You’re at home in some form of quarantine or lock-down. You’re surfing along the expat sites, groups and forums on social media looking into other the best places to retire, buy a property and get away from all the nonsense.
The problem is, you’re not getting the information you’re looking for and your questions aren’t being answered.
My name is Stephen van der Merwe and I’m going to tell you why Hua Hin is THE place to be.
People WANT to be here
One key aspect I want you to keep in mind is that, most people who buy property in Hua Hin buy because they want to be there. Not just for investment, or just for the sake of having a house in Thailand, but because they WANT to be here. That says a lot about the area.
While there are some great investment opportunities, it remains one of the best cities for families and those who are in search of peace, quiet and relaxation with the benefit of having all modern facilities at your fingertips.
Properties in the centre of Hua Hin are mostly focused around a reasonable amount of beach front condos that stretch along the main street, Petchkasem Road.
I say reasonable because it is a vivid contrast between the high concentration of high-rise condos in Pattaya or Phuket. The building restrictions in Hua Hin became much stricter during the 90s and early millennium, prohibiting the construction of high-rise beach front condos.
This also one of the reasons for attracting long term stay expats and Thais to Hua Hin. The city is not overpopulated with too many people.
The best property to buy in Hua Hin is a private pool villa. SPS Realty Thailand has many quality pool villas listed. Start SEARCHING NOW to find the perfect one for you.
SPS Custom New Builds 2019 – With custom new build villas like this built by Spencer’s Property Services, who would NOT want to live here. Click on the photo to link to their Facebook page for inquiries. SPS can find the perfect land plot, design the ideal house with professional architectural drawings and build the house from start to finish.
Retirement
Hua Hin has, for many years, been one of the most popular places for foreign expats to retire internationally.
Situated an easy two and a half hours’ drive south of Bangkok. Surrounded not only by the stunning Gulf of Thailand on the eastern shore but also by beautiful mountain ranges on the border of Burma to the west.
It’s the perfect balance between nature and civilization. While being one of Thailand’s best kept secrets, the popularity of Hua Hin is rising steadily. Predominately by word of mouth from people who fell in love with the chilled vibes of the city and its people.
Living here cannot be easier. Fast internet? Check. Western delicacies? We have lots of privately run import shops that provide the best foods from the UK, all over Europe and even Australia.
Want to stay up to date with the latest movies? Bluport mall and Market Village both have lovely movie theaters with all of the latest movies in English with Thai subtitles.
Craving authentic Italian? One of our personal favourite daytime delis is Pane & Focaccia. You will not be disappointed with anything there. It’s all fantastic. What’s for dinner? Why not try Andreas Italian Restaurant & Grill or his more family style new restaurant in Khao Takiap – Trattoria by Andreas.
SPS Realty Thailand knows anyone and everyone you need to know to organize your long-term visa. Whether you need retirement visas, Elite visas, education visas. We can point you in the right direction. Contact us today for more information.
For more information about retirement and other visas, contact Legal Services Hua Hin.
Traveling and driving around is Super easy
Most housing developments and private villas are north, north west, west, south or south west of the main city and as a general rule.
Traveling anywhere from point A to point B practically anywhere in Hua Hin takes no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
Hua Hin Map – you can drive from south to north in this map in well under 20 minutes. There is a lot more to Hua Hin than just this, though. Join us for a property tour and we can act as your tour guide while showing ideal properties for sale.
This fact cannot be overstated. Imagine that. Driving from your house to Market Village shopping mall would only take you about 15 minutes or less! Try doing that in Bangkok! Or anywhere else, for that matter.
Some of the areas with the highest concentrations of villas or housing developments are: Cha Am in the north, Hin Lek Fai directly west of town, Thap Tai west and south west of town, Khao Tao south of city centre and Hua Hin City Center in the middle of town, and lastly Khao Takiap which still forms part of the south central city area and is a favourite holiday destination for families in the myriad of different condos for rent and sale that are available.
The infrastructure all around Hua Hin is constantly improved and upgraded. The municipality runs things on a very strict schedule and the city has a good budget for constant improvement.
Being the hometown for the Summer Palace of the late beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej – Hua Hin is always safe, clean, peaceful and pristine.
Sanae Beach Club in Khao Tao is one of the best kept secrets in Hua Hin. Visit them with the family or by yourself for a full day of relaxation. You can pay a daily rate at this boutique hotel to use their facilities and the food and ambiance are great.
Lifestyle in Hua Hin
Going back to our earlier statement – Hua Hin remains one of the best kept secrets in Thailand. The fact that it has been one of the best destinations for foreign expats to retire for so many years has not detracted from attracting those who seek adventure of a different accent. As a matter of fact, the author of this article has personally found through experience and interaction with other expats from different areas around Thailand that Hua Hin must be one of the few places where cost of living and standard of living has reached such equilibrium that is seemingly unattainable elsewhere in Thailand.
An overwhelming comment by those who visit these tranquil shores is how ‘laid back’ the town and its inhabitants are. It’s as if you have dialed back the rat race of life and dialed into the vein of life.
With the combination of being so centrally located in Thailand, enabling easy travel around the country. Plus having an international airport where there are direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Hua Hin* multiple times a week (plus a confirmed multi million Dollar deal to further upgrade and expand said airport) Hua Hin is in an ideal location. Check out the article on Hua Hin Expat News and subscribe to stay up to date on what’s going on in Hua Hin.
*Of course, with the current situation with Covid-19 around the world the airport is still not open for international travel. We will update you once we have received an update on this situation.
Especially in this current day and age with international travel and flights being strictly monitored, imagine having a holiday home you can drive to from Bangkok in under 3 hours instead of having to jump on a plane as you do when traveling to Phuket or Chiang Mai for example.
Overall – the lifestyle in Hua Hin is one where you are removed from stress, pollution, aggression, and the intensity that has infected the modern world. A lifestyle with some of the best food you can find in Thailand at some of the best prices available, with friendly Thai smiles to boot.
Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin – When it comes to spending time in Hua Hin simply relaxing and taking in the brisk beach breezes, there is no better place than the Centara Grand Resort and Hotel. Built 90 years ago, it truly personifies the classic beauty of Hua Hin. It was one of the first attractions to Hua Hin along with the oldest golf course in Thailand, the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club that was built in 1924. This is one of our favourite hotels in Hua Hin. Click on the image to visit their website.
Popular Areas in Hua Hin
Hua Hin district, consisting of all the shopping centres, hospitals and restaurants, is certainly the most popular area.
Many local residents refer to The Hilton Hotel as the centre of town. Here you have the Hua Hin Walking Street, or locally known as Soi Bintabaht, right at your doorstep. The night life is just vibrant enough to satisfy the urge to pop out for a few drinks and not as overly vibrant as some other areas in Thailand, where there is a very clear lack of that which other areas are more (in)famous for.
Khao Takiap is a really trendy, jazzy area with one of the best night markets in Thailand, the Cicada Market, with Tamarind Market right next door offering some delicious food options over and above the plethora that is available at its favourite neighbour, Cicada.
Cicada Market and Tamarind Markets are a must for anyone and everyone.
It’s perfect for families with kids and everyone young and old. It offers some of the best food in town with a lovely atmosphere. Live music. Comfy tables and chairs. Lots of different types of classic Thai delicacies and my personal favourite, the spareribs and mashed potatoes.
Cicada Market has been described as the best night market in Thailand, and we can’t find many reasons not to agree. Classy, chic, clean, trendy. It’s one of a kind. Over the last 10 years it has expanded to allow for huge outdoor eating areas and rows of stalls selling quality, hand made goods. Tamarind Market next door has grown to be a favourite of locals and return visitors and also offers a great range of delicious Thai and western delicacies.
North of town close to the Summer Palace of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ever chic SEENSPACE which offers a very Phuket style beach club with stunning foodie attractions and an azure 25 metre long swimming pool on the beach.
On the southern end of town in Khao Tao is a much more Hua Hin style beach club that offers a truly spectacular beach alcove with chill music, fantastic food and one of the best beach destinations in Hua Hin at Sanae Beach Club.
Sanae Beach Club is one of the best kept secrets in Hua Hin. It is one of the best places to relax, hands down.
Good music, good food, breath-taking views and amazing beach, plus it has one of the most picturesque roads leading up to it. Both sides of the winding mountain road covered in colourful Bougainvillea flowers. It’s like driving into a painting.
Summary
When you’re looking for your home away from home, you need to make the right decision.
There is no better decision than Hua Hin. Period.
It has everything that you need to live a comfortable life with excellent weather and friendly people + some of the best food you will find in Asia. Do you have any questions about Hua Hin? Have you ever been here but want to know more? Send us your questions and we will get back to you. Try out our Messenger icon on the bottom right of your screen to receive a quick reply.