What you need to know before residing in Hua Hin 2023

If you’ve heard whispers of Hua Hin, you’d be picturing pristine beach getaways enveloped in an aura of tranquillity. Unlike the bustling hubs of Pattaya and Phuket, Hua Hin retains a serene, unspoiled charm that’s truly captivating. This enchanting coastal city resides approximately 200 kilometres south of Bangkok, and not surprisingly, it’s a favoured retreat for locals and foreign visitors alike.

Embracing a more mature crowd, Hua Hin is teeming with families, couples, and retirees in pursuit of a quiet seaside weekend. Solo sojourners might be fewer, but those who venture discover a city that always has a serene corner for them. This city offers everything from glistening clear waters and intriguing historical sites to a shopping scene that’s hot on Bangkok’s heels and a culinary landscape that’s every foodie’s dream.

If Hua Hin has captured your heart and you’re considering making this serene sanctuary your next home base, here’s everything you need to know to make the transition as smooth as a Hua Hin beach at sunset.

Climate

Like the rest of Thailand, Hua Hin experiences a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: wet, dry and hot. The dry season in Hua Hin lasts from November to February. The temperature around this season can be pretty comfortable, with an average of 26ºC. However, the temperature is generally cooler at night. This season is often considered the best time to explore the seaside resort town since it seldom rains.

Starting from March, the hot season will come, bringing hotter temperatures. During this season, the temperature may rise to 29ºC and even soar as high as 35ºC. The weather stays dry and hot even during the night, but the ocean breeze definitely helps soothe the heat. Towards the end of the season, around June, the town will receive moderate rains. The average temperature in Hua Hin remains high in the wet season, which runs from July to October. The evenings during this season are generally cool and pleasant. On the other hand, the afternoons may receive moderate to heavy rain.

Lifestyle in Hua Hin

Life in Hua Hin is nothing short of invigorating. The pristine white sandy shores offer vast expanses ensuring you’ll always find a tranquil spot to kick back, sunbathe and take a refreshing dip. The beachfront is dotted with an abundance of eateries, serving a delectable variety from fresh seafood to global culinary delights. What’s more, wandering traders selling everything from trendy beachwear to mouthwatering snacks, add a charming, informal touch to the beach experience. Some exquisite boutique hotels also offer authentic Thai massages right on the beach – a perfect antidote to a busy week!

Embracing its reputation as one of Thailand’s premier golf hot spots, Hua Hin boasts a plethora of first-class golf courses, including the renown Black Mountain Golf Club. And for those seeking an idyllic home near the greens, several standout properties are sprinkled around the club offering a convenient luxury lifestyle.

From the top of Khao Takiab mountain, you can see the length of the beach and enjoy panoramic views of Hua Hin. Be warned that there are many wild macaque monkeys that live in the area. Among locals, it’s known as “Monkey Mountain”. Furthermore, you can also enjoy yoga, spas, tennis, badminton, Mua Thai, bird watching, fitness, hiking, and exploring nearby national parks.

Hua Hin Market Village is a community Mall in Hua Hin with many shops and restaurants, but most importantly, this is where Tesco Lotus is located. You can buy groceries and other necessities. Another option for buying everyday needs is Villa Supermarket. This is where most imported products can be found, so if you miss anything back home, there is a chance you can find it here.

Beaches

Nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is home to some of the most popular beaches in Thailand. The most popular beach is the Hua Hin beach. The clean and beautiful beach has lots of great restaurants and resorts. As the primary beach in the region, it can get pretty busy during the weekends, especially with visitors from Bangkok and other nearby cities. On weekdays, however, you’re unlikely to find big crowds as it is mostly secluded. A wide range of activities, from beachside massage and horseback riding to jet skiing and banana boating, are available here.

If you prefer an unexploited beachfront without big resorts and restaurants lining the sand, then Suan Son Pradipat Beach can be a great place to visit. This quiet beach has calm and shallow blue water. You can find dense pine trees on the coastline of the beach, which you can use to set up a hammock. Like Hua Hin Beach, you can also enjoy horseback riding, boating, jet skiing, banana boating, and numerous other activities.

Other nearby beaches around Hua Hin include Cha Am Beach, Khao Takiab Beach, Khao Kalok Beach, and Khao Tao Beach.

Food

Hua Hin offers an exciting mix of dining choices, from street stalls grilling fresh seafood, to restaurants serving royal court-inspired recipes, to trendy cafés.

The night markets are a great place to get delicious street bites and casual dining. One of the best night markets to go to is the Hua Hin Night Market. It has a wide range of highly mouthwatering street eats, such as the famous pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and Thai-style ice cream. Furthermore, you’ll also find some of the freshest seafood in Hua Hin in this night market.

If you’re not a fan of hunting food in a crowded place, your best option is the Cicada Market. Although it’s more popular for its handmade products, you’ll also find delicious food around the market. Hua Hin also boasts a great selection of sidewalk bites. You can find anything from juicy pork skewers and red barbeque pork with rice to savoury noodles and rice porridge.

If you want to eat delicious food while enjoying the beautiful sparkling water, the restaurants and bars lining the beaches are the best places to go. You can find everything from insta-worthy restaurants serving scrumptious seafood to uber-stylish bars with stunning swimming pools.

Nightmarkets

Anyone who has visited Thailand knows that markets play an essential role in Thai life. Hua Hin’s most popular outdoor market is Cicada Market. Cicada focuses on art and decor, with merchants selling a wide range of handcrafted items. There are also a variety of delicious dishes to choose from, ranging from Western to Thai cuisine. The atmosphere is lively and upbeat, making the market a must-visit, with colourful lighting and musical performances. Cicada Market is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from four o’clock until 11 p.m.

The classic Hua Hin Night Market is an all-time favourite for locals. Nothing rivals the authentic experience of a local night market. They will always make time for it whenever they can. There are many stalls selling knock-off clothes and bags, as well as souvenirs. Just down the street, you will find street vendors selling Thai food and seafood.

Moving Around

Keep in mind that Hua Hin isn’t a big or major city in Thailand, so transportation is limited. The main source of transportation is by car. Another option is songthaew, which is really easy to find. Just look for a red truck. When you see one, just give them a wave and hop on. They follow their usual routes but have no specific stops, so you have to ring the bell to let them know.

Cost of living in Hua Hin

Like in many places around the world, the cost of living in Hua Hin depends on your lifestyle. However, most expat couples can live comfortably with $2,000 a month. With this budget, a couple can rent a one or two-bedroom apartment, eat out a few times a week, buy local groceries, and enjoy the affordable entertainment options around Hua Hin.

With $5,000 a month, a couple can live very comfortable and even afford imported goods, travelling, and dining out more than a couple of times a week.

Here are some of the best properties for sale in Hua Hin:

1 bedroom condo at La Casita

Price for sale: $98,600 (฿3,400,000)
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La Casita is an oasis of luxury nestled in the heart of Hua Hin City. This exquisite 1-bedroom retreat makes you feel like you’ve landed right in the middle of Ibiza – only better, because you’re still in Thailand’s beloved Hua Hin. An escape in every sense of the word. This 35 SqM condo feels like the perfect balance between opulence and cosy comfort. It’s perfect for singles or couples who want to call Hua Hin their home.

A sneak peek inside the condo will leave you in awe with a built-in MEX brand kitchen, replete with microwaves for midnight snacks, and a TV for watching your favourite Thai dramas. However, the jewel in the crown has to be the bedroom. It’s a calming sanctuary featuring a built-in TV table, a closet for your fashionable wears, and a bed that invites lazy afternoons. Let’s not forget the bathroom equipped with American standard sanitary gear, oozing reliability and class.

The condominium building itself provides a range of facilities that’ll make your life feels like a holiday. Picture yourself wandering through its magnificent lobby hall, relaxing on the balcony, or strolling through the leisure garden after a long day – perhaps even enjoying a BBQ in the communal space. Or imagine a morning swim in the mammoth 1000 sqm pool, sliding into your day in the slider corner. Feel free to Instagram, as there are plenty of picturesque relaxation corners scattered about.

3 bedroom villa at Panorama Near Black Mountain

Price for sale: $194,000 (฿6,700,000)
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Upon stepping into this 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom villa, the heart-stopping sophistication hits you like a gust of fresh ocean air. Each room is voluminous, swathed in natural light, and the atmosphere exudes a warm, inviting cosiness; large enough for your growing family yet intimate enough for those cherished family banquet nights in. The interiors are a design lover’s dream – sophisticated, polished, and unapologetically extravagant. The heavy-duty dose of radiance delivered by the state-of-the-art lighting system ensures every corner of this gem sparkles with positivity.

Fancy an alfresco meal, luxuriating in the balmy Hua Hin breezes? This villa has got you covered with an extra dining table on the terrace. Perfect for those spicy evening curries matched with the beautiful starry sky. Moreover, this elegantly conceived getaway also boasts a private pool — imagine floating on your back, palms cradled behind your head, while the azure sky above mirrors the water’s calming hues. It’s exclusive, it’s pristine, and, most importantly, it’s completely yours to bask around!

Step out into the sundrenched private garden, a little piece of nirvana right on your doorstep. With uniquely curated flora, it’s a dazzling cocktail of tranquillity and aesthetic glory—the perfect reading corner for your morning paper or favourite novel. The Panorama Black Mountain is a stone’s throw from convenience, too. It’s nine minutes from an international school, just a short drive to the bustling Hua Hin’s downtown and in the same conversation with high-end convenience stores, chichi restaurants, the illustrious Black Mountain Golf Club, Water Park, and Resort.

3 bedroom penthouse for sale at Veranda Residence Hua Hin

Price for sale: $841,000 (฿29,000,000)
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Picture this: you’re waking up in your spacious, funky penthouse complete with mismatched yet utterly trendy furniture, located in the chic heart of Nong Kae, Hua Hin. Sounds pretty blissful, right? Not to mention, your new 160 SqM home offers three plush bedrooms and two well-appointed bathrooms, the perfect setting for a riveting chapter of life that swings between laidback luxe and bold adventures.

Here in Veranda Residence, you’re not just buying a property – you’re entering the high life, the ‘my new penthouse has an asset tag’ life. You could be the happy-go-lucky retiree or the vibrant youngster. Either way, this is a place where the ocean sings you a lullaby each night and greets you with a bold ‘good morning’ at every sunrise. Fancy a shindig or a sundowner party? The penthouse is an entertainer’s wonderland, matching your penchant for parties with its extraordinary space. And the views! Just imagine, luxuriating in your private pool, mimosa in hand, the stunning aqua brilliance of the ocean setting the most hypnotic of backdrops.

More of an indoor person? Don’t worry; this place has got you covered. The magnificent corner unit is embellished with an array of mod-cons from a microwave for those impromptu popcorn parties, a giant oven, a TV and Wi-fi. Oh, and let’s not ignore the spectacular rooftop terrace for an unexpected barbeque, a little jacuzzi love, and mandatory sunbathing.

Health Care Hua Hin

Hua Hin has exceptional health care. In fact, the city is pretty popular among international medical tourists. There are numerous hospitals with well-trained medical professionals and advanced medical equipment around the city. A wide range of treatments is also available, such as premium health check-ups, paediatrics, dental, cardiac surgery, and more.

The main public hospital in Hua Hin is the Hua Hin Hospital. It gets pretty busy, but a good option for standard healthcare. One of the newest hospitals in Hua Hin is the Bangkok Hospital, which is part of The Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Group. The services Bangkok Hospital provides include general surgery, accident and emergency, dental, cardiology, and rehabilitation, among others. If you’re looking for a well-known private hospital, the Hua Hin San paolo Hospital can be an option. This 60-bed hospital boasts up-to-date facilities and is located near the centre of the city.

For dental care and specialist clinics such as skin treatments and eye examinations, Hua Hin is dotted with smaller surgery centres and clinics. These clinics usually offer a full range of dental operations and cosmetic treatments at affordable prices.

How to get to Hua Hin

There are a few ways to get to this city. It’s by train, van or private vehicle.

If you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to take the train. It’s a long ride, so be warned that it can take at least four hours to get into Bangkok. The tickets will depend on the carriage that customers choose.

Depending on the road conditions and the traffic, the bus ride can take around 3 hours. You can also opt for minivans or coaches but when it gets crowded it is not the most comfortable option.

The best way to get to Hua Hin is by car, whether it’s by your private car or a limousine provided by your accommodation. Not only will you get to your destination faster, but it will also be more private. The road is now mostly freeway, all the way to Hua Hin from Bangkok.

Now that you know the basics about Hua Hin, you’re practically ready to move to this picturesque seaside town!