While we all love to visit Sukhumvit Road and other popular spots, most foreigners do not live in central Bangkok; those who have been in the city for longer than a few months will usually look for something in the suburbs, where you can rent a fully furnished apartment in a 5-star complex for less than $300 per month. You can actually rent a 5-bedroom mansion on an upmarket housing estate for around $500; many English teachers pool together and share a huge house with a massive garden.
Great Infrastructure
Excellent transportation means you can be in the centre of the city in no time, although everything you need is available in your neighbourhood. You will quickly find a favourite coffee shop, while restaurants are in abundance in every Bangkok suburb, and there are many kinds of stores. After a while, you will get to know some of the locals, and the further out you go, the greener the land is. If, for example, you went to live in Nong Chok, which is a few km from Minburi in Eastern Bangkok, you would be surrounded by fields and jungle. You are only 30 minutes from the city centre, which is not much of a journey, whichever way you go. When you’re ready for some self-treatment, book a natural นวด spa (massage spa) from a leading Bangkok provider.
The Best of Both Worlds
If you love the hustle and bustle of the city but also crave natural beauty, living in the suburbs is for you; life is much slower once you get outside of that concrete jungle, and you never have to go far to get your fix of urban living. Even if you are only planning on staying for 3 months, we recommend taking a look at condos and apartments in the suburbs, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the rentals.
Regular Communication
One important aspect of living in a suburb is that you get to encounter the same Thai people on a daily basis, which makes it easy to make new friends. If you are learning Thai, this is an excellent way to get free practice. You will soon become a regular at the local noodle shop and the corner shop managed by an old couple. Click here for a few tech upgrades to enrich your life.
Experience Thai Generosity
Thai people are always very courteous and polite, whether they meet a Thai or a foreigner, and they like to joke with good friends. Thai society is very hierarchical, and it takes a while before friends will relax and joke with each other. Thai people love to help, and they never expect anything in return; they are happy to be able to help you.
Exploring the Canals
Every Bangkok suburb has access to canals, which the locals use for transport, which is faster and cheaper than road options. If you want a genuine insight into how Bangkokians live, take the canal longtail boats and see the women washing clothes and the happy kids jumping into the water. Families live right up to the edge of the canal (klong) in the city areas, which gives the visitor a unique opportunity to witness daily life.
