Answered3 years ago
What are some recommended areas in Thailand for expats seeking a low-cost living with good medical care and a low sex tourism vibe?
Relocation to Thailand.
Currently in Philippines. Have previously been in Vietnam for four years.
Can anyone recommend areas for me to investigate please?
Fair sized city with good medical within an hour’s drive.
High level of English spoken.
Low level of sex for sale vibe.
Entertaining
Low cost of living.
Expat community
Places that didn’t work for me BKK, Phuket, Pattaya and to a lesser extent Chiang Mai - actually CM is a reasonable possibility unless you’ve got better ideas 🤷♂️
Thank you 🙏
Currently in Philippines. Have previously been in Vietnam for four years.
Can anyone recommend areas for me to investigate please?
Fair sized city with good medical within an hour’s drive.
High level of English spoken.
Low level of sex for sale vibe.
Entertaining
Low cost of living.
Expat community
Places that didn’t work for me BKK, Phuket, Pattaya and to a lesser extent Chiang Mai - actually CM is a reasonable possibility unless you’ve got better ideas 🤷♂️
Thank you 🙏
Answer summary
An expat is looking for recommendations on areas in Thailand that feature a fair-sized city, good medical services, a high level of English spoken, low sex tourism, entertainment options, low cost of living, and an expat community. Suggested areas include Hua Hin, Khao Lak, Chantaburi, Cha-am, and Udon Thani. The discussion also touches upon immigration challenges and compares living conditions with other countries.
99 repliesnewest first
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Daniel ************
Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Ludwig ***********
If you want to speak English, better look at Australia or New Zealand.
Baz ********
OP@Ludwig **********
Nah, my ancestors conquered most of the world just so I didn’t have to learn foreigner. Yours tried but failed so you learnt English
Tim *********
A few miles along from Pattaya is Jomtien, much quieter. And another 10 miles is Bangsaray
Joshua **********
That’s not Thailand. Anywhere high Lvl English is high lvl of sex for sale. And all expat communities are in or very near red light areas. It’s Thailand brother. When what you say you looking for Thailand isn’t the place for you. Been living here years.
Baz ********
OP@Joshua *********
It’s ok. I’ll just go with some of the other recommendations. But thanks for your interest
Mike ********
Hua Hin and Jomtien
Jae *******
Given your specific requirements, Thailand isn't for you. "high level of spoken English" limits you to all the places you don't like. Otherwise I could suggest several places. Don't be so lazy and learn some basic Thai.
Christian *********
Surrathani Province, lower cost of living due to the area has good agricultural benifits for vegiteble and fruits traditional living my experienced at Nasan municipality.
Ikwuakamc *********************
@Christian ********
can I secure teaching science or English as a non native English language Teacher in the province on tourist visa?
Bo *******
BangPhli Samut Prakan
Tim **********
Pang Gha
Chris **********
Kanchanaburi is a nice town
Ken ******
you can get some updates on visa and other thai news from tim newton and untegrity legal, both youtubers
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Ken ******
seems there is forever talk of visa tightening fo retirees abd the new policy on worldwide income maybe worriesome to some. The Elite visa does increase price drastically
Bob ********
@Ken *****
if they do watch them lose lots of longer term tourists.
Seanos **********
London
Nishant ************
Chon buri
Soeren **********
Isaan
Thomas *********
Never fun living in expat community I am getting away from my home why do I wanna live near my home in other country. I love Thai ppl and live around and with them
Tony ******
@Thomas ********
same it's why I came here so peaceful ✌️
Richard *********
I am happy just outside Chiang Rai.
Philippe *******
I would vote for Krabi 😉
Ao Nang is particularly well deserved when it comes to hospitals and care. Within 15-20mn drive to the main city (krabi town), 25-30mn to airport (bkk is 1h+) away.
No malls.
Very low prostitution.
Cost of life is quite more expensive than Isaan though depending also on your way of life.
And importantly, well developed in technology meaning you can get FC internet. 5g is here too.
Ao Nang is particularly well deserved when it comes to hospitals and care. Within 15-20mn drive to the main city (krabi town), 25-30mn to airport (bkk is 1h+) away.
No malls.
Very low prostitution.
Cost of life is quite more expensive than Isaan though depending also on your way of life.
And importantly, well developed in technology meaning you can get FC internet. 5g is here too.
Edward ************
You after sex tourism or easy lifestyle? Contact me
John ********
Hua hin
Lawrence *******
Udon Thani is worth a visit.
Falcon *******
Mae ai.
DavidandKim ********
Samui
Scott *********
Or NST
Scott *********
Hat yai
Michael ********
Sri racha, bang saen
Stuart ***********
@Michael *******
agree, but there's not a big expat community in either place.Michael ********
@Stuart **********
but close enough to Pattaya or bkk to driveWillie *********
Chiang Mai is great for 9 months. Feb/March/April is a disaster
Baz ********
OP@Willie ********
Why’s that?Willie *********
@Baz *******
It is called the "Burning Season" or "Smoke Season". Air pollution often reaches hazardous levels especially in March and April. The main reason is the burning of forest undergrowth in mountain forests all over the North to make harvesting a certain type of black mushrooms easier. These mushrooms are sold at local markets and exported to China. Another reason is agricultural burning, cane, corn, rice etc.. I usually spend 2 months in Danang, VN as soon as the air starts getting really bad here.Willie *********
@Baz *******
Yes, I'm familiar with your name. I spent 8 months in Danang during covid in 2020Baz ********
OP@Willie ********
I love Da Nang. I lived there four years. Just wish there were better visa options to actually put down roots
Loretta *******
Try Lampang
David **********
You have been to all the most expensive places in Thailand lol
Baz ********
OP@David *********
I’ve just about worked that out 🤣
Roy *********
Udon Thani
Dan ********
You can keep your virtuous signalling. You don't have to pretend with us. We don't care why you want to move here, or your thoughts about the sex trade. But you'll regret that when your commuting to the next city 3 times a week "for physio"
Baz ********
OP@Dan *******
Awwwe Mr Grumpy been dumped again? Nevermind I’m sure you’ll find someone desperate enough to take your money no matter how much of a train wreck your life is. I don’t need your hostility or your opinions. Goodbye 👋
Baz ********
OPWhat a douche 🤣
Chris ****
@Dan *******
point taken. But at the same time when people ask this question it’s harder to answer if they don’t say what vibe they are looking for…at least it’s easy to answer.
Maple *********
Hua Hin it’s good choice not cheap for living but not crazy expensive as Phuket. Another choice is Phang nga it’s cheap for living even if you need medical or big supermarket you can drive to Phuket just 1 hour.
Stacey *********
@Maple ********
Isn't there a lot of jellyfish in the ocean near Hua Hin? I heard it's not a good place to swim in the ocean because of that...Maple *********
@Stacey ********
the ocean there’s it’s not beautiful same Andaman ocean but you can swim you just beautiful with jellyfish when there’s has raining. It’s not all season
Kevin **********
We're halfway between Cha am and Hua Hin. (10 kilometers from each) and really love it. Hua Hin is known as "Little Stockholm) due to its large Northern European population, which gives it another dynamic
Rob **********
Try Cha-am
Bhola **********
Why the Low level of sex for sale.
Andrew *******
We got the least sex tourism vibe from Hua Hin. Good expat community. Reasonable healthcare available from a choice of hospitals. Several shopping centres providing expat groceries and goods.
Maple *********
@Andrew ******
I agree, but Hua Hin it’s not really pace of sex vibe. If you not go to night party area.Andrew *******
@Maple ********
every city on the planet has an area somewhere where hook up bars and sex shops exist - some are a bigger feature of the town than others. We know where it us in Hua Hin too but its not hard to avoid and even ignore.
Davide *********
Pitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani...
Todd *********
Koh Samui. Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Kood, Koh Chang, Chantaburi, Pai.
Baz ********
OP@Todd ********
Thanks for putting the commas in 😊. A couple of comments I struggled to separate the place names 🤣Thanks 🙏
Todd *********
@Baz *******
all are nice places but each with a very different feel. Happy searching. Hua Hin is worth a look also.
David **********
confusing, would you like to live in 1960 cinderblock houses and roosters or 2030 inter-structure and medical care
Baz ********
OP@David *********
I’m not sure what point you’re making 🤷♂️. But I’m trying to escape the cinder block of the Philippines (none 1960s because nothing here could last more than 30 years). I’m certainly after the more developed aspect of Thailand.
Wyn **********
Bang Saen.
Barry ********
@Wyn *********
great choice
Chris *********************
@Wyn *********
ls that where the old big tree is
Jim **********
Your problem is that number two excludes virtually every city outside of the tourist areas, and number 3 excludes all the tourist areas. Better decide which is more important mate, or look somewhere other than Thailand ….
Baz ********
OP@Jim *********
Life is a compromise 🤷♂️Jim **********
@Baz *******
there you go, so you need to do just that and decide which is more important, because in Thailand you cant get both.Come to think of it i struggle to think of a city in Thailand that does not have the 'sex for sale vibe'. The only difference being in the 'real' Thai cities, the customers are Thai rather than foreigners but they are full of brothels, massage parlours and karaokes that are every bit as much at it as the girly bars and clubs in the tourist areas. The only difference is that it's a bit more discrete.
Thomas *********
Ban Huai Mae Bon. Perfect
Baz ********
OP@Gordon ***********
Hello sailor 🤣Gordon ************
@Baz *******
Most of the expat community model themselves on Tony Curtis
Giorgio ******
@Gordon ***********
could as well live in Miami or St Tropez .0
Steve *******
Having lived in both countries, I would recommend that you stay in PH and only visit Thailand for 3-6 months at a time.
Immigration here will give you a constant migraine, especially after you have had it easy with the immigration rules in PH. Also, the English levels among the population here are not even comparable to PH.
If you insist on coming here, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai are 2 cities that match your criteria.
Immigration here will give you a constant migraine, especially after you have had it easy with the immigration rules in PH. Also, the English levels among the population here are not even comparable to PH.
If you insist on coming here, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai are 2 cities that match your criteria.
Ivan ************
@Steve ******
if he's over 50 and has the money to leave in the bank I don't see immigration as a huge issue. It is for under 50s for sure.Steve *******
@Ivan ***********
sounds goodBaz ********
OP@Ivan ***********
Many people do site visas as being an issue. They are certainly quite complicated 😳. But yeah I’m old, and not broke, but not wealthy enough for the elite status eitherBaz ********
OP@Steve ******
I recently posted in a Philippines expat group asking for comparisons of Thailand and Philippines. I was actually shocked when even they came out massively in favour of Thailand. It’s because of that I’m looking again at Thailand. Yes the strong English in Philippines is a big plus and easier visas, but that seems to be the only things that anyone could say in its favour. Oh good for bagging a ridiculously young wife if you need someone to run off with your house and money. I respect your opinions but I’ll certainly be coming back to check out Thailand again
Thanks
Steve *******
@Baz *******
just sharing to be helpful.The immigration issues never go away. The other issues in any country can be gotten used to. Good luck with the relocation!
Robert *******
Korat
Seb ***********
Cha Am or Baan Kruut
Ian *********
Hua Hin….. and a little further south (quick drive) is Pranburi and Sam Roi Yod
Zac ********
Chantaburi is a nice city with good hospitals, I've never seen sex for sale there but being Thailand there probably is but it is definitely not in your face.
Olivier ************
Hua hin.
Or if too busy for you cha am is 30km away
Or if too busy for you cha am is 30km away
Sean **********
Hua Hin is worth checking out.
Keith ************
Air pollution rules out Chiang Mai for me.
Dan *******
@Keith ***********
same I had plans to retire up in Pai Mae hong son but the air pollution makes it unliveable for meKeith ************
@Dan ******
yeah. It's a risk factor for lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.Chris ****
Khao Lak
Baz ********
OP@Chris ***
Oh I’ve been there. It was a bit small/quiet 15 years agoTony ******
@Chris ***
it's a secret 😉 😏 😆Chris ****
@Tony *****
I almost hesitated in suggesting it. I think in the future I will no longer. It’s a paradise.Tony ******
@Chris ***
that's why I'm not saying where abouts I am lolStuart ***********
Hua Hin is a nice place Baz. There is sex for sale, but it is contained mainly within a couple of streets, so you can avoid that.
Gordon ************
@Stuart **********
Yes, and the average expat age is about 90, so that keeps the sexual activities down too 👍👍👍Olivier ************
@Gordon ***********
and more golf clubs than Mac donalds
J ******************
Maybe Hua Hin if looking for coastal
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