Living in a tourist area definitely has its perks, but these may feel like pitfalls for others.
Looking to buy or rent a property in the land of smiles? There are many things to consider when looking for a condo or house in Thailand, but one of the first questions you should ask yourself is where within the country you want to live.
Tourism has changed Thailand in many ways over the past few decades, which will be a good thing for some and not as much for others depending on what lifestyle you want. If you choose to live in a tourist area you will have certain benefits that someone in a lesser-known location may not have, and vice versa.
Pros of living in a touristy area
The comforts of home
In tourist areas you are much more likely to find your favourite international foods, international-language movie theatres, hotels of international standards, signs or advertisements in your own language and other people that look like you. The area you are in may not feel like home, but it definitely will feel less foreign.
Convenient location
Usually the major tourist areas in every city are in the centre of town, and because these areas are usually filled with people there’s always some form of public transportation going there. If your condo or apartment is right by Khao San road, your taxi driver will definitely know how to get you there.
Easier communicate
If you relocate to a country like Thailand where the language is tonal, you may experience some difficulty communicating at first. Even if you know the word for something, that doesn’t mean you are pronouncing it in a way a Thai will understand. This can be very frustrating for foreigners. However, if you live in a touristy area, the majority of locals that work there will speak English, or at least will know the vocabulary they need depending on their job.
Cons of living in a touristy area
It’s expensive
One of the biggest cons about living in a tourist area is that you will most likely be overcharged for just about everything. From expensive real estate prices to overpriced restaurants and even street carts, you’ll basically be living in a place with its own special currency rate, and one that expects tips as well.
No escaping the craziness
When you live in a tourist area you are surrounded by people on holiday, who often have no concept of the day of the week or going to bed before 11 pm. Tourist areas tend to be filled with or surrounded by bars that stay open until the wee hours of the morning, and if you want to live in a tourist area you’ll have to accept that your daily commute will involve loud noises and thick crowds of people without a destination.
Less opportunity to establish long term relationships
If you live in a tourist area, most of the people around you will be, well, tourists. This means that there will be less familiar faces than you might see if you lived in a quiet neighbourhood. It’s great to meet travellers from all over the world, but one of the things that make a place home is the people in it. If the people are always changing, it will take much longer to feel at home.
Buying a condo and renting a condo in Thailand are two very different real estate transactions, so perhaps if you are simply renting, the cons mentioned above would be less relevant. You can read here for the best neighbourhoods in Bangkok for foreigners, or just tell us what you think in comment in the area below!
