Hua Hin, Thailand, another place to retire?

I spent 6 nights in Hua Hin.  It is 3 to 4 hours in a private car, public bus, or on the train, from Bangkok.  One of the closest and easiest beaches to get to on the mainland from Bangkok.  I had read online before leaving Australia, that it is one of the larger expat communities in Thailand, along with Chiang Mai.  I spent 10 days in Chang Mai and thought it would be a great place to live.  See https://karenstravels22.blogspot.com/2025/01/chiang-mai-as-place-to-retire.html.

I think Hua Hin could also be a place to live.  There were some downsides, from what I saw from such a short acquaintance with the place.  Hua Hin has quite a seedy bar girl, fat white western men looking for sex culture.  Admittedly I was staying in a hotel right in the centre and it was in your face, but being such a small place, the sex culture is concentrated in a few short streets.  It would be a mecca for single older women, if only the hundreds of single men I saw wandering around weren’t just looking for paid sex with a young Thai woman! Or even a relationship, if that is what you could call it.

The other thing about Hua Hin is that the places you might want to go are stretched out along the road between Cha’am in the North and South of Hua Hin City.  You would need a bike or car or pay a lot riding on Grab cars or bikes to get around.  Chang Mai is more compact and walkable. 

There are many positives.  A great beach, with many hotels and cafes lining it, where you can sit on a lounger in the shade (for a fee), enjoy the water views, even use one of the big hotel’s swimming pools.  

There is a lot of night life, and on Facebook a number of expats groups, including women, arranging socials, bookclubs and so on.  

There are Thai local markets, like the Tuesday market and morning market and more touristy ones, including the weekend Cicada, with local crafts and arts, and a clean eating areas, music and a general Western feel about it.  

I guess when deciding between Chang Mai and Hua Hin, it is a case of beach or mountains.  Or maybe do a bit of both!