Area for young expat family

[beanlooking]

Hi,

My husband, daughter (2yrs old) and I are looking to potentially relocate to Hua Hin or an area nearby. We will be coming to stay for at least a week next week as a preliminary visit.

Ideally, we would like to find somewhere, preferably but not essentially near the beach, that is popular with young families, and where potential friends for my daughter will be nearby.

If anyone could recommend which area/s may be suitable, it would be great! Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

[HHCanuck]

A few months ago my wife and I visited La Vallee 2 or 3 not sure which one but they are beside each other. They have moderately priced houses to rent and/or buy. Honestly I wasn't impressed with the homes but the area was full of young families with a nice playground. Plenty of kids were riding their bikes, looks like a nice area. Anywhere in Hua Hin is near to the beach maybe not walking distance but only a few kilometers. The beach visits get old fast anyways I have you children and they don't even want to go anymore LOL.

[beanlooking]

Thanks so much, HH Canuck! I really appreciate your input. We will check out LA Vallee during our stay. Cheers!

[malcolminthemiddle]

I suggest you first think about nursery/school for your 2 year old and then focus on living in proximity to the school.

[Dieter78]

I'm subscribing... we are also a young family relocating to hua hin. My wife will arrive in Nov with our 15mth son from switzerland.

Where are you from beanlooking?

[hhfarang]

I know three families who have decided to leave Hua Hin within the last year, one to Bangkok, and two to return to their home countries on the single basis that they had a child or children approaching school age. I'm not sure what this says about the schools in Hua Hin but I'd think twice if I had school age kids or kids approaching school age, or at least I would take the time to look into the school situation. These three families did that and even though they wanted to stay here they decided it would be putting the future of their child/children at risk.

[oakdale160]

If a good education for your children is a priority, plan on staying here till your oldest is about 7 then relocate to a major Asian city or return home. BKK, KL, S/P andHK all have good international schools but it is interesting that the British 'Public" schools are being flooded with Asian children.

[PeteC]

Yes, if the family is pure expat and no half Thai children, and subsequently no intention to higher educate in Thailand, the only hope in Hua Hin at present is the new St. Andrews School talked about on the other thread. When they get rolling I think you'll find they start kids out at age 2 in Early Years, 3 in Nursery, 4 in reception, and 5 in Year 1...of course all depending upon birthday and age cut off date. You could increase the above by 1 year in each segment. It shows though that an IS education starts very young, all flowing into and complementing the British curriculum to come in Stage 1 beginning with Year 1 when things get more serious and structured.

I've seen though that the British curriculum, at least for Primary kids, is now being mixed with the Singapore system. I haven't really seen any difference between one or the other so far. Pete

[Gregjam]

I lived here for ten years until kids were five and seven then moved back to the UK so they could get a decent education. With my youngest now starting university I moved back a year ago and now enjoying having some distance between us. I know things have changed here but unless you have a full expat package a good education here is too expensive. I could have put my kids through the Thai system but feel that they are far better off having passed through the UK government schools.

[Dieter78]

I lived here for ten years until kids were five and seven then moved back to the UK so they could get a decent education. With my youngest now starting university I moved back a year ago and now enjoying having some distance between us. I know things have changed here but unless you have a full expat package a good education here is too expensive. I could have put my kids through the Thai system but feel that they are far better off having passed through the UK government schools.

Perhaps you recommend some good locations if you have been here for that long?

[Gregjam]

I did respond but my computer crashed so will try again. A cul de sac is best to reduce passing traffic and one with other families so the kids can build friendships. Budget and parental preference will affect the choice as gated developments should be safer but restrict exposure to local Thai families. To mix with the locals and stay away from late night noise the area north of the Pala U road and west of the Klong road offers a variety of different places to stay. My kids were brought up in Roowamsook near khao noi and I still live here. My kids used to go to a swimming pool in Thawon which I am not sure if it is still open but also a good area. Easy transport and plenty of local shops like 7-11 for these bits you need.

[Dieter78]

Good point about the cul de sac and thanks for the tips.