Are you thinking of living in Thailand? Imagining turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and lush tropical forests? Perhaps Koh Samui is for you. It is a haven for expats seeking an idyllic island lifestyle, providing a relaxed pace with plenty of modern cons.
The island brings a unique mix: good shopping, recreational and sporting facilities, water activities, quality hospitals and medical care, five international schools, and its own international airport. Being one of Thailand’s popular tourist destinations, it presents an abundance of entertainment, restaurants, bars and fun things to do. Yet away from the resort areas, those seeking a quieter life are basking in the sunshine.
The road circling Samui is just over 50kms, with many side lanes and roads crisscrossing to secluded bays and jungled mountain tops. The more popular tourist areas are on the north, northeast and east coast. Most expats acquire their own car or motorbike to get around, as public transport is limited. And if you want a break from Samui, Phuket and Bangkok are less than an hour’s flight, and the car ferry to the mainland takes around 1.5 hours.
What are the Most Popular Neighbourhoods for Expats to Live or Invest in?
Naturally, it depends on what you are looking for, remembering that what you look for on vacation is probably very different to where you want to make your home.
Stepping out of your holiday digs in Chaweng into the hustle and bustle is excellent, but do you want to be amongst the tourist fray if living permanently on the island? Working expats tend to gravitate closer to their workplaces to minimize travel time, finding an excellent range of housing in the northeast. And if you have kids, perhaps you don’t want to travel 40 minutes each way to drop off and collect.
Regarding infrastructure, the Bophut district in the northeast is brimming. However, Nathon on the west coast is more the administrative part of the island with government services and offices. Whatever your needs, you can likely find a good match on Samui. If you are considering investing in Thailand, seeking a Bangkok escape, or simply kicking up your heels on Samui, the north and east have the most significant activity, while Lamai is up-and-coming in real estate development.
Lazudi’s Samui expert Sam Bonel expands on that for us, “the most popular Samui neighbourhoods for expats to buy or invest centre around Bophut, in Samui’s northeast. This area comprises Fisherman’s Village and Bophut Beach, Chaweng and Chaweng Noi – all have a lot of developments. In addition, in the northeast corner, Plai Laem and Choeng Mon are happening areas. The other three areas with lots of real estate projects are Lamai on the southeast and Mae Nam and Bang Por on the northern coast.”
Additionally, Sam says, “some buyers choose quieter areas like Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi at the bottom of the island. Though less developed areas, there are few beachfront villas and other smaller projects available. Retirees and families lean towards Mae Nam, Bang Por, Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam. Lamai is also popular with families, with a couple of international schools being within relatively easy reach. Bophut district attracts many of those working on Samui.”
Projects That May Inspire
One project selling well and making excellent progress with construction is Emerald Bayview. This condo and apartment project, with just 31 units, almost cascades down Lamai’s lush, serene hills. Each unit has a private swimming pool and is nestled amongst forest and mature plantings. It’s little wonder units are moving fast.
Another hot development is Pacific Palisade, located on the tropical hillside overlooking Mae Nam. This luxury residence offers gorgeous pool villas with floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary tropical architecture and stunning sea views to Koh Phangan. Select a villa to suit you and your family, with two to seven-bedroom homes available.
Lazudi has an extensive listing of villas and condos for sale on Samui. And the good news is that foreigners can buy property in Thailand, as many do. Although land ownership is restricted, many purchase condos or villas with extra long leases. If you are keen to learn more, contact our Lazudi Agent.
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