Hi everyone-
I am going to be moving to Thailand for 8 weeks (Oct 20-Dec 15th ish) while I study at Webster University. My classes will be at their BKK campus, but the student housing is in Cha-am at VIP Condochain. I've heard that the housing is not that great, and that I should either look in Hua-Hin and commute to BKK for class (which will only be once or twice a week) and stay at a hotel, or to look for housing in BKK and then commute to the beach when I feek like it.
My question is, which option do you think would be best for a student (24 years old)? I love the idea of living on/near the beach and living a laid back lifestyle, but I am social and like to go out as well. I've never been to either city, so I really dont know which would be a better option.
If you think living in Hua Hin and commuting is best- is it easy to find transportation into BKK from Hua Hin?
Thanks for any input/info you might have!
Hua Hin vs. BKK
Hi Tina,
Real hard one as they are both great places but as chalk and cheese as you can get.
Hua Hin would be a much better place to live in, clean air, beach, laid back, not a lot of traffic etc but the trip to Bangkok would be a bit of a nightmare if done a few times a week for me. That would far outweigh the standard of accomodation but others just fall asleep and wake up when they get there!?
I'd stay in Bangkok near work then commute to Hua Hin for breaks here and there, unless you have no problem with 2.5 to 3 hour bus trips.
Hua Hin has limited lively nightlife for 24 year olds females due to the type of bars. Whereas Bangkok has a massive variety of bars, clubs, music etc with a younger crowd. If you're looking for full on nightlife its Bangkok, Hua Hin is far more relaxed.
Most people love both places for their different offerings, you should have a great time either way.
SJ
Real hard one as they are both great places but as chalk and cheese as you can get.
Hua Hin would be a much better place to live in, clean air, beach, laid back, not a lot of traffic etc but the trip to Bangkok would be a bit of a nightmare if done a few times a week for me. That would far outweigh the standard of accomodation but others just fall asleep and wake up when they get there!?
I'd stay in Bangkok near work then commute to Hua Hin for breaks here and there, unless you have no problem with 2.5 to 3 hour bus trips.
Hua Hin has limited lively nightlife for 24 year olds females due to the type of bars. Whereas Bangkok has a massive variety of bars, clubs, music etc with a younger crowd. If you're looking for full on nightlife its Bangkok, Hua Hin is far more relaxed.
Most people love both places for their different offerings, you should have a great time either way.
SJ
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Randy Cornhole
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Tina, As stated Bangkok and Hua Hin are like chalk and cheese. As a 24 year old I would have thought Bangkok would be more lively for you. I had a friend in HH who was 30 years old and he felt a bit out of sorts as there were not mant people his own age, thats not say us older ones are over the hill and boring.. 
The journey is about 2 1/2 hours (on a good day) so that is worth taking into account. The mini bus ride is also a bit scarey at times!!!
However HH is a lovely place and a lot quieter than Bangkok with some lovely beaches and certainly some nightlife worth checking out. It would also be a good place to find a nice quite study area on the beach.
I suggest you check out them both before making a final decision. Good luck...
The journey is about 2 1/2 hours (on a good day) so that is worth taking into account. The mini bus ride is also a bit scarey at times!!!
However HH is a lovely place and a lot quieter than Bangkok with some lovely beaches and certainly some nightlife worth checking out. It would also be a good place to find a nice quite study area on the beach.
I suggest you check out them both before making a final decision. Good luck...
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sandman67
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hang on
your course is in Bkk and your housing in Cha Am.....angel thats at least a 2 hr drive in and out........two or three times a week would get expensive to say the least.
If your course days are stacked into two or three days together then get a cheap place in BKK to stay and do your thing up there, then take long weekends down here.
If your course days are staggered you are stuffed.....expensive backs and forwards (as well as the 2 hrs at least each way)....get a driver and split the fares.....its better than the "grey minibus from hell" ride.
Cha Am is quiet with some nice beaches. Hua Hin is a bit "noisier" with some nice beaches and bars.
If you are looking for a club scene then stay in BKK...theres sod all in the way of banging clubs here
.
If you do end up here have a Monday at Koh Takiab 10 minutes down the road...miles of empty beach. Heaven. have a night at the Luk Nam Pub (tuk tuk from HH town centre)....real Thai roadhouse.,,,,go there at the weekend and see how Thais party hearty.
Other than that all HH has to offer in the way of clubs is the Hilton disco....a bit like sticking your hand in a blender.....painful and pointless.
your course is in Bkk and your housing in Cha Am.....angel thats at least a 2 hr drive in and out........two or three times a week would get expensive to say the least.
If your course days are stacked into two or three days together then get a cheap place in BKK to stay and do your thing up there, then take long weekends down here.
If your course days are staggered you are stuffed.....expensive backs and forwards (as well as the 2 hrs at least each way)....get a driver and split the fares.....its better than the "grey minibus from hell" ride.
Cha Am is quiet with some nice beaches. Hua Hin is a bit "noisier" with some nice beaches and bars.
If you are looking for a club scene then stay in BKK...theres sod all in the way of banging clubs here
. If you do end up here have a Monday at Koh Takiab 10 minutes down the road...miles of empty beach. Heaven. have a night at the Luk Nam Pub (tuk tuk from HH town centre)....real Thai roadhouse.,,,,go there at the weekend and see how Thais party hearty.
Other than that all HH has to offer in the way of clubs is the Hilton disco....a bit like sticking your hand in a blender.....painful and pointless.
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margaretcarnes
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HuaHin vs Bangkok
Lucky you Tina! A good opportunity to spend time getting to know Bangkok, and only 2 or 3 days a week at Uni to boot! Where did us old crusties go wrong?
But yes - Bangkok much more lively, and most of your fellow students are likely to be there aren't they?
Not sure though why you get the idea that the Chaam accomodation isn't too good. Maybe it isn't, but I'd hang on to the option for chill out beach breaks. It's only 8 weeks after all. Another point is that you may not get anything much better in Bangkok for only 8 weeks.
Hotel wise there, the smaller places such as around Soi 11 Sukhumvit would be my first stop. In the Swiss Park Hotel area. You would expect to pay around 12 quid a night but booking for 2 months should give a better deal. Still won't be luxury, but a bed, en suite, TV and fridge - hey - you won't have much time to spend in your room anyway!
But yes - Bangkok much more lively, and most of your fellow students are likely to be there aren't they?
Not sure though why you get the idea that the Chaam accomodation isn't too good. Maybe it isn't, but I'd hang on to the option for chill out beach breaks. It's only 8 weeks after all. Another point is that you may not get anything much better in Bangkok for only 8 weeks.
Hotel wise there, the smaller places such as around Soi 11 Sukhumvit would be my first stop. In the Swiss Park Hotel area. You would expect to pay around 12 quid a night but booking for 2 months should give a better deal. Still won't be luxury, but a bed, en suite, TV and fridge - hey - you won't have much time to spend in your room anyway!
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Hi-
Thanks for the feedback so far!
Just to clarify- Webster has 2 campus locations in Thailand, Cha-am and BKK. I'm a grad student, and the classes I need are in BKK. I will only be taking 1 or 2 classes, so I will need to be in BKK once to twice a week (thursday and saturdays or just saturdays).
Unfortunately, Webster does not have housing for the BKK campus, because they said most of their grad students are working professionals, and a bit older than me (30s-40s). The student affairs coordinator suggested I live in the student housing in Cha-am so that I feel more connected to other students and the university, but I heard from some other study abroad students that the housing is terrible (VIP Condochain in Cha-am). Their comments were that it is far from town (20+ min), run-down , not on a nice part of the beach and the students were too young/rowdy.
They recommended I stay in Hin Nam Sai Suay Condos in Hua Hin because they said a lot of other Webster students stay there as well, but it is a lot nicer than VIP.
The housing at VIP Condochain Cha-am would be 16,500 for a single room for the 8 weeks. I'm not sure if this is a good deal or not?
Then I would need to factor in the expense of getting to BKK either one to two roundtrips, and hotel room one-two nights per week.
Otherwise I would look for a room in BKK near the university or the public transportation and then look into just making trips out to the beach during the week...
I wish I had time or the chance to come visit before I made a decision, but unfortunately that's not possible
Thanks for the feedback so far!
Just to clarify- Webster has 2 campus locations in Thailand, Cha-am and BKK. I'm a grad student, and the classes I need are in BKK. I will only be taking 1 or 2 classes, so I will need to be in BKK once to twice a week (thursday and saturdays or just saturdays).
Unfortunately, Webster does not have housing for the BKK campus, because they said most of their grad students are working professionals, and a bit older than me (30s-40s). The student affairs coordinator suggested I live in the student housing in Cha-am so that I feel more connected to other students and the university, but I heard from some other study abroad students that the housing is terrible (VIP Condochain in Cha-am). Their comments were that it is far from town (20+ min), run-down , not on a nice part of the beach and the students were too young/rowdy.
They recommended I stay in Hin Nam Sai Suay Condos in Hua Hin because they said a lot of other Webster students stay there as well, but it is a lot nicer than VIP.
The housing at VIP Condochain Cha-am would be 16,500 for a single room for the 8 weeks. I'm not sure if this is a good deal or not?
Then I would need to factor in the expense of getting to BKK either one to two roundtrips, and hotel room one-two nights per week.
Otherwise I would look for a room in BKK near the university or the public transportation and then look into just making trips out to the beach during the week...
I wish I had time or the chance to come visit before I made a decision, but unfortunately that's not possible
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margaretcarnes
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HuaHin vs Bangkok
16,500 for 8 weeks sounds a bit pricey for one room, but then again I'm a bit out of date, and small houses in HuaHin are going now for 15,000 a month up.
HinNamSay Suay is popular, just on the outskirts of HuaHin on the beach side of Petkhasem Rd. and probably quite expensive now. Worth considering if the price is OK for you, and will definitely be much easier to get into HuaHin than from the Chaam place. To be honest (having pm'd and got a better idea of your situation) if you can afford it - and bearing in mind you want the most from the 8 weeks - I'd give HinNam a serious look.
HinNamSay Suay is popular, just on the outskirts of HuaHin on the beach side of Petkhasem Rd. and probably quite expensive now. Worth considering if the price is OK for you, and will definitely be much easier to get into HuaHin than from the Chaam place. To be honest (having pm'd and got a better idea of your situation) if you can afford it - and bearing in mind you want the most from the 8 weeks - I'd give HinNam a serious look.
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Guess
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Re: HuaHin vs Bangkok
I think that is about par for the course now.margaretcarnes wrote:16,500 for 8 weeks sounds a bit pricey for one room,
You will have to pay for one apartment and a number of room nights in a hotel which ever way round you do it so it's just a matter of doing the sums. I can't really see it making a vast amount of difference financially where you stay so you might as well get it right.
One (and the only one I can see) advantage of getting a place in BKK is that you do not have to travel anywhere if you don't feel like it or the weather is bad.
The journey form Hua Hin to BKK is a commuter's nightmare. Door to door it is going to be 4 to 5 hours which ever way you do it.
One option you could consider if the budget will stand it is to base yourself near Webster's and fly. You could then have a choice of beach resorts. Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Phuket & Trat (Ko Chang) all have airports and regular services and you can get some good deals if you book online or visit the airlines' BKK offcces.
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baron_wastelanduk
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accomodation
tina
if u wanna stay in bangkok the u could try vassan mansions in On Nut soi 14
they have rooms around about 5000 baht a month and its not far from sky train either so getting into town may never be a problem.
If u want further info pm me and i will give u contact nos etc
if u wanna stay in bangkok the u could try vassan mansions in On Nut soi 14
they have rooms around about 5000 baht a month and its not far from sky train either so getting into town may never be a problem.
If u want further info pm me and i will give u contact nos etc
CDK
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Just by the by and probably not necessary to say, but I will anyway...seems Tina is an unaccompanied female, so please give her recommendations in both locations that are safe and away from areas that could be ???. Grandpa Pete
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margaretcarnes
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HuaHin vs Bangkok
Good point pete - I've already been in pm contact with Tina along those lines - especially for Bangkok, where personally I'd stick to the areas which are used by more expats.
I was also wondering if the Chaam condo she mentioned is way off Petkasem, which would mean constant taxis. At least HinNam is right on the main road.
I'm sure more advice on the OK areas of Bangkok would be welcome, bearing in mind she is on her own. I feel fine in the Sukhumvit area around Soi 3 and 4 to 13 for example, but then again don't know how it would feel to a first timer alone.
I was also wondering if the Chaam condo she mentioned is way off Petkasem, which would mean constant taxis. At least HinNam is right on the main road.
I'm sure more advice on the OK areas of Bangkok would be welcome, bearing in mind she is on her own. I feel fine in the Sukhumvit area around Soi 3 and 4 to 13 for example, but then again don't know how it would feel to a first timer alone.
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Thank you so much everyone for the info!
Yes, I will be "unaccompanied" and it will be my first time in Thailand...so I definitely want to feel safe/secure.
I've been leaning more toward the option of living in BKK and then heading to HH or another beach during the week when I felt like it. I guess the idea of a 3-5 hour commute one way kind of scared me off of living in HH, because the fact is...I HAVE to go to class, but I dont HAVE to go to the beach.
I guess now I am just worried about finding the right area in BKK and I am hoping I wont end up feeling secluded/lost in such a big city!
Thanks again for all the input/help.
Yes, I will be "unaccompanied" and it will be my first time in Thailand...so I definitely want to feel safe/secure.
I've been leaning more toward the option of living in BKK and then heading to HH or another beach during the week when I felt like it. I guess the idea of a 3-5 hour commute one way kind of scared me off of living in HH, because the fact is...I HAVE to go to class, but I dont HAVE to go to the beach.
I guess now I am just worried about finding the right area in BKK and I am hoping I wont end up feeling secluded/lost in such a big city!
Thanks again for all the input/help.
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Wanderlust
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Tina,
If you need any more swaying towards the idea of staying in Bangkok, it will be far easier to explore other parts of Thailand from there as it is the hub of the country, as well as any other side trips you might fancy such as Angkor Wat (Siam Reap) in Cambodia, Vientiane in Laos, or even Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia or Vietnam, and you really should take advantage of seeing some of these while you are here, as it seems that you will have at least 4 or 5 days in every week where you will be able to explore. I totally agree with the others regarding safety as well - generally safe but females alone anywhere in the world are more at risk, so where possible try not to be travelling alone late at night, and in Bangkok always either hail a passing taxi (not one parked up at the side of the road), get a taxi service phone number and call them or take public transport. Also respect Thai sensibilities and dress demurely when out in public, which is also sensible as regards sunburn in the day and lechers at night!
If you need any more swaying towards the idea of staying in Bangkok, it will be far easier to explore other parts of Thailand from there as it is the hub of the country, as well as any other side trips you might fancy such as Angkor Wat (Siam Reap) in Cambodia, Vientiane in Laos, or even Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia or Vietnam, and you really should take advantage of seeing some of these while you are here, as it seems that you will have at least 4 or 5 days in every week where you will be able to explore. I totally agree with the others regarding safety as well - generally safe but females alone anywhere in the world are more at risk, so where possible try not to be travelling alone late at night, and in Bangkok always either hail a passing taxi (not one parked up at the side of the road), get a taxi service phone number and call them or take public transport. Also respect Thai sensibilities and dress demurely when out in public, which is also sensible as regards sunburn in the day and lechers at night!