What’s the Best Place to Live or Retire For Expats: Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali
When comparing Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali, the clear winner for many expats, retirees, and digital nomads is Phuket.
All offer beautiful beaches, warm weather, and vibrant cultures, but when it comes to long-term living, property investment, infrastructure, and lifestyle, Phuket seems the obvious and most well-rounded and secure option.
In this article, we explore why Phuket trumps Koh Samui and Bali for retirees, digital nomads, and families looking to live, invest, or settle in paradise.
Which One Stands Out?
When comparing Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali, the clear winner for many expats, retirees, and digital nomads is Phuket. Whether you’re seeking a luxury retirement, a base for remote work, or a safe place to raise your family, Phuket ticks more of the right boxes than its island rivals.
Accessibility: Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali
One of the biggest advantages when comparing Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali is Phuket’s superior accessibility. Phuket International Airport is one of the busiest in Southeast Asia and welcomes direct international flights from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This ease of access is a huge draw for retirees and frequent travelers.
In contrast, Koh Samui only has a small private airport owned by Bangkok Airways. It offers limited direct flights, and most international travellers must transit through Bangkok. Similarly, Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is extremely busy and often experiences congestion, delays, and limited runway capacity.
For those who value convenience and global connectivity, Phuket’s airport and road network clearly outshine the competition.
More Secure Property Ownership
Foreigners looking to buy real estate face challenges across all three locations, but Phuket is by far the most transparent and secure.
- Phuket allows foreign nationals to own foreign freehold condominiums; a legally protected form of ownership registered at the local Phuket Land Department.
- Villas in Phuket can be leased legally for 30 years, with correctly legally structured renewals and conversions to freehold upon the point of sale. The option to freehold land ownership can be via Thai companies for qualifying investors. Foreigners, must, however, be aware that using nominee shareholders is illegal in Thailand. And all Thai companies must be 100% legally compliant.
- In Bali, foreign ownership is restricted to leasehold only, and there are no foreign freehold condominiums available. The lease structures can be unclear, with limited legal recourse or security, particularly for resale or inheritance.
- Koh Samui follows Thai law like Phuket, but lacks the same range of foreign freehold condo options and has fewer reputable legal and real estate professionals on the ground. In fact, most foreigners buying in Koh Samui should be advised to use a reputable and experienced Phuket or Bangkok lawyer.
For retirees and investors looking for long-term property security, Phuket’s real estate laws are significantly more favorable.
Visa Options and Residency: Phuket’s Long-Term Appeal
Another key factor in the Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali debate is the availability of long-term visa programs. Thailand offers a Retirement Visa (O-A and O-X), Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, and the popular Thailand Elite Visa, which allows for extended stays with multiple entry options.
In comparison, Indonesia’s visa system is more limited. While Bali is popular with digital nomads, its visa options are more complex, and there is no equivalent to the Thai Elite Visa. Retirement visas are available in Indonesia but have stricter requirements and fewer long-term benefits. Work permits are also more difficult to obtain in Bali for those starting a business.
Phuket’s visa infrastructure is well-established and makes it easier for foreigners to stay long-term or retire legally and comfortably.
Cost of Living and Quality of Life
While all three islands offer affordable lifestyles compared to Western countries, Phuket strikes a balance between cost and quality. You’ll find world-class healthcare, international schools, luxury villas, modern malls, and five-star dining, all within a compact and accessible environment.
Bali is often seen as cheaper, but that comes at a cost, inconsistent infrastructure, power outages, unreliable internet, and a more complex legal system. Koh Samui’s costs are rising, and with limited development space, high-quality properties are becoming harder to find and more expensive.
Phuket offers a wide range of property prices and lifestyle choices, from quiet coastal areas like Nai Harn and Rawai to luxury hotspots in Bang Tao and Laguna.
World-Class International Schools and Healthcare
If you’re raising a family, Phuket again comes out on top in the Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali comparison. It has over a dozen international schools, including British, French, Finnish, and IB curriculum options. Healthcare is excellent, and family-friendly amenities abound, from beach clubs to tennis, paddle courts, and nature parks.
Bali has fewer international schools and healthcare standards can be hit-or-miss. Koh Samui has limited educational infrastructure and few options for foreign families seeking top-tier schooling.
For families, Phuket offers far more educational options than either Bali or Koh Samui. International schools on the island include (as well as 12 other reputable international schools):
- British International School Phuket (BISP)
- UWC Thailand
- HeadStart International School
- Kajonkiet International School
Healthcare is another area where Phuket shines. With Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Dibuk Hospital, and Siriroj International Hospital, and the new renowned Bumrungrad Hospital opening in 2026/7, residents have access to world-class medical care. Bali’s hospitals are improving, but many expats still fly to Bangkok or Singapore for complex procedures.
Infrastructure and Safety
Phuket is the most developed of the three islands, with excellent infrastructure, government services, international hospitals, and legal safeguards for property owners. The roads are well-maintained, electricity and water systems are modern, and mobile/data connectivity is reliable.
In Bali, overdevelopment and lax regulation have caused infrastructure strain, traffic chaos, and safety concerns. Koh Samui remains more rural and lacks many of the facilities retirees and expats need for long-term comfort.
Island Fever: The Hidden Challenge
Many expats eventually experience “island fever”, the feeling of being stuck or isolated. In Koh Samui, this is a real concern due to its single, privately owned airport and the need to transit via Bangkok. Even Bali can feel overwhelming due to traffic congestion, over-tourism, and a stretched infrastructure.
Phuket offers the perfect balance between island life and global connection, a large island with the infrastructure of a small city.
Conclusion: Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali: Phuket Wins for Long-Term Living
When weighing up Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali, Phuket consistently comes out ahead in the areas that matter most: accessibility, legal ownership, visa options, infrastructure, safety, and family life. While Samui and Bali have their charms, Phuket delivers a more complete package for retirees, digital nomads, and families looking to make Thailand their home.
Discover your next home in Phuket: A tropical island that truly works.
Can see the sense when comparing Phuket vs Koh Samui and Bali? Thinking of making the move to Phuket or investing in a tropical property?
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