Hua Hin: The Retirement Capital I Had to See for Myself

I knew what I was getting into. Hua Hin has a reputation, and it’s well-earned—this place is retirement central. The sidewalks are filled with slow walkers, the beach chairs are occupied by people who have been here since the '90s, and every second restaurant serves up some version of schnitzel with mashed potatoes. If you’re looking for nightlife, excitement, or—let’s be real—anyone under 50, this isn’t the spot.

But hey, I wanted to check it out. First and last time for sure.

To be fair, the beaches are decent, and there’s a certain charm to the old-world, laid-back vibe. The seafood is fresh, and the night markets aren’t bad if you’re into browsing knockoff watches and elephant pants. If I were 70, I’d probably love it. But I’m not. And after a few days of watching the early bird dinner crowd shuffle through European bistros, I was ready to move on.

Hua Hin? Been there, done that. No need to return.