Considering buying a home in Thailand? The two most popular areas in Thailand for expatriates are probably the Bangkok area, where expatriates living in Thailand for the purpose of business or life experience will probably find themselves, and Phuket, where expatriates and adventure seekers may retire to enjoy the incredible beaches and laid-back lifestyle. Here’s a look at homes in the Bangkok and Phuket area.

Homes in Bangkok

For expatriates who need to live in Bangkok for the purposes of doing business with their multinational corporation, in-city living means living in a luxury condominium or high-rise apartment – the closer to the city centre, the higher the price. For those who do not want to live in an apartment or condominium, careful searching in Bangkok’s city centre will reveal a few single-family homes and town houses, but these are few and far between.

For rental properties in Bangkok, options are limited to:

- Condominiums: There are many condos available in Bangkok. Unlike the serviced apartments (see below), there are more native Thais living in Bangkok’s condos, meaning that there is also less turn-over and more of a “neighbourhood” feeling.

- Serviced apartments: These have a high proportion of expatriates, so the foreigner may feel more in his or her element in an apartment like this. However, the serviced apartments are more expensive than regular condos, and can sometimes feel more like a hotel than a home.

- Houses and Townhouses: Unless willing to pay a much higher price, stay away from houses and townhouses in the Bangkok business district. Houses and townhouses are far more affordable in Bangkok’s suburbs. Just as in the west, houses and townhouses provide much more space, but they are usually more expensive. Bangkok’s suburbs are best for families living in Thailand, with ample room for children to play safely, ride bikes, and so forth. The drawback to living in the suburbs is the extended commute time for those working in the city, as well as the inaccessibility to public transportation.

Homes in Phuket

Homes in Phuket are in general a very affordable to most people coming from Europe and the USA.

Like the Bangkok area, Phuket has a wide variety of home types for sale. From townhouses to upscale apartments, Phuket’s homes seem designed to appeal to western notions of luxury.

- North Phuket, where the airport is located, has a higher number of apartments, resorts, and luxury condominiums.

- East Phuket has more 2, 3, and 4 bedroom Thai luxury villas, perfect for an entire family relocating to Phuket.

- Phuket town and the Kathu area, located near the middle of the island on the southeastern side, has quite a vast array of home types, including single family homes closer to town.

- South Phuket is less developed, with more opportunities to purchase land and build one’s own dream home.

- Like North Phuket, the West Coast properties also tend to be oriented towards apartments and condominiums.

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