For 2 and a half wonderful years, I had the pleasure of residing on the attractive island of Koh Samui, Thailand. To at the present time, I think about it my favourite place I’ve ever been to on earth (to date). There are such a lot of professionals to residing on Koh Samui, however, after all, there are some challenges as properly.
A few of the professionals may appear apparent, however when spending time abroad, it’s necessary to not be blinded by the magical attraction. The cons of residing in Koh Samui ought to at all times be thought of, particularly for those who plan on staying there long-term.
15 Execs and Cons of Residing in Koh Samui
After spending a considerable period of time in Koh Samui, I’ve lots of private expertise with life on the island. My record beneath comes from that private expertise, talking and befriending different expats, and creating relationships with the locals.
Thailand, general, is an unbelievable and distinctive nation – in my view, there really is not any different place prefer it. Right here’s my record of professionals and cons of residing 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 thought to be a haven for backpackers, digital nomads, and vacationers alike. It’s also very fashionable amongst expats, particularly from Europe, the UK, Australia, and Russia.
Positioned off the jap 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 street, which is about 32 miles lengthy.
Execs of Residing in Koh Samui
Koh Samui has been certainly one of 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 Beautiful
One of many greatest professionals of residing in Koh Samui is that it’s breathtakingly stunning. It’s just like the places you see in motion pictures 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 without end!
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, numerous waterfalls, and mountain 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 Price of Residing
One of many most important causes lots of expats head to Thailand, together with Koh Samui, is the extraordinarily inexpensive price of residing. In comparison with most Western nations, 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 funds condo. Mid-range residences price round $600-$800/month.
Meals can also be extraordinarily low cost. I may 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 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 often having a language barrier, communication and connection nonetheless appears to return simply and feels real.
In some nations, there are stereotypes of the locals being impolite or having disdain for overseas guests and expats. Thailand is certainly not a type of nations. 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 rapidly made associates with among 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 setting or one stuffed with journey, you’ll discover it on the island. You’ll find every little thing from budget-friendly to posh and lavish – there are many issues to do right here.
The most important metropolis on the island is named Chaweng, the place you could find nightclubs, seashore golf equipment, eating places, and procuring. In the event 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 facet 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’ve got when getting into the nation, you might need to go away Thailand each few months to resume it. Fortunately, Koh Samui has quick access to different nations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The Koh Samui airport is situated on the north facet of the island and is among the cutest airports I’ve ever been to. Flights may be dearer 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 nearly wherever 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 certain 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 elements and strategies, tremendous tasty, and at all times inexpensive. Plus, strolling across the markets was at all times a enjoyable sensory expertise.
If you need one thing just a little extra elevated, there are many different eating places and cuisines to be discovered. Italian and British eating places appear to be well-liked choices, however you could find every little thing from Indian, Greek, burger spots, and nice 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 improbable neighborhood of on-line employees.
I sometimes at all times had quick WiFi in my bungalow condo. Often it will go down on account 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 House, 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 complete yr, you may count on 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 often the most well liked month, with December and January being the good. This implies year-round entry to seashores and suntans. It’s necessary 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 beloved about residing 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 may 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 competition of some type occurring. My favourite festivals are the Songkran competition, which is mainly a 3-day-long water combat, and the Loy Krathong competition, the place folks ship 1000’s of lanterns into the sky.
The Thai folks even have lots 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 folks.
10. It’s Simple to Make Buddies
Due to Koh Samui’s thriving expat and touring scenes, it’s extremely simple to make new associates while you’re out and about. Folks from all around the world flock to this island, which already means you’ve got one thing in widespread!
Almost each time I went out, I might strike up a dialog with a fellow nomad. I now have associates who dwell all around the world that I nonetheless meet up with usually.
Despite the fact that lots of the locals don’t communicate English, until you’re in additional of the heavily-touristed areas, many of the expats do. Due to English being such a common language, it’s simple 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 among the challenges and downsides 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 simple 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 setting each on occasion.
2. The Climate may be Intense
Throughout the moist months of September by means of November, the climate can get fairly intense with rain and storms. Despite the fact that it’s nonetheless heat out, there may be days on finish when the rain doesn’t cease.
Once I knew a storm was going to be coming by means of, I might 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 a couple of days. We’re speaking downpours and powerful, 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 every week when a hurricane got here by means of as a result of I couldn’t danger being with out web.
3. Roads may be Harmful
Despite the fact that it’s a small island with just one main ring street, the driving circumstances in Koh Samui generally is a bit sketchy. Almost each expat can inform you a narrative about being in a motorcycle crash – together with myself.
Sadly, there are practically 3,000 accidents, involving principally bikes, each single yr. There tends to be a better variety of accidents throughout main celebrations and festivals.
There’s a mix of scooters, bikes, automobiles, vans, songthaews, and different motor autos on the roads, a lot of which are likely to disregard rushing and different driving legal guidelines. At all times maintain 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 may be Troublesome
The kind of visa you receive earlier than arriving in Koh Samui will decide how lengthy you may keep on the island and within the nation. Many youthful (underneath 50) vacationers merely arrive on a vacationer visa that enables you 90 days of entry. After that, you’ll want to go away the nation earlier than you may come again. Some folks 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 often simply requires a set sum of money arrange in a Thai checking account.
Now you can additionally buy a long-term visa that means that you can dwell in Thailand for as much as ten years. The catch is that you just’ll have to show that you just remodeled $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 financial 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 certain it supplies a way of “residence” for some folks, however I discovered it just a little 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 Value It?
Total, residing in Koh Samui is a very magical and life-changing expertise. Regardless of the cons, the professionals of residing in Koh Samui far outweigh them. In the event you ever get the prospect to spend time on this stunning island, I extremely suggest it.
