Deciding on an Island...

[RoatanGurl]

Hi all, I am an ex-pat currently residing in the caribbean off the coast of Central America (the bay islands of Honduras). Over the past few years, crime has risen to the extreme and its become a real worry for me. The police do nothing to investigate crimes, or even hold anyone accountable. I don't want to live with bars in my windows and carry a gun to feel safe. With that said, we are planning a visit to Thailand before xmas because we are leaning toward moving there in the new year. So I am hoping I can gain realistic perspective from you all.
After a whole lot of reading on Thailand, we figure Hua Hin is the place for us. However, we really want to be sure we are making the right decision, thus the trip in Dec. Can you guys offer me some feedback on the following:

-what places do you recommend we check out?
we don't have kids (I'm mid 30s, my husband is 40), so we don't really want to be in a neighborhood full of small kids and teens with loud music, barking dogs, etc. We prefer adult living.

-where do most of the ex-pats live?

-where is the most economical place to buy a home that is in a quiet, safe, less touristy place? it doesn't have to be beach, we're fine living on the outskirts with ocean or mountain view.

-do you recommend self contained house, or condo for best value?

-do you recommend these new housing communities I have been seeing, or are there "issues" with those?

-what would an average monthly budget be for two low key people that don't eat out much, don't have kids? I read previous answers to this question, but never really found them applicable to our lifestyle.

-we have a day tour & excursions business here, with cruiseship day visitors & land vacationers, is this a viable business there?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'd like to avoid as much problem as possible in the transition.
Thank you for your input!
Sunny regards from Roatan,
Steph

[PeteC]

Hi Steph, welcome to the forum. Before anyone addresses all of your questions, someone on here has to address what kind of visa is available to you both to allow you to stay here full time. You're not old enough for a retirement visa, your both foreign so no marriage visa etc. You may be successful getting a 60 day tourist visa the first time, maybe the second time from a nearby Thai embassy....but after that you may find your only alternative is to leave the country by air every 30 days which will quickly become a pain, and a huge expense.

Unfortunately, I also think the business you want to start is reserved for Thai nationalities only.

I hate to throw cold water on your plans but best to find out all these things first before you get in too deep.

Other experts will be on here later today to address the above concerns. Pete

[RoatanGurl]

Hey! thanks for the quick response.

We already figured we wouldn't be able to continue our current business. So, we were prepared for that.
I was researching visas, and I read that a non-immigrant visa or a tourist visa. That is one of my concerns, without being able to apply for residency, and not being a retiree. They are very strict on visa renewals too, right?

Ok, well, lets hope we can work this out. I did see other expats living there, that seem to be in their late 30's, early-mid 40's, but I don't know what visa they are there with?

Looking forward to further info.

ttyl

[dtaai-maai]

Unfortunately, I also think the business you want to start is reserved for Thai nationalities only.

Surely not, Pete. Mermaid Cruises? The Siam Thingummyjig Boat? The ex-ferry catamaran now to become a day trip round the islands? All owned and run by non-Thais.

But regardless of that (and I see you've now posted that you won't continue your current business), you might want some breathing space to decide what the future holds. If you wanted to make a little (very little) money, you could teach for a while.
If you can afford to spend without making for the time being, you could go down the student route and sign up to learn Thai. Might prove useful anyway if you decide to stay.

Good luck!

EDIT:

what would an average monthly budget be for two low key people that don't eat out much, don't have kids?

Oh My Gawd, I wish you hadn't asked that question!

[RoatanGurl]

We will have money to take it easy for a while and see what's the best route for us. As you say, we won't really know what we want to do until we get a feel for every day living.

I had a feeling my question about monthly cost of living might get confusing. I have read other people asking the same question, but I found the responses were far to the left or right, no one had a similar answer. I thought maybe, I might get lucky and try the question again LOL!

I think right now, the visa, as Pete said, is going to be the issue for us.

We were also considering an island in Figi, because residency is easy to get, but we would much rather Thailand.

[dtaai-maai]

I mentioned working as a teacher or studying Thai because both of those get you a renewable visa. The student route would be simpler and more useful if you can support yourselves for a while.
As Pete said a double entry tourist visa, with extensions and a well timed trip across the border, will get you almost 6 months. If you can get a triple entry tourist visa so much the better.

I assume you've been here before?

[RoatanGurl]

Oh, now I see what you're saying. I would love to learn the language, and it's important to speak it living there. I moved here and didn't speak spanish, that was rough in the beginning. So that would be perfect. I'm sure my husband would love to as well, he speak 4 languages now.
How much does it cost to leave the country and and renew the visa? do they do trips certain days as a group?
I have been there before, but when I was in my early 20's.

[hhfarang]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about Roatan. I was there on a couple of scuba vacations years ago and it was really an island paradise back then.

My suggestion is that you come here, find a short term rental (a couple of months), then if you like it and can figure out the visa issue and how much your lifestyle requires you may decide to stay. If you really want a quieter life as well as a less expensive one you may then want to look a little further south (Pranburi) or a little further north (Cha-Am).

All three are good options with Hua Hin being the most touristy and expensive, followed by Cha-Am, then Pranburi for a quieter and less expensive life. I'm sure you can find a place in the area that will suit you (although you may still find it necessary to live with bars on your windows in some locations and you may find the police actions, or lack thereof, similar to what you described in Honduras).

[dtaai-maai]

There are some threads on studying in Thailand in the Education section of this forum. Also, bapak might be able to give you some useful information.

If you're not particularly familiar with Thailand, you definitely to spend some time here before deciding to settle - it's not everyone's cup of tea!

[migrant]

Can't add much to the collective wisdom given you, but welcome!

I spent a lot of time in Honduras, mainly outside Tegucigulpa, but went to Roatan, Ceiba often

Beautiful country but very wild west type!!

[RoatanGurl]

Yes, very wild west indeed. I'm a cool chillin Canadian girl, from the non-wild west! I love Roatan itself, but I just don't feel safe anymore. Crime has gotten so out of control is is frightening. The UN released an article saying Honduras and Central American is the most violent in the world. Guns, drugs = big problems. It is really sad because Honduras, more specifically the bay islands are absolutely gorgeous, but if you aren't free to enjoy it, it doesn't really feel like paradise anymore...
Well everyone, I'll keep you posted on the progress. You've given me a bit of homework. Thanks!
I still welcome anyone's input!

[hhfarang]

One last thing about your title of this thread "Deciding on an island..."

You do know that Hua Hin is not on an island, right? It's on the coast of the mainland a couple of hours (driving) south of Bangkok.

[lomuamart]

The visa information that the OP has been given is sound.
Whilst there's no limit nowadays to the number of border runs you can do, you will only get 15 days on entry if you arrive by land or sea - 30 days if by air but that will become expensive if done on a regular basis..
Tourist visas are obtainable in neighbouring countries but they're becoming more difficult to get back-to-back on a long term basis. It's also likely that the Thai Embassy/consulate will want to see a return/onward air ticket as well but I must admit that I'm a bit confused about that stipulation as the regulation is pretty new and I'm not certain how it's being enforced.
So, that may sound negative but other members have suggested alternatives with regard to education visas and bapak will hopefully reply as he's the expert in that field.
I don't think that either you or your husband will get Non Immigrant visas from neighbouring countries. Vientianne, Kuala Lumpar and Phnom Phen (excuse the spellings) are reportedly fairly visa friendly at the moment and there's a good chance that you'll get a double entry Tourist visa from any of those - 60 days on entry, extend for 30 days in Thailand, exit and return with another 60 days + 30 extension. However, these places blow hot and cold and you'll need to ask again for up-to-date information before you set off somewhere.
The authorities are pretty strict about working so you need to be sure that your paperwork is in order if you go down that route. Someone mentioned that a lot of occupations are reserved for Thais and this link should be pretty accurate - http://www.expathuahin.com/employment-huahin.php
Good luck. Where there's a will there's a way.

[richard]

Have you researched or considered other parts of SE Asia? Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia

I have friends who have left Thailand and settled in these countries. I believe visa, working and owning property is easier in some but have no personal experience

[RoatanGurl]

Yes, this visa could be an interesting situation. My husband is a retired pro athlete for his country. He has coached university teams before and has his certifications. This might be a viable option as well? I will have a look at the link regarding working. I was hoping I could start a small business to stay occupied and of course make a few pennies while I'm at it.

I have looked into Cambodia as well as malaysia, but not nearly as much as I have with Thailand, because I had been there before I leaned more in that direction. I will check out requirements for living there.

Does anyone know how crime is like in Cambodia & Malaysia?

What do all of you do? are you retirees, or married to a native of the island?
than