Living in Phuket

Phuket has all the charms that lure expats to exotic Thailand. The province is actually an island, Thailand's largest, and boasts some of the most stunning beaches in the Kingdom. The Andaman Sea really is a step-up from the Gulf of Thailand. Phuket has several negatives .. or, depending on your perspective, several positives.

That's a very long drive if you try it non-stop. Stopping overnight in Surat Thani, Chumphon or Ranong, depending on the route you take, is usually a good idea unless you have a long-haul trucker's mentality.

As bus rides go, figure 14+ hours from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok .. cost about Bt 700-800. Whether you prefer sleeping or watching the scenery is up to your personal tastes.

If you're in a rush, one of several airlines can get you there in a scheduled one-hour and twenty minutes. Expect to pay US$ 150 - 200 depending on promotions and prices for jet fuel.

Generally speaking, anywhere you find mass international tourism, you will find high prices. Living in Phuket can be "reasonable", but finding the same cost of living as Chiang Rai or Udorn is virtually impossible.

What Phuket has to offer the higher-wealth expat is a much more cosmopolitan lifestyle. Beautiful condos and serviced apartments are available on any number of beaches.

And those beaches vary from serene to busy. Patong may be the best known. It's people-watching central and probably not the best for doing serious meditation. Nai Thon or Ao Sane would be better choices for relative privacy.

Phuket gourmands have any number of outstanding to pick from. Da Maurizio on Patong beach is highly regarded, but their wine list may put a substantial dent in your VISA card. And as you night expect, the seafood offerings are varied and excellent.

A few restaurants located on Google map of Phuket Restaurants

If you are into nightlife, head for Patong and find a reasonably priced hotel or guest-house. Stay a couple of days to see if it fits your basic needs and wants for a base. If so, approach the owner or manager about longer term rates. If it's high season, your chances of a favorable rate are not as good as during the off-season .. May - October.

For expats who want to avoid the frenetic activities around Patong Beach, never fear. Phuket gives you a choice of about 20 more beaches.

Intermediate term rentals in serviced apartments and condotels get more expensive the closer to the beach, and depending on the prestige ofthat particular beaches. The low end of the range will be about Bt 6,000 .. and it's pretty easy to pay Bt 50,000/mo .. more for something "designer".