Moving to a new city is an adventure, something new and exciting to look forward to. The place where you’re going to live will play a large part in your experience of living abroad. If you’re still weighing your options, start by asking yourself what you're looking for in a neighborhood.
Is it the busy neighbourhood with a lot of activity, or the residential area where you can enjoy peace and quiet? In any case, there are some important things to take into account when choosing a place to live:
- Proximity to work, schools or university
- Access to public transport and distance to the city center
- Neighbourhood amenities, such as doctors, hospitals, supermarkets and gyms
- Stores, cafes, restaurants and clubs (if nightlife is important for you)
Sathorn
Located close to the city centre, Sathorn is a popular area for expats who take pleasure in life’s little luxuries. Here you can find many apartments with modern bathrooms and kitchens. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can also look for apartments with extras like swimming pools and gyms. Sathorn offers a mixture of restaurants, local street food and lots of nightlife. For transport, you can use the BTS skytrain which makes traveling around the city easier.
Nichada Thani
The complete opposite of Sathorn. This area is outside the city center, out of the heavy traffic and close to the Don Mueang International Airport. It’s an exclusive gated community dubbed ‘The Expatriate Town of Thailand’. Inside you can find everything you need, from supermarkets, restaurants and gyms to their own green area, the Nichada Park. Additionally, if you’re looking for a school for your kids, one of the highest-rated schools in Thailand, the International School Bangkok is located within its grounds. This makes Nichada Thani an ideal location for expat families with children.
Ari
Also located a little out of the city center, Ari is a popular area among expats who want to live in a busy area and travel easily to the city centre. The neighbourhood is in a safe part of Bangkok that attracts families, expats and couples. It offers a multitude of bars, cafes and restaurants. If you are looking for an area with a local feeling that offers a bit of everything, then you should look in Ari.
Ekkamai
This area is very popular among middle-class Thais and expats. In the east of Bangkok, quite close to the city center, Ekkamai is really well connected by public transport and has various housing options, from large detached houses to small apartments. It has a hipster vibe and offers you both modern and traditional styles. Here you can find cafes, restaurants, co-working spaces, boutiques and speciality stores.
On Nut
On Nut offers housing with ideal budget prices. It is mostly the home for Thai people, but nowadays, more and more professional expats and families are moving in here. Located east of the city center and close to the Suvarnabhumi Airport, the transport in the area brings you quickly to the heart of the city. On Nut maintains the local Thai feeling with its street food sellers, inexpensive (local) restaurants and open-air markets.