For 2 and a half superb years, I had the pleasure of dwelling on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand. To today, I take into account it my favourite place I’ve ever been to on earth (to date). There are such a lot of execs to dwelling on Koh Samui, however, in fact, there are some challenges as properly.
A number of the execs may appear apparent, however when spending time abroad, it’s essential to not be blinded by the magical enchantment. The cons of dwelling 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 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 – in my view, there really is not any different place prefer it. Right here’s my checklist of execs and cons of dwelling 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 is usually very talked-about 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 by way of the loop street, which is about 32 miles lengthy.
Execs 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 dwelling in Koh Samui.
1. It’s Completely Gorgeous
One of many greatest execs of dwelling 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 cherished 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 except for the seaside, inland, you’ll discover sprawling coconut groves, a lot 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 essential causes plenty of expats head to Thailand, together with Koh Samui, is the extraordinarily affordable cost of living. In comparison with most Western international locations, Thailand’s housing, meals, and healthcare prices are very low.
Once I was dwelling there, I had a one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow with an unbelievable view, and paid $350/month, which is about common for a funds house. Mid-range flats cost around $600-$800/month.
Meals can be extraordinarily low-cost. I may go right down to the evening market and have a scrumptious meal for lower than $3. Shopping for meals from contemporary markets can 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 really ship. They’re tremendous pleasant, welcoming, and extremely heat. Regardless of often having a language barrier, communication and connection nonetheless appears to come back 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 unquestionably not a kind of international locations. Regardless of the place you go, you’ll see smiling faces.
I discovered this to be an enormous professional of dwelling in Koh Samui as a result of I at all times felt welcome on the island. I additionally rapidly made mates 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 cherished about dwelling in Koh Samui was the truth that it actually had one thing for everybody. Whether or not you’re in search of a calming setting or one filled with journey, you’ll discover it on the island. You’ll find every thing from budget-friendly to posh and indulgent – there are many things to do here.
The biggest metropolis on the island known as Chaweng, the place yow will discover nightclubs, seaside golf equipment, eating places, and procuring. For those who 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 by way of ferry. It’s quiet, it has a small city middle, and it’s about 45 minutes from Chaweng. You’ll additionally discover beautiful resorts scattered all through the island.
5. Straightforward Entry to Different Nations
Relying on the kind of visa you might have when coming into the nation, you might need to go away Thailand each few months to resume it. Fortunately, Koh Samui has quick access to different international locations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The Koh Samui airport is positioned on the north facet of the island and is likely one of 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, but it surely’s tremendous handy.
Essentially the most budget-friendly choice 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 wherever your coronary heart wishes.
6. The Meals is Completely Scrumptious
A significant advantage of dwelling in Koh Samui is all the scrumptious meals. You’ll find cheap mouthwatering meals at evening 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 evening market meals was at all times my favourite throughout my keep. It was native delicacies, cooked with conventional components and strategies, tremendous tasty, and at all times reasonably priced. Plus, strolling across the markets was at all times a enjoyable sensory expertise.
While 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 yow will discover every thing from Indian, Greek, burger spots, and nice eating.
7. It’s Nice for Digital Nomads
Whereas I used to be dwelling 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 house. Often it could go down attributable to a storm, but when ever this occurred, I simply took a trip into city and was at all times capable of finding a restaurant or coworking space that also had a connection.
Some nice spots to work are Khan House, Organic Coworking Club, and Desk and Chair.
8. The Climate is Tropical
An enormous perk to dwelling in Koh Samui is its heat, tropical climate. All through the complete yr, 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.
Could is often the most well liked month, with December and January being the best. This implies year-round entry to seashores and suntans. It’s essential to remember the fact 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 cherished about dwelling in Thailand was how sturdy 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 evening 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 combat, and the Loy Krathong pageant, the place individuals ship 1000’s 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 presents from the native individuals.
10. It’s Straightforward to Make Associates
Due to Koh Samui’s thriving expat and touring scenes, it’s extremely straightforward to make new mates whenever you’re out and about. Folks from all around the world flock to this island, which already means you might have one thing in frequent!
Almost each time I went out, I might strike up a dialog with a fellow nomad. I now have mates who stay all around the world that I nonetheless meet up with recurrently.
Despite the fact that most 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 straightforward to speak throughout your keep.
Cons of Residing in Koh Samui
Regardless of my love for Koh Samui, it, in fact, comes with its downfalls. These are a number of the challenges and downsides of dwelling in Koh Samui.
1. It’s a Small Island
Earlier than contemplating a transfer to Koh Samui, you’ll wish to remember the fact that it’s fairly a small island. Island life is wonderful 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 could possibly occur. That’s why I at all times made it a degree 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 once in a while.
2. The Climate may be Intense
Throughout the wet months of September by way 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 way of, I might at all times fill up 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 usually fall within the path of harmful typhoons. I fled as much as Bangkok for every week when a hurricane got here by way 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 almost 3,000 accidents, involving largely bikes, each single yr. There tends to be the next variety of accidents throughout main celebrations and festivals.
There’s a combination of scooters, bikes, vehicles, vehicles, songthaews, and different motor automobiles on the roads, a lot of which are likely to disregard rushing and different driving legal guidelines. At all times preserve your eyes open, and at all times put on a helmet. Additionally, try to keep away from driving at evening or in inclement climate.
4. Staying Lengthy-Time period may be Tough
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 (below 50) vacationers merely arrive on a vacationer visa that permits you 90 days of entry. After that, you’ll want to go away 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 often 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 live 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 dwelling in Koh Samui is that it undoubtedly feels a bit Westernized within the greater 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, but it surely’s considerably disappointing to see so many Western names and companies make such a press release on the island. I’m positive it offers a way of “dwelling” for some individuals, however I discovered it just a little annoying. For these of you in want of the occasional creature consolation, this will likely truly be a professional for you!
Is Residing in Koh Samui Price It?
Total, dwelling in Koh Samui is a really magical and life-changing expertise. Regardless of the cons, the professionals of dwelling in Koh Samui far outweigh them. For those who ever get the possibility to spend time on this stunning island, I extremely advocate it.
