Househunting, I am doing it wrong?

[thelongshoot]

Me and the Mrs have driven up to CM from Hua Hin for a week, with a view to moving here. Its something we have been talking about doing for a year or two now and figured the best way to move forward is to base ourselves here for a week and mooch around. I love this place and we come here every year at least twice, but always do the touristy stuff, staying in the night bazar area. We have been here a few days and have been blindly driving around looking for areas to live that we might like - basicly just winging it - and its proving harder than I imagined.

For a kick off, this is a massive city man.... I genuinley didnt have much of a grasp on how big CM is untill we have been driving around this last few days. We have scrubbed off "muang" the city as an area to live as you seem to spend half your life sitting at traffic lights that seldom change from red to green. It takes ages to get from one side of the city to another and just seemes to be rammed with traffic. To be honest I am fine with that, as I would prefer something 15 to 20 minutes out of town anyway. I like a village feel, out in the nature a little but not a million miles from town, should we want to nip in for a Mexican, or a Guiness, or Central Festival.

Yesterday we drove around Sansai and I loved it. Thats the kind of place for me... All windy roads through little villages, real peacefull atmosphere, but couldnt see anything in the way of houses to rent other than giant 'moo baans' outside of the windy roads and off super highways. Is there an 'area' of Sansai i should check out?

We also went to Doi Saket yesterday, checked out the temple which was nice, but couldnt see much else going on in respect to areas to live around there.

Today we checked out Hang Dong. Im told this is an area where lots of ferangs live but i cant see any evidence of that - clearly im looking in the wrong places - we just seem to spend most of our time driving around busy highways. We are staying in Hang Dong for a couple nights while we check the area out. Im probably wrong, but there does not seem to be a central area where there are a few bars, restraunts, somewhere to wander around? Everything seems spread out, dotted either side of the main road that takes you into CM. Im not complaing about that, just asking if i have missed something? I expected to find a village center of Hang Dong with a few pubs, restraunts, cafes, maybe bump into a couple of ferangs to have a beer with and chat about CM but as yet we havent found that.

We are going to have another go at Hang Dong tomorow, drive around just checking areas out. Then the day after, off to Mae Rim.

As I said, what we are realy after is something with a bit of a village feel but not more than half an hour out of town maximum. Those big moo baans are realy nice, lovely houses and the estates are nice and tidy but it isnt us. We want something more on its own in a village. Any tips would be appreciated.

We are looking for 3 to 4 bedroom, parking for a couple of cars, dogs allowed (big but well trained and friendly) close to nature trails or lakes if possible (somewhere tio walk the dogs).

Any tips appreciated, thanks!

[Clamhua]

I can't help you with your search in Chang Mai but may I ask why you want to leave Hua Hin?

[thelongshoot]

Nothing wrong with Hua Hin, its a nice little place. I guess after 6 years just bored of the place and need a change.

[ammagic]

I just did the opposite & moved from CM to HH. The endless traffic, awful air quality year round - not just burning season - & nowhere to walk without being asphyxiated by diesel fumes - after a decade gave up & moved to fresh air. I would never recommend living in CM - loved it for years - but it has changed so much - & not for the better. Too bad. A lovely city ruined

[anto]

I live in Sansai .Have been here now 6 years .When we first came we found a rental house for 6 months also in Sansai through a rental agency as we were living down in Jomtien at the time .Near the end of the 6 months my wife through contacts with her customers at her hair saloon ,found us a house to buy in a good village at a bargain price .

Our village occasionally has houses to rent ,usually at B8,000 a month .Nothing though just at the moment .The next village to us (where we rented first for 6 months ) always has houses for rent .( from B5000 to B8000 .Its a little more down market than where we are now but still good .Its called Chockvaree ,about 300 meter from the junction of the 121 outer ring road and the 1001 Maejoe road .Here its just 20 minutes by scooter to the moat and old town . Doi Saket where i also have experience of you will probably find a little bit too far out .An agency i used called >>chiangmaiproperties.com << or maybe chiangmaiproperty.com are quite good .

P,S, You will find people wildly exaggerate about the air quality in the months roughly February to April Can only say it has not been experienced by me or my wife and children .

Edited May 16, 2016 by anto

[NancyL]

Are you going to keep your place in Hua Hin as a retreat for the months of Feb until mid May each year? Seriously, up until a few days ago the air here has been very bad for weeks and weeks and many sensible people considered Hua Hin to be a much better alternative.

You may want to get hooked up with a real estate agent like Perfect Homes to help you with your search.

In your post you say "Im probably wrong, but there does not seem to be a central area where there are a few bars, restraunts, somewhere to wander around?" Yeah, there is such a place, it's the place you're ignoring "Muang". You have to get out of your car and WALK. Now there's a concept! You can do that when you live in the Nimman/Huay Kaew area. Yes, indeedy. You can actually, really WALK to bars, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping, hospitals, lawyers, barber shops. You can WALK to these places more quickly than you can drive to them.

[mamborobert]

Sansai is a terrific area and a quick run into town.

You could try a agent that is based in Sansai and has a lot more local knowledge and stock than some agents primarily Farang condo or Hang Dong focussed....and also what rentals will be coming to an end,

Below would be a good start Sansai specific.

http://www.ping-property.com

Edited May 16, 2016 by mamborobert

[Pinot]

I think you're doing it wrong. Or at least I wouldn't do it that way. Well,...I would never buy a property in Thailand, in the first place. But if I were, I would move to a rental in the community so I could be look at things, eyes on the ground. If I actually fell in love with a place I would offer a contract of sale after six months rental.

You're in an extreme buyer's market. The only way to take advantage of the situation is to take your time and chose wisely. It will be difficult to get rid of if you don't.

I live in Phuket and can't imagine living in CM or Hua Hin. Real Estate bubble continues to grow in Phuket. I assume Hua Hin is the same way.

Rent.

[JaseTheBass]

Are you going to keep your place in Hua Hin as a retreat for the months of Feb until mid May each year? Seriously, up until a few days ago the air here has been very bad for weeks and weeks and many sensible people considered Hua Hin to be a much better alternative.

You may want to get hooked up with a real estate agent like Perfect Homes to help you with your search.

In your post you say "Im probably wrong, but there does not seem to be a central area where there are a few bars, restraunts, somewhere to wander around?" Yeah, there is such a place, it's the place you're ignoring "Muang". You have to get out of your car and WALK. Now there's a concept! You can do that when you live in the Nimman/Huay Kaew area. Yes, indeedy. You can actually, really WALK to bars, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping, hospitals, lawyers, barber shops. You can WALK to these places more quickly than you can drive to them.

Agreed. I live in Nimman and rarely feel the need to leave the area. If only Namton's would move here...

Sent from my R2D2 using my C3P0 manservant

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Today we checked out Hang Dong. Im told this is an area where lots of ferangs live but i cant see any evidence of that - clearly im looking in the wrong places - we just seem to spend most of our time driving around busy highways. We are staying in Hang Dong for a couple nights while we check the area out. Im probably wrong, but there does not seem to be a central area where there are a few bars, restraunts, somewhere to wander around?

LOL, nope. And neither will you find that anywhere else EXCEPT downtown. I would give the downtown area another look actually, the old town, riverside area, or very near it. The big traffic headaches are a bit further out near the ring roads, the big schools and malls, etc.

Also take the whining about 'the air' from the usual suspects with a couple grains of salt. The dry season isn't great in the North and never has been.

Chiang Mai is a very big city, with a very nice, walkable and easy-going downtown center that's very vibrant and with a lot of the 700 year history on display. Meanwhile it's small enough to quickly get out into the hills to walk the dogs and explore nature. That's it. The little district towns all around are all the same: a market, amphur buildings, hospital, and big gated communities on the highways going leading up there. That's not where it's at.

Edited May 16, 2016 by WinnieTheKhwai

[amexpat]

WinnieTheKwai and Anto cautioned you about "whiners" like me, NancyL, the World Health Organization, Ministry of Health, et al who claim the air is a problem.

But I must confess that I also say that smoking, bar fights, and riding a motorbike without a helmet are dangerous, too. It's just my nature, I guess.

[cmtg1]

I live in Sansai .Have been here now 6 years .When we first came we found a rental house for 6 months also in Sansai through a rental agency as we were living down in Jomtien at the time .Near the end of the 6 months my wife through contacts with her customers at her hair saloon ,found us a house to buy in a good village at a bargain price .

Our village occasionally has houses to rent ,usually at B8,000 a month .Nothing though just at the moment .The next village to us (where we rented first for 6 months ) always has houses for rent .( from B5000 to B8000 .Its a little more down market than where we are now but still good .Its called Chockvaree ,about 300 meter from the junction of the 121 outer ring road and the 1001 Maejoe road .Here its just 20 minutes by scooter to the moat and old town . Doi Saket where i also have experience of you will probably find a little bit too far out .An agency i used called >>chiangmaiproperties.com << or maybe chiangmaiproperty.com are quite good .

P,S, You will find people wildly exaggerate about the air quality in the months roughly February to April Can only say it has not been experienced by me or my wife and children .

Hmmm! I don't believe that the poster mentioned budget at all. Perhaps staying in a 5,000 Baht a month home will NOT be putting Sansai's best foot forward. Even Upscale as you put it at 8,000 Baht a month may not really paint an accurate picture of what Sansai has to offer. My wife an I just rented a house for 25,000 Baht a month in Sansai and my guess is that thelongshoot would be more comfortable in our neighbourhood.

[luther]

If I was looking for a house and owned dogs, one of the places I would look would be in the area circled below. I ride my bike over there. Thee's an interesting variety of houses, wide open spaces of rice and flower fields with irrigation paths, and very few moobans,

map.bmp

[prism]

Couple of recommendations, check out the Mee Chok Plaza area. Not far from town and has a good selection of restaurants and stores. Also, in town look at the Santitham area. It has a nice village feel about it. Rents will be cheaper than HH, should be able to get someplace decent for 15K baht per month.

[TheSiemReaper]

I'd also say take a closer look at the city center. The traffic really isn't as bad as you may have talked yourself into believing. It can be a little more challenging to find a nice house but it's not impossible either. I walk just about everywhere and it's jolly easy (I'm not far from the night bazaar).

As for the whole pollution debate - I thought there were a few (but only a few) genuinely unpleasant days during the burning season but that, on the whole, it really wasn't worth getting worked up about.

[stuurman]

Today we checked out Hang Dong. Im told this is an area where lots of ferangs live but i cant see any evidence of that - clearly im looking in the wrong places - we just seem to spend most of our time driving around busy highways. We are staying in Hang Dong for a couple nights while we check the area out. Im probably wrong, but there does not seem to be a central area where there are a few bars, restraunts, somewhere to wander around? Everything seems spread out, dotted either side of the main road that takes you into CM. Im not complaing about that, just asking if i have missed something? I expected to find a village center of Hang Dong with a few pubs, restraunts, cafes, maybe bump into a couple of ferangs to have a beer with and chat about CM but as yet we havent found that.

We are going to have another go at Hang Dong tomorow, drive around just checking areas out. Then the day after, off to Mae Rim.

Have a look at the area west of canal road. There are some nice moo bans in this area. Nai Fan 2, Home in Park, Lanna Pinery. Also plenty of nice restaurants to be found here. If you want to bump into a couple of Farangs go tomorrow night to Yummy Pizza on Canal road, live music and most of the time a decent crowd.

[kaptainrob]

Off the Hangdong Road just south of BigC/Makro and tucked away amidst tall trees, lakes and 100's of farang-owned/occupied homes > Ban Wangtan - plenty of choice old and new homes for sale or rent, 5 mins from shops and 15 from Airport/City. 2 bed house/western kitchen backing onto rice paddy from 10k per month or new 3 bedder with pool ~ 40k. 3km's from southern end of CNX so a little aircraft noise 0630 to 0800, especially in section 5.

http://18.734425, 98.964771

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

OP you can try the following method. After identifying the area you want to stay in, you drive around and find small shops or restaurants. At these places you stop and the mrs ask the people about rentals. Locals always knows about properties forsale or for rent. After a few days you should have a good idea of what is available and at what price. If you through estate afents be prepared for an extra 10% plus.

[bazza40]

The key to getting around CM is to use the car on the ring roads, and a scooter around the Old City. It's also about timing, when schools are starting and finishing is the worst time to travel.

San Puloei, Doi Saket and Mae Rim would probably be the best bet for a village feel.

I'm wondering why the OP is faffing about driving around, when all he has to do is walk into a real estate agent's office with a list of his requirements.

Edited May 17, 2016 by bazza40

[KhonKaenKowboy]

I think you need to first decide your minimum lot size, then your maximum price, and commute time, then eliminate the flood plains....then it may be time for a reality check. I wouldn't want to live next door to someone with big dogs on 100 tw..but even under the flight path (in Hang Dong)...100 wah is 1.2 million+. At any close in location; land will represent about 60% of the home price....

I agree with Nancy on Perfect Homes...especially if you can give them the constraints...they have been praised for not showing people homes that don't match buyer's criteria, and are perhaps the only sponsor I have ever recommended.If I was a cash buyer for a house (with Thai partner of course) in San Sai, I would be looking for somewhat of a steal. What people owe the bank can greatly limit their ability to lower the price, and sometimes they sit for years, and unfortunately the banks will let them sit for years, too. Private sellers will often sell for less than the banks for a house in much better condition.

[anto]

>>Hmmm! I don't believe that the poster mentioned budget at all. Perhaps staying in a 5,000 Baht a month home will NOT be putting Sansai's best foot forward. Even Upscale as you put it at 8,000 Baht a month may not really paint an accurate picture of what Sansai has to offer. My wife an I just rented a house for 25,000 Baht a month in Sansai and my guess is that thelongshoot would be more comfortable in our neighbourhood.<<

I can only talk about what i have experience of .If the OP has little financial constraints of course Sansai has places like Land and House ,Laguna ,and Greenhills etc .

[neeray]

Interesting comments. I read them all, pros and cons of CM. My Thai wife has always lived in Surat Thani, Krabi Ao Nang area. We spent 4 weeks in CM recently ( two separate occasions, her first experience in CM).

The first thing she noticed was how much friendlier the people are than in the mid south. As for traffic, we travelled a lot. We never really encountered the traffic problems that I so often read about. As for pollution, sure I could smell the exhaust fumes in the city. But we will make it home and plan to live on the outskirts like the OP.

[pgrahmm]

[LawrenceN]

Siriporn 9

Sannameng

Sansai

Seems to be just what you're looking for. It's off the road to DoiSaket. There's a PTT station 1 km past the last ring road. Turn left about 50 meters past that station. Straight in about 1 km on the left.

[LawrenceN]

... and use the internet more. Agents charge nothing to show you around. They don't share listings, so call whoever is listed for any given house.

[LawrenceN]

... and use the internet more. Agents charge nothing to show you around. They don't share listings, so call whoever is listed for any given house.

[amykat]

I would suggest making Meechok Plaza your base, so to speak, as that is a good central location to be in (in Sansai) and then look for houses near there ...there are so many houses in that area.

Also, Rimping has a bulletin board with some rentals nearby listed and you could also ask a rental agent to show you things in that area in order to narrow it down a bit.

[true blue]

my mate has a very nice house for sale in a small village about 10 minutes from festival 4 bedroom big big gardens in a private road in its own grounds 8 million I think he is asking

[landtrout]

I would suggest making Meechok Plaza your base, so to speak, as that is a good central location to be in (in Sansai) and then look for houses near there ...there are so many houses in that area.

Also, Rimping has a bulletin board with some rentals nearby listed and you could also ask a rental agent to show you things in that area in order to narrow it down a bit.

I agree that Mee Chok Plaza is probably one of several reasonable "bases" from which to explore housing options nearby, but it's not "central" San Sai, by anyone's definition.

Truth be told, it's not actually in San Sai at all, but rather in tambon Fa Ham of amphur Mueang.

The OP wrote: "Yesterday we drove around Sansai and I loved it. Thats the kind of place for me... All windy roads through little villages, real peacefull atmosphere, but couldnt see anything in the way of houses to rent other than giant 'moo baans' outside of the windy roads and off super highways."

San Sai is a big amphur ( https://goo.gl/maps/29nBqQVGuGE2 ), and that description leads me to suspect that the area he found interesting was quite a ways east (and/or north) of Mee Chok. There are plenty of interesting back roads out there to be explored!

[iaincraig]

No I think you're doing it right. Sansai is lovely, it has a rural feel, but is convenient for getting into town. We live in Sansai in an old green village (Sansai Country View -Moo 4) on the banks of the Mae Jo River just off the outer ring road (121). There are pathways on either side of the river to leading to a municipal park and gardens about 1 km away - ideal for walking dogs. There are houses available for rent in the village, phone 0875753218 if you'd like more info.