For 2 and a half superb years, I had the pleasure of residing on the attractive island of Koh Samui, Thailand. To this present day, I contemplate it my favourite place I’ve ever been to on earth (to this point). There are such a lot of execs to residing on Koh Samui, however, after all, there are some challenges as properly.
Among the execs may appear apparent, however when spending time abroad, it’s essential to not be blinded by the magical attraction. The cons of residing in Koh Samui ought to at all times be thought of, particularly if you happen to 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 plenty of private expertise with life on the island. My checklist under comes from that non-public expertise, talking and befriending different expats, and creating relationships with the locals.
Thailand, general, is an unbelievable and distinctive nation – for my part, there actually isn’t any different place prefer it. Right here’s my checklist of execs and cons of residing in Koh Samui:
What (The place) is Koh Samui?
Identified for its postcard-perfect seashores, laid-back vibes, posh resorts, and vibrant tradition, Koh Samui is thought to be a haven for backpackers, digital nomads, and vacationers alike. It’s also highly regarded amongst expats, particularly from Europe, the UK, Australia, and Russia.
Situated 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 might simply be pushed round through the loop street, 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 residing in Koh Samui.
1. It’s Completely Gorgeous
One of many largest execs of residing in Koh Samui is that it’s breathtakingly stunning. It’s just like the places you see in films and tropical screensavers. I even have the view from my bungalow tattooed on my arm – I beloved it a lot, I wished to see it endlessly!
The island has white sand seashores, lush rainforest, and tremendous clear turquoise waters – good for anybody who loves nature. However other than the seashore, inland, you’ll discover sprawling coconut groves, plenty of waterfalls, and climbing trails.
Regardless of the place you’re on the island, you’ll simply be in awe of all the pure magnificence.
2. Insanely Low-cost Value of Residing
One of many most important causes plenty of expats head to Thailand, together with Koh Samui, is the extraordinarily reasonably priced price of residing. In comparison with most Western international locations, Thailand’s housing, meals, and healthcare prices are very low.
Once I was residing there, I had a one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow with an unbelievable view, and paid $350/month, which is about common for a price range condo. Mid-range flats price round $600-$800/month.
Meals can also be extraordinarily low-cost. I might go all the way down to the night time market and have a scrumptious meal for lower than $3. Shopping for meals from contemporary markets can also be very low-cost in comparison with grocery retailer costs.
3. Thai Individuals are Extremely Good
Thailand is named the “Land of Smiles,” and the locals actually 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 international guests and expats. Thailand is certainly not a type of international locations. Regardless of the place you go, you’ll see smiling faces.
I discovered this to be an enormous professional of residing in Koh Samui as a result of I at all times felt welcome on the island. I additionally shortly made associates with a number of the sweetest Thai women who ran a pop-up bar within the city of Lamai.
4. It has One thing for Everybody
What I completely beloved about residing in Koh Samui was the truth that it actually had one thing for everybody. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a soothing atmosphere or one stuffed with journey, you’ll discover it on the island. You’ll find every thing from budget-friendly to posh and indulgent – there are many issues to do right here.
The most important metropolis on the island known as Chaweng, the place you could find nightclubs, seashore golf equipment, eating places, and procuring. If you happen to 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 heart, and it’s about 45 minutes from Chaweng. You’ll additionally discover attractive resorts scattered all through the island.
5. Simple Entry to Different Nations
Relying on the kind of visa you have got when coming into the nation, you may need to depart Thailand each few months to resume it. Fortunately, Koh Samui has easy accessibility to different international locations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The Koh Samui airport is positioned on the north aspect of the island and is among the cutest airports I’ve ever been to. Flights will be costlier from right here versus taking a ferry to the mainland and flying out from Surat Thani, however it’s tremendous handy.
Probably the most budget-friendly possibility 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 virtually anyplace your coronary heart needs.
6. The Meals is Completely Scrumptious
A serious advantage of residing in Koh Samui is all the scrumptious meals. You’ll find cheap mouthwatering meals at night time markets, in addition to Michelin-star eating places with world-renowned cooks. Even the fussiest of eaters are positive to fall in love with the cusine right here.
The night time market meals was at all times my favourite throughout my keep. It was native delicacies, cooked with conventional substances and strategies, tremendous tasty, and at all times reasonably priced. Plus, strolling across the markets was at all times a enjoyable sensory expertise.
Whenever you need one thing somewhat extra elevated, there are many different eating places and cuisines to be discovered. Italian and British eating places appear to be fashionable choices, however you could find every thing from Indian, Greek, burger spots, and positive eating.
7. It’s Nice for Digital Nomads
Whereas I used to be residing 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 implausible group of on-line employees.
I usually at all times had quick WiFi in my bungalow condo. Sometimes it could go down as a result of a storm, but when ever this occurred, I simply took a experience into city and was at all times capable of finding a restaurant or coworking house that also had a connection.
Some nice spots to work are Khan Area, Natural Coworking Membership, and Desk and Chair.
8. The Climate is Tropical
An enormous perk to residing in Koh Samui is its heat, tropical climate. All through your entire 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.
Might is normally the most popular month, with December and January being the good. This implies year-round entry to seashores and suntans. It’s essential to remember that since it’s a tropical local weather, it additionally comes with a wet and stormy season (extra on this under).
9. The Tradition is Palpable
One other factor I beloved about residing in Thailand was how robust the Thai tradition is. Whether or not it’s their faith (most Thai individuals are Buddhist), their clothes, their meals, or their celebrations, the Thai tradition will be felt to your core.
At night time markets, you’ll discover conventional dancing and singing, and there at all times appears to be a pageant of some kind occurring. My favourite festivals are the Songkran pageant, which is mainly a 3-day-long water battle, and the Loy Krathong pageant, the place individuals ship hundreds of lanterns into the sky.
The Thai individuals even have plenty of respect for his or her Buddhist faith and the monks that belong to the temple. You’ll usually discover monks strolling the streets and receiving flowers, meals, and items from the native individuals.
10. It’s Simple to Make Pals
Due to Koh Samui’s thriving expat and touring scenes, it’s extremely straightforward to make new associates if you’re out and about. Individuals from everywhere in the world flock to this island, which already means you have got one thing in frequent!
Practically each time I went out, I’d strike up a dialog with a fellow nomad. I now have associates who reside everywhere in the world that I nonetheless meet up with commonly.
Though lots of the locals don’t converse English, except you’re in additional of the heavily-touristed areas, many of the expats do. Due to 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 number of the challenges and drawbacks of residing 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 will probably occur. That’s why I at all times made it some extent 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 atmosphere each every now and then.
2. The Climate will be Intense
Throughout 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 will be days on finish when the rain doesn’t cease.
Once I knew a storm was going to be coming by means of, I’d at all times top off on meals and water as a result of I knew I wouldn’t wish to drive round or be outdoors for just a few days. We’re speaking downpours and powerful, sideways wind.
One other draw back is that Koh Samui can usually fall within the path of harmful typhoons. I fled as much as Bangkok for every week when a hurricane got here by means of as a result of I couldn’t danger being with out web.
3. Roads will be Harmful
Though it’s a small island with just one main ring street, the driving circumstances in Koh Samui could be a bit sketchy. Practically each expat can inform you a narrative about being in a motorcycle crash – together with myself.
Sadly, there are practically 3,000 accidents, involving largely bikes, each single 12 months. There tends to be the next variety of accidents throughout main celebrations and festivals.
There’s a combination of scooters, bikes, automobiles, vehicles, songthaews, and different motor autos on the roads, lots of which are inclined to disregard dashing and different driving legal guidelines. At all times preserve your eyes open, and at all times put on a helmet. Additionally, attempt to keep away from driving at night time or in inclement climate.
4. Staying Lengthy-Time period will be Tough
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 (below 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 permits you to reside in Thailand for as much as ten years. The catch is that you simply’ll have to show that you simply 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 residing in Koh Samui is that it undoubtedly feels a bit Westernized within the larger 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 economic system of Koh Samui, however it’s considerably disappointing to see so many Western names and companies make such a press release on the island. I’m positive it supplies a way of “house” for some individuals, however I discovered it somewhat annoying. For these of you in want of the occasional creature consolation, this may occasionally truly be a professional for you!
Is Residing in Koh Samui Value It?
Total, residing in Koh Samui is a really magical and life-changing expertise. Regardless of the cons, the professionals of residing in Koh Samui far outweigh them. If you happen to ever get the possibility to spend time on this stunning island, I extremely suggest it.