Best place to live in Thailand

[i claudius]

Lucifer, on 28 May 2014 - 07:26, said:

Don't go to Pattaya.

Alright for a couple of weeks holiday but a terrible place to live

Another tourist who only knows beach and second road

[sinclairaavs]

Sorry, forgot to mention. When visiting this website http://www.hadtuen.com/home.html the photo gallery is on the menu tab is denoted as 'The General Atmosphere'

Photos showing roads are actually inside the resort, they are not of the resort road itself, this cannot be seen from inside the resort grounds.

The resort grounds (lawns for lack of a better name), meet the sand of the beach. This really is a beach resort...................with Internet access.

[phuketrichard]

i prefer west coast to east coast for the water.

Trang is nice

[slipperylobster]

Just some thought about being comfortable.

Waking up to a great scenery....whether it is mountains, oceans, jungle or fields....makes life pleasant, and the hangovers seem to go away quicker. Puts a smile on the face. Do not box yourself into an alley or crowded street...get a place nearby, but with a view and a yard. Don't worry about being right on the beach...save that for later in the day. You want to be less than twenty minutes from a good beach as well. Sunsets or Sunrises...it doesn't matter....get one or the other.

You will miss farang food eventually. Make sure you can get something other than chicken or pork. Also some familiar menus at the restaurant. It is great to enjoy thai food, but after a few days, I am looking for Italian or a roasted something or other. Juicy steaks/hamburgers, German food....I don't care... but I need it.

You don't want to spend half your waking hours in a car getting through traffic jams.... Chiang Mai Included. But Phuket and Pattaya are guilty. You do want to go shopping, so you need to be within an hour or so of something.

It sure is nice to be near a border....and an airport.

Bars and bargals are fun....but too much is a headache. You can die from that kind of fun. Get a place where you can walk down a nice beach or country road.

Friendly People.....add to the happiness factor. I never found many friendly people near the sex industries. Alot of fake smiles and hellos while they are grabbing your wallet..... I would rather get an hello from a slightly less cute gal at the market who really wants to meet you. Same with retailers.

[JackJD]

Pattaya has become one of the great sewers of the world.

Generally low class (very) visitors - too many from countries and cultures who cause most of the world's violence - dirty streets, smelly sewer pipes, scum of the earth hookers and thieves walking down the beach sidewalk day and night, and very dangerous (read any weekly local newspaper for the latest daily crime storie).

Those are just a the few reasons to NOT COME HERE! In the 10 years I've lived in this weird country, Pattaya has gone from a fun place to a cess pool. It is inconceivable anyone with any intelligence would like it here.

[JimHuaHin]

If you don't like Hua Hin, how about Cha Am or Pranburi. Both have beaches

Where is the beach at Pranburi? Do you mean Pak Nam Pran?

[Thai Travel Bug]

Don't go to Pattaya.

Don't take this "Lucifer" character seriously; he is not even playing 'Devil's Advocate', for Pete's sake ! ! !

I have happily lived "near" Pattaya (10 minutes from my home to down-town) for 20 years (with my brilliant Thai' wife, who's a lawyer) and, because I need to be near a large body of water, since I am an avid yachtie') I love it here ! I also spent about 1.5 years (working) in Hua-Hin and that, to me, has got to be one of the more boring places in Thailand, with predominantly Scandinavian expats, crappy beaches (love the horses though !) and totally unfit for yachting .

"Living-in-Pattaya" does not mean that one has to frequent the "exciting areas" all the time; in fact I never see the Walking Street, unless I have overseas visitors here and then it's sort-of fun for me too, because I hadn't been there for ages.

Look; Pattaya has a lot of stuff and one simply has to be selective:

1. Brilliant Restaurants

2. Brilliant Shopping

3. Easy access to Int. Airport & Bangkok

4. Easy access to places like Koh Samet, Ban-Chang, Ban-Amphur etc. etc.

5. 4 Great Hospitals within easy reach

6. A huge variety of Nationalities, with limited, yet large number of 'real' folks.

7. Last but not least: The sailing around Pattaya and its access to soooo many beautiful locations is endless

As long as you're selective; Pattaya is a great place to live and it is also considerably cheaper than most other "destinations" in Thailand, where the sea is close & begging ! ! ! !

PS: If you decide to check it out; jut PM me and I'll point you in the right direction; with pleasure.

Now that is excellent advice from one who lives in Pattaya. The bad advice you get from people about Pattaya are usually the guys who came over, pissed it up, fell in a puddle, met a young lady who rodgered their wallet, were hung over all morning, and only saw the place blind drunk when it got dark. Pattaya is a sensational city, it has everything that a person could want, yes, fantastic Restaurants, things to do, you can live it crazy or you can live it quietly, a great expat community. Close to Bangkok, and so much to do. I love the place. Ive got a place in Wongamat, and live a beautiful and quite serene life when I am there. I too only hit Walking Street for the novelty of friends when they arrive. Seriously, Pattaya bashers, sober up.....

[smotherb]

whew, thanks for not suggesting where I live, we have enough falangs here

[pigeonjake]

not telling dont want everyone else here,,,,lol

jake

[Card]

The only place worth settling down in Thailand is Bangkok, but it doesn't have a beach. It is relatively expensive, but there are some quiet places, even in the centre. Other places are good for visiting or even owning a holiday home, but for everyday living, Bangkok is number 1.

[Eneukman]

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There is nothing wrong with Pattaya. If you like quiet you can live in Jomtien or on the East side. If you want more action you can live in town. Sattahip is also very nice, but much more quite than Pattaya. The nice thing about Pattaya is that there are things going on all the time if you are looking for things to do. Also, it is only a 2 hour ride to BKK. Pattaya has 4 hospitals and numerous shopping areas. Central Festival is as good as it gets for shopping malls.

I live in Jomtien. Baht buses pass the condo entrance 24 hours a day so it is easy to get into Pattaya if you have no transport of your own. Makro, Bic C and Tesco are all within easy reach though a car would be beneficial for Makro.

There are numerous bars and restaurants within easy walking distance but it is also a lot quieter than Pattaya itself. The beach in Jomtien is better than its Pattaya equivalent but that doesn't really mean much.

Alan

[Old Stud]

Don't go to Pattaya.

Don't take this "Lucifer" character seriously; he is not even playing 'Devil's Advocate', for Pete's sake ! ! !

I have happily lived "near" Pattaya (10 minutes from my home to down-town) for 20 years (with my brilliant Thai' wife, who's a lawyer) and, because I need to be near a large body of water, since I am an avid yachtie') I love it here ! I also spent about 1.5 years (working) in Hua-Hin and that, to me, has got to be one of the more boring places in Thailand, with predominantly Scandinavian expats, crappy beaches (love the horses though !) and totally unfit for yachting .

"Living-in-Pattaya" does not mean that one has to frequent the "exciting areas" all the time; in fact I never see the Walking Street, unless I have overseas visitors here and then it's sort-of fun for me too, because I hadn't been there for ages.

Look; Pattaya has a lot of stuff and one simply has to be selective:

1. Brilliant Restaurants

2. Brilliant Shopping

3. Easy access to Int. Airport & Bangkok

4. Easy access to places like Koh Samet, Ban-Chang, Ban-Amphur etc. etc.

5. 4 Great Hospitals within easy reach

6. A huge variety of Nationalities, with limited, yet large number of 'real' folks.

7. Last but not least: The sailing around Pattaya and its access to soooo many beautiful locations is endless

As long as you're selective; Pattaya is a great place to live and it is also considerably cheaper than most other "destinations" in Thailand, where the sea is close & begging ! ! ! !

PS: If you decide to check it out; jut PM me and I'll point you in the right direction; with pleasure.

Now that is excellent advice from one who lives in Pattaya. The bad advice you get from people about Pattaya are usually the guys who came over, pissed it up, fell in a puddle, met a young lady who rodgered their wallet, were hung over all morning, and only saw the place blind drunk when it got dark. Pattaya is a sensational city, it has everything that a person could want, yes, fantastic Restaurants, things to do, you can live it crazy or you can live it quietly, a great expat community. Close to Bangkok, and so much to do. I love the place. Ive got a place in Wongamat, and live a beautiful and quite serene life when I am there. I too only hit Walking Street for the novelty of friends when they arrive. Seriously, Pattaya bashers, sober up.....

I also agree regarding Pattaya. I once lived in Las Vegas. It has a similar reputation - gambling, strip clubs, crime and all sorts of vice. I never saw any other that. Same with Pattaya - you want that, it can be in your face in ten seconds. What goes on along the beach strip, down those soi's and Walking Street is only one feature of a fairly large city. Sex tourism is a fact of life, and like Anaheim, California, it would be a very boring city without Disneyland.

I agree, the Festival is a world-class mall. There are many great shopping areas away from the beach road. Get a Songtaew - they are 10 baht!! (20 in Chiang Mai and 200 baht in Patong). I don't like the strip beach, but an hour drive south east and the beaches are incredible. We went on boat cruises to the small outer islands - great fun.

You want to live there: You'll find tons of ocean facing condos north and south of Central Pattaya, almost all with swimming pools and weight rooms, security. 20,000baht a month rent may sound like a lot for those who have limited money, but where in the world do you get an ocean front condo with all those amenities for $600 a month? In the US you're lucky to rent a bedroom is someone's home for $600. My favorite massage therapist in all of Thailand is in Pattaya. No sex involved, unlike just about every massage parlor in Patong. For 300baht she cracks my back like a chiropractor, amazing. I wished I lived in Pattaya just to see her twice a week. And one of the posters was correct - when you grow up on western food, you miss it and after a while pad thai, etc. can get old. You want great restaurants - you can find them in Pattaya. I've been all over Thailand, and Pattaya still is at the top of my list.

[BlackJack]

Phetchabun,centre of the universe I tell ya.

I dont see any beach there?

[stoneyboy]

Phetchabun,centre of the universe I tell ya.

I dont see any beach there?

Maybe you have your head in the sand.

[Mooner]

Ko Samet to Ko Chang and the beaches between them.

Obviously the closer west you are the easier access you have to some western ammenities.

[straylight]

Don't go to Pattaya.

Chumphon, Quiet, on the beach. Saphli Vila 083-757-0972 Good place to stay while checking it out.

[JLCrab]

Ocean beach in SE Asia (about 1100 km from Bangkok):

[Old Stud]

The best beach in Thailand...is Nha Trang, VIetnam...arguable most beautiful beach in the world...

Although OP was asking about Thailand, I totally agree about Nha Trang. Incredible beach, a great theme park on an island, a cable car over the ocean away, amazingly wonderful beach facing restaurants. My hotel room suite overlooking the ocean was 2000baht a night, but anywhere in the world it would be 12,000baht a night. Great nightlife. We went on a day boat tour of the small islands. At one point four tour boats locked together in the middle of the ocean, formed a square pool in the middle, and a boat party began. Tons of fun! Vietnam is definitely worth checking out as a place to live.

[Strangebrew]

Look heres what you do come take a couple months roam around when you find it to your liking then settle there everyone's tastes are different.

[gawaterman]

Rayong?

[JLCrab]

The best beach in Thailand...is Nha Trang, VIetnam...arguable most beautiful beach in the world...

Although OP was asking about Thailand, I totally agree about Nha Trang. Incredible beach, a great theme park on an island, a cable car over the ocean away, amazingly wonderful beach facing restaurants. My hotel room suite overlooking the ocean was 2000baht a night, but anywhere in the world it would be 12,000baht a night. Great nightlife. We went on a day boat tour of the small islands. At one point four tour boats locked together in the middle of the ocean, formed a square pool in the middle, and a boat party began. Tons of fun! Vietnam is definitely worth checking out as a place to live.

Nha Trang is on the South China Sea.

[Pattaya Pat]

The best beach in Thailand...is Nha Trang, VIetnam...arguable most beautiful beach in the world...

Although OP was asking about Thailand, I totally agree about Nha Trang. Incredible beach, a great theme park on an island, a cable car over the ocean away, amazingly wonderful beach facing restaurants. My hotel room suite overlooking the ocean was 2000baht a night, but anywhere in the world it would be 12,000baht a night. Great nightlife. We went on a day boat tour of the small islands. At one point four tour boats locked together in the middle of the ocean, formed a square pool in the middle, and a boat party began. Tons of fun! Vietnam is definitely worth checking out as a place to live.

I want to go to this place but noticed there are no direct flights from bkk? What is the ebst way of getting there? I assume fly to Ho Chi Ming and change?

Oh, and despite what the naysayers say Pattaya is the best place to live here by a country mile. Some of the suggestions on this thread are places where I wouldn't want to spend a day in let alone live!

[davidmann]

Don't go to Pattaya.

why Not Picture north Pattaya 1978, got the shops ,got few bars ,of to the island for clean sea ,still got quite place ,just need to look or know ,no shortage of nice ladies and few not so nice

[slipperylobster]

The only place worth settling down in Thailand is Bangkok, but it doesn't have a beach. It is relatively expensive, but there are some quiet places, even in the centre. Other places are good for visiting or even owning a holiday home, but for everyday living, Bangkok is number 1.

Yes...and every day has it's little political drama.

[JLCrab]

I guess it's fun to decide where to settle down when your only consideration as to where to settle down is where it might be fun to settle down.

[slipperylobster]

. Beautiful place. I met the man who pretty much owns Aonang, and he won't let the Russians in.

Does he have a patent on the "Russian Repellent Spray"? I would like a can or two.

[slipperylobster]

Watch out with these guys in Pattaya......many are Realtors or trying to sell their condos.

[elgordo38]

You may have lots of salt water there but make sure you have lots of fresh water now and in the future. Good clean fresh water is the essence of life. No fresh water to drink? forget about the rest of the enjoyable things

[Old Stud]

. Beautiful place. I met the man who pretty much owns Aonang, and he won't let the Russians in.

Does he have a patent on the "Russian Repellent Spray"? I would like a can or two.

Funny. The elderly man owned something like 50 banks and sold them all to a bigger company in the early 80's, then bought up all the beachfront property in Aonang. Owns the Krabi Resort, a couple others and an island. He was mayor for seven straight terms before his brother took over, and now is special console to the governor of Krabi. They have recently put in wide sidewalks up and down the main street, hundreds of palm trees and flower planter boxes. He won't allow any rentals on the most beautiful beach - that is, no beach chairs, no jet ski's, no annoying venders, only long tail boats that will take you to some of the most scenic places on earth.

[starky]

Somewhere near the beach... and if your smart... anywhere but Pattaya or Phuket