currently live in the Wongamat Beach area of Pattaya. I've been here for 2 1/2 years, but I'm in the mood to move, just for the heck of it. I'm thinking about Koh Samui. I may take an exploratory trip in a month or so.

 

Anyway, I don't have a car and I won't ride on a motorbike. I'm OK with taking a Bolt taxi when I want to go somewhere, but it would be excellent if I could walk less than a block or so to the nearest 7/11 or Tops.  And it would be ideal if the neighborhood had some nice restaurants and some ATM machines. On the other hand, I might buy a little car in the future.

 

I'd like to rent a condo with good security, preferably close to the beach.

 

Given all that, for those who know Samui, where should I look? Budget would be preferably less than 20,000 baht, but 30,000 wouldn't e a problem.  I can rent long term. 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been living o. Koh samui for the last 18 years, it’s home, it’s a nice island, it gets busy in high season though, but I don’t have to go out much. Lamai is a great area, has everything, beaches, shopping, restaurants and bars . And the traffic in Lamai is ok, the Meanam side isnt. bolt is double the price at least to where you are now. 
after high season you could find a place , just look on the many FB real estate pages, I wouldn’t live anywhere else

[jas007]

Thanks.  Just as soon as some of the peak season crowd dies down, I'm going to book a trip somewhere.I'll see what kind of deals I can get. 

[Hummin]

43 minutes ago, zepplin said:

I’ve been living o. Koh samui for the last 18 years, it’s home, it’s a nice island, it gets busy in high season though, but I don’t have to go out much. Lamai is a great area, has everything, beaches, shopping, restaurants and bars . And the traffic in Lamai is ok, the Meanam side isnt. bolt is double the price at least to where you are now. 
after high season you could find a place , just look on the many FB real estate pages, I wouldn’t live anywhere else

Lamai is great.

 

Op going alone or have a partner ? How old are you? 

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

Damn, I was last on Samui in 2013 and thought it insanely busy.  God only knows what it's like now.

 

Russians?  Chinese package tourists?

[jas007]

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Lamai is great.

 

Op going alone or have a partner ? How old are you? 

Going by myself, I think.  I'm 73, but I don't feel any different than I did 20 years ago. 

[Hummin]

7 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Going by myself, I think.  I'm 73, but I don't feel any different than I did 20 years ago. 

 

A motorbike is necessary but the traffic is quite crazy at Koh Samui at public holidays and high season. The weather can take a toll on you especially at the end of rainy season September, October and also what we see this year, Crazy rain falls  end of December with flooding in the whole region from Chumphon and south. Hua Hin is a great alternative the older you get, and quite a few ok expat communities. Close to several decent hospitals. 

 

 

[Phillip9]

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Hua Hin is a great alternative the older you get, and quite a few ok expat communities. Close to several decent hospitals. 

Hua Hin definitely has a lot of advantages as a place for long term living over Samui.  It has lots of nice condos to choose from.  Everything is close -- malls, beach, bars, restaurants, hospitals, super markets, night markets are all just a few minutes from most condos.  Using grab or bolt is easy and cheap.  Traffic isn't too bad.  Bangkok is just a couple of hours away by train or taxi.

 

Samui definitely has much better beaches and better air quality, but other than that, everything else about Hua Hin is better.

[ronster]

Replay condos in bophut would probably be a good start for a few months till checked out other areas. 

Fisherman's village area has everything you could need and is nice place to walk in. Chaweng also but it is a bit more full on and you have noise from beach clubs and nightclubs at night . Any other area you would really need a bike or car to get about.

Banrak or lamai would be ok if you find accommodation near the centre and maenam and nathon are very quiet and certainly need transport to get around.

[gearbox]

On 1/4/2025 at 8:22 PM, jas007 said:

Long story short:  I currently live in the Wongamat Beach area of Pattaya. I've been here for 2 1/2 years, but I'm in the mood to move, just for the heck of it. I'm thinking about Koh Samui. I may take an exploratory trip in a month or so.

 

Anyway, I don't have a car and I won't ride on a motorbike. I'm OK with taking a Bolt taxi when I want to go somewhere, but it would be excellent if I could walk less than a block or so to the nearest 7/11 or Tops.  And it would be ideal if the neighborhood had some nice restaurants and some ATM machines. On the other hand, I might buy a little car in the future.

 

I'd like to rent a condo with good security, preferably close to the beach.

 

Given all that, for those who know Samui, where should I look? Budget would be preferably less than 20,000 baht, but 30,000 wouldn't e a problem.  I can rent long term. 

 

 

 

 

I live in Samui since 2018. For me the main attraction is the ability to swim and kayak in good waters, if you are not into this I would give Samui a miss. The infrastructure and traffic are bad, accidents happening every day. The quality of the visitors is going down every year, plenty of aggressive tattoed low life roaming around. Going anywhere is more expensive than anywhere else in Thailand, e.g going with a car to the mainland sets you back 1200 baht. The hospitals can't match the big hospitals on the mainland, like these in Phuket, Pattaya or the big regional centres like Hat Yai. Going out by air is expensive and sometimes a nuisance...I travel a lot and mostly in southern direction, have to fly to Bangkok or Phuket first.

Everything is more expensive, probably the most expensive of all main tourist places.

 

However if you are in good financial shape, don't move too much around and like to stay at quiet place near the beach, this is all doable and the life is good.

[Hummin]

I have to admit I really enjoyed Ban Chang. 

 

Not far from beautiful islands or Bangkok, Pattaya or just Rayong for shopping. 

 

Loved the beaches with its natural trees, the prices and can't say it was especially pollution in the area when we visited. 

[khunPer]

On 1/4/2025 at 2:22 PM, jas007 said:

Long story short:  I currently live in the Wongamat Beach area of Pattaya. I've been here for 2 1/2 years, but I'm in the mood to move, just for the heck of it. I'm thinking about Koh Samui. I may take an exploratory trip in a month or so.

 

Anyway, I don't have a car and I won't ride on a motorbike. I'm OK with taking a Bolt taxi when I want to go somewhere, but it would be excellent if I could walk less than a block or so to the nearest 7/11 or Tops.  And it would be ideal if the neighborhood had some nice restaurants and some ATM machines. On the other hand, I might buy a little car in the future.

 

I'd like to rent a condo with good security, preferably close to the beach.

 

Given all that, for those who know Samui, where should I look? Budget would be preferably less than 20,000 baht, but 30,000 wouldn't e a problem.  I can rent long term. 

Not many condos on Samui, normally you rent a bungalow, which is possible for long term agreement from around 5,000 baht per month depending of size, fittings and location. For 20,000 baht per month you have plenty of possibilities.

 

There are many places on Samui where you can walk to both 7-Eleven and 24 hour open super markets; and with affordable restaurants in the neighbourhood.

 

Lamui, which has been mentioned, is one option. Others are Ban Rak-area; Bo Phut beah-area and Maenam. Also Bang Por begins to be of interest. The main tourist destination Chaweng Beach is mainly hotels and resorts, shopping and some nightlife; while the southern part and Chaweng Noi-area might be interesting also to check out.

 

Google Maps' Street View is an excellent help to get a visual impression. Then, when checking the island out, try to live for some days or a weeks time in areas of prior interest, and feel what its like in real life.

 

A benefit on Samui is that you easily can find accommodation in walking distance to a beach – and for up to 30,000 baht a month you can actually live very near – however, there are not many guarded accommodation available; probably because we don't have much crime on the island.

 

I've been living permanent on the island since 2006. I stay in Maenam, where you can find bungalows or other accommodation within your budget between 100 meters and a few hundred meters from the beach. Also within a few hundred meters you can find numerous 7-Eleven stores; a variety of super markets like Lotus's Fresh, Mini BigC and Tops Daily; plenty of (affordable) restaurants; some few pubs and bars; and lots of other shops, laundry and local markets. You can easily do both daily shopping and dining out without need of your own transportation. Other areas are close to the same.

 

In Lamai you'll find both a Lotus's shopping mall and a nice large Makro hyper mart close by – Makro on Samui is orientated into good food and catering, supplier to the many, of not most, of the many-star hotels; there is also a similar Makro hyper mart in Bo Phut – however, the Lamai beach-road-area is quite touristed and can be a bit noisy, but have plenty of restaurants and numerous bars.

 

There are ATM – sometimes more than one brand – by most convenience stores.

 

If buying a car, your have further options for nice areas to live in.

 

For me, Samui is as the sign by the ferry harbour, Paradise. My best choice ever was to settle here – and I did check Hua Hin, Phuket and Pattaya-area before making my decision...

 

[jas007]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

Not many condos on Samui, normally you rent a bungalow, which is possible for long term agreement from around 5,000 baht per month depending of size, fittings and location. For 20,000 baht per month you have plenty of possibilities.

 

There are many places on Samui where you can walk to both 7-Eleven and 24 hour open super markets; and with affordable restaurants in the neighbourhood.

 

Lamui, which has been mentioned, is one option. Others are Ban Rak-area; Bo Phut beah-area and Maenam. Also Bang Por begins to be of interest. The main tourist destination Chaweng Beach is mainly hotels and resorts, shopping and some nightlife; while the southern part and Chaweng Noi-area might be interesting also to check out.

 

Google Maps' Street View is an excellent help to get a visual impression. Then, when checking the island out, try to live for some days or a weeks time in areas of prior interest, and feel what its like in real life.

 

A benefit on Samui is that you easily can find accommodation in walking distance to a beach – and for up to 30,000 baht a month you can actually live very near – however, there are not many guarded accommodation available; probably because we don't have much crime on the island.

 

I've been living permanent on the island since 2006. I stay in Maenam, where you can find bungalows or other accommodation within your budget between 100 meters and a few hundred meters from the beach. Also within a few hundred meters you can find numerous 7-Eleven stores; a variety of super markets like Lotus's Fresh, Mini BigC and Tops Daily; plenty of (affordable) restaurants; some few pubs and bars; and lots of other shops, laundry and local markets. You can easily do both daily shopping and dining out without need of your own transportation. Other areas are close to the same.

 

In Lamai you'll find both a Lotus's shopping mall and a nice large Makro hyper mart close by – Makro on Samui is orientated into good food and catering, supplier to the many, of not most, of the many-star hotels; there is also a similar Makro hyper mart in Bo Phut – however, the Lamai beach-road-area is quite touristed and can be a bit noisy, but have plenty of restaurants and numerous bars.

 

There are ATM – sometimes more than one brand – by most convenience stores.

 

If buying a car, your have further options for nice areas to live in.

 

For me, Samui is as the sign by the ferry harbour, Paradise. My best choice ever was to settle here – and I did check Hua Hin, Phuket and Pattaya-area before making my decision...

 

Thanks.  I always thought it looked like a good place, I've just never been there.  

 

The very first time I visited Thailand, I had planned to go to Koh Samuii, but for some reason it was easier to go to Phuket, so that's what I did.  That was 24 years ago. Anyway, I've been to Phuket numerous times, but I think I'm going to see what's what on Samui sometime in the next few months.  

[Keeps]

2 hours ago, jas007 said:

Thanks.  I always thought it looked like a good place, I've just never been there.  

 

The very first time I visited Thailand, I had planned to go to Koh Samuii, but for some reason it was easier to go to Phuket, so that's what I did.  That was 24 years ago. Anyway, I've been to Phuket numerous times, but I think I'm going to see what's what on Samui sometime in the next few months.  

As others have mentioned, Lamai could be a good fit for what you require. It has pretty much all you need regarding shopping, restaurants and accommodation and all within walking distance. Within the centre of Lamai, you are slightly restricted on accommodation if you require more than a studio apartment for long term stay. There are however bungalows/villas to be had at various price points depending on how central you want to be. A friend of mine rents a villa with shared pool and 5 minute stroll to the beach in the centre of Lamai for 18,000 per month including electric and water. If you go slightly further out (other side of the ring road) then you would comfortably find a bungalow in the 10k per month range.

 

There is a nightlife scene and plenty of ex-pats of all nationalities. I've been visiting Lamai for 25 years (and lived there for 2 1/2 years many moons ago) and have made some fantastic friends. It's a pretty laid back area. Of course it has a large number of holidaymakers but there are plenty of long term stayers who are, in the main, a friendly bunch and very welcoming of newcomers. 

 

 

[gearbox]

14 hours ago, khunPer said:

Not many condos on Samui, normally you rent a bungalow, which is possible for long term agreement from around 5,000 baht per month depending of size, fittings and location. For 20,000 baht per month you have plenty of possibilities.

 

There are many places on Samui where you can walk to both 7-Eleven and 24 hour open super markets; and with affordable restaurants in the neighbourhood.

 

Lamui, which has been mentioned, is one option. Others are Ban Rak-area; Bo Phut beah-area and Maenam. Also Bang Por begins to be of interest. The main tourist destination Chaweng Beach is mainly hotels and resorts, shopping and some nightlife; while the southern part and Chaweng Noi-area might be interesting also to check out.

 

Google Maps' Street View is an excellent help to get a visual impression. Then, when checking the island out, try to live for some days or a weeks time in areas of prior interest, and feel what its like in real life.

 

A benefit on Samui is that you easily can find accommodation in walking distance to a beach – and for up to 30,000 baht a month you can actually live very near – however, there are not many guarded accommodation available; probably because we don't have much crime on the island.

 

I've been living permanent on the island since 2006. I stay in Maenam, where you can find bungalows or other accommodation within your budget between 100 meters and a few hundred meters from the beach. Also within a few hundred meters you can find numerous 7-Eleven stores; a variety of super markets like Lotus's Fresh, Mini BigC and Tops Daily; plenty of (affordable) restaurants; some few pubs and bars; and lots of other shops, laundry and local markets. You can easily do both daily shopping and dining out without need of your own transportation. Other areas are close to the same.

 

In Lamai you'll find both a Lotus's shopping mall and a nice large Makro hyper mart close by – Makro on Samui is orientated into good food and catering, supplier to the many, of not most, of the many-star hotels; there is also a similar Makro hyper mart in Bo Phut – however, the Lamai beach-road-area is quite touristed and can be a bit noisy, but have plenty of restaurants and numerous bars.

 

There are ATM – sometimes more than one brand – by most convenience stores.

 

If buying a car, your have further options for nice areas to live in.

 

For me, Samui is as the sign by the ferry harbour, Paradise. My best choice ever was to settle here – and I did check Hua Hin, Phuket and Pattaya-area before making my decision...

 

Where are these 5000 baht per month bungalows? May need one to store my gear if my relationship goes south.

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, gearbox said:

Where are these 5000 baht per month bungalows? May need one to store my gear if my relationship goes south.

In Maenam soi 3 on the land side. Price is for one year rent; i.e., 60,000 baht.

[Hummin]

Just now, khunPer said:

In Maenam soi 3 on the land side. Price is for one year rent; i.e., 60,000 baht.

Together with a mix of service workers and expats of different nationalities and backgrounds. 

 

I stayed in one of those condos at Koh Samui, and it didn't take many days before we moved. To many people coming and going  at all different hours and makes noise. 

 

 

[gearbox]

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Together with a mix of service workers and expats of different nationalities and backgrounds. 

 

I stayed in one of those condos at Koh Samui, and it didn't take many days before we moved. To many people coming and going  at all different hours and makes noise. 

 

 

Main thing for me is to store my bicycles and kayaks. Need to figure out whether is better to rent there or drive to Pattaya to put them in cheaper storage. No firm plans yet.

[ronster]

14 hours ago, gearbox said:

Main thing for me is to store my bicycles and kayaks. Need to figure out whether is better to rent there or drive to Pattaya to put them in cheaper storage. No firm plans yet.

There is a company on samui called samui storage as far as I remember.

[qwab32]

I agree with a number of other replies that Lamai may be a good option.  I live on Samui between Nathon and Bang Por. Nathon is a nice little town and Bang Por has a lovely beach with some nice restaurants on the beach.  The area is quiet, so if that's what you are looking for the north west of the island may be an option.  Although transport is not great and probably more expensive than where you are.  You may need to buy that small car.

 

My girlfriend works at a hotel which is only a few minutes away from our cottage, hence our location.  If we didn't have to be near her hotel then I'd probably move to Lamai.  Everything is close at hand, bars, restaurants and the beach.  It has a nice night market also and is easy to get about. Not as crowded as Chaweng which has a much younger feel to it.  Maenam is also nice, with some good bars and restaurants but it's spread out over a large area.  Bophut and Bangrak are also options for you.  As previously mentioned, not many condos here, mainly houses, cottages and villas.  Good luck with whatever you decide. 

[khunPer]

On 1/7/2025 at 8:27 AM, gearbox said:

Main thing for me is to store my bicycles and kayaks. Need to figure out whether is better to rent there or drive to Pattaya to put them in cheaper storage. No firm plans yet.

When I needed storage for my moved items from Europe until my house was finished, I rented a shop unit in second line from the Ring Road for 3,000 baht per month. I paid the neighbour that lived in her laundry-shop, 500 baht a month to look after my unit. A shop-unit might be a better place for storage than a small bungalow. There are still many available shop-units, while the cheap bungalows are often fully booked. The ones I know and mentioned as example, are at the moment full of longer-term budget-staying foreigners.

[Tropicalevo]

On 1/7/2025 at 2:27 PM, gearbox said:

Main thing for me is to store my bicycles and kayaks. Need to figure out whether is better to rent there or drive to Pattaya to put them in cheaper storage. No firm plans yet.

We rent a small Thai unit for additional storage.

I call them pig-pens. A row of single floor, budget places with a small kitchen, basic squat toilet, bedroom and living area.

Start at about 2,500 baht per month depending on location.

[gearbox]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:10 PM, Tropicalevo said:

We rent a small Thai unit for additional storage.

I call them pig-pens. A row of single floor, budget places with a small kitchen, basic squat toilet, bedroom and living area.

Start at about 2,500 baht per month depending on location.

I was thinking about it, but I'm not sure how safe it is. I may not be around for months, it could be tempting for the people around to empty the room.

[gearbox]

On 1/8/2025 at 4:48 AM, ronster said:

There is a company on samui called samui storage as far as I remember.

I know about them, they have only 1 cubic metre available, and is relatively pricey at 1100 baht per month. The minimum I need is 2 metres length.

[ronster]

47 minutes ago, gearbox said:

I know about them, they have only 1 cubic metre available, and is relatively pricey at 1100 baht per month. The minimum I need is 2 metres length.

Rent 2 and cut a hole between them 😄👍

[kwilco]

A few years ago I was offered a job in Suratthani - I accepted - they then said how do you feel about working on Samui? I didn't realise the job was on the island. 

I know Samui really well over 20 years but I really didn't want to live there - however as the salary was quite good I accepted the job and lived there for about 3 years.

 

Firstly the idea of living on an island is an anathema to me - having mwt many island dwellers over the years, they all developed some kind of "stir crazy" - they are all expats and slightly weird - in previous jobs I had very limited contact with expats, partly because I was outside tourist areas. Samui however only exists for tourism - it's expensive and even the locals aren't - BTW there is also a Thai mafia there.

 

THe idea of living on Samui without transport makes me shudder - it's not like Pattaya where everywhere is a short (and cheap) baht bus ride - Samui has Songtheaws but they are dearer and don't effectively cover much of the island - there are of course loads of idiots tourists and expats lurching around on scooters

I like to tour Thiland so I have a car and make frquent trips apurond th ountry - but on Samui you have the added expense and time (90 minute) of having to use a ferry every time you want to go somewhere