Can You Trouble Shoot My Relocation Plan Please :)

[corkman]

Dear All,

I have received some excellent replies and guidance in this forum in recent times - so first off, thank you all for reading and for your input.

Ok - after much consideration, my wife and I have decided to relocate to Bangkok. I have had what I believe to be a good job offer, with a good package, and given the relatively strong economy in Thailand and Asia generally, we feel it is a good move. My wife is Thai (although she has been living here in the West with me for over 8 years now), so we have that advantage.

I will be working in Thanapoom Tower, which is right at the intersection of Suk Soi 3 and New Phetchaburi Road (Makasan), not far from the Phetchaburi MRT / Train / new Airpot Link terminal. We are hoping to live in a Mooban in Prawet, with easy access to the Train. Once the airport link opens (hopefulyl soon) I will be able to use that but in the interim I will just hop on the old train (hot as it may be). We have a young child (3yrs old) that will be starting school soon - so we are hoping that there will be good accessiblity to good quality International Schools in the adjacent area.

I would really appreciate peoples opinions on my "plan" so far, including comments on the location, tralve plans, proximtiy to schools and amenities, etc. Anyone who has lived in the suburbs and relocated closer into the city - and visa versa..... your opinion would be REALLY apprecaited, especially if you have kids. A couple of people have recommended an apartment rather than a mooban - I am still open to discussion on this, but we do have a preference for a house primarily (a) so our child can go out to play outdoors, and ( for not stepping out of a condo-building lobby directly onto the busy streets of sukhumvit (also cleaner air and less noise). If anyone feels that opinion / idea is naive, short sighted, or otherwise flawed - please voice your opinions - I would rather be called a fool and avoid a mistake than prove myself to be one and land myself in a bad situation

Many thanks to anyone than can spare the time to offer their opinion or advice - its very much appreciated!!!

[jackdawson]

If you going to live in the suburbs, which I guess is what you mean by "mooban", chances are you're going to need a car.

[corkman]

Thanks - yes, our plans include a car

[chiang mai]

I think the key decision you will have to make is whether you live in the city, fairly close to work, or at least on the BTS, or, whether you live in the suburbs and put up with what could increasingly be an unbearable commute - the location of good International schools may be the determining factor in that argument. If you find there's a good school somewhere that will allow you to live in the city, city condo rentals are not that expensive currently.

[RouxTheDay]

Agree with previous poster... select your child's school first, then decide on residence based on proximity and/or easy access to transportation. Having an alternative to driving (i.e., skytrain, etc.) is a good backup plan for the *rare* occasion when gridlock occurs. Also, outdoor time needn't be limited to only living in a home. I recall that when we first started looking, there were some condo buildings (including serviced ones) that had very nice tot lots on the premises. There are a few nice parks, too (the one next to Emporium comes to mind), so I personally wouldn't limit myself to the suburbs if I were you. It might end up being your best bet, but not necessarily. Good luck with your relo!

[hhgz]

"stepping out of a condo-building lobby directly onto the busy streets of sukhumvit"

Condos near the rapid transit systems are located throughout Bangkok - not just Sukhumvit. Most condos also have interior areas (pool, garden, play) that are child-friendly. Moving to a suburb would mean relative isolation (for you).

[Spee]

Most condos also have interior areas (pool, garden, play) that are child-friendly. Moving to a suburb would mean relative isolation (for you).

I agree with what another poster said about focusing on the child's school first.

I also agree with what this poster hints at. To me, working in the city means living in the city. I hate commuting because too much of the day is lost to unproductive time. Been there, done that.

There will be plenty of opportunity to get out to the country on the weekends. And I suspect you will find the better private schools in and around the city.

Good luck.

[Bedrockguesthouse]

Why not look at Bangna. Sukhumvit soi 107 or in that general area.. takes about 20 minutes by car to get into say Suk soi 20. Also Bangna sky train will be opening up in a few months. We had a double story hous with outdoor patio (fenced) unfurnished for baht 7000 per month. My friend moved into a place which has a garden and security fences for 9000 baht per month. You can do shopping in central about 8 minutes from Soi 107. Anyway just my ten cents worth

good luck i'm sure yr decision is a good one

[ExpatJ]

I am an expat with 2 kids (baby and 3 yr old). My one major piece of advice - DONT LIVE in a house! Your 3 yr old needs kids to play with after pre-school , weekends- for this reason we hunted around for apartment buildings/condos with lots of other families/kids. Also it will be good for your wife as there will be lots of other moms around. We visited dozens of places- one to recommned- Natural Park on sukumvit soi 49 (very large garden, pool, kids play area). The price for natural park is @100,000 baht per month, for 3 brs, which is typical for the higher ends apartments along sukhumvit with the good facilities. Alot of the good pre schools are in the same area.

Some mentioned that park next to emporium- (suk soi 24), thats a fantastic park for kids.

[Thaifan2]

.....With your child only 3 years old i would not base my decesion on location of Schools .

(..are you from Cork ? ''i am a rua '' )

Edited March 1, 2010 by Thaifan2

[corkman]

Thanks for all the advise everyone

Been away for a couple of days, and been organising stuff for the move...... hence the delayed reply!

[corkman]

.....With your child only 3 years old i would not base my decesion on location of Schools .

(..are you from Cork ? ''i am a rua '' )

Yep - rebel through and through boy

I'm gonna have to start hunting down the Paddy's in Bkk I always laughed at my Mrs. hunting down the Thai's here in Cork....... now the shoe will be on the other foot! LOL

[barrybike]

.....With your child only 3 years old i would not base my decesion on location of Schools .

(..are you from Cork ? ''i am a rua '' )

Yep - rebel through and through boy

I'm gonna have to start hunting down the Paddy's in Bkk I always laughed at my Mrs. hunting down the Thai's here in Cork....... now the shoe will be on the other foot! LOL

wexford here ....enjoy bkk

[Travel2003]

Dear OP

I believe you are alreay aware of the huge price differences between downtown BKK and the near suburbs.

I live near Central Plaza, Lad Phrao.

Renting a 2 bedroom apartment for 13 000 a month.

Nice apartment.

If one lives near Central Plaza, it is almost walking distance to Subway and Sky train.

This area (Cental Plaza/Ratchayothin area) is a very quiet area as well.

With car/taxi, it takes 15 minutes (outside the morning/evening rush hours of course) into downtown by using the higway.

[jdinasia]

There are some decent housing "moobaans" further out in Prawet that are close enough to the CityLink (airport rail). Personally it is a bit too far out for my tastes though. I Have lived in Prawet near Seacon Sq for years and love that area. Sri Nakarin rd between Onnut and Pattarnakan Rd's have some nice housing projects and you can get to the citylink in a few minutes by motorcycle taxi if you are daring. (Or longer using a bus)

There are a few schools in the area that should be acceptable.

Access is an important thing and the Sri Nakarin corridor gives access to Rama9 Rd, Bangna Trat (expressway), The Motorway (outbound Rama9) as well as shopping at The Mall Bangkapi, Seacon Square, Seri Ctr (being redone now by the same people that did Paragon and Emporium), Central Bangna, and even some underutilized green spaces like the reservoir and Rama9 Park.

Hope your move works out for you.

[alina]

Agree with previous poster... select your child's school first, then decide on residence based on proximity and/or easy access to transportation. Having an alternative to driving (i.e., skytrain, etc.) is a good backup plan for the *rare* occasion when gridlock occurs. Also, outdoor time needn't be limited to only living in a home. I recall that when we first started looking, there were some condo buildings (including serviced ones) that had very nice tot lots on the premises. There are a few nice parks, too (the one next to Emporium comes to mind), so I personally wouldn't limit myself to the suburbs if I were you. It might end up being your best bet, but not necessarily. Good luck with your relo!

Select the School first, then plan the location to as near the BTS as possible. Do not base your location with car in mind, driving in BKK is frustrating at best, BTS is the key after the School. Great Schools with international recognition. New OP for you, "Best School near ......".

Good luck.

[thaihome]

Limiting your self to the BTS severally limits your options to a small corridor, and pretty much takes out all the suburbs.

Driving can be frustrating in Bangkok, but should not be entirely dismissed as viable transportation option.

TH