Not An Expat, Not A Tourist

[Tuga]

I just came from Thailand a few days ago, after another short holidays there, something I do in a regular basis since 1998.

Getting older, when I return to this cold weather in Europe, I start thinking about dividing my time between my country (Spring and Summer) and Thailand (Autumn and Winter). Well, sometimes i think about Brazil, instead of Thailand...

I talk about this to relatives and friends and I don't know what would be the best option, if i want to do that:

1) To buy a house or a condo

2) Not to buy anything and just go there and rent long-term apartment for the time i want.

I am sure this is something that crosses many people's mind, maybe even discussed here.

Any comments? Pros and cons of both options? (is there a 3rd one?)

[craigt3365]

Well, you know a lot about Thailand then. In's and out's, pro's and con's.

Here's my humble opinion. If you are going to be here for 2-3 months at a time, 2 times a year, and in the same location...a condo is a great way to go. You can leave all your "stuff" here and don't have to lug it back and forth. And, IMHO, prices for condos will do nothing but go up...as long as you buy in a good location and buy a quality condo. It's a good investment. And now is not a bad time to buy.

I don't recommend a house, unless you plan to live here full time. Too many security issues...and maintenance issues. The tropical environment is tough on houses here.

If you want the flexibility of moving from one area of Thailand to another, then I would rent for sure. Renting is cheap here. And if you don't like where you are, you can up and move.

It's a difficult choice. Can you give us some more info? Do you always stay in the same place? Do you just want a place to "crash" for a few months, or are you looking for something more upscale?

You mention Brazil (I've been there...pretty cool for sure!). Is that a place you would want to stay?

[IanForbes]

I do just as the OP mentions. I spend from November to April each year in Thailand and the remaining 7 months traveling around North America on fishing trips. My big home in Canada is just a place to store my toys. I"m single so I only need a room in Thailand. I have several friends in Chiang Mai where I store my stuff I don't need in Canada. I pay them a small amount each year to look after my two motorcycles and other junk. I tell them that if I were to die in Canada then everything I have in Thailand is theirs' to do with as they wish. I have no need for a big condo, and my hotel rent is so low in Chiang Mai that it is cheaper than my cable TV and internet at home. Last month my rent was only $135.00. I actually save money by staying in Thailand. I have several, lovely Thai lady friends who take care of all my other needs. I can only sit on one chair at a time, sleep in one bed at a time and use one washroom at a time. Everything else is extranious.

[Tuga]

Well, you know a lot about Thailand then. In's and out's, pro's and con's.

Here's my humble opinion. If you are going to be here for 2-3 months at a time, 2 times a year, and in the same location...a condo is a great way to go. You can leave all your "stuff" here and don't have to lug it back and forth. And, IMHO, prices for condos will do nothing but go up...as long as you buy in a good location and buy a quality condo. It's a good investment. And now is not a bad time to buy.

I don't recommend a house, unless you plan to live here full time. Too many security issues...and maintenance issues. The tropical environment is tough on houses here.

If you want the flexibility of moving from one area of Thailand to another, then I would rent for sure. Renting is cheap here. And if you don't like where you are, you can up and move.

It's a difficult choice. Can you give us some more info? Do you always stay in the same place? Do you just want a place to "crash" for a few months, or are you looking for something more upscale?

You mention Brazil (I've been there...pretty cool for sure!). Is that a place you would want to stay?

Brazil has more security problems, even in a condo.

If i would buy/rent, i would stay in the same place. Maybe in Pattaya area, from wich i could move to A or B or C for week-.ends and other short stays.

My target would be something "3 star"....not top scale, but not "cheap charlie" place either...

[Semper]

I do just as the OP mentions. I spend from November to April each year in Thailand and the remaining 7 months traveling around North America on fishing trips. My big home in Canada is just a place to store my toys. I"m single so I only need a room in Thailand. I have several friends in Chiang Mai where I store my stuff I don't need in Canada. I pay them a small amount each year to look after my two motorcycles and other junk. I tell them that if I were to die in Canada then everything I have in Thailand is theirs' to do with as they wish. I have no need for a big condo, and my hotel rent is so low in Chiang Mai that it is cheaper than my cable TV and internet at home. Last month my rent was only $135.00. I actually save money by staying in Thailand. I have several, lovely Thai lady friends who take care of all my other needs. I can only sit on one chair at a time, sleep in one bed at a time and use one washroom at a time. Everything else is extranious.

.....and driving one motorcycle at a time.

[noise]

I have no need for a big condo, and my hotel rent is so low in Chiang Mai that it is cheaper than my cable TV and internet at home. Last month my rent was only $135.00. I actually save money by staying in Thailand.

While I live here year round, I endorse what Ian recommends for many reasons. One is because today's nice condo with good management can turn into a dump quickly if management changes. Another reason is I would guess that your yearly costs for a condo would always exceed your short term costs in a "long term" stay place, whether a hotel, guest house, or where ever.

And a 3rd reason is you could decide to spend parts of your stay in a different locations and not have those sunk condo costs to "keep you home".

Now if money is no object..... well, you wouldn't have asked the question in the first place?