From Hua Hin tourist to resident

Hua Hin general discussion, observations and chat. Hua Hin topics that don't really fit anywhere else.
Post Reply
pdm3547
Professional
Professional
Posts: 414
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:47 am

From Hua Hin tourist to resident

Post by pdm3547 »

Having recently made my second short-term trip to HH, my wife and I have decided to take a sabbatical from the UK rat race and spend an extended period in Thailand. We'll be moving to HH in October and staying for around 6 months.

(Incidentally, happy for villa recommendations - preferably Soi 88, budget ~30k pm)

What would you say are the main differences we will encounter, with the change from tourist to resident? we'll be renting so I don't expect property maintenance to be an issue, but I'd be interested in observations and experiences from anyone who has also made this change.
User avatar
sand_dancer
Guru
Guru
Posts: 682
Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 5:03 pm
Location: Iraq

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by sand_dancer »

PDM

Is your Surname Watson per chance ........?
pdm3547
Professional
Professional
Posts: 414
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:47 am

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by pdm3547 »

sand_dancer wrote:PDM

Is your Surname Watson per chance ........?
No.
User avatar
hhfarang
Hero
Hero
Posts: 11060
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:27 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by hhfarang »

In six months, considering you have ample money to live and have fun, and considering you are not trying to buy any property, no difference... you will just be a long stay tourist. Have fun.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Dianne
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:03 am
Location: Noumea, New Caledonia
Contact:

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by Dianne »

hhfarang wrote:In six months, considering you have ample money to live and have fun, and considering you are not trying to buy any property, no difference... you will just be a long stay tourist. Have fun.
Interesting point of view! Does this just apply to life in Thailand?
User avatar
dtaai-maai
Hero
Hero
Posts: 14196
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
Location: UK, Robin Hood country

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by dtaai-maai »

pdm3547 wrote:
sand_dancer wrote:PDM

Is your Surname Watson per chance ........?
No.
That was pretty elementary, my dear sand dancer.
hhfarang wrote:In six months, considering you have ample money to live and have fun, and considering you are not trying to buy any property, no difference... you will just be a long stay tourist. Have fun.
Yes, the same thought occurred to me. There are many visitors (particularly Scandinavians) who come for a couple of months 2-3 times a year. Many have bought houses here. But they are still visitors, however frequent.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, but I think to qualify as a resident, in expat eyes at least, you really need to live here all the time, and to have done so for a couple of years or more. It also helps if you constantly complain about the infrastructure, the driving and the laissez-faire attitude. :wink:

EDIT: Sorry hhf, I forgot - ... and the weather! :laugh:
This is the way
oakdale160
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4657
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 9:51 pm

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by oakdale160 »

The categorising All farang into either tourist or resident. Is it necessary. What is it all about. We are All visiting farang, some stay a short Time, some stay longer. Some own, some rent. Same, same.
At times there seems to be a inference that in some way residents are a superior type Of visitor, Where does that come from.
User avatar
dtaai-maai
Hero
Hero
Posts: 14196
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
Location: UK, Robin Hood country

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by dtaai-maai »

oakdale160 wrote:At times there seems to be a inference that in some way residents are a superior type Of visitor, Where does that come from.
I don't know, where did you find it?


EDIT: I think the main distinction is that those who spend, say, 6 months of the year here and 6 months at home, while undoubtedly being aware of many of the frustrations of living in Thailand, don't actually 'suffer' from them.
This is the way
LaughTilIDie
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 135
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 10:08 pm
Location: where my hat hangs

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by LaughTilIDie »

LOL :laugh: Lived in Florida for 35 years and the term is 'snow bird'. Not derogatory, just that the northerners would come down when the winter hits their home and then back go home when the snow melts in their backyards. Those that have the best of all worlds. :cheers: Might not be exactly the same but you get the idea.
Home is where you hang your hat
User avatar
hhfarang
Hero
Hero
Posts: 11060
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:27 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by hhfarang »

^ Exactly, I live in a neighborhood that is currently a ghosttown, but come high season it becomes "little Sweden". I lived in a similar neighborhood in Boca Raton, FL. before moving here except there it became "little Canada".

These people stay two to five months and they party, socialize, eat out nearly all the time and seem to be of the "on holiday" attitude instead of the "resident" attitude.

I'm not saying one is better than the other; I'm just pointing out the difference. These part time residents act (live) more like tourists than residents other than the fact that many of them own homes here. I envy them and wish I had the dosh to be a snowbird.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
JW
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3207
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:53 pm
Location: hua hin

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by JW »

If you use a motorbike or walk around a lot you will find some hidden gems, restaurants..little shops etc. Around soi 88 and 94..102 there are so many cool things.
A month or so ago I took the car for service and walked back from the Honda garage to the town.. about 6km.. I found loads of new places from stainless steel fabricators (ideal for custom made bbqs!) , small florists (when u need to buy some for ur missus after a fall out), loads of small places to eat.. was a bit sweaty but really enjoyed it.

You will have a great time!!
pdm3547
Professional
Professional
Posts: 414
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:47 am

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by pdm3547 »

Thanks to you all for your knowledge!

We're really looking forward to our stay, but haven't really got out of the "tourist" mentality. I thought it worth exploring to see whether you thought my outlook would change.

A six month holiday? I'm up for that!
LaughTilIDie
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 135
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 10:08 pm
Location: where my hat hangs

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by LaughTilIDie »

Snow birds are great for the economy, not so great for traffic and always seemingly in front of you in restaurant lines. Considered as a necessary evil in tourist areas. :twisted:

As a kid I was always wishing for Friday to hurry and get here, until one day somebody told me to be careful about wishing your life away. It's still 46 days until my trip and I find myself holding my breath. Just hope I live long enough to make it. :cheers:
Home is where you hang your hat
User avatar
migrant
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5860
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:15 am
Location: California is now in the past hello Thailand!!

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by migrant »

From Michigan and lived a lot of years in Maine. In winter I think our population decreased by half almost due to snowbirds!!
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
LaughTilIDie
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 135
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 10:08 pm
Location: where my hat hangs

Re: From Tourist to Resident

Post by LaughTilIDie »

1st year I was in Florida I used to count the number of northern license plates floating around on the highway. I swear 1/2 of the cars were from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Ontario. St. Petersburg and Clearwater area was a flood from Thanksgiving until Memorial day. Now in middle of nowhere PA, well we do have the little league world series, and am so looking forward to my visit.
:cheers:
Denny
Home is where you hang your hat
Post Reply