People who choose to retire in Bangkok will find themselves in a modern city that is just oozing in culture. There is always something to do and the city has all you need with excellent medical facilities, lower to top end shopping, and all the restaurants and drinking holes you could imagine. The downsides of Bangkok are that the city is crowded, polluted, and the traffic can be difficult to cope with.
One of the most popular place to retire in Thailand for a lot of people is Pattaya, which is a compromise between living in a bustling city like Bangkok, and a tropical island. The city has all you could need but is less hectic than Bangkok. It also has its own beaches, and it is easy to travel to nearby islands. Prices in Pattaya are also rather a lot more affordable than in Bangkok. While Pattaya does have its own beaches, they will probably not live up to what you were hoping for. When weighing up the retiring in Thailand pros and cons, a lot of people would prefer somewhere more aesthetically pleasing.
The islands are the best places to retire in Thailand and foreign retirees in the country are spoilt for choice. Koh Samui is still the favourite for many. Koh Samui is just as beautiful as any other Thai island, or any other island in the world. The beaches are beautiful, and the verdant green hilly background helps make the island even more exquisite.
There is also the way of life, which is relaxed, but also vibrant. There is an eclectic mix of nationalities and cuisines which come together to create a community that has something for everybody. Koh Samui also has schools, shopping malls, and hospitals along with numerous other amenities that help make life safe, happy, and comfortable.
If you are looking for the best places to retire in Thailand, then Koh Samui should be at the top of your list, both for the lifestyle as well as for the property investment potential, as Koh Samui offers interesting opportunities to buy a villa, a house, a condo or a land.