Slash wrote:btw the other 2 locations I want to explore are Phuket/Kamala area and Koh Samui. Can anybody comment and compare those to Hua Hin? Why would you choose one over the other?
Samui:
I have lived on Samui when I first can to Thailand and I've returned to the island several times since. To be honest, it is the last place I would want to live these days. It really is not the tropical paradise that it once was. Over developed, and infrastructure comparable to darkest Africa. Oh, and you will need a boat for getting around every time it rains. Also, I doubt you would find a decent job on the island, but of course I might be wrong.
Phuket:
I can't really comment since I have not been back there for years. First visited back in 1997 and loved it, possibly because it was my first trip to Thailand. Went back about four years ago and wasn't at all impressed.
Hua-Hin
Stayed in Takiap for nearly three years and loved it. At that time the main road through Takiap was still a dirt road, and only a few condos to be seen. Our rental home was around 50 meters from the beach on the far side of Takiap, and it was truly an awesome place to stay. These days I can hardly recognize Takiap due to aggressive development over the past few years. Nonetheless, it is still a very nice area.
I agree with others about soi 94 area, in that it is a very convenient part of town. However, it's a touch to busy and chaotic for me, and especially since I try to avoid going into town as much as possible.
I stay up soi 6, past the Wat Borfai temple and I find this side of town suits me fine. I did prefer it when we first bought here because there were only two other homes up where we are, but now it's all been developed.
Plenty of places to eat, public transport if you need it, close to Hua-Hin hospital, and a big Makro just down the road. Also plenty of choices as far as rental properties are concerned, both inside and outside housing developments. Lastly, quite close to a quite beach that stretches for miles. Getting to the central Hua-Hin from here takes about 15 minutes on a scooter so not a problem at all.
Best of luck
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact