Where do you choose to live and why?

**reinvented** · 05-03-2018, 08:10 PM

20 years ago beautiful but vastly overrated, bucketlist item achieved in the first couple of overs of the first innings, never live your dreams, things tend to get funky
now bearly consider going back
though had a nice weekend in a mick jaggersque mansion above surin beach about 6 years ago well worth the visit

**Thailandbound** · 05-03-2018, 08:12 PM

^cool, cool. 20 years ago..things have changed so much there.

Originally Posted by GracelessFawn

I'm in Palawan, Philippines. I love the vibe here. Life's simple, relaxed and quiet in a way. People are genuine for the most part, but they like to stick their noses in everybodys' business. That can't be helped. Once you get over that part, there are endless things to like about life in Palawan. Life here has a raw earthy natural feel. There is an abundance of natural stuff around - wildlife, mountains, beaches, etc.... The air is fresh. There are many trails, caves, streams, rivers, islands, coves, etc to explore. Life's good here.

I've seen pics.. the place is gorgeous. A good place to retire, I'd imagine.

**GracelessFawn** · 06-03-2018, 12:13 PM

^ Thanks Thailandbound. The place is a paradise..... Its my home so I'm afraid I'm overly biased but, can't help it. ��⛱��

**tomcat** · 06-03-2018, 12:15 PM

...isn't Palawan the island Muslim pirates sail from to snag wealthy tourists from Sabah in Malaysia?...

**PAG** · 06-03-2018, 01:42 PM

Having been here for just over 10 years, I really can't envisage moving from Phuket. I've lived and worked in many different countries, including 10 years in Spain before coming here (where, were I to leave Thailand, I would return to). The culture of Thailand is one of freedom to do whatever you want, with it dependent on the individual to act responsibly rather than heavy handed policing and regulation that exists in most western countries.

Although I like to live in a quiet environment (our house is in a fairly quiet village), I also like to have access to facilities such as shops and restaurants. Phuket ticks many boxes, with options for whatever lifestyle you care to choose. Traffic can suck sometimes, but though I live in the southern part of the island, I can still get to the Sarasin Bridge in little over an hour (takes me about 1.5 hours if cycling).

We rarely do the tourist areas, maybe once a month or so driving the west coast and having lunch at one of the resort towns (with the exception of Patong). The scenery is still great in any part of the island once you get off the main roads. Even where I live, you can turn off a busy main road with shops and restaurants, and within 100 metres you're in a coconut palm grove with buffalo grazing.

Perfect it's not. I just can't think of anywhere else within Thailand or indeed the rest of the world that I'd rather spend my retirement.

**Dillinger** · 06-03-2018, 03:23 PM

^ so the wife's family are from there then?

**Thailandbound** · 06-03-2018, 04:30 PM

^^Nice one! 10 years is a long time!
^I thought you disliked Phuket, dill?

**PAG** · 06-03-2018, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dillinger

^ so the wife's family are from there then?

No, Rayong. Both sets of Grand Parents were Chinese immigrants, parents deceased. Before we got together, M'Sahib had never been to Phuket.

**Dillinger** · 06-03-2018, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Thailandbound

^I thought you disliked Phuket, dill?

I do

Ive always preferred Samui, Ao Nang, Koh Samet, Koh Chang... all the Thai islands over Phuket tbh. But I wouldnt want to live full time in any of those tourist traps,

I'm near South Chonburi

which always gets a bad rap, but for the schooling, location, fresh air, vicinity to airports, weather, Brit food and shopping its a great all rounder.

**PAG** · 06-03-2018, 05:58 PM

^

I'm guessing 'South Chonburi' is an euphemism for Pattaya? I'm sure that there are indeed pleasant places to live there, and it has great facilities, though I've never been. All the other places you mentioned are of course tourist destinations, though Phuket is large enough to have areas that are still unaffected by tourism. The weather generally is excellent, with only April/May bordering on being too hot and humid. International hospitals and schools, an international airport, plus the myriad of islands close by to visit whenever the need takes. It's the diversity of Phuket that attracted me in the first place, and whilst I've visited quite a few different areas of Thailand, I've always glad to get home there. As we all know, holidaying and living in a place are usually two different things.

**Dillinger** · 06-03-2018, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by PAG

always glad to get home there.

Sounds like youve found your spot.

I guess my views on the place are mainly referring to Patong

**rickschoppers** · 06-03-2018, 08:41 PM

For over 15 years I was going to retire in a small town in Baja California, Mexico. I had fished there on many occasions and it had everything I needed to go fishing every day if I wanted to. Then around 2000, things started changing. Too many tourists, too many large resorts, too much of everything that ruined the nice little fishing village. Prices on everything went up and the police began hassling the gringos. By that time I already had my Dodge diesel truck and a large 5th wheel trailer. All I needed was a nice palapa to park it under. That along with Mexico's cartel violence, I pulled the plug on that idea. Then it was time to seek out a new retirement location. I looked at all the Latin America locations where fishing was good like Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Venezuela, Honduras and some of the Caribbean islands. Having traveled quite a bit, I remembered that Thailand was not a bad place and I visited it often while working in Saudi Arabia. I knew the fishing was not all that great, but I decided to take a look. My first trip back to Thailand since 1986 was in 2003. I went to Phuket first since I had really enjoyed it in the 1980s. It had grown too much so I hopped a plane over to Samui. It was not yet overcrowded, so I spent some time there. On my second visit, I wound up purchasing a place in Bophut. After a couple of years, I noticed the entire island had become a construction zone and the writing was on the wall. While in Samui, I met a sister of one of the waitresses I knew who lived near Udon Thani and I ultimately took a trip up there for a look. It was much quieter, not crowded and things there were much cheaper than Samui. Long story short, I sold the place in Samui and wound up moving in with the sister to see how everything went. Three years later we were married and I purchased some land, which seemed to be the natural progression of things. We started building our house in 2012 and am now living in it with no intention of moving. I have settled for taking holidays to beach destinations within Thailand and in September plan to visit Vietnam. This is my home base and traveling until I am no longer physically able makes more sense to me than moving. Places I have thought about moving are primarily in Europe, like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, but I will be lucky to make a trip to those countries before I leave this planet.
Each to his own and one just needs to find a place where they feel comfortable and at home. Even though I was not raised in Thailand, I feel comfortable here. I have no intention in returning to my homeland, but never say never.

**Thailandbound** · 06-03-2018, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dillinger

I guess my views on the place are mainly referring to Patong

Hard to judge a place based on one area though. I posted nice pics of Kata and have been to Phuket four times, so I know a lot of the areas. Patong is the worst area for tourists and congestion, but has the best shopping and amenities.

**Thailandbound** · 06-03-2018, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by PAG

though Phuket is large enough to have areas that are still unaffected by tourism. The weather generally is excellent, with only April/May bordering on being too hot and humid. International hospitals and schools, an international airport, plus the myriad of islands close by to visit whenever the need takes. It's the diversity of Phuket that attracted me in the first place, and whilst I've visited quite a few different areas of Thailand, I've always glad to get home there. As we all know, holidaying and living in a place are usually two different things.

Glad you enjoy it. Many touristy areas in PHuket, but I guess a lot of expats live in Chalong and Rawai area from what I've been told. Do you find it expensive?

**Thailandbound** · 06-03-2018, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dillinger

I do

Ive always preferred Samui, Ao Nang, Koh Samet, Koh Chang... all the Thai islands over Phuket tbh. But I wouldnt want to live full time in any of those tourist traps,

I'm near South Chonburi which always gets a bad rap, but for the schooling, location, fresh air, vicinity to airports, weather, Brit food and shopping its a great all rounder.

Sounds like you found your spot as well.

**PAG** · 06-03-2018, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by Thailandbound

Hard to judge a place based on one area though. I posted nice pics of Kata and have been to Phuket four times, so I know a lot of the areas. Patong is the worst area for tourists and congestion, but has the best shopping and amenities.

Disagree TB. Phuket Town has much better shopping and diversity of restaurants than Patong.

**PAG** · 06-03-2018, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Thailandbound

Glad you enjoy it. Many touristy areas in PHuket, but I guess a lot of expats live in Chalong and Rawai area from what I've been told. Do you find it expensive?

Although a lot of expats in these areas, they are still in the minority. Rawai particularly has enclaves of expats with fewer locals, and the amenities tend to be more expat orientated. Both Rawai and Chalong have large Thai communities, and the markets and shopping/restaurants to service these communities. What both areas have is a large number of restaurants ranging from the noodle stall variety to full blown a la carte (relatively) fine dining. Italian/Indian/French/Mexican/Japanese/Vegan/German/Soul Food/Korean/Vietnamese........all within 10 minutes from my house. Difficult to get into context 'expensive'. I've eaten with M'Sahib in a small rice soup restaurant that's about 50 baht for 2 meals, and spent 4000 baht on a seafood lunch for two.

The point is that everything is there, with the key being 'choice'.

**Bogon** · 06-03-2018, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Thailandbound

Hard to judge a place based on one area though. I posted nice pics of Kata and have been to Phuket four times, so I know a lot of the areas.

In Kata for a family holiday next week. Any recommendations for things to do (eating, drinking, sightseeing etc)?

**Luigi** · 07-03-2018, 12:15 AM

Would definitely be Australia, if I hadn't been kicked out.

**david44** · 07-03-2018, 12:22 AM

Some are suited to the classroom anywhere, child futility can overcome by dedicated assroom teachers.

I still my great mentors

The world is your Lobster , go for the Maine chance of the Bay of Fun.................dy

**Chittychangchang** · 07-03-2018, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by Luigi

Would definitely be Australia, if I hadn't been kicked out.

What you get kicked out for?

Overstay or something more Luigio..

**buriramboy** · 07-03-2018, 01:24 AM

Where I live in the UK is quite nice, my immediate surroundings anyway, I've just kind of ended up here by circumstances not an area of the UK id ever visited before 2009 and when I leave will never visit again. Plan is flog my gaff and either get a cottage in Cornwall or a gaff in the highlands of Scotland or on the West coast for a UK abode and then either a place in Spain/Canary islands or a gaff in Thailand somewhere South of Hua Hin and eventually live 4-6 months UK and 6-8 months Spain/Canaries or Thailand. So basically i don't know where the fuck i will be living 5 years from now in any month of the year and all current plans are subject to monthly change!!!!

**buriramboy** · 07-03-2018, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Luigi

Would definitely be Australia, if I hadn't been kicked out.

I got kicked out of Japan, night in Narita nic (interesting experience) and black stamp in my passport. Just hope they are forgiving people and let me in for the rugby world cup next year!!!!!!!

**Chittychangchang** · 07-03-2018, 01:35 AM

I got kicked out of Spain for working illegally in the early 90's.
Went back the next month on a new passport, no problem.

**buriramboy** · 07-03-2018, 01:50 AM

It's the only downside of not being anonymous I can't tell some stories id like to tell.

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