Good Neighborhood In The Suburbs

[henrytuttle]

Where are the good gated type communities in Bangkok? I've read that they're there, but I can't find any specifically.

I'm looking for a high-end neighborhood, possibly in the suburbs with houses running between 200-300,000/month. Yes, I know that's considered a lot by Thai standards, but I bought property in Dubai and have been very fortunate (my house appreciated almost 50% in a year!). And because I can't buy a house in Thailand, I'd probably rent out my place in Dubai and use that money for rent.

Primarily, I'd prefer neighborhoods with lots of well-to-do professionals. Lots of expats if possible. Swimming pools (private preferred, but community also okay). Safe.

Anything like that within the city limits? Next to a skytrain station?

I guess if we live in the suburbs, we'd be forced to drive into town.

I've never driven in Bangkok and the idea of it sends shivers down my spine.

[tw25rw]

http://www.bangkokproperty.com/detail.asp?ppty=655

[henrytuttle]

Thank you. That's actually a very decent looking house. Now, I'll have to find out what kind of neighborhood it's in. I'm a little concerned about safety within Bangkok.

[tw25rw]

Thank you. That's actually a very decent looking house. Now, I'll have to find out what kind of neighborhood it's in. I'm a little concerned about safety within Bangkok.

It's popular with foreigners, though I can't vouch for their wives.

It wouldn't cost much more to have a 24hr security guard.

[teej]

I can vouch for Grand Canal on Prachacheun Rd.

We've got our own Sports City (huge and nice driving range, gym, restaurants, etc) and our own Villa Supermarket.

There are some houses in here that are just beautiful, and some of the regular cookie-cutter ones too. If you come to the driving range and look across the canal, you'll see some very nice high-dollar houses right there. Easily 50 million+.

I don't much like the traffic around here, sometimes it can get pretty bad (though it's better than the oft-mentioned Nichada on crappy Samakee Rd -- Nichada is a bloated maze IMO - and with more unhappy housewives).

There are some nice estates over (read: way over in BFE) Bang-Na rd km. 9349299 or so. Big properties with proper estates, but IMO it's just too darn far.

Or you can try out the Issara place on Rama 9 (is that stupid billboard still up on the expressway?)-- 150 million THB but they throw in a Ferrari or something ridiculous like that. Not value for money. I have a friend who paid 30-some million in that same estate, so I dunno what suckers are buying for 150 million.

Oh incidentally that same friend is selling her house I've heard, though she doesn't remember how much she bought it for -- honestly. 30-odd million yes, but she can't remember the exact figure. Hilarious. And she's 26 (not young and dumb, either -- just young and making tons of money). If you're interested (in the house, not her), I can get you in touch. PM me if so.

Edit: I just re-read your original post. To answer some questions, no you will not find something that high-end near a BTS station. Also, if you don't want to drive in BKK, I'd suggest buying a penthouse in the city, that way you can own it outright. If you look over the edge of Vertigo at the Banyan tree, back and to the right, you'll see a penthouse about 20 floors down (~40th floor). That one has a private roof-top pool, a very nice terrace, total connectivity (i mean everything) and private elevator(s). Owned by a yacht-builder, as of last year he wasn't willing to sell at around 45 million, but I don't know about this year -- maybe yacht-building business is bad. He spends only a few months of the year in BKK, so if you give him a deal he can't refuse, you never know.

[tb86]

yeah grand canal is great, i live across the street in garden city lagoon also very nice, town houses go for 8 million, houses from 18-50+ gated with 24 hr security villa , sports city ect. we have a clubhouse full pool, all the bells and whistles, golf course 5 min away,

[Heng]

This might be a little "lower" than your standards, but I have a Baan Nunthawan Sukapibal 3 (by Land and House) leased out to a Japanese expat couple (for 90k a month / it was 15.9 million to buy) who say they couldn't be happier. Gated 24 hour security and the usual L&H afterservice/neighborhood maintainence. They have similar neighborhoods all over town, and as long as you stay in the 8-20 million range (they have houses for less if you want a little more mooban/village type atmosphere), they are about the same.

Yeah, no need to tell me that I'm getting less than my fixed forex accounts, I already know that. I'm not either/or with investments, I prefer "both."

...ah, forgot to say that it's mostly Thais in this neighborhood, but they are the type of Thais who'll just smile at you but won't usually want to have anything to do with you, so if you like minding your own business, this is the kind of place.

[NoSpeakIt]

Where are the good gated type communities in Bangkok? I've read that they're there, but I can't find any specifically.

I'm looking for a high-end neighborhood, possibly in the suburbs with houses running between 200-300,000/month. Yes, I know that's considered a lot by Thai standards, but I bought property in Dubai and have been very fortunate (my house appreciated almost 50% in a year!). And because I can't buy a house in Thailand, I'd probably rent out my place in Dubai and use that money for rent.

Primarily, I'd prefer neighborhoods with lots of well-to-do professionals. Lots of expats if possible. Swimming pools (private preferred, but community also okay). Safe.

Anything like that within the city limits? Next to a skytrain station?

I guess if we live in the suburbs, we'd be forced to drive into town.

I've never driven in Bangkok and the idea of it sends shivers down my spine.

you can find houses near the skytrain for this price, some of them will have a guarded gate, but its going to be a very stuffy enviroment which does not sound like what you are looking for. i doubt many have a club house. there is one of these little urban villiages on sukhumwit soi 36 and on ekamai rode.

as for living in the burbs, man, i dont how you could stand it. everytime i get dragged out there for a graduation or birthday its like driving off the face of the earth. but there are definitely a number of very nice houses available. obviously you are going to need to drive. no, there is not much around besides a grocery store and maybe a ghetto cenrtral department store.

[henrytuttle]

thanks for all the info.

I'll definitely have a look at this Grand Canal area. I'll also try that Issara place and garden city lagoon.

I was looking at Bang Na. I don't know Bangkok well enough to know how BFE it is (speaking of which, I actually do have a place in Egypt - never thought of that before that I literally had a place in BFE).

I'm guessing that getting a driver in Bangkok wouldn't be too difficult or expensive. Then it's mostly about the time spent going in and out of the city. I don't think I'll get a real feel for that until I make the drive a few times.

Penthouses seem okay, but I'm a house kind of guy. I've been told I walk loudly. At this stage in my life, I'd kind of like to not have to watch how I walk in my own house. Also, my passion is my home theater. Seems like I'd have to watch that in an apartment too. Finally, it seems like I'd meet people in the elevator and smile and do the small talk thing. I hate that. My wife likes it. I want a good neighborhood so that she can meet people. I'd rather hole myself up in the house watching movies and writing useless posts on forums like this. Smiling and talking to people hurts my face and gives me a headache.

As far as my "standards" go, I could live in FAR LESS and be perfectly happy. I've seen the kinds of apartments you can get for 5-10K/mo. and they're fine. But why? When I die, much of my money will go to charity. I think living on less would just mean giving even more to charity later on. Doesn't that seem needlessly penny pinching and a little greedy on the part of the charities? (dam_n greedy charities! )

Thank again for the information.