Ban Chang Area

[HaiSoh]

Hi, we are planning relocating to Thailand. My wife and 2 kids will be living there full time where I will be in and out of the country because of work.
We have our reasons to do this and yes we are mature enough, so we have been thinking this over etc..

We are still not sure about the place to go to as the Mrs is from Korat but for school choice and foreign qualified teachers, we prefer to go Rayong area.

NO, we dont want to live in BKK or Pattaya, where the choice for good schools is best.

My wife is not sure about Ban Chang. Is anybody on TD living there ? or knows somebody that could give us some info on the place ? good villages to live in ? as we are security minded we are looking at "projects" with 24hrs security at the gate. The quality and upkeep of the village is also of high importance to us.

We are looking to rent for 6 months or a year as a starter, so if we did not make the right choice in area we can still move.

Looking forward to your sharing of experience, recommendations, info,... !!

thanks

[dirtydog]

Here's a bit of info on Ban Chang, a few td members live there, a boozer and sunsetter come to mind.

[jandajoy]

Ban Chang.. used to be good but I moved.

[HaiSoh]

Thanks DD, reading it now.
Been also following the MSTinternational thread on his house building in the area.

Jandajoy - used to live there and was good......care to chare some more info ?
did you live in a project ? own house ? rented ?.....
THX

[jandajoy]

Rented up near the Ban Chang Palace Hotel.

The area was ok, good markets, easy access to Swampy etc. My problem was that it seemed to becoming an adjunct to Patters.

The development of "The street of dreams", the bus trips of falangs coming in to experience a night out outside Patters etc etc got weary.

The air pollution from Mataphut was getting worse and worse and I had no reason to believe that it would not extend to BC.

The talks on development in Sattahip concerned me. It seemed inevitable that eventually Mataphut and Sattahip would connect.

Major road works between the town and the beach were a cause of concern.

Finally, the beaches were getting progressively filthier.

So we moved.

No worries, Maybe I was completely wrong and it's all good.

I'd certainly rent for a year at least before buying.

Only my view though so "It's up to you".

[HaiSoh]

[at] Jandajoy
Now thats an answer I can do something with !
thats the kind of information I am looking for.
The reason for the area is the school for the boys, the beach, farang standard housing available...

Thanks again !

[jandajoy]

Haisoh,

Have a really good drive around, preferably on a motocy.

Check out the roadworks and general construction. Where are they going to go next?

Industry will prevail............

Go down towards Sattahip and then back up to Rayong through Mataphut.

Decide for your self.

Good luck mate.

[Kaviar]

I bought a house near Ban Chang just over a year ago. It's just off the 331 at Phlutaluang, it's about 10min from Ban Chang.
I live in China at present so I'm not there as much as I would like to be.
I very much like the area, pretty good roads, good markets in Phlutaluang and Ban Chang.
Like Jandajoy said, the beaches are not very good, but it's only an hour from Koh Samet . The beaches there are great, so having a car is a must.

I'm not much into the bar life, but you can get a very good English breakfast at the Camel pub in Ban Chang bar street

The area is fast developing with small housing estates popping up everywhere.

Just around the corner from me they are building a small estate with houses going for less than 1mil baht. they look pretty good value for the money.

I retire this year so I hope to be spending more time in Thailand.

I'm having some extensive building work done on my house at present, while I'm in China. I'll post the progress on TD when I get time. It will be titled 'Building a house extension in Thailand by remote control'.

Good luck on your venture mate.

[HaiSoh]

Kaviar, thank you for your answer !
The beaches are not very good ? Are they good enough for the kids to play on during the week-ends ? how about water pollution there ?
My wife is surfing the net for projects and houses for rent/sale
It more looks like they will be going in a hotel/appartment for the first couple of months to scout the are for a good place to rent and live.

Looking forward to your extension thread.
cheers for the luck wishes

[Loy Toy]

I like Bang Chang but it is too far from the schools for me to move there (I have 3 young children with me).

Presently I live in East Pattaya and 99% of the time I never venture into the shithole.

As others have advised, take your time and look around and as per my suggestion also look into the areas around far east Pattaya and make sure it is in the secure residential areas. A great rural lifestyle can be enjoyed and you are close to all the ammentities that your family will need.

Good luck to you and your family.

[HaiSoh]

Loy Toy,
thanks for the input. Your kids are all attending Thai Schools ? or ?
How far out of Pattaya is "east Pattaya" and where do you live ? If one may ask.
Thanks