Ianxxx Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Hi to everybody on this forum. I am a regular visitor to this site and find some of the topic's and comments very interesting. I have a question for you all, so be gentle with me! I am looking to retire in thailand in 2-3 years time and I am looking for a good seaside town to be my base. I have generally stayed in Hua Hin over the last 4-5 years, but I feel that it is quite expensive to buy property and the traffic is getting really bad. Can you guys recommend any good alternatives to Hua Hin. I have a wish list also, so the more items that I tick the better for me. Good beaches Good parks for walks and cycling(really important) Good shops/markets Reasonable condo prices Hospital/medical facilities Good community for socialising. (would like to make new friends) Good bars/ restaurants (doesn't have to be a large bar scene) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I am coming back to Thailand later in the year and would like to visit any alternative area's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Other than the first two items on your list.....Pattaya area..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOOHOO Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 If you like Hua Hin but the price puts you off, then isn't Cha Am the obvious choice. All the same facilities down the road but cheaper property prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianxxx Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 Hi WooHoo, yes you right about Cha Am. I'm just trying to find out other places that maybe a bit further afield. I'm hoping that there will be plenty of options to choose from when the time comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb86 Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 rayong, or how about somewhere in trang? for the love of christ stay away from pattaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illrockmerch Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Your post is awe-inspiring. I have found many new things. Your way of staging is also fascinating. You have elected very incredible topic. I appreciated it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Your post is awe-inspiring. I have found many new things. Your way of staging is also fascinating. You have elected very incredible topic. I appreciated it. And this post boys and girls is justification for the "just say no to drugs" campaign... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richb2004v2 Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Your post is awe-inspiring. I have found many new things. Your way of staging is also fascinating. You have elected very incredible topic. I appreciated it. And this post boys and girls is justification for the "just say no to drugs" campaign... Maybe the poster is Japanese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astral Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Can we stay on the subject please. The OP is looking for pleasant places to retire. Bang Saen, just south of Chonburi might suit your needs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattayaParent Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Bang Saen Sri Racha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
californiabeachboy Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 I am also looking to spend some retirement time in Thailand. I like Naklua - North of Pattaya. near water, plenty of markets/food, easy access to Bangkok for fun or medical services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keestha Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Take a look at Khao Lak. Gorgeous beaches and a beautiful hilly inland area with lots of waterfalls. Plenty of restaurants and bars, and a growing expat scene. Right now for serious shopping or visiting a good hospital you still have to go to Phuket (100 KM drive), but I expect this to change not long from now, the place is developing rapidly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Take a look at Khao Lak. Gorgeous beaches and a beautiful hilly inland area with lots of waterfalls. Plenty of restaurants and bars, and a growing expat scene.Right now for serious shopping or visiting a good hospital you still have to go to Phuket (100 KM drive), but I expect this to change not long from now, the place is developing rapidly. It was pretty sleepy before and after boxing day, 2004. I was there until December 19 when my daughter asked me to come back to Canada for Christmas. Otherwise I wouldn't be here. The Andaman sea is one of Thailand's special jewels but it's just a little too sleepy for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kopite Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 I am also looking to spend some retirement time in Thailand. I like Naklua - North of Pattaya. near water, plenty of markets/food, easy access to Bangkok for fun or medical services. why would you go to bkk for fun when you live in pattaya? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clinique Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Prachuap Khirikan, close to Ha Hin for shoppingand socialising, but away from the 'prices' and the lifestyle is not 'yet' spoiled... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsurin Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Krabi. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOOHOO Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Krabi.John. I was going to say Krabi, but it's not really a seaside resort. It is however a lovely place, and if being right next to swimmable water isn't a necessity, then definitely worth thinking about. To be right near the beach you'd need to go to Ao Nang, but that's pretty crappy and a bit too quiet for what you're after, as is Krabi to be honest. I highly recommend the region though. If you can find somewhere that ticks all the boxes in the Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi region, then you're laughing. The amount of off shore islands to explore and stunning scenery, is unrivaled in Thailand for my money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Krabi.John. I was going to say Krabi, but it's not really a seaside resort. It is however a lovely place, and if being right next to swimmable water isn't a necessity, then definitely worth thinking about. To be right near the beach you'd need to go to Ao Nang, but that's pretty crappy and a bit too quiet for what you're after, as is Krabi to be honest. I highly recommend the region though. If you can find somewhere that ticks all the boxes in the Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi region, then you're laughing. The amount of off shore islands to explore and stunning scenery, is unrivaled in Thailand for my money. Agreed. Unless you want ocean view there are lots of compromises in the Krabi area. I love the Andaman Sea, and it has reasonable fishing as well. The nightlife leaves a little to be desired, but there is some. Best to bring your own. A man cannot live on sex alone... but I try. Ao Nang beach... Hong Island beach... (boat ride from Ao Nang beach) As compared to Patong Beach at Phuket... (and twice as expensive) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spee Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 We just took a vacation in Ban Phe, just down the road from Rayong, and really enjoyed it. - Reasonably priced. Very laid back. - KMs of continuous open beaches for walking, running, cycling - Crab shacks lining the beaches. - Koh Samet a few minutes away by boat. - Fantastic street market. - Tesco Lotus on the east end of town. - Rayong is just up the road for bigger shopping trips, but too much traffic there for me. Not sure what the real estate market is like, but there are many popular Scandinavian condo communities around the area. About 20-30 minutes to Rayong. About an hour to Pattaya. A couple of hours plus or minus to Suvarnabhumi. The only thing I was told was that the monarchy "owns" all of the beaches and to be careful of anyone trying to sell beachfront acreage. Less likely to run into problems on the other side of the main road. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 but there are many popular Scandinavian condo communities around the area. More than enough reason not to go and live there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlackJawChef Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Come on over to Koh Chang ...... only 4 hr's to Bangkok... a stones throw away from the border.... if you ever need it .... we have everything here... at least come for a visit when you get back .... I think you will find it hard to leave... S.J.C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payboy Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Try Georgetown across the border - clean, organized, friendly with a long-stay visa scheme and just 2 hours flight to Bangkok or 2-1/2 hours drive to Songkhla / Hatyai for R&R if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longstebe Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Phuket Island. Krabi is also nice. Were do you draw the line? There is so many places to choose from. The variety of answers just goes to show how nice this place is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOOHOO Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Phuket Island.Krabi is also nice. Were do you draw the line? There is so many places to choose from. The variety of answers just goes to show how nice this place is. If the OP didn't like the prices and traffic in Hua Hin then Phuket is the last place to come. I agree with you though, it's by far the best place in Thailand as far as I'm concerned. That's why I think somewhere like Krabi would be perfect. It's nice in it's own right, and cheap as chips, but you've got Phuket, Lanta, Phi Phi and 50 other islands, all on your door step. You don't get that anywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roamer Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Try Georgetown across the border - clean, organized, friendly with a long-stay visa scheme and just 2 hours flight to Bangkok or 2-1/2 hours drive to Songkhla / Hatyai for R&R if needed. How many of the OP's requirements does Georgetown fit ? Good beaches Good parks for walks and cycling(really important) Good shops/markets Reasonable condo prices Hospital/medical facilities Good community for socialising. (would like to make new friends) Good bars/ restaurants (doesn't have to be a large bar scene) Not that many I feel. However there is somewhere that hits virtually every one of those points and I'm sure that anyone who knows the place would agree. Langkawi. Sure its not in Thailand but maybe at the moment that's its saving grace only an hour on the ferry to LOS though. Duty free as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucko Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I was in Bansaray recently---about 30 min. out of Pattaya-towards Sattahip----Nice long clean beach---shops etc near but not on the beach----seems to be aiming for people to retire or live there as there is a lot of house building going on about 5min drive from the main centre----a friend of mine moved there--and is very happy with the area----maybe worth a look Bucko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick75 Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 My pick would be Pratchuap Kiri Kahn as well, nice beaches, a small golf course, cheap living, good seafood. Its about 1hr to Hua Hin. I know a couple of guys who live there, you have to be the self motivated type of person to live there as it is a pretty sleepy area, but it would suit me fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Mr. Forbes, you naughty man. You were at the extreme end of the beach when you photographed the rocks. You might as well have included that disgusting sewage runoff gully 20 meters further down to really scare off the people. And the last pic of the Patong Tower condo makes me laugh. Last year when they were painting the exterior, the drops were splattering everywhere. My friend's bike got hit outside the Breakpoint and I thought a bird had pooped on me. But you failed to mention that in front of the Tower are fine Thai restaurants like McD's and the horrible Pizza place and just down the road towards the Holiday Inn is the Burger King. And in between is a Starbucks. Golly Gee what more could someone want.....ok immodium and a vomit bag. But seriously, Trang was mentioned, and I think that is an original suggestion. It at least deserves a visit. I am surprised no one mentioned Surat Thani (not Koh Samui, but the area on the mainland near the town.) However, I urge caution before the purchase of property: Follow the advice of the oldtimers and don't do it unless you have a family, or can afford to lose the money or have lived in the area for enough time to know what the neighborhood is like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payboy Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Not that many I feel. Have you been to Georgetown? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackArtemis Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 I like Krabi, they actually treat you like a human there compared to Phuket where you are nothing more than a walking meal ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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