For 2 and a half wonderful years, I had the pleasure of dwelling on the attractive island of Koh Samui, Thailand. To at the present time, I contemplate it my favourite place I’ve ever been to on earth (thus far). There are such a lot of execs to dwelling on Koh Samui, however, after all, there are some challenges as properly.
Among the execs might sound apparent, however when spending time out of the country, it’s vital to not be blinded by the magical attraction. The cons of dwelling in Koh Samui ought to all the time be thought of, particularly in case you plan on staying there long-term.
15 Professionals and Cons of Residing in Koh Samui
After spending a considerable period of time in Koh Samui, I’ve a whole lot of private expertise with life on the island. My listing beneath comes from that non-public expertise, talking and befriending different expats, and creating relationships with the locals.
Thailand, general, is an unimaginable and distinctive nation – for my part, there really isn’t any different place prefer it. Right here’s my listing of execs and cons of dwelling in Koh Samui:
What (The place) is Koh Samui?
Recognized for its postcard-perfect seashores, laid-back vibes, posh resorts, and vibrant tradition, Koh Samui is understood to be a haven for backpackers, digital nomads, and vacationers alike. It’s also very talked-about amongst expats, particularly from Europe, the UK, Australia, and Russia.
Positioned off the japanese coast of Thailand within the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is accessible by airport, ferry, and personal boat companies. The island is pretty small and may simply be pushed round through the loop highway, which is about 32 miles lengthy.
Professionals of Residing in Koh Samui
Koh Samui has been one among my favourite, if not my most favourite, locations I’ve ever lived. These are the professionals of dwelling in Koh Samui.
1. It’s Completely Beautiful
One of many greatest execs of dwelling in Koh Samui is that it’s breathtakingly lovely. It’s just like the areas you see in motion pictures and tropical screensavers. I even have the view from my bungalow tattooed on my arm – I cherished it a lot, I wished to see it without end!
The island has white sand seashores, lush rainforest, and tremendous clear turquoise waters – good for anybody who loves nature. However except for the seaside, inland, you’ll discover sprawling coconut groves, a lot of waterfalls, and climbing trails.
Irrespective of the place you might be on the island, you’ll simply be in awe of the entire pure magnificence.
2. Insanely Low cost Value of Residing
One of many essential causes a whole lot of expats head to Thailand, together with Koh Samui, is the extraordinarily inexpensive price of dwelling. In comparison with most Western international locations, Thailand’s housing, meals, and healthcare prices are very low.
After I was dwelling there, I had a one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow with an unimaginable view, and paid $350/month, which is about common for a price range condominium. Mid-range residences price round $600-$800/month.
Meals can be extraordinarily low cost. I may go all the way down to the evening market and have a scrumptious meal for lower than $3. Shopping for meals from recent markets can be very low cost in comparison with grocery retailer costs.
3. Thai Persons are Extremely Good
Thailand is called the “Land of Smiles,” and the locals really ship. They’re tremendous pleasant, welcoming, and extremely heat. Regardless of normally having a language barrier, communication and connection nonetheless appears to return simply and feels real.
In some international locations, there are stereotypes of the locals being impolite or having disdain for overseas guests and expats. Thailand is certainly not a kind of international locations. Irrespective of the place you go, you’ll see smiling faces.
I discovered this to be an enormous professional of dwelling in Koh Samui as a result of I all the time felt welcome on the island. I additionally rapidly made associates with a few of the sweetest Thai girls who ran a pop-up bar within the city of Lamai.
4. It has One thing for Everybody
What I completely cherished about dwelling in Koh Samui was the truth that it actually had one thing for everybody. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a calming surroundings or one filled with journey, you’ll discover it on the island. You could find every part from budget-friendly to posh and lavish – there are many issues to do right here.
The biggest metropolis on the island known as Chaweng, the place yow will discover nightclubs, seaside golf equipment, eating places, and purchasing. Should you head south, the smaller city of Lamai has extra backpacker vibes, whereas providing a smaller but nonetheless vibrant nightlife.
I lived on the western aspect of the island within the locals’ city of Nathon; it’s additionally the place most individuals arrive when coming through ferry. It’s quiet, it has a small city middle, and it’s about 45 minutes from Chaweng. You’ll additionally discover attractive resorts scattered all through the island.
5. Straightforward Entry to Different International locations
Relying on the kind of visa you’ve gotten when getting into the nation, you may need to depart Thailand each few months to resume it. Fortunately, Koh Samui has quick access to different international locations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The Koh Samui airport is situated on the north aspect of the island and is without doubt one of the cutest airports I’ve ever been to. Flights could be dearer from right here versus taking a ferry to the mainland and flying out from Surat Thani, nevertheless it’s tremendous handy.
Essentially the most budget-friendly choice is to take a ferry, then a shuttle, to the Surat Thani airport. From there, you may fly out to your vacation spot or take a brief flight as much as Bangkok, the place you may catch a flight to nearly anyplace your coronary heart wishes.
6. The Meals is Completely Scrumptious
A serious advantage of dwelling in Koh Samui is the entire scrumptious meals. You could find cheap mouthwatering meals at evening markets, in addition to Michelin-star eating places with world-renowned cooks. Even the fussiest of eaters are certain to fall in love with the cusine right here.
The evening market meals was all the time my favourite throughout my keep. It was native delicacies, cooked with conventional substances and methods, tremendous tasty, and all the time inexpensive. Plus, strolling across the markets was all the time a enjoyable sensory expertise.
Whenever you need one thing a bit extra elevated, there are many different eating places and cuisines to be discovered. Italian and British eating places appear to be in style choices, however yow will discover every part from Indian, Greek, burger spots, and fantastic eating.
7. It’s Nice for Digital Nomads
Whereas I used to be dwelling in Koh Samui, I used to be nonetheless working on-line as a digital nomad. Actually, many expats who aren’t retirees are digital nomads, and there’s a incredible neighborhood of on-line employees.
I sometimes all the time had quick WiFi in my bungalow condominium. Often it could go down attributable to a storm, but when ever this occurred, I simply took a journey into city and was all the time capable of finding a restaurant or coworking house that also had a connection.
Some nice spots to work are Khan House, Natural Coworking Membership, and Desk and Chair.
8. The Climate is Tropical
An enormous perk to dwelling in Koh Samui is its heat, tropical climate. All through your complete 12 months, you may anticipate temperatures with highs within the mid-80s °F and lows within the mid-70s °F. For me, it doesn’t get extra good than that.
Could is normally the most well liked month, with December and January being the best. This implies year-round entry to seashores and suntans. It’s vital to remember that since it’s a tropical local weather, it additionally comes with a wet and stormy season (extra on this beneath).
9. The Tradition is Palpable
One other factor I cherished about dwelling in Thailand was how robust the Thai tradition is. Whether or not it’s their faith (most Thai persons are Buddhist), their clothes, their meals, or their celebrations, the Thai tradition could be felt to your core.
At evening markets, you’ll discover conventional dancing and singing, and there all the time appears to be a pageant of some type occurring. My favourite festivals are the Songkran pageant, which is principally a 3-day-long water battle, and the Loy Krathong pageant, the place individuals ship 1000’s of lanterns into the sky.
The Thai individuals even have a whole lot of respect for his or her Buddhist faith and the monks that belong to the temple. You’ll typically discover monks strolling the streets and receiving flowers, meals, and presents from the native individuals.
10. It’s Straightforward to Make Buddies
Because of Koh Samui’s thriving expat and touring scenes, it’s extremely straightforward to make new associates if you’re out and about. Individuals from all around the world flock to this island, which already means you’ve gotten one thing in widespread!
Almost each time I went out, I’d strike up a dialog with a fellow nomad. I now have associates who dwell all around the world that I nonetheless meet up with repeatedly.
Though most of the locals don’t converse English, except you’re in additional of the heavily-touristed areas, many of the expats do. Because of English being such a common language, it’s straightforward to speak throughout your keep.
Cons of Residing in Koh Samui
Regardless of my love for Koh Samui, it, after all, comes with its downfalls. These are a few of the challenges and downsides of dwelling in Koh Samui.
1. It’s a Small Island
Earlier than contemplating a transfer to Koh Samui, you’ll wish to remember that it’s fairly a small island. Island life is superb till it isn’t – it’s straightforward to really feel “caught” or out of choices for issues to do and locations to go.
It takes some time to get “bored” of Koh Samui as a result of there’s so a lot to see, however it might probably occur. That’s why I all the time made it a degree to get off the island each couple of months. Whether or not that was to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, as much as Bangkok, or one other nation, it helped to get off the island and into a brand new surroundings each once in a while.
2. The Climate could be Intense
In the course of the moist months of September by means of November, the climate can get fairly intense with rain and storms. Though it’s nonetheless heat out, there could be days on finish when the rain doesn’t cease.
After I knew a storm was going to be coming by means of, I’d all the time replenish on meals and water as a result of I knew I wouldn’t wish to drive round or be outdoors for a number of days. We’re speaking downpours and robust, sideways wind.
One other draw back is that Koh Samui can typically fall within the path of harmful typhoons. I fled as much as Bangkok for per week when a hurricane got here by means of as a result of I couldn’t danger being with out web.
3. Roads could be Harmful
Though it’s a small island with just one main ring highway, the driving circumstances in Koh Samui generally is a bit sketchy. Almost each expat can let you know a narrative about being in a motorcycle crash – together with myself.
Sadly, there are almost 3,000 accidents, involving largely bikes, each single 12 months. There tends to be a better variety of accidents throughout main celebrations and festivals.
There’s a combination of scooters, bikes, vehicles, vans, songthaews, and different motor automobiles on the roads, a lot of which are inclined to disregard rushing and different driving legal guidelines. At all times maintain your eyes open, and all the time put on a helmet. Additionally, try to keep away from driving at evening or in inclement climate.
4. Staying Lengthy-Time period could be Troublesome
The kind of visa you get hold of earlier than arriving in Koh Samui will decide how lengthy you may keep on the island and within the nation. Many youthful (beneath 50) vacationers merely arrive on a vacationer visa that enables you 90 days of entry. After that, you’ll want to depart the nation earlier than you may come again. Some individuals depart for a day (though it’s frowned upon), whereas others use it as a two or 3-week trip in a neighboring nation.
Many older expats use a retirement visa, permitting them long-term or everlasting stays. This normally simply requires a set sum of money arrange in a Thai checking account.
Now you can additionally buy a long-term visa that lets you dwell in Thailand for as much as ten years. The catch is that you just’ll must show that you just revamped $80,000 USD for the 2 years previous to making use of.
5. It Feels a Little Westernized
Regardless of the colourful Thai tradition, one of many cons of dwelling in Koh Samui is that it positively feels a bit Westernized within the greater cities of Chaweng, Mae Nam, and Bophut. You’ll see chain eating places like McDonald’s and Burger King – there’s even a Hooter’s!?
I notice that tourism brings in a ton of cash to the financial system of Koh Samui, nevertheless it’s considerably disappointing to see so many Western names and companies make such a press release on the island. I’m certain it gives a way of “dwelling” for some individuals, however I discovered it a bit annoying. For these of you in want of the occasional creature consolation, this may increasingly really be a professional for you!
Is Residing in Koh Samui Price It?
General, dwelling in Koh Samui is a really magical and life-changing expertise. Regardless of the cons, the professionals of dwelling in Koh Samui far outweigh them. Should you ever get the prospect to spend time on this lovely island, I extremely advocate it.
