Advice on moving to Hua Hin

[BkkPatch]

Hi, I've just registered to this site and I'm looking for some useful feedback from straight talking people that actually live in Hua Hin rather than Real Estate agents. I've been living in Bangkok for about 5 years but am considering moving to Hua Hin. I have a young family and will need to look at schools in the next 12 months. Sadly I've never been to Hua Hin, I've been just about everywhere else in Thailand but not Hua Hin. I despise Pattaya and have found Phuket busier and busier each time. I don't wish to sound like a snob at all but the only bunch of people I've ever found unlikeble in Thailand are Russians. I find them unfriendly, ill mannered and just unpleasant. I've heard from people in the Real Estate and travel world in both Bangkok and Phuket that more and more Russians are going to Hua Hin and 2014 is set to see a big push on Russian tourism to take some of them away from Phuket where they seem to outnumber Thais. Can I ask people living in Hua Hin for their views on this. Again I apologise if I comes across as snooty in any way but once I settle to somewhere it has to be the right move for the sake of kids schooling.

Thanks

Pat

[sand_dancer]

Pat

As you state you have never been to HH before.....

Regardless of what others may..... Or may not have to say......

Do you not think it would be in your best interest to visit the place..... Before making any decisions about moving to HH or anywhere else for that matter......

Just a thought....

Good luck with whatever you decide......

[jingjoe]

Hua hin is a completely different market to patts and phuket,and i think draws a different type of tourist/expat.
I attend a thai language school,and belong to a local gym,and all the russians i have met,live and work here,are courteous,openly smile and friendly...which goes against the standard generalization.
Hua hin is not the party destination,the bar scene is a small part of town,its a nice get away for bkkians,great golf courses and has enough restaurants,tourist attractions to keep you happy for a long weekend.Its not going to attract the obnoxious tourist of any country...i hope!!
Its a great place to live,i have a young son 2yo who attends an american based nursery,when he is older he will go to a british school for primary education.High school,well thats a decade away,maybe halios the free thinking school here in hua hin..or maybe the very fast train will be here and it will be an hour to bkk for school.

[Pleng]

I agree with Sand_Dancer, it seems odd that you're thinking of moving to somewhere because it's not on the list of places you *don't* like. Come and visit Hua Hin first.

Though I've never been to Phuket so have no reference point, Hua Hin is also getting busier and busier all the time so it may not be for you. While on your trip down why not check out Pranburi, Cha-Am, and Prechuab Khiri Kahn at the same time, they might be a bit closer to what you are looking for.

Do you have any examples of places in Thailand that you *do* like? Perhaps it might be easier for us to make both positive and negative comparisons rather than just checking to boxes of how Hua Hin may be similar to places you dislike.

[bapak]

Hi, I've just registered to this site and I'm looking for some useful feedback from straight talking people that actually live in Hua Hin rather than Real Estate agents. I've been living in Bangkok for about 5 years but am considering moving to Hua Hin. I have a young family and will need to look at schools in the next 12 months. Sadly I've never been to Hua Hin, I've been just about everywhere else in Thailand but not Hua Hin. I despise Pattaya and have found Phuket busier and busier each time. I don't wish to sound like a snob at all but the only bunch of people I've ever found unlikeble in Thailand are Russians. I find them unfriendly, ill mannered and just unpleasant. I've heard from people in the Real Estate and travel world in both Bangkok and Phuket that more and more Russians are going to Hua Hin and 2014 is set to see a big push on Russian tourism to take some of them away from Phuket where they seem to outnumber Thais. Can I ask people living in Hua Hin for their views on this. Again I apologise if I comes across as snooty in any way but once I settle to somewhere it has to be the right move for the sake of kids schooling.

Thanks

Pat

I find this opening by the new OP disappointing...
Firstly on the fact that he has never been to Hua Hin
and secondarily on his comments on Russians. The local Russian population cannot be judged on what is happening in Phuket and Pataya. In general, I find the local Russians quite friendly and courteous. Most have kids studying at local schools and many of the adults are at language schools studying English or Thai.

[blue05]

Hi, I've just registered to this site and I'm looking for some useful feedback from straight talking people that actually live in Hua Hin rather than Real Estate agents. I've been living in Bangkok for about 5 years but am considering moving to Hua Hin. I have a young family and will need to look at schools in the next 12 months. Sadly I've never been to Hua Hin, I've been just about everywhere else in Thailand but not Hua Hin. I despise Pattaya and have found Phuket busier and busier each time. I don't wish to sound like a snob at all but the only bunch of people I've ever found unlikeble in Thailand are Russians. I find them unfriendly, ill mannered and just unpleasant. I've heard from people in the Real Estate and travel world in both Bangkok and Phuket that more and more Russians are going to Hua Hin and 2014 is set to see a big push on Russian tourism to take some of them away from Phuket where they seem to outnumber Thais. Can I ask people living in Hua Hin for their views on this. Again I apologise if I comes across as snooty in any way but once I settle to somewhere it has to be the right move for the sake of kids schooling.

Thanks

Pat

I find this opening by the new OP disappointing...
Firstly on the fact that he has never been to Hua Hin
and secondarily on his comments on Russians. The local Russian population cannot be judged on what is happening in Phuket and Pataya. In general, I find the local Russians quite friendly and courteous. Most have kids studying at local schools and many of the adults are at language schools studying English or Thai.

so what if he has never been to Hua Hin, at least he came to the most obvious place for information

with regards Russians they have that reputation globally not just in Thailand, yes there will be nicer ones but sadly in general the reputation is deserved

[Grim Reaper]

We all need to remember the forum's policy on racism. The OP's experience should not be taken as a given, and such stereo typing can be dangerous.

Please refrain from going down the racist route, or Moderators will be forced to take action.

[barrys]

I find this opening by the new OP disappointing...
In general, I find the local Russians quite friendly and courteous. Most have kids studying at local schools and many of the adults are at language schools studying English or Thai.

I've met quite a lot of Russian people here too, both socially and in business, and they have, without exception, been friendly and polite.

I have also visited Russia many times and always experienced amazing hospitality.

With regard to Pattaya, Phuket etc., I'm sure there are other nationalities living in the HH area that are ashamed of the way a lot of their compatriots behave elsewhere - I'm pretty sure it has to do generally with the type of person those places attract and is not nationality-specific.

[dtaai-maai]

I find this opening by the new OP disappointing...

The OP's experience should not be taken as a given, and such stereotyping can be dangerous

With regard to Pattaya, Phuket etc., I'm sure there are other nationalities living in the HH area that are ashamed of the way a lot of their compatriots behave elsewhere - I'm pretty sure it has to do generally with the type of person those places attract and is not nationality-specific.

I heartily agree with all of the above sentiments. Such sweeping generalisations as that in the OP are absurd, particularly from people who've seen the world and chosen to settle in a culture so different from their own.
Besides, there seems to be plenty of expats around who don't much like Thais and they manage to get by, so a few Russians shouldn't be much of a problem...

Most of the few truly objectionable expats I've met have been British.

Your children's education is important, but don't forget it starts at home.

[BkkPatch]

Thanks for replying to my post and request for feedback. I take on board all responses and will be visiting Hua Hin very soon to take a good look around. I thought this would be a good place to ask from people that know the town well and that seems to be the case. Thanks again.

[dotx]

I lived in Russia for three years, so maybe I have a better understanding of what the country/people are like. That said, the Russians living in HH are not the same type of Russians living in Pattaya. At least I don't think so.

While I agree that coming to HH to see the place before you move is a good idea, that's probably not going to give you a good idea of what it's like to live here. You only get to see the real HH after you've lived here for a few weeks (or a few months).

Also, I moved to HH without ever visiting the place first. Just rented a house for a month over the internet and then looked for something permanent once I got here. I came with dogs, so I couldn't stay in a hotel. That was over two years ago, so sometimes it does work out.

[sneg55]

Well I agree, that's russians in Pattaya and Phuket not the same like in Hua Hin.
Pattaya - cheap and popular package tour destination in Russia. So many russian rednecks going to Pattaya.
HH - quiet, more expensive and family friendly destination. Popular for some middle class russians - they comes to spend winter time, with kids, wife, even with dogs and cats.