Cha-Am Condos

[coldmike]

Looking to buy a beachfront condo in Cha-am and am curious if anyone has knowledge of quality of building construction and management. I'll be there in a couple of weeks to look myself, but would appreciate any firsthand experience. Been focusing on high rises such as Krisda or Grand, but have complete open mind for other suggestions. We would like good sea view and good security as, for the near term, we'll spend much of our time overseas or in Bangkok. Many thanks.

[coldmike]

I know Cha-Am is quiet (boring?) but that's ok, probably good. Also I've heard that Krisda and Grand are mostly Thai - also ok. My Tha language is passable (barely), my kids are nearly fluent, and my wife better be fluent? We've only spent short 2 or 3 day stays in Cha-Am/Hua Hin, but would really appreciate insite from anyone who has been there a while. Market timing isn't really my thing, but is now a good time to buy there or have markets simply frozen with owners waiting it out and not dropping prices? Thanks again for any advice or guidance.

[ESB7]

Krisda although spacious and reasonable quality, is a bit out the way, no 7/11 or anything close by so either a bike or car is needed...also they do not have a security guard posted on the front gate and havnt for at least 4 years. Grand is pretty much the same...

Maybe look at Samran which is in the Klong Tian area, just a few minutes from the fishing village, only a few years old and very secure and good quality.

Definatly stay away from Catteraya, its known locally as Cell Block H, and also stay away from anything in Bang Kwai as that town is SHUT for 9 months of the year......

Long Beach, again in the Klong Tian area is very good, great views and secure again with security guards.

[coldmike]

Thanks for the info. I am going to look at Samran, I've heard good things about the property, but I'm not sure the views will be as good. I do have wheels, but you'/re right that I dont want to be too far away. Speaking of out of the way, is there anything good and reasonably priced in Khao Tao? (Not Milford) Thanks again.

[ESB7]

Sorry dont know any places in Khao Tao, at least there you have the option of either going to Pranburi or Hua Hin, also Pak nam Pram is close which is Ok for a day out...There are a few new ones near the tunnel between Cha am and Hua Hin, near the Boathouse, not sure of the names but maybe worth a drive by and see what is on offer. Just to let you know, there is a new Golf Course being built only about 10 minutes from Samran, and although talk for a long time about the new ferry pier, work has started. I actually live in this area and 3 plots of land sold last week within a hundred yards of here, and they aint cheap at 3-5 mil a rai. Its going to get a lot busier round that area so just keep that in mind

[mark5335]

Thanks for the info. I am going to look at Samran, I've heard good things about the property, but I'm not sure the views will be as good. I do have wheels, but you'/re right that I dont want to be too far away. Speaking of out of the way, is there anything good and reasonably priced in Khao Tao? (Not Milford) Thanks again.

There's a few fairly recent projects in Khao Tao (i.e., launched/completed in the last few years), such as Baan Nub Kluen, Las Tortagus, and Malibu. The first 2 are Sansiri developments where the price fo ra 2BR would be over 7MB for about 80 sq.m., which is good value compared to Hua Hin.

Personally, I don't like the traffic in Hua Hin so I bought in Cha-am between Cha-am and Hua Hin towns.

[coldmike]

Sorry dont know any places in Khao Tao, at least there you have the option of either going to Pranburi or Hua Hin, also Pak nam Pram is close which is Ok for a day out...There are a few new ones near the tunnel between Cha am and Hua Hin, near the Boathouse, not sure of the names but maybe worth a drive by and see what is on offer. Just to let you know, there is a new Golf Course being built only about 10 minutes from Samran, and although talk for a long time about the new ferry pier, work has started. I actually live in this area and 3 plots of land sold last week within a hundred yards of here, and they aint cheap at 3-5 mil a rai. Its going to get a lot busier round that area so just keep that in mind

I like the idea of a new golf course, but when you say its going to get a lot busier, do you mean in a good way such as more shops, restaurants etc? Or do you think its going to add too much trafic and people even on weekdays and low season? I don't like the traffic in Hua Hin and like Cha-am for the calmer atmosphere, but it would be a shame if that was lost.

Also, this may be off-base a bit, but it looks like both Samran and Long Beach are built out on some type of landfill. Have there been any issues with ocean erosion there or elsewhere along that part of the coast? Maybe I worry too much.