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Few places in the world meet all the criteria of an ideal retirement haven. Here’s one place that does that most of the world has never heard of: Hua Hin, Thailand. Pound for Pound, you likely could enjoy a much higher standard of living in Hua Hin than back home, no matter where back home happens to be.
Hua Hin offers miles of clean beaches, good year-round weather, and a large foreign community. In Hua Hin, you’re close to the cultural offerings of Bangkok, but removed from the chaos of the capital. And because Hua Hin is a small city, it does not suffer from the population pressures found in Thailand’s larger urban areas. There are nine golf courses in and around Hua Hin with more under construction. Mountains, caves, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife can be enjoyed at the seven national parks within a two-hour drive.
A new internationally accredited hospital opened recently, further supporting the city’s top-notch medical care facilities and growing reputation as a medical tourism destination. Medical procedures performed in Thailand cost anywhere from 20 percent to 80 percent less than the same procedures performed in the west, while the equipment used and the care received are as good or better than that available in the West.
http://www.bangkokhospital.com/huahin/
Housing is plentiful, with condominiums and private homes stretched out near and along the beach. Secure and modern gated subdivisions are also numerous, especially around the golf courses and in the hills on the edges of town.
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=84
Nearly 20 percent of the 84,883 permanent residents of Hua Hin have immigrated from abroad with the specific intention of making a new life here. They are involved in the larger community, attend meetings with the city council, and have a real influence on the future of the city. They have brought a lot of their former lives with them, including bowling, reading clubs, festivals, cycling clubs, soccer leagues, wine-tasting, etc.
http://www.seajaysthailand.com/home/lawnbowlshuahin
And of course lets not forget golf, Hua Hin is well renowned for its many golf courses. The first golf course in Thailand, Royal Hua Hin, was built in 1924 and there are now 8 courses within 30km of the town and more are under construction. These courses are world class and green fees and caddy charges are very reasonable. Electric carts are available at several though a walk in the beautiful climate of Hua Hin is a pleasure in itself. Whether a pro on a break or a family on a holiday, golfers will enjoy the professional facilities.
http://www.huahinpropertyandland.com/index.htmlNew arrivals to Hua Hin appreciate the cleanliness of the area, the widespread use of English, the lack of corruption, and the low-cost, high standard of living, all of which make this a very attractive destination for retirees on a moderate budget. A couple could live a fully-appointed, rich, and interesting life here on a budget of as little as 700 pound per month.
In many respects, Hua Hin could be described as the San Miguel de Allende or Boquete of Southeast Asia. Those destinations, in Mexico and Panama respectively, are home to big and growing expat retiree communities. Like them, Hua Hin is home to enough local Thai people to keep things interesting. You’ll know that you’re in a foreign country. But, as with launching a new life in San Miguel or Boquete, moving to Hua Hin does not require total immersion in a new culture. There are enough expats and activities to ease the transition.
Perhaps the best part about retirement in Hua Hin is that you are not obliged to give up comforts and conveniences from back home. You’ll be able to live better and enhance your quality of life, because the infrastructure and services to do so are both available and affordable.
The abundance of restaurants is impressive and eating out is one activity that almost all expats enjoy on a regular basis. A deliciously relaxing Thai massage is another affordable indulgence, and practitioners are located downtown and along the length of Petchakasem Road. A two-hour traditional massage costs 6 pounds. An experienced full-time housekeeper charges around 150 pound per month.
Hua Hin has one of the most welcoming climates in Thailand. The average year-round temperature is a balmy 83 degrees Fahrenheit, with average highs of 88 degrees and lows of 77. The town is located in one of the driest parts of Thailand, with an average annual rainfall of just 37 inches.
Rents are almost always negotiable, at least to an extent. Your biggest decision here will be whether you want to live on the beach and have a sea view or a little inland have mountain views. The beach is lined with condominiums and apartments, many with direct ocean views. A furnished two-bedroom place with an ocean view rents from 500 pound per month. However, back from the beach, rents are half as much.
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=97
Hua Hin is one of Thailand's most popular holiday and retirement destinations, located 230 kilometres - or 140 miles - south of Bangkok.
Many westerners own houses in Hua Hin - some live here all year round and some visit once or twice a year. It is not uncommon for foreigners to use their Hua Hin property for holidays for a few years and finally retire here.
Houses in Hua Hin range from modestly-sized two or three bedroomed villas, to far larger, sprawling three-storey villas. There are truly majestic two and three storey houses of very high quality on golf courses and private housing estates and there are town houses and shop houses in town and on the roads leading in and out of the centre.
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=61
Asking prices for most houses for sale in Hua Hin are between 2 million and 15 million Thai Baht - about 40,000 to 300,000 British pounds or 50,000 to 375,000 Euros. There are cheaper houses for sale in less attractive areas and of course there are far more expensive luxury houses for sale in the best locations.
Hua Hin beach-front properties are for many the most attractive and certainly the most expensive. Houses on or near the beach are very seldom offered for sale. Below are links to three beach properties we are privileged to be able to offer you.
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=77
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=62
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=79
The majority of houses for sale in Hua Hin are located in suburban private estates and these are often maintained by property-management companies who provide services like gardening, pool-cleaning and security patrols.
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=86
Foreigners can own houses, but Thai law unfortunately prevents foreigners from owning land. There are, however, different solutions for different circumstances including 30-year or life-time leases and a legal arrangement which involves the incorporation of a Thai company - which can own land - with a foreigner having sole-executive control over the company.
Hua Hin town stretches almost to the airport 8 kilometres north of the town centre, to the "fly-over" bridge across the railway tracks 4 kms south of the centre and 3 kms inland, westwards from the beach.
Further west, along the Pa La U Road, lie the districts of Nong Kohn, Tap Tai and Nong Hiang. The elevation in these areas is about 40 metres above sea level which often means more breeze and cooler temperatures. There are several housing developments there and many foreign owners.
http://huahinpropertyandland.com/Properties.php?action=view&id=20
To the south of Hua Hin lies Khao Takiab - "Monkey Mountain", so-called because of the macaques who live on the steep slopes of the hill. Khao Takiab village is a bustling little centre with a busy shopping and social life and the suburban areas feature many housing estates and condominium developments. It is primarily the condominiums and hotel/resorts which occupy the beach-front locations.
On the inland side of the main road south of the fly-over is an area called Hua Na with several housing developments and several score houses. These are all private estates of 3 to 4 bed roomed villas for the most part, and nearly every home has a swimming pool. Hua Na is about 5 kms from Hua Hin centre and almost 3 kms to the beach.
Further south is Khao Tao, which at 12 to 16 kms from the centre is certainly outside the town but still close enough to be considered part of Hua Hin. Property developments in the Khao Tao area stretch from the inland (western) side of the main road to the beach. Hat Sai Noi - "Little Sandy Beach" - is a favourite with locals and foreigners alike. Villa-quality in Khao Tao ranges from the economic to the distinctly opulent, but perhaps the finest properties of all here are the condominiums, many of which are of very high quality and enjoy truly fantastic beach-front locations.
Population: 68,720,153 (July 2013 est.)
Inflation Rate: 2.7% (2013 est.)
Currency: Bath
Exchange Rate Versus U.K. Pound: 46.663 (2013) baht per UK Pound -
Language: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Capital: Bangkok
Population of Capital City: 7 million (2013 est)
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +7 hours
Seasons: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid
International Dialing Code: +66
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
System of Government: Civil law system with common law influences
Name and Party Affiliation of Current Leader: Chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946)
Income Tax Rate for Residents: Residents are liable to tax on their worldwide income at progressive rates, from 0%-37%
Property Tax: Owner occupied and uninhabited dwellings pay no property tax. Rented properties are taxed 12.5% of the assessed annual rental value of the property.
Capital Gains Tax: Capital gains are exempt from personal income tax if the shares sold are of a public company registered on the stock exchange of Thailand. Otherwise, gains are subject to the normal progressive personal income tax rates.
Inheritance Tax: No
Rental Income Tax: Progressive rates from 10% to 37%
Transfer Tax: 0.10%
Sales Tax: 7%
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Property: Thailand land law generally prohoibits foreigners from owning freehold land in Thailand
Local Chamber of Commerce: http://www.thaiechamber.com/
Visa Requirements: Residents of the UK can apply for 2 x 2 month visa at the Thai Embassy in Hull
Special Benefits for Foreign Residents or Retirees: Obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit also known as Residence Visa/Permanent Visa will allow you to stay in Thailand permanently without the need for a Visa
National Airline: www.thaiairways.com
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