Should I stay ou should I go? (Pattaya, Phuket)

[bendejo]

It is worth seeing these places, if for nothing other than knowing what kind of imported things are available should you want them in the future. 

In Bangkok all you need to do is get out of the foreigner-inhabited areas and shopping areas and it will be almost a culture shock.  You might get some strange looks from the locals because they usually don't see farang there.  Oh, better not to do this at night. 

 

I get the impression the Lao people have a generally good attitude toward the French.  They even play bocce.  Steer clear of scamming wine bars.  And do be aware that the further north you go the colder the winter will be,

 

[kingstonkid]

21 hours ago, connda said:

Take six months to a year.  Go everywhere.  Figure it out then decide where you want to drop anchor.

Then drop anchor with a 2-3 month plan.  Just to make sure it is what you want.

 

I notice that BKK is not on your itinerary it might be a place to settle whileyou look.  What are your hobbies what are you looking for here in your new life?

[Captain Flack]

A troll post has been removed.

[atpeace]

20 hours ago, lanng khao said:

Come to korat, thailands second biggest city,, great place ..

Where in Korat?  I don't mind staying a night or two but reminds me of a giant trailer park.  Seems like you found a good area or have different likes.  Quite possibly you're the type that would be happy anywhere and assume I could also be happy in Korat if I had to make it home.

[djs2799]

On 3/3/2025 at 2:27 PM, Franck60 said:

No, I’m an atheist focus only on my decisions 

Good philosophy.

[newnative]

      I would definitely recommend you give Pattaya a look.  As I've said in other posts, I think it is actually a better place to live year-round than as a place to just visit for a short period.   Yes, there are the entertainment areas but they make up just a small part of Pattaya.  They are there if you want them and easily avoided if you don't.  

      What works for my Thai spouse and myself is everything else Pattaya has on offer--and we have certainly checked other areas.   That includes such things as very good health care choices, great shopping both with several very good malls and also big box stores like Index, Home Pro, Boonthavorn, etc., movies in English, huge variety of restaurants, large expat community, Immigration handy,  a major airport and Bangkok less than 2 hours away, good recreational choices available, including ocean activities, and a number of golf courses.  

      Also important, a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, each with its own vibe.  And, to go with the good neighborhood selection, a great variety of housing, both for rent and for sale, in all price points.  This is often overlooked but putting a comfortable roof over your head that exactly fits your needs is super important--Pattaya really excels at that more than anywhere else my spouse and I have visited in Thailand.  Whether you want an oceanfront condo on the beach or a sprawling pool villa on the Darkside--or something in-between--Pattaya has it.   

[Harrisfan]

2 hours ago, atpeace said:

Where in Korat?  I don't mind staying a night or two but reminds me of a giant trailer park.  Seems like you found a good area or have different likes.  Quite possibly you're the type that would be happy anywhere and assume I could also be happy in Korat if I had to make it home.

Korat is a very slow moving city. Less nightlife than Khon Kaen or Udon Thani.

 

It's ok but I found it boring. Been there 3 times 

[Harrisfan]

11 hours ago, Franck60 said:

I will certainly check it out ! … I wonder, How different it is compared to Chiang Mai ??? (I spent several weeks in Chiang Mai in 2012). I guess the vibe and culture are different in Korat? Thanks,

Much less interesting with far less food options, nightlife and places to visit.

 

For motorbiking or driving Nong Khai is best. For other things Udon Thani and Khon Kaen are best.

 

Burilam is better than Korat but its below the others.

[khunPer]

On 3/2/2025 at 11:42 PM, Franck60 said:

Hi guys!

 

I’m a frenchman, retiring in Thailand in about 4 years’ time. 

 

Over the two first years, my idea is to move around quite a bit so as to explore a range of different places. I feel it might be a good way to identify places where I could settle later on.

 

In 2012, I spent around 3 months doing just that but I was there (as a tourist) for the short term at the time.

 

I didn’t go to touristy places like Phuket or Pattaya back then. My question is… Should I go? 

On the one hand, I believe I could be interested through curiosity and for the fun but on the other hand, I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

In four years’ time, I’ll be 64 yo. I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll be looking to start off a new life,

Where to stay as retired in Thailand widely depends on personal lifestyle, eventual having a Thai spouse, and budget.

 

Visit as many places as possible of interest, before you decide where to settle. Tourist places can have numerous advantages that you don't find in more rural areas, as well as disadvantages, all depending on individual life-style. You might even find that you wish to live another life-style when staying permanently in Thailand, than the lifestyle you had before, or expected to have when you retire here.

 

There is a huge difference from looking around and checking areas as tourist and with the intention of living there on permanent basis. Hospital and shopping, transportation and even school, if you are having or planning children in the household, can be important issues. Also costs of either renting or buying a proper home. And especially checking different seasons, like hot period, rainy season and winter, if you look at places up north. Try to stay in places of interest for some days, or a week, during, in each period.

 

When I first vistited Thailand – it was back in 1987 – I fell in love with Chiang Mai and had a feeling like that here I could live, perhaps sometime in the future. 18 years later I settled permanently in Thailand on early retirement – to enjoy my life, while stil.l able to do such thing – and I decided instead to stay on a southern island instead. Today I'm happy that I didn't decide for Chiang Mai – or any other place in Thailand – it's a personal choice, and we are all different. I mention this to be aware of that places change over time, even 13 years from 2012 can make a difference – in some places a huge difference – which m ight both be to the better or worse. It is also based on staying there as a resident instead of a turist's view, and of course depending on individual preferences.

 

You might not like the same as me, so I shall not say that you of course shall settle the best place of all, namely where I stay...😀

[1FinickyOne]

On 3/3/2025 at 5:42 AM, Franck60 said:

I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

It's not likely that your soul will be changed but it might affect your view of the place. since you seem adaptable, the best decision is probably to settle down wherever your wife is from, if she would like that. I was originally going to buy a place in Hua Hin area, but my wife had no friends there and it would not have been as nice as being in her village. And I actually enjoyed living in a small farming village with her family around. I had internet and we could go away whenever we wanted. It was actually a secure and comfortable way of life. 

 

And I would visit friends in Pattaya - the first moments and say in town, with all the bright lights and activity, was exciting. The 2nd dau, not so much so and the third day, I was ready to go home. 

 

If your mindset and values can be distorted at this age, then it wasn't your true values. 

[scorecard]

On 3/3/2025 at 5:42 AM, Franck60 said:

Hi guys!

 

I’m a frenchman, retiring in Thailand in about 4 years’ time. 

 

Over the two first years, my idea is to move around quite a bit so as to explore a range of different places. I feel it might be a good way to identify places where I could settle later on.

 

In 2012, I spent around 3 months doing just that but I was there (as a tourist) for the short term at the time.

 

I didn’t go to touristy places like Phuket or Pattaya back then. My question is… Should I go? 

On the one hand, I believe I could be interested through curiosity and for the fun but on the other hand, I wonder if there’s a risk for my soul… to have my mindset warped… my values distorted ?

Do these places affect too negatively our outlook on life?

 

In four years’ time, I’ll be 64 yo. I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll be looking to start off a new life,
 

 

Perhaps you should seriously ask yourself 'Why did I not visit Pattaya and Phuket earlier?'

 

Is the reason that you had read / heard so much negative about P and P that you crossed both places off the list?

 

If true that perhaps suggests the bar girl scenario just doesn't interest you (it's not compulsory). If true why add these places now?

[Stargeezr]

I spent much of my time at Jomtien Beach, Honey House 3, I found that area to be nice a dn quiet

and my cousin lives in a condo about 3kms away from the beach. Spent lots of time at the 3 night markets

and along the beach in many places. Compared with south, central, and north Pattaya, Jomtien is more family oriented.

  I spent lots of time in Hua Hin and area as well and even drove a motorcycle around that area. 

Just have medical coverage at all times. Cost me a lot at a private hospuital when I had my heart attack.

Over 370,000 baht to have a stint installed plus 5 days of hospital stay.

[scubascuba3]

You need to experience it yourself rather than endless talking about it

[Franck60]

On 3/4/2025 at 9:33 AM, newnative said:

      I would definitely recommend you give Pattaya a look.  As I've said in other posts, I think it is actually a better place to live year-round than as a place to just visit for a short period.   Yes, there are the entertainment areas but they make up just a small part of Pattaya.  They are there if you want them and easily avoided if you don't.  

      What works for my Thai spouse and myself is everything else Pattaya has on offer--and we have certainly checked other areas.   That includes such things as very good health care choices, great shopping both with several very good malls and also big box stores like Index, Home Pro, Boonthavorn, etc., movies in English, huge variety of restaurants, large expat community, Immigration handy,  a major airport and Bangkok less than 2 hours away, good recreational choices available, including ocean activities, and a number of golf courses.  

      Also important, a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, each with its own vibe.  And, to go with the good neighborhood selection, a great variety of housing, both for rent and for sale, in all price points.  This is often overlooked but putting a comfortable roof over your head that exactly fits your needs is super important--Pattaya really excels at that more than anywhere else my spouse and I have visited in Thailand.  Whether you want an oceanfront condo on the beach or a sprawling pool villa on the Darkside--or something in-between--Pattaya has it.   

I believe it’s important to start with an open mind. My first two years could be particularly interesting if I keep exploring a wide range of places. I guess I will identify various places where I could feel comfortable and entertained,

[Franck60]

On 3/4/2025 at 9:44 AM, Harrisfan said:

Much less interesting with far less food options, nightlife and places to visit.

 

For motorbiking or driving Nong Khai is best. For other things Udon Thani and Khon Kaen are best.

 

Burilam is better than Korat but its below the others.

Thank you for sharing your opinion on these places. I’ll check out Nong Khai, Buriram, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen

[Franck60]

On 3/4/2025 at 10:02 AM, khunPer said:

Where to stay as retired in Thailand widely depends on personal lifestyle, eventual having a Thai spouse, and budget.

 

Visit as many places as possible of interest, before you decide where to settle. Tourist places can have numerous advantages that you don't find in more rural areas, as well as disadvantages, all depending on individual life-style. You might even find that you wish to live another life-style when staying permanently in Thailand, than the lifestyle you had before, or expected to have when you retire here.

 

There is a huge difference from looking around and checking areas as tourist and with the intention of living there on permanent basis. Hospital and shopping, transportation and even school, if you are having or planning children in the household, can be important issues. Also costs of either renting or buying a proper home. And especially checking different seasons, like hot period, rainy season and winter, if you look at places up north. Try to stay in places of interest for some days, or a week, during, in each period.

 

When I first vistited Thailand – it was back in 1987 – I fell in love with Chiang Mai and had a feeling like that here I could live, perhaps sometime in the future. 18 years later I settled permanently in Thailand on early retirement – to enjoy my life, while stil.l able to do such thing – and I decided instead to stay on a southern island instead. Today I'm happy that I didn't decide for Chiang Mai – or any other place in Thailand – it's a personal choice, and we are all different. I mention this to be aware of that places change over time, even 13 years from 2012 can make a difference – in some places a huge difference – which m ight both be to the better or worse. It is also based on staying there as a resident instead of a turist's view, and of course depending on individual preferences.

 

You might not like the same as me, so I shall not say that you of course shall settle the best place of all, namely where I stay...😀

Thank you so much for sharing. I will certainly set out on a « journey » as you did. It’s important to arrive with an open mind, explore and learn.

My lifestyle and the choices I’ll make aren’t set in stone yet. It’s interesting to listen from people who have already make this journey.

Did you try hard to learn Thai ? Is your spouse Thai ?
 

[newnative]

4 hours ago, Franck60 said:

I believe it’s important to start with an open mind. My first two years could be particularly interesting if I keep exploring a wide range of places. I guess I will identify various places where I could feel comfortable and entertained,

        Definitely an open mind is good.   When you are checking out places, look at them not with tourist eyes but with the eyes of someone who will be living there full-time, not for a week or two.   Think about your every day routine and your hobbies, interests, types of sports you like, possible health needs, etc., and evaluate the places you visit on how  well they fit your wants and needs on an ongoing, not short-term, basis.  Good luck with your search.

[khunPer]

10 hours ago, Franck60 said:

Thank you so much for sharing. I will certainly set out on a « journey » as you did. It’s important to arrive with an open mind, explore and learn.

My lifestyle and the choices I’ll make aren’t set in stone yet. It’s interesting to listen from people who have already make this journey.

Did you try hard to learn Thai ? Is your spouse Thai ?

Thanks for your reply, you are welcome to ask questions. There can be a lot to consider when moving to a new country.

 

Lifestyle:
I changed lifestyle from my home country's four seasons to all year summer and barefoot Xmas. Further north you have winter, actually three seasons: Summer, rain and winter. Down south we only have two seasons: Summer and rain.

 

Furthermore, I began living a life that I didn't have surplus – mainly time – to do, and might have missed when I was younger, being too busy to keep a self employment smaller company growing and surviving. Since I settled in Thailand I enjoy the nightlife, not bars, but beach parties and night clubs; I never danced before, I do now...😀

 

Thai language:

I've never been good in language – still fighting being reasonable in English as second language – it might also be a question of where you settle, if you can manage with only being able to speak a tiny bit of the local language. I've decided for a tourist area where many locals speaks some level of English and prefers to try to speak English to you. Some times I manage with simple Thai words when shopping, which the Thai shop assistant understand, but answers in English.

 

In more rural areas it's rare that someone speak, or just understand a bit of, English. I presume that if I had settles in a farmer village up north, learning more of Thai language would be a must.

 

Spouse:

I'm living together with a Thai girlfriend, who accepted to stay where I settled, and didn't try to make me settle in her village. I've already decided my move, before I met my girlfriend. Often a Thai lady dreams about a house in her home-village, both to make face – having a farang spouse – and to have a place when she gets old, as often the local spouse is the younger part. Bear in mind that family is important when one get old, as government support to elder people is very small and elder care homes are not normal in Thailand. Kind of age difference agreement between a foreigner and a younger Thai spouse can be like: "I take financially care of you now, in return you takes care of me when I get old."

 

This is why I mentioned that where to stay also depends on having a Thai spouse, and budget. The latter, budget, is especially if you wish to build a home. Land prices and construction costs are lower in rural areas. A spouse's family might already have land or access to land at a very affordable price – a foreigner can own a house, but not the land under the house – while in major towns and tourist areas, land prices can be quite high, and construction costs also higher.

 

An alternative is always to rent. Renting is the best in the beginning, when testing areas and the first periode when finding where to settle. It's easy to move on, if it was not the right choice. In long terms, to own one's home is cheaper than renting, but you need to look around 15 years ahead before an owned home – i.e. a condo that a foreigner can own – or construction costs and land arrangement for a house financially equals a rent.

 

I built a house and owns it, and have a reasonable arrangement for using the land, under the house. Compared to rental price for similar in my area, investment equalled rent already after 10 years; so, I'm living almost "rent free" now, but still paying a tiny landtax on the land – a house for primary home is tax free for the first 10 million baht in value – and of course maintenance of a house. Depending of where you comes from and where you settle, things may last shorter time than you are used to at home. I live beach front, which can be slight hard on a house – things easily rust or corrode – than having a home further inland.

[Franck60]

2 hours ago, khunPer said:

Thanks for your reply, you are welcome to ask questions. There can be a lot to consider when moving to a new country.

 

Lifestyle:
I changed lifestyle from my home country's four seasons to all year summer and barefoot Xmas. Further north you have winter, actually three seasons: Summer, rain and winter. Down south we only have two seasons: Summer and rain.

 

Furthermore, I began living a life that I didn't have surplus – mainly time – to do, and might have missed when I was younger, being too busy to keep a self employment smaller company growing and surviving. Since I settled in Thailand I enjoy the nightlife, not bars, but beach parties and night clubs; I never danced before, I do now...😀

 

Thai language:

I've never been good in language – still fighting being reasonable in English as second language – it might also be a question of where you settle, if you can manage with only being able to speak a tiny bit of the local language. I've decided for a tourist area where many locals speaks some level of English and prefers to try to speak English to you. Some times I manage with simple Thai words when shopping, which the Thai shop assistant understand, but answers in English.

 

In more rural areas it's rare that someone speak, or just understand a bit of, English. I presume that if I had settles in a farmer village up north, learning more of Thai language would be a must.

 

Spouse:

I'm living together with a Thai girlfriend, who accepted to stay where I settled, and didn't try to make me settle in her village. I've already decided my move, before I met my girlfriend. Often a Thai lady dreams about a house in her home-village, both to make face – having a farang spouse – and to have a place when she gets old, as often the local spouse is the younger part. Bear in mind that family is important when one get old, as government support to elder people is very small and elder care homes are not normal in Thailand. Kind of age difference agreement between a foreigner and a younger Thai spouse can be like: "I take financially care of you now, in return you takes care of me when I get old."

 

This is why I mentioned that where to stay also depends on having a Thai spouse, and budget. The latter, budget, is especially if you wish to build a home. Land prices and construction costs are lower in rural areas. A spouse's family might already have land or access to land at a very affordable price – a foreigner can own a house, but not the land under the house – while in major towns and tourist areas, land prices can be quite high, and construction costs also higher.

 

An alternative is always to rent. Renting is the best in the beginning, when testing areas and the first periode when finding where to settle. It's easy to move on, if it was not the right choice. In long terms, to own one's home is cheaper than renting, but you need to look around 15 years ahead before an owned home – i.e. a condo that a foreigner can own – or construction costs and land arrangement for a house financially equals a rent.

 

I built a house and owns it, and have a reasonable arrangement for using the land, under the house. Compared to rental price for similar in my area, investment equalled rent already after 10 years; so, I'm living almost "rent free" now, but still paying a tiny landtax on the land – a house for primary home is tax free for the first 10 million baht in value – and of course maintenance of a house. Depending of where you comes from and where you settle, things may last shorter time than you are used to at home. I live beach front, which can be slight hard on a house – things easily rust or corrode – than having a home further inland.

I thank you again for sharing your experience and message. Food for thoughts, for sure !
It’s still a bit remote for me since my moving to Thailand is still 4 or 5 years away. I’m working full-time and clearly, I have still to focus on the present. But I find it useful to anticipate by reading and learning about life in Thailand  and the dynamics at play in the country at this moment in time.
Interesting that you’ve chosen not to get married up to now, and also your choice of location to settle. These are key decisions to make, I believe. It’s relevant to bide one’s time to mull over those choices, 🙂