Hua Hin vs. Phuket

Post by **mideepuchai** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:45 am

In the next 1 and 1/2 years I will be moving to either Phuket or Hua Hin. I really enjoy blue water and a decent beach. Nightlife is only a secondary consideration.

So, how would you expats rate the diff in living in Phuket vs Hua Hin. I will have about 400k USD to live on for the next 5 years and then a steady income (for life) of about 2000 USD per month.

Where would you guys (and gals) live??

Thanks.

(I look forward to buying you all a drink!)

Post by **Burger** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:07 am

My personal opinion:

Beaches - Phuket better
Nightlife - Phuket much better
Safe/Relaxed/Family place - Hua Hin much better
Cost of living - Hua Hin noticably cheaper
Location/Accessability from BKK - Hua Hin obviously
Traffic (road & people) - Hua Hin better
Golf courses - Hua Hin better
Shopping - Phuket better
Property Rental - Hua Hin cheaper
Property prices - Hua Hin much cheaper
International Schools - Phuket better

In summary I'd say, Hua Hin is more of a small friendly/family feel resort, with more than adequate entertainment, infrastructure etc. And Phuket as more of a busier, flashier, bustling international holiday resort.

Just my opinions like.

Good luck,

Burger

Post by **pommy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:48 pm

I dont disagree with your reply but is Night Life better in Phuket? I suppose it depends on what you are looking for.
Hua Hin nightlife is more compact, no go go girls or "ping pong" shows, but it has plenty of nice bars and the number of bar girls outnumber the number of men looking for bar girls so one is usually spoilt for choice.
I know which I prefer.

Post by **Burger** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:12 pm

I dont disagree with your reply but is Night Life better in Phuket?

Know what you mean, but I say that as I think the following:

Hua Hin's 'beer bars' are mostly trampy places with little investment, dirty toilets, crappy and/or no decor etc.
Hua Hin massively lacks normal 'couples type' bars, with the exception of maybe Crawfords, Nervana, El Murphys and those boring places next to the Hilton.
Hua Hin lacks alternative to the Hilton, in respect to farang style nightclubs/discos.
Hua Hin lacks beach bars.
Hua Hin has no go-go bars (ok, not to everyone's tastes, but still under the catagory of 'nightlife').

Burger

Post by **Teabone** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:25 pm

As with all comparisons - it depends on what your personal preferences are to start with, so I wouldnt disagree with any of the above. However having just returned from Patong (my 4th trip there in 2 years, 2 prior to the tsunami and 2 since) I would say that what the local Tassaban / council are doing is very impressive. They have obviously recieved a lot of money, but they do seem to be spending it relatively wisely. A simple case in point is the re-paving of the beach walk way. It has been contracted out to a professional firm who are making a good (albeit slow) job - compare that to the continual bodge Hua Hin has to put up with our pavements!
The final point I would make is regarding accessability to BKK and other destinations. I left my hotel in Patong at 1:30pm by minibus transfer to Phucket airport, got the flight and was waiting for a taxi outside Don Muang at 4:45pm. All that cost just under 2000 baht - I think that compares well, you can just as easily going to Hat Yai, Chaing Mai etc.
When are they going to open HH Airport ??????????
I love HH, and for lots of reasons wouldnt change to Phucket, but there are some things which really get to me - like everywhere I guess.

Post by **mideepuchai** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:52 am

Thanks All.

I really do hope to be able to buy you a drink or two in the next couple of years.

Post by **Takiap** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:27 pm

Just my opinion.......

Beaches in Hua-Hin cannot even be compared to the beaches in Phuket but I don't believe you should base your decision just on the beaches.
Nightlife - yes I agree that Phuket has better nightlife than Hua-Hin. As previously mentioned, most of the bars in Hua-Hin have very little atmosphere, dirty toilets,etc but there are some good ones around as well. As far as nightclubs are concerned, well there are none apart from the Hilton and it's more than likely cheaper to fly abroad for a drink ...lol
I stay in Hua-Hin for a lot of reasons and can't see myself ever moving to Phuket but it is lovely down there. Hua_hin just seems to be more of what one can call home for me.
Just depends on your own tastes so I would suggest you spend some time in both and then decide.

Good luck and just enjoy wherever you decide to live

Post by **rosso** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:06 pm

Beaches are not nice around HH ??

have a look at my impression !!

regards
Rosso

Post by **aggy** » Tue May 09, 2006 12:26 am

I just came back from Phuket and must admit that the island hopping there is hard to beat. On top of that the international school and hospitals are good. When will HH has international school and top hospitals?

Post by **mideepuchai** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:38 am

aggy,

How was the weather in Puket? I will be heading there in about 15 days (but who's counting!).

Again, thanks to all for the responses.

Post by **aggy** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:04 am

When I was there end of April early May, it was perfect 5 days all with sunshine. But you should check again as May/June is already the beginning of low season. There are several websites for weather forecast.
http://www.weather.go.th
www.msn.co.th/weather/

Post by **unforgiven** » Wed May 17, 2006 11:35 pm

On all accounts (excluding golf) I would go for Hua Hin.

Post by **olmate** » Fri May 19, 2006 7:34 pm

I like hua hin because it is what it is. The beach isnt really that bad for a quick dip, accom is much cheaper than phuket thats for sure, i like the feel of the bars there, makes me feel like im on holiday when im using a scoop dunny or hoeing into a nice prawn curry at the night market whilst a pigs head gives me a death stare from a nearby hawker stall.
Another great thing the times of year i have visited (Jan,Jul) it has never been too overun by visitors maybe i have been lucky at the times i have visited with crowds, dunno but i always try and stick to these months.
I know that this year flights for the month of july have gone up from perth to phuket as more and more aussies head there for a winter escape instead of bali. I guess i just enjoy getting away from the crowds.

elem · Post by **elem** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:05 pm

You will love HH! It's a "home" place with a beautiful beach south of town. Take a few weeks off per year and explore the rest of the country....some places could remind you of Denver :)

Post by **mil_dos** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:05 am

Phuket is a great place to visit.

Hua Hin is a great place to live.

Hua Hin Forum

Hua Hin vs. Phuket

Hua Hin vs. Phuket

Hua Hin

HH for sure