Query On Suitability Of Apartment On Soi 8 Sukhumvit

[movinsoon]

Greetings all.

We've just moved to Bangkok and are in the process of looking for apartments. We've seen a nice one in Sukhumvit Soi 8 but are a bit concerned if this Soi is 'safe' and not sleazy. Basically I'd like to know if this is family friendly for my wife and kids.

All comments and views would be much appreciated.

[Moonfruit]

Yes it is.

Soi 8 is the one soi in the Nana area where you wont walk past red lights every day (apart from that bar down a small soi which is out of the way).

There are also a couple of nice buildings there, and unless you drive a car, the location is awesome BTS wise.

May i ask what building you are looking at renting in, and maybe i can give you a bit more info.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Yes it is.

Soi 8 is the one soi in the Nana area where you wont walk past red lights every day (apart from that bar down a small soi which is out of the way).

There are also a couple of nice buildings there, and unless you drive a car, the location is awesome BTS wise.

May i ask what building you are looking at renting in, and maybe i can give you a bit more info.

Agreed.

[PadThaiGuy]

If you have kids, they will get an eyefull on this Soi.

Soi 10, 12, 16 18, 20 are probably more family friendly.

[movinsoon]

Thank you all. We are considering Orchid view. So if I were to consider some of the comments, it doesn;t seem to be a good bet? What about Soi 24? Its noisy but is it less sleazy?

[taxexile]

soi 24 is wonderfully located , less sleazy , and more family friendly , but horribly choked with traffic.

handy for the skytrain , the emporium shopping centre and the restaurants and euro pubs situated in that area of sukhumvit. generally less of the hardcore lowlife brigade that infest lower sukhumvit .

the sleaze is there on soi 24 , but its a "higher class" of sleaze ... (if that makes any sense) and mostly behind closed doors. if you are not looking for it , you will probably not notice it.

soi 8 is not a bad soi though , but its gradually getting sleazier.

[PadThaiGuy]

I've recommended the Raintree on Soi 53 to another family recently looking for a good place.

Soi 53 has BTS access, is quiet with lots of trees, some very high end homes.

Just a block from the popular Soi 55.

Another world from lower Sukhumvit.

[TonyLeung]

Soi 8 is sleazy, but I guess people have different definitions. I mean, if you are bothering to ask, you probably want to be somewhere else imho. I wouldn't want my kids in this area.

Edited November 15, 2007 by TonyLeung

[corkscrew]

Greetings all.

We've just moved to Bangkok and are in the process of looking for apartments. We've seen a nice one in Sukhumvit Soi 8 but are a bit concerned if this Soi is 'safe' and not sleazy. Basically I'd like to know if this is family friendly for my wife and kids.

All comments and views would be much appreciated.

Are you weded to the Sukhumvit area? There are some very nice river front apartments near the Taksin Skytrain station. Very family oriented. Nice views of the river traffic.

[movinsoon]

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your views. We are not fixated on Sukhumvit, but it was just one of the more convenient areas for both me (work wise) and the family. Will explore the riverside and Soi 53. Thanks much once again.

[quiksilva]

I never understood the appeal of Sukhumvit the Naradthiwas, Charoenkrung, Sathorn area has much lighter traffic at the weekends and is just as accessible.

[mauiguy90]

Greetings all.

We've just moved to Bangkok and are in the process of looking for apartments. We've seen a nice one in Sukhumvit Soi 8 but are a bit concerned if this Soi is 'safe' and not sleazy. Basically I'd like to know if this is family friendly for my wife and kids.

All comments and views would be much appreciated.

Sukhumvit 38, which is right next to the BTS Thonglo station, is quite nice and has several decent to good apartment complexes. One of the subsois has a bunch of tennis courts. Most of the area is pleasant and not congested. Take a drive there and see if you like what you see. I think this soi has a combination of being convenient to major shopping and entertainment(Emporium, Thonglo, Ekkamai) yet is quiet and family friendly. Good luck!

[typist]

I never understood the appeal of Sukhumvit the Naradthiwas, Charoenkrung, Sathorn area has much lighter traffic at the weekends and is just as accessible.

I never understood why anyone would want to live on Sukhumvit - imho it's nothing but a glorified tourist trap. Granted, there are some ok restaurants, but most are easily accessible by skytrain (or taxi, at night).

Edited November 18, 2007 by typist

[mauiguy90]

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your views. We are not fixated on Sukhumvit, but it was just one of the more convenient areas for both me (work wise) and the family. Will explore the riverside and Soi 53. Thanks much once again.

Here's a link to different apartment and condominiums in the Sukhumvit area. If you click on the icon, you can find out the general price range and amenities offered.

http://www.kobayashi.co.th/Thaigo/sukhumvit/sukhumvit.htm

Edited November 20, 2007 by mauiguy90

[samran]

I used to live in Soi 8 and would rate it highly.

Once you get past the first 30 meters, the soi immediately turns into a very nice, quiet and residential soi given that it is a dead end, with no through traffic.

Having said that, the front of the soi isn't too dodgy, and it is fast 'gentrifying', out with dodgy bars being replaced by some decent indian resturants, coffee shops. What you mostly see at the top of the street are tourists, mainly scandanavian families who come and stay at the lodge. The massage places there are pretty good too, and totally legit (all bar one which you'll soon figure out which one - and thats off a side street any way).

There is already the Soi 8 pub, and while at first I though it was dodgy, turns out to be quite a reasonable pub (any pub where you see a group of farang girls hanging out has to be reasonable!). Via Vai is a pretty decent Italian restuarant there, and down in the soi a bit past the apartments you were looking at is an EXCELLENT french restuarant called Le Banyan set in quiet greenery.

And as others have mentioned, access to the Nana BTS is fantasitic, which once you've been living in BKK for a while, is worth it.

[PadThaiGuy]

With the exception of Lolitas Blow Job Bar, the Hooker Bar across from the 7-11, some shady Massage places and the Hotels that are half full of drunks and prostitutes..., it is a very good Soi for families.

Edited November 22, 2007 by PadThaiGuy

[zorro1]

I never understood the appeal of Sukhumvit the Naradthiwas, Charoenkrung, Sathorn area has much lighter traffic at the weekends and is just as accessible.

I never understood why anyone would want to live on Sukhumvit - imho it's nothing but a glorified tourist trap. Granted, there are some ok restaurants, but most are easily accessible by skytrain (or taxi, at night).

When its 38c outside and 100% humidity the last thing on my mind is having to walk 15 mins to a BTS, climbing the stairs and standing there for another 10 waiting or even worse sitting in a taxi for 30 mins to travel 3 kms and yes its shocking traffic in the evening around dinner time. Sukhumvit is mighty appealing if you want 3000 resteraunts and a zillion bars at your doorstep. Why is Soi 8 sleazy? I been in the area (no kids) for ages and the worse I have experienced is "hello welcome hansome".The Girls at Lolita's or any of the girls in that type of establishment will never harass your kids and I imagine your kids will not be roaming the streets alone after midnight so go for it its a fantastic location

Edited November 23, 2007 by zorro1

[PadThaiGuy]

The Lolitas team of BJ specialists dress like schoolgirls so your kids might get mistaken as part of the crew?

On the sleaze scale of 1 - 10, I give Soi 8 a rating of 7.5.

[candoman89]

I have been here on Soi 8 for 4 years. It is an excellent Soi. Never once been bothered by "hello; what u name? buy me drink?" .

Number of excellent restaurants (Soi 8, Via Vai (or however its spelled) the new South American BBQ place, 2 excellent Indian ones, the french one already mentioned and even Det 5 for breakfast (only opens at 10 a.m. )).

HOWEVER, with the 2 new serviced apartments and another building going up further down the Soi, traffic is starting to get a little congested especially when the Paak Soi is full of motocy taxis and noodle stand.

[movinsoon]

Thank you everyone. Mauiguy, many thanks for the link. Its been very useful. We've dropped Orchid Tower and are now looking at Hawaii tower on Soi 23. Any advice?

[vegas]

I can see most of the negative comments about soi 8 are from people that visit the soi and don't live there. Yes there's a BJ bar and a rub and tug. There are also rub and tugs on soi 24, 26, Thonglor, 33 and many, many other sois. I've lived on soi 10 for 6 years and have never had problems...once they knocked down the soi 10 bars. The location is great for transport, supermarkets, parks, everything.

[samran]

Thank you everyone. Mauiguy, many thanks for the link. Its been very useful. We've dropped Orchid Tower and are now looking at Hawaii tower on Soi 23. Any advice?

dunno about the apartment, but the street...well, soi cowboy at the near the top of the street for starters, and a bit further away from the BTS.

But, once you get past the first part of the street (hello mister!) down towards the Indian Embassy it is very nice and green.

[zorro1]

The Lolitas team of BJ specialists dress like schoolgirls so your kids might get mistaken as part of the crew?

On the sleaze scale of 1 - 10, I give Soi 8 a rating of 7.5.

on a rating of bizarre responses I would rate yours a perfect 10! are you for real ? I live in soi 13 and that is the shortcut to hanrahans where i often dine and meet friends. Now you got me worried because opposite lolitas is a gay establishment does that mean that I have been mistaken as part of their crew? Come to think of it I am kind of cute after a few drinks so from now on Im walking the long way just to be safe

Edited November 25, 2007 by zorro1

[mauiguy90]

Thank you everyone. Mauiguy, many thanks for the link. Its been very useful. We've dropped Orchid Tower and are now looking at Hawaii tower on Soi 23. Any advice?

I took a look at the Hawaii Tower (soi 23) info and it does look good on paper.Its extremely large (250+ sq.m.), has a children's playground, lots of amenities and proximity to the BTS/MRT. I've heard there are a couple very good schools in the area and accdg to the map, there is a preschool closeby. l don't know about soi Cowboy being the best neighbor, although the Hawaii Tower (like the name) is quite deep in Suk 23. Air quality might also be an issue due to proximity to Asoke.

I do think looking at the Arcadia Tower(#439) Suk 53 might be worth your time, as the Thonglo area has a lot of good restaurants and according to Padthaiguy, is a good area for a family. As I recall, there is at least one international school closeby(probably more).

I also thought Baan Sukhumvit II, on Sukhumvit 34 and Baan Jamjuree, on Suk 39 are worth taking a look at. Baan Sawadee on Suk 31 has similar amenities including a squash court. Personally, I like Suk 38 because it is quite peaceful there but right now it seems like there's nothing appropriate for you there in terms of your preferred price category.

I'm attaching a link you can probably use. Its the alphabetized listing of condos/apartments in the Sukhumvit area, with the star ratings. Geez, didn't realize there were so many places to look at, even with the map/alpha listing!!! Best of luck!

http://www.kobayashi.co.th/Thaigo/sukhumvit/b.html

Edited November 25, 2007 by mauiguy90

[dotcom]

Let's see. 250 m2 in Asoke should run you around 100,000 to 120,000 a month. I hope your company is paying.

[PadThaiGuy]

The Lolitas team of BJ specialists dress like schoolgirls so your kids might get mistaken as part of the crew?

On the sleaze scale of 1 - 10, I give Soi 8 a rating of 7.5.

on a rating of bizarre responses I would rate yours a perfect 10! are you for real ? I live in soi 13 and that is the shortcut to hanrahans where i often dine and meet friends. Now you got me worried because opposite lolitas is a gay establishment does that mean that I have been mistaken as part of their crew? Come to think of it I am kind of cute after a few drinks so from now on Im walking the long way just to be safe

The OP is looking for a family friendly Soi. Lolitas blow job bar has a couple dozen girls dressed in school uniforms hanging out near the 7-11.

I wouldn't want my wife and kids walking past hookers and punters every day. (it's great for me)

Thanks for reminding me about the gay rubdown joint. Another good reason for a family to avoid the Soi.

I'll bump my sleaze rating for this Soi to an 8.5 .

Edited November 25, 2007 by PadThaiGuy

[zorro1]

The Lolitas team of BJ specialists dress like schoolgirls so your kids might get mistaken as part of the crew?

On the sleaze scale of 1 - 10, I give Soi 8 a rating of 7.5.

on a rating of bizarre responses I would rate yours a perfect 10! are you for real ? I live in soi 13 and that is the shortcut to hanrahans where i often dine and meet friends. Now you got me worried because opposite lolitas is a gay establishment does that mean that I have been mistaken as part of their crew? Come to think of it I am kind of cute after a few drinks so from now on Im walking the long way just to be safe

The OP is looking for a family friendly Soi. Lolitas blow job bar has a couple dozen girls dressed in school uniforms hanging out near the 7-11.

I wouldn't want my wife and kids walking past hookers and punters every day. (it's great for me)

Thanks for reminding me about the gay rubdown joint. Another good reason for a family to avoid the Soi.

I'll bump my sleaze rating for this Soi to an 8.5 .

In reality is there a family friendly soi anywhere between soi 3 and 33? I think the bottom line is in what way will the family be harrased? When Im with my G/F I hardly raise an eyebrow in nana but alone at midnight as we all know is

the gay joint has a title which escapes me but in the years of walking past it I have never seen so much as an open door as opposed to the 1000 freelancers walking up and down most of central sukhumvit on full display late every night.

The wife and the kids will not be harassed (unless kids are 16+) the only likely person likely to be harassed is the op but sounds like his a solid family man so lets not send him to soi 159 to live in misery

[nick2k]

sanaam bao, or soi ari would be my choice for a family oriented location.

[mauiguy90]

Let's see. 250 m2 in Asoke should run you around 100,000 to 120,000 a month. I hope your company is paying.

FYI, its a little more than half that price. Still not cheap, but a good deal for the package.

http://www.kobayashi.co.th/Thaigo/sukhumvi...ment/sk1240.htm

[dotcom]

You pay 70 - I pay 17. We are both happy. I live outside the zone (not by much). Soi Onnut.