Why U Chose Pattaya To Live At?

[chillibilly]

I live in Naklua area because of my job - not by choice. I would like to know why people (farangs) choose Pattaya to live at (not talking about vacationers). I find Pattaya's weak infrastructure and busy streets as a big minus (among other things)...so why do YOU choose to live in Pattay instead of elsewhere?

(Ok, other than the ladies that are available here to single, retired men.) Are there other reasons?

[tropo]

(Ok, other than the ladies that are available here to single, retired men.)

LOL, the ladies are available to any takers...even married and/or unretired men...or women.

Have a look around. Where can you find such a diversity of affordable restaurants? Apart from that, I don't think you'd find another location in Asia with such a diversity of imported foods. The huge, diverse expat population makes living here very easy.

Edited March 22, 2010 by tropo

[FarangBuddha]

What do I like about living in Pattaya...let me count the ways:

1. Accommodation (renting or buying) is quite cheap compared to most places "back home."

2. Food (either grocery shopping or restaurants is pretty cheap and good quality and restaurant dek-serves are friendly and happy with 5-10% tips (not 15-20% in "civilized" countries.

3. Resort/beach city ambiance and weather (I don't mind hot...as long as there's air-con when inside).

4. Proximity to Bangkok and its cultural offerings (concerts, lectures, shows, and again food) only 2 hours away; also an international airport for world-wide travel.

5. Thai people being generally friendly and easy-going hosts.

6. Very good shopping options for city its [small] size (2 Lotus, 3-4 Big C's, Carrefour, Central Beach[!], Tuk-Com, and lots of small shops to fill any need.

7. Made lots of new expatriate friends who are nice people and not stressed out freaks with a fat-wife and fat-mortgage driving them into the ground.

8. Can drive anyway I want to on the road and not have to worry about a copper hiding behind every light or stop-sign waiting to give me a $200.00 ticket for not signaling during a lane change

9. Relatively low tax burden and none of my tax money going to support welfare state loafers or over-breeding mothers or millions of illegal immigrants in the country.

10. Personal philosophy (atheism) is fairly compatible with the prevailing Buddhist mores of Thailand and there are very few Jesus, Moses, or Mohammad freaks to have to contend with!

If I think of any more, I'll let you know

Edited March 22, 2010 by FarangBuddha

[thaimate]

its so easy to get marmite here. bangkok has it as well but its a nightmare living there,but easy to visit it from Pattaya.

[hughden]

It's the marmite that keeps me here too.

[game4shame]

here we go again - pattaya expats claiming the city is a cosmopolitan, clean-cut metropolis, perfect for families, with not even a hint of vice.

[britmaveric]

Vice everywhere...

[Ulysses G.]

...the city is a cosmopolitan, clean-cut metropolis, perfect for families, with not even a hint of vice.

I concur.

[syd barrett]

perfect for families......

..... comprising of one Father and three sons....

[Ulysses G.]

Or a mother and 3 daughters - all on the game.

[Rimmer]

Marmite

[lemel]

I got sick of living in Bangkok, in a traffic congested smog laden hellhole, listening to the sanctimonious pious expats with their holier than thou attitude who knock Pattaya and then come down for a boys weekend every chance they get. If you don't like it, keep away, shut up, go on another thread and give it a rest will you. But I doubt it, as you have F#@* all better to whine about, <deleted>!!!

Thats why!!!!

[stingray]

I didn't came over a decade ago for the nice blue gulf of Siam! And i didn't came overhere to support someones family, when i not even like my own.

So i came over to enjoy (and work now as well). Just much more freedom overhere than in US or Europe, specially on the road. In US i would stay allways with one leg in the jail. Speeding, Enjoy the BGs / Nightlife, etc. etc.

Edited March 22, 2010 by stingray

[davethailand]

I got sick of living in Bangkok, in a traffic congested smog laden hellhole, listening to the sanctimonious pious expats with their holier than thou attitude who knock Pattaya and then come down for a boys weekend every chance they get. If you don't like it, keep away, shut up, go on another thread and give it a rest will you. But I doubt it, as you have F#@* all better to whine about, <deleted>!!!

Thats why!!!!

Good post.

[dereklev]

here we go again - pattaya expats claiming the city is a cosmopolitan, clean-cut metropolis, perfect for families, with not even a hint of vice.

Khun poot lor len.......

It's a sh*th*le and everyone knows it. Just people protecting their (non-) investment

Edited March 22, 2010 by dereklev

[britmaveric]

^Great place and welcomes everyone!!! Far better than Bangkok that is certain.

[stingray]

here we go again - pattaya expats claiming the city is a cosmopolitan, clean-cut metropolis, perfect for families, with not even a hint of vice.

Khun poot lor len.......

It's a sh*th*le and everyone knows it. Just people protecting their (non-) investment

There are many peaple who would like to stay in Pattaya, but they can't. Maybe for family reason, or financial reason or what ever, who knows?

I better stay in Pattaya then somwhere in a boring up country village, where i have to take care someone elses family. If i have to living in Bangkok, i would better go back to Europe, where i came from (Switzerland, better Life Style for me). Bangkok getting very expensive, for invesments or even for real estate. Phuket is to far from Bangkok and is expensive as well (as i doing business).

Pattaya is the best for me (small business) has Nightlife, Bars, Shopping Possibilities, Beach (even if not clean), Sunshine almost all year long)

About (Non) investments: I don't think there are only Non investments in Pattaya. If you are smart you can make money in Pattaya as everywhere. But not if "the family" sucks everything away, which is usual up country!

[manarak]

Pattaya... the region of choice after a thorough research.

Let's say one wanted to relocate to a relaxed, friendly, low-cost, low-tax, warm weather beach country which can also offer everything a developed country / big metropolis can offer.

I thought a long time about which country to relocate to.

- northern mediterrannean countries are not suitable: too expensive, too high tax, water temperature too low

- southern mediterranean: no thanks - either safety issues or religious issues, don't like the food

- Africa in general: unsafe

- Central & South america: unsafe, I don't like the food and I don't like spanish/portguese languages, I don't like their manners. People are too tall for me (I'm just 5 feet 1/2) to feel at ease

- Carribean: same about the language, Martinique & Guadeloupe too expensive, the looks of the people don't appeal to me, it's too isolated and too small.

- North America: too cold, too expensive

- Russia/CIS/China: too cold

- India: don't like the country, the food and the people's looks/bahavior.

- Australia: not bad, but a bit expensive and not tax neutral

Remains: South East Asia:

- Indonesia, Malaysia: too much muslims, religious laws, not for me. Don't like the food.

- Singapore: too expensive!

- Philippines: seems a bit unstable, some regions are beyond government's control, safety issues, infrastructure issues.

- Laos, Burma, Cambodia: still to unstable.

- Vietnam: not bad, but international openness still very young, some burdensome laws, poor infrastructure and hospitals.

- Thailand:

Many positive aspects: safe for foreigners, best medical infrastructure in SE Asia (Singapore excepted, but SIN is so small), good overall infrastructure (airports, roads, ...) very low cost of living, big & nice houses with pool for cheap, and all the benefits of a big metropolis with Bangkok, good tax law (allowing for 0% tax), relaxed life, the good aspects of Mai Pen Rai, friendly people, etc.

Some negative aspects: restrictions on land ownership, residence permit restrictions, restrictions on business, the latent exclusion of foreigners and the bad aspects of the Mai Pen Rai mentality.

So... Thailand wins in the country choice (easily, by the way)

Now, why Pattaya?

For pensioners without the urge to visit the ladies every evening, the sensible choice would be to settle down in Hua Hin or ChaAm, or another seaside town.

Those who have the necessary $$$ would maybe chose Koh Samui or Phuket, where they could also have the ladies, if they want.

In my case, we are a family of 4, with young children, none of us are Thai, and the children must go to an international school.

There are 4 places in Thailand where a full international cursus exists:

- Bangkok

- Chiang Mai

- Phuket

- Pattaya

Cross out Bangkok and Chiang Mai, since we want to be near the sea.

Phuket vs. Pattaya:

- Phuket is more expensive than Pattaya for everything (housing, living costs, school)

- Phuket is a holiday resort, Phuket town has not much to offer for shopping, leisure infrastructure

- Once every while we will need the services of a metropolis and Phuket is far from Bangkok

On the other hand, Pattaya has many shopping venues, leisure infrastructure, some good international schools leading the the international bachelor, etc.

For example, I already managed to make a list of 30 things to do for fun around Pattaya with the kids.

And if we need something (visa/passport issues, taking a flight, shopping orgy for my wife, amusement park with the kids, shopping for something uncommon, complicated surgery, etc.) Bangkok is just a couple of hours away.

The biggest minuses of Pattaya are the not so nice beaches (which can be compensated by driving approx. one hour south or by having a boat and going to island beaches) and the whole open-air brothel with the tattoed-shaved-head guys, which also attract the country's worst locals. While I think hookers and brothels are a natural component of society, I do reckon the Pattaya scene is way over the top, but I don't see it as being a major obstacle to moving into the region (I'm planning to get a house around Mabprachan lake).

Phuket's big plus are the nice beaches, but it really remains a holiday resort.

Edited March 22, 2010 by manarak

[brianw]

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS

[guzzi850m2]

I got sick of living in Bangkok, in a traffic congested smog laden hellhole, listening to the sanctimonious pious expats with their holier than thou attitude who knock Pattaya and then come down for a boys weekend every chance they get. If you don't like it, keep away, shut up, go on another thread and give it a rest will you. But I doubt it, as you have F#@* all better to whine about, <deleted>!!!

Thats why!!!!

Good post.

Yes a very good post.

I lived previously in Phuket and in BKK, but I prefer Pattaya. Good restaurants, good shopping, many options for the kids school, relatively cheap. A lot of expats to mingle with, good and bad (mostly good) Huge Harley community I can hang out with.

Not so good: The beaches are not even close to Phuket, but I don't like to lay on the beach anyway . Too much crime, well there are crime all over the world so??

Alternatives for me: Chiang Mai, very very nice, I love it up there, but the yearly 2 month smog keeps me off, sadly. Hua Hin & Koh Samui, no thanks I will pass, too small for me.

My 2 cents.

[dogleg]

Why did I choose Pattaya? Scuba Diving Instruction.

Why do I stay? Inertia!

[thrilled]

Pattaya is good for 1 thing beach road 500baht,need I say more?

[salty]

Have you got time?

[jaapfries]

Pattaya is good for 1 thing beach road 500baht,need I say more?

I have lived in Pattaya for 18 years - and I did not know that the 'going rate' on Beach Rd. was Bt. 500.-: makes me wonder; how come you, who's knocking Pattaya, do know this ? ? You just put your foot in your own mouth, hey ?!?!

In any event; like my brilliant Thai wife often reminds me; "every coin has 2 sides"; Pattaya, like many other cities in the world, has the seedy places and the seedy bars, but there's no law that yo have to go there, every night and frequent these. Like the remote-control on your TV; nobody forces you to watch the Porno-Channels; so why people complain about "porno-on-TV" is beyond me.

Pattaya has much more to offer than just places with Bar-Girls, my friends; there are many places where one can play tennis or badminton, on a regular basis; there are more Gyms here than you can shake a stick at - and then of course my favorite past-time: sailing. You could join the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, located on Cosy Beach (just down from the Royal Cliff) and when you get there, it is like having stepped into a different world; magnificent location and at the RVYC they make sailing very easy.

Then; like some poster already detailed; the shopping, resaurant & (decent) Barsin Pattaya are without equal and alsomuch less expensive than places like Phuket, Bangkok, CM etc.

Stop knocking Pattaya, because you're only knocking yourself !

Ergo:

Pattaya; where the living is easy ! ! !

Cheers,

JGK

Proud-Pattayan

Edited March 23, 2010 by jaapfries

[thaibeachlovers]

What do I like about living in Pattaya...let me count the ways:

1. Accommodation (renting or buying) is quite cheap compared to most places "back home."

2. Food (either grocery shopping or restaurants is pretty cheap and good quality and restaurant dek-serves are friendly and happy with 5-10% tips (not 15-20% in "civilized" countries.

3. Resort/beach city ambiance and weather (I don't mind hot...as long as there's air-con when inside).

6. Very good shopping options for city its [small] size (2 Lotus, 3-4 Big C's, Carrefour, Central Beach[!], Tuk-Com, and lots of small shops to fill any need.

7. Made lots of new expatriate friends who are nice people and not stressed out freaks with a fat-wife and fat-mortgage driving them into the ground.

9. none of my tax money going to support welfare state loafers or over-breeding mothers or millions of illegal immigrants in the country.

Hope it's OK to delete the options that don't apply to me, but I agree with the remaining.

Other things that appeal to me about Pattaya:

Walking Street. Not as good a show as Nana at closing time, but pretty good most of the time.

Malibu cabaret Show.

It's small enough to walk around, but if you want to ride, there's a baht bus every few seconds.

Good, cheap, internet shops.

Great cinemas.

Always plenty of interesting things to do, or can hang out in a bar and play connect 4 with the ladees if you just want to pass the time.

I feel safer there any time of day than London, and any time of night than any western city I was ever in.

[Ulysses G.]

In any event; like my brilliant Thai wife often reminds me; "every coin has 2 sides"; Pattaya, like many other cities in the world, has the seedy places and the seedy bars, but there's no law that yo have to go there, every night and frequent these. Like the remote-control on your TV; nobody forces you to watch the Porno-Channels; so why people complain about "porno-on-TV" is beyond me.

Pattaya has much more to offer than just places with Bar-Girls, my friends; there are many places where one can play tennis or badminton, on a regular basis; there are more Gyms here than you can shake a stick at - and then of course my favorite past-time: sailing. You could join the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, located on Cosy Beach (just down from the Royal Cliff) and when you get there, it is like having stepped into a different world; magnificent location and at the RVYC they make sailing very easy.

I visit Pattaya on a regular basis, but only indulge in the Nightlife every so often. There is plenty to do there besides the ladies.

[craigt3365]

Pattaya... the region of choice after a thorough research.

Wow...great post. You summed up my position exactly! I have traveled all over the world for the past 5 years looking for a place I wanted to live/retire. Been to many of the retirement hot spots. 70 countries so far. Thailand got my top vote. I loved it here the first time I came 8 years ago. And after traveling all over the Kingdom, I chose Pattaya. Spent a month or more over the years in each of Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, and many months in Bangkok. Chose Pattaya. Actually, Baan Amphur. I could not live in Central Pattaya. I am only a short walk to the beach and plenty of great seaside restaurants/bars. They don't compare to Southern Thailand's beaches, but I don't go there to swim...just to watch the sunset and have a drink/eat...and obviously not every day.

Are there problems here? Absolutely. Corrupt police, horrible drivers, lousy infrastructure, lack of availability of good/cheap wine!!!!!! But, compared with the alternatives as described by manarak, Pattaya scored the best. We almost chose Bangkok, but the bad air, traffic and having to live in a condo ruled it out. We do love Bangkok though....

One big thing I have noticed is it is relatively easy to meet others here. I have met more friends during my travels here in Thailand than anywhere else. And there is plenty to do. I am married, but when single I was never a real player in the BG scene. So that is not of interest to me.

If I had more money, would I live here? Probably not. So economics played a big part in my decision. As well as access to the sea and good food. Argentina scored big time. Cheap steak and wine! Chile was pretty cool also.

Lot's of people trash Pattaya...but I think they are primarily referring to the central part. And I do tend to agree it pretty much sucks. But we only go there for events or shopping every once in a while. But not very often. So you can make what you want of this area. Quiet living or jump right into the craziness! Up to you...

[moo9]

I work around here and I love staying in the area. Good food shopping, entertainment, relaxation, not far from Bangkok...

Phuket would be an alternative, but not many other places. Bangkok for sure not. Nice to visit from time to time, but not my preferred place to stay (mainly because of traffic and pollution).

[sharecropper]

I came to Pattaya because I am a voyeur. I love to watch as posters come on any Pattaya thread to beat themselves off about how disgusting it is.

[Naam]

i selected Pattaya because i like culture and cultured people surrounding me