If you are planning to spend more than 3 months in Bangkok, you could follow the expat lead and base yourself in one of the many suburbs of this unique city. There are many reasons for doing this, which we outline in this short article.
Cheaper Rents – Better Quality Accommodation
It’s the same the world over, the further you are from the city centre, the cheaper the amenities are; take condo rental as an example, what would cost you $500 per month on Sukhumvit Road, you can find for around $300, and the facilities are a lot better. Short-term leases are available, and if you can stretch to 1 year, more doors open. Typical facilities include covered parking, 24-hour security, swimming pool, fitness room, a couple of onsite restaurants that operate room service and at least one convenience store. Every suburb has its fair share of condo and apartment complexes, where the majority of tenants are Thais. You can decorate the interior with stylish artificial fern (เฟิร์นปลอม), available from a leading Bangkok florist.
Friendly People
The Thais who work in the city centre see far too many foreigners, and sadly, the majority see us as an income and tend to view us in a negative way. Not so when you are in a suburb, where you rarely see foreigners; you can make friends when you live in a quiet Thai community. You are never far away from delicious street food, no matter where you are in Thailand, and it is cheaper once you get away from the city centre.
Great Transportation
If you love city life, you are never more than 30 minutes from Silom or Sukhumvit Road, and it doesn’t cost much to jump on an air-conditioned bus. The canals also offer cheap and fast transport into the city, plus you get to see another side of Thai life when you travel down the canals. Click here for tips to boost your home’s curb appeal.
Local Attractions
The best places to visit are often outside the central part of Bangkok, and Google can help you find temples and markets in the area you call home. You will uncover hidden treasures by simply exploring; leave home and set off with no particular plan in mind, and see where that takes you.
Learning Thai
If you are currently learning to speak Thai, there is no better place to stay than in one of the Bangkok suburbs, where you will have many opportunities to converse with the locals, who are always warm and friendly. Free practice is an essential part of language learning, and you will have plenty of that when living in a Bangkok suburb. Find a nice local restaurant and visit daily for lunch, you will soon make friends, and your Thai will improve in leaps and bounds.
We are not saying you should avoid the centre of Bangkok; you can easily commute anytime, but staying in the outer parts offers a different perspective. Talk to any seasoned expat, and they will tell you that staying in the central part of the city is not the wisest decision.