Job Discussion Forums

[mungo]

Any ideas on the quality of accommodation that I will be able to afford in various parts of Thailand if I take a TEFL job?
Is fully furnished a realistic possibility?
Are there any traps for young players?[color=darkred][/color]

[robitusson]

[mungo]

Silly me - price is of course a factor.
I don't anticipate working in Bangkok - maybe Chiang Mai or in Isaan. Want reasonable (??) conditions bed, TV, Maybe Air con, Fridge, decent chair, bathroom etc. Does not have to be the latest and greatest. Perhaps a guide as to the percentage of TEFL income I may be looking at spending. Appreciate the guidance to date.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

hi mungo


Fully furnished is usually the rule rather than the exception here in Bangkok,

but I'm not too familiar with apartment deals in the provinces.


Figure on spending from 3 to 5,000 Baht per month

and allow a Thai co-teacher, student or friend

to help you with the selection process.


You can do it on your own,

but there's always a temptation

on the part of the landlord to charge a bit more

if they think (or you look like) you can afford it ...

especially if you don't speak any Thai.


Here in Bangkok, I live in a fully furnished 20 sq meter studio

with a balcony, air-con, hot water shower, and a small TV.

I'm 10 minutes from BTS Phra Khanong Station

and the building was recently renovated.


For that, I pay 4,000 Baht per month

plus electric; usually 1,000 Baht +/- 200

running the air about 8 hours per night.


TGIF !

[mungo]

Thanks Kent - informative, and sounds encouraging.
I will be exploring in person around 10 months from now.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

You're very welcome !


In the meantime, here are some links you can browse

to give you a feel for the apartment market in Thailand:


http://www.mrroomfinder.com/ (Mr Room Finder)

http://www.thaiapartment.com/ (Thai Apartment)

http://www.click4apartment.com/ (Click-4-Apartment)

http://www.easyhorpak.com/index.php?lang=en (EasyHorpak)

http://www.chiangmaiinfo.com/d/accommodation (Chiang Mai apts)

http://bangkokmag.infothai.com/bkkhotel.htm (BKK Hotels & Guest Houses)

[email protected] (Bangkok Realty Agent / apts in the Skytrain & MRT areas)



http://www.krungsri.com/eng/50/511.asp ($$$ exchange rates)



fyi: the Bangkok Realty Agent listed above was

recommended recently by a member of TotalESL.

[SheikItUp]

My wife and I are planning on coming to Bangkok, and we want to rent an apartment, settle down (1 month) learn the lay-of-the-land, and then start looking for work. Will it be a problem to find an apartment to rent? What documents are usually needed to rent, for say, 6 months to a year? (furnished, safe-area, near the sky-train?) Thank you.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Most places require just a passport.


1 and a half or 2 month's rent as security deposit

plus the first month's rent and you're in the door.


Furnished 'middle class' apartments near the Skytrain

range anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 Baht

depending on the amenities, the location

and the number of rooms.


Smallish one-room studio apartments can be

rented for as little as 3,500 to 5,000 Baht

but they usually go pretty quickly.


Expat serviced apartments (luxury class)

begin at 12,000 Baht per month and go

up and up and up. On these higher-end

luxury units, you can sometimes negotiate

a long-term rate and/or additional perks.


To get a feel for whats out there, try this:

http://www.mrroomfinder.com/index.php

[Chancellor]

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]