Where To Settle Down?

[Lilawadee]

I'm considering Phuket as a place to establish myself in Thailand for the better part of the year.

I'm looking for throughts on places in or around Phuket that are a bit away from the biggest tourist infrastructure things, but still not totally in the middle of nowhere.

Which regions would you advise for me to go check out on my next trip/survey of the area? I was beginning to think that being somewhat near Phuket Town would be good, are there any board members living there? And then did you choose to live in town, or in the outskirts / surroundings?

[HDRIDER]

Hi

I would go for South, Nai Harn, Rawai, Chalong, nice and not to many tourist,,, yet

[tom yum goong]

The areas around Phuket Town such as Kathu and Chalong are quite nice. Not far from town and the beach is never more than 20 minutes drive. However, you will need your own transportation as public transport here is dire.

You might also want to consider Rawai and Nai Harn in the far south of the island. Close to the beach and only slightly touristy.

[huggybear]

I'm considering Phuket as a place to establish myself in Thailand for the better part of the year.

I'm looking for throughts on places in or around Phuket that are a bit away from the biggest tourist infrastructure things, but still not totally in the middle of nowhere.

Which regions would you advise for me to go check out on my next trip/survey of the area? I was beginning to think that being somewhat near Phuket Town would be good, are there any board members living there? And then did you choose to live in town, or in the outskirts / surroundings?

You should try an contact Donna on the Forum here. She has a rental for you in Phuket town.

Also on the board recently is GirlX with a posting that is the same, a lot of good info there.

I'm just back from Kamala; when will Kamala get away from the construction zone look? Geez, the tsunami was two years ago !

[WOOHOO]

I live in Kathu, but when I eventually buy a house it will definitely be in Phuket town. Rawai & Nai Harn are lovely but I think are bit too isolated to live. Basically it comes down to how you live your life. If you're in party mode then you need to be near one of the beaches, if you're more interested in a home life, good food, and to be immersed in real Thai culture, then for my money Phuket town is the place to be. You can always jump on a bus and be in Patong, Rawai, Karon etc. in half an hour for a night on the town. I think your best bet would be to spend a couple of days driving, or being driven around the island and see what takes your fancy, because the diversity from one place to another is huge, which is what makes Phuket an amazing place to live. One thing I'm pretty sure of, is you'll be very happy, wherever on the island you end up.

[huggybear]

I live in Kathu, but when I eventually buy a house it will definitely be in Phuket town. Rawai & Nai Harn are lovely but I think are bit too isolated to live. Basically it comes down to how you live your life. If you're in party mode then you need to be near one of the beaches, if you're more interested in a home life, good food, and to be immersed in real Thai culture, then for my money Phuket town is the place to be. You can always jump on a bus and be in Patong, Rawai, Karon etc. in half an hour for a night on the town. I think your best bet would be to spend a couple of days driving, or being driven around the island and see what takes your fancy, because the diversity from one place to another is huge, which is what makes Phuket an amazing place to live. One thing I'm pretty sure of, is you'll be very happy, wherever on the island you end up.

WHOHOO, not to bag on you, but you've got some funny info you are handing out. How long have you lived in Thailand?

"and to be immersed in real Thai culture, then for my money Phuket town is the place to be"

Sorry, "for your money" (which maybe you should give to me before investing in Thailand) but Phuket, I don't care where you are on the island, is not immersion in real Thai culture. This is Koh Farang, the richest province in the country, far, far away from Isaan.

Proof in the pudding is that there is a MacDonald's in Phuket town. Thai culture? Not.

Nai Hairn, isolated? Takes me 8 minutes to get to the Chalong circle via motorbike.

[JiveTalker]

I live in Kathu, but when I eventually buy a house it will definitely be in Phuket town. Rawai & Nai Harn are lovely but I think are bit too isolated to live. Basically it comes down to how you live your life. If you're in party mode then you need to be near one of the beaches, if you're more interested in a home life, good food, and to be immersed in real Thai culture, then for my money Phuket town is the place to be. You can always jump on a bus and be in Patong, Rawai, Karon etc. in half an hour for a night on the town. I think your best bet would be to spend a couple of days driving, or being driven around the island and see what takes your fancy, because the diversity from one place to another is huge, which is what makes Phuket an amazing place to live. One thing I'm pretty sure of, is you'll be very happy, wherever on the island you end up.

WHOHOO, not to bag on you, but you've got some funny info you are handing out. How long have you lived in Thailand?

"and to be immersed in real Thai culture, then for my money Phuket town is the place to be"

Sorry, "for your money" (which maybe you should give to me before investing in Thailand) but Phuket, I don't care where you are on the island, is not immersion in real Thai culture. This is Koh Farang, the richest province in the country, far, far away from Isaan.

Proof in the pudding is that there is a MacDonald's in Phuket town. Thai culture? Not.

Nai Hairn, isolated? Takes me 8 minutes to get to the Chalong circle via motorbike.

Have you been to Phuket Town? Sure if you head straight for McDonalds, Big C or Central Festival it's the same as Nai Harn, Rawaii, Patong or Kamala, full of tourists.

However if you live, work and party in Phuket Town there are 1000s of places that do feel Thai. I regularly go to places where I am the only white face, and I have to rely on my little knowledge of Thai to get by.

As WOOHOO said come and check the place out first. I always found Rawaii and Nai Harn nice for a visit, but they reminded me of retirement villages back home. They are only 30 minutes down the road from Phuket.

[WOOHOO]

Firstly, I have never understood this " How long have you been here" mentality a lot of people on this forum have, as if there is some scale of coolness that goes up day by day. Not everything in life has to be like a playground pi*sing competition. The fact of the matter is, whatever kind of person you were when you got here, chances are you're still gonna be the same person 20 years later. If it's that important for you to know then I have been here, on and off for 7 years and currently live here 8 months per year. Immersed in Thai culture may have been a little strong for Phuket town. I'll give you that one. You quoted Issan, I lived in Thabo near Nong Khai for a couple of months that was real immersion, but what I meant was that on Phuket, Phuket town is the realest of places, in that it is the least touched by the grubby mitts of Farang. I don't want to 'bag on you' either Huggybear but I have to say that 'Koh Farang' is probably the worst thing I've heard for a long time.

[Lilawadee]

Ok, I'm going to come down on the side of WOOHOO here.

Indeed one of the reasons why I'm leaning towards Phuket is that it's actually an established province; it was 'a place on the map' long before tourism and I think that shows. If I compare that to places that were just coconuts 20 years ago and suddenly exploded merely for the sake of tourism, then yes, I find less culture and less Thai-ness (sorry) there. I also like the Chinese influence; there's just more of an establishment there compared to places like Samui.

I only visited Phuket Town by day, and for food at night, but at the time didn't notice any nightlife places where young Thais would go. I'm sure they're out there though, anyone here partial to a non-Farang entertainment scene?

Having a Mc Donalds or a Starbucks doesn't detract from being Thai or not.. Really there's places in Thailand that never see a Western face, but do have a KFC or McDonalds or Tesco doing booming business, from all the Thais wanting to eat/shop there.

So thanks everyone so far!! I think I will give special interest to the area in between Phuket Town and the Southern beaches, Chalong and so on.

Final question: What about the North & North East of the island? I noticed there's a really (REALLY) fancy development going up there, but are people actually wanting to live in that area?

[WOOHOO]

I reckon the best Thai place for a lively night out is Timber Hut. (It goes by the name Timber Hut & Timber & Rock. It changed from one to the other but still gets called both. It gets lively after 11, and the live band is very well known in Phuket (lead singer Kurt has been there forever I think) anyway, it's worth checking out.

[viciouskitty74]

Final question: What about the North & North East of the island? I noticed there's a really (REALLY) fancy development going up there, but are people actually wanting to live in that area?

Well, I am not sure where I am, but it felt like the NorthEast Side of Phuket island. Near to Tesco and the power relay plant & that highway that seems to be the only road that brings you to the airport from Phuket Town?

Do you mean the development look like this?

[viciouskitty74]

I wont be surprised if some forumer recognize the unit since I just found out today that a neighbour is a american with a local wife & this really cute babygirl.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

I can see they have something to do with boats.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Final question: What about the North & North East of the island? I noticed there's a really (REALLY) fancy development going up there, but are people actually wanting to live in that area?

Personally, I find the North East of the island the nicest place to live but it is very quiet and there's not much in the way of bars/restaurants/other expats but you're not far from what I consider to be the island's most attractive beaches on the North West coast and the stunning views off the North East coast.

The North West is a bit of a mixed bag. Surin and Bang Tao beaches are quite touristy but tend to cater to the '5-star' tourist market with prices to match. Other areas such as Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao despite still being touristy are much quieter and very pleasant.

I would say that if you want expat company and plenty of bars and restaurants close by, the South of the island is better. For a more Thai atmosphere, Phuket Town is probably your best bet and the North of the island for quality of beaches and a quieter lifestyle.

That's one of the things I love about Phuket, there's pretty much somewhere for every taste and you're never too far from wherever you want or need to be.

[viciouskitty74]

Hi

I can see they have something to do with boats.

Well yes. But I have not much idea about ship building or engines or servicing of liferafts.

And I dont think i should post out pics of the company name and addy which might be cosntrue as advertising.

if you liked, I can send you thru pm.

[huggybear]

Firstly, I have never understood this " How long have you been here" mentality a lot of people on this forum have, as if there is some scale of coolness that goes up day by day. Not everything in life has to be like a playground pi*sing competition. The fact of the matter is, whatever kind of person you were when you got here, chances are you're still gonna be the same person 20 years later. If it's that important for you to know then I have been here, on and off for 7 years and currently live here 8 months per year. Immersed in Thai culture may have been a little strong for Phuket town. I'll give you that one. You quoted Issan, I lived in Thabo near Nong Khai for a couple of months that was real immersion, but what I meant was that on Phuket, Phuket town is the realest of places, in that it is the least touched by the grubby mitts of Farang. I don't want to 'bag on you' either Huggybear but I have to say that 'Koh Farang' is probably the worst thing I've heard for a long time.

"Firstly, I have never understood this " How long have you been here" mentality a lot of people on this forum have, as if there is some scale of coolness that goes up day by day."

My point was not "coolness" but the amount of time spent here for you to reach the conclusions you have come to.

"The fact of the matter is, whatever kind of person you were when you got here, chances are you're still gonna be the same person 20 years later"

You actually believe 20 years later you will be the same person? You are the same person now you were 20 years ago?

Are you sure you didn't visit Thabo for a couple months as compared to "live there a couple months".

Not a pissing match, I just having a hard time with some of the stuff you are spouting.

Yes, welcome to Koh Farang, home of Starbucks, Mickey D's, Burger King and for real Thai immersion KFC. Per capita Farang to Thai the highest in the nation.

I'm out on this thread, HB

[Lilawadee]

Final question: What about the North & North East of the island? I noticed there's a really (REALLY) fancy development going up there, but are people actually wanting to live in that area?

Do you mean the development look like this?

LOL!! No, don't mean development like that. That's about as depressing as it gets, well, short of a "condominium" unit I guess.

When I say 'fancy', I mean development like this:

http://aquaminium.royalphuketmarina.com/

[WOOHOO]

Not sure what this huge interest in my life you have Huggybear is all about. My reply was to the OP, and I think you'll find she didn't have a problem with 'the stuff I'm spouting' and nor did JiveTalker who agreed with me fully, so I fail to see why you needed to post at all, are you lonely or something? I mean really, Did I live somewhere for two months or was I just staying there for two months, give me a break man. Everyone else who read that got the point, I was there for two months, how can there possibly be any need to anallise that sentence any further. Anyway if we were all the same it would be a boring old world, so you continue enjoying your 'Ko farang' and I'll continue trying to immerse myself in Thai culture.

[huggybear]

Not sure what this huge interest in my life you have Huggybear is all about. My reply was to the OP, and I think you'll find she didn't have a problem with 'the stuff I'm spouting' and nor did JiveTalker who agreed with me fully, so I fail to see why you needed to post at all, are you lonely or something? I mean really, Did I live somewhere for two months or was I just staying there for two months, give me a break man. Everyone else who read that got the point, I was there for two months, how can there possibly be any need to anallise that sentence any further. Anyway if we were all the same it would be a boring old world, so you continue enjoying your 'Ko farang' and I'll continue trying to immerse myself in Thai culture.

I couldn't give a rats arse about your life, what I am interested in is people giving advice when they really know what they are talking about. Otherwise it's just a load of BS.

Yeah, you live someplace for more than a year, when you are somewhere for two months, you are a visitor.

Immersed in Thai culture? Let me know when you get your place in the Muslim village near Ao Por, then I might consider you are immersing yourself here in Phuket (although even that is still a reach). It ain't gonna happen at Timber Hut..........

[viciouskitty74]

When I say 'fancy', I mean development like this:

http://aquaminium.royalphuketmarina.com/

It is fancy! I rode by there today on a small bike!

There is another story to get the bike though. I had to go to the secretary's house to get her spare bike and had a look at her little house.

Its a small little thing, a terrace house with 2 bedrooms, a bathroom/toliet and a small kitchen and a small front yard thingy that is gated and sheltered so it function like a mini garage and there is like a mini garden too. Good enough even if you keep those toy size doggies.

The bedroom fits at least a wardrobe, vanity table & a twin bed. And the living room fits at least a small dinning table and a day bed.

And she tells me these are available for 5000baht a month everywhere.

For myself, I love it, cos Its something I am used to back home in Singapore's 3 room HDB flat. What matters is not the space, its how you make use of the space.

[WOOHOO]

Last post on the matter, it's getting a bit tedious for me now, and I think there's a couple of different conversations going on here at once, & neither are about the OP. What you're doing (Huggybear) is taking my words, immersing in culture, and taking them way too seriously. I've already said earlier maybe wasn't the best choice of words. It's just that everyone's different. Some people come to Phuket to live, because they want to prop up a bar on Bangla, everyday and every night and that's there choice. Other people come and want to do different things. My point was you can walk around Phuket town all day, and not see one farang . (unless you go to where Maccy D's & Robinsons is, which is probably the least interesting part of the town, except for some nice food at night.) You don't have to go 30 miles in to the jungle to sample culture. You just have to mix with the locals, eat the local food, try to understand local ways and things like that. It's obvious that Phuket is different to parts of Thailand, where they have never seen farang before, that goes without saying, but to say phuket is 'Ko Farang' just because of the 'highest per capita farang to Thai' is nonsense. It's a Thai place that puts up with Farang for the financial benefits. Simple as that. The only other thing which I have no answer to, is why you object to my opinion so strongly, is it simply because it is different to yours? I gave my opinion to the OP. Someone immediately agreed with me, then the OP themselves said that they agreed with me yet you're convinced my opinion is 'BS' as you put it. I'm happy, everyone else is happy, the OP is happy, why don't you try and join us, and just agree to disagree. Either way mate, life's far too short to have conversations that aren't going anywhere, with people you don't even know, so I'll leave it there.

[WOOHOO]

Last post on the matter, it's getting a bit tedious for me now, and I think there's a couple of different conversations going on here at once, & neither are about the OP. What you're doing (Huggybear) is taking my words, immersing in culture, and taking them way too seriously. I've already said earlier maybe wasn't the best choice of words. It's just that everyone's different. Some people come to Phuket to live, because they want to prop up a bar on Bangla, everyday and every night and that's there choice. Other people come and want to do different things. My point was you can walk around Phuket town all day, and not see one farang . (unless you go to where Maccy D's & Robinsons is, which is probably the least interesting part of the town, except for some nice food at night.) You don't have to go 30 miles in to the jungle to sample culture. You just have to mix with the locals, eat the local food, try to understand local ways and things like that. It's obvious that Phuket is different to parts of Thailand, where they have never seen farang before, that goes without saying, but to say phuket is 'Ko Farang' just because of the 'highest per capita farang to Thai' is nonsense. It's a Thai place that puts up with Farang for the financial benefits. Simple as that. The only other thing which I have no answer to, is why you object to my opinion so strongly, is it simply because it is different to yours? I gave my opinion to the OP. Someone immediately agreed with me, then the OP themselves said that they agreed with me yet you're convinced my opinion is 'BS' as you put it. I'm happy, everyone else is happy, the OP is happy, why don't you try and join us, and just agree to disagree. Either way mate, life's far too short to have conversations that aren't going anywhere, with people you don't even know, so I'll leave it there.

[viciouskitty74]

If i can find internet cafe at mae Sa long.....i would say the locals have seen farangs.

And I have seen their local folks at Phu Ji Fa uses laptop with wireless connection...and they have a small cafe that serves american breakfast......

Ermmm.......you boys give it a rest already. Thai folks practise talking softly & disagreeing peacefully....shouting, arguing or generally being rude to each other is considered bad form.

[huggybear]

Last post on the matter, it's getting a bit tedious for me now, and I think there's a couple of different conversations going on here at once, & neither are about the OP. What you're doing (Huggybear) is taking my words, immersing in culture, and taking them way too seriously. I've already said earlier maybe wasn't the best choice of words. It's just that everyone's different. Some people come to Phuket to live, because they want to prop up a bar on Bangla, everyday and every night and that's there choice. Other people come and want to do different things. My point was you can walk around Phuket town all day, and not see one farang . (unless you go to where Maccy D's & Robinsons is, which is probably the least interesting part of the town, except for some nice food at night.) You don't have to go 30 miles in to the jungle to sample culture. You just have to mix with the locals, eat the local food, try to understand local ways and things like that. It's obvious that Phuket is different to parts of Thailand, where they have never seen farang before, that goes without saying, but to say phuket is 'Ko Farang' just because of the 'highest per capita farang to Thai' is nonsense. It's a Thai place that puts up with Farang for the financial benefits. Simple as that. The only other thing which I have no answer to, is why you object to my opinion so strongly, is it simply because it is different to yours? I gave my opinion to the OP. Someone immediately agreed with me, then the OP themselves said that they agreed with me yet you're convinced my opinion is 'BS' as you put it. I'm happy, everyone else is happy, the OP is happy, why don't you try and join us, and just agree to disagree. Either way mate, life's far too short to have conversations that aren't going anywhere, with people you don't even know, so I'll leave it there.

Agreed.

One last question for you though WHOHOO,

do you find "farang" a derogatory term? Like a racial slam?

Just curious.

HB

[donna]

can we stop the slanging matches please? do try to stay on topic. the last thing i want to have to do is to start deleting posts and warning people, so do us all a favour and please play nicely.

[Lilawadee]

On the topic of the shophouse / townhouse:

It is fancy! I rode by there today on a small bike! There is another story to get the bike though. I had to go to the secretary's house to get her spare bike and had a look at her little house.

Its a small little thing, a terrace house with 2 bedrooms, a bathroom/toliet and a small kitchen and a small front yard thingy that is gated and sheltered so it function like a mini garage and there is like a mini garden too. Good enough even if you keep those toy size doggies. The bedroom fits at least a wardrobe, vanity table & a twin bed. And the living room fits at least a small dinning table and a day bed. And she tells me these are available for 5000baht a month everywhere.

For myself, I love it, cos Its something I am used to back home in Singapore's 3 room HDB flat. What matters is not the space, its how you make use of the space.

True, on many accounts. They're affordable, usually much cheaper than an appartment/condominium unit that offers a third of the space and costs three times as much.

Don't get me wrong, I've rented one of those years ago. What I didn't like especially was not the lack of space as it had plenty, but the lack of light or windows. If you step into one of those it's like entering a garage; there's NO windows! Now this may be adequate and for sure I've actually stayed in places that were a lot worse and still feeling like a king, BUT when retiring in a place that you like, I do at the very least like to have some windows and 'face' on to the world. (Face meaning 'front', not something that looks expensive for the sake of appearing rich or anything).

I already realize you can simply not live in Phuket without a car or at least a motorbike, so then the place can be a little out of the way, as long as there's a little space and a little view on to the world..

Of course the real estate sites mostly show the fancier places that they'd make money on (say, like this one; 7M baht: http://phuketrealestate.com/info.php?c=442 ) but something much smaller and older would be good too. Or even just lease a bit of land and chuck down a prefab wooden house that can just as easily be moved again.

[WOOHOO]

No of course not mate, I am one so how could I. I guess it may come across that way sometimes because I come to Thailand for a different way of life, and part of that is to get away from everything back home including the people. I don't know where you're from Huggybear but in England there's so many morons it's unbelievable. So I guess I try to leave those behind as well. Obviously there's just as many good people out there, I just can't be bothered to wade through all the crap to find them. With all due respect Donna there's no harm in a bit of banter. No toys were thrown, and we both new it had run its course, was of topic though, so apologies to the OP.

[huggybear]

No of course not mate, I am one so how could I. I guess it may come across that way sometimes because I come to Thailand for a different way of life, and part of that is to get away from everything back home including the people. I don't know where you're from Huggybear but in England there's so many morons it's unbelievable. So I guess I try to leave those behind as well. Obviously there's just as many good people out there, I just can't be bothered to wade through all the crap to find them. With all due respect Donna there's no harm in a bit of banter. No toys were thrown, and we both new it had run its course, was of topic though, so apologies to the OP.

I liked our exchange WHOHOO.

Sorry Donna felt compelled to jump in.

Never meant anything personal, plus this forum needs some life. I thought our exchange was a good reminder that we all have different views and it's o.k. to disagree. I believe you and I agreed on our disagreement.

Cheers, good luck in your immersion.

HB