Advice from Expats in Koh Samui

[Annie55]

Hi guys,

Seriously looking at relocation to Thailand for at least a year fairly soon. Have been to Samui several times and its definitely a contender. I am aware though that being on holiday is totally different to living somewhere. I would like to get involved with the community somehow.

Would love to chat with any expats who are living in Samui and get some tips. I have looked into the visa situation and will qualify for a retirement visa.

Appreciate any suggestions re expat community, long term accommodation and anything else that I might need to consider. I will be relocating on my own, so establishing contact with expats will be a priority. I am unsure at this stage what I want to do once I get there. What options are available to me?

Thankyou so much in advance.

Anne

[evadgib]

These might prove useful:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sisters-On-Samui/370606379666109

http://www.rotarysamui.org/rotary/index.php

Good luck

Edited September 9, 2014 by evadgib

[Annie55]

Thank you...have contacted both...

[khunPer]

Anne, there are many foreign ladies staying and living at Koh Samui, so your chance of meeting mutual friends here is good. Some areas of the island may be better living in than others, all depending of what you are seeking.

Yes, there is a huge difference from vacation to a more permanent stay. Samui has over the last decade progressed so it is easy for a Westerner to live here, I am especially thinking of daily needs like shopping facilities etc.

Long-term accommodation is mainly bungalows, but of course depending of life-style and budget. A fair one-bedroom bungalow with aircon, living room, bath, kitchen and balcony can normally for long-term be rented from some 7,000 to 12,000 baht a month, depending of area, age of house, and facilities.

I normally say that the best thing is to come here and as a beginning rent something for a limited period of time, for example a month, and see for yourself if you like the area and the options, including meeting friends sharing same interests. If you like it, you can prolong your renting agreement, and if not move on and try another area.

There may be many questions doing relocation – I know, I did it, and I have been here permanently for almost 9 years now.

You’re welcome to PM (Personal Message) me, if you think I can be of further assistance with any questions you may have, or just ask here in the public forum where others also may reply.

Wish you good luck with your plans.

[Tropicalevo]

Some useful tips there in the previous posts.

There is also Samui Expat Club

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samui-Expat-Club/133041423407301

Just as important will be your chosen location. Samui's roads are challenging at times and your mode of transport will be important. There is not a real public transport system that is easy and convenient and so you will be driving/riding yourself most of the time.

Taking into account that you will be an ex-pat retiree, you should consider security and access in choosing your accomodation. (Some properties are on hills that are so steep that local people will not deliver!)

KhunPer has it spot on. Come here and then travel around. Apart from the silly season (Christmas) you should not have a problem with accomodation.

Hospital services here are very good (four International hospitals and a good Thai one), but you will definitely need health insurance.

Please take professional advice when applying for your retirement visa - there are issues sometimes about prices at the local immigration office. It is much better to get the one year visa at your point of origin.

Samui may not be perfect - there are always problems wherever you live, but with over 300 days of sunshine a year here, tropical climate, great beaches and azure skies and seas - it's PDG!

http://www.samuiholiday.com/weather.html