Expats either love Isaan or they hate Isaan.
It all depends on why they moved to Thailand and what their requirements are.
The majority of expats want the cities Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya.
For others it is the island life of Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, anywhere near the beach!
However, very few choose Isaan as their home.
Reasons include no nightlike, bars, entertainment or other expats.
No westernization.
Isaan can be Udon Thani or Khon Kaen, both which have all the conveniences of major cities.
Isaan can also be rural Isaan, where the nearest 7/11 might be 40 km away.
Rural Isaan is the place you hear the most complaints from expats. It’s boring, there is nothing to do, there are no other expats to talk/drink with and the list goes on.
So how do expats survive rural Thailand?
Most expats living in rural Thailand have their lives centered around their Thai family, house and land. Gardening, farming, fruit trees, fish ponds. Plenty of things around the house to keep them busy.
They also embrace the local way of life of buying food in the local open-air markets and supporting local mom/pop businesses.
Many embrace this simple quite life void of traffic, congestion, stress and other issues.
Expats in rural Isaan seem very OK with extended Thai family and all the activities that entails, including having them around all the time.
It is no different for my husband. He likes the quiet, being able to go to local businesses and be recognized and not taken advantage of. He likes the peace and quiet, the natural beauty and being able to go out for a drive in the countryside with no traffic. The perfect place to live for him.
However!
With a car/truck, you are free to travel anywhere you want and any time. You are definitely NEVER STUCK in rural Isaan.
Khon Kaen has an airport, you can fly domestic whenever you get bored.
We chose NOT to live in a polluted rat race like Bangkok.
Is it fun to visit? Sure, from time to time when the air quality is good.
But not to live there.
In order to survive rural Thailand:
- Have to be comfortable with extended Thai family
- Embrace the Thai ways of doing everything from open-air market shopping to getting use to local pharmacies, businesses, food, etc.
- Have to be non-dependent on other expats for your happiness.
- Have to understand the locals don’t earn much and have compassion
- Understand the local customs and they way things are done from the local govt office, if there is one.
- Have to get use to the local places for your enjoyment
- Definitely have to have your own transportation (car/truck)
- Have the financial ability to get yourself out of rural Isaan for a break/holiday when you feel you need one.
- Try to learn some of the local dialect of the language.