tamdrin12 wrote:You were simply in the wrong part of Thailand for meeting good women. Pattaya is the worst place in the world for meeting good women for obvious reasons. The south is much more expensive than the north and people in the north tend to be simpler in their outlook towards life.
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In other news I am going to live in Korat (issan province) for a month to teach at one school over there. Im curious to compare it to life in Chiang Mai.
Well, I was first in Malaysia and always entered Thailand from the South over decades. Malay was my first Asian language, but times are changing, it was getting dangerous around Thepa, Hadyai and Songkhla and we decided to move on to Sri Ratcha/Pattaya, because it is comfortable for my family using Bangkok Airport, we are not interested into nightlife, but Pattaya/Sri Ratcha has also many advantages, so we have now our second home there, but mainly we will continue to live in Japan.
We do not have any personal relationship with Thai people, it's our holiday place. Of course Pattaya is not a Thai city, it's a holiday meeting point.
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About Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) it's not really a typical forgettable Isaan place, but shows some signs already of a provincial town, no hills no shadows and getting hot by day, but it is not so far away from Bangkok, only about 300 km, with daily good long-distance bus connection. Not much to see within the city, straight roads, the typical supply place for the rural area around and with some good hotels, restaurants, stores .... It's also a starting point for Phanom Rung and Phimai, if you are interested in Thai/Khmer history.
I was always using the Sima Thani Hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima, I was there only a few times, always had a rent-a-car driving myself. You might consider to rent a motorcycle, distances are not so short around the city, public transport is rather poor.
I am sure, you will very much prefer to live in Chiang Mai in future, but OK take a look, see for yourelf.
Where ever you are in Thailand, you will notice that the distribution network and long distance bus connection system is working remarkably well in all cities in Thailand. Nothing to worry about daily needs, like food, medical care, banking, accommodation, mobile phone etc. - It gives me always a good feeling to be secure while in Thailand. Unfortunately it is now recommended to stay away from some border areas, but otherwise Thailand is a safe place. I never had any problems.
It's a difference of course if you move around as a tourist spending money or if you try to settle down for a while among locals doing some jobs, studying the language etc.
Good luck!