Things have changed now for sure. If I were a new retiree starting over (and not concerned about a business) it would have to be ChaAm now - or even a bit further north of ChaAm.
As someone else has said there are also many places inbetween now, but I would suggest you would need your own transport in many of them.
I was back in ChaAm early this month and amazed at the changes there these days, with plenty of properties to rent right on the beach road, and a lot of development going on.
My only word of caution would be that perhaps ChaAm will also grow too quickly. I've heard that the fishing pier area there is going to be destroyed - (sorry - redeveloped?) And I know that might not mean much, but it will take away another little bit of the towns traditional character.
HuaHin I'm afraid doesn't have to worry about losing it's character because IMO much of it has now gone.
