Living in Thailand

[Asian Rain]

What do you mean by uber low budget? I'm aiming $800 or less a month which is uber low budget by American standards. Thanks for the link to hipflats. I'm going to spend some time on that.

Do many expats bring pets? I have two dogs. This would be a hell of a lot easier without them, but it's either bring them or wait 10 more years.

There are some guys looking for units with very low rents. Don't expect any agent to go out of their way, as their commission will only be one month of rent.

I see expats with pets, but I don't ask where they came from. You will have 3 challenges with your dogs. One, you will need to ship them over and get them through quarantine. Not an easy process and dangerous especially for small dogs. Two, the condo development juristic may not allow pets. So when you are on Hipflat, try to look for "pet friendly" developments. Three, your landlord may not allow pets and they will put this into your contract. I see many farang walking their dogs around my area, so it is not impossible I suppose. Good luck, AR.

[SubCmdr]

I have found all my apartments in Pattaya because I had a Thai Girl in my life that liked me and found them for me free of Farang upchage.

[BadooBoy]

If you are one of those guys who is looking for a uber low budget place . . .

What do you mean by uber low budget? I'm aiming $800 or less a month which is uber low budget by American standards. Thanks for the link to hipflats. I'm going to spend some time on that.

Do many expats bring pets? I have two dogs. This would be a hell of a lot easier without them, but it's either bring them or wait 10 more years.

[Asian Rain]

Hey. I'm thinking of relocating to Bangkok. I work remotely, so I'd pull a US salary. How hard is it to find apartments or condos? I'm visiting soon for a couple weeks and I want to but as many potential neighborhoods as I can to get a feel for the vibe. I'm going to check out Ari, On Nut, and Phom Phrong. Any other places you all recommend?

There are thousands upon thousands of available units, which is both a blessing and a curse. Some people suggest going far down the BTS, but to me I prefer Asoke because you have the intersection of the BTS and MRT. Nana and Phrom Pong get second mention because they are the stations nearby.

I did things in reverse. I first picked out where I wanted to live. Asoke. Then I drew a circle 15 minutes walking from Terminal 21 (which is between the entrances to MRT and BTS) on Google Maps. Then I went on Google Maps and scouted all the condos in the area. Then I went on Hipflat (www.hipflat.com) to search for developments in that radius. I could see what kind of units were available at what price at those developments. Then I contacted an agent and told them to scout specific units at specific developments. Once you arrive in country, you can then take a targeted tour of places that are available. Once you settle on a few places that you would like to live, you can then negotiate through the agent with the landlord for rent and features (ie change something). PRO TIP: If you are one of those guys who is looking for a uber low budget place, expect that the agent will NOT want to spend a lot of time on your case. So if you do the legwork to make the exercise focused and efficient, you will have a lot more success. Good luck. AR.

[BadooBoy]

Hey. I'm thinking of relocating to Bangkok. I work remotely, so I'd pull a US salary. How hard is it to find apartments or condos? I'm visiting soon for a couple weeks and I want to but as many potential neighborhoods as I can to get a feel for the vibe. I'm going to check out Ari, On Nut, and Phom Phrong. Any other places you all recommend?

[Mr Enternational]

The same day, or the day after, I found this same girl on ThaiFriendly, and I wrote her a message. We spoke a bit and she told me that one apartment in her condo just got vacant. So I went to see her place, I liked it, and today I rented the free apartment. 5 minutes from the hotel were I was staying. Life is really unpredictable! Paid less than half of the price I would have paid through that shit of Airbnb.

Right place at the right time.

[SubCmdr]

Did you ask them about staying only a couple of months? The internet is probably the worst way to go. Best to have boots on the ground and go to the lobbies and offices of particular places you may be interested in. Many of them have bulletin boards up and flyers on the windows of places owners are trying to rent out. LBM pointed out that even Big see had a bulletin board where people would post their rentals.

Maybe things have changed. I rented a short term apartment for less than 6 months in 2023. Was not a problem. It was through a rental manager that handled vacation rentals for private owners. Signed a contract for the exact number of days that I needed. The apartment was 49 m2, 100% renovated with a banging kitchen an ocean view (that's right). Current building I am living in still has rooms available on less than 6 month contracts.

[Incrociatore]

Did you ask them about staying only a couple of months? The internet is probably the worst way to go. Best to have boots on the ground and go to the lobbies and offices of particular places you may be interested in. Many of them have bulletin boards up and flyers on the windows of places owners are trying to rent out. LBM pointed out that even Big see had a bulletin board where people would post their rentals.

Yeah I asked, all the real estate agents told me the minimum stay was 6 months, but usually the contact is 1 year. Anyway, I found an apartment in the most unusual way!

I met this black girl at Terminal 21. I went there to buy a few t-shirts. I stopped the girl, I was curious to know where she was coming from, cause I spent one month in Uganda. She told me she was from Rwanda, and I told her I was looking for a condo, don't know why. Anyway, I didn't ask her number, cause I am not interested in freelancers (even though she said she was on holidays.), and also I ate so much chocolate in Uganda that I got diabetes.

The same day, or the day after, I found this same girl on ThaiFriendly, and I wrote her a message. We spoke a bit and she told me that one apartment in her condo just got vacant. So I went to see her place, I liked it, and today I rented the free apartment. 5 minutes from the hotel were I was staying. Life is really unpredictable! Paid less than half of the price I would have paid through that shit of AirBnb.

[XXL]

Hi, can anyone recommend a legit site to give me the latest info on the requirements for retiring to Thailand.

Seems to be a lot of variation in the sites I have viewed.

I currently live in Vietnam and the visa requirements there are just crazy since Covid.

Thanks.

Aseannow is the reference website for expats in Thailand. As to requirements for retiring, that depends on which kind of visa you want (or can get). First thing to do is to have a look at the website of the Thai embassy in your country. Requirements can vary slightly between countries of origin.

[Mr Enternational]

I am looking for a condo, apartment, for a couple of months. Most properties are for rent for a minimum of 6 months / 1 year contract. I am struggling to find a "long term" accommodation around Phrom Pong. Can anyone help? Point me to any websites for example?

Did you ask them about staying only a couple of months? The internet is probably the worst way to go. Best to have boots on the ground and go to the lobbies and offices of particular places you may be interested in. Many of them have bulletin boards up and flyers on the windows of places owners are trying to rent out. LBM pointed out that even Big see had a bulletin board where people would post their rentals.

[Incrociatore]

I am looking for a condo, apartment, for a couple of months. Most properties are for rent for a minimum of 6 months / 1 year contract. I am struggling to find a "long term" accommodation around Phrom Pong. Can anyone help? Point me to any websites for example?

[Nomes2015]

Hi, can anyone recommend a legit site to give me the latest info on the requirements for retiring to Thailand.

Seems to be a lot of variation in the sites I have viewed.

I currently live in Vietnam and the visa requirements there are just crazy since Covid.

Thanks.

[KneeHowGuys]

Hi,

I have spent a lot of time in Chiang Mai. It is full of retirees from many countries. The biggest problem is the insane pollution problem from about February to May. Many people leave during that time period.

Hi!

I'm new to the forum. Who might be good to PM to ask about what men would have done earlier in their lives to better set themselves up to be sexpats in places like Thailand?

Aside from just make more money obviously.

[Buksida1]

I have visited Chiang Mai several times, occasionally for longer spells. For three year I have considered buying a condo to live part of he year here. Whereas I enjoy a certain aspect of life in Thailand greatly, it would be nice to add a new dimension to this. I am trying to identify locations where older western expat men meet for a drink and a chat and possibly exploring the town in more detail. I have come across several places inside and outside the walls but have never ventured into conversation. I am thinking of buying a condo close to the Shangri La hotel.

Hi,

I have spent a lot of time in Chiang Mai. It is full of retirees from many countries. The biggest problem is the insane pollution problem from about February to May. Many people leave during that time period.

[ShawMan74]

I am thinking of living in Thailand, if not permanently then at least 5 months out of the year. I am wondering what is the best place to go for my purposes. My checklist is:

1) Hot, but not too hot.

2) Mountainous, but not so as it is too difficult to walk (hopefully the elevation will make it cooler as well).

3) Quiet, but I can still get laid when the mood takes me.

4) Facilities, food, eating places not too far away.

I might also add:

5) Cheap.

Although if I choose to buy somewhere, I might pay more in order to get more rental income when I am not there.

Tricky, because everything is a trade-off.

I had my honeymoon in Chiang Mai and liked it there, though more in the mountains would be better. There may even be areas around Phuket that are reasonably mountainous.

Lamai in koh samui is pretty much perfect for you. Maybe not the mountain you want but otherwise perfect.