Thread: House Rentals in Vientiane

Right decision made. Coming out to Laos around the 15th Sept.

Now i have seen loads of houses on sites like immo-laos and rentsbuy.com for $300 per month. So thought no issue. Yeah they might be pretty rough and not bang centre of vientiane but its what we can afford.

So i contacted J&C Laos today who ive been told are pretty good at this type of thing and they are telling me its nigh on impossible to find a 2/3 bed house at that price, infact suggesting i have no hope of getting anything under $600pcm. Yet, there must be 50+ on the sites mentioned. My wife is hopeless and when asked said "not sure".

So im wondering, does anyone know of a 2/3 bed in vientiane to rent? Also could someone tell me if these house's are availiable at $300.

Cheers again!

I would get a long-term deal on a guesthouse for a month or two and then take your time to find something once you're there. I'll introduce you in person to the couple I put you in touch with before if you want as they would probably be a better resource than a property agent who seems to not be interested in finding the property that you want.

You might have to stay in Udon first, so I can vet you.

Hahaha!

Yeah well we were thinking of having a few days in a issan town first before crossing over, just to break up the travelling with the kids. We did think Pak chong as we know it well but maybe we come and see MTD first!

We did put aside money for a couple of weeks in a guest house, but really want something asap to get the kids settelled in.

Originally Posted by navydoubs1977

Right decision made. Coming out to Laos around the 15th Sept.

Now i have seen loads of houses on sites like immo-laos and rentsbuy.com for $300 per month. So thought no issue. Yeah they might be pretty rough and not bang centre of vientiane but its what we can afford.

So i contacted J&C Laos today who ive been told are pretty good at this type of thing and they are telling me its nigh on impossible to find a 2/3 bed house at that price, infact suggesting i have no hope of getting anything under $600pcm. Yet, there must be 50+ on the sites mentioned. My wife is hopeless and when asked said "not sure".

So im wondering, does anyone know of a 2/3 bed in vientiane to rent? Also could someone tell me if these house's are availiable at $300.

Cheers again!

Crap! J&C cater to the high end western market. I personally know of 2 houses, 2 bedrooms, fully furnished, one new, going for $300. My friend, who just moved here 2 weeks ago has rented a place for $500 and is regretting his choice.
Phone 02056819005
Alternatively try Mr Saiward. (Xay). he is pretty honest and works hard. No, I have no business connection to him.

Ralphlasser, one good reason for living in Lao is that you don't have to put up with the expat wankers who live in Thailand. The food is better here, the drinks ar cheaper and the Lao are far nicer people, (in general), than the Thai.

Originally Posted by ralphlsasser

Why in the world would anyone choose Laos to live in is beyond me

I want to live in this region. Wife is from here and i liked it when ive visited.

Originally Posted by Vientianeboy

Crap! J&C cater to the high end western market. I personally know of 2 houses, 2 bedrooms, fully furnished, one new, going for $300. My friend, who just moved here 2 weeks ago has rented a place for $500 and is regretting his choice.
Phone 02056819005
Alternatively try Mr Saiward. (Xay). he is pretty honest and works hard. No, I have no business connection to him.

Ralphlasser, one good reason for living in Lao is that you don't have to put up with the expat wankers who live in Thailand. The food is better here, the drinks ar cheaper and the Lao are far nicer people, (in general), than the Thai.

Cheers again, i might have to look you up when we get there. I think were going to get a GH for the first week or so while we look, had a look at some of DD's reviews, one or two look livable. I guessed she must be wrong as ive seen hundreds on Rentsbuy.com and Siawardz (is that the guy your on about). Any areas you would suggest?? We need to be fairly central just incase i dont take the job.

Originally Posted by dirtydog

^Who the fuk would want to live in the arsehole of the world known as Nong Khai? Just you Ralph and some Thais.

Hes from Nong Khai and slating Laos lol!

Originally Posted by Vientianeboy

try Mr Saiward. (Xay). he is pretty honest and works hard. No, I have no business connection to him

I can also recommend mr xay ive used him several times and always found him reliable . also you can definately get a house for $300, park up in a guest house for a while and dont rush in because guaranteed you will find something better 5 minutes after signing the lease, avoid Laoland and Laohomes they will always steer you to the higher rent places , Laoland amazed me when we were trying to buy a house here, first they took me to a place near Lao itec i said i wanted to buy it but then they told me it was already sold , why waste my time and theres? next we went to look at a place near the mercure but they couldnt remember where it was , Good grief .

Originally Posted by Vientianeboy

Electricity? We pay about $100 pm during the hotter months. For internet I use an aircard - pay as you go. That is ok if you are centrally located. Gas is bottled gas and is relatively cheap. You will perhaps want a Mehban to look after the cleaning - about $100 pm.

The more i find out about this the more i think i could get away without working lol! We will do the cleaning so thats cool. We do use internet and TV alot so that might cost us a bit. We will have $950 a month if we get a house for $3500 or less for the year. We can pay that upfront so thats ok. So with all bills paid we should have $700 ish spare just for food for 5 of us. Is that enough?

Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker

I can also recommend mr xay ive used him several times and always found him reliable

He will be my first point of call.

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Join Hash House Harriers or go to one of their runs or for a beer and see what they have to say.

]What is Hash House Harriers?? Do you mean go for a run, as in run around, or a drinking run? I think running round in Laos in the first few weeks would kill me hahah!

Sorry again guys, but another point.

If im working i get a company car / pickup thing so thats fine,,,,,or so i thought.

Ive been told today that is strictly for work use only and can not be used / is not insured for taking the wife and kids anywhere!
So i have another prob. We will need to pop to the shops / markets. I cant afford a car at first working or not, (especially with the second hand prices, NUTS) so i will have to get a motorbike. Ive looked about and they seem cheap enough. $500 for a second hand honda. I dont care how it looks just as long as it runs. Anyway, ive now seen a whole world of issues with number plates?????????????
If the bike is in my wifes name, with normal Laos resident plates, can i ride it as her Husband?? Or does it need foriegn plates? Does anyone even check? Or would it be the usual 500 baht fine that i got all the time in BKK when living there?
A car is at least 12 months away i think, unless anyone has an idea of how i can find one for $2000 not $10000 im seeing for a 94 honda civic!!!!

Originally Posted by draco888

I would have thought you can ride your wifes motorbike if you are insured to drive it. Foreign plates? where on earth did you get that idea? what plates did you think of putting on? Japanese coz Honda is a japanese company? thai coz it was probably manufactured there? plates of your own nationality coz.....well just coz....

Plates is because my company are telling me that my vehicle will have foriegn national plates. When ive searched this it seems a farrang must have different plates and pay an extra tax.
My wife is from a farming community down past Savanahket, and was 19 when i met her, so doesn't really know a great deal about any of this as she has never had to deal with it.

So hence the questions here. I have used this site for over 5 years and have received some great advice from people i trust and who have done the same.

Originally Posted by draco888

you may be over-thinking if i may be so bold

I would agree with that. However when taking 3 little boys under 5 to the other side of the world i want to make sure every little issue / possible prob is considered.

Jizzy!!!!!!

Cheers for the greens dude!

Yeah would be awesome if you popped over at some point. Infact anyone who is heading up is welcome to come and say hello. I must allow everyone here a beer or two!

VB and BDL tried to green you both but need to spread the love!

Originally Posted by navydoubs1977

Originally Posted by draco888

I would have thought you can ride your wifes motorbike if you are insured to drive it. Foreign plates? where on earth did you get that idea? what plates did you think of putting on? Japanese coz Honda is a japanese company? thai coz it was probably manufactured there? plates of your own nationality coz.....well just coz....

Plates is because my company are telling me that my vehicle will have foriegn national plates. When ive searched this it seems a farrang must have different plates and pay an extra tax.
My wife is from a farming community down past Savanahket, and was 19 when i met her, so doesn't really know a great deal about any of this as she has never had to deal with it.

So hence the questions here. I have used this site for over 5 years and have received some great advice from people i trust and who have done the same.

Originally Posted by draco888

you may be over-thinking if i may be so bold

I would agree with that. However when taking 3 little boys under 5 to the other side of the world i want to make sure every little issue / possible prob is considered.

I think there is a world of difference between a foreign corporate vehicle and a Laos girl buying a honda wave and her husband using it to nip to the shops. worst case scenario rent the scooter at first to see whats what.

Anyway good luck with the move mate, and I look forward to a great new thread on the trials, tribulations and hopefully triumphs soon!

Originally Posted by draco888

Anyway good luck with the move mate, and I look forward to a great new thread on the trials, tribulations and hopefully triumphs soon!

Yeah maybe a thread about how quickly you can move a family back to the UK!

Ive looked into it. all vehicles owned by foreigners have to have these plates. If a farrang is riding a bike with non farrang papers he can be fined. Im sure it will be ok. Just like to know as much as i can.

If your up in Laos pop in for a beer!

If the bike is in my wifes name, with normal Laos resident plates, can i ride it as her Husband??
Sure; no problem.

Or does it need foriegn plates?
No.
Does anyone even check?
Frequently
Or would it be the usual 500 baht fine that i got all the time in BKK when living there?
50,000 Kip? Maybe, but not at the moment with all the fuss about the conference in November.

" If a farrang is riding a bike with non farrang papers he can be fined."
This is not correct. Both our cars are registered with Lao plates and in my wife's name. This is no problem. Same applies to m_bikes.

Originally Posted by Vientianeboy

If the bike is in my wifes name, with normal Laos resident plates, can i ride it as her Husband??
Sure; no problem.

Or does it need foriegn plates?
No.
Does anyone even check?
Frequently
Or would it be the usual 500 baht fine that i got all the time in BKK when living there?
50,000 Kip? Maybe, but not at the moment with all the fuss about the conference in November.

" If a farrang is riding a bike with non farrang papers he can be fined."
This is not correct. Both our cars are registered with Lao plates and in my wife's name. This is no problem. Same applies to m_bikes.

VB - Its people like you on this site that make it as useful and informative as it is. No bitching, just honest answers. Thank you so much for your assistance again!
How much can i get a cheapy old honda for?? Im guessing an old honda is better bet than a cheaper chinese bike or the Kalao?

Thank you again!

Is it advisable for a foreign female to commute alone on motorbike around Vientiane?

Originally Posted by MacDoc

Is it advisable for a foreign female to commute alone on motorbike around Vientiane?

If she knows how to ride a bike, wears a helmet and has good insurance that will cover a bike accident, no problem.

Originally Posted by navydoubs1977

Right decision made. Coming out to Laos around the 15th Sept.

Now i have seen loads of houses on sites like immo-laos and rentsbuy.com for $300 per month. So thought no issue. Yeah they might be pretty rough and not bang centre of vientiane but its what we can afford.

So i contacted J&C Laos today who ive been told are pretty good at this type of thing and they are telling me its nigh on impossible to find a 2/3 bed house at that price, infact suggesting i have no hope of getting anything under $600pcm. Yet, there must be 50+ on the sites mentioned. My wife is hopeless and when asked said "not sure".

So im wondering, does anyone know of a 2/3 bed in vientiane to rent? Also could someone tell me if these house's are availiable at $300.

Cheers again!

You'll get a 1 or 2 bed for $200 up (2 months rent deposit also). It won't be too central though Vientiane is easy to navigate

Originally Posted by Vientianeboy

Ralphlasser, one good reason for living in Lao is that you don't have to put up with the expat wankers who live in Thailand. The food is better here, the drinks ar cheaper and the Lao are far nicer people, (in general), than the Thai.

Correct sir................we'll have to meet for that beer

Originally Posted by navydoubs1977

So with all bills paid we should have $700 ish spare just for food for 5 of us. Is that enough

Plenty

Just an update on rent... I have just rented out a one bedroom bungalow near Sengdara for 2500 Baht per month, room to park three cars out side (Although I don't even have one yet ha ha) Kitchen, bathroom and lounge.