Apartment Prices?

[counrikke]

Hi everyone, been reading this forum for awhile and been working things out,

I've been to thailand a couple of times, and quite a few places and have chosen chiang mai as my starting place

I'm only young, 19 and one of my goals is to live somewhere overseas for a year or two.

In may stays in thailand, chiang mai specifically, I've had trouble finding out the pricing of apartments over there.

I was wondering if anyone had some sort of indication of prices over there, in baht.

it would be very helpful

thankyou

[chiang mai]

The answer to your question is, how long is a piece of string! It's possible to rent an apartment for a couple of thousand Baht a month or to spend many many thousands of Baht, mostly this is determined by what sort of apartment you require, its size, location and facilities. Perhaps if you could give us some sort of guidelines on those factors we can give you some idea's of how much you should expect to pay

[gotlost]

We don't have apartments as such like you would associate with from the west. In Thailand they refer to units as condos or condominiums. These condos will start at about 5000 baht per month and go up. Usually a decent unit is about 10 k to 15 k per month figure on another 1 k to 2 k per month for utilities.

[counrikke]

wow, really didnt expect a quick reply! thankyou.

hmm, well, basically. I live in an apartment now.. it's basically a studio type apartment with a bathroom (one big room with a toilet / sink / shower )

I'm not really concerned on the size too much, as long as I can fit a double bed, some drawers, tv, minifridge and a computer table.. it should do, I'm a minimalist, or something like that.

I'm hoping to possibly study in thailand, what? yet I'm not sure. But, I'll figure that out.

If you need anything else, just ask

[chiang mai]

wow, really didnt expect a quick reply! thankyou.

hmm, well, basically. I live in an apartment now.. it's basically a studio type apartment with a bathroom (one big room with a toilet / sink / shower )

I'm not really concerned on the size too much, as long as I can fit a double bed, some drawers, tv, minifridge and a computer table.. it should do, I'm a minimalist, or something like that.

I'm hoping to possibly study in thailand, what? yet I'm not sure. But, I'll figure that out.

If you need anything else, just ask

So a studio apartment, say around 35 sq metres (?), limited cooking facilities and a simple bathroom??

Next question: do you want your studio to be in a nice new apartment block where other farangs live or are you prepared to live in a Thai only block? The difference between the two will possibly include security or a lack of and the associated risk. Also, do you want to be near the entertainment area or are you prepared to travel some distance in order to keep costs low?

On the lower end of the scale you can expect to get away for around Baht 3,000 per month and on the upper end around Baht 15,000 or so. In practice you will likely find something suitable in-between. I'm actually thinking of a one bedroom apartment of 98 sq metres in a very very nice condo complex in CM - has a kitchen, first rate security, gym, tennis court and parking, circa Baht 25,000 a month so perhaps that will give you some kind of guideline.

Edited January 31, 2010 by chiang mai

[counrikke]

I also wanted to know, I know this isnt that relevant to the original post, but while I have some people with good knowledge here,

what are the possiblities of getting a simple job in thailand? say, something like fast food, or something. Provided I spoke fluent thai and english?

Thanks again

[counrikke]

wow, really didnt expect a quick reply! thankyou.

hmm, well, basically. I live in an apartment now.. it's basically a studio type apartment with a bathroom (one big room with a toilet / sink / shower )

I'm not really concerned on the size too much, as long as I can fit a double bed, some drawers, tv, minifridge and a computer table.. it should do, I'm a minimalist, or something like that.

I'm hoping to possibly study in thailand, what? yet I'm not sure. But, I'll figure that out.

If you need anything else, just ask

So a studio apartment, say around 35 sq metres (?), limited cooking facilities and a simple bathroom??

Next question: do you want your studio to be in a nice new apartment block where other farangs live or are you prepared to live in a Thai only block? The difference between the two will possibly include security or a lack of and the associated risk. Also, do you want to be near the entertainment area or are you prepared to travel some distance in order to keep costs low?

On the lower end of the scale you can expect to get away for around Baht 3,000 per month and on the upper end around Baht 15,000 or so. In practice you will likely find something suitable in-between.

Well, yeah. 35 may even be more then I need!

I don't really mind, as I want to get along with locals more then anything. I have a fair knowledge of security, it just depends on if the owner lets me implement such items, (advanced locks, security doors and such)

I'd be happy either way. I wouldn't want to live too far, but not too close, somewhere in between. so as you said, a happy medium should be found

thanks for the advice/help

[chiang mai]

I also wanted to know, I know this isnt that relevant to the original post, but while I have some people with good knowledge here,

what are the possiblities of getting a simple job in thailand? say, something like fast food, or something. Provided I spoke fluent thai and english?

Thanks again

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

[counrikke]

I also wanted to know, I know this isnt that relevant to the original post, but while I have some people with good knowledge here,

what are the possiblities of getting a simple job in thailand? say, something like fast food, or something. Provided I spoke fluent thai and english?

Thanks again

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

oh yes, well, I even meant including that, haha. Sorry.

[chiang mai]

I also wanted to know, I know this isnt that relevant to the original post, but while I have some people with good knowledge here,

what are the possiblities of getting a simple job in thailand? say, something like fast food, or something. Provided I spoke fluent thai and english?

Thanks again

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

oh yes, well, I even meant including that, haha. Sorry.

And your chances of getting a work permit are close to zero also! Generally speaking, the only people who get issued with work permits are expats working for large companies/hotels, many of them international ones or expats who own a business of some kind or have some form of skill/qualification that is in much demand.

Edited January 31, 2010 by chiang mai

[Asmerom]

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

oh yes, well, I even meant including that, haha. Sorry.

So, you're 19, you speak fluent Thai, and you have a work permit. Where are you from exactly?

[counrikke]

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

oh yes, well, I even meant including that, haha. Sorry.

So, you're 19, you speak fluent Thai, and you have a work permit. Where are you from exactly?

I didn't say I had these. I was just setting some goals and working towards these, not nearly all have been achieved as of yet.

Sorry for the misconception.

What is the longest period of time that a tourist can stay?

[chiang mai]

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

oh yes, well, I even meant including that, haha. Sorry.

So, you're 19, you speak fluent Thai, and you have a work permit. Where are you from exactly?

I didn't say I had these. I was just setting some goals and working towards these, not nearly all have been achieved as of yet.

Sorry for the misconception.

What is the longest period of time that a tourist can stay?

Perhaps you need to do a search on this forum, all the answers to all your questions already exist and can be found easily.

[thrilled]

Myself I could think of at least 6 or 7 places that i'd rather stay at than chiangmai.I guess you like being around foreigners.

[eek]

Zero, unless you have a work permit.

oh yes, well, I even meant including that, haha. Sorry.

So, you're 19, you speak fluent Thai, and you have a work permit. Where are you from exactly?

I didn't say I had these. I was just setting some goals and working towards these, not nearly all have been achieved as of yet.

Sorry for the misconception.

What is the longest period of time that a tourist can stay?

Hi counrikke, its great that you want to do this at 19, but you need to do some research. This forum (as pointed out) is a great place to find lots of info.

If you decide to come here for a year or two, you need to make sure you have funds to cover that. Dont rely on trying to getting work..which is very difficult...particularly at your age. You need to make sure you cover yourself. That also means covering yourself for costs of visas, as it involves going out the country(Tourist visa is 90 days..initially 60 days, then you extend by 30 at immigration. More info in the Visa section of this forum on that. You can also get a double entry TV, so read up on it all). Also, although it will be an adventure, best to try do something constructive too. Dossing about (if thats your plan) for 2 years isnt great for your CV and at some point you will need to think about your plans for the future. Sorry if that sounds a bit practical and all that..but its true. Doss by all means, but try to learn something/do something too. Also, read up on the advice regarding Thai girls. There are wonderful girls in Thailand, but there are also ones you need to be careful of. So, dont get put off with the various tales of woe, but take heed of them. Dont be suckered by a pretty smile and a seemingly lovely nature. Basically READ, read lots. Get informed. Take the info on board, but dont let the negative stuff get you down. If you decide after that to go to Thailand, you will find yourself able to deal with things that come up rather than feeling overwhelmed and reeling from stuff you hadnt bargained for. Oh and please read up about drugs in Thailand (not that im suggesting you do them), just that if you dont already know, the punishment here is harsh. Read up on how the police operate too.

Well..good luck to you, whatever you decide to do!