For 2 and a half superb years, I had the pleasure of residing on the attractive island of Koh Samui, Thailand. To at the present time, I take into account 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.

A number of the execs might sound apparent, however when spending time out of the country, it’s essential to not be blinded by the magical enchantment. The cons of residing in Koh Samui ought to all the time be thought-about, particularly should you plan on staying there long-term.

15 Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Koh Samui

After spending a considerable period of time in Koh Samui, I’ve numerous private expertise with life on the island. My checklist under comes from that private 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?

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 is usually extremely popular 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 Dwelling in Koh Samui

Koh Samui has been one in all 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 execs of residing in Koh Samui is that it’s breathtakingly lovely. 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 liked it a lot, I needed to see it endlessly!

The island has white sand seashores, lush rainforest, and tremendous clear turquoise waters – excellent for anybody who loves nature. However except for the seaside, inland, you’ll discover sprawling coconut groves, a number of waterfalls, and climbing trails.

Irrespective of the place you’re on the island, you’ll simply be in awe of the entire pure magnificence.

2. Insanely Low-cost Value of Dwelling

One of many predominant causes numerous expats head to Thailand, together with Koh Samui, is the extraordinarily inexpensive value of residing. In comparison with most Western nations, Thailand’s housing, meals, and healthcare prices are very low.

After 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 finances condominium. Mid-range residences value round $600-$800/month.

Meals can also be extraordinarily low-cost. I may go right down to the night time market and have a scrumptious meal for lower than $3. Shopping for meals from recent 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 actually 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 international guests and expats. Thailand is unquestionably not a kind of nations. Irrespective 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 all the time felt welcome on the island. I additionally rapidly made associates with a number of the sweetest Thai girls who ran a pop-up bar within the city of Lamai.

4. It has One thing for Everybody

What I completely liked about residing in Koh Samui was the truth that it actually had one thing for everybody. Whether or not you’re searching for a calming setting or one stuffed with journey, you’ll discover it on the island. Yow will discover every part from budget-friendly to posh and indulgent – there are many issues to do right here.

The biggest metropolis on the island known as Chaweng, the place you’ll find nightclubs, seaside golf equipment, eating places, and procuring. When 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. Straightforward Entry to Different International locations

Relying on the kind of visa you’ve gotten 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 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 will be costlier from right here versus taking a ferry to the mainland and flying out from Surat Thani, nevertheless it’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’ll be able to fly out to your vacation spot or take a brief flight as much as Bangkok, the place you’ll be able to catch a flight to virtually anyplace your coronary heart needs.

6. The Meals is Completely Scrumptious

A serious good thing about residing in Koh Samui is the entire scrumptious meals. Yow will discover 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 all the time my favourite throughout my keep. It was native delicacies, cooked with conventional substances and methods, tremendous tasty, and all the time inexpensive. Plus, strolling across the markets was all the time a enjoyable sensory expertise.

While 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 widespread choices, however you’ll find every part from Indian, Greek, burger spots, and superb 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. In reality, many expats who aren’t retirees are digital nomads, and there’s a improbable group of on-line staff.

I sometimes all the time had quick WiFi in my bungalow condominium. Sometimes it will go down resulting from a storm, but when ever this occurred, I simply took a experience into city and was all the time capable of finding a restaurant or coworking area 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’ll be able to anticipate temperatures with highs within the mid-80s °F and lows within the mid-70s °F. For me, it doesn’t get extra excellent than that.

Might is often the most popular month, with December and January being the best. This implies year-round entry to seashores and suntans. It’s essential to needless to say 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 liked about residing in Thailand was how sturdy 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 all the time appears to be a pageant of some kind occurring. My favourite festivals are the Songkran pageant, which is mainly a 3-day-long water struggle, and the Loy Krathong pageant, the place folks ship hundreds of lanterns into the sky.

The Thai folks even have numerous 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 folks.

10. It’s Straightforward to Make Buddies

Because of Koh Samui’s thriving expat and touring scenes, it’s extremely simple to make new associates while you’re out and about. Folks from everywhere in the world flock to this island, which already means you’ve gotten one thing in frequent!

Almost each time I went out, I might strike up a dialog with a fellow nomad. I now have associates who reside everywhere in the world that I nonetheless meet up with repeatedly.

Although most of the locals don’t communicate English, except you’re in additional of the heavily-touristed areas, many of the expats do. Because of English being such a common language, it’s simple to speak throughout your keep.

Cons of Dwelling 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 need to needless to say it’s fairly a small island. Island life is wonderful 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 may possibly occur. That’s why I all the time 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 will be Intense

Throughout the moist months of September by means of November, the climate can get fairly intense with rain and storms. Although it’s nonetheless heat out, there will be days on finish when the rain doesn’t cease.

After I knew a storm was going to be coming by means of, I might all the time refill on meals and water as a result of I knew I wouldn’t need to drive round or be exterior for just a few days. We’re speaking downpours and robust, 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 per week when a storm got here by means of as a result of I couldn’t threat being with out web.

3. Roads will be Harmful

Although it’s a small island with just one main ring street, the driving situations in Koh Samui could be a bit sketchy. Almost each expat can let you know a narrative about being in a motorcycle crash – together with myself.

Sadly, there are almost 3,000 accidents, involving principally bikes, each single 12 months. There tends to be a better variety of accidents throughout main celebrations and festivals.

There’s a combination of scooters, bikes, automobiles, vehicles, songthaews, and different motor automobiles on the roads, a lot of which are inclined to disregard rushing and different driving legal guidelines. All the time preserve your eyes open, and all the time put on a helmet. Additionally, try 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 receive earlier than arriving in Koh Samui will decide how lengthy you’ll be able to 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 depart the nation earlier than you’ll be able to 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 lets you reside in Thailand for as much as ten years. The catch is that you just’ll have to show that you just 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 positively 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, nevertheless it’s considerably disappointing to see so many Western names and companies make such an announcement on the island. I’m certain it gives a way of “house” for some folks, however I discovered it somewhat annoying. For these of you in want of the occasional creature consolation, this may increasingly really be a professional for you!

Is Dwelling 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. When you ever get the possibility to spend time on this lovely island, I extremely suggest it.