THAILAND - Rural Living VS. Big City Living - Which One Would You Choose ?

Rural living vs city living in Thailand. Which one would you choose? In today's video I explore the main differences between living in rural areas of Thailand versus the big busy cities. I touch on the main points that I think are important when making your decision. This will hopefully give you more insights into the pros and cons of living inside the cities compared to a completely different type of lifestyle out in the rural areas. Let me know what you'd choose. Useful links below.
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[@tinglestingles]

No matter where you live, I think you need a purpose in life. Something to get out your bed in the morning. Keep the mind ticking over. Nothing too stressful, overcoming a challenge, and a social life,

[@jamesabroad8589]

Very true mate. Totally agree.👍🍺

[@MrTupeloFlash]

Totally correct !

[@johnny_bravo9990]

What if you don't have one

[@tinglestingles]

@@johnny_bravo9990 find one or spend your life in a bar.

[@johnny_bravo9990]

@@tinglestingles how

[@MrT-ev4dq]

Simple choice for me. Rural all day long. Peace and quiet is needed. Can always go to the city for a little break. 57 this year and wanting to chill. Down south just outside Hat yai. Happy days. Stay safe James 🙏

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers. Sounds like you're living the life mate. All the best.👍🍺

[@MrT-ev4dq]

@jamesabroad8589 sorry to confuse. It is my intention in a couple of years.

[@Ckrisg1]

Back in the UK now, but in 2010 to 2012 I lived in my wife's home town of Phichai, Uttaradit Province. I took a 8 month sabbatical from work and it was ok early part, organising buying land and building a house, but hit a barrier later where everything seemed to merge into a Groundhog day, nothing to do at night other than drink/eat with the Family (who were great never had a problem). We moved back to Bangkok and I lived for another year in Soi 18 Sukhumvit, bliss, Heaven, then work forced me back to UK. Now split my time in Bangkok and the UK, but retirement is definitely Bangkok with a few months upcountry.

[@Ckrisg1]

@@trevorsmith7753 What!!!! read it again

[@jamesabroad8589]

Great comment and sums up what many go through here. Appreciate it.👍🍺

[@sahacking]

My Thai wife and I have been retired here in Phetchabun, Thailand for almost 6 years. We actually live in a rural village about 20 kilometers from Phetchabun City, which is a medium-size city. It's nice to live rural within an easy drive to Makro, Lotus, and other big stores, yet still have cheap food in the village. Sometimes I do feel bored. I spend too much time on social media, and I binge-watch a lot of American TV and movies. I also like to read. I need mental stimulus because even if I were fluent in Thai (actually the local dialect of Laos) I'd have a really hard time finding intelligent, educated conversation. One thing that has really helped me is being a runner. Getting out of the house for runs of 5-13 miles in the countryside early in the morning relaxes me and provides the feeling that I've already been out in the beauty of nature, so I can sit around the house the rest of the day and not feel that I'm just wasting away on the sofa. This time of year (dry/burning (terrible air quality) /hot season can sometimes feel unbearable--we just want to stay in with the air con. It also makes my morning runs challenging and sometimes miserable wearing an N95 pollution mask. Despite the challenges, though, I'll take rural over big city, for sure. I lived and worked in big cities for many years, although I grew up in a small town. I also traveled the world in my career, so I got that out of my system. Now, in my 60s, village life, although often boring, will do just fine.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Excellent comment and agree with all of your points. Being trapped in the Aircon with bad air this time of year is certainly a grind. Nearly watched everything on Netflix lol. All the best.👍🍺

[@leestephenfitzpatrick6373]

We bought just under a rai in Cha Am £33,000.00, we visited 8 different plots in & around Cha Am/Hua Hin all roughly a similar price. We are 11 minutes from Cha Am beach & 30 minutes from Hua Hin, best of both worlds for me.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Sounds like a great location. 👍

[@FollowingtheJourneyLifeStyle]

I like Udon Thani

[@robdavinroy1761]

My Thai wife and I are building in Hua Hin about 10 minutes outside the city near the mountains. Main family is in Bangkok so not too far away. The reason we picked Hua Hin : 1. Air Quality. The gulf breeze blows most of the time and the main crop in the area is pineapples, so no rural burning and no city smog. 2. Proximity to Bangkok and the Southern provinces. Centrally located to go in either direction for mini getaways. The main expressway into Bangkok will be completed within the next year or so. 3. Real Estate Investment. Lots of Farang/Thais, Farangs, and Thai families are buying residential new builds in the area and at least for now, as in Bangkok, homes are holding or appreciating their value. Always enjoy your channel James, thanks for posting.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate. If I was doing it all over again I'd be looking in the same area. Air pollution here has been awful recently and unless you're in Chiang Mai which is actually worse, no real investment opportunities. Good luck with everything.👍🍻

[@user-rc7eu8zi5y]

Thanks James for your great advice and wisdom. Great video as always.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate, appreciate the kind words 👍

[@gordonthomson3070]

Good honest advice here which is why I look forward to your videos. I think the country lifestyle would suit me but I do like to be near water. Hua hin area would tick that box but just a few km’s out of town 👍

[@scottjohnson921]

I agree with that!

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Gordon. Yes, heard good things about Hua hin.👍🍺

[@steveaxell2487]

great video again, totally agree with you, we live in a small village about 1 hours drive from Chanthaburi.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Steve. Appreciate it mate.👍🍺

[@natesquestyouknowthatsrigh8269]

Great video. 😊

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate. Appreciate it.👍🍻

[@inert11]

Well put together James great stuff

[@jamesabroad8589]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.🍻👍

[@kerryobrien71]

Many thanks for the content James, hope you and family are well. Enjoying your vlogs. 👍🙏

[@jamesabroad8589]

Wow, first time I got one of these mate. Appreciate it. I'll put it towards a new camera. Old one is playing up. All the best.👍🍺

[@kerryobrien71]

@@jamesabroad8589 Well if you are going to waste it on a camera rather than beer, then I want it back 🤣 Enjoy, hope its a good camera.

[@AlloMission]

I'm concerned that rural Thailand's construction is expanding excessively into agricultural lands. This development seems to be unregulated and might be encroaching on vital food production areas. More stringent regulations could be necessary to balance development with agricultural preservation.

[@nigelgarner3913]

Great vid ✅️ I currently reside in Bangsaray for 6 months of the year then back to UK for work for the remaining 6 months. It suits me, I'm single & its a relatively quiet place however Pattaya is only 45 minutes away if i want some 'fun'. I visited Nong Khai a few years back with an ex & because of a couple of subjects you touched on it wasn't for me.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Nigel. Sounds like you've got the balance just right. All the best.🍻👍

[@nigelbodieNB]

thanks James blinding video mate, it is a real dilemma where to live in thailand my missus was originally about 30 minutes from phitsanulok but does not want to move any where near her relatives which says a lot ! heard some positive vibes on udon thani as plenty to do and access to hospitals which is a factor sadly when I retire and move to thailand in hopefully in 5 years time. man if i lived where you are i would be on the home brew whiskey and would likely need to be sectioned so keep safe mate

[@jamesabroad8589]

Ha ha yes, I am quite isolated here. Hua Hin sounds great and far enough away from the relatives.😁👍🍺

[@JeromeWood]

It's all about the people. I live in Phrae and love it. We lived in Chiang Mai for 5 years before moving here and Chiang Mai was great, but my heart is in Phrae. We have a wonderful English-speaking community here, mostly Thai. I feel much more attached to Thai culture here. Land in Phrae is less expensive than Tak. You are right, it wouldn't work for someone tied to their Western creature comforts, but I am not bored here at all.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Sounds great mate. I'd like to visit Phrae some day. All the best.🍻👍

[@joewalton6056]

Excellent, thank you!

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Joe.👍🍺

[@Mark-yo5ue]

Great video James. Appreciate your thoughts on the challenges of each option (city / rural). Rural Thailand is not for me yet. We are moving to Chiang Mai in June, where the kids will go to International School. Later on I can see myself moving to a rural location…

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Mark. Good if you can get the best of both worlds somehow. Good luck.👍🍺

[@wazzaoz5869]

Great vlog. I think there is a middle ground. My partner lives in a village which is only a 20 minute drive from the small city of Sisaket, also 1 hour from Ubon Ratchathani. This enables a rural lifestyle with the trappings of city life not too far from your doorstep 🙏

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers. Yep, that's the sweet spot. Sounds good.👍🍺

[@Mike-du1dc]

Good Video & all true. We previously lived in Chiang Mai was nice had everything but too crowded. Now we have a home in the country in a village & it is quite nice. Everyone knows you but....The one thing I dislike is all the Boom Boom music for funerals & weddings. Being a old village with a aged population lots of funerals too 😉 So like you mentioned lots of noise too but at least the shut down by midnight🤔 Thanks again for fun video!

[@jamesabroad8589]

True, but you'll find the noise comes and goes. Can be a bit brutal for the uninitiated. 😁👍🍺

[@dandgresort]

Very well done James. And if you ever come to my neck of the woods, there is a pizza with your name on it.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate, appreciate it.👍🍻

[@justin14790]

By the way, my wife was born and bred in Ramintra.

[@tobyprice1092]

Christ, the land prices have gone up in the rural areas. I bought 2 rai in rural North Chonburi for 1 million baht only an hour from the airport and Pattaya. I do love the village life mind you. Can't be arsed with the cities.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Agree mate. Wow, that's a great price for the land. 👍

[@bigphill67]

i planned to live with my partner in surin, and thought it would be great after my first trip, but after 2 or 3 more i am starting to see many problems for me , the biggest is the language barrier, and having to use her as a translator, even a small trip to a store can become frustrating as my thai is poor and they mostly speak khmer in her area, but the people are great just so many things to adjust to and different ways of thinking but it feels like we are tied to each other all the time which is not the best situation for both of us, if you have a large enough budget where you can afford to get jobs done and just leave it to them then great but i have always done most of this at home in the uk and enjoy doing it, so just having a small project can become complicated, and time is your enemy in rural or city life as boredom will lead to looking toward non productive activities, so i am going to try and learn some more language skills to help with my and our independence as i feel this is a must outside of tourist areas, but money gives you options a weekend away from your village to a resort or city break or visa versa and freedom to enjoy the best of thailand whichever you feel that is, but to live in rural thailand as a thai is difficult and has the same problems as living in any country and more, good luck to anyone who chooses thai life styles or western lifestyle in thailand but beware on a budget it will be difficult, thanks for sharing and taking time for my little rant cheers

[@jamesabroad8589]

Many feel the same way and I did before learning the language a bit more . Dependency on the GF or wife can take away your independence and be bloody frustrating for both parties. If you have the cash, breaks away, fishing trips etc can help. A decent group of expats you can sound off too is also beneficial. Good luck.👍🍻

[@mixalis6168]

I love it in Rawai Phuket, but also in Nakhon Si Thammarat town, for me best of all worlds..

[@jamesabroad8589]

Best way mate. 🍺👍

[@GuyGoesGreen]

Great video as always James. Wondered how the massage lady is, have you been recently?

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate. I haven't been for a while. I'll have to check on her soon.🍻👍

[@scottjohnson921]

I would probably choose to live in Cha-am, somewhere a few minutes out of town. It's just 30 minutes from Hua Hin, and 3 hours from Bangkok, and the ocean and beach are right there.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Sounds perfect Scott. Air is probably better too.👍🍺

[@darrenwatson874]

Rural definitely, live way down in Phatthalung province where theres not much going on and loving it.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Same here. Nothing much going on suits me too. 😁👍🍺

[@manosparavida3551]

Land and property prices have shot up 5-600% in the last 16 years.

[@just_keep_shootin]

My step son goes to the same school. I’ll have to check out the bistro sometime. Village life over city. We lived in Phuket for 2 years and it’s too crazy.

[@jamesabroad8589]

The food there is pretty good. Annie had a good time at Matanothai. I think they have an English programme now.👍🍺

[@just_keep_shootin]

@@jamesabroad8589 they do have one now. It’s a version on Filipino English. Will have to meet up for a coffee sometime

[@ViVandrarVidare]

I personally like the countryside more than cities. Moving in a few years. Can’t wait! Btw are you still teaching or how do you earn a living nowadays?

[@jamesabroad8589]

Good luck with the move. Haven't taught for years. Busking outside Big C these days.😁👍🍺

[@paultwiss199]

That was a great video James. I think it is OK to live in rural areas if you have things to do or travel around but I go stir crazy in the village so I moved to Bangkok, where i am renting, and go back periodically. Bangkok is ludicrously overpriced and considering it has significant problems with water encroachment as it is actively sinking then in a couple of decades it could be a serious issue. Cheers again

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Paul. Agree, many guys get lost mentally out here in the sticks. Glad you found a happy medium. All the best.👍🍺

[@joemann2178]

Even though I love Bangkok, I love rural Thailand much more.

[@jamesabroad8589]

I can stand Bangkok for a few days before having to get back into the sticks lol. Hope all's well mate.👍🍻

[@wayne8469]

Nice little house for 1.5 million. Could not live in Bangkok, just too busy and the air quality that would shorten your life. Not that keen on living up the bush. We settled on Bang Saray about 40 ks south of Pattaya which is kinda the middle road. Love it here. Haircuts 120 baht and 40 minutes from Tinnies Pies. And it's too hot here too.

[@jamesabroad8589]

40 minutes from Tinnies pies. Enough said.😁👍🍺

[@pensiobengt]

I could never live in rural Thailand. Visit yes, but not living there. Inside our community where our townhouse is, there is no through traffic and very calm in the evenings. We will move to Rangsit eventually and i think that area is perfect for me. Walking distance to some thai-bars, restaurants, 7-eleven and Lotus. 5-10 minutes with taxi to big shoppingmall Futurepark. 30 minutes to Don Mueang airport. Traffic is crazy but i dont plan on driving in Thailand, at least not in Bangkok! My motto when chosing place was that i could walk to where i want to go. I heard they are going to build an IKEA in Rangsit also.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Annie is at uni there. Nice area with Talad Thai market just up the road. Not many Uturns near Bangkok uni means crazy motorbikes going the wrong way constantly lol. So remember to look both ways coming off the songthaews. Good luck.👍🍺

[@pensiobengt]

@@jamesabroad8589 I can recommend that you take Annie to Alberto's Pizzeria& Trattoria in the bottom floor of Novotel hotel just above Futurepark. It's really good food there 😊

[@nwils6944]

What about home security? How safe are houses in such remote locations from being burgled while you are out of town? I lived in Sakhon Nakhon, about 70 kms away from Udon Thani in a small town and that was fine. I also lived about 10km outside of Korat which was fun. Spent a year and a half in Bangkok which is okay if you have lots of $$$ and don't mind constant traffic jams.

[@just_keep_shootin]

I live in Tak and haven’t a problem with left. More of a problem borrowing stuff and not telling you then having to find who borrowed it. Lol

[@jamesabroad8589]

Usually have family members here and a couple are retired police. Not many issues here really. Depends if you are showy, which I'm definitely not lol.👍🍺😁

[@My.Name.Is.Prince]

I love rural Thailand prices, and I'm not a big fan of the big city. At the same time, my hobbies, mostly Chinese martial arts, work better in a place like Bangkok (Lumpini Park is the place to be for kungfu) or Chiang Mai which seems like the destination for every Chinese martial arts retreat/workshop. What we'll probably do is look for something outside of Pattaya, but my wife wants to stay in Chonburi. I'm actually pretty content any place we go that has fast internet and enough land for me to have a personal gym. Give me those things, and I'd almost never leave the house!

[@jamesabroad8589]

Internet usually great in most places here. Hope all's going well being a new Dad and you're getting enough sleep lol.👍🍺

[@rossjurecka5372]

For retirement, Isaan is the best. Have city not far away , Bangkok and the beaches are only one hour flight 😊......

[@jamesabroad8589]

Sounds great. I'll have to check out Isaan more in the future. 👍🍺

[@roberthornbrook8374]

My daughter both came here one when she was 4 and 1 when She was 8 I am divorced but a private school in Bangkok was about 50 000 per year they taught English mostly Filipino teachers. But yes James I think it was a good idea both my girls coming here they both still have ID cards for Thailand 🇹🇭

[@jamesabroad8589]

That's a good price for Bangkok. Some of the international schools are extortionate. All the best.👍🍺

[@roberthornbrook8374]

@@jamesabroad8589 it was in Bankapi James but the teachers salary there was about 35 000 40 000 some of the good international schools pay up to 80 000 I remember an English teacher had a problem with the American English and he refused to say mom and other English words 😂 😂

[@gerardpalmer4185]

👍

[@ATIWatchReviews]

Its not even close. Big city/hustle and bustle any time. Unless you regularly travel (and easily) to where there is some activity/nightlife, you'll be bored as hell in the sticks. If you come from the West at least and live like normal westerners...

[@beingsolo80]

Korat, Buriram, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai are the best options. Best of both worlds. Bangkok is too crowded and rural Thailand is too extreme (plus the pressure from the wife's family).

[@jamesabroad8589]

Agree. The air quality of Chiang Mai would put me off. Hua Hin sounds good, many people recommend it.👍🍺

[@beingsolo80]

@@jamesabroad8589Hua Hin is also pretty close to Bangkok. A key factor if you travel overseas a lot or need medical services. But its also the most expensive of the lot.

[@waynesitarz424]

House builders are hit or miss as are local restaurants. Water availability and internet ? How far to Big C, Macro? How far to airport or BKK? Up north there is smoke along with it being fukking hot? You need a 7 nearby. Snakes are a thing.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Yep, a lot to take into consideration lol. Proximity to a 7 eleven probably number 1 priority.😁👍🍺

[@jjjjjjjjooolllllllllll8395]

Rural is best long term. Visit cities, visit beach.

[@jjjjjjjjooolllllllllll8395]

@EternallyGod Everyone is different and living rural probably isn't for most people. But if you can enjoy the nature, connect with locals, have money to travel outside, solid internet connection, etc. It can be the absolute best place to live for some people imo.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Agree. Touching distance to civilisation is the best option for sure.👍🍺

[@russelprice6929]

Great video again James I’ve tried it can’t do it moved 20k outside Pattaya 👍😎

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers Russell. Appreciate it mate.👍🍺

[@chinesecrested9528]

Country, cities may be convenient but always a PITA

[@b4bmm]

I dont consider that land price very cheap, I could get an acre of land in Ireland about a half hour outside one of the main cities for E100K. That price would need to be chopped in half to make any sense.

[@Ckrisg1]

But can you build on it or use to for other purposes without having to get the council or some other agencies permission and laying out more Euro to just use it. I can buy lots of land in the UK near where I live, but the only thing I can do with it is look at it without a legal battle.

[@b4bmm]

@@Ckrisg1 Yes you can just need to get planning permission but I just see one now for 35k euro, 0.84 acre site and its zoned residential. add another 10k maybe for plans for a house you want and the planning process. Third the price of whats on offer here. The price of the one in this video is ridiculous the more I look. After you build a place on that land. Add another 100k euro and you're talking 9m baht. You can buy a good house in Phuket for that, granted the land would be alot smaller

[@TheGandorX]

I am so sorry, the candles bending in the heat got me laughing... But a real disappointment to me is the air quality is not much better in rural areas. So now i am curious what part of Thailand does have good air quality.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Took candles off completely today. Looking like they needed a dose of Viagra lol. I think areas on the coast are better for air quality, but not always. Particularly brutal this year.👍🍺

[@muajin]

Which area is better in finding a nice relationship partner?

[@jamesabroad8589]

Depends on what you're looking for. No specific area really.🍻👍

[@muajin]

Ok

[@stevegand]

If you can speak Thai I believe can make a huge difference in whether you “like” village life vs the big city.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Very true. At least enough to get by and communicate.👍🍺

[@scotsaul]

What's the population of Tak?

[@jamesabroad8589]

The province has about 650k people. The biggest province, but quite sparsely populated.👍🍺

[@scotsaul]

@@jamesabroad8589 , is Tak also the name of the city you're in?

[@johnlittle293]

Have you bought a new car?

[@jamesabroad8589]

Not yet. My old banger is still going lol. 😁👍🍺

[@peterh0862]

฿1.49 million. But the house has NO storage area. No wardrobes The house with the gable roof looked nicer Driving in Thailand. Put your bloody seat belt on!! Using a mobile device while driving!! 🚗 You’re adding to your own demise!

[@retiredn]

Sweet !