about moving to Thailand & living in Thailand

Apartment living in Thailand comes with fewer financial risks than does the purchase of houses or condominiums. Short term risks usually relate to simple security, theft, or recovery of deposits.

Recommendations vary depending on the age of the building and how long you plan to stay in that particular building. Develop a short term strategy and a long term strategy for housing in Thailand. Your short term strategy will season your long term plans.

Generalizations About Renting in Thailand

• Consider renting condominium rooms or serviced apartments. Conventional apartments can be pretty basic.
• Older buildings will not normally have the bells and whistles that westerners tend to like. But if it's convenient, secure and comfortable, it may be cheaper as well. The down side is that older buildings seem to be under continual renovation, one unit at a time. That adds to noise, dust and inconvenience.
• Getting back your deposit can be a problem. The Thai Police and/or Tourist Police will often intervene on your behalf if you have a signed agreement .. and you have abided by the terms.
• If something breaks, be prepared to pay for it. Same for surface scratches, imagined or otherwise, on appliances.
• Checking out is more contentious than when checking in.

Considerations - Renting an Apartment in Thailand

Priorities for Apartment in Thailand

• Location. If you need easy access to the subway or skytrain, consider the location carefully. Are you willing to walk that distance? Are you willing to ride a motorcycle taxi (coming) to the station?
• Know your budget. Why waste your time, spend money on taxis, and frustrating your friends by looking at buildings you can't or don't want to afford?
• Furnished or unfurnished. If furnished, look at the package of furniture and decide if you can be comfortable with it. If unfurnished, go window shopping for furniture before signing a rental agreement.
• Utilities. Electricity is often billed to you at some multiple of the EGAT rate. That can make a significant difference in your monthly budget

Features for Apartments in Thailand

• Where will you eat? Many apartments limit cooking, especially with gas cookers. Check out food shops in the building or rear by. How are the prices? Sample the food.
• Where will you shop? Is there a mini-mart in the building or within a short walk? Trudging 500 meters across broken sidewalks, cars roaring past, lugging bags of groceries can get really old really fast.
• Where will you get drinking water? Will you be paying mini-mart prices, or does the building have a well maintained R. O. style coin operated water machine? Hint: Housekeeping staff usually appreciate modest tips for fetching the 6 liter bottles.
• Internet and cable TV. In larger cities, many apartments have wireless available. Telephone lines for dedicate broadband are not always an option. You must have the building owner's permission to order a telephone line. Cable TV varies significantly. Ask detailed questions.
• Elevators. Thai stairs are not built for western feet. Most measure 8 inches, 20 cm or so. The "rise" is also the same. That means climbing a 45 degree stairway. It can also be dangerous for those with larger feet .. especially walking downstairs. If you need elevators / lifts, be sure to check.
• What's across from your front door? Unless you like the closeted feeling, try to find a room that fronts on a atrium. You can find creative ways to prop your door open or slightly ajar to get a cool breeze.
• Security. How alert do security personnel look.

Who and How Are Your Thai & Farang Neighbors?