My question boils down to - "Would you buy in Nong Khai?"

Background:
I have previously felt that it is better to rent than buy in LOS. (Easy to move on if relationships don't work out, noisy neighbours, noisy dogs, immigration policy changes or problems etc).

As I am getting older I prefer to live away from crowds, traffic congestion, pollution, commercialisation etc. To that end I have been thinking of establishing a base/home in Nong Khai, to which I can increasingly spend my time as my retirement advances.

Those that know me, will be aware that I lived in Udon for over a year (primarily because I had a LGF), but then returned to Phuket when that relationship was coming to an end and because I already had a home in Phuket. Whilst I enjoy the hilly coastal roads and scenery in Phuket, I do detest the traffic, tourist congestion (in high season), and the over-commercialisation (and exploitation) ever present in Phuket.

Nong Khai:-
I have visited Nong Khai several times, staying up to a week each time, and it seems a nice enough town. It has good roads, easy access to Udon airport, a riverside promenade, hospital, supermarket and most essential amenities are close to hand. Nightlife is definitely quiet, but I don't see that as too much of an issue. My current GF is from ATB (across the bridge) so there would be merit in living in or around NK.

I have looked and found it difficult to find a good place to rent, in or close to the town, but in my travels have come across what appears to be a good quality new housing development on the outskirts/edge of the town, with properties for sale at reasonable prices (though none to rent) and prices seem cheaper than Udon.

The Question:-
I am therefore interested in members knowledge and opinions on Nong Khai, as a place to live and retire to (particularly it's future prospects). And also their views on the merit or otherwise of buying a house in Nong Khai.

Nongkhai is up and comeing. The town is has about eveything that one needs and is unique in that there things to do for Thai and Falangs of different age groups.The thing about Nongkhai is that you have to look around abit before you start to see that it is a bit diffrent than most Thai smaller towns. There are a number of exellent restaurants, It is almost amazing how many diffrent choices there are along with coffee houses , bars ( my favorite is the floating one next to Mut Mee guest house)
You will see a number of tourist in there 20s biking thru town, Which I find as a nice mix.
As far as housing the places that you are talking about Pracha 2 are very nice if you are looking for a neighbor hood type house, But as you said there is no rental. My property 3 km down river from Pracha 2 is the nicest houses that are rentals in this area ( As far as I know)I have one unit that is available if you would like to see it let me know

NKD, Thanks for the input on Nong Khai. It was me who came to see your place few days back (on the rental m/bike) and I did like it, but it's a bit too far out. We really want something in or very close to town (my GF doesn't drive) and also I don't really want to pay that much out in rent. I did give it serious thought though.

Although i've never been a resident in Thailand so i can't really comment on what living in any particular place is like, i can say that from what i have seen, Nong Khai would be one of my top picks when and if i make the move.
I spent a few weeks up Issan way in October/November last year and spent time in Khon Kaen, Udon and Nong Khai. From these places i did day trips around the general areas and for me, i found NK to be my favourite. It seemed to have everything you would need to be comfortable but still be able to live the quite life.
I also really liked Loei and Phon Phisai but felt they might be just a bit to quite and a bit light on for essential services.
I get the feeling NK could well be an emerging area in Thailand given it's proximity to Udon airport, the Meekong and Laos as a visa run destination and therefore could provide a resonable investment opportunity if thats what one was looking for.
So to answer your question, yes, from my positition i would buy in NK if i was considering buying anywhere in Thailand but if i do anything, i would probably rent for a while to see how things go. In saying that, i'm a long way from retirement age so my circumstances would be somewhat different to yours.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

i think buying anywhere after you have put down roots is a good move those that dont normally do not have the funds to do so our are paronoid about been ripped of our have been ripped of already
there is a glut of houses for sale and the secondhand market is poor for sellers
in issan so your partner could get a bargain if you dont wont to buy a new build
those selling homes in the uk our elsewhere and going to thailand to settle with little income apart from there nesteggs will find out that the thai house market cannot provide sufficent capital return on investment
without a decent pension our fixed income renting would be best value for anybody over 50

A quick google has given www.mekongmart.com as another site for rental accomodation.
Give Stan a pm as he is the local up there.

Arjay, I am also "Local" to N/K,Bought here 13 Years ago and suits me fine,There are MANY Places to Eat,Drink,& Get Merry....If you want that,Sure sometimes you can get bored in N/K,But then again you can get bored ANYWHERE!!! It does tend to get quieter a little earlier than the likes of Udon,But I'm an Early Bird anyway,So that suits me fine,The only OTHER downside is the amount of IDIOTS riding M/Cs BUT THEY are EVERYWHERE Getting to be MORE falangs these days but WE only have a FEW Friends / Acquaintences and stick in our own small groups,I once heard a falang here say " This place is NO GOOD,Everybody knows YOU are going to FA*T BEFORE youve actually done it " That person has now left the area and I believe settled in THAT Heavenly place called PATTAYA......Enough Said ?? If I can help you I will try,ALL you have to do is ASK !!!! P.S One of my good friends here has his own website ( Selling ,Renting,& Building Houses,Also has land for sale ( A particularly NICE plot,right on The Mekong is CURRENTLY available ) P.M Me for further details.......

Thanks for the links and info guys. I did meet up with BKKStan this last week when I was up in NK and got some useful info and thoughts from him.

I'm pretty sure I will move up there, - it's just a question of whether to rent or buy. (As my GF is not Thai the case for buying is less strong).

I've got a short term rental lined up to tied me over.

There are lots of properties to rent in & around NK , but most are advertised at the property on a small handwritten sign in Thai. The most common way is word of mouth among local farangs.
I got a nice 2 bed bungalow with carport & nice gardens 2k from town centre for 4k per month, after talking to a guy in the local pub who lives in the same soi.
Quite a few central Hotel/GH's do very reasonable monthly rates so that's an option short/mid term till you find a good long term rental.

theres an estate agent in the mall with adverts for properties ,take a look

Well, I'm up in Nong Khai and have found some where to live. Just need to find the best places to eat out or drink now, or get the odd massage. I am watching the other threads on eating places too.

If you want quite and peace go to NKP. I love the town.

banpaeng wrote:If you want quite and peace go to NKP. I love the town.

NO NO,it is being overrun with falangs!Richard has moved here and I ran into XXXX yesterday who has also moved here from Udon(he didn't seem anxious for others to know yet)!We who have lived here for awhile need to become volunteers for the gestapo to help weed out these outsiders before everything goes to seed!

Either that or we could become ''suicide bombers'',there are more than a couple of forum jockeys that would support that idea for both political and personal issues!

Come guys, Nong Khai is the best party town in Thailand....... Cheap place too!!!!!!

Come one Come all to the new Pattaya of the Northeast!!!!!!

Hope this helps Stan!!!!!!

Pop's

Pop-pop's Net and Games wrote:Come guys, Nong Khai is the best party town in Thailand....... Cheap place too!!!!!!

Come one Come all to the new Pattaya of the Northeast!!!!!!

Hope this helps Stan!!!!!!

Pop's

I going to call my very close friends that are high in Thai gov't!Your computer priveleges are going to be cancelled!
Maybe they will file a lawsuit for slander and otherwise unbecoming nonsubmissive behavior not suited for a falang expat!

Maybe we will send our dog to shoe chewing and stealing school,so she can come visit your shop more often!

Maybe if we have the little store next to you, discontinue stocking Leo and potato chips,that might be punishment enough for your blasphamy!I'll talk it over with my Phu Yai ''friends'',but at the very least,consider yourself censored