Long stay

[kuteguy]

I arrived last week on Monday and staying for 3-5 months here in Pattaya so was looking for long term stay places .. ideally between soi diana and soi hone on 2nd road; or worst case soi bukhao. Ideally 20k/month including expenses (elec, water, etc).

Below is the research I did that maybe someone else will find handy - I posted this on the sister site lbp

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This trip is different due to me not being as crazy as I used to be - a lot of soul searching and meditation has slowed me down. It can't be old age doing this because I am not even 40 yet .. and I know people much older than me who continue to go hard year after year. Also, due to this being a LONG trip I am pacing myself.

It was also different because for once I did not have accommodation sorted so that was my first goal. I had booked into Metro Apartments for a couple of days to get me started. So upon arriving from India - which went smooth as butter - I was a bit worried because I had a lot of luggage + tight connections + sensitive stuff that might have gotten me in trouble at customs (in my 15 years of coming here I am yet to be checked by customs). I had a hectic last 2 months so it was a good time to just rest.

After a good night's sleep - went for my traditional once in a while breakfast at Retox - DELICIOUS. It was only about 8am and you know Pattaya does not wake up till 2pm and it was a Sunday. Yet the 'doer' in me could not but resist to start the condo search. So here are the findings - keeping in mind that these are low season rates and some where gotten depending on the desperation of the landlord at that time (all were LB friendly, in most cases I explicitly asked about it). One of the main PITA was that I plan to study here so needed a place with a good table and chair.

I spent from 8am to 8pm walking the streets and also half day the next day ..

So three optional non-negotiables for me were the place HAS To have a lift, a nice table and chair for studying, and a safe AND it must have lots of light (!!) ideally easy access to 2nd road and Bukhao

Prices are per month = 30 days; and low season I believe is from Jun/July to end of Sept.

Harry's and Zip

 Just on Soi Diana is Harrys owned by a Swede (I think) - there are two places- right opposite each other. 

In Harry's place the two types of rooms I was interested in were for 18,000 and 14,000 but discounted down to 15,000 and 12,000 respectively. In Zip the large room was 20,000, discounted to 18,000

Then in non low season prices would revert to published rates

Harry's definitely had a lift; I am pretty sure Zip also had one

It is about as central as you can get in terms of location - easy access to 2nd road and Bukhao

cant remember if utilities and cleaning are included - I THINK they were 

LK Metropole

Gorgeous Apartments! They basically have two wings - the main wing and then the annex - the annex has no lifts. So it was up several flights of stairs if I wanted their cheaper rooms - so this was definitely out. 

Junior wing - this is in the non-lift annex -  27,000 -> discounted to 21,000 but no breakfast for the discounted rate (and also because it is low season) - rates do not include Electricity and Water supply; cleaning every other day, 1 months deposit (2 months deposit for contracts that are >3 months) + 1 months rate; basic things like microwave, kettle, toaster, etc - no kitchenette

Standard - GORGEOUS room in the main building with lift; 45,000 -> discounted down to  33,000 - was tempted with this one

Several other room options going up to 216,000 / month published rate - the Metropole Suite (Where probably the prior POTUS stayed) 

Centara Studios

Many moons ago I was THIS close to buying a property in Centara when they had not even started on the building site. Might not have been a bad decision because at that time 1GBP = 80 THB And now 40THB. So next best thing was to try and rent there.

Again - great location! and nice resort pool - it is part of the Centara resort and hotel so you have the apartments sandwiched between the two. 

The reception girl in the management office is HOT! (according to the staff picture on her desk - couldn't see her actual face due to facemask) 

Nice studio apartment - 20,000/month discounted to 17,000 if taking for 3 or more months. 5Baht for elect and 35 for water. 300 thb for cleaning each time

There were also some adverts on the noticeboard if you want to rent direct from owner or via real-estate agencies

I was considering this one as an outside choice

Pattaya Bay Resort

Now shut down for renovations  .. expected re-opening, as per bill board, in 2017 - only in Thailand. JUST UPDATE THE DAMN Billboard .. if you can't manage that how you gonna manage to renovate the building!!

This is where I normally used to stay but because they have built the Travelodge directly in front at arm's length .. this is definitely off the books for me

The Avenue Residence

Gorgeous and well-prices condos - HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place!! Only down side for most would be the minimum 3 months contract

Staff were kind enough to show me about 5 properties. It is 18,000 for studio and 23,500 for 1 bedroom (VERY LARGE AND NICE). Surprisingly they also showed me some 1 bedrooms that were also 18,000 - definitely was in my short list

cleaning 250 and 350 each time (studio and 1BR respectively); with a 500 charge for check-out cleaning

elec 5-8 (I think you pay directly to 7-11 so govt rates) And 35 for water

1 month advance + 1 month deposit

The URBAN and Pattaya Garden Resord - did not visit because was closed on Sunday

 

PRIDE Condos

This was the last set of condos I saw as they were closed on Sunday and definitely a case of save the best till last - very secure, very quiet, very clean - highly recommend. I was lucky enough that the owner of a condo had just discounted hers due to lack of interest from 25,000 to 20,000 for a 1 bedroom! it was just gorgeous and big with everything I needed. It checked all the boxes - location, price, facilities

The only doubt in mind was that WAS IT TOO QUIET for a 5 months stay and when compared with ... 

The Base

I was highly anticipating seeing this one - the pictures were just stunning (tons on airbnb) and the roof-top pool did not disappoint - luckily it was the only sunny day I have seen since being here so the pool was like a diamond in the rough (rough = crap looking accommodation in the streets of Pattaya from the roof top of The Base).

The Base was contrast to PRIDE - it was BUSY! (and I Can tell you even on the 31st floor, with windows and doors closed, you could hear the banging music of the bars downstairs). 

There was a certain energy about The Base and yes it'd be a bit of a show-off statement if I did meet a GF-type here in Pattaya

No surprise, as seen in the airbnb pics, the 1 bedroom is TINY! Seriously they should have made them into studios but I Guess it looks better for marketability calling them 1 bedrooms. The price range generally was 15000-25000 with most being 18,000; 15000 if you take for >=6 months; for 2 bedrooms it was 30,000-50,000. Again I was lucky enough that one 2 bedroom had JUST come on the market and the owner was prepared for 25,000 - it was just PERFECT! there was also another charge of 700 thb for the internet for that specific 2 bedroom - I plan to use my mobile for internet exclusively (AIS) - it is fast (I tested it on the 31st floor and each of the apartments I viewed) - so that is an additional overhead I Don't need

This was all through the resident management agency - rental for the holidays - they also charge 5% to the tenant as commission and you have to pay 1/2 month deposit (very low compared to everywhere else - makes it easier to walk out and break the contract if I so feel inclined)

The other thing is that this place is FULL of chinese tourists - I went there 3 times and had to wait a total of about 2 hours -> I saw nothing but chinese tourists. I hope the govt cracks down on these short stay apartments - The Base will become ghost town!

for upto 3 months stay it is 7 thb for elec - otherwise govt rate; and 40 for water; cleaning is a surprisingly low 300 for 1 BR and 500 for 2 BR; this is what I find surprising - The Base is the equivalent of The Shard in London and all the prices are reasonable when compared to other offerings in the area.. esp when it is only a 1 month minimum; I Wish they had made the 1 bedrooom just a tiny bit bigger than 30 sqm (there are some at 35sqm - a bit better but still tiny!) - I would have happily taken one! 

Definitely on my short-list along with The Pride And The Avenue Residences

Great thing about it is that The Base has no shops in the block and you realise how great that is when you make a visit to ... 

View Talay 6

Disgusting, outdated, smelly, fish market, ugly, and to top it off EXPENSIVE! How ANYONE, besides people with a vested interest, can recommend VT6 is beyond me?? Out of all 15 years of coming to Pattaya I had heard so much about VT6, and that made sense 15 years ago, but I had never set foot in it. It is seriously a fish market in there ... the ground floor is full of, overprice, shops and that adds to making the whole experience horrible. I would hate to live there!

I cannot recommend this place after viewing a few properties. You don't have to go through Dancewatchers, etc there are many other options:

When you walk into VT6 you will see LOTS of condo agencies .. the first one on the left was www.VTsix.com -> they showed me a couple of rooms - it was large but about as basic as it comes - studio and they wanted 25,000/month for it (30,000 for non-low season) ; + 1000 for internet +1000/week for cleaning + 500 / month for TV; 6 for elec, 60 for water

CANDO - [email protected] was another company that showed me some of their flats - again ridiculous high prices - although they seemed better aesthetically then the ones shown to me by VTSix.com

Diana Estate

This is another place I have heard a lot about but never had the chance to stay or view (I usually organise my entire stay's accommodation before arriving into Pattaya).

Similar to VT6 - looks like there are many agencies managing owner's portfolio of properties - I could not find a common reception as such, just several independent agencies. So I ended up at Solei De SIAM agency - [email protected]

Location is not bad - easy walk to 2nd road and Central Festival; and on Bukhao

They have a price list of apartments - he seemed to be pretty non-negotiable and I Did not really try to negotiate; the apartments are nice enough - basic simple, quiet - the two that interested me most were 'premium rooms' at 16,500 thb and standard rooms (40 sq m) at 16,500; they have about 8 different types of rooms going up to 35,000 / month. As it seems each apartment is individually owned - there is no standardisation and one had a safety locker but the other one did not

Price includes electricity, water, and linen wash - so saving another I would say 3 000 thb - GOOD VALUE!

I Think he said 800 for internet; and he mentioned something about clean twice a week for 100 thb - not sure what that meant

R-CON Residence

Just a few doors down from Diana estate is this property - has a very big and lively bar - always see people in there

Rooms were ok - had the perfect table/chair - but the toilet is a reallll let down - from what I Saw! 

9000 / month (all year round rate?), 7000 deposit; elect at 10 (rip-off!!) and water at 37; 2 room cleaning services / week; and a special note that monthly rate does not include toilet paper (seriously! would it cost that much to leave a few rolls in there everytime they clean??)

PACE Residences

Over on the other side of Soi Bukhao - LOVELY apartments and friendly guy at the counter. Really well decorated rooms and a GREAT promotion. But no lift - so was a definite no no from me:

Breeze Plus room - from 19,000 discounted to 13,500 -> this is their promotion - was a LOVELY BRIGHT room .. like it much much better than their Grand Cabana room which was 20,000 (original price 24,000)

300 for water for the month; 8 for elec

Duanna Ming hotel Pattaya 

At the T Junction of Soi Bukhao and Soi Bukhao 15 - front of the Pace Residences - I have walked past and stood in front of this hotel many many times but the daily rate was never in my budget. Luckily the monthly rate was totally affordable - does that mean my monthly budget is too high at 20,000???

Monthly rate: 13000

I THINK everything was included - water, elec, cleaning - can't be sure - I Dont; have any notes or maybe I Didn't ask beacuse I knew I was not 100% interested.

No lift. 

Was ok ... nothing specifically negative about it. 

 

So I wont explicitly say which apartment I chose but here is the view, that I paid a premium for, that I get to see when I wake up and look outside my window

[Old Scratch]

I have no vested interest in VT6 but I used to like staying there, several years ago.

The location was the biggest draw.  Back door, on Beach road, next to a 7-11 and food carts.  Front door, on Second rd, look to the left and Central Festival.

Thank you, though, for a break down on some monthly rent condos!

[localguy]

Great synopsis. Thank you.

[Rocketboy]

Thanks great info as I have been looking specifically online at Avenue and Urban. I have seen units in both as well as online and they meet my criteria for yearly rental, as far as price, size, location and looks. Actually saw a couple unit in the Pride in June.

 

Never stayed at VT6 but from what I've seen in person and online they are not for me and have never appealed to me. 

[kash buc]

 

Great job kuteguy. I'm sure this post will be used as reference for condo renters for a long time.  

I've also searched for a condo for a long time stay 3 months. I ended up going with the Pride 1BR condo at 24,000B per month + E&W. Looked at the Base and found it much to small.   Looked at a 1BR at Centara which i really liked. Never seen the rooms at Urban, PG and Avenue, but talking with people who stayed at them, they seemed happy with their condo.

I've also stayed at VT6. I liked the room, location & view there, but they were starting to get expensive compared with other choices.

Another place I've stayed at was Inn of the Golden Crab on Soi 13. The building and rooms are a bit dated, but other wise ok. Great location and 21,000B per month for a 1BR low season

[Mick Pattaya]

Thanks for a detailed write up, very informative. Please do share where exactly is Centara Studios located, seems to be a nice low-season option.

[SirL]

I stayed in a very similar room for about seven weeks a year or two ago.  Here's the view from my room early in the morning.  You're a couple of floors higher.

Edited July 25, 2018 by SirL

[kuteguy]

Yeah I am almost on the top floor

Centara studios can be accessed via soi diana .. When going towards 2nd road, just before Areca Lodge is a little dead end Soi that leads to Centara hotel.. You go in there into the hotel and there is a little door that leads to Centara studios. Alternatively, you can enter via Centara resort in a similar way via soi bukhao 15

Yes the Base Apartments are very very small. I paid extra to have the bigger (biggest?) And higher floor 1 bedroom. My argument was that I would rather be in this beautiful upmarket building in a small apartment than say in a bigger quieter Condo like The Avenue residences or the pride - don't get me wrong, they are equally beautiful and well located. For me The Base apartment block was the most attractive thing. After being here over a week.. I am happy with that decision.

[Autoroam]

so ur at Centara Studio?

[kuteguy]

No, I am at The Base

[SirL]

4 hours ago, Autoroam said:

so ur at Centara Studio?

The OP is in The Base on about floor 26

My thoughts on The Base in post #30 on http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/325901-the-base/?page=2&tab=comments#comment-4467915

 

[Geordie59]

Any reason you didn't look at City Garden kuteguy?
 It seems like you looked at all the others in that area of Soi 15.

[Autoroam]

1 hour ago, kuteguy said:

No, I am at The Base

whats the towel situation?

buy your own or do they supply you 2-3 times a week?

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

OP - Outstanding contribution to the Board, a great round-up of the condo scene in central Patts. I have asked the Mods to consider 'pin-ing' this thread. Great work.

[benny31]

Great info m8, thanks for taking the time.

[kuteguy]

City garden office was closed on Sunday and, based on online research, I didn't think I would get anything in there that was better than what I had already seen (I would say it's equal to The Avenue residences)

Towels at The Base? Well I guess it depends on the arrangement you have with your 'landlord'. In my case I have rented the apartment and the towels, bedsheets, utensils as they are. Cleaning them and the apartment is my responsibility.. Which I will do (there is a big laundry in the building with 5 washing machines, dryer, and drinking water machine). Ofcourse I could pay the strata management company to do weekly/daily cleaning but they won't do dishes, bedsheets, towels, etc.. So not worth it. I guess there are other third party cleaners who would do it all.. I have seen them running around the building.

I will try and add new finds as I see them.. Others are welcome to do the same. There was a debate here about possibility of finding an 8k/month condo/ghouse in the forum?

Well I found one for 5200/month + elec (7thb) + water (200 or 300 I think). Free internet and balcony (if available). For me THE BEST location!! It's on the road that goes through tree town and the accommodation is across the road from Central Festival and 2 mins walk to Soi Bukhao.

Cheena House

519/85-86 moo 10 Soi 9 skaw beach. +66863033538 +6633082855

No lift, quiet street, obviously basic room - fridge and tv. Not suitable if you are around 2 metres tall.. I would easily hit my head on the room's door frames (ceiling is fine..just door frame is low)

[kuteguy]

 I had choice of going with Wi-Fi but I specifically asked to have it removed.

I am on AIS UNLIMITED mobile broadband (the 6mbps plan I think) - it's super fast and reliable. This way I have internet in the apartment and on the go at arnd 500thb/month. Rather than pay the extra 700thb for home broadband/wifi. I recommend to go with just mobile broadband for all your internet needs.. Including tethering to laptop, tv, tablet.. Works perfectly for me

[SirL]

1 hour ago, kuteguy said:

There was a debate here about possibility of finding an 8k/month condo/ghouse in the forum?

Well I found one for 5200/month + elec (7thb) + water (200 or 300 I think). Free internet and balcony (if available). For me THE BEST location!! It's on the road that goes through tree town and the accommodation is across the road from Central Festival and 2 mins walk to Soi Bukhao.

Cheena House

519/85-86 moo 10 Soi 9 skaw beach. +66863033538 +6633082855

No lift, quiet street, obviously basic room - fridge and tv. Not suitable if you are around 2 metres tall.. I would easily hit my head on the room's door frames (ceiling is fine..just door frame is low)

I think the OP was operating on a higher budget than that, but in that territory I'll see you and raise you a

https://www.facebook.com/aclubpattaya.th/

B4500 a month buys you this (note a/c) vaguely modern western-style pad.  No headroom problems!

or another room

or another

 

An additional B1500 a month gets you a 125cc bike and you can go anywhere!

PS I know three gogo dancers who live in this building, who could make fun neighbours if that's your kind of thing.....

Edited July 28, 2018 by SirL

[Zeb]

SirL - Is that room above Scooters on Soi Boukhow ?

I've that room with the Union Jack advertised somewhere recently in Pattaya?

[bangna]

If you check the link, it is on Soi Regional Land. Probably 2.5 KMS to Scooters.

[az89]

 

kuteguy

great information 

Is there is a chance you could do us a run down on The Urban and Pattaya garden resort in a similar style you have done the others.

much appreciated and thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 22, 2018 by az89

[devee8]

we do very good monthly rates at the moment for our rooms.

[Mr.Lahey]

Does anyone have an idea of what high season costs for monthly apartment rentals?

Is high season only December till February 1st?

I've only been here during low season but it's looking like my next extended visit for 2 months will be during part of if not all of high season :(

Anyone have any info?

[markytee]

Hi kuteguy

Thanks for the reviews of the condos, they are exactly the condos im looking at staying when i make my permanent move sometime next year.

Just a question on the 5% commission paid by the tenant at "the Base"  i thought the landlord paid any commission to booking agents/real estate agents?

Im assuming you rented the 2 bedroom apartment at "the Base" for 25000b per month, which is a great price. Did you book it through the onsite agent or through the owner direct?

Also if you have any photos of the apartment your staying in, They would be greatly appreciated.

[balooo]

Thank you very much @kuteguy !

Arriving in Patts in september/october is it too late to find something to rent in soi buakao 15 for mid term 3/6 months.

I'm little bit scare about sold out in the high season.