Moving to Phuket

[Klom332]

Hey all,

I'm heading to Phuket next month to evaluate if I want to move there from Bangkok, hoping to find a place to rent when I'm there. I've been there before and have done some questions, but was hoping to get some advice from people here that are more familiar with the island.
I live with my gf and a small dog, looking for a house/bungalow preferably with a garden in a moo baan in a quiet area (aiming at +-20kbaht ), don't really go clubbing all that much so don't need to live near any touristy/busy areas.

Are there any parts of the island to avoid? 
I noticed that most places listed online are in Thalang, are any specific parts of the Island preferable for what Im looking for?
Any recommendable agents? Or best to just find a place that's listed online?

Thanks!

[Badrabbit]

 

When you coming, House next door has just been decorated 3 bed no garden though but close to wat chalong! think House will be 13/15k per month, nice Soi and close to chalong bay, Kata and Karon beaches! Tesco, Makro and central festival not far plus big C.

 

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[Jimi007]

I avoid Patong. I actually lived there in 2005, I've been in Rawai since. It's becoming over crowded too. Thalang is really a growing busy area. It's a pretty big island, so it really depends on what you're looking for. All the nice beaches are on the west coast, more like mud flats on the east coast.

[Klom332]

2 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

 

When you coming, House next door has just been decorated 3 bed no garden though but close to wat chalong! think House will be 13/15k per month, nice Soi and close to chalong bay, Kata and Karon beaches! Tesco, Makro and central festival not far plus big C.

 

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Thanks I will send a pm!

1 hour ago, Jimi007 said:

I avoid Patong. I actually lived there in 2005, I've been in Rawai since. It's becoming over crowded too. Thalang is really a growing busy area. It's a pretty big island, so it really depends on what you're looking for. All the nice beaches are on the west coast, more like mud flats on the east coast.

Thanks, sounds like I'll probably prefer to be on the west coast then. I work from home so nice surroundings/facilities are more important to me than convenience. A large quiet Moo Baan would also be fine, but I'd prefer to stay away from the busy places. Close proximity to the beach isn't a must tho.

[Jimi007]

3 hours ago, Klom332 said:

Thanks I will send a pm!

Thanks, sounds like I'll probably prefer to be on the west coast then. I work from home so nice surroundings/facilities are more important to me than convenience. A large quiet Moo Baan would also be fine, but I'd prefer to stay away from the busy places. Close proximity to the beach isn't a must tho.

Since the beach isn't a priority, the east coast has some nice places that aren't crowded and have nice views of the other local islands. Like I said, it's a pretty big island!

[phuketrichard]

Check out Kamala, 2 bedroom homes from 12-20,000. close to beach, nice community (if u can handle the call to Prayer every day) tesco,  Big C, twice weekly market,  nice restaurants ...15 minutes to patong, 30 to Cenrtal

Thalang is quieter and cheaper

[Old Croc]

https://www.phuket101.net/10-quick-facts-about-phuket/

[Kabula]

Carry a weapon!

 

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

[AUSSIE BOB]

Try www.bahtsold.com and refine your search for renting a villa/townhouse in the property section. You can further refine your search to best suit your needs but remember not all ads appear as if you were writing it and often leave out some important info so if you dont find what you want at first, then remove some of the finer details. Most ads have many photos and a map of where the place for rent is on the island so you can get a good idea without visiting. Make a list, prioritise that list, make contact to arrange viewing just prior to or when you come down.

I live in Patong but up on the hill on the northern end with great views of the bay, city and beach and its far enough away from the crowd. I might consider a quieter place like Kathu which is very central on the island and near everything. For now and in the future I would recommend it as I have already done the research for my next move. Look for places near the golf courses as there are many good walking tracks and a great big dam called Bang wad dam with excellent walking/running and picnic areas.

[Badrabbit]

Carry a weapon!  

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

 

 

What rubbish! 35km trip to airport 800bht.

 8 yrs here and never carried a weapon, oh my scare mongering but for what reason?

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[Old Croc]

16 minutes ago, Kabula said:

Carry a weapon!

 

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

Wow! One of the more idiotic posts I've read in some time!

Advise on personal safety coming from a resident of Bangkok, the city of peace, love and friendship where crime and traffic problems don't exist!  And I guess as it slowly sinks into the mud of the delta there is no reason to be concerned about earthquakes.

All the Phuket raised Thais have left because of fear of crime!!  The population of Phuket has exploded in recent years from all the Thais, and others, flooding in from all over the country.

This from the someone living in a city where school kids have fatal gunfights on the streets!! 

You know of some Americans who have gone somewhere different for their holidays!!!  Hold the presses, murder and mayhem must be rampant on the streets of Phuket!.

Don't wear expense (sic) jewelry. Good advice anywhere, snatch and grab crimes can happen to anyone who flaunts wealth in a poor country.

 

You're an hysterical fool or a troll.

[Psimbo]

27 minutes ago, Kabula said:

Carry a weapon!

 

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

There's always one!

[Badrabbit]

I exercise every morning at 3am and come into contact with groups of youngsters sitting by the lake chatting, smoking and drinking, never had a problem, they are always friendly as am I, what causes problems is ones bad attitude which would be the same in any country!

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[ujayujay]

1 hour ago, Kabula said:

Carry a weapon!

 

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

Nonsense your Comment is a Bunch of generalizations. Some People's unable to use a Taxi and motivate the driver to turn on the Taxameter. Taxi Rippoff is a worldwide Thing depends to the Naivity of Customers.....

[Klom332]

Thanks for the tips guys, Kamala looks nice so I'll look into that a bit more. 
So far most places which I found that I liked are around Koh Keaw, haven't been able to find a lot on the area itself so I'll probably go and see next month.

[Altalake]

Kabula  what utter rubbish you write. Shame on you. Don't be such a jerk. Bad Rabbit and UjayUjay are right.

[Tapster]

@Klom332

 

The extreme South of the island is well worth investigating. 

 

Chalong/Kata/Rawai/Nai Harn. 

 

Convenient for good shops, bars and restaurants and several beaches to the South and West (and less exciting ones, but still picturesque, to the East). 

 

Chalong - less of a holiday atmosphere, feels more inland. Lots of housing available. 

 

Kata - the most touristy area in the South. Lots of holidaymakers. Good beaches, restaurants and bars. 

 

Rawai and Nai Harn - a little touristy but with many quiet areas. Good beaches and restaurants and bars. 

 

In fact everywhere here has good restaurants and bars! 

[strabel23]

Phuket has changed a lot since I first stayed here in 1995. We were going to move back in 2014 but after a few months found it to be too congested and beaches too inaccesable with no or very little parking available. What's the point of living here if you can't get to where you want to go without a lot of hassle. Frankly speaking I don't see the attraction anymore unless all you want to do is go to the bars to meet the ladies in waiting. Having said that if you want to buy a nice size building lot not far from a  quiet beach area just let me know.

[andytyl]

I live in kohkaew, gated with security has a nice small swimming pool and gym which i seldom see anyone using. There is 1 newly furnished unit opposite me.

Rental used to be around 25,000/month but has been dropping since most of the unit are still empty. I have seen a few post on facebook going as low as 17,000baht/month.

If you are interested i can pm you the name of the mooban, or send you some photos of unit with contact number hanging outside to call for rent.

[SooKee]

I was living in Phuket in 2014 - 2015 and had stayed there four about 4-6 months of the year for about 5 years before.  

 

I was in Patong then.  Chose it because of it's convenience for everything and because back then I had a lot of friends living there and / or who had businesses there.  Many still do.   It was convenient, just was never keen on the social scene there.  Found I either had to chose to be convenient to stuff (I thought) I'd need on a day to day basis (shops, mall, restaurants, cinema) and travel to where I want to socialise or live closer to where I want to socialise and travel when I needed the day to day stuff.  Turned out the day to day stuff I needed much less often than I thought and travelling to socialise became a pain.  Either take the bike and don't drink or pay for taxis and that gets costly.  If I was to live there again I'd chose Kamala / Bangtao.  Kamala was a bit dead a few years back but seems to be really taking off now.  There's a small Big C in Kamala and it's close enough to Tesco at Bangtao and even the Villa Market there.  I stay around there now when I visit.

 

Depends what you want.  Plenty of areas to look at, quite a few were too quiet for me though.  Ignore the premonitions of doom and gloom.  I found Phuket OK, just fancied a change.  The only thing I would say is the road between Patong and Kamala which, through mistakenly (for me) chosing Patong to live, I found I was travelling on too much and often late at night, is more dangerous than I'd like, especially with the amount of reckless / drunk drivers and PITA police road blocks.

[Klom332]

58 minutes ago, andytyl said:

I live in kohkaew, gated with security has a nice small swimming pool and gym which i seldom see anyone using. There is 1 newly furnished unit opposite me.

Rental used to be around 25,000/month but has been dropping since most of the unit are still empty. I have seen a few post on facebook going as low as 17,000baht/month.

If you are interested i can pm you the name of the mooban, or send you some photos of unit with contact number hanging outside to call for rent.

 

Haha I found a similar unit on one of the real estate sites, definitely looks good so I'll shoot you a pm!

 

1 hour ago, Tapster said:

@Klom332

 

The extreme South of the island is well worth investigating. 

 

Chalong/Kata/Rawai/Nai Harn. 

 

Convenient for good shops, bars and restaurants and several beaches to the South and West (and less exciting ones, but still picturesque, to the East). 

 

Chalong - less of a holiday atmosphere, feels more inland. Lots of housing available. 

 

Kata - the most touristy area in the South. Lots of holidaymakers. Good beaches, restaurants and bars. 

 

Rawai and Nai Harn - a little touristy but with many quiet areas. Good beaches and restaurants and bars. 

 

In fact everywhere here has good restaurants and bars! 

Stayed in Kata before on a short holiday and was definitely too touristy for me. I'll have an extra look at Rawai and Chalong however, thanks!

 

[zaZa9]

5 hours ago, Kabula said:

Carry a weapon!

 

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

The only point remotely resembling the truth in this post is that taxis are expensive.

I can travel 2 or 3 times the distance for the same cost as in Bkk.

I really like the far south of the island , Nai Harn , Rawai , Kata.

Their only shortcoming is that it can be a long way from the airport , particularly in high season with traffic !

I dont say i like  Chalong as its like a busy suburbia to me , and cant see much merit in that. Same same Thalang.

But thats probably  because I need a beach.

If you dont they would be fine. They both carry a large stock of reasonably priced homes . Thalang is much closer to the airport if you need to fly a bit.

 

Phuket is getting busier for sure ... I was here in 1980 for my first visit and theres hardly any resemblance.

But its still a good place to live IMO.

My Thai wife is from near Samui , and Ive often thought of moving us there.

But theres a lot less solid infrastructure ...well equipped hospitals are on offer here , and good schools for our grand daughter ..even a couple of Unis , for example.

I dont think you'd regret the move , particularly if you have good work from home...

 

 

 

So I live in Kamala. Almost 9 years now.

And I usually swim at Surin Beach daily.

 

[DrDave]

5 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Nonsense your Comment is a Bunch of generalizations. Some People's unable to use a Taxi and motivate the driver to turn on the Taxameter. Taxi Rippoff is a worldwide Thing depends to the Naivity of Customers.....

Meter vs. no meter has always worked out to be about the same for me going between Patong and the airport. The taxi association has seen to it that the flag drop and km charges approved by the local government work out to be about the same as the flat rate price gouging that is standard practice. 

[Lokie]

I live half the year overlooking Patong, is nice and quiet where I am yet am only 10 mins away from the nightlife, I prob go out 2/3 times per week, other than that I enjoy just chilling out at my fav Gym/spa/pool most days (5 mins from my place) walk the beach each morning around 8am, lots of great places to eat. There lots of nice places around Phuket, is great place to hop on a bike and ride over to other parts of the island, which are varied and hold different appeal so get best of different things in life.

 

Don't let the Phuket haters put you off, Phuket is great for convenience as most things are nearby, yes rush hour can be a pain in the backside but just plan not to be going anywhere around then, I been enjoying it last ten years...

 

I am sure you will find somewhere to suit, Good Luck!

[williet98248]

I live in Land and House Park near Wat Chalong.  Gated community, need a rfid card to get in.  Streets cleaned daily, garbage service  and will pick up your garden waste as well.  CCTV at every intersection.  No business, peddling and vendors allowed.  Clubhouse with gym, pool and restaurant.  Many houses for rent.  20K up.  I love it here.  Come and check it out.

[Klom332]

32 minutes ago, williet98248 said:

I live in Land and House Park near Wat Chalong.  Gated community, need a rfid card to get in.  Streets cleaned daily, garbage service  and will pick up your garden waste as well.  CCTV at every intersection.  No business, peddling and vendors allowed.  Clubhouse with gym, pool and restaurant.  Many houses for rent.  20K up.  I love it here.  Come and check it out.

That sounds great, do you have any pictures of insides of the homes/know where I can find them? Only been able to find some pictures of outsides on google.

[Badrabbit]

Put myself out for this guy, sent pics of the house and Soi plus information regarding the area, nothing back <deleted> you just can't help some people!

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[Klom332]

5 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

Put myself out for this guy, sent pics of the house and Soi plus information regarding the area, nothing back <deleted> you just can't help some people!

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I saw your email a couple hours ago, just hadn't responded yet. My apologies for the slow response but definitely appreciate the help!

[ThaiWai]

On 4/14/2017 at 4:01 PM, Badrabbit said:

 

When you coming, House next door has just been decorated 3 bed no garden though but close to wat chalong! think House will be 13/15k per month, nice Soi and close to chalong bay, Kata and Karon beaches! Tesco, Makro and central festival not far plus big C.

 

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They moved Kata and Karon to the opposite side of the island near Chalong?  Missed that memo.

[ThaiWai]

14 hours ago, Kabula said:

Carry a weapon!

 

Be aware of who is behind you!

 

Don't wear expense jewelry.

 

Many of my Thai friends who I have socialize with over the last 11 years here, who were raised in Phuket left because of the increased crime.

 

My friends from America who used to routinely go to Phuket annually no longer go there.

 

With all the earthquakes worldwide recently, I would be concerned about future tsunami's in Phuket.

 

I don't know how true it is, but I read not too long ago that the cost of a taxi in Phuket to the airport that serves Phuket, was about the same as the price of an airline ticket to Bangkok.  As I recall that was reported in the Thai Visa news.

 

Good luck.

Total bs from start to finish.