East Pattaya - Good Location?

[Thaihog]

Hi Guys, excuse this ignorant question but I have noticed that property prices are a good bit cheaper in East Pattaya. As I do not know the area well, I was wondering how long it would take on a bike to drive from East Pattaya to say Hard Rock Hotel?

Cheers.

[monty]

Would be a bit hard to answer .

Most people/realtors refer to the area East of Sukhumvit road as "East Pattaya"

This is however a pretty big area, including the cheaper housing estates on soi Khao Talo, soi Khao noi, soi Nern plub waan (soi Muslim), soi Siam Country club road, and all the way up to the more expensive places around Lake Mabprachan.

On following map you can get a pretty good idea of the area...

Pattaya map

Basically East Pattaya is everything below Sukhumvit and between/around the two big lakes (Chak Nok lake on the left and Mabprachan Lake on the right).

You can see there's quite some housing estates in that area, ranging from sub 1 million houses to 40 million mansions...

I stay at the bottom right corner of the map, and it would take me around 30 minutes to hard rock on a normal day, up to 45 minutes or more when traffic is stuck on a long weekend!

Foodland, Carrefour and Tesco take me around 20 minutes in the morning (my favourite shopping time as traffic is not yet very heavy)

If you're staying closer to Sukhumvit you'd probably be able to reach hardrock in less then 15 minutes, especially on a motorbike...

Edited December 4, 2006 by monty

[rocky]

When looking into long term renting or purchasing a property, location is always important.

For a night in Pattaya then getting a taxi back to East Pattaya can be costly and you may find it cheaper to live nearer with the difference in taxi fees.

Also the further into the country, the more dangers involved. Every year there are stories of Locals putting obstacles in the road to remove farangs from their bike before robbing them. This seems to happen mainly in the east side of Pattaya. The further east you go, you are living more in Thailand and not in the tourist resort.

Visit the areas day and night, check out the stray dog situation, how many locks are on the gates, and glass on the walls. This will indicate more crime and fear of it. Living in cheap housing will give you cheap neighbours.

Horses for courses

[Gary A]

This is going to sound like I'm a basher, BUT, Sukhumvit Road is a nightmare nearly all the time. The traffic is horrible. If you are riding a motorcycle, in my mind you are suicidal. If you live on the wrong side of the highway (east) you MUST have a car. Even then the traffic will make you a bit crazy. Dogs, noodle carts, kids and motorcycles make driving near the lake a tedious chore. I am retired, have no schedule and am normally not in any great hurry but I would pay a HUGE premium to live on the west side of the highway. On the rare occassions that I have been around the lake it has taken me up to an hour to get to downtown Pattaya.

[Rimmer]

When I came here six years ago, a friend told me that if you live on the other side of Sukhumvit and ride a motorbike it will eventually get you.

He was dead right and was killed a year later when his motorbike and sidecar hit a truck one night going home.

[suiging]

For all the traffic reasons already highlighted, if you play golf, ride horses or have kids to place in expat schools, the East is the side to be on. If you want to play in the town on a regular basis.........don't bother crossing the big road.

[expatgaz]

Thought abt this same thing endless amount of times and to be honest the more I think abt it the more I come up with just biting the bullet, paying more and being on the Hill or in Jomtien.

[PhilHarries]

Had a house in soi khao noi (phanthip 1) from '97 to '04. When I moved in many Thai's were worried because of the reputation of the road. In all that time I never had a problem, admittedly I drove a car/pickup, and I never heard of anyone having a problem but that doesn't mean the problems don't exist.

Agree with the posts regarding crossing the sukhumvit, that road is a b@st@rd whatever you drive. Getting a taxi, song taew, into town is next to impossible unless you know the mobile number of one. Getting one back is easy but not cheap (depends on your budget). Must admit I used motorcye taxis most of the time but this option aint everybody's idea of fun.

The one advantage of living that side of the sukhumvit is that you can go cycling around the countryside without having to battle the city traffic, fumes and sukhumvit. Believe it or not the traffic on the country roads is more respectful of cyclists than that of the city, well in my experience at least.

Another advantage is that you are close enough to town to get in when you want but far enough out to make it a bit of an effort thus preventing nights out from becoming the norm.

[JohnC]

I live next to tropical village which is a bit down from tesco and on the east side, it suits me, I can be in Jomtien in 5 mins and Pattaya in 15 mins depending on the time of day. I have a friend who is thinking of retiring here next year and my advice to him was : buy nothing, stay in a a rented apartment for a few weeks and travel around the city and see what you like / dont like. Then rent something in that area for six months and see how you settle down, if you don't like it or find problems then pack up and move until you find somewhere that suits your lifestyle. We all have different needs and wants here. Secondly I would rent a car if you are over this side that way you will get an idea of the traffic chaos and lunatics before commiting yourself so if you buy west of the road you dont need a car but if you buy east of the road you will at least know what car will suit you best. Likewise I told him not to fall into a honey pot immediately its all too easy, taste the goods and play the field and enjoy your first year here. With the current uncertainty the last thing you want to do is plough all your hard earned income into LOS! I appreciate that renting depletes your capital but at least you will still have some capital and if you look around the market is flooded with houses and falangs trying to get out of the property market.

This is all my personal opinion of course and others may disagree but thats democracy for you

Edited December 5, 2006 by JohnC

[Weho]

I live in East Pattaya, near soi Khao Talo. the traffic just getting to Sukumvit can be bad, especially 5 to 6:30 PM. It is not uncommon to take 15 minutes just to cross Sukumvit, waiting at the signal. If I had it to do over again, I would have preferred to be on the other side of Sukumvit, but in exchange, I get space and quiet.

Here's the bottom line: if you go out once a day, you can deal with it living in East Pattaya. If you go to/from home two or more times a day, you've got to live on the other side. I prefer to go out twice a day, once in the morning, once in the evening, but i find myself only going out once a day, cause the traffic and distance is too much over here.

[kurgen]

When looking into long term renting or purchasing a property, location is always important.

For a night in Pattaya then getting a taxi back to East Pattaya can be costly and you may find it cheaper to live nearer with the difference in taxi fees.

I live at Maprachan, I pay 300b each way for a private taxi.

Also the further into the country, the more dangers involved. Every year there are stories of Locals putting obstacles in the road to remove farangs from their bike before robbing them. This seems to happen mainly in the east side of Pattaya. The further east you go, you are living more in Thailand and not in the tourist resort.

Yes those things do happen occasionaly out here in the stix. How many knifings, muggings, shootings, robberies etc etc happen every night on the other side of the big S.

Visit the areas day and night, check out the stray dog situation, how many locks are on the gates, and glass on the walls. This will indicate more crime and fear of it. Living in cheap housing will give you cheap neighbours.

I don't understand people who choose to live in Thailand but don't want to live near Thai's (OK, I'm guessing you were reffering to Thai families)

Horses for courses

[Mobi]

This is going to sound like I'm a basher, BUT, Sukhumvit Road is a nightmare nearly all the time. The traffic is horrible. If you are riding a motorcycle, in my mind you are suicidal. If you live on the wrong side of the highway (east) you MUST have a car. Even then the traffic will make you a bit crazy. Dogs, noodle carts, kids and motorcycles make driving near the lake a tedious chore. I am retired, have no schedule and am normally not in any great hurry but I would pay a HUGE premium to live on the west side of the highway. On the rare occassions that I have been around the lake it has taken me up to an hour to get to downtown Pattaya.

I don't want to start a big debate on this, and I completely agree that no-one should use a motorbike if you live on the East side of Sukhumvit. Its far too dangerous.

However I would challenge the times taken to get downtown. I live near Mabprachan (maybe 3-4 mins drive from the lake), my wife and I both have cars, and at least one of us, and often both of us drive to Pattaya probably 6 days out of 7. From my place to Carrefour - about 20 mins; to Pattaya Tai (walking Street) - 25 mins; to Pattaya Nua - 12 mins; to Hard Rock - about 20 mins; to Yorkies - Jomtien - 30 mins. OK, long weekends, such as the one just past, can cause problems if you go out at the wrong time - but even yesterday afternoon, with all the Bngkok bound traffic snarling up Sukhumvit - it was only 45 mins from Bang Sarae to my house. (and the same time going there around 12 noon)

Not sure exactly where you are Gary, but the above are genuine, estimated times, taken over a year of motoring back and forth. I use the 3240 down past True, sometimes go round the lake and down Siam Countrty Club Road if I'm heading for Pattaya Klang, and occasionally use the main Rayong-Bangkok Highway, which is just East of Pong.

[rocky]

This is going to sound like I'm a basher, BUT, Sukhumvit Road is a nightmare nearly all the time. The traffic is horrible. If you are riding a motorcycle, in my mind you are suicidal. If you live on the wrong side of the highway (east) you MUST have a car. Even then the traffic will make you a bit crazy. Dogs, noodle carts, kids and motorcycles make driving near the lake a tedious chore. I am retired, have no schedule and am normally not in any great hurry but I would pay a HUGE premium to live on the west side of the highway. On the rare occassions that I have been around the lake it has taken me up to an hour to get to downtown Pattaya.

I don't want to start a big debate on this, and I completely agree that no-one should use a motorbike if you live on the East side of Sukhumvit. Its far too dangerous.

However I would challenge the times taken to get downtown. I live near Mabprachan (maybe 3-4 mins drive from the lake), my wife and I both have cars, and at least one of us, and often both of us drive to Pattaya probably 6 days out of 7. From my place to Carrefour - about 20 mins; to Pattaya Tai (walking Street) - 25 mins; to Pattaya Nua - 12 mins; to Hard Rock - about 20 mins; to Yorkies - Jomtien - 30 mins. OK, long weekends, such as the one just past, can cause problems if you go out at the wrong time - but even yesterday afternoon, with all the Bngkok bound traffic snarling up Sukhumvit - it was only 45 mins from Bang Sarae to my house. (and the same time going there around 12 noon)

Not sure exactly where you are Gary, but the above are genuine, estimated times, taken over a year of motoring back and forth. I use the 3240 down past True, sometimes go round the lake and down Siam Countrty Club Road if I'm heading for Pattaya Klang, and occasionally use the main Rayong-Bangkok Highway, which is just East of Pong.

And when you get your car into Pattaya where do you park it ?

[rocky]

When looking into long term renting or purchasing a property, location is always important.

I live at Maprachan, I pay 300b each way for a private taxi.

So if a person was to go to Pattaya 4 night a week the difference a month would be 10,000bht, this added to the amount of rent paid out in the sticks will get him nearer the beach and on the bht bus run. When I go to walking street and back it costs me 10bht each way

Yes those things do happen occasionaly out here in the stix. How many knifings, muggings, shootings, robberies etc etc happen every night on the other side of the big S.

Yes crime every where

I don't understand people who choose to live in Thailand but don't want to live near Thai's (OK, I'm guessing you were reffering to Thai families)

Who in there right mind would come here and live next to families living on less a month than you spend in 5 days,

Lastly when living beach side of suckumviet, it takes no longer to get to the lake the country the hills and thailand than the people that live out there getting into Pattaya. The difference is you wont bother. We came here to live in Pattaya not the middle of a lake or where ever it is

[Mobi]

And when you get your car into Pattaya where do you park it ?

Um...er..., now let's see....

Carrefour car park, Lotus car park (2), Festival shopping center car park, Big C car park (2), Fascino car park, Wat car park on Pattaya Tai, Hard Rock Hotel car park, Royal Garden car Park, Mike's shopping Mall car Park, Immigration car park, Foodland car park, roadside on Beach Road, Second Road. Third road. Soi Bukaou, Sukhumvit, Pattaya Klang, Pattaya Nua, Pattaya Tai., Jomtien...

Need I go on?

In Bangkok parking was a huge problem and was the main reason I employed a driver. I rarely, if ever have a problem parking anywhere in Pattaya. Walking Street area can be a small problem, but these days I park at the Wat in Pattaya Tai, just before 2nd Road, and it's a short walk from there. An alternative is Mikes Shopping Mall or Royal Garden and then take a Baht Bus.

Anywhere else I haven't mentioned?

[Buckwheat]

Lastly when living beach side of suckumviet, it takes no longer to get to the lake the country the hills and thailand than the people that live out there getting into Pattaya. The difference is you wont bother. We came here to live in Pattaya not the middle of a lake or where ever it is

I looked at Mabprachan when it was first being developed and between the roads at the time (leading to the properties) and the hassle of Sukhumvit (left turn only), I bought in town.

The road situation may be ok now, but that was one of the biggest factors in my declining the opportunity to purchase at that particular time.

I didn't do a search just now, but wasn't there a thread last year about a rash of burglaries at Mabprachan?

Correct me if I'm mistaken (goes without asking)

[COBBER]

This is going to sound like I'm a basher, BUT, Sukhumvit Road is a nightmare nearly all the time. The traffic is horrible. If you are riding a motorcycle, in my mind you are suicidal. If you live on the wrong side of the highway (east) you MUST have a car. Even then the traffic will make you a bit crazy. Dogs, noodle carts, kids and motorcycles make driving near the lake a tedious chore. I am retired, have no schedule and am normally not in any great hurry but I would pay a HUGE premium to live on the west side of the highway. On the rare occassions that I have been around the lake it has taken me up to an hour to get to downtown Pattaya.

I don't want to start a big debate on this, and I completely agree that no-one should use a motorbike if you live on the East side of Sukhumvit. Its far too dangerous.

However I would challenge the times taken to get downtown. I live near Mabprachan (maybe 3-4 mins drive from the lake), my wife and I both have cars, and at least one of us, and often both of us drive to Pattaya probably 6 days out of 7. From my place to Carrefour - about 20 mins; to Pattaya Tai (walking Street) - 25 mins; to Pattaya Nua - 12 mins; to Hard Rock - about 20 mins; to Yorkies - Jomtien - 30 mins. OK, long weekends, such as the one just past, can cause problems if you go out at the wrong time - but even yesterday afternoon, with all the Bngkok bound traffic snarling up Sukhumvit - it was only 45 mins from Bang Sarae to my house. (and the same time going there around 12 noon)

Not sure exactly where you are Gary, but the above are genuine, estimated times, taken over a year of motoring back and forth. I use the 3240 down past True, sometimes go round the lake and down Siam Countrty Club Road if I'm heading for Pattaya Klang, and occasionally use the main Rayong-Bangkok Highway, which is just East of Pong.

Agreed Mobi.

It really depends upon your lifestyle.

If you want to party day and night or don't have wheels , you are better off living inside of Sukhumvit.

If you want a quieter lifestyle and only party occasionally, probably better of living on the east side .

Edited December 6, 2006 by COBBER

[COBBER]

Lastly when living beach side of suckumviet, it takes no longer to get to the lake the country the hills and thailand than the people that live out there getting into Pattaya. The difference is you wont bother. We came here to live in Pattaya not the middle of a lake or where ever it is

I looked at Mabprachan when it was first being developed and between the roads at the time (leading to the properties) and the hassle of Sukhumvit (left turn only), I bought in town.

The road situation may be ok now, but that was one of the biggest factors in my declining the opportunity to purchase at that particular time.

I didn't do a search just now, but wasn't there a thread last year about a rash of burglaries at Mabprachan?

Correct me if I'm mistaken (goes without asking)

No worse in the Mabprachan area than anywhere else.

[Mobi]

It's very much horses for courses.

I wouldn't dream of critising people who choose to live nearer the beach, or make any claims that it is better out here in Pong.

It's the location that's right for you and suits your lifestyle.

Nearly 2 years ago, I saw land in Pong that was available - explored the surrounding area, and decided it was ideal for me, and my family.

I have never regretted it - it's a great place, in a genuine Thai community - two fresh market within walking distance, the lake 5 mins drive away (with it's increasing variety of pubs and restaurants), and the Mobi-mansion with it's large pool and garden surrounded by palm trees wafting in the wind - as anyone who has visited me can testify to. And the bright lights only 15-20 minutes away.

I really don't understand the comment about "who in their right mind would want to live near Thais who earn less in a month than I spend in 5 days".

So its much better to live near pimps, whores, thieves and child molesters? Same income bracket, so that's OK, I assume

[Buckwheat]

No worse in the Mabprachan area than anywhere else.

Actually,

That was the point of my post. There's no "right or wrong" place to live. All places have good points and bad points...some folks like it in town, some outside.