It is no news that Hua Hin is a popular tourist travel destination and a favorite to lots of backpackers from different parts of the world. However, we can all agree that this alone isn’t enough reason for an individual to leave his or her current home country to settle in Hua Hin either as an ex-pat or a retiree, so, what’s about Hua Hin that could possibly warrant such an action? Stick around for a while and you may find out.
Why is Hua Hin a Great Place to Live In?
Hua Hin is the ideal town for tourists seeking adventure, fun, and excitement. Although tourism is the driving force behind its economy and contributes greatly to the GDPA of Thailand, it also serves as a safe haven for ex-pats, locals, and retirees from different parts of the world for so many reasons, below are a few of them.
- The Cost of Living is Affordable
Compared to other cities focused on tourism in Thailand and other parts of the world, the cost of living in Hua Hin is remarkably affordable. No matter the social stratification you belong to Hua Hin has something in it for you, from accommodation to feeding, transportation, as well as activities tailored to make your life in the city enjoyable while saving cost. As an ex-pat, visitor, or retiree, you can get accommodation that suits your taste without hassle, live off street food or dine at fancy restaurants serving both international and local cuisines, and also get around the city with ease by visiting tourist attractions without spending quite the fortune.
There are a handful of local markets where you can easily shop for anything you can think of at a reasonable price, from home décors to foodstuffs, as well as fashion accessories.
- Hua Hin is Peaceful and Safe
Throughout Thailand, Hua Hin is among the beachside towns often praised for being peaceful and having an incredibly low crime rate. Compared to other coastal tourist destinations in the country, Hua Hin is less crowded by backpackers despite being one of the most popular cities in the country, hence the peace.
The healthcare system in Hua Hin is top-notch and affordable. During emergencies, the response rate of the medics can be compared to that of the United States as well as other developed countries. Furthermore, the hospitals in Hua Hin are situated in such a way they can be easily accessible by the public 24/7. As Hua Hin continues to develop so does the quality of the healthcare system, as well as the health and safety of its occupants.
- Quality Education
Hua Hin boasts of two international universities as well as other government and semi-private schools. You can also find language schools in this city as it is gradually becoming a multicultural destination because of the blend of Thai locals and ex-pats from different parts of the world. The presence of these language schools has made it possible for its occupants to study English, Chinese, and Thai language at an affordable cost.
- Suitable for Travels and Visits
Relocating to Hua Hin will result in leaving behind your former environment as well as some friends and family members, this is not a problem at all as this city can be easily accessible by anyone from anywhere, especially as it has proximity to Bangkok, the country’s capital and major international travel destination. Your friends and family can always pay you a visit whenever it is convenient for you as road travel is cheap. If they do not possess any vehicle of their own then they can always board cheap taxis, busses, and a train heading for Hua Hin. They can as well choose to travel by flight at affordable costs despite the city’s popularity as a tourist destination.
Furthermore, Hua Hin’s location allows for easy travel to other wonderful cities in Thailand to experience the culture and engage in other exciting activities. Currently, there’s an airport in Hua Hin operating international flights a few times a week, not to mention other transportation affordable transportation systems such as vans, tuk-tuks, trains, buses, and a ferry that can take you to anywhere of your choice.
- Favorable Location
This beachside resort is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, which means there are a handful of beaches to explore. It also has favorable climatic conditions with most time of the year being warm which is perfect for swimming, hiking, and other outdoor activities. However, between May and October is when Hua Hin experiences the monsoon season. It would be in your best interest to seek caution when chilling at the beach during the rainy season as this is the time when jellyfishes come out to shorelines and their sting have countless times proven to be fatal.
- Hua Hin is the Mecca for Golf Fanatics
Hua Hin is home to 10 championship golf courses which makes it a renowned golfing city in the country. All of these golf courses are of high standards with excellent condition and modern-day facilities, you can as well find caddies and clubhouses. The majority of these golf courses are located in locations with beautiful scenery, some can be found in proximity to the sea while some have mountain views. What’s better about golfing in Hua Hin is that it is an affordable sporting activity.
- The Nightlife
Although the nightlife in Hua Hin is somewhat tamer as compared to other cities such as Phuket and Pattaya, there are a handful of exciting activities to engage in that will make you an official night crawler if not one already. You can either visit the night markets for a wonderful shopping experience or dine at some of the best restaurants offering seafood, as well as grab drinks at good pubs and clubs at the best clubhouses.
What Is the Cost of Living in Hua Hin?
As earlier mentioned, the cost of living in Hua Hin is remarkably affordable when compared to other tourist destinations. For a single person, it would cost around 16, 594 Thai Baht per month to live comfortably, while for a family of four it will cost a total of 59,328 Thai Baht per month, do note that this cost is without rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the city’s center costs around 12,250 Thai Baht, and 10,400 Thai Baht outside the city’s center. The average cost of three bedroom apartment in Hua Hin city’s center is 30,062 Thai Baht, and 23,875 Thai Baht outside the city’s center.
A one-way ticket with a local transportation system cost an average of 12.5 Thai Baht, while the average cost of a regular monthly ticket cost about400 Thai Baht. Taxis are also a convenient way to get around Hua Hin, a 1-kilometer trip on a normal tariff cost an average of 25 Thai Baht. Furthermore, the cost of gasoline in Hua Hin is 43.7 Thai Baht per liter.
Eating at an inexpensive restaurant can cost somewhere around 100 Thai Baht, while the average cost of dining at a mid-range restaurant three times a day for two persons is 1000 Thai Baht. 0.33 liter of bottled water cost 11.5 Thai Baht, while domestic and imported beer cost between 67.50 to 97.50 Thai Baht.
What are the Best Things to Do While Living in Hua Hin?
We can all agree that a city would be boring and uninteresting to live in without a few activities to entertain and excite its occupants. Hua Hin is definitely that city with lots to see and do while you live in it else it wouldn’t be the favorite travel destination for lots of backpackers from around the world. Below are a few activities one can engage in for excitement and contributes greatly to why Hua Hin is a great place to live in.
- Visit the Vana Nava Water Jungle
This water jungle cum park is Asia’s first and can be found in Hua Hin District. Here, you will find about 20 attractions which include the country’s first underwater professional studio, as well as slides and rides. This water jungle is equipped to the best of its ability with the best modern-day technologies while sustaining its natural components.
The Vana Nava Water Jungle is surrounded by over three hectares of land and with over two hundred thousand trees and plants making it an exceptional state of art for entertainment. This water jungle is unique in every way being the first of its kind. Throughout Thailand, this spot is regarded as one of the top-rated places to visit and it is well-deserving of that title. This is arguably the best family getaway destination in Thailand and appeals to people of different ages.
- Explore the Phraya Nakhon Caves
The Phraya Nakhon Cave can be found in Khao Sam Roi National Park which is regarded as one of the few mystical locations in the country. The mystery behind this location is that it is difficult to reach and a few tourists have succeeded in reaching this one of the many wonders of Thailand. The caves in this location are hollow allowing sunlight to pass through while spreading a sense of calm and peace. This is the ideal location for nature lovers and people seeking adventure.
Furthermore, the main attraction at the Phraya Nakhon Caves is the pavilion (Kuka Karuhas) that was built in the year 1890 by King Rama (v) also known as King Chulalongkorn who was also attracted to this cave because of its beauty. Aside from King Chulalongkorn, other prominent leaders the likes of King Prajadhipok and King Bhumibol have also visited these caves.
- Visit the Khao Sam Roi National Park
Located on the southwestern coast of Prachuap Province in proximity to Hua Hin, it is the first-ever marine national park of the country fondly called the mountain with three-hundred peaks, it is a paradise to nature fanatics and one of the must-visit places when living in Hua Hin.
Here you will find caves, hills, offshore islands, and marshlands, as well as coastal beaches on the Gulf of Thailand to explore. The Khao Sam Roi National Park is also home to over 50 different species of mammals and over 315 species of birds. It is worthy of being called Hua Hin’s secrete as they are lots to be unveiled every few meters as you advance. Being a really large national park, the best way to explore is by scooter or vehicle.
- Visit the Hua Hin Night Market
The Hua Hin Night Market is a central market situated at Petchkasem Rd and extends to the railway line, it is also a favorite to some of the locals and tourists in Hua Hin. At the sides of the market roads, you will find stalls cooking delicious local dishes which can be sampled upon request. You can also find stalls selling souvenirs amongst other products such as home décors, foodstuffs, and other daily requirements like groceries, etc. You can find everything you can think of in this market at affordable rates.
With operational hours that begin at sundown, the walkways are decorated with really beautiful lights that do not just improve visibility, but the atmosphere as you shop.
- Explore the Cicada Market
This list would be incomplete without mentioning the famous Cicada Market. This is considered a hub for artworks as it is what the whole market is based on. You can find handcrafted artworks, as well as little kitschy products, and souvenirs made by independent artists. Visiting this part of Hua Hin at sundown is one of the most sought-after activities in Hua Hin by both the locals and tourists.
The market is divided into four sections all catering to the needs of art, entertainment, shopping, and dining. You can grab delicious meals or drinks from any of the restaurants in this market and watch musicians, poets, dance groups perform live on stage as you feast. The lighting and overall ambiance of the Cicada market also set the mood for a romantic date, or night out with friends and family.
- Walk through One of Hua Hin’s Finest Vineyards
The Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is just 45 kilometers west of Hua Hin, initially, it was just a large stretch of land which was turned into an operational vineyard with an entry fee of 1700 Thai Baht. This site is open to the public from breakfast to lunch hours and can find a restaurant serving both food and wine. If you choose to visit this place someday around the summer months it would be in your best interest to put on comfortable clothes as it gets warmer.
The best time to visit the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is from the month of January to April, during this time is when you can see the grapes before they are plucked and use to produce wine.
- Experience Fun at the Black Mountain Water Park
This fascinating water park was first opened to the public in the year 2011, and ever since then, it has also become one of the most sought-after water parks in Thailand. This is one of the many places in Hua Hin where there’s fun for people of different age groups as there’s a variety of entertainment choices to choose from. You can bring your kids to the Black Mountain Water Park to play at the kid’s pool or slides, as well as the wave pool or lazy river, while you can either have fun with them or sit at the bar for some well-prepared cocktail.
The Black Mountain Water Park observes safety protocols as they hire well-trained professional lifeguards, and their equipment has safety measures to ensure everyone can have fun and go back home in one piece.
Conclusion
There you have it, the 7 reasons why Hua Hin is a great place to live in alongside the cost of living and the best activities you can engage in to make your stay exciting. Not to mention the fact that it used to be a getaway destination for the royal families in the late 1920s and as such, there is the feeling of being a part of royalty as you live in the city, as there are still remnants such as palaces and villas of the royal families and the elites who were made this town their home. Hua Hin is also an ideal retirement destination filled with golf courses, villas, international grocery shops, a local market, and a variety of restaurants and bars as well as an active nightlife, although not as active as some crowded tourist cities.
What’s more is that the healthcare system is affordable and can be relied on during emergencies, as there are about three Hospitals amongst other medical centers and spas, all of which are quite affordable and can be easily accessed. Furthermore, Hua Hin is home to both internal and government-operated universities as well as primary and secondary schools, and also language schools should in case you develop an interest in learning new languages. These language schools include TLC (The Language Center), Sirada Learning Center, and Halio International School Hua Hin.
