Heading South?

[manccm]

Ok have lived quite happily in Chiangmai for the last four years and now fancy a change of scene.

Been to Phuket a couple of times and enjoyed it as a vacation albeit expensive compared to the north.

Would you long term residents of the island think Im making a wise move down here ? Planning on moving somewhere quiet such as Panwa rather than Patong.

Won't be using tuk tuks or jetskis or katoeys so the gloom mongers can take a break on this one

[thedivezone]

Ok have lived quite happily in Chiangmai for the last four years and now fancy a change of scene.

Been to Phuket a couple of times and enjoyed it as a vacation albeit expensive compared to the north.

Would you long term residents of the island think Im making a wise move down here ? Planning on moving somewhere quiet such as Panwa rather than Patong.

Won't be using tuk tuks or jetskis or katoeys so the gloom mongers can take a break on this one

Alright, i'll take a break on this one , then.

[steelepulse]

It really depends on your lifestyle, hobbies, etc. If you give us more info, we can probably help you out a bit more.

[noob7]

No!

[Colonel_Mustard]

It's a good move if you've been here and enjoy it.

At the present time Phuket still remains the best place to live in Thailand for me but each to his own.

I have friends living in the Panwa area and they enjoy it but personally I prefer the north of the island. If you're not 100% sure about where to stay, it would maybe be best just to stay in a hotel a week or so and have a good look around before committing to a long-term rent.

[pagallim]

Cape Panwa has the advantage of being reasonably quiet, some great scenery, a small expat community (albeit slightly scattered), and easy access to the 'essentials' (Saphan Hin for Immigration and vehicle licensing, Villa Market and others at Chalong, and the whole of Phuket Town).

[JetsetBkk]

There's very poor public transport, the traffic is unbelievable and the cost of living is ridiculous.

[Colonel_Mustard]

There's very poor public transport, the traffic is unbelievable and the cost of living is ridiculous.

Agree on public transport but that's not too much of an issue if you have your own vehicle. I don't find the traffic that bad at all (even around the roadworks at Central) but there again I don't head down to the south of the island too often, maybe it's worse there.

Regarding cost of living, (real estate aside) you can pretty much live as cheaply or as expensively as you want. I'm often amazed by what some people I know claim to live on at both ends of the spectrum.

Anyway as JetsetBkk said

and enjoy your time here.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Colonel_Mustard

[JetsetBkk]

There's very poor public transport, the traffic is unbelievable and the cost of living is ridiculous.

Agree on public transport but that's not too much of an issue if you have your own vehicle. I don't find the traffic that bad at all (even around the roadworks at Central) but there again I don't head down to the south of the island too often, maybe it's worse there.

Regarding cost of living, (real estate aside) you can pretty much live as cheaply or as expensively as you want. I'm often amazed by what some people I know claim to live on at both ends of the spectrum.

Anyway as JetsetBkk said

and enjoy your time here.

Yes, it's the south of the island that has the major traffic problems, IMO. The two roads (Chao Fa East and West) to Chalong Circle from Phuket Town, and then Viset Road from the circle to Rawai are infested with tourist commuter van drivers who have no right to be on the road.

[manccm]

Thankyou all for the information.

Have my own car and bike so transport isn't a problem. Have driven around the island so know how bad the traffic is around the tourist areas .It still isn't as bloody stupid as Chiangmai traffic though. I'm 54 years old in good health, run 5/6 k every morning .I enjoy jogging , fishing, gardening ,swimming learning to speak Thai .Have a long term Thai girlfriend so not looking for companionship from Soi Bangla. Eat 99%

Thai food with only occasional western meals.Have an income of about 120,000 baht a month which is quite adequate for our lifestyle in Chiangmai and hopefully should be enough in Phuket..

The current perception I have of the island is that crime seems more prevalent here or maybe just more publicised than Chiangmai , although as others have said if you hang around the wrong areas at the wrong times then something wrong is going to happen to you.

Property does appear to be substantially more expensive than in Chiangmai both renting and buying so perhaps we wold be better off living inland such as Katu?

Once again thankyou for all the very helpful replies .

BTW have heard quite a lot about the Hash House Harriers running club in Phuket.Any members on this forum.? They sound an interesting if eccentric bunch .

[merijn]

I live for more then 24 years on Phuket and i still like it.

It all depends what you are looking for.

I live in Kathu which not very busy but still central located.

If you don't have to rely on public transport and have your own transport you should be fine.

It is nowhere perfect but i can sit in my garden without hearing any sound at all but if i want i also can go out and have a beer.

But Phuket is expensive for Thai standards but on the other hand almost everything (European stuff and food ) is available here what you maybe can't get in other parts of Thailand.

[JetsetBkk]

Thankyou all for the information.

Have my own car and bike so transport isn't a problem. Have driven around the island so know how bad the traffic is around the tourist areas .It still isn't as bloody stupid as Chiangmai traffic though. I'm 54 years old in good health, run 5/6 k every morning .I enjoy jogging , fishing, gardening ,swimming learning to speak Thai .Have a long term Thai girlfriend so not looking for companionship from Soi Bangla. Eat 99%

Thai food with only occasional western meals.Have an income of about 120,000 baht a month which is quite adequate for our lifestyle in Chiangmai and hopefully should be enough in Phuket..

The current perception I have of the island is that crime seems more prevalent here or maybe just more publicised than Chiangmai , although as others have said if you hang around the wrong areas at the wrong times then something wrong is going to happen to you.

Property does appear to be substantially more expensive than in Chiangmai both renting and buying so perhaps we wold be better off living inland such as Katu?

Once again thankyou for all the very helpful replies .

BTW have heard quite a lot about the Hash House Harriers running club in Phuket.Any members on this forum.? They sound an interesting if eccentric bunch .

Your financial situation looks fine, even considering Phuket's high cost of living and your comments about crime are spot on.

I know one HHH guy who runs most Saturdays. Unfortunately he had an accident recently - tripped on some barbed wire hidden in long grass on a run and gashed both legs, got infected, swollen legs, not a pretty site. Apparently there can be as many as 100 - 150 people on each run! Not really for me, I prefer quiet walks.

Hash House Harriers