Moving to BKK

[TheKnave]

My recommendations:

Definitely learn Thai. Shop around for a school you like, and read the many threads here about the various styles of instruction.

Move a bit further from Sukhumvit, and from the BTS. I know this seems crazy, but living in a more Thai area will acclimatize you culturally, and environmentally. A 15-20 min walk to the BTS/MRT will help you stay fit, and can always be bypassed on a mototaxi or cab, when you just don't feel like it. I lived in Din Daeng, and walked to Victory Monument BTS every morning while attending Thai classes. Easy to get into that routine, and have small adventures on your way home.

Avoid foreigner-dominated apartments. Interact with Thais, even if just to ask what floor button to push in the elevator. Get comfortable around them, and you will reap benefits unexpected.

Pace yourself, and develop interests outside of the Sukhumvit/Silom tourist areas. Get on a bus, and ride until you are lost. Try to find your way back, but notice things as you explore. Find the Thai Soil Museum, and look at some dirt. Join the Siam Society. You get the idea.

Or just ignore all this and get blind drunk every night, and take odds on getting rolled by your creature du jour.

Nah. Really. Immerse yourself in Bangkok. It has a lot to offer.

[stephenterry]

My recommendations:

Definitely learn Thai. Shop around for a school you like, and read the many threads here about the various styles of instruction.

Move a bit further from Sukhumvit, and from the BTS. I know this seems crazy, but living in a more Thai area will acclimatize you culturally, and environmentally. A 15-20 min walk to the BTS/MRT will help you stay fit, and can always be bypassed on a mototaxi or cab, when you just don't feel like it. I lived in Din Daeng, and walked to Victory Monument BTS every morning while attending Thai classes. Easy to get into that routine, and have small adventures on your way home.

Avoid foreigner-dominated apartments. Interact with Thais, even if just to ask what floor button to push in the elevator. Get comfortable around them, and you will reap benefits unexpected.

Pace yourself, and develop interests outside of the Sukhumvit/Silom tourist areas. Get on a bus, and ride until you are lost. Try to find your way back, but notice things as you explore. Find the Thai Soil Museum, and look at some dirt. Join the Siam Society. You get the idea.

Or just ignore all this and get blind drunk every night, and take odds on getting rolled by your creature du jour.

Nah. Really. Immerse yourself in Bangkok. It has a lot to offer.

I'm sure you're a bundle of laughs. This guy is recently divorced, and not ready to lead a boring life right now. I could be wrong, but your penultimate paragraph seems to hit the spot.

[sanukjim]

Bring an air purifying device as the air is rely getting bad there.I am 12 kilometers from the center of BKK and sometimes from the tenth floor I can not see down town for the bad air.Try to find a place on the outskirts like Ransit or Minburi

[mascarabertha]

My recommendations:

Definitely learn Thai. Shop around for a school you like, and read the many threads here about the various styles of instruction.

Move a bit further from Sukhumvit, and from the BTS. I know this seems crazy, but living in a more Thai area will acclimatize you culturally, and environmentally. A 15-20 min walk to the BTS/MRT will help you stay fit, and can always be bypassed on a mototaxi or cab, when you just don't feel like it. I lived in Din Daeng, and walked to Victory Monument BTS every morning while attending Thai classes. Easy to get into that routine, and have small adventures on your way home.

Avoid foreigner-dominated apartments. Interact with Thais, even if just to ask what floor button to push in the elevator. Get comfortable around them, and you will reap benefits unexpected.

Pace yourself, and develop interests outside of the Sukhumvit/Silom tourist areas. Get on a bus, and ride until you are lost. Try to find your way back, but notice things as you explore. Find the Thai Soil Museum, and look at some dirt. Join the Siam Society. You get the idea.

Or just ignore all this and get blind drunk every night, and take odds on getting rolled by your creature du jour.

Nah. Really. Immerse yourself in Bangkok. It has a lot to offer.

nice! well thought out advice. good for you

[Wake Up]

Thank you everyone for all your help with schools and living places and suggestions.