We chose Koh Samui as our home base because it offers all the amenities needed for slow-traveling with a 4-year-old while balancing work. Essentially, we relocated Mini's life from Montreal to Koh Samui. She has everything she needs and more - attending daycare, making new friends, experiencing a new culture, trying different foods, and embracing island life.
Finding a place that felt like home was crucial for us. We connect with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and enjoy the local vibe of our neighbourhood (Bophut) here.
While we were researching the possibilities of slow-traveling and relocating for a 2-month period somewhere, we had many questions, and it took a lot of research. I've decided to put together a list of tips to help other parents with young children that want to slow-travel while working remotely.
Housing
Choosing the right neighborhood is really difficult from abroad. If you've been following our journey from the beginning, you know that we canceled two houses before settling on our current one. Third time's a charm. We are so happy we chose the Bophut area because it's far enough from the touristy spots but close to everything. It gives you that feeling that you actually live with the locals and expats. If this is the type of experience you’re looking for, we highly recommend Bophut, Bangrak, and Fisherman's Village surroundings.
Childcare
We did extensive research on childcare. There are some really good nurseries and early education schools on the island, but most of them only accept children for the long term. Finding a drop-in location was quite the challenge. We found Kidding Garden, and it's been such a blessing. Jenny and her team care for the children like their own. We will miss them.
Health Care
We didn’t have major problems, but Mini got a little rash that wouldn’t go away, so we had to see a doctor. Samui Home Clinic was recommended to us, and I cannot recommend it enough. We had such a great experience. A doctor attended to us right away, knew exactly what Mini had, took a skin sample to identify the bacteria, and gave us the meds on the spot. She also followed up via WhatsApp a couple of days later to see how Mini was doing. What a service! All this for less than $100.
Transportation
We highly recommend renting a car if you plan on staying in Samui for a while. I know it's more expensive, but I personally wouldn't feel safe with a child on a scooter. The problem is not the Thai drivers but more so the foreigners who drive intoxicated and think everything is permitted. Grab (an app like Uber) is also an option, but I wouldn’t recommend it for long-term stays.
Groceries
Eating out is so cheap in Thailand that it's almost not worth cooking. We usually have breakfast at home, and for that, we go to Tops Food Hall or Big C Super Center. Their selections of fresh fruits, pressed juices, and vegetables are amazing. You can find almost everything that you can find at home (North America or Europe). You can find almost everything you can find at home (North America or Europe). We even found organic natural peanut butter 🙄 I know... but we have a peanut butter lover in the family and not just any peanut butter. You can also buy fruits and vegetables at the local markets, but we usually like to get everything in one place for time efficiency. 🤷🏻♀️
Restaurants
The array of restaurants and delicious food is impressive, catering to every palate with options ranging from local Thai cuisine to five-star Western dining. I am putting together a list of our favorite restaurants, but if you want a really authentic Thai experience make sure to visit The Nature Restaurant. Finally, I need to mention all the coffee shops on the island. I'm in heaven, there's so many coffee shops. Here are my favorites.
Shopping
If you forget something essential at home, you will most probably find it in Samui. The Central Mall has a selection of clothing stores, sports equipment, and essentials.
That's a short round-up of the essential things you might need to know to kick off your slow-travel journey with young children in Samui. If we haven't covered something here, leave us a comment.
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