Deciding WHERE to Live in Thailand - Is Pattaya Right for You?

Is Pattaya right for you?
This week I talk about:
⭐ Why I picked South East Asia to retire to
⭐ Why I picked Thailand to move to
⭐ How I decided on Pattaya to start in
⭐ My thoughts of living in a city known for sex and debauchery
⭐ Why I chose Pratumnak and the Cosy Beach area to live long term in
Cost of living after 1 full year of living in Thailand ▶️
• How Much Does it Cost ...
Learning Thai in Thailand: part 1 ▶️
• I Took THAI Lessons fo...
How good is my Thai after 100 hours of lessons? ▶️
• I Can Speak THAI Now! ...
Check out Rathcawaroon (Cosy Beach, Pratumnak) 18 months ago ▶️
• We take a full tour of...
My expectations of living in Pattaya, Thailand vs the Reality ▶️
• Expectations vs Realit...
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[@peteonretreat2023]

Thanks for watching!! I really appreciate everyone's support. Please leave me a comment and if you want to support me further, you can by me a coffee at Buymeacoffee.com/PeteonRetreat

[@youngrounder7967]

Thanks, Pete, for providing informative insight on your reasons for choosing Pattaya, Thailand (Pratumnak). 🇹🇭 I'm sure everyone who watches your videos learns something new about this amazing country. Pratumnak is a gem where it really has that neighborhood feeling many of the locals know you and vice versa.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I sure do love this neighborhood.

[@lutherfoust5483]

Your video is very informative. I like your list of pluses and minuses. You are very persuasive. Now, I may reconsider my move to Hua Hin. But I never thought of Hua Hin as boring. Hua Hin has malls, several night markets, four miles of beaches, movie theaters, and a large ex-pat population. Overall thanks for posting your video.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Thank you for the feedback. To be fair, the few people that complained about Hua Hin being boring probably aren’t the best sources on the subject matter. I still need to go check it out for myself.

[@greythebrown6493]

Hua Hin is good as long as you have a woman. If you don't have a woman, Hua Hin would get a bit boring

[@lutherfoust5483]

@@greythebrown6493 I don't know how I feel about your comment. Okay, I think I do. Hua Hin has bar girls. kzbin.infocZohN_MTVvU

[@davidbuhlmann9815]

Pratumnak really seems like a pleasant, quiet and slower-paced place; might be something for me. I'm coming to Thailand in February 26 for 2 months...up to now I was thinking of trying out Hua Hin, but I might just go to Pattaya instead, thanks Pete...

[@peteonretreat2023]

I like that Pattaya is there if I want it or I just just be here and ignore it. I’m interested in Hua Hin too though and might end up there at some point.

[@ericbrune4958]

I love your videos, Pete! Thanks!

[@peteonretreat2023]

Wow, thank you very much 🙏🏼 Honestly, it’s this feedback that keeps me doing them.

[@kymhaniford]

Currently I only travel to Pattaya on a 2 week holiday each year. I have looked around the local areas to see where I would go, if I ever decide to live there. I found the Cosy Beach area of Pratumnak to be my favorite also, for all of the same reasons you mentioned. I do have a medical condition that stops me from walking around much, but Cosy Beach is perfect for just jumping onto a little scooter to do your local tasks, without the traffic problems found in most other areas of Pattaya.

[@peteonretreat2023]

It really is a great little spot. Lots of great food options too and more businesses opening all the time as the area continues to recover from covid. I hope we find a place we like that allows pets here but if we don’t, that’s ok.

[@RoaringRanger]

Great video Ill be there in Dec.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Congrats 🎉 December 1st will be my 2 year anniversary!

[@BambinoAmericano]

Great stuff Buddy. I choose Pattaya with the same arguments (plus the fantastic golf courses). Vietnam was in my long list. VN is authentic but Thailand is practical: easier to communicate in English, better roads, well connected airport, great healthcare and also polite people, which I find important. From Pattaya - thanks to its proximity to BKK - I can easily get to my beloved VN and Singapore where I used to live and have a lot of friends. Btw the old Rayong airport is being converted into a brand new international Airport. I bought my place for retirement in Wong Amat, in a quiet and private condo (you won’t find such privacy and comfort in VN) where I have a huge garden with direct access to the beach. I agree that Pattaya increasingly attracts tourists who don’t do the Soi 6 and Soi Buakhao scenes, like my numerous friends from Vietnam and Singapore. Thanks for the report and enjoy your well deserved early retirement!

[@peteonretreat2023]

Thank you for your feedback and the well wishes. Sounds like I made the right decision.

[@Stashmo]

Interesting, as usual. 🤓❤️

[@peteonretreat2023]

Thank you Stash! 🙏🏼

[@Grimreapervlogs]

I still think your neighbourhood is awesome definitely very peaceful but close enough to the action if needed. I'm sure U will stay in pratimnak

[@peteonretreat2023]

We’re likely to stay. There’s one villa complex we are going to check out though next week probably.

[@BO-mb8rr]

Feb-April every year expats living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya should relocate and/or travel for those 3 months (April = hottest month of the year in Thailand) back to there home country (U.S, Europe, Australia, Canada, etc) or to other SE Asia countries or down to Phuket, Koh Samui, or Krabbi IMO.

[@peteonretreat2023]

@@BO-mb8rr some of the expats don’t seemed bothered at all by it, (the heat and the bad air) at least here in Pattaya. I thought February was great here this year. The heat and bad air do bother me but not enough that I have to go somewhere. It is a good time to travel though and get some clean air though. Very good advice.

[@marksoler7338]

Geez, you sound just like me, with all the same criteria. I'm from NYC, but living in Santa Barbara, with lifelong asthma, so I get it.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Yup, being able to breathe is a bog requirement lol

[@sjw4life546]

Pattaya suffers from burning season as well. And if you find yourself being bored in a place like Thailand, you aren't going to fix that anywhere else. The country literally has cities that are known for hiking, mountain climbing, clubbing and barhopping, beach bumming, water sporting, temple attractions, ethical animal sanctuaries. I can go on and on.

[@peteonretreat2023]

While Pattaya does suffer through burning season (I’ve spent two of them here already), it nowhere compares to the air quality in Chang Mai. I’ve not found myself bored in Thailand. It was just my biggest concern retiring early. I actually don’t have enough time to do everything I want to do.

[@GeFarr]

​@@peteonretreat2023burning season was pretty bad this Feb in Pat's IMO

[@peteonretreat2023]

@@GeFarr it was bad this year… it was pretty bad last year too, I think it was even worse but maybe I just expected it this year. My 3 friends that lived in Chang Mai prior to moving here said it was still nothing like when they lived in CM. Chang Mai on a bad day ranks #1 in the world for bad air quality. It’s had that homer multiple days the last few years. Pattaya has never made the top 20 list and likely never made the top 50 list.

[@GeFarr]

@@peteonretreat2023 I live in San Diego so it's maybe drastic for me, but yeah last year was pretty bad. I left Bangkok with a cough..Be back in Feb...

[@peteonretreat2023]

@@GeFarr I was surprised how bad it was here in Patts… which is why I have little doubt I couldn’t take in Chang Mai where by every account it is magnitudes worse. I might stay scheduling my trips out of Asia to coincide with peak burning season in the years to come.

[@Ncseventeen1976]

I'm right there with you. Living downtown in a city is just too much. And living in downtown Pattaya would be like living on the Vegas strip. Fun to visit and Party at, but too much for day to day. I lived in ST. Thomas, USVI and island life is great for about 2 years. Then you realize how small the island is, how expensive it gets any time you want to leave to go do something else, and it becomes claustrophobic. But I do miss living near a beach. Not surprised you like Keis One. He along with you and World of ONI are the main 3 streamers I follow from Thailand. I am headed to Mexico in January to scout that out and then I think I might start planing my next trip to Pattaya. This time I want to stay in Joimtien or Pratamnak. Glad to see things are going well with you and your lady. Moving in together and getting a dog are big steps. Getting a dog together is like a trial version of having a kid together.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Yeah, a dog is a huge step. The plan is to get a cat first (not quite as big a step but in the ball park). A dog would be next year at the earliest. Thanks for your comment and your positivity.

[@GeFarr]

❤ pattaya ❤

[@kiwifella_traveling]

I made a short vid . Pattaya is not all Bars and GOGOS. i was going ask if you have a car or bike or both. and then you said getting a car lol. I like Chiang Mai but Pattaya is close to BKK. everyone has different reasons for staying in places . I'm hoping to move around been to a lot of places but still a lot more to visit.

[@peteonretreat2023]

I’m finding more and more people talking about the good side of this crazy city. It’s cool to see a bigger positive community forming here. I personally don’t want to own a car here but it’s nice that my girlfriend has one. It really does come in handy.

[@denniskortheuer9861]

Thanks so much for more in-depth info about both Pattaya and Pratumnak. Also good to know you're not running away from me. 😜Also, always thrilled to get to see the clip of the dog on the motorbike again. Probably one of my favs of all your images. Your openness and willingness to share so freely about your thoughts and feelings are terrific. Keep it up.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Aw, thank you so much pops. Yeah, I love that dog on the scooter clip too!

[@kristiansinclair9964]

I saw a video about a guy setting up his own bar/cafe in Pattaya. No girls, only waitresses, cafe style with good food and family friendly. Soon after local government starts their publicity campaign to attract regular tourists, rather than single party goers. I think he saw the writing on the wall and ultimately it will change somewhat in the future. More people will go there to stay and will not always be party goers.

[@peteonretreat2023]

Lots of “normal” tourists come here andi do think that trend will continue. I wonder how his cafe is doing?

[@kristiansinclair9964]

@@peteonretreat2023 It was a BuzzinPattaya video from Trevor from about a year ago. I haven't seen a follow up yet, though I may have missed it.

[@สุทธิศักดิ์มธุรพงศากุล]

I miss Pattaya city 🤗😊🫰❤️🩷🎉🎊🌴🏝🏖

[@peteonretreat2023]

When will you come again?

[@sanderscupac7829]

Nice video, first time viewer from the USA. I guess you are renting a condo? If so, what size is it and what is the rent? Thankyou in advance.

[@peteonretreat2023]

My condo in some ways seems over priced. It’s 62sq meters, 1 bedroom but it’s 20k. It has a view of the entire Pattaya Bay in a newer building and all of its rooms are expensive… but it makes me happy. We’re looking at 2 bedroom condos and even villas in the same price range now.

[@roberth7894]

Pratamnak is a great area, I checked it out last time I was there. For LT living tho' I'm thinking Hua Hin, with visits to Pattaya as my speed. Great job, good luck w/ the car and can't wait for the next vid!

[@peteonretreat2023]

Thank you very much 🙏🏼 I do need to visit Hua Hin eventually.

[@theovelentzas7540]

Pattaya has the worse pollution in the sea, not swimmable. why retire in a polluted beach where you cant swim at your own risk. Hua Lin sea is better

[@peteonretreat2023]

@@theovelentzas7540 because there’s a lot more to do here, more food options, more people, it’s closer to Bangkok, but mostly because I don’t tend to go to the beach. I like living by it for the view and because of the cooler weather. I’d much rather swim in my pool and I can’t spend more than a few days a year sitting on the beach without getting board. I only planned to be here a few months but then I found good friends, started a NPO and fell in love. Hua Hin does have much cleaner water but it’s not important to me.

[@charlesmassaquoi6717]

I do not like Pattaya. I like Bangkok better.

[@peteonretreat2023]

👍🏼 Living in BK would drive me crazy. We all have our preferences.

[@greythebrown6493]

Definitely not for me and especially now I'm no longer single even more so. For me Pattaya was/is only for the mongering. If you ain't going to monger then there's way better options

[@peteonretreat2023]

I get that point of view but for me, at least currently there really isn’t. My foundation is the main reason why I’ll be here for the next year or two at least. Besides that, I don’t know of any beach cities this size, close to BK. I’m not single either and my gf likes living here. For me, the city was never for mongering so maybe that’s the difference. I’m open to other suggestions though 🤷🏻‍♂️ I just haven’t heard many that fit. Where are you living?

[@greythebrown6493]

@@peteonretreat2023 I'm back home in Ausjailia right now but moving to Hua Hin when I return. I can't report much on it as I've only been there for 3 days when travelling there with my new partner. It's really the only option I believe of a decent size close to Bangkok

[@greythebrown6493]

@@peteonretreat2023 I lived in bang saray before this