How is Phuket these days in regards to cost of living?

[MissTraveller]

Any members living in Phuket? I may have a decent job there which I am debating about taking. What is the cost of living like for rents, food, etc? What would be a decent liveable salary?

Also, I have heard a lot of bad news coming out of Phuket in the last few years or more. Is it really as unsafe as it sounds?

Cheers for any information.

[waradmiral]

Phuket isn't all touristy and expensive. Much of the island is cheap enough. Prices are much the same as Bangkok.

You can rent a place for 10,000 baht a month for something basic and 15,000-20,000 for something a bit more classy.

Phuket has crime like many places in the world. No guarantees in this world re safety.

[Mr Earl]

Phuket you can live pretty cheaply if you want. You can rent a studio apt in Kamala for 8000 a month, or if you want real cheap you can find decent places in Thalang; small condo units for 2500 a month. A three bedroom house in Chalong goes for around 20-25k.
You can eat very reasonably if you aren't hooked on expensive farang food and shop at local markets and eat at local eateries.
Nice thing about Phuket is you can get pretty much anything you want there and you are never very far from a nice beach.
If you want to splurge on some nice NZ beef it's there, or the wide variety of seafood in the markets. Fresh baguettes, Camembert and Chilean Cabernet all easy to find.
The traffic is probably the worst aspect, but you learn to tolerate that and rely on a motorbike for getting around town.

[MissTraveller]

Phuket has crime like many places in the world. No guarantees in this world re safety.

Thanks for the information. I realize that there is crime in other places and there is no guarantee, but I ask for those living in Phuket since I have read so many stories from there (and I don't always believe what I read in the media). Better to ask those that live there, eh.

[MissTraveller]

Phuket you can live pretty cheaply if you want. You can rent a studio apt in Kamala for 8000 a month, or if you want real cheap you can find decent places in Thalang; small condo units for 2500 a month. A three bedroom house in Chalong goes for around 20-25k.
You can eat very reasonably if you aren't hooked on expensive farang food and shop at local markets and eat at local eateries.
Nice thing about Phuket is you can get pretty much anything you want there and you are never very far from a nice beach.
If you want to splurge on some nice NZ beef it's there, or the wide variety of seafood in the markets. Fresh baguettes, Camembert and Chilean Cabernet all easy to find.
The traffic is probably the worst aspect, but you learn to tolerate that and rely on a motorbike for getting around town.

Very helpful, Mr. Earl. Thank you. Yes, the traffic is crazy.. no helmets for the most part. After travelling in SEAsia for some time, I have seen the atrocities of traffic. No rules for the most part.

[kingwilly]

still phuket bound then ?

[Cujo]

still phuket bound then ?

Hasn't made it yet eh.

[MissTraveller]

still phuket bound then ?

I'm not sure yet. Hopefully so... getting excited thinking about it.

[kingwilly]

getting excited thinking about it.

I can imagine so. Is Korea not working so well then, or have you just decided to move on ?

[MissTraveller]

^Korea is going just fine. I've been debating about staying here another year or going to Thailand where a change of pace could be nice. I've been thinking about trying Thailand for years.

[kingwilly]

And a change of weather.

[waradmiral]

Phuket has crime like many places in the world. No guarantees in this world re safety.

Thanks for the information. I realize that there is crime in other places and there is no guarantee, but I ask for those living in Phuket since I have read so many stories from there (and I don't always believe what I read in the media). Better to ask those that live there, eh.

Thailand has a higher crime rate than many other countries but most of the crime is Thai against Thai. Foreigners sometimes get targetted but in general if you avoid dark spots at night, stay in good company and don't get too wasted or stay out too late chances are you won't experience any major crime.

[MissTraveller]

^^Yes, although the weather is decent here at the moment.

^Thanks for that. I know what you mean. I have been reading a lot about foreigners having problems there though (although you can't believe everything the media says).

[waradmiral]

Phuket airport has about 4.5m departures and arrivals a year. Lots of tourists arriving and you hear one bad thing a week. Do the sums and it's not that bad.

[MissTraveller]

Phuket airport has about 4.5m departures and arrivals a year. Lots of tourists arriving and you hear one bad thing a week. Do the sums and it's not that bad.

True enough, thanks. I can imagine living there will be completely different than visiting.

I hope you don't mind me picking your brain. For rents, do you have to give a deposit of a month or more when you rent. Are most contracts for a year or can you rent for less than a year. I was told that if I go in August because it is low season, I can get a great price for a year lease.

[Aberlour]

Phuket airport has about 4.5m departures and arrivals a year. Lots of tourists arriving and you hear one bad thing a week. Do the sums and it's not that bad.

True enough, thanks. I can imagine living there will be completely different than visiting.

I hope you don't mind me picking your brain. For rents, do you have to give a deposit of a month or more when you rent. Are most contracts for a year or can you rent for less than a year. I was told that if I go in August because it is low season, I can get a great price for a year lease.

Definitely the best time of year for a bargain contract. Knock anything down by a few K at least. Shouldn't have a problem if you only want 6 months, but the 12 month contract can be discounted even further.

I think it's always best to get there first, rent somewhere for a month, and then take your time finding the right place in the right area to rent long term.

Most people will want a months deposit IMO.

[rickschoppers]

Take a look at this link and you should see several possible rental properties with a wide price range:

Home and Villa Rental Property Directory Listing ‹ Phuket Rent House

I would like to live in Phuket, but will now have to be happy with renting a villa for a month or so at a time. It is a place where you can live without spending too much money as long as you watch what and how you buy. The rentals can be paid by the month, 3 months, 6 months or a year and they are always cheaper during low season.

[waradmiral]

yeah longer contracts will attract a lower price and always bargain but you really need to stay for a while to check any area out. i'd just get a unit for a month to start and have a good look around when you are there.

[Aberlour]

^ I just said that!

As far as Ricks link goes. If you aren't fussy or are on a budget and want Thai style, you will be much better off looking for signs on gates and renting directly with the owner.

That time of year you will see them everywhere.

If you want a better quality and don't mind paying a bit more then go through a company.

[rickschoppers]

^
Yes, that will work. I was trying to give her an idea of what rents are like without having to physically be in Thailand. She is in Korea, right?

[kingwilly]

And the entire point is academic as, given past behaviour she'll ask a bunch of questions and then change her mind.

[MissTraveller]

Thanks for all the information, guys.
! ^I said I haven't made a decision yet, fool.

[Cujo]

Thanks for all the information, guys.
! ^I said I haven't made a decision yet, fool.

You never will, fool.
How many years now, since 'Phuket bound" was 'Phuket bound'?
It'll never happen.

[kingwilly]

! ^I said I haven't made a decision yet, fool.

Indeed you haven't.

[waradmiral]

Go spend 2 weeks there and instead of having a holiday spend your time checking out the local scene, shopping centres, apartments etc then make a decision.

Sounds like you are scared to make a move.

You ought to know after 2 weeks whether a place is right for you or not.