Best place to find long term accommodation on Samui?

[gnat]

Hi all,

 

Can anyone advise the best way to find long term accommodation for a few months to a year on Samui? Any reliable real estate agents or websites you can recommend?

Thanks!

[Samui Bodoh]

This is a good website for starting.

 

When I have been looking for a place, I will always arrive and find a cheap hotel for a week, then go looking as many places aren't widely advertised or on-line.That said, not everyone can or wants to do that.

 

There are members (much more knowledgeable than I) who probably can guide you to a house or agent, but it would be better if you provided a bit of info first.

 

is there a specific town/area that you want to live in?

do you want to be close (walking distance) to the beach?

tourist area, non-tourist area, something in between?

party place or quiet?

one bedroom? Two? Three?

Price range?

Time of year?

 

Koh Samui has a very wide range of houses and a little more info would help narrow it down.

 

Cheers

 

[samuijimmy]

^^^ agree with Mr  Bodoh!

 

Once we know what when and where... would be easier...

Usually best to avoid agents... unless looking for high end stuff....and want to pay premium prices...

[Mrjlh]

Don't need to have an agent. Rent a car or bike or hire a taxi and drive around the areas you would like to stay. Lots of posters everywhere just called the number listed. One scam to avoid is the supposed friend of the family who acts as their agent or even says he is the owner.  He'll want a deposit while up front while goes off to get the owner and key. You'll never see him again.  Happens more that you think.

 

Check out Lamai at the very end where the sharp right turn is (or left turn depending which way you come on from) There's a road that goes inland and lots of nice places there.

[PoorSucker]

Just fixed a two room bungalow with furniture for my friend close to Bangkok hospital for 6.000 per month, that's a bargain.
Sorry, there was only one vacancy.

[Samui Bodoh]

6 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

Just fixed a two room bungalow with furniture for my friend close to Bangkok hospital for 6.000 per month

 

Damn!

 

Next time I move house, I am calling you first, Mr. Sucker!

 

[gnat]

Very good points, ok the details below.

 

Starting Aug 3 for 3 months initially, perhaps longer

1 bedroom or studio, a bungalow would be lovely! but condo also good.

Quiet non-tourist place

I'll rent a car, so would need free parking

Due to car, vicinity to beach is less important

I'm in a hotel at the moment in Lamai, this area is nice.  Would avoid Bangrak (due to airport) and Chaweng.  Does anybody live on the west coast? 

Full A/C throughout is very important

Price range would be 15000-20000THB

 

Thanks!

[Samui Bodoh]

2 hours ago, gnat said:

Very good points, ok the details below.

 

Starting Aug 3 for 3 months initially, perhaps longer

1 bedroom or studio, a bungalow would be lovely! but condo also good.

Quiet non-tourist place

I'll rent a car, so would need free parking

Due to car, vicinity to beach is less important

I'm in a hotel at the moment in Lamai, this area is nice.  Would avoid Bangrak (due to airport) and Chaweng.  Does anybody live on the west coast? 

Full A/C throughout is very important

Price range would be 15000-20000THB

 

Thanks!

 

The most important thing that I can say is wait a bit until the really knowledgeable members come along (not being modest- I am certain that I will learn a thing or two from this thread).

 

The second best thing that I can say is that if you like Lamai, put on your shoes and go for a long walk in the morning to look for a house; it does require some leg work to find a good place and you should see many signs.

 

Your budget will allow you to find something quite nice, especially if you are away from the main tourist areas.

 

I would suggest that you also rent a car and travel along the ring road through the Bophut/Mae Nam/Bang Po area (northern part of the island). There are nice "housing estates" ( not sure what to call them) all along that road, with many on or very close to the sea. They tend to be slightly more expensive, but are usually well-maintained and reliable. And many will have a pool, if you want one. 

 

My impression (which may be very wrong!) is that you prefer something nicer and more modern. If that is the case, perhaps the hills aren't really for you.

 

I'll leave the rest to the pros 

[gnat]

Thanks Samui Bodoh, that sounded very knowledgable indeed.  One query on your reply though, do I take it to mean the homes in the hills are older without A/C?

 

you are right that I'd prefer modern and something nicer with light furniture :)

Edited July 23, 2017 by gnat

[khunPer]

8 hours ago, gnat said:

Very good points, ok the details below.

 

Starting Aug 3 for 3 months initially, perhaps longer

1 bedroom or studio, a bungalow would be lovely! but condo also good.

Quiet non-tourist place

I'll rent a car, so would need free parking

Due to car, vicinity to beach is less important

I'm in a hotel at the moment in Lamai, this area is nice.  Would avoid Bangrak (due to airport) and Chaweng.  Does anybody live on the west coast? 

Full A/C throughout is very important

Price range would be 15000-20000THB

 

Thanks!

If you like Lamai, then you should take a drive and look in the hills behind Lamai – the area called the Moo6 in the map – you'll find a way in just after Manathai Resort (former Buddy), and another by the corner with 7-eleven. There are plenty of nice bungalows and villas, and even some condos, up there, nice quiet area, and with a car not that far from the beach.

 

But do yourself the favor of driving to other areas also. You asked specific about the West coast, which together with the South is more rural Samui, but due to tide many of the beaches there may not be that attractive. Normally the Eastern beaches (Chaweng and Lamai), and Nothern beaches are considered the best. As mentioned by other posters both Bang Por, Maenam Beach, and Bo Phut around Fisherman Village are nice areas; and with your 15,000 baht to 20,000 baht accommodation budget, you can even find something in walking distance from the beach, and still also walking distance from restaurants and local shopping.

 

Also the Northern tip of Plai Laem is worth looking at.

 

Billboards in shopping malls, and just posters here-and-there, may also show some nice accommodation for rent.

 

Wish you good luck in your search...

[Mrjlh]

Call my old landlord.  He has 4 houses he rent out.  1-2 bedrooms, long term 1 yr gets you lower price.  Really nice above ground houses very quite are in Lamai in the area I previously wrote about.  I'll PM you.

[Samui Bodoh]

10 hours ago, gnat said:

Thanks Samui Bodoh, that sounded very knowledgable indeed.  One query on your reply though, do I take it to mean the homes in the hills are older without A/C?

 

you are right that I'd prefer modern and something nicer with light furniture :)

 

Yes, as a general rule (with exceptions) infrastructure upgrades and repairs occur by the ring road and on the beach side; that's where the foreigners are, and we complain more than the locals.

 

You have some locations recommended by members, check them out. And again, if you like Lamai, start there. Bophut is a similar to Lamai, but a bit smaller and 'sleepier'. Mae Nam is smaller and 'sleepier' than Bophut. Bang Po is for the truly quiet life (Jim ). However, it is a small island, and so all are a short drive from supermarkets, nightlife, etc. It is worth having a look before you make a final decision.

 

Be sure to ask for a discount when you find a place you like; the simple act of asking will get you one in the vast majority of cases. Change the subject for 5 minutes, then ask for another discount if you pay three months in advance; that often works as well.

 

Good luck!

 

Edited July 24, 2017 by Samui Bodoh

[samuijimmy]

Ha!  SB!!!

 

Truly quiet life in Ban Por?... well it not totally  dead around here  ...close enough to get to where the "action" is, or the shopping areas... But it does attract longer term people who don't want to mix with the masses and huge short stay tourist crowds!  One just needs to look around the side roads...

 

Khun Per's map of Lamai area is good.... On the Soi One road to Maenam just near Buddies, (turn at Family Mart) there are lots of new housing developments, that might be worth looking at... I am not sure of price ranges or whether furnished..worth investigating though ...

 

Even up the roads behind Nathon, there are places that could be worth a look see..

 

It really is a matter of poking around to see ...

[Samui Bodoh]

Whoops! I woke up our most famous Bang Po member... 

 

Just to clarify my post above; electricity (and thus air con) is generally better when you are in a 'foreigners' area, be it beach side or in the hills.

 

Cheers

[samuijimmy]

3 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Whoops! I woke up our most famous Bang Po member... 

 

Just to clarify my post above; electricity (and thus air con) is generally better when you are in a 'foreigners' area, be it beach side or in the hills.

 

Cheers

Unless one lives in the Ghost Road area of Ban Rak.... That seems to be the worst for electric outages....

[khunPer]

5 hours ago, samuijimmy said:

Ha!  SB!!!

 

Truly quiet life in Ban Por?... well it not totally  dead around here  ...close enough to get to where the "action" is, or the shopping areas... But it does attract longer term people who don't want to mix with the masses and huge short stay tourist crowds!  One just needs to look around the side roads...

 

Khun Per's map of Lamai area is good.... On the Soi One road to Maenam just near Buddies, (turn at Family Mart) there are lots of new housing developments, that might be worth looking at... I am not sure of price ranges or whether furnished..worth investigating though ...

 

Even up the roads behind Nathon, there are places that could be worth a look see..

 

It really is a matter of poking around to see ...

Thanks Jimmi,

 

We had a long thread back from May 5th about weather living in Chaweng or Lamai, which included a number of suggestions for Lamai.

 

Passed the area in Lamai hills just last week, and was again impressed now nice it actually is, and the many villas there – some of the places looks a bit Mediterranean style – and in the thread quoted above, the Opening Poster found this apartment block in the area (not a recommendation, because I don't know it, just for info); the price seem within OP's budget...

[gnat]

Thank you all, will rent a car and drive around to check stuff out.  Any tips on driving on the island?  I'm Canadian so used to driving on the other side of the road 

khunPer, some people have mentioned a map you have of Lamai?  Where could I find that if its available?

[Samui Bodoh]

11 minutes ago, gnat said:

Thank you all, will rent a car and drive around to check stuff out.  Any tips on driving on the island?  I'm Canadian so used to driving on the other side of the road 

khunPer, some people have mentioned a map you have of Lamai?  Where could I find that if its available?

 

Great to have another Canadian on board! If enough of us come, we'll get the place sorted. 

 

In Khun Per's posts, click on the bold letters and up will pop maps, etc. They are usually terrific information. I would also ask at your hotel if they have a map. Samui has an old-fashioned, free, fold up map that I have found useful many times. It doesn't do a lot of detail, but is great for big picture stuff.

 

While driving on the island, be VERY, VERY careful. The biggest problem is that motorcycles can (and do) pass you on either side. And, unfortunately, if you have an accident with a Thai person, it will be your fault regardless of the circumstances. Drive defensively and be very afraid. I don't really know what else to say; you will get used to it, and in time it will be second nature, but for now be careful.

 

Cheers 

[samuijimmy]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

Great to have another Canadian on board! If enough of us come, we'll get the place sorted. 

 

In Khun Per's posts, click on the bold letters and up will pop maps, etc. They are usually terrific information. I would also ask at your hotel if they have a map. Samui has an old-fashioned, free, fold up map that I have found useful many times. It doesn't do a lot of detail, but is great for big picture stuff.

 

While driving on the island, be VERY, VERY careful. The biggest problem is that motorcycles can (and do) pass you on either side. And, unfortunately, if you have an accident with a Thai person, it will be your fault regardless of the circumstances. Drive defensively and be very afraid. I don't really know what else to say; you will get used to it, and in time it will be second nature, but for now be careful.

 

Cheers 

Well Canucks are out numbering others on this thread.... even if this one had to pay 25 bucks for the privilege!  

 

Times to avoid on the main roads IMO is 7 to 9 am and about 4 to 6 pm especially in built up areas such as Chawang.,,, Lamai, Maenam (especially on Thursday when walking street is on) and Bophut on Friday evenings can be a night mare with their walking street... (I am not sure about Lamai's walking street Saturday ...I think) But that can make afternoon driving a little tedious.

 

Just be thankful you are not in Burma, not only do they drive on the right side but the steering wheel is on the right side too.... that's very un-nerving!

 

It does not take long to get adjusted to driving on the wrong side here!   Use rear view mirrors as well as keeping an eye on the road... and don't drive like a little old lady out for a Sunday drive....

 

slow drivers as  much as a hazard on the roads...  as much as the ones who drive too fast....