BKK: Where to Live for an Extended Period?
 

If you were going to stay in BKK for say 3 to 6 months at a timer or even all year round, where would you stay?

Anybody have a condo or apartment complex picked out?

Factors:

Close to skytrain

Close to food markets

Quiet but not dead

Near gym and pubs

Forgot to ask: Would a serviced apartment be the way to go at first? Maybe get a good rate for six months? Some of them have nice pools and gyms.

Yes, you should start out with a serviced apartment! There are many of them! On your next trip, start looking at some of the ones in the Sukhumvit area.

Hi carol

Sukhumvit is in the running, but..... I wonder if its too hectic and close to the "action"?

Sukhumvit isn't all about "action." Take a look at a number of serviced apartments in different areas of Sukhumvit.

We had the chance to visit Guenmai's apartment in Emporium Suites last year. It's a great location right at a Skytrain stop and it has a fabulous grocery store right in the shopping center.

I'd love to find a place on the river. We looked at Chatrium and were very unimpressed with the quality of the construction (and the location isn't that great). There are some smaller, older buildings along the river. Once we are serious about finding an extended stay place, we'll likely explore a number of those.

I stay at Centre Point Silom when I go to BKK twice a year. It is in Bangrak, so lots of food markets and is very close to skytrain and river taxi. They have a good pool and gym and the people who work there are great. Not much nightlife as far as I can tell, but I'm not much of a nightlife person. Everything on your list except pubs.

Kathie

I have stayed at several serviced apartments along Sukhumvit: Lagacy, Adelphi Suites, Adelphi Grand, Frasier Suites. Have heard good things about Emporium Suites, but have not stayed there yet.

i think i would prefer to be at least one block off of sukhumvit... i'm trying the marriott sukhumvit park on soi 24 sukhumvit (directly in back of where guen stays but a 5 minute walk down the soi---built in 2009... free parking... a great pool area... free tuk tuk to suk on demand....

last time i checked, it was way cheaper than emporium, which i found unusually expensive.... it is very nice however---maybe a tad too minamilistic for me...

Centre Point Silom is a great location. I don't know what kinds of long-term deals they might have. Thanks for the reminder, stitch.

Residential but hip area of Bangkok with good restaurants and markets is Soi Thonglor. The only problem is that it's not near the BTS. I think there's an Oakwood and a few other service apartments there. Nice neighbourhood.

Hanuman - what about Soi 63, Ekamai. Is it like Thong Lo with with restaurants and bars?

Vino IMO Thonglor is better as Ekamai is not as grand or nice. They are just a few meters apart but I like Thonglor much more. Perhaps take a look around the next time you're here and it would make a perfect place IMO for an extended stay.

Most of the best non hotel restaurants are there as well along with places like J Avenue etc.

i agree with pook, soi 55 is indeed quite nice....there is a centre point there as well... plus all those bridal shops...haha

And our budget is.......?

Will 33,000 Baht per month in rent get you a one bedroom in a secure condo with a nice pool and maybe a small gym?

For long term, 1 year +, the 33K should get you a reasonable good 1 bed room condo with a space of around 150 square meters. For your reference check out web site such as Richard Ellis - http://www.cbre.co.th/en/PropertySea...e=28&x=68&y=10

For short term, or less than 1 year, you might have to look at service apartments.

Thanks Hanuman

I'll take a look at the area on my next trip. Any "can't miss" kinda bars or restaurants to visit?

Here's another site that can give you an idea of what's out there:

http://www.thaiapartment.com/

Thanks curt1591

Do you live in BKK or plan to live there in the future?

I was in Ruam Rudee again today, and it's a surprisingly nice little area considering how close it is to the middle of things. A couple weeks ago I was at an event at Aetas, which will have a serviced apartment component as part of the complex. A new Novotel opens on the corner in November, and Athenee Residences has already opened, I think.

I was also way out towards the Jim Thompson factory outlet, and there's a ton of new places going up in that area. Generally, the further away from the center of things, the less you'll pay, or the more you'll get for your money.