Bangkok Apartments and Condos - Tips, Buyers Guide

Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in the world, and certainly the hub of everything interesting in Thailand. However, if you aren't from the area, finding a good apartment to rent there can be stressful, frustrating, and time consuming to say the least. Here are some tips for renting Bangkok apartments to help you make the most of your time, money, and energy.

1. What do you want in an apartment?

First of all, if you're planning on moving to Bangkok, say, because you just got a new job in the city, your needs will probably differ from those of someone who's been in the area for a while and is simply looking for a new view in the city. That said, in either case, while the apartment or condo you choose will necessarily depend on the amount of money you have available to spend, you will still find yourself happiest in the long run if you spend as much as you can on where you stay.

This is particularly true when it comes to apartments and condos in Bangkok. Not only are you going to find a better place this way, you will also have a far smaller chance of having to start prowling the streets on a daily basis looking for something fun to do if your apartment is already outfitted with things that can help you relax and have fun indoors.

Some of the things most people enjoy having in their apartments are the creature comforts of life, such as books, music, perhaps television or videos, and in today's modern world, computers with high speed Internet connections. To take things a little farther, it's worth looking for condos or places you can rent that include balconies, as these will allow you to take in a view of what's going on outside while you're eating food or just relaxing on a day off.

Perhaps the most important reason not to skimp out on an apartment, however, is that a good one will give you the privacy you need every now and then when living in one of the busiest and most dynamic cities on the planet. There are going to be times when you're going to want full privacy and a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

For example, people who work in stressful environments, such as teachers, might simply look toward their apartments as places where they can sleep, shower, change, and get their energy levels back up. When you rent, keep these factors in mind.

2. Rent an apartment or condo in a good location

There's a saying when looking for condos or apartments to rent in Bangkok: if it takes more than an hour to get to or from work, keep on looking. This is worth remembering even if it's not entirely possible within your rent budget. The truth of the matter is that even if you might not be able to cut your travel time under an hour, you will be far less stressful in Bangkok if you can find condos or apartments that are closer to work than farther away.

As exciting as the city is, you've probably got far better things to do than hanging off bus sides or looking for taxis when monsoon season hits. You might already have had this decision made for you, but if it's possible in the least, first find your job before you go looking for condos or other places to live.

Similarly, if you can get a place that's close to the underground network or the sktrain, your commute will become much less stressful. However, you'll naturally find that rents are higher in such apartments or condos. There are a lot of teachers and other employed expats who moved into the suburbs into areas like Samut Prakarn and Rangsit, as these are usually closer to the jobs.

The drawbacks to such decisions are that they place you farther away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok's night scene, but depending on what you do and where you are in life, this might not be a bad thing. You'll also get more from your money in such locations.

3. How much should an apartment or condo cost?

This is the third most important element of choosing apartments or condos to rent in Bangkok. It's definitely possible to score places that cost under 3,000 baht per month, but these aren't going to be places most people will want to live in. Cheap apartments may be defined as those that cost less than 4,000 baht, and these typically have poor electrical and plumbing connections and a range of noise problems.

A decent apartment will typically be between 5,000 and 8,000 baht, and if you can find the funds to rent some of the higher end ones between 10,000 and 15,000 baht, you'll be so much happier in Bangkok.

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