Apartment Hunting in Bangkok

Hi everyone, I'm still alive but it has been a crazy time since I arrived in Bangkok. Long story short: I need to return to Singapore next weekend to settle my visa, and house hunting has been an absolute nightmare!!

I think I'm so used to Bangkok from a tourist's point of view, now that I'm living here, everything is completely different. On holiday, Sukhumvit 11 is super hapz all, but as a long term residential choice? Super sleazy and dubious. Being 1. female and 2. alone in Bangkok, the main concern regarding accommodation would naturally revolve around safety, so my biggest requirement was that my apartment had to be near the BTS and not in one of those little dark Sois since I get off class somedays at around 7, and it'll be dark by then.

Before arriving in Bangkok, I'd booked a studio at this place called Nonsi Residence, because my friend who studied at Chulalongkorn University for exchange said this place was recommended by the school. The price was pretty low as well (less than 15,000 baht) and it looked pretty decent from the pictures. However, the night before when I was googling how to get to Nonsi from the airport, I clicked on satellite view and realised the area was quite secluded. Previously, it didn't bother me that Nonsi wasn't very near any BTS/MRT because I had a straight bus to school. What perturbed me however, was that I realised I had to walk through quite dubious areas to get to the bus stop. To summarise, I ended up booking 2 nights at Citadines first, so I could check out Nonsi in person, without committing to a ten month lease just like that and end up regretting.

Needless to say, I didn't really like Nonsi. It's in this really quiet residential district, and there's tons of construction works in the vicinity, and the dingy paths under the flyovers along the main road just made things worse. Also when I stepped out of the taxi, all the motortaxi guys opposite just kept staring and staring, and I just really hate it when people do that. I went to see the apartment and all, and although it was okay inside, it was also really dark and gloomy?

Eventually, I asked the sales manager to let me have a day to consider, and I went off house hunting. I met some really nice girls at orientation the next day, and they offered quite a lot of help like telling me which websites to go to, and recommending agents to me. One of my classmates also mentioned she was renting an apartment at this place called Trendy at Sukhumvit Soi 13. Since it was really near my place, I decided to check it out with Daryl and we thought it was pretty decent. Not the best furnishings, but it was bright and spacious and clean, so we asked the landlord to hold the room for us (17,000 baht). 

However, when we googled Trendy that night, we read tons of bad reviews about it, like how the area was rampant with prostitution and shady people, and how insects crawl out from the drainage pipes, and how the rooms were badly constructed so it isn't sound-proof and prone to leakages, and how you can see into the next room through the electrical socket etc. I know I'm really fussy but at this point I was thinking, so what if it's near the BTS? I can't deal with all these problems on a daily basis! Plus the rent didn't include wifi and electricity and water so it wasn't exactly super cheap either. 

In the end, I had to decide if I wanted to compromise my safety (and possibly sanity) for a lower rent, and I decided it waas not worth it. I recognise at the end of the day, the that safety is something you can't put a price tag on. I don't want to live my days in perpetual fear of being attacked or robbed or even worse, which is why I've settled on my current apartment, Sabai Sathorn Executive Apartments. 

Not only is my apartment 300m from the BTS, and one station away from school, I also like the manager of this place a lot, because he is so much more decent and reliable than the other landlords I've met. Additionally, this place was recommended by LCB, and the manager said there are tons of LCB students here, which is good because at least I might get to meet some of them. Even though my rent is crazy at 25,000 baht per month excluding electricity and water, I feel so much safer here. There is this huge construction area next door as well, but somehow it's okay because it's not a secluded area and there are always people walking through this narrow alley. I probably still wouldn't go out at night alone (for now) though, but at least I can take heart in knowing I'll be safe in the day.

Okay what a grandmother story, but basically what I've taken away from this is:

1. It's always better to search for long-term accommodation on foot because pictures on the internet cannot be trusted. You can suck it up at a bad hotel for 3 nights but you don't want to do that for 10 months.

2. Read your lease agreements very carefully, and ask lots of questions, especially with regards to termination and duties of the landlord.

3. Accommodation in Bangkok is not at all cheap. Rental rates have inflated a lot over the last few years according to google. Because I see people getting good apartments for about 500 SGD a month last time, but now it's really hard to get that sort of rates. 

And since I'm talking about living standards, Bangkok as a tourist may be super cheap, but living in Bangkok is only marginally more affordable than Singapore. 50 baht wonton mee may sound cheap, but it's still $2 and you get half the amount you do in Singapore. 

4. If you have a bad feeling about a place, don't ignore it. 

5. Accessibility is everything. 

Okay I think all my friends are probably more interested in kaypohing about my apartment so here are some pictures!

The dining area, which is also where I dump all my shit upon entering the apartment. 

My kitchenette, complete with a stove, microwave, kettle and fridge. I am also super glad they provided a washing machine!! And yes, I have been stocking up ;) Must make use of Daryl's muscles hehe

The living room area! I have a TV but the channels suck. Doubt I'll be using it. 

My bathroom, which is pretty decent although it is a little cramped.

Wardrobe!! I have stuck little letters and pictures on it haha so it feels more like home. 

My desk haha with my little polaroid wall. 

And finally, the best part of my apartment: my bed. Haha Daryl bought the lights last year during our first trip to Bangkok and we are finally using it!!

Bratty has been instrumental in securing this apartment, and helping me do it up and decorating it, and I'm really thankful he was there for me because who knew house hunting would be so tiring and difficult? All in all, I'm just thankful for having a (good and safe) roof over my head. 

Till the next update,
Butterball