Thread: Where to perch for a while?

Hi I'm a young 63 year old American who is looking for a change of pace and would like to live for a while in Thailand. However, I'm not sure where? Bangkok is to big and Phuket is too plastic and I haven't been to Pataya. I've spent a little time in Chaing Mai and it seems ok, but just not sure.

I would like to find a place that is comfortable where you have an opportunity to mingle with the locals and possibly do some volunteering. Yet a place that has a good expat base to help ease myself into a forign environment. I would like to meet other expats who have lived the life for a while. Any suggestions?

Oh, I have a moderate income so I don't need to screw down ever baht.

Your serious thought would be appreciated. Jerry

Pretty much any reasonably sized town would appreciate some volunteering, but it depends upon what you need in the way of comforts.

Do you need access to western food?

Do you need other Americans to talk really loudly too?

Do you need girls who are used to shagging foreigners?

and so on....

well look at chiang mai or korat or hat yai or so on.....

If you're single start off in Pattaya and then figure out where you want to go. Hook up with those expats at the Pattaya Sports Club (Just google it for the website). They have volunteer opportunities. You're a young 63 but still may need the convenience of decent medical and dental care available for expats in Pattaya. They also have a VFW branch there if you're eligible (Another easy google). Lots of people in your peer group there also to dispense Visa advice.

Korat wiil probably be a good choice and plenty of foreigners of all ages there

You should give Hua Hin a try. I had a relaxing 2 month sojourn there last trip.

Relaxed medium size beach town with enough farang comforts eg shops, bars, golf. Local farang community is a bit insular but you can break into it. Within striking distance of Bangkok as well.

Chiang Mai is pretty nice I've always thought

Lots of choices, Udon Thani is another one.
You need to be more specific as to your preferences.

Welcome, by the way!

Welcome.

Chiang Mai has the best city character of all the larger Thai cities. But it has no ocean, and it is getting very crowded lately. Udon Thani, Korat or Khon Kaen would be less crowded choices.

Hua Hin if you dont mind the feeling of living in tourist resort. Pattaya if you dont mind everybody else think you are only here to get laid, play golf, eat bratwurst and talk too much about all the above.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. You've given me a head start in my search....Jerry

Also check out Kanchanaburi

Summers are too damn hot in Kanchaburi, the wife is from there and I dread going up in March, April, or May. Its not all life on the river.

^ Agreed, but today is 02 June, so as long as "a while" means less than nine months, he'll only have the monsoon to worry about

Udon Thani, Korat or Khon Kaen

I think you'll find fellow Americans here.

If I were going to choose a spot to live only for the place and amenities it would be in the stretch of beach between Cha Am and Hua Hin. That area is not overcrowded yet. There are plenty of dining and drinking venues within a few minutes drive. There are some lovely national parks in the vicinity. And, while there is no longer much of a need to go to Bangkok to shop, you can get there in just a few hours.

Originally Posted by buadhai

there is no longer much of a need to go to Bangkok to shop, you can get there in just a few hours.

agreed





^ the balloons are are permanent, glued to the sky

Jerrys, listen to Smeg or DJ Pat, they'll put you right on Thailand

Originally Posted by cantona

Jerrys, listen to Smeg or DJ Pat, they'll put you right on Thailand

Now, now Mr Cantona. This is the newbies section. Play nice please.

I think Ayuttaya is not a bad deal. There's no beach but river. There's some foreigners just to make you feel you are not a lone in the world.

Originally Posted by Goddess of Whatever

I think Ayuttaya is not a bad deal. There's no beach but river. There's some foreigners just to make you feel you are not a lone in the world.

Ahh, but there's a sound level limit there, so it prevents most Merkins from settling there.