Renting a House in Bangkok

[eldragon]

I'm thinking about renting a house or townhouse in Bangkok. I'd be living there alone, or possibly with one friend. Just curious how that's gone for some of you. A few people have advised against it, suggesting I'd be a target in any neighborhood and would likely be robbed if I didn't have someone at home at all times.

[melvinmelvin]

I've been renting a house for about a year. Works fine it seems. Haven't been targeted yet.

[beachproperty]

Not trying to be funny but ......Have anything worth stealing?

If not ...then really nothing to worry about.

Lived in Bangkok for 10 years now in a Townhouse and (knock on wood) ...never been robbed. Great neighbors as everybody looks out for suspicious characters.

If your really that worried ...take out insurance.

good luck!

[eldragon]

Not trying to be funny but ......Have anything worth stealing?

If not ...then really nothing to worry about.

Lived in Bangkok for 10 years now in a Townhouse and (knock on wood) ...never been robbed. Great neighbors as everybody looks out for suspicious characters.

If your really that worried ...take out insurance.

good luck!

A couple electroic items. But mostly cooking supplies. A townhouse seems a bit safer. One way in, protected by a caged gate. But they're difficult to come by in the central area, huh?

[wym]

Lived within a 20-minute walk of the CBD for fifteen years, always near a BTS, only rented houses since my second year here, no way I could ever live in a flat/condo, just doesn't suit my lifestyle.

Yes security is an issue compared to being in a condo with 24-hour guards, but these days electronics aren't that much to replace - obviously you're backing up important data to off-site storage right?

Or you take the security measures necessary, in my case not worth it, since I do always have people in the house, only completely empty maybe an average of one week per year. A fulltime live-in maid/cook/nanny should only cost ~8000 per month anyway.

Most expensive was 27000 for a six-storey between Silom and Sathorn near Chong Nonsi BTS, had four self-contained ensuite rooms upstairs and a business office area downstairs, lived free actually made a profit sub-leasing on that one.

Last two places south of Sathorn along Charoen Krung road near Trok Chan, first was a single-storey two-bedroom one-bath for 4,500, but along a Muslim soi too small for cars, many would consider it too "native" for them, moved when the kids were born didn't want them picking up the dialect and trash-talk from the neighbors.

Currently paying 12000 for a five-storey three-bath place near Hotel Menam, business on the first floor, second floor is the kitchen and living/sleeping area for the Thais, top two floors private for me and my kids with a garden/BBQ/patio area and storage on the top.

Yes they do take time and energy to find, especially for a farang to get local pricing and a decent landlord. But well worth the effort IMO, if you're interested I can post my process.

Edited March 24, 2014 by wym