For 2 and a part wonderful years, I had the excitement of dwelling at the stunning island of Koh Samui, Thailand. To these days, I imagine it my favourite position I’ve ever been to on earth (thus far). There are such a large amount of execs to dwelling on Koh Samui, however, after all, there are some demanding situations as smartly.

One of the vital execs would possibly appear evident, but if spending time in another country, it’s vital to not be blinded by way of the paranormal enchantment. The cons of dwelling in Koh Samui will have to at all times be thought to be, particularly should you plan on staying there long-term.

15 Execs and Cons of Residing in Koh Samui

After spending quite a lot of time in Koh Samui, I’ve numerous non-public revel in with existence at the island. My record underneath comes from that private revel in, talking and befriending different expats, and developing relationships with the locals.

Thailand, general, is an unbelievable and distinctive nation – individually, there really isn’t any different position adore it. Right here’s my record of professionals and cons of dwelling in Koh Samui:

What (The place) is Koh Samui?

Identified for its postcard-perfect seashores, laid-back vibes, posh motels, and colourful tradition, Koh Samui is understood to be a haven for backpackers, virtual nomads, and vacationers alike. It’s also very talked-about among expats, particularly from Europe, the UK, Australia, and Russia.

Situated off the japanese coast of Thailand within the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is out there by way of airport, ferry, and personal boat services and products. The island is somewhat small and will simply be pushed round by the use of the loop street, which is ready 32 miles lengthy.

Execs of Residing in Koh Samui

Koh Samui has been one in every of my favourite, if now not my maximum favourite, puts I’ve ever lived. Those are the professionals of dwelling in Koh Samui.

1. It’s Completely Shocking

Probably the most largest execs of dwelling in Koh Samui is that it’s breathtakingly gorgeous. It’s just like the places you spot in motion pictures and tropical screensavers. I have the view from my bungalow tattooed on my arm – I beloved it such a lot, I sought after to look it ceaselessly!

The island has white sand seashores, lush rainforest, and tremendous transparent turquoise waters – supreme for any person who loves nature. However except the seaside, inland, you’ll in finding sprawling coconut groves, loads of waterfalls, and climbing trails.

Regardless of the place you might be at the island, you’ll simply be in awe of all the herbal good looks.

2. Insanely Affordable Price of Residing

Probably the most major causes numerous expats head to Thailand, together with Koh Samui, is the extraordinarily reasonably priced value of dwelling. In comparison to maximum Western international locations, Thailand’s housing, meals, and healthcare prices are very low.

When I used to be dwelling there, I had a one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow with an unbelievable view, and paid $350/month, which is ready reasonable for the cheap condominium. Mid-range residences value round $600-$800/month.

Meals may be extraordinarily affordable. I may move all the way down to the evening marketplace and feature a scrumptious meal for lower than $3. Purchasing meals from contemporary markets may be very affordable in comparison to grocery retailer costs.

3. Thai Persons are Extremely Great

Thailand is referred to as the “Land of Smiles,” and the locals really ship. They’re tremendous pleasant, welcoming, and extremely heat. Regardless of most often having a language barrier, verbal exchange and connection nonetheless turns out to return simply and feels authentic.

In some international locations, there are stereotypes of the locals being impolite or having disdain for overseas guests and expats. Thailand is without a doubt now not a kind of international locations. Regardless of the place you move, 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 at the island. I additionally briefly made buddies with one of the vital sweetest Thai girls who ran a pop-up bar within the the town of Lamai.

4. It has One thing for Everybody

What I completely beloved about dwelling in Koh Samui used to be 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 in finding it at the island. You’ll be able to in finding the whole lot from budget-friendly to posh and indulgent – there are many issues to do right here.

The most important town at the island is named Chaweng, the place you’ll be able to in finding nightclubs, seaside golf equipment, eating places, and buying groceries. In the event you head south, the smaller the town of Lamai has extra backpacker vibes, whilst providing a smaller but nonetheless colourful nightlife.

I lived at the western facet of the island within the locals’ the town of Nathon; it’s additionally the place most of the people arrive when coming by the use of ferry. It’s quiet, it has a small the town heart, and it’s about 45 mins from Chaweng. You’ll additionally in finding stunning motels scattered all the way through the island.

5. Simple Get right of entry to to Different International locations

Relying on the kind of visa you’ve got when getting into the rustic, you may have to go away Thailand each and every few months to resume it. Fortunately, Koh Samui has simple get entry to to different international locations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

The Koh Samui airport is situated at the north facet of the island and is among the cutest airports I’ve ever been to. Flights will also be costlier from right here as opposed to taking a ferry to the mainland and flying out from Surat Thani, however it’s tremendous handy.

Essentially the most budget-friendly choice is to take a ferry, then a trip, to the Surat Thani airport. From there, you’ll be able to fly out in your vacation spot or take a brief flight as much as Bangkok, the place you’ll be able to catch a flight to just about anyplace your center needs.

6. The Meals is Completely Scrumptious

A significant advantage of dwelling in Koh Samui is all the scrumptious meals. You’ll be able to in finding affordable 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 marketplace meals used to be at all times my favourite right through my keep. It used to be native delicacies, cooked with conventional elements and strategies, tremendous tasty, and at all times reasonably priced. Plus, strolling across the markets used to be at all times a amusing sensory revel in.

When you wish to have one thing a bit of extra increased, there are many different eating places and cuisines to be discovered. Italian and British eating places appear to be widespread choices, however you’ll be able to in finding the whole lot from Indian, Greek, burger spots, and advantageous eating.

7. It’s Nice for Virtual Nomads

Whilst I used to be dwelling in Koh Samui, I used to be nonetheless running on-line as a virtual nomad. In reality, many expats who aren’t retirees are virtual nomads, and there’s an unbelievable neighborhood of on-line employees.

I usually at all times had speedy WiFi in my bungalow condominium. Every now and then it could move down because of a hurricane, but when ever this took place, I simply took a trip into the town and used to be at all times in a position to discover a cafe or coworking area that also had a connection.

Some nice spots to paintings are Khan House, Natural Coworking Membership, and Table and Chair.

8. The Climate is Tropical

An enormous perk to dwelling in Koh Samui is its heat, tropical climate. During all the 12 months, you’ll be able to be expecting temperatures with highs within the mid-80s °F and lows within the mid-70s °F. For me, it doesn’t get extra supreme than that.

Might is most often the most up to date month, with December and January being the good. This implies year-round get entry to to seashores and suntans. It’s vital to understand that since this is a tropical local weather, it additionally comes with a wet and stormy season (extra in this underneath).

9. The Tradition is Palpable

Some other factor I beloved about dwelling in Thailand used to be how sturdy the Thai tradition is. Whether or not it’s their faith (maximum Thai individuals are Buddhist), their clothes, their meals, or their celebrations, the Thai tradition will also be felt in your core.

At evening markets, you’ll in finding conventional dancing and making a song, and there at all times appears to be a competition of a few kind occurring. My favourite fairs are the Songkran competition, which is principally a 3-day-long water struggle, and the Loy Krathong competition, the place other people ship hundreds of lanterns into the sky.

The Thai other people even have numerous admire for his or her Buddhist faith and the clergymen that belong to the temple. You’ll ceaselessly in finding clergymen strolling the streets and receiving plant life, meals, and items from the area people.

10. It’s Simple to Make Pals

Because of Koh Samui’s thriving expat and touring scenes, it’s extremely simple to make new buddies while you’re out and about. Other folks from all over the place the arena flock to this island, which already approach you’ve got one thing in commonplace!

Just about each and every time I went out, I might strike up a dialog with a fellow nomad. I now have buddies who are living all over the place the arena that I nonetheless meet up with steadily.

Even if most of the locals don’t discuss English, except you’re in additional of the heavily-touristed spaces, lots of the expats do. Because of English being any such common language, it’s simple to keep up a correspondence right through your keep.

Cons of Residing in Koh Samui

Regardless of my love for Koh Samui, it, after all, comes with its downfalls. Those are one of the vital demanding situations and drawbacks of dwelling in Koh Samui.

1. It’s a Small Island

Earlier than taking into consideration a transfer to Koh Samui, you’ll wish to understand that it’s rather a small island. Island existence is fantastic till it isn’t – it’s simple to really feel “caught” or out of choices for issues to do and puts to head.

It takes some time to get “bored” of Koh Samui as a result of there’s so a lot to look, however it may possibly occur. That’s why I at all times made it some degree to get off the island each and every couple of months. Whether or not that used to be to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, as much as Bangkok, or any other nation, it helped to get off the island and into a brand new setting each and every every so often.

2. The Climate will also be Intense

All through the rainy months of September via November, the elements can get lovely intense with rain and storms. Even if it’s nonetheless heat out, there will also be days on finish when the rain doesn’t prevent.

After I knew a hurricane used to be going to be coming via, I might at all times top off on meals and water as a result of I knew I wouldn’t wish to power round or be outdoor for a couple of days. We’re speaking downpours and powerful, sideways wind.

Some other drawback is that Koh Samui can ceaselessly fall within the trail of bad typhoons. I fled as much as Bangkok for per week when a storm got here via as a result of I couldn’t possibility being with out web.

3. Roads will also be Unhealthy

Even if it’s a small island with just one main ring street, the riding prerequisites in Koh Samui generally is a bit sketchy. Just about each and every expat can inform you a tale about being in a motorcycle crash – together with myself.

Unfortunately, there are just about 3,000 injuries, involving most commonly bikes, each and every unmarried 12 months. There has a tendency to be the next choice of injuries right through main celebrations and fairs.

There’s a mix of scooters, bikes, automobiles, vans, songthaews, and different motor automobiles at the roads, lots of which have a tendency to overlook dashing and different riding regulations. At all times stay your eyes open, and at all times put on a helmet. Additionally, attempt to keep away from riding at evening or in inclement climate.

4. Staying Lengthy-Time period will also be Tricky

The kind of visa you bought earlier than arriving in Koh Samui will resolve how lengthy you’ll be able to keep at the island and within the nation. Many more youthful (underneath 50) vacationers merely arrive on a vacationer visa that permits you 90 days of access. After that, you’ll want to go away the rustic earlier than you’ll be able to come again. Some other people go away for an afternoon (even though it’s frowned upon), whilst others use it as a two or 3-week holiday in a neighboring nation.

Many older expats use a retirement visa, permitting them long-term or everlasting remains. This most often simply calls for a collection amount of cash arrange in a Thai checking account.

You’ll be able to now additionally acquire a long-term visa that permits you to are living in Thailand for as much as ten years. The catch is that you just’ll want to turn out 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, some of the cons of dwelling in Koh Samui is that it without a doubt feels somewhat Westernized within the larger towns 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 fairly disappointing to look such a lot of Western names and companies make any such observation at the island. I’m positive it supplies a way of “house” for some other people, however I discovered it a bit of tense. For the ones of you short of the occasional creature convenience, this may increasingly in truth be a professional for you!

Is Residing in Koh Samui Price It?

Total, dwelling in Koh Samui is a really magical and life-changing revel in. Regardless of the cons, the professionals of dwelling in Koh Samui a ways outweigh them. In the event you ever get the danger to spend time in this gorgeous island, I extremely counsel it.