Need Moving To Phuket Advice

[austy]

I am contemplating moving to Phuket on my own, initially for approx. 3-6 months but with a view to permanent residency. I intend to rent an apartment/condo and need some advice on the better areas. I have researched Kamala and Kata which seem to suit me o.k. My requirements are to be a 2 bed out of the main action directly but to remain within easy commute of bars restaurants etc. of Patong and have sea views. The better of the 2 bed properties I have seen on the net are all around 80-100,000 baht /mth long term which I could live with but not being there it is hard to work out if this price is reasonable or is it like most things in Thailand, only a staring point and a long way negotiable ? I have watched certain possibly suitable places for sometime and they never seem to go off the net so is it a case of maybe they are only drawcards to get you to make the call and they are not really available ?

I would appreciate any comments/advice on what area may suit and where/how I should search for a decent rental property without actually being there from those of you who "have been there - done that".

Cheers

austy

[Crossy]

This may do better in the Phuket forum (rather than Accomodation Finding) let's try it there.

[austy]

Many thanks for your advice

regards

austy

This may do better in the Phuket forum (rather than Accomodation Finding) let's try it there.

[LivinginKata]

80,000 - 100,000 baht/month price = high end villa. Your post mentions 2 bed apartment or condo and you could find that sort of rental property for more like from 20,000 baht/month. Depends if you are looking for private swim pool, high end furnishings. I suspect you have been looking at property agent websites. The best deals can be found by dealing direct with the owner either by looking at classified in the local papers, such as Phuket Gazette or by driving about looking for FOR RENT boards. Tell us a bit more about your home expectations.

I have sent you a Private Message

[austy]

many many thanks for the reply. Yes, I am looking for something better and have forwarded the link to you by email

regards

austy

80,000 - 100,000 baht/month price = high end villa. Your post mentions 2 bed apartment or condo and you could find that sort of rental property for more like from 20,000 baht/month. Depends if you are looking for private swim pool, high end furnishings. I suspect you have been looking at property agent websites. The best deals can be found by dealing direct with the owner either by looking at classified in the local papers, such as Phuket Gazette or by driving about looking for FOR RENT boards. Tell us a bit more about your home expectations.

I have sent you a Private Message

[Jimi007]

Wow! 100,000 a month? I pay a bit over that a year for a nice house in a nice quiet area.

[stevenl]

This thread may be of help to you. The area is different (Rawai and Chalong are close to Kata BTW), but the general information is the same.

[austy]

Many thanks for your reply, your thread has been of help to me but it is looking like the only real way to go is to do the miles once I am there and see the properties first hand.

kind regards

[MisterMan]

Try Siam Real Estate, but look under long term rentals not holiday rentals.

http://www.siamvillarentals.com

They have the most listings in Thailand and are based in Phuket so are familiar with the properties and locations first hand.

[austy]

Many thanks for the advice, that is a great website and has a million choices

One more question if you are able to assist me, what is your comment regarding the asking prices from these types of operators ? is it like most else in Thailand whereby the price is way negotiable or would you feel the price will be somewhere near the asking price ?

regards austy>

They have the most listings in Thailand and are based in Phuket so are familiar with the properties and locations first hand.

Edited March 10, 2011 by LivinginKata
quote repaired

[tolsti]

You would be better off waiting about another month when the low season starts and landlords are more amenable. Prices are still high now.

[austy]

Many, many thanks for your time and comment. It makes good sense to wait until the landlords have less starters for the properties.

have a great day

regards

austy

You would be better off waiting about another month when the low season starts and landlords are more amenable. Prices are still high now.

[inmysights]

Many thanks for the advice, that is a great website and has a million choices

One more question if you are able to assist me, what is your comment regarding the asking prices from these types of operators ? is it like most else in Thailand whereby the price is way negotiable or would you feel the price will be somewhere near the asking price ?

regards austy>

They have the most listings in Thailand and are based in Phuket so are familiar with the properties and locations first hand.

And are a total ripoff. Get on a bike and travel around. Lots of properties for rent.

NEVER expect good advice on an internet forum, partcularly this one, regarding property/prices and what would suit you personally.

You'll just have to get off your arse and do the legwork yourself unless you don't mind swimming with the numerous sharks here. UpToYou.

[zulugutt]

To book something you find on the internet, either via an agent or direct from owner, I would not recommend. I have some a few apartments that are rented out (nothing you would be interested in), and we always insist that the potential tenant come and have a look before we accept a booking.

You will feel much better if you start your stay in Thailand living in a hotel for the first one-two weeks until you find the perfect place for you.

There are plenty of agents that would be more than happy to assist you. They all charge 10% of the rental fee as their payment. So in your pricerange, it's a lot of money to save to find an apartment and rent it direct from the owner. And Phuket Gazette is full of classifieds with houses and apartments for rent every week.

Good luck.

[phuketrichard]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT pay book a house via the Internet

I live in kamala and right now there aqre more houses for rent than I have ever seen in a high Season and figure mid April there will be many more. Just come here and drive around. kamala is small and u can cover every strret in 15 minutes and just look for signs on the roads. Right now there is a 3 bedroom house on my small soi for 16,000. built on slits that u have plenty of space under for cars/motorcycles and such

You can easily get a good 2 bedroom semi furnished house for 12-18,000 baht.

If u need a pool then it will climb to 25-35,000 and.

Of course if u want one of those houses on the beach in kamala (65,000) or on the cliffs, (150-500,000)

2 bedroom condos go for around 25,000-40,000

[austy]

Your message was very helpful in giving me some indication as to what to expect to pay and also unlike in my country where landlords do not put out signs for rent obviously Thailand does so it should make the process a lot simpler and be able to deal directly with the owners thus saving a few dollars. My plan now is certainly to rent a Hotel for a week or two and then begin a hunt for something to rent.

What are your thoughts on Kamala as a place to live and its easy access to Patong ?, are there other areas I should also consider ?

many thanks for your time

regards austy

[Old Croc]

Try Siam Real Estate, but look under long term rentals not holiday rentals.

http://www.siamvillarentals.com

They have the most listings in Thailand and are based in Phuket so are familiar with the properties and locations first hand.

They have the most listings because they don't remove them.

Was just checking places and prices using their search engine and discovered the place I'm currently staying in, is listed. And available immediately! I rented direct from the owner some time ago and he had it advertised on his own web site. Who knows how long ago he listed it with Siam. The pics in the ad showed an old paint job on the walls and furniture that no longer exist.

[phuketrichard]

love Kamala and have been here over 13 years.

Lots of good expats and a few bars to hang outand some good restaurnts with local prices and if u desire Patong is 12-15 monutes (8km) away.

ON thing that sets Kaamala apart form Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawaii etc is 85-90% of the locals that live here were born here ( the other areas its less than 40% with many from Essan. Nepal, India, Bangeldesh

Many expats like Chalong area but i have never cared for it down there and except for Villa market or if u have a boat no reason to go.

[scubarick]

Take a look at Bangtao & Surin. Its a little less hectic in the north of the island.

They have great beaches and also Leam Singh beach.

There are all types of accommodation available, stretching into the Laguna end of Bangtao.

Your message was very helpful in giving me some indication as to what to expect to pay and also unlike in my country where landlords do not put out signs for rent obviously Thailand does so it should make the process a lot simpler and be able to deal directly with the owners thus saving a few dollars. My plan now is certainly to rent a Hotel for a week or two and then begin a hunt for something to rent.

What are your thoughts on Kamala as a place to live and its easy access to Patong ?, are there other areas I should also consider ?

many thanks for your time

regards austy