Loei V Nong Khai?

Post by **charley** » January 28, 2006, 11:08 am

Hi

I had a few weeks in Nam Som & Nong Khai over Christmas/New Year & unfortunately couldn't get as far as Loei to have a look.

My plan is to eventually settle in a smaller type place in the north other than Udon, too busy for me there!

If you have any advice or comments regarding what life would be like in Loei (long term) I would appreciate your viewpoint.

Thank you
Charley

Post by **Bump** » January 28, 2006, 11:23 am

I have friend that ha lived in Loie for year loves it, he only thing to keep in mind based on what he has said to me you definetly need to learn Thai.

I hear that generally it's cooler there and certainly is a beautiful area.

Post by **businessman** » January 28, 2006, 11:35 am

Hi charley

Loei is a beautiful Province.Isaan can be a little flat for some but Loei has hills a plenty and is a horticulturists dream place to live.If it was not for the family and business commitments here i could easily live there,although it may be a little remote for some.

I gather land is not cheap as the steepness of the terrain means people can only live in the valley floors.

Marcus

Post by **yorkman** » January 29, 2006, 12:15 am

Loei always strikes me as an area with the advantages of the Chaingmai region. As for living there however, it depends on your attitude to life.

Loei itself is a bit of a "one horse town"; but the region is superb

If I had a choice, which I don't, its just a bit far away from anything else, if you see what I mean.

If thats what you want, its perfect. If you just want quiet, live 15 minutes out of Udon or Nongkai, and you have that too. Or take a drive west from Nongkai on the banks of the Mekong. Its possible to have a bit of both.

John

Post by **Thai_1_On** » January 29, 2006, 12:55 am

I have to agree with John as TW's farm is just 15 minutes outside the Udon ring road and it's great. Very quite you can do just about anything you want to and not offend anyone and the best part just a short ride to town or even shorter ride to the golf course $\:D/$

Post by **Roadman** » January 29, 2006, 1:45 am

Agree with John on the west of Nong Khai.

I've been right along the old highway west that follows the banks of the Mae Klong. Came out at I think it was Chiang Khan north of Loei. The first stretch from Nong Khai to several kilometres short of Sangkhom was absolutely beautiful country. Lush green vegetation with crops and patchs of bush (fertile river plain) , and a good mix of modern homes. The road in that part is also good for quick travelling into Nong Khai - probably due to still being on the flat terrain at the top end of the Essan plateau.

Beyond Sangkhom to short of Chiang Khan however its a different story. Rough winding road (now in hill country) and pretty primitive and remote.

Post by **charley** » January 29, 2006, 8:51 am

Thank you to all who replied - this forum is an excellent source of local knowledge.

I guess I owe you a beer !

Regards
Charley

Post by **Bump** » January 29, 2006, 12:55 pm

I agree with the guys any thing past ring road and your pretty much in a different world. First homes is only a KM from Ring Road and it is much different world the the city proper.

That being said though I really enjoy my rides to Loie or Nong Kia

Post by **cnkbud** » January 30, 2006, 12:55 am

Hi Charley,
Would like to thank you for starting this thread as I also planned to do that due to similar interest, and the feedback here, as always, has been great. However, I was hoping for just a little more in-depth reviews of the towns/cities there in regard to infrastructure, health facilities, accomodation and access to goods and services, etc. This info will probably be very diffucult to come by except from those that have spent quite a lot of time roaming around , or who have actually lived there. If this kind of feedback is not forthcoming quess the best approach would be to set up in Udon Thani, and then explore Loei fully at your leasure. Thanks again for starting this thread. Regards, Old Bud

Post by **yorkman** » January 30, 2006, 1:42 am

Ok Bud, it's difficult from a distance, I know, but this is a forum, not a review site. In any case, there is the old saying "what is one man's meat is anothers poison"

If you want to know about the province, and beyond, there will be somebody here who knows or can point you in the right direction at least.

Ask away about what you want to know, somebody will help you I am sure

John

Post by **Bump** » January 30, 2006, 10:38 am

Ok a little more accurate feed back the infastructure tht you speak of is is Udon not Loie. My undestanding is that a Lotus or Big C is scheduled to be built in Loie, but it's not there yet. Loie is a real Thai town, nothing farrang about it at all.

Nong Kia would be a in between has something but not as much as Udon.

I have lived her for three years and checked out a lot of places, finally bouhgt here in Udon this year. Why because it is not like living in a tourist place but still has some of the farrang things that I wanted. Thailand is getting a lot more Farrang residents now and many cities will probably change to fit thier needs so two years from now who knows.

Post by **cnkbud** » February 2, 2006, 8:45 pm

YORKMAN, thanks for your advice so will start with this question. Understand that Loei province has the coldest climate in the LOS and just wonder how they heat their homes during these cold periods, or do they just use more blankets and heavier clothers to keep warm. Don't know about the rest of you guys, but the older I get the warmer I need to stay. Thanks guys, you have a good one and enjoy. Old Bud

Post by **yorkman** » February 3, 2006, 2:46 am

Ok, a general observation Bud, as nobody has replied

Loei drops to 0C, ocassionally in the winter nights; but most days its short sleeves for me......... with the TW complaining how "naw...cold....lao" it is

If you are from a temperate climate (I do not know where you are from) it's hardly worth comment.

I doubt you will be seriously cold... just put on another layer?

John

Post by **businessman** » February 3, 2006, 10:55 am

A friend of mine refers to Nong Khai as the Province that time forgot.That's what the farangs here all seem to like,isolation,peace and quiet and very little light polution at night.Lots of writers and ex hippies out here in the sticks.

The town Nong Khai has a Tesco Lotus and little else.It has a train station and a border crossing with Laos which is hardly used.There are several decent hotels,many guesthouses and a few farang type restaurants.

The hospitals are not good but it does have some good clinics which i use.

The problem is the Province is very flat and unappealing to the eye,except down by the river.

I would move to Loei tomorrow,but i could not see what business you could have there.Not enough footfall to make any money.

Post by **cnkbud** » February 4, 2006, 7:18 am

Hi Yorkman,
You're probably right for the average person but I must be an exception. I live in SE Arizona, 4500' elevation at the foothills of a large Mt range, and very little, if any snow in the Winter, however it can get below freezing and with the wind chill factor very cold for my old bones. However, we do get a lot of "snow birds" here for the Winter from Canada and the Northern US states and they run around in their T-shirts whereas I have a coat on and freezing my butt off, all the docs have been to just chalk it up to thin blood and old age, ain't that great. Regardless, am sure many of you can tolerate the lower night temp there but if it warms up enough during the day maybe I could adapt to it, sure seems like a really beautiful provice. Thanks and have a great day. Old Bud

Post by **yorkman** » February 4, 2006, 4:43 pm

Ok Bud,

Well it seems that there is nobody here that actually lives or has lived in Loei perhaps.

You are probably best to take a look for yourself on your next visit, as said, its a beautiful area. It's certainly warmer during the day, even in winter, sometimes positively hot. I was up there and beyond in December on a couple of occasions, and given than the locals were flagging in the heat a bit, it was'nt just a "snow bird" feeling it I think!

John

Post by **Bump** » February 4, 2006, 5:52 pm

Ok from talking with my friend who has lived in the area, yes it does get cold there but that is the higher elevation not in the city. So I doubt that you would freeze your touch.

From what I have been told is the problems you will run into, is having someone to speak english with. Doesn't like much of a problem right now, but over long periods of time it can be very difficult to handle. Getting comfort foods the things that you like to eat that are not thai. will almost impossible there. It is kind of in between Udon and Kahn Kean best guess two hour drive either way to shop for those foods.

What is available for internet I have no idea, but I can tell you from personal experince it can make Thiland a much more comfortable adjustment.

You definetly need to develop something to do in your retirement, what is available there I have no idea.

My recommendation to you is befoer yuo buy there aor any other area, rent a year, get a goodd feel for it befoer yuo oput down cold hard cash. I would love to live in Loie, but I do need those english conversation from time to time and yep I like a cheeeburger that I don't cook at leat once a week. A two hour drive you can still have that. But I enjoy the convience of Udon, thats just me.

We have developed the school here so that helps to keep my mind active, it could prbably be done there as well if you can find a qaulified teacher in the area.

You got to try the shoe on to see if it fits.

Post by **cnkbud** » February 4, 2006, 11:23 pm

Thanks guys for that staightward and common sense approach to living in Loei, quess the best thing for one like me who even thinks the cold would bother me is to just settle in Udon Thani or one of the close outlaying areas and then test the waters in Loei by visiting there at different times of the year to get the real feed of it. And, Yes!, I also want to interact with other English speaking folks and wouldn't want to spend all that travel time back and forth to do so. You guys have given me a good "reality" check here and appreciate it. Have a good one and enjoy. Old Bud

Post by **arjay** » February 5, 2006, 1:44 am

Cnkbud, I too have been considering moving to somewhere like Loei, as I like the fact that there are many hills/mountains and National parks there, and to me Udon is big, too flat, has too much traffic and there isn't much to do in the daytime. I don't think the sometimes cooler temperatures would be an issue, more likley a benefit.

I have however, shyed away from it because, it looks to be a small town, and to the best of my knowledge it has no International hospitals, schools or similar facilities. I suspect no other ffarngs or shops where one could obtain farang friendly products. It is a long way from anywhere big with such facilities and from things like an Immigration Office or airport.

I plan to make a couple more visits there and if I feel there is more there than I thought, will let you know.

Regards

Rj

Post by **yorkman** » February 5, 2006, 2:26 am

Well it has an airport, just. I think Bangkok Airways fly there (or did) from BKK a couple of times a week.

However, that is a serious consideration, if you are likely to want medical treatment, Udon is where it is at. Immigration on a retirement visa, every 90 days, is a 4 hour plus round trip.

Its a balance Bud, nobody but you knows where you will be happiest. To be honest neither Udon, nor Nongkai or Loei are "hell on earth" by a long way. I would, like Ray, suggest you take a look first, stay a while if you initially like it, and then decide. As said before, Udon is fine, I will live soon a bit outside, and can easily travel out of the area. However the view you might get when you wake up each morning in the area outside Loei may be, to you, worth the inconvenience.

Up to you, as they say

John