Where to go??

**lraemarie** · 17th August 2012 05:08

Hello again! I'm planning on coming to Thailand in March, figured I'd go to Bangkok; job availability, money, activities etc--just seems like the most common place to go and where most jobs are. Now I'm maybe second guessing this as my ideal place to live-- I live in a small city with a population of 65 000. I'm not sure how i would transition into a city with 8million.. and 15 times the commercial land size of the city i am in now. If anyone has been in this position i would love to hear how you settled --was the transition easy/hard/scary/fun?

What other places are available - not in the north - that still have a 'nightlife', good choice of restaurants, and a decent selection of jobs? I do not want to live in a community that 'shuts down' after 8pm etc. I would prefer to live in the south. Perhaps Krabi? Phuket? Surat Thani? Any experiences in these places?-if so which cities?

OR....Should I just suck it up, go to BKK, and see how it is for a couple weeks? I could love it for all know, but I would still like to have other options. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

....I have a Bachelors degree in education.

**Thinkingofachange** · 17th August 2012 05:35

Suck it up, go to BKK, see how you like it. Remember: a big city in a foreign country is very different from a big city at home--same goes for small cities. You can suck it up and live in BKK for a year and, if you decide it isn't for you, pack your bags and head for the sticks.

Alternatively, go for a remote suburb that's much quieter, like Bang Na. It's cheaper there, too.

**Cal Roy** · 17th August 2012 07:29

My experience here, which includes part of the south, Bangkok, Udon Thani and Chiang Mai is that if you want a night life, you have to be in a city of some size. Large cities have bars, clubs, theaters and shopping. Small towns have a handful of hookers and a 7/11.

**Don Ho** · 17th August 2012 10:05

Bangkok really doesn't feel that large though. Pick a neighborhood and you'll feel comfortable.

Why not the north?

**lraemarie** · 17th August 2012 11:58

Okay, thanks for the input so far. I don't mind being in a 'larger' city, but to me larger does not consist of 8mil. That's insane and I've never been in a city, let alone live in one that is so HUGE. I'm just a lil' nervous is all...

But I'll probably end up sticking to BKK. I prefer to not be in the north because I want to be closer to the beaches, the north puts me that much farther. I've heard its beautiful there, but for location wise I would just prefer otherwise.
Have any of you made the small to large city transition?

....So I shouldn't bother 'researching' into other cities then...in the south etc? Sorry just trying to keep my options open.

**cluezo** · 17th August 2012 12:19

There are so many towns and cities. How old are you? If you don't mind ....

**natalie8** · 17th August 2012 16:38

Hi Irae. I moved to BKK from Canada in the winter of 2004. I've loved in Vancouver and Toronto area and I honestly don't feel that Canada has any big cities. Yes there are three cities with a population over a million, but still. Anyway, I would suggest starting out in Bangkok too. As someone else mentioned, there are many, many areas that feel suburban or green.

Also, Bangkok is where the majority of the jobs are. Living in Bangkok give you all the travel options to the north and south and every other area of Thailand during weekends and holidays.

---Update---

I forgot to add that I lived in Bangkok for three years, then Phuket for one year. Phuket was nice because of the beaches, a variety of restaurants and services, but a big negative is if you want to travel, you have to get an additional flight to get to BKK, then to Chiang Mai or wherever in the north. Also, you get harassed by tuk tuk drivers, taxi drivers and all that type whenever you go out to do errands or shopping at the markets. In Bangkok you don't.

**lraemarie** · 18th August 2012 03:58

Thanks Natalie. Yes we dont have very big cities here. But at least you've lived in 2 of the biggest. Again just nervous here. But it does make sense to stay in BKK, with all the job and entertainment opportunities available. Just needed some opinions. Besides Bang Na, as mentioned above, what other suburbs would you recommend living in?

And Cluezo, If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

**cluezo** · 18th August 2012 04:27

Originally Posted by lraemarie

And Cluezo, If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I didn't mean anything by it, truly. It just helps with the mental picture, that's all. Sorry.

**Thinkingofachange** · 18th August 2012 05:26

It actually is a relevant question. I'm 32 and I could see living in Bangkok, but it'd definitely be much more of a party (and a more expensive party, I'm sure) if I was 25.

At 45-50? I'd go to Chiang Mai or Hua Hin if married, Pattaya if single.

At 65? No way in hell Bangkok.