Expats: Where do you prefer to live in Thailand?

[Jason1988]

I'm curious about what area the expats live in Thailand.

 

I'm at odds as to where the best place is. Hopefully, you guys will make some suggestions.

 

Thanks!

[Gaybutton]

I think that's a decision you have to make on your own. All you'll get from a question like that is "my choice is better than your choice" comments. You'll have some people telling you Bangkok is the best choice, followed by "No. no. Chiang Mai," with others telling you all about how Pattaya is best, and still others telling you why they like their other, lesser known places. How could that help you? You need to spend time in different cities and towns and decide for yourself.

 

If you are unsure where you want to be, then once you come to Thailand, spend some time, better still a few months, in one area, a few months in another area, and so on until you decide "this is the place" or even the possibility of "whoops, Thailand is not for me after all."

[2lz2p]

I will "second" GB's comments. Most expats will choose based on their on likes and dislikes. For myself, my plans were always to live in Pattaya having previously visited (as a tourist) Bangkok, Phuket, Chaing Mai, and bf's hometown near Khorat. Also, before committing to live here permanently after retirement, I obtained a multiple entry Non Immigrant "O" visa, which let me stay up to 90 days before having to do a "border run" to get another 90 days. I spent about 6 months living here for before deciding to make the move permanent. I had three primary reasons. One, being on holiday in a foreign country is not the same as living full time in that country. Two, quality of medical care as I do have a heart problem. The third reason was whether my bf and I would still be compatible living together on a day to day basis over time. We had a long distance relationship for the previous 10 years (me visiting twice a year for 2 weeks at a time).

 

I found that I liked living in Pattaya where I now have many expat friends (both gay and straight)and an abundant supply of good restaurants and other entertainment opportunities. I have found the medical care to be very good and if an emergency, can get treatment fairly quickly. Very important is that the bf and I do get along living together. It has now been 8 years since I moved here permanently and except for a few minor (and expected tiffs), we get along very well.

[Guest beachlover]

Personally, I would make a base in Bangkok and perhaps spend some weekends or a couple of days here and there somewhere with a beach and a chilled out atmosphere.

[Guest luvthai]

I look forward to the day when I can spend more time in thailand. For now I am primary care giver to a 86 yr old parent.

I plan on Chaing Mai for a home base. I also hope for a small townhome or house as I would like a small backyard. I also plan a small side trip each month to keep from getting in a rut.

[Guest fountainhall]

I have always lived in big cities, and for me Bangkok is the obvious choice. Also, since I have to fly a lot, I don't want the hassle of connecting flights. That said, I place a very high value on peace and quiet in the area I live. One of the nice things about Bangkok is that you can live in several areas where it feels almost like the country, but you are close to all the facilities of a big city. My condo is so quiet, it's often hard to believe I'm in the middle of a major capital city. The only thing I miss is a beach. Apart from 2 years, I have spent all my life close to the sea. But you can't have everything!

[Guest lvdkeyes]

The congestion and pollution in BKK is more than I want to deal with now. I am in Pattaya, but if I could I would prefer to be outside CM now that I have a bf.

[Guest RichLB]

Again I agree with GB, but here's my take on the various choices.

 

Bangkok is great for proximity to lots of cultural offerings and shopping alternatives. There are also a lot of gay venues to keep you entertained. On the downside, it has all the problems of a city - but in spades. Traffic is a nightmare, there's pollution, and safety is sometimes an issue. For me, living in BKK would be a lot like living in my home country where I would stay holed up in my residence and only occasionally go out and about.

 

Pattaya has many of the amenities of BKK, but with the beach included. It is small enough that it takes little time to develop a cadre of expat friends so loneliness is never a problem. While there are several upscale shopping centers, Pattaya does not have the range of choices Bangkok does and cultural opportunities usually require a trip into Bangkok. On the negative side, the city could do with a lot better road maintenance and even walking can be a challenge. I also have to admit Pattaya is not the cleanest city I have visited.

 

Phuket, at least Patong, is a bustling city which seems designed almost exclusively for farang tourists. The beaches are clean and inviting. There is a small cluster of gay venues, but far fewer than in either BKK or Pattaya. Since the tsunami, for my taste, it is almost too clean and I don't get the feeling of actually being in Thailand.

 

Chiang Mai is the choice of many farang who do not love the sea. It is far quieter than BKK, Pattaya, or Phuket and if you like the mountains it might be your choice, too. I find it rather boring though. Once you've visited Doi Suthiep (spelling) and seen the night market, there isn't much to do there. There are a couple gay bars, but they are spread out and usually experience few customers. Along the river you can find several picturesque restaurants, but after eating you might be hard pressed to find anything fun to do.

 

Small towns are ideal for those who want to get away and nest. Chances are you will be one of the few farang and most of the amenities you are used to as a Westerner will not be available. On the plus side, though, you can live very inexpensively although somewhat spartanly. I would go mad in a rural town, but if you are looking to nest and just relax your days away, you might like it.

 

Anyway, those are my views on the choices you are considering. Others will most probably disagree.

[Guest beachlover]

The only thing I miss is a beach. Apart from 2 years, I have spent all my life close to the sea. But you can't have everything!

 

Yeah... if only it had a stunning great beach, like Rio De Janeiro.

 

I don't think I would want a quiet suburban place though. Staying in a mega-city in Bangkok makes me want to stay in a big high-rise in a busy area, high up with a great view of the skyline.

[Guest beachlover]

I think the thing to do is live in multiple places... Pattaya and Hua Hin make for a good escape from Bangkok. If you live in Pattaya you might go to Bangkok every now and then.

 

The problem with Phuket is it isn't as accessible to Bangkok (or Bangkok accessible to Phuket) as Hua Hin or Pattaya.

 

Chiang Mai makes for a nice get away but I'm not sure I could live there all year round.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I guess if your funds are not limited you could live in more than one place...but keeping a residence in more than one place can get rather pricey.

[Guest beachlover]

True... could be a case of keeping a residence in one main place and staying in guesthouses when you visit the other place.

[Guest fountainhall]

Staying in a mega-city in Bangkok makes me want to stay in a big high-rise in a busy area, high up with a great view of the skyline.

I stay on the top floor of a 8-storey condo unit. SInce the area has height regulations, I find the view very relaxing. I also find the pollution not nearly as bad as some say. Perhaps that is a result of there being little traffic in my area.

[Guest beachlover]

Cool, hey that's nice. Looks like a peaceful part of Bangkok.

 

My ideal thing would be something like 20, 30 or even 40 stories high with a really stunning view overlooking Bangkok. Kind of like the view you get from the top floors of the Dusit or the Sofitel or Pan Pacific or Lebua State Tower.

[Guest]

Of all the cities in Thailand, I prefer Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Pattaya is just too much for me long term. I like short visits there but every time I stay here for a long period, I get pretty tired of the scene. I rarely get tired of Bangkok. It is a fabulous world class city. I also love Chiang Mai but have never stayed there for more than 2 months so I am not sure how I would do there.

[Guest beachlover]

Totally agree... I haven't been to Pattaya much.

 

It is fun but I think it would get pretty depressing living there after a while. It's just so ugly and feels like a bit of a Wild West town... dodgy.

 

Bangkok on the other hand, is a gorgeous city. And it's huuuge!

 

I haven't been back to Chiang Mai for a long time... should plan a visit.

 

Now, if only Bangkok had a beautiful long beach front like Rio... with the lush green mountains towering above it and all.

[Guest]

It is fun but I think it would get pretty depressing living there after a while. It's just so ugly and feels like a bit of a Wild West town... dodgy.

 

I enjoy Pattaya and don't think it is ugly town. It is not a beautiful town either. Perhaps in between? I just get a bit bored with the same thing every day. I do have friends here that say there is no place on earth they feel more comfortable. It is easy to walk down any street hand in hand with a boyfriend. It is easy for transportation. And, it is cheap. For me, I just don't like the bars every night. However, if the bars were as great as they were a few years back, I'd still be going out EVERY night and loving it. Now, it just seems like the same boys at the same bars.

[Guest beachlover]

I do have friends here that say there is no place on earth they feel more comfortable. It is easy to walk down any street hand in hand with a boyfriend.

 

Yeah, that is one thing I noticed. It has a bit of an "anything goes" atmosphere. That's what makes it feel a bit wild, I guess.

 

This would be a major appeal. If you are 50 and have a boyfriend or girlfriend who is 19, you don't get any looks in Pattaya. In Bangkok and other parts of Thailand you might get a few looks. And of course, outside Thailand you would get a LOT of looks.

[Guest YardenUK]

Yeah, that is one thing I noticed. It has a bit of an "anything goes" atmosphere. That's what makes it feel a bit wild, I guess.

 

This would be a major appeal. If you are 50 and have a boyfriend or girlfriend who is 19, you don't get any looks in Pattaya. In Bangkok and other parts of Thailand you might get a few looks. And of course, outside Thailand you would get a LOT of looks.

 

I cannot speak from personal experience (when I reach 50 I will try to remember to come back to this thread and resurrect it!), but I don't think this is necessarily right - I have even been in places like Udon Thani and seen older farangs with very young pretty Thai girlfriends/wives, and no one was giving weird looks (or any looks for that matter).

 

I think IMHO the Thai people throughout the Kingdom are savvy enough (and Buddhist enough in their outlook), to not judge couples on their ages.

[Guest fountainhall]

I think IMHO the Thai people throughout the Kingdom are savvy enough (and Buddhist enough in their outlook), to not judge couples on their ages.

I have never noticed any disapproving 'looks' anywhere in the Kingdom.

 

Re Chiang Mai, I also love it as a place to visit. But I find the pollution around the February/March/April period a lot worse than Bangkok - something to do with agricultural burning and the lack of winds to blow the pollution away, I believe. I have also got caught up in floods there during the height of the rainy season.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

 

Bangkok on the other hand, is a gorgeous city. And it's huuuge!

 

I agree with the Huuuge...but gorgeous...NOT. It is overly congested, noisy, dirty, extreme air pollution, and overcrowded...did I mention congested. It is ok to visit, but to live..no chance.

[Guest beachlover]

I cannot speak from personal experience (when I reach 50 I will try to remember to come back to this thread and resurrect it!), but I don't think this is necessarily right - I have even been in places like Udon Thani and seen older farangs with very young pretty Thai girlfriends/wives, and no one was giving weird looks (or any looks for that matter).

 

I think IMHO the Thai people throughout the Kingdom are savvy enough (and Buddhist enough in their outlook), to not judge couples on their ages.

 

I don't doubt your observations... But I do think Pattaya has just that little bit more of a "anything goes" atmosphere and "not batting an eyelid" characteristic than the rest of Thailand.

[Guest beachlover]

I agree with the Huuuge...but gorgeous...NOT. It is overly congested, noisy, dirty, extreme air pollution, and overcrowded...did I mention congested. It is ok to visit, but to live..no chance.

 

Well, it's a case of personal taste... But I find Bangkok gorgeous.

 

- Have a drink at the Skybar on top of the Lebua State Tower and I think most people would find it difficult to find beauty in the beast below.

 

- It's also quite spectacular standing on a balcony high up in the Dusit Thani Hotel overlooking Lumpini Park with the Bangkok skyline around you.

 

- I always get goosebumps driving in from the airport where you see enormous skyscrapers when you are barely 5 minutes from the airport and still 30 minutes from the city centre. It reminds me of Blade Runner.

 

There's just a never ending supply of experiences to be had and places to visit, shop, drink, eat at.

 

I get fascinated with the energy and vibrancy of the city.

 

These are some of the things I find beautiful about Bangkok.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I don't doubt your observations... But I do think Pattaya has just that little bit more of a "anything goes" atmosphere and "not batting an eyelid" characteristic than the rest of Thailand.

You might find that outside of Pattaya there may be more of an anything goes...maybe not as to gay bars, but as to life in general.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Well, it's a case of personal taste... But I find Bangkok gorgeous.

 

- Have a drink at the Skybar on top of the Lebua State Tower and I think most people would find it difficult to find beauty in the beast below.

 

Those are your words, not mine...so I will agree with you!