Hua Hin is clearly becoming a popular destination for expats, not only older retirees but younger couples and families too. With its proximity to Bangkok and laid-back, small-town charm, Hua Hin is regularly appearing on lists of the best destinations to expatriate to.
In the October edition of Hua Hin Today, I covered the advantages of building a new villa. This month, I would like to highlight some other important considerations needed to integrate smoothly into your new tropical lifestyle.
Make sure all of your documentation is in order
It’s certainly boring, but it’s also essential to get your visa, driving licence, bank account, health insurance, etc., in order.
There are very good lawyers and companies that organise and manage these things for you, and I highly recommend doing so. For example, documentation for a retirement visa is extensive, and there are many small details that are easily missed.
Having somebody on your side who knows what they are doing makes this whole process go a lot smoother, stress-free, and will save you a lot of time.
The same goes for a driving licence and opening a bank account. When you buy on a development such as ours, we can easily connect you with friendly, professional people who can assist you with obtaining these items.
Scott Beecham
It’s worth mentioning the importance of health insurance. We all know the roads are unsafe, and it’s advisable to avoid a medical insurance nightmare here in Thailand.
On this note, I would fully recommend joining Be Well clinic, which is much like a doctor’s surgery you would find in Europe or the States.
It is certainly preferable to the queues and waiting times in hospitals.
Schools and families
Hua Hin is a great place to live if you have a young family (it was the number one reason we moved here). There are several good schools, and it’s difficult to deny what a healthy environment it is for kids. Our new development is a couple of minutes from Hua Hin International School, the water park, and Black Mountain Golf Course in Hin Lek Fai.
There are plenty of activities in the area for the kids to get their teeth into. My girls do piano, Jiu-Jitsu, art class, golf, and, of course, plenty of swimming.
The best thing to do is to connect with other parents and families through the schools or Facebook forums. I am sure they will all say that being able to swim with your kids at home and hang out at the beach with them is priceless.
Baan Phu Tara
Cultural differences
I firmly believe the West can learn a lot from the Thai people and their approach to life in general. Life here is markedly different from places like Europe and the US. The Thais have a more relaxed approach to life and they ‘go with the flow’. Schedules are more of a rough guide than something to be adhered to rigidly. It’s worth learning the meaning of the phrases ‘sabai sabai’ (chill/relax) and ‘mai bpen rai’ (it doesn’t matter).
If you are the impatient and hot-headed type, there’s a good chance that Thailand will make or break you. Confrontation is generally avoided, and getting angry (especially in public) is considered embarrassing and culturally insensitive. It’s much better to resolve things peacefully with a smile and a wai.
Remember, we are here because it’s not like it is back home, and I take time to be grateful for it every day.
For more information on relocating to Hua Hin or purchasing a property, contact Scott Beecham at Baan Phu Thara Mountainside:
🌐 https://thaicountryhomes.com/
📞 092 760 5589
📧 thaicountryhomes@gmail.com
📱 https://www.facebook.com/baanphuthara