I have been "retired" to Pattaya now for about a year. I wanted to post a little about my expectations moving in vs the reality of being here (without writing a book). Each point listed below is numbered in the expectations category vs the reality. You can reply with your own down below if you would like to contribute to the list.

Expectations

1. A young socially vibrant scene in an upscale condo building.
2. A nice pool with many young women swimming and sunbathing & having fun.
3. People around in the evening & night partying and drinking.
4. Women open to conversation and being friendly outside of an "arrangement" setting or venue.
5. People from all over the world visiting and interacting in a relaxed casual manner.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

Reality

1. An older scene with many retired single guys that are not very social. Building & facilities are good and upscale.
2. A small handful of the same guys (50 - 60ish) meeting daily to bob up & down in the water together.
3. It's quiet with people in their rooms. Many of the rooms seem empty with lights off in one of the newest/best buildings in the area.
4. Freelancers looking at their phones who shun eye contact or simple greetings in the elevator.
5. Older guys kind of just sitting around in various venues not saying much and not really having much to say.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

It just increasingly seems to me that it's not a happy casual place. You do have the high octane nightlife, women and company in nightlife areas but it only seems to happen under that particular umbrella where there is an obvious financial gain there, not as a natural interaction. I hope I am making sense.

Yeah it's crap. I keep telling people but they dont listen

13 minutes ago, Freebird13 said:

I have been "retired" to Pattaya now for about a year. I wanted to post a little about my expectations moving in vs the reality of being here (without writing a book). Each point listed below is numbered in the expectations category vs the reality. You can reply with your own down below if you would like to contribute to the list.

Expectations

1. A young socially vibrant scene in an upscale condo building.
2. A nice pool with many young women swimming and sunbathing & having fun.
3. People around in the evening & night partying and drinking.
4. Women open to conversation and being friendly outside of an "arrangement" setting or venue.
5. People from all over the world visiting and interacting in a relaxed casual manner.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

Reality

1. An older scene with many retired single guys that are not very social. Building & facilities are good and upscale.
2. A small handful of the same guys (50 - 60ish) meeting daily to bob up & down in the water together.
3. It's quiet with people in their rooms. Many of the rooms seem empty with lights off in one of the newest/best buildings in the area.
4. Freelancers looking at their phones who shun eye contact or simple greetings in the elevator.
5. Older guys kind of just sitting around in various venues not saying much and not really having much to say.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

It just increasingly seems to me that it's not a happy casual place. You do have the high octane nightlife, women and company in nightlife areas but it only seems to happen under that particular umbrella where there is an obvious financial gain there, not as a natural interaction. I hope I am making sense.

A change of place to live might be better. Or there is always Isaan. After spending a few months up there, Pattaya will probably feel a lot more exotic every time you come back.

10 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Yeah it's crap. I keep telling people but they dont listen

So, where are you going, Rocky? Coming from the same person who started the “Thailand is boring” thread #12 yesterday, I’m just curious. 🤔

10 minutes ago, Freebird13 said:

I have been "retired" to Pattaya now for about a year

The reality you describe is par for the course if you live in a retirement area and are yourself of retirement age.

If you make an effort to speak Thai to the Thais you may catch the eye of a non freelancer.

19 minutes ago, Freebird13 said:

6.. A lot of India type guys

Dont forget the standof-ish Russians and noisy Chinese 😋

it differs a world living there if youre in your 30's vs 50's,

in particular regarding your own sexual attraction to the opposite sex with normal woman

39 minutes ago, Freebird13 said:

A small handful of the same guys (50 - 60ish) meeting daily to bob up & down in the water together.

Sounds like you need hobbies, ideally find one or two prior to retiring. You aren't going to meet the people you are after in reception, the lift, the swimming pool, in a bar

It just increasingly seems to me that it's not a happy casual place.

You want a happy casual place?

Gotta go to the Cheesecake Factory* in Bangkok for that. 😄

*The Cheesecake Factory menu is as big as the Bible and just as culturally significant

Edited 29 minutes ago29 min by SiSePuede419
Big ass menu

Yeah, Thailand is not for everyone, it's a shame that the vloggers broadcast their fake videos just for the likes, content creators earning a living.

I'm the happiest guy on the planet, Thailand has been my home over 25 years. Big family, a few close friends.

Happy days for me 😊

1 hour ago, Freebird13 said:

I have been "retired" to Pattaya now for about a year. I wanted to post a little about my expectations moving in vs the reality of being here (without writing a book). Each point listed below is numbered in the expectations category vs the reality. You can reply with your own down below if you would like to contribute to the list.

Expectations

1. A young socially vibrant scene in an upscale condo building.
2. A nice pool with many young women swimming and sunbathing & having fun.
3. People around in the evening & night partying and drinking.
4. Women open to conversation and being friendly outside of an "arrangement" setting or venue.
5. People from all over the world visiting and interacting in a relaxed casual manner.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

Reality

1. An older scene with many retired single guys that are not very social. Building & facilities are good and upscale.
2. A small handful of the same guys (50 - 60ish) meeting daily to bob up & down in the water together.
3. It's quiet with people in their rooms. Many of the rooms seem empty with lights off in one of the newest/best buildings in the area.
4. Freelancers looking at their phones who shun eye contact or simple greetings in the elevator.
5. Older guys kind of just sitting around in various venues not saying much and not really having much to say.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

It just increasingly seems to me that it's not a happy casual place. You do have the high octane nightlife, women and company in nightlife areas but it only seems to happen under that particular umbrella where there is an obvious financial gain there, not as a natural interaction. I hope I am making sense.

Just curious how did you come up with those defined expectations?

1 hour ago, Freebird13 said:

I have been "retired" to Pattaya now for about a year. I wanted to post a little about my expectations moving in vs the reality of being here (without writing a book). Each point listed below is numbered in the expectations category vs the reality. You can reply with your own down below if you would like to contribute to the list.

Expectations

1. A young socially vibrant scene in an upscale condo building.
2. A nice pool with many young women swimming and sunbathing & having fun.
3. People around in the evening & night partying and drinking.
4. Women open to conversation and being friendly outside of an "arrangement" setting or venue.
5. People from all over the world visiting and interacting in a relaxed casual manner.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

Reality

1. An older scene with many retired single guys that are not very social. Building & facilities are good and upscale.
2. A small handful of the same guys (50 - 60ish) meeting daily to bob up & down in the water together.
3. It's quiet with people in their rooms. Many of the rooms seem empty with lights off in one of the newest/best buildings in the area.
4. Freelancers looking at their phones who shun eye contact or simple greetings in the elevator.
5. Older guys kind of just sitting around in various venues not saying much and not really having much to say.
6.. A lot of India type guys who are not very friendly outside of their own group.

It just increasingly seems to me that it's not a happy casual place. You do have the high octane nightlife, women and company in nightlife areas but it only seems to happen under that particular umbrella where there is an obvious financial gain there, not as a natural interaction. I hope I am making sense.

I'm certainly not an expert on the place but I've been there many times in the past. Though it is a big city with many different kinds of activities besides the most obvious ones I've never found the expat community there to be particularly stimulating, nor friendly. Add in the fact that it seems to be a mecca for both criminals and scam artists, and for me that's just another reason to stay away.

Also it's been my observation that in areas that attract a huge expat community the locals tend to be quite jaded, and the interactions are not particularly warm. The most obvious reason for a single guy to be there is the fact that there's quite a bit to work with in terms of both pros and freelancers. However I think because of the prevalence of that subset it probably makes it quite difficult to meet a real civilian woman.

If you're really passionate about golf or karting then it's a good spot. Otherwise I really don't understand the attraction or the appeal.

Edited just now1 min by spidermike007