First Time

[KPJones]

Hello Everyone,
Just got registered and entered into the site and am hoping to tap on some Hua Hin expertise. My wife and I are ready for a change from Florida and since she once lived in Bangkok (1995) and loved it we are seriously thinking about the Hua Hin area. We've read several posts on various areas of Thailand and Hua Hin seems to be much more positive than some of the other areas.
Guess a couple of questions if anyone is kind enough to respond, there are two of us and one great dane, are looking for a house and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on where we might start. We will probably be making the move around the end of Jan 14. Appreciate any input from anyone. Namely will we have any issues bringing our dog, areas that might be better suited for our situation, etc. Thanks for anything you can provide.
Ken

[Dannie Boy]

Have you considered trying to fit in a holiday to HH before Jan 14, that way you will get a much better view on whether HH really is the place for you to come and live, which after all is a major decision. If you can, then obviously you can take the opportunity to look at the wide range of housing on offer and check out the costs vs your budget and the various locations.

Not too sure about the process for bringing a dog, but know others have done it so shouldn't be too difficult - I'm sure you'll get some factual advice later.

Like most places in the world, HH isn't without it's problems, with weekend traffic being one of them, but I am happy that I made the move so would have no hesitation in recommending the area.

Good luck

[KPJones]

Thanks for the good advice and if we had lots of extra money we probably would do as you suggested. However, my wife has been to HH before and is comfortable that this is the best area for us, so think we will probably just go for it. I've also been to Thailand before and lived in Japan for eight years so at least we won't be blind to the new environs. I'll do some checking on the dog situation and track down some more specifics on that. I really appreciate your input and with any luck I may be able to thank you with a cold beverage some time in the not too distant future.

[Dannie Boy]

Thanks for the good advice and if we had lots of extra money we probably would do as you suggested. However, my wife has been to HH before and is comfortable that this is the best area for us, so think we will probably just go for it. I've also been to Thailand before and lived in Japan for eight years so at least we won't be blind to the new environs. I'll do some checking on the dog situation and track down some more specifics on that. I really appreciate your input and with any luck I may be able to thank you with a cold beverage some time in the not too distant future.

Ok, in your original post you only mentioned your wife being in BKK, but if she has some knowledge of HH then there hopefully won't be too many nasty surprises, however if it was back in 1995 then I doubt she will recognise the place? I don't know what your plans are, but if you arrive next January then probably best to take a short term rent while you search for your dream home - take your time to make sure you find the right area.

[KPJones]

Again, good advice. I'm sure HH has changed considerably since then and our plan is to start with a short term and see what we can find as we are more situated and accustomed to the various areas of HH.

[usual suspect]

KP..I still say to folk that HH feels like a big village. But nowadays alas it does get jammed-up at weekends traffic-wise due to the Friday to Sunday influx of Bangkonians.
If you have a Dane, the need for a place with a good-sized area for the dog may find you living on the outer fringes of the town..(but most roads leading out have Tesco's or similar stores to save folk coming right into the thick of traffic).
Some dog-owners DO have problems walking their dogs due to the terratorial nature of the Soi-dogs.
(An option here is come along on a Sat. afternoon & walk with the local Hash House Harriers..who's participants often bring along their beasts for an hour's walk in the countryside).
But, as ever, on here there are many,many folk who will try answer any questions you may have.

[KPJones]

Our dane, Izzy is actually quite the couch potato. We usually walk her 45 min to an hr each morning and a short walk in the evening. It probably would be best as you say to be towards the outskirts of town so that we could walk her without her intimidating (or vice versa with the street dogs) the center of the local population. Another question, if I may, is there much concern about criminal activity in HH? I understand anywhere you live has a certain amount of this but haven't seen anything negative on HH regarding this and am just curious? Appreciate your earlier response and anything else you might be able to add to make us a little smarter on HH.

[margaretcarnes]

et dogs) Another question, if I may, is there much concern about criminal activity in HH? I understand anywhere you live has a certain amount of this but haven't seen anything negative on HH regarding this and am just curious? Appreciate your earlier response and anything else you might be able to add to make us a little smarter on HH.

A good point KPJ. If you search through old topics on here you will find that about 4 to 6 years ago there were quite frequent posts about burglaries, muggings etc. At one time there was a spate of very nasty robberies from farangs while they were riding their motorbikes. A lot of it was attributed to Issan workers at the time - people who were in HuaHin temporarily to do building work. There were also a handful of other nasty incidents which were attributed to farang/GF/business situations at the time, and in particular some issues with property developers which won't be too difficult to trace on here.
There is no point trying to gloss over some of the problems which HuaHin has had in the past. When you move there you will hear about them anyway. But over the last 10 years or so HuaHin has undergone a period of very rapid investment and development, much of it funded by the kind of people for whom money and connections speak.
All I can say is that thankfully there has been no indication on this forum to suggest that those problems have continued. So hopefully the place has settled down now. There is certainly very little potential for new development in the town centre itself, and HuaHin has one advantage above all other places in Thailand - apart from Bangkok - due to its' Royal connections.

[KPJones]

Thanks for the input. We live in Florida and just like everywhere else there is a certain amount of crime going on. We understand that a lot of this can be avoided by common sense, being aware of your environment, etc., but don't want to step into an area which is out of control. Sounds like things in HH are not in that range. Thanks again.
Ken

[margaretcarnes]

There's no way HuaHin is out of control. If it was the problems would be all over this forum! In comparison to where you live it is probably more like a sleepy hollow.
But you are right. Apart from the occasional opportunist theft or mugging, which can happen anywhere, the more serious issues can be easily avoided by expats who keep their heads down, stay within the law, and don't make waves. Probably the most important thing to understand is the culture and way of life - and to respect it - which it sounds as though you will.