3 Things to Consider Before Making a Move to Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats, with nearly 4% of the country’s population made up of foreign nationals. It also often comes up high in rankings of the best places for expats to live, with new arrivals complimenting the high quality of life, relatively inexpensive cost of living and friendly locals. If you are thinking of moving to Thailand, here are some things you should think about before you start packing.
1. Where your kids will go to school
Becoming an expat is much more difficult if you have children. The main reason being, you’ll need to find a suitable school for them. Luckily, in the major cities in Thailand, you’ll usually find a selection of international schools that offer English-speaking education. For example, BASIS in Bangkok is really popular with expats with children and you can find out more about it on their website: https://basis.ac.th/ An international school usually gives the best possible continuity of education and allows your children to make friends from around the world.
2. The cost of living
While Thailand is not as inexpensive as it once was, the cost of living tends to be lower than in most Western countries. You’ll need to factor in costs such as:
- Rent/mortgage
- Utility bills
- Food and drink
- General entertainment
- Health insurance – if not covered by your employer
- School fees
You can then work out how much your lifestyle will cost and how much you’ll have left at the end of each month.
3. Where to live
Deciding where to live is one of the major decisions to make when you move to Thailand. Luckily, there are plenty of choices. Most expats head to Bangkok, especially the upper and lower Sukhumvit areas and Silom, but you’ll also find lots of expats in Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and on several of the beautiful islands.
Many expats rent when they first move to Thailand, as this is easier than buying and it means you can get to know the country without making a big commitment. Compared to many Western countries, rent is cheap in most of Thailand, and you’ll find lots of apartments and villas of different sizes.
There’s a common misconception that foreigners can’t own property in Thailand, but there are ways expats can buy a home. Buying condos or villas is usually the most popular option, although there are rules about the percentage of units that can be owned by foreigners. However, working with a property company is the best way to find a place to buy.
It’s easy to see why Thailand continues to be a top destination for expats. You can enjoy an excellent quality of life and a vibrant, beautiful country. Before you hop on a plane, there are things you’ll need to consider, from sorting out your finances to finding a place to live and a school for your children. Luckily, moving to a country with a big expat population such as Thailand is usually a straightforward process. If you also work with property experts in the country, you will be moved in and enjoying your life quicker than you think.
This article was written in collaboration with BASIS International School in Bangkok.
