Beach Living with Ocean Views
Phuket's property market is more expensive than Chiang Mai or most of Bangkok, with a significant beach premium. Studios start from ฿12,000/month ($340), 1-bedroom beach condos from ฿20,000/month ($570), and villas from ฿30,000/month ($850). The market caters to expats, retirees, and tourists with both short-term and annual leases.
💡 Key Facts:
Most popular expat area with authentic fishing village charm, excellent seafood restaurants, yacht clubs, and relaxed vibe. Large established expat community, less touristy than Patong. Close to Nai Harn Beach (one of Phuket's most beautiful). Best for long-term expats and retirees.
Phuket's most famous beach and entertainment center. Bangla Road nightlife, hundreds of restaurants, shopping malls, and 24/7 energy. Most expensive area but walkable with all amenities. Perfect for those who want action, nightlife, and central location. Can be crowded and touristy.
Family-friendly beaches with excellent swimming, surf schools, and relaxed atmosphere. Kata Beach is more compact with good restaurants and bars. Karon is longer and quieter. Both have good mix of condos, guesthouses, and international restaurants. Less party-focused than Patong.
Luxury area with 8km-long Bang Tao Beach, high-end resorts (Laguna Phuket complex), beach clubs, international schools (Headstart, BISP nearby), and upscale villas. Quieter and more sophisticated than Patong. Popular with wealthy expats and families. Boat Avenue shopping/dining complex.
Perfect middle-ground between Patong's chaos and Rawai's remoteness. Beautiful beach, growing expat community, excellent restaurants, boutique hotels, and Phuket FantaSea show. More peaceful than Patong but with good amenities. Popular with digital nomads and mid-term expats.
Historic Sino-Portuguese architecture, colorful shophouses, hipster cafes, art galleries, and Sunday Walking Street market. No beach but authentic Phuket culture, excellent food scene, and significantly cheaper than beach areas. Popular with digital nomads and culture seekers. 15-20 min to beaches.
Foreigners can own condo units (not land) in Thailand if foreign ownership in the building is under 49%. Phuket is significantly more expensive than Chiang Mai but still affordable compared to Western beach destinations. Prime beachfront properties command premium prices.
• Patong is loud - avoid if you want peace
• Rawai/Nai Harn best for long-term expats
• Bang Tao/Laguna expensive but family-friendly
• Old Town affordable but no beach
• Consider monsoon flooding in low-lying areas
• Scooter essential (฿2,500-3,500/month)
• Car recommended for families (฿12,000-20,000/month)
• Limited public transport - no BTS/MRT
• Tuk-tuks expensive (฿200-400 per ride)
• Grab available but more expensive than Bangkok
• Annual lease: 10-20% cheaper than monthly
• Usually 2-3 month deposits (vs 1-2 in Chiang Mai)
• Read contract carefully - cancellation terms vary
• Some require advance notice (30-60 days)
• Utilities usually separate (฿2,000-4,000/month)
• Pool maintenance: ฿200-500/month
• Gym access varies - check if included
• Security important - choose gated communities
• WiFi usually NOT included (unlike Chiang Mai)
• A/C essential - adds ฿1,500-3,000 to electricity