Where to rent for family in Phuket?

[inquisitive]

I’ve got a friend who has been offered a job in Phuket for the next three years. Being a long-time expat here he asked me to give him some advice. Unfortunately, my experience in Phuket is long past its ‘use by’ date, and so I can use some help from fellow members.

This fellow is an American in his late fifties, with a Thai wife and two young children aged 1 and 4. The wife has never been to the South, so knows nothing about the place. My friend figures that he needs to rent a house that is something like 100 square meters or more, with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. He wants it furnished and in a place where his kids can play without fear. He’ll also need a good international school, but he won’t be given a separate allowance for that, so it can’t be one of those “expense account” schools, where if you have to ask the fees, you can’t afford it.

He does not have any need to be near any tourist or beach stuff. He just wants a quiet, safe, clean, healthy environment for the family to grow in for the next 36 months. I can’t even suggest what budget range because I have no idea what market is, but I’ll guess he’s good for around 30K per month for rent and utilities.

I’ll bet that description limits his choices to only a very few possibilities. Could anyone here make any suggestions? And what is the normal procedure for finding such a place? Should he and his wife look for a professional real estate agency that specializes in expats? Any suggestions are welcome.

[Guest]

The first question would be. Which part of the island he is going to work? That will determine a lot of things. This is a small island, which have a traffic problems on some parts of the island.

The kids are 1 and 4, and after three years they will be 4 and 7. At what age they should go to international school, instead of kindergarten?

If they don't need to live near to the touristic beaches, that will open a lot of possibilities.

[pagallim]

Oilinki, anybody with the forum name of 'Inquisitive' has seriously to be doubted. A long term expat with a Thai wife asking advice through a third party on an internet forum?

[Guest]

pagallim: You are one of the persons who I have learned to respect on this forum. It does take time and plenty of smart posts.

I can see that the original post is a copy from another source from the font which was not fixed. I did not bother to check what were the earlier posts, just thought that with 200+ posts our kindergarten teachers (honorable moderators that is ) would have caught the person already.

Once again, it does not pay to be too doubtful when there is very little to lose. My way is to leave little questions with the answers. The answers to those determine the rest of the conversation.

The people who talk do not matter while they are asking for question, but do matter when they are answering the very same things.

[phuketjock]

OP I suggest you start with the Phuket Gazette, wide range of rental properties in there.

[inquisitive]

The first question would be. Which part of the island he is going to work? That will determine a lot of things. This is a small island, which have a traffic problems on some parts of the island.

The kids are 1 and 4, and after three years they will be 4 and 7. At what age they should go to international school, instead of kindergarten?

If they don't need to live near to the touristic beaches, that will open a lot of possibilities.

Thanks, oilinki. The job is situated on the west side of the island just north of the city of Phuket. I'm no expert when it comes to the proper designations of pre-school, school, kindergarten, etc., nor do I think it probably matters. You know 'a rise by any other name' and all that. The take-home point, however is that the children will need to attend something. I'm not sure when the ideal starting age is, but I do know that his oldest now attends school upcountry at some private institution. It's not a fancy international school, though the faculty does include a couple of foreigners (a teacher from Wales is the head of their English effort, for example).

And you are right, that they do not need to be near touristic beaches. In fact, he's looking to stay away from those in order to get a quieter lifestyle.

Any thoughts?

[Guest]

Thanks, oilinki. The job is situated on the west side of the island just north of the city of Phuket. I'm no expert when it comes to the proper designations of pre-school, school, kindergarten, etc., nor do I think it probably matters. You know 'a rise by any other name' and all that. The take-home point, however is that the children will need to attend something. I'm not sure when the ideal starting age is, but I do know that his oldest now attends school upcountry at some private institution. It's not a fancy international school, though the faculty does include a couple of foreigners (a teacher from Wales is the head of their English effort, for example).

And you are right, that they do not need to be near touristic beaches. In fact, he's looking to stay away from those in order to get a quieter lifestyle.

Any thoughts?

Well, get the facts so that it would be much more easy to give advices to your friend. In fact why not to introduce your friend to Thaivisa and ask him or her to join the discussion. It's their life after all.

[inquisitive]

Oilinki, anybody with the forum name of 'Inquisitive' has seriously to be doubted. A long term expat with a Thai wife asking advice through a third party on an internet forum?

Geez, P, what's your problem? You write two sentences, neither of which are helpful in any way, and both of which show you did not comprehend what you read in the OP. First of all, what is "seriously to be doubted"? If you go back now with both eyes open and re-read the OP you will see that the person asking the question on the forum labels himself (or herself) as a long term expat, but doesn't mention whether married or not. So you've jumped to a conclusion regarding both the marital status and the gender of the poster. You've also jumped to a conclusion when you assume that the person with the job offer even knows that his question was posted or set to be posted. I, on the other hand can tell you that he does NOT know it is being posted, since I'm the person he asked. He asked me because he thought I knew the answer, not because he thought I was a better poster. In other words, most of your assumptions were just plain off target and wrong, and your response mean-spirited.

But setting aside your terrible reading comprehension and logic, what would be the problem with giving him an answer? You needn't get so defensive just because you don't know the answer to a question. Simply sitting back and letting someone with a bit more knowledge answer would help everyone including yourself. I can see you've got a whole lot of posts under your belt and I can't help but wonder what percentage of them were this crazy way of saying I don't know the answer, but I want people to pay attention to me.

Maybe read more, write less, and learn a lot.

[inquisitive]

Thanks, oilinki. The job is situated on the west side of the island just north of the city of Phuket. I'm no expert when it comes to the proper designations of pre-school, school, kindergarten, etc., nor do I think it probably matters. You know 'a rise by any other name' and all that. The take-home point, however is that the children will need to attend something. I'm not sure when the ideal starting age is, but I do know that his oldest now attends school upcountry at some private institution. It's not a fancy international school, though the faculty does include a couple of foreigners (a teacher from Wales is the head of their English effort, for example).

And you are right, that they do not need to be near touristic beaches. In fact, he's looking to stay away from those in order to get a quieter lifestyle.

Any thoughts?

Well, get the facts so that it would be much more easy to give advices to your friend. In fact why not to introduce your friend to Thaivisa and ask him or her to join the discussion. It's their life after all.

What facts are you still missing? You need blood-type, or what? Why do you pretend to want to be helpful, when you obviously don't? Really, if this isn't something you can contribute to, then why waste your time participating in the first place. I guess the fact that at 23:22 you had nothing better to do than to engage in such childishness is a clue to all. I do hope tomorrow brings you something to give some meaning to your life. You're probably a nice enough guy.

[inquisitive]

OP I suggest you start with the Phuket Gazette, wide range of rental properties in there.

Thanks phuketjock. What the gazette and online listings don't give, though, is a feel for whether the neighborhood is a healthy one, or a rough one, or in a decaying section, subject to huge storms at certain times of year, etc. That's why I was hoping some folks here could help guide me a little. I do appreciate the suggestion though, since it is at least a place to start the search.

[Guest]

What facts are you still missing? You need blood-type, or what? Why do you pretend to want to be helpful, when you obviously don't? Really, if this isn't something you can contribute to, then why waste your time participating in the first place. I guess the fact that at 23:22 you had nothing better to do than to engage in such childishness is a clue to all. I do hope tomorrow brings you something to give some meaning to your life. You're probably a nice enough guy.

<deleted>? I thought I gave you some real questions to ask from your friend on my first post.

Those are the ones, which are meaningful while they are determining where they will be located.

I'm not against you nor your friend. Do learn to read the whole concept of written communication.

It's naturally great that you are helping your friend, but in these days it's way better if your friend can join to the direct communication without needing a proxy between the information and the receiving party.

It's darn hard to try to interpret what people really, really want if the communication is not direct.

[pagallim]

Oilinki, anybody with the forum name of 'Inquisitive' has seriously to be doubted. A long term expat with a Thai wife asking advice through a third party on an internet forum?

Geez, P, what's your problem? You write two sentences, neither of which are helpful in any way, and both of which show you did not comprehend what you read in the OP. First of all, what is "seriously to be doubted"? If you go back now with both eyes open and re-read the OP you will see that the person asking the question on the forum labels himself (or herself) as a long term expat, but doesn't mention whether married or not. So you've jumped to a conclusion regarding both the marital status and the gender of the poster. You've also jumped to a conclusion when you assume that the person with the job offer even knows that his question was posted or set to be posted. I, on the other hand can tell you that he does NOT know it is being posted, since I'm the person he asked. He asked me because he thought I knew the answer, not because he thought I was a better poster. In other words, most of your assumptions were just plain off target and wrong, and your response mean-spirited.

But setting aside your terrible reading comprehension and logic, what would be the problem with giving him an answer? You needn't get so defensive just because you don't know the answer to a question. Simply sitting back and letting someone with a bit more knowledge answer would help everyone including yourself. I can see you've got a whole lot of posts under your belt and I can't help but wonder what percentage of them were this crazy way of saying I don't know the answer, but I want people to pay attention to me.

Maybe read more, write less, and learn a lot.

Trust me, my reading and comprehension skills are more than adequate. You also need to look at my second sentence again, and understand that you (Inquisitive) are the third person referred to.

A question for you. Do you live in Phuket?

Edited August 22, 2013 by pagallim

[steelepulse]

>>The job is situated on the west side of the island just north of the city of Phuket.

That helps a little, but not much. OP, FYI, posters are trying to help you but your style isn't really endearing anyone to make any extra effort. My best answer would be Kathu for location and "thaivisa search" for school information from the many school threads that are available.

[phuketrichard]

Under 30,000 will be hard to find a 4 bedroom house on the island,

More realistically he might be looking at 30-40,000 for rent ++++

Look around Kathu,

chern chun lagoon ( on the main road near BIS, Opposite the Boat Lagoon), would be a good place to live as its a gated community and lots of kids with a mixture of Farangs, and thai's

getting a bit run down but i have a few friends that live there and raised their kids there

convenient for getting around, and as its a it north of town it would make an easy commute

Kids are too young for school an there are plenty of preschools that will accommodate him. I wouldn't waste my money on an international school till the kids were over 8, bi lingual schools are fine

My suggestion, come down, get a room an than drive around and talk to people. that's the easiest way and also look in the Gazette.

as to quiet life Style, I love Kamala an many families live here and there are 4 preschools .

Edited August 23, 2013 by phuketrichard

[ArranP]

I also would suggest Kathu,

An international school here not so expensive is KajonKiet, many luk krueng kids go there http://www.kajonkietsuksa.ac.th/ not as expensive as British International School but still has plenty of english spoken and taught.

Housing estate Phanason village in Kathu, more houses available than Chuan Chuen, its possible to get a 4 bed for 30k per month, not so far from Kajonkiet School or Phuket town, an example of a house for rent on that estate http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/real-estate/houses-to-rent/phanason-park-view-kathu-3-bed-2-bath-unfurnished-207756.html, I know of an investor there with a few houses empty asking just that, PM me if you would like me to pass on your phone number.

some estate agents and internet sites for renting houses on the island.

http://www.houseinphuket.com/

http://www.siamrealestate.com/

http://www.phuketgazette.net/classifieds/

http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/real-estate/

http://www.ddproperty.com/en/

Edited August 23, 2013 by ArranP

[phuketjock]

OP I suggest you start with the Phuket Gazette, wide range of rental properties in there.

Thanks phuketjock. What the gazette and online listings don't give, though, is a feel for whether the neighborhood is a healthy one, or a rough one, or in a decaying section, subject to huge storms at certain times of year, etc. That's why I was hoping some folks here could help guide me a little. I do appreciate the suggestion though, since it is at least a place to start the search.

I can only suggest that as you live here use the info gleaned from the PG and other sources that

have been posted on your thread and go and visit some of the places you think may be suitable

and assess them yourself. Good luck.

[phuketsub]

>>The job is situated on the west side of the island just north of the city of Phuket.

That helps a little, but not much. OP, FYI, posters are trying to help you but your style isn't really endearing anyone to make any extra effort. My best answer would be Kathu for location and "thaivisa search" for school information from the many school threads that are available.

If the job is 'just north' of Phuket Town, then it is most definitely not on the west side of the island, so it is still very unclear where the job is: Koh Kaew? Rassada? Kathu?. As pointed out by Oilinki, that is the best starting point.

I have been studying the rental market a lot lately and know for a fact that it is easy to find nice, new detached homes in many residential estates

on the island for under 30,000 baht/month, at least in/around Phuket Town.

It's a real 'renters' market' here at the moment, due to oversupply.

[phuketrichard]

forgot to mention Loch Palm on / near the golf course in Kathu ( bit more than 30)

or further out near the monument at Paklok (perhaps around 30

while it is very easy to find 2 bedroom houses an even 3, 4 bedrooms are not as easy as one would think especially in the under 30,000 range.

There are many new housing estates being built on the road between Kathu and the airport turnoff road ( near the big Lotus) but they don't look like 4 bedroom places

Come and look DO NOT rent a place off the internet without first looking at it ( you know that) Many of these housing estates are shit and not cared for

[Colonel_Mustard]

Paklok area could be suitable. Easy commute to work and PIA intemational school. Fairly cheap part of the island too.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Colonel_Mustard