Apartment or House: Which is Better for Permanent Residence in Thailand?

Apartment or House: Which is Better for Permanent Residence in Thailand?

When relocating to Thailand for permanent residence, real estate becomes a crucial consideration. Should you rent or buy? Choose a house or an apartment? If you decide to buy property, selecting the right type is essential.

The most common types of housing in Thailand include condominium apartments, duplexes, townhouses, and detached houses. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let's explore the pros and cons of both apartments and houses in detail.

Content:

1. Apartment
   • The main advantages of an apartment
   • The main disadvantages of an apartment
2. House
   • The main advantages of a private house
   • The main disadvantages of a private house

Apartment

The Main Advantages of an Apartment

• Lower maintenance costs: You are only responsible for your apartment, while the management company, which you pay an annual fee to, takes care of the garden, exterior facade, and common areas.
• Convenient amenities: Many Thai residential complexes offer various services such as coworking spaces, fitness centers, and swimming pools. Mail is delivered directly to your building, and staff accept packages from couriers, eliminating the need to wait for deliveries.
• Better infrastructure: Apartment buildings are typically located in areas with more developed infrastructure, such as metro stations, bus stops, shops, restaurants, cafés, and shopping centers. Some complexes even have a small supermarket or café on-site.
• Centralized utilities: Apartment buildings have central utilities managed by the building's management company.
• Easy rental process: Renting out an apartment is easier, as the management company can handle it without the need for a third-party agent.

The Main Disadvantages of an Apartment

• Smaller living spaces: Apartments in Thailand tend to be smaller. Studio apartments as small as 23 square meters are common, and even larger apartments often lack storage rooms or entry halls, with only one bathroom.
• Noisy neighbors: You may encounter issues with noisy or troublesome neighbors.
• City noise: Apartment buildings are usually located near city centers, leading to potential noise from traffic and crowds.
• Restrictions on pets: Most apartment buildings in Thailand do not allow pets.
• Foreign ownership limitations: Foreign nationals can only own up to 49% of units in a condominium building. If this quota is filled, you may not be able to buy the apartment you want. Developers can provide information on this quota when signing contracts, but it's important to be cautious when purchasing a second-hand property, as the current Thai owner may not be aware of the foreign ownership limits.

House

The Main Advantages of a Private House

1. More Space: Private houses typically have additional rooms and storage areas, providing more living space than apartments.
2. Quiet Environment: Unlike duplexes or townhouses, living in a private house means you won't have to deal with noisy neighbors. However, you can still socialize with neighbors if you want, as neighboring properties are close by.
3. Gardening Opportunities: You can grow your own garden, planting fruit trees or other plants on your property.
4. Freedom to Renovate: You can rebuild or make alterations to your house without needing special permits, and these changes won’t disturb your neighbors.
5. Pet-Friendly: Owning a private house allows you to keep pets without any restrictions.

The Main Disadvantages of a Private House

1. Maintenance: A house requires more upkeep, not only inside but also outside, especially if you have a garden. If you have a swimming pool, you’ll need to clean it, fill it, and add chemicals yourself or hire someone to do so. The same goes for maintaining the garden. Cleaning a house also takes more effort, often requiring professional cleaners, which adds extra costs.
2. Financial Responsibility: You are responsible for the upkeep of the house’s exterior, plumbing, and overall maintenance.
3. Higher Utility Bills: Water and electricity bills tend to be higher for houses due to the larger space. You may need to install multiple air conditioners or fans, which significantly increase electricity consumption, especially in Thailand’s hot climate.
4. Setting Up Utilities: In a private house, you’ll need to set up your own Internet connection, which is more data-intensive when working from home. In contrast, a condominium often has coworking spaces with shared Internet services.
5. Distance from City Infrastructure: Houses are typically located farther from city amenities, so you’ll need your own transportation.
6. Weaker Infrastructure: Residential areas with houses tend to have weaker infrastructure than areas with multi-story buildings, and in some cases, almost no infrastructure at all.
7. Wildlife: In Thailand, houses are more prone to insects and lizards entering the home, something to be prepared for.
8. Foreign Ownership: Foreigners can own a house but must lease the land long-term. This system, known as leasehold, is common for both foreigners and locals in Thailand and poses no real risk despite initial concerns.

Regional Considerations

Some areas in Thailand favor high-rise construction, while others focus on private homes. For example, cities like Bangkok and Pattaya are known for their many condominiums, though houses are still available. On islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, private homes are more common because national park regulations prevent the construction of tall buildings.

Conclusion

Private houses are ideal for families who need more space and want a garden for children to play in. However, if you need to commute to work, apartments close to public transport are more convenient. Houses are particularly popular with Thai families, often housing multiple generations. Young professionals, on the other hand, tend to prefer apartments in city areas near their workplaces or metro stations. Internal mobility in Thailand is high, with many owning homes in one province and working or owning an apartment in another.

To choose the right type of housing, consider your lifestyle and the reasons for your move. If you’re seeking a quiet life by the sea with room for family activities, a house is the better option. If your move is work-related and you need mobility, an apartment will be more suitable.