Job Discussion Forums

blubarsk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

Hello,

I will be moving to Thailand at the end of August and just had a question regarding living in Thailand. Do you have to sign a one year lease for most apartments/houses in Thailand or can you get a month to month lease. How does it work? Anyone know of any good places or sites to look for housing. I'm trying to do some legwork now so it will be easier once I get there. I am thinking about probably living in Bangkok. Thanks for the help.

Bangkok Hound · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 66 Location: Bangkok

From my experience: apartments have a short least requirement (4 months) and houses have require a one year lease. Serviced apartments are month to month, but if you commit to a certain length of stay you might get reduced rent.

The best way to find a place to stay is to walk around the area you want to live in. If you find a place that looks decent, go in and ask about it.

There are also these online resources:

http://www.mrroomfinder.com

http://www.easyhorpak.com

MDDude · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:

Is it easy to find apartments that are furnished (bed, refrigerator, etc...)? I am moving to Thailand in October. I want to maintain a somewhat mobile lifestyle and certainly don't want to invest in furniture.

Bangkok Hound · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 66 Location: Bangkok

Apartments generally come furnished with a bed, closet, tv stand, sofa, desk type thing, and maybe a table, chairs, endtable, etc. Television and refrigerator may be extra.

MDDude · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:36 pm Post subject:

What is the usual way of getting breakfast/lunch/dinner? Is it cheap to eat out or cook one's own meal? My only concern about cooking is, as I said, having to obtain a microwave, pots/pans, fridge, and things like that.

Bangkok Hound · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 66 Location: Bangkok

It depends on what you want to eat. If you are okay with Thai food then its cheaper to eat out. A plate of food and a Pepsi shouldn't set you back anymore than 40B. This is Thailand. Food is everywhere and cheap.

MDDude · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:58 am Post subject:

Jaime1 · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 66

wow thanks

hkimball2 · Joined: 11 Jul 2009 Posts: 24

MMDude,

are u taking the celta? i'm taking it in chiang mai oct 5

MDDude · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:02 am Post subject:

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

There are apartments which let by the week or month. As such, they tend to be expensive-ish, and maybe a bit less comfortable because you can't make a real home.

Most of the TEFL courses will advise you about lodgings near them.

In Bangkok, I first stayed at Maple House, not far from St Louis Hospital, about 2km from Silom ("central"area) when I arrived. It's a bit far from the subway, but has gym, WIFI, pool and sauna. You can rent short time. My small room with kitchen was about 16,000b a month, with a deposit on top (20k is about 650USD?? I'm a limey). Not cheap, and some years now. However, I enjoyed it and stayed three months. Google it to get some idea. there are others similar.

Eddy

stephenmx · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Bangkok

Hey, I've been in Bangkok for a few days now and I'm going to be taking the CELTA starting next week. I expect to stay in Bangkok to teach after the course, but I'm wondering- what is a good area of the city to look for an apartment? I'm looking for something pretty basic and cheap. I'm easily pleased. Hopefully something near public transport, though. Any advice is appreciated. Very Happy

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

bangkok is a huge place. You need to check where u r gonna be working.

many foreigners like to live near the metro stations, which makes areas pricey.

The very cheap areas are maybe 1 hour or more ouside the city centre, or across the river.

No easy answer to yr question.

many young people and working people live around Victory Monument (on the metro/BTS), but the rooms r kinda small and the blocks huge.

U really need to be here, and the best way is to walk street.

Google Roomfinder to get some ideas.

e

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Roomfinder is a good start. 9apartment.com may help as well. also, it is probably best to find work first, then dish out for a long term apartment. Prakhanong, Ekamai, On Nut usually have low-mid range apartments and are both on the BTS line. Could probably find something for as little 5000/month, but will probably end up at 7-15000/month. If you are making 35-40,000/month, you wont be able to afford any more than that. Could definitely pay more if you wanted to though.

sheikxhoni · Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 48 Location: Bangkok

For those who aren't dirt poor I have these recommendations:

1) For your first night or two the Nana Hotel can be fun (especially for men) because you can see all the sex worker craziness - just another odd tourist attraction actually. The hotel is across from the Nana Plaza, but it is pretty nice with good security, pool, and a modest price of about $35 or $40 a nite. All taxis know it and so your path is smooth when you first arrive if you have no other help waiting for you.

2) I'm taking CELTA and asked the Premier Hotel near the Asok BTS station for a discount. I will pay 18,000 Baht for five weeks. That's 2,000 off the regular price so no big deal. But it is close to my health club (California Woow) and a block from the Sky Train. It includes breakfast and normal hotel style cleaning. The Premier is on Soi 20 off Sukhumvit and close to lots of great restaurants including BKK's best German restaurant. Tel - 66-226104016 or [email protected]

3) Before I took a job I stayed for a month at the D'Pelican Guest House and recommend it highly for ambiance. I paid about 20,000 Baht for the month but it could be lower now if you ask. There is a dart league there and great food. They have FREE BBQ on the last friday of every month (about 6 or 7 pm) and the owner also owns the BKK ice hockey team. It plays in a four city pro league. D'Pelican is a great expat meeting place and an easy walk from the BTS. D'Pelican - in a courtyard off Soi 22 at Sukhumvit Tel - 66-26635794.
www.dpelican-inn.com.

Now that I live in the 'burbs I pay 3,400 Baht a month for a simple room on the fourth floor but the electric, water, and internet can bring the price up to over 6,000. It is only about 500 meters from the school I used to work.

I suggest you get settled with convenience as a priority if you can afford a little more, get a job, and then look for the bargain. It worked for me.