Cost of living in Sukhumvit Nana / Asoke area

I haven't live in that area for over 5 years but back then I found places cheap as 5500 baht but I wouldn't want to live in such a place.  I ended up paying 15,000 a month for 1 bedroom place on Soi 11. Water and 120 items of laundry were included and electric extra.  If I had to guess it would go for 20K-22K today. Most places I looked at in those days were 20k-40k a month.

Prices are much cheaper the further you get away from that area. I currently live in place that's 300 meter walk to skytrain station that cost 10k a month.  Its only 15 minute train ride to lower Sukhumvit area.

But I heard the location of Nana and Asoke are one of the best locations in central district Bangkok. I would think that people living there are paying for the location as much as the atmosphere, which is quite international. I've been to Sukhumvit 11 myself and it is quite lively! Thank you for your response, so I will be expecting a 22k+ price range, I think that is reasonable, but of course the apartment has to be new and the building must have swimming pool and other facilities.

By the way, does anyone know any real estate agents that specialize only in finding rent for expats? I don't really like large Thai agent companies because they are inefficient.

try http://www.mrroomfinder.com/.

Thanks for the info LuisF, but I would also like to know about the lifestyles and ways of living in that area. What are the entertainment, costs of living, typical food in that area etc. Is the soi dangerous to walk through at night? Are there any expats living in that area who can shed some light on these issues and be kind enough as to share their experiences to us?

I am new to this forum. In fact,this is my first post!

I intend to move to Thailand or possibly indonesia sometimes next summer as I wind down my life in Switzerland and Mexico where I now find myself in the earliest stages of my retirement.

As most early posters, I am seeking advice, links, advice etc. on where to live.  I only have a preliminary checklist of what I would like or not like.

-I do not wish to live on the beach...
-Access to a hospital with good trauma care is a condition precedent.  I have a ticky heart.
-I will need a housekeeper.
-I would like a villa over an apartment.
-I will not pay more that 30,000BHT per month for accomodation.
-I would not exclude a condo or an apartment.
-I do not need parties, drinking or a nightlife.
-I will need broadband internet
-I would like to have a complete kitchen.
-I do not need a swimming pool or gym.
-I could live in Bangkok or Chiang Mai but am willing to consider areas since I do not know anything else about Thailand.
-I will read the news and worry about protests etc.
-I am single and hope to stay that way.
-I welcome enquiries from those interested in renting to me.

Thank you one and all for your patience and may newbie naivite.  I will learn how to act appropriately as time goes on.  I am unfamiliar with forums or blogging.

Welcome to Expat.com, Garryladouceur,

Woaw nice presentation! Well, I sure hope that you will find all useful information on the forum and soon start networking in Thailand.

You might also want to participate in the various forums of Indonesia.

Have a nice day further
Arlette

Thank you... welcome note mucho appreciated....

Garry.

DavidM...
Yes that area of Sukhumvit is lively with a certain type of action.  The area is best know for sleazy places like Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy which are filled with go-go bars and young ladies slightly dressed to totally nude.  You can also find a few disco's, massage parlors and pubs.  The pubs/sport bars offer pool tables and typical pub quality food on the menu.  You will also find a few decent restaurants on Sukhumvit and some of the Soi's.

Of course we don't want to forget Sukhumvit in general.  Starting around noon until midnight you have all the dry good sidewalk vendors that set up. It might be great for the tourist but for the people that live here its nothing but an obstacle.  They pack the sidewalks with their stands to the point it leaves only a 3-4 foot path to navigate through.

Starting around 12 midnight you will find food and alcohol vendors setting up on Sukhumvit so they will be ready for the crowds that appear after the above mentioned places start closing. This street action was nice for a change until the last year or so when African blacks started moving into the area trying to act as pimps, pushing drugs, running scams and just taking up space.

I personally feel safer when walking in Bangkok than New York City but Sukhumvit does have its problems like most large cities.  The few problems I have heard about seem to involve ladyboys.  They either try to pick your pocket or take offense when you brush off their approach. Whatever you do avoid a physical conflict with a Thai because you will have to deal with more than one.

@Garry

Bienvenido al forum.

-I do not wish to live on the beach...

You have plenty of destinations around thailand, however Bangkok might be your best bet.

-Access to a hospital with good trauma care is a condition precedent.  I have a ticky heart.

There are very good hospitals in bangkok, of course unfortunately their bills are also of high standards.

-I will need a housekeeper.

Depending were you live, you can have a housekeeper for around 4000 bath a month (coming twice a week)

-I would like a villa over an apartment.
-I will not pay more that 30,000BHT per month for accomodation
-I would not exclude a condo or an apartment.

There are few villas in the outskirts of bangkok, they are near to your budget also. However i recomend to make few thai friends as they know the best deals.
But if you dont mind living on an apartment, there are very nice apartments with that budget, closer to the center of the city ( if there is one cos bangkok is so bloody big)and therefore near to a hospital for that "just in case" scenario.


-I do not need parties, drinking or a nightlife.

Avoid the main explosions of life of the city, such as nana-asok-silom-lumpini..and youll be fine

-I will need broadband internet

There is plenty of internet service providers around here, however when it rains the connections are kinda choppi. But the internet of for example 4mb will cost you around 700 thai bath a month.

-I would like to have a complete kitchen.

If by that you mean, a fridge, a couple of fire plates, and a sink. They do all have that. If you looking for something more complete, usually high standard flats/appartments have such commodities.

-I do not need a swimming pool or gym.

Nearlly all apartment buildings have in fact a swiming pool and a gym. Some even have saunas too.

-I could live in Bangkok or Chiang Mai but am willing to consider areas since I do not know anything else about Thailand.

I dont know about chiangmai much, just know its cheaper there. And as for other parts of thailand, I unfortunatelly know more of places surrounded by the beach.

-I will read the news and worry about protests etc.

Since what it happen in thailand, no body has spoke about it at all, since in thai people were ashamed of those who did make trouble since isnt how thai people do act. Few things youll read on the news such as the bangkok post, mostly concerning politics inside parliament troubles.

-I am single and hope to stay that way.

If you have never been to thailand youll find that extremely difficult.

-I welcome enquiries from those interested in renting to me.

Have a look at : http://www.mrroomfinder.com/ Not mine but I founded few nice places with it.

Garry..

Because you have a heart condition I think Bangkok is your only choice since the best specialist seem to live in Bangkok.  You should also live close to one of the major hospitals because Bangkok traffic can be murder most of the time.

I have a friend in Korat who is happy with his heart doctor for normal checkup but would head to Bangkok, where he had bypass surgery done, if any major problem occurred.  I know when he had his problem they stabilized him in Korat but sent him to Bangkok via ambulance for treatment.