Hi all,
I have been living in Chiang Mai for the past 4 years. When I first moved here it was great. Now with all the condo building, shopping malls etc it has changed. What's more every year for 2-3 months they burn the hell out of the place. Can't breathe. This year in March I went to Hua Hin and rented a place on the beach. I work in IT and am lucky in that I can move my work place. I really loved my time but it was only 1 month and I was renting with a friend/colleague so had a friend.
Now I am considering making it a more permanent move. I wanted to get some feedback from expats who have made Hua Hin their home.
Does it get boring being in a beach town long term?
Is there a good base of expats?
What are most people doing in Hua Hin, are they retired, working, going to school?
I just want to get an idea from those with life experience what I can expect. I don't want to live in a fantasy world like I did when I went on work/travel.
Thanks for any feedback.
Chell
LIfe in Hua Hin for permanent residents
Re: LIfe in Hua Hin for permanent residents
Hi Chell and welcome to the forum.
As you no doubt know, living in a particular place is not the same as visiting that place. If you choose to move here to Hua-Hin, it will obviously become "boring"; meaning you will soon have seen all there is to see, and etc. Having said that, I have found Hua-Hin ideal since it has everything I need. If you like a crazy night life scene, then Hua-Hin is definitely not the place for you. It's not a boring place, but also not a crazy place.
Most of the expats here are retired, but not all, so I'm sure you'll find friends, whatever your age. Now, if you'll excuse me........I have three young kids, it's 07h00 in the morning, there's music playing so load the windows are rattling, and all three kids are under the impression they have what it takes to be the world's best dancer. Time for coffee and headphones.......
As you no doubt know, living in a particular place is not the same as visiting that place. If you choose to move here to Hua-Hin, it will obviously become "boring"; meaning you will soon have seen all there is to see, and etc. Having said that, I have found Hua-Hin ideal since it has everything I need. If you like a crazy night life scene, then Hua-Hin is definitely not the place for you. It's not a boring place, but also not a crazy place.
Most of the expats here are retired, but not all, so I'm sure you'll find friends, whatever your age. Now, if you'll excuse me........I have three young kids, it's 07h00 in the morning, there's music playing so load the windows are rattling, and all three kids are under the impression they have what it takes to be the world's best dancer. Time for coffee and headphones.......
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
Re: LIfe in Hua Hin for permanent residents
I decided against Chiang Mai for similar reasons.
You've already adapted to the country so really it's just a matter of finding a suitable home, making friends and having something to occupy your time. If you're in IT you might be in need of some time away from your laptop. Golf is a great way to unwind, if you play. Otherwise there are a few attractions here which you can research easily online. I don't know what you like socially but from what I have seen, the nightlife here is better than in Chiang Mai. So is the climate.
If you are into Kite-boarding or water sports, you will probably enjoy the beach.
Hua Hin also is experiencing rapid development. You might find it more expensive. Taxis, massages, food, rentals are likely to be dearer than in CM. Many items are sourced in Bangkok and a suitable margin applied. We have some good supermarkets, plus Makro.
Takiap's comment about boredom is relevant. It seems to creep into some of the long-term residents lives. I tend to move every few years to keep life interesting. If you are the same then avoid acquiring assets that bind you to any one location.
For now, it's still a good place to be.
Best of luck.
You've already adapted to the country so really it's just a matter of finding a suitable home, making friends and having something to occupy your time. If you're in IT you might be in need of some time away from your laptop. Golf is a great way to unwind, if you play. Otherwise there are a few attractions here which you can research easily online. I don't know what you like socially but from what I have seen, the nightlife here is better than in Chiang Mai. So is the climate.
If you are into Kite-boarding or water sports, you will probably enjoy the beach.
Hua Hin also is experiencing rapid development. You might find it more expensive. Taxis, massages, food, rentals are likely to be dearer than in CM. Many items are sourced in Bangkok and a suitable margin applied. We have some good supermarkets, plus Makro.
Takiap's comment about boredom is relevant. It seems to creep into some of the long-term residents lives. I tend to move every few years to keep life interesting. If you are the same then avoid acquiring assets that bind you to any one location.
For now, it's still a good place to be.
Best of luck.
Re: LIfe in Hua Hin for permanent residents
Hua Hin is a really cool place to live - make the move, if only for the climate!
Re: LIfe in Hua Hin for permanent residents
I love Hua Hin even after being here for years.
I live a bit out of town, so I can choose to keep it easy and quiet, but if I want to go into the busyness of town, I am there within 10 minutes per motorbike or car (with the car you have to know some short cuts
).
The balance between Thai and western food is perfect for me. Thai food on every corner, but if I need my cheeses or any other western product most of the time it is available (except for my lovely Dutch salted Haring
).
I am not a golfer myself, but will start in the next few weeks as I travel around Thailand a bit less and will finally see how addictive this sport is.
I played tennis for a few years back home and haven't played for 8 or 9 years, but the thing missing for me is maybe a real tennis club where you can randomly play club members that pay for a season of membership and have special tournaments, but that aside.
When going out for a drink there is a wide variety of choices. You can go find lady bars if you fancy them, but you can also choose for a more pool billiard orientated bar or a pub that focusses more on sports broadcasting. A pub that is just for a nice chat with locals is also not a problem to find.
As was said before, most people here are retired. I am a bit younger expat myself and therefore in the last years my circle of friends is by average a bit older than me, but I seem to notice that the expats in Hua Hin are at the moment getting younger.
If you have children, Hua Hin is a good place to be, as when you live in the right area it is a perfect place for them to play outside safely. I would say Hua Hin could do with a bit more of child activities, like sports clubs with training or maybe some other things people will think of in the future. There is not a lot at the moment except for the new water park opened next to Black Mountain golf course. Taking your children to Pala U waterfalls every time you go out with them doesn't really do it for them.
Hua Hin is also a place where it doesn't rain as much as most places in Thailand (It's poring down outside my house atm), but you would maybe not guess that when you are just visiting during a rain cycle.
There is a wide range of restaurants available here to choose from. From very cheap to very expensive and from very western to very Thai. Streetvendors, traditional Thai restaurants, Isaan restaurants, French restaurants, Spanish restaurants, German restaurants, Swedish restaurants, Japanese restaurants, you name it and there is a good chance it is available, so there is always enough choice for a good night out having a great dinner.
All together Hua Hin is for me a good choice to live, combining several aspects of Western and Asian life. Combined with a nice sea breeze, beaches and good weather it makes the place unreplaceable.
I live a bit out of town, so I can choose to keep it easy and quiet, but if I want to go into the busyness of town, I am there within 10 minutes per motorbike or car (with the car you have to know some short cuts
).The balance between Thai and western food is perfect for me. Thai food on every corner, but if I need my cheeses or any other western product most of the time it is available (except for my lovely Dutch salted Haring
).I am not a golfer myself, but will start in the next few weeks as I travel around Thailand a bit less and will finally see how addictive this sport is.
I played tennis for a few years back home and haven't played for 8 or 9 years, but the thing missing for me is maybe a real tennis club where you can randomly play club members that pay for a season of membership and have special tournaments, but that aside.
When going out for a drink there is a wide variety of choices. You can go find lady bars if you fancy them, but you can also choose for a more pool billiard orientated bar or a pub that focusses more on sports broadcasting. A pub that is just for a nice chat with locals is also not a problem to find.
As was said before, most people here are retired. I am a bit younger expat myself and therefore in the last years my circle of friends is by average a bit older than me, but I seem to notice that the expats in Hua Hin are at the moment getting younger.
If you have children, Hua Hin is a good place to be, as when you live in the right area it is a perfect place for them to play outside safely. I would say Hua Hin could do with a bit more of child activities, like sports clubs with training or maybe some other things people will think of in the future. There is not a lot at the moment except for the new water park opened next to Black Mountain golf course. Taking your children to Pala U waterfalls every time you go out with them doesn't really do it for them.
Hua Hin is also a place where it doesn't rain as much as most places in Thailand (It's poring down outside my house atm), but you would maybe not guess that when you are just visiting during a rain cycle.
There is a wide range of restaurants available here to choose from. From very cheap to very expensive and from very western to very Thai. Streetvendors, traditional Thai restaurants, Isaan restaurants, French restaurants, Spanish restaurants, German restaurants, Swedish restaurants, Japanese restaurants, you name it and there is a good chance it is available, so there is always enough choice for a good night out having a great dinner.
All together Hua Hin is for me a good choice to live, combining several aspects of Western and Asian life. Combined with a nice sea breeze, beaches and good weather it makes the place unreplaceable.
Regards,
Manou
Manou