Rent or Own Condo in Thailand?

[robinbay]

Never mind how i look at it or how i juggle the numbers theres no way my cash would last me.I'd still need to earn while over there the only plan i can think of is getting a sponsor in Aus.I have HGV license so the plan would be get set up in LOS then take a holiday/search to Aus,6 months or so work there plus interest from my capitol would stop me dipping into the capitol.

Things change though so only a dream at the moment eh!

[Bazle]

I agree with the above completely and another problem with ownership is having neighbors (farang or Thai) that...... [are] ..... just plain noisey. In the west it is easier to get an eviction, here it involves losing face and many other issues.

Sadly, that comment does not apply to the UK. I've had to sell up and move twice because of noisy neighbours. In practice, the local authorities are almost powerless to deal with the issue.

 

I am now considering moving a third time as the Tanzanian family renting the apartment below me have moved in a second family and the noise from the kids, and from the adults shouting at them, is beginning to drive me crazy.

 

I have just moved into an apartment I've bought in Patts as a holiday home. The block is new and currently only partly occupied, and more amd more apartments are being let out rather than sold. I have witnessed already the potential for noise issues here.

 

My take on this matter is that it is just the same here as`in the UK - you are at the mercy of your neighbours!

Edited August 29, 2010 by Bazle

[Al.]

Never mind how i look at it or how i juggle the numbers theres no way my cash would last me.I'd still need to earn while over there the only plan i can think of is getting a sponsor in Aus.I have HGV license so the plan would be get set up in LOS then take a holiday/search to Aus,6 months or so work there plus interest from my capitol would stop me dipping into the capitol.

Things change though so only a dream at the moment eh!

 

What you need to do is build an amphibious HGV then you could drive it from Australia to Los.

Sometimes I get these really GREAT ideas especially when I've had a few

Al.

[griz30]

It is a serious question that has many unexperienced and experienced answers. I bought my one bedroom about 3 years ago and have been fairly successful. Don't believe the notion that your return will be great, it won't. But if you manage the situation right it is a good investment, I have been able to write off alot of my expenses through my taxes and have made a modest gain. I am still fairly young, and eventually I would like to retire there with my wife. Yeah, there is always that fear that my neighbors could become trouble, but most of the complex is ex-pats and there are strict rules. But, everything is gamble.

[griz30]

i am also more protected from rises in the value of the baht, of course i hope the baht does not rise, but if it does and you rent from money invested in your own country, it will cost you more in real terms even if your actual rent in baht stays the same. also if you want to live in thailand longterm inflation will make your rent rise in the longer term. altough i accept the rental market is well flat now, things would pick up big time in the future if pattaya becomes a zone for legal goverment santioned casino's, which is likely when the inevitable happens in the thai monarchy.

 

 

Rents will double if they put casinos in....

[Daveo]

Its no doubt been mentioned before but before you buy any property here in Thailand, rent it for a month before you buy it, then you will find out any reasons to buy it or not,

[docbunsen]

Nice mate,wish i had the balls to risk mine but in the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman " i'm a safety " boy

 

 

not disrespecting you just an honest question what do you think is safe ????

[robinbay]

not disrespecting you just an honest question what do you think is safe ????

 

In the UK,don't know about other places,the Banks have 3 investment blocks.1 is no risk guaranteed return at a fixed interest rate.2 is you won't lose your investment but your not guaranteed anything back.3 is biting your nails for the length of time you've invested for ha ha.

My money until 3 months ago was in a 6% savings package,got it in before the crash of the banks.Now it's just sat in a normal account earning peanuts.The bank's have offered me 2% but that will tie it down for 2 years.Would rather have it available at the moment in case something better comes along.

[LazyJay]

In the UK,don't know about other places,the Banks have 3 investment blocks.1 is no risk guaranteed return at a fixed interest rate.2 is you won't lose your investment but your not guaranteed anything back.3 is biting your nails for the length of time you've invested for ha ha.

My money until 3 months ago was in a 6% savings package,got it in before the crash of the banks.Now it's just sat in a normal account earning peanuts.The bank's have offered me 2% but that will tie it down for 2 years.Would rather have it available at the moment in case something better comes along.

 

I think you are doing the right thing to not tie up your money at 2% intrest, intrest rates will have to go up sometime, but if you shop around you can get up to 2.75% with instant access in the UK with ING direct, check out the best buys on the money supermarket website and don't be tied to your own bank.

 

cheers

[robinbay]

I think you are doing the right thing to not tie up your money at 2% intrest, intrest rates will have to go up sometime, but if you shop around you can get up to 2.75% with instant access in the UK with ING direct, check out the best buys on the money supermarket website and don't be tied to your own bank.

 

cheers

 

Thats my prob always stick to the people i know unless they mess me around.Thats why i've stayed at J and P Court for all my stays in Patts same room everything... diff girls of course though ha ha

[LazyJay]

Thats my prob always stick to the people i know unless they mess me around.Thats why i've stayed at J and P Court for all my stays in Patts same room everything... diff girls of course though ha ha

 

 

well 99% of savings accounts in the uk would be subject to the Government guarantee of deposits up to £50,000, and banks love to screw the savings accounts to customers who don't shop around. What you could gain in intrest by shopping around might not make you rich but it might pay for a couple more girls each trip

[docbunsen]

In the UK,don't know about other places,the Banks have 3 investment blocks.1 is no risk guaranteed return at a fixed interest rate.2 is you won't lose your investment but your not guaranteed anything back.3 is biting your nails for the length of time you've invested for ha ha.

My money until 3 months ago was in a 6% savings package,got it in before the crash of the banks.Now it's just sat in a normal account earning peanuts.The bank's have offered me 2% but that will tie it down for 2 years.Would rather have it available at the moment in case something better comes along.

 

 

i think i'd still sway towards property over banks. but i'd change my market and cash in on the uk's soft touch on wont work types. lots of small units filled with parasites on benefit . just need a good deposit to come my way !!

[KingKlong]

I have just returned from my first visit to Pattaya. Overall, I liked it but can see the downsides of the place too; nowhere is perfect.

I think it's important to keep hold of reality when living here. Even in my short time (3 weeks) in Pattaya, I saw too many farangs who had completely lost the plot and were just spending all their time and money drinking and shagging BG's...don't get me wrong - I like doing both those things, but in moderation.

I stayed in a hotel in Soi 13 which I found to be a good base for getting around.

I am thinking about renting a condo/apartment for a month or two during the English winter.

Can anybody recommend anywhere good to rent? I'm looking for a decent, clean 1 bedroom or studio apartment somewhere on, or not far from, the baht-bus route, i.e. between Beach and 2nd Road, between Soi 1 and 13 preferably.

I had a look at some places whilst I was there but the quality and prices seemed to vary wildly so I'd appreciate any advice from some experienced ex-pats who are currently renting.

Thanks in advance to anybody who can help or make suggestions.

Cheers.

[QuotaMan]

Lots of good thoughts and advice so far, thanks everyone. I agree with you KingKlong, living in Thailand is all about adjustment, and it's definitely an entirely different thing from vacation mode.

 

For my last trip to Thailand the biggest overall money hole was the food (besides the hotel). I eat at restaurants, fast food places, etc., and it adds up. Of course if I were to live in Thailand that would be one of my biggest things to cut costs on. Even during my last trip I didn't monger much, and as I get older I won't need to monger as much either. I don't drink. For the most part I just chilled either in my room or just walking about town and relaxing.