What is it like to retire in Nakhon Nayok?

[Maypole31]

My thai wife and I are planning to retire from UK to Nakhon Nayok (wife has family there).  I have visited on a few ocassions but of course it is not the same as living there.

Any expats on here from Nakhon Nayok? What are the pros and cons? Any advice?

[KhunLA]

9 hours ago, Maypole31 said:

My thai wife and I are planning to retire from UK to Nakhon Nayok (wife has family there).  I have visited on a few ocassions but of course it is not the same as living there.

Any expats on here from Nakhon Nayok? What are the pros and cons? Any advice?

What you see is what you get ...

Pros ... hope you like nature and being outdoors, as half province is quite nice

Cons ... other half is just farmland, and you'll need to self entertain.

[cjinchiangrai]

It looks a bit swampy there but close to Bangkok. KhunLA is correct, be prepared to self entertain. Few English speakers, fewer Western meals. Don't build on low ground, or you will be rebuilding the family compound annually.

[NorthernRyland]

Have ever lived anywhere in Thailand? If not going in to that region could be extremely challenging for all sorts of reason we could go in to. Unless you get land right up next to the mountain it's going to pretty ugly too if you ask me.

 

Don't build anything before you've lived there a couple years and survey the rest of the country because it's almost guaranteed you will like other places much better. Your wife may not be ok with that though but at least you'll know where to escape too should you need.

[SAFETY FIRST]

9 hours ago, Maypole31 said:

Any advice?

Only 1hr 20 minutes to both Suvarnabhumi and DMK, it'd be good for me 

[KhunLA]

@Maypole31  Simple question, when visiting, hopefully more than 1 week, you got to ask yourself, were you happier when you arrived, or when you left.

 

It wouldn't be a place I'd want to retire, and spend my end of days.   Not even a good place to base myself, as hours away from anything resembling civilization 

 

And I actually enjoy living rural, but I was 20 mins out of Udon Thani metro for 16 ish years, and now, and hour+ from Hua Hin.   Also only live 5 kms from surfside town, and 10 kms from the hills.

 

As stated, think long and hard before 'buying' into anything.  If building a home, make sure it's up in the hills, above the dam, and away from streams.

[VocalNeal]

10 hours ago, Maypole31 said:

wife has family there

 

Many people living here have problems with local family dynamics. Your wife may think her family are fine until land inheritance rears it's ugly head. 

Cheap family land to build a house sounds enticing but you can't own it. Does it have freehold? Is there power run to the property? Water et al. Nice remote spot with no power. Power is 500m away. You run the power line and all of a sudden it is not as remote as you thought.

 

Advice?

- Live some where remote from family but close enough to visit as often as your wife wishes. A few hours by car would be fine. 

- Find a spot with a few farangs so you can hang out with them occasionally. Restaurant/pub/golf etc.

- Don't live too far from Immigration/driving licence office et al. Unless you have the patience of a saint.

[Maypole31]

Thank you all for your valuable insight and advice. Initially, we will split our time (six month intervals on rental basis) between Thailand and UK. If it all works out we will buy a property to settle permantly. 

Thanks again for all your input.

[josephbloggs]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

It wouldn't be a place I'd want to retire, and spend my end of days.   Not even a good place to base myself, as hours away from anything resembling civilization 

 

Hardly. it's a maximum of a 90 minute drive to Bangkok.

[josephbloggs]

21 hours ago, Maypole31 said:

My thai wife and I are planning to retire from UK to Nakhon Nayok (wife has family there).  I have visited on a few ocassions but of course it is not the same as living there.

Any expats on here from Nakhon Nayok? What are the pros and cons? Any advice?

I have two friends who bought land and built houses there. One spends most of his time there and comes up to Bangkok when needed. The other is based here but spends his weekends in Nakhon Nayok. Both absolutely love it.

You have to like quietness, isolation, and nature. If you do it is beautiful with hills, rivers etc. They both love cycling so go on amazing rides. And you are only 80-90 minutes form Bangkok.

Personally I couldn't live there as it is too quiet and I need my city stuff. But I can see why it appeals to others.

[KhunLA]

35 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Hardly. it's a maximum of a 90 minute drive to Bangkok.

From Muang district to Nana Plaza or T21, probably 2 hrs, and what, pop over there, BKK for lunch.  Really depends what part of province live in.  I'd prefer further west in the hills, so add 1/2 hr.  

 

Although, if at eastern edge, could be at Future Park Mall in about 1 hour.