We are often asked ‘What are the best districts in Bangkok for an expat to live?’, and of course some people expect us as Real Estate Agents in Bangkok and Bangkok property consultants that we have a definitive, but of course we don’t! The truth is there is no ideal place for an expat to live in Bangkok.

For a start all expats are different, some people like high-rise Bangkok condos in busy vibrant areas, like Asoke or Nana they love to have a great city view from their windows and feel part of an international city. Others like the more intimate feel of a low-rise Bangkok condominium or apartment in a quieter area of town like On Nut.

However for expats wanting or needing to live in the Sathorn area of Bangkok near the Bangkok CBD, then Yenakart is a great place to live. Quiet, green and centally placed with access to Rama 3 Expressway, Rama 4 road, Sathorn road and Narathiwat Road, it is actually quite difficult to find a more centrally placed location in Bangkok.

It is also important to note that Yenakart has 3 points of access from the Bangkok Metro system. The first and original is the Chong Nonsi BTS station, only 5 minutes drive from the central Yenakart area, even closer is the Lumpini MRT station, which is located near Q-House Lumpini and offers residents just a 15 minute walk to most of the condos mentioned in this blog. And finally and most recently opened is the Yenakart BRT station, which only opened its doors 2 months ago on the Bangkok BRT line.

So what is on offer in Yenakart and what are the sort of condos and apartments that one can expect to find in this area of Bangkok?

Resorta Yenakart

Well fortunately Yenakart has all ranges of condos on offer, from low-cost Bangkok Studios for rent starting at THB 13 000/month to large beautiful 3 Bedroom Yenakart condos to rent at THB 100 000/month, However let’s start by looking at the low-cost condos at The Resorts Yenakart. One bedroom units can be for as little as THB 15 000/month, but some of the better furnished or more attractive units will be priced up to THB 18 000/ month.

The Resorta has a large swimming pool, attractive grounds and gardens and the usually 24hr security and car parking that one can expect from a good quality modern Bangkok condominium. The Resorta represents great value for those wanting to live in the Bangkok CBD area. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-resorta-yenakart-1240

Sathorn Plus

Moving up in terms of price is the Sathorn Plus on the Pond and Sathorn Plus by the Garden condos located on the main Yenakart road. These condos built 3 years ago by Sansiri offer practical living in the Yenakart area with access to the roof-top swimming pool, fitness room and of course security and car parking. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/sathorn-plus-by-the-garden-278

These Yenakart based Bangkok condos rent for approximately THB 24 000/month for a 50sqm 1 Bedroom. Studios are slightly cheaper at just THB 17 000/month.

Sansiri Sathorn

Located near by to Sathorn Plus on the Pond and Sathorn Plus by the Garden is Sansiri Sathorn which offers Grade-A condo living in an attractive low-rise condo in Yenakart. Being a low-rise Bangkok condominium there is a nice feeling of both intimacy and quality. With the solid wooden floors, powder coated window frames and quality fittings throughout these condos are special and a 55sqm 1 Bedroom unit will rent for approximately THB 30 000/ month.

Sansiri Sathorn all offers Bangkok studio condos and 2 Bedroom condos, which can rent for THB 20 000 and THB 40 000/month respectively, and offer 35sqm and 80sqm living space. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/baan-sansiri-sathorn-275

The Lanai Condominium

As mentioned earlier Yenakart has condos for rent to suit a varied selection of tastes, budgets and requirements. The Lanai Condominium in Yenakart is a condo that offers residents an unusual choice for Bangkok. Indisputably high-end with a real 5 Star quality feel to this Bangkok condominium, it offers residents of Bangkok a resort type feel that one would only expect to experience in a location such as Samui, Phuket or even Bali.

Located near by to Sathorn Plus on the Pond and Sathorn Plus by the Garden is Sansiri Sathorn which offers Grade-A condo living in an attractive low-rise condo in Yenakart. Being a low-rise Bangkok condominium there is a nice feeling of both intimacy and quality. With the solid wooden floors, powder coated window frames and quality fittings throughout these condos are special and a 55sqm 1 Bedroom unit will rent for approximately THB 30 000/ month.

The condos in The Lanai are huge with the 3 bedroom units over 250sqm and even the 2 bedrooms can be above 200sqm. Oozing quality and opulence The Lanai condos are bright airy and sophisticated. If you like traditional South East Asian style and architecture then The Lanai could be the perfect place for you. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-lanai-320

The moment that you enter the lobby, it feels like you have been transported outside of Bangkok and magically arrived at a beautiful 5 Star resort near the Andaman Sea or Gulf of Thailand. It is safe to say The Lanai offers its residents that no other Bangkok condominium building can offer. Of course though all this space, luxury and style does not come for free and at THB 100 000/month for a 3 bedroom, only the higher earners in Bangkok will be able to afford to live here.

So as you can see the little known and often forgotten area of Bangkok known as Yenakart actually offers Bangkok expats a great deal of choice and convenience, with access to not only the BTS and MRT, but also the Bangkok BRT system. In addition those with a car can access Rama 4 road, Rama 3 road, Narathiwat Road, Sathorn Road and can easily access Rama 3 Expressway.

In fact is could be that Yenakart could be one of the most ideal places for and expat to live in Bangkok.

Regardless of how one spells the district, Asoke or Asok, it still remains that this district is a logistical hub of Bangkok city center and a great place to rent a condo or apartment.

Asoke junction is connected to both the Sukumvit BTS line and the Ratchada MRT line via two stations: Asoke BTS station and Sukhumvit MRT station. This makes a condo in Asoke one of the best choices for renting in Bangkok city center.

There are plenty of advantages to renting a condo in Asoke, an obvious advantage is that when you rent a condo or apartment in Asoke, is that you have easy and fast access to so many parts of the city. From On Nut to Mo Chit along the BTS Sukhumvit line, and from Hualomphong to Bang Sue along the MRT line. All these journeys in either direction can be achieved in under 30 minutes from the central Asoke area.

Also of course it is possible to change at Siam Square BTS station only 4 stops from Asoke BTS station and travel as far as National Stadium station or over the river to Wong Wian Yai BTS station, again only 30 minutes away from your Asoke condo. Renting an apartment or condo in Asoke gives you unrivalled access to Bangkok city center.

Of course it is worth remembering that Asoke itself is an important district in Bangkok, with its own importance as a commercial center, with its own CBD. Many large towers and office blocks are found in Asoke’s CBD, including, the Grammi Building, Exchange Tower and Asoke Towers.

The Wind in Sukhumvit soi 23 is a brand new condo located within 5-7 minutes walk of both the BTS Asoke and Sukhumvit MRT station, a high-end well constructed and extremely chic condo, the Wind has one bedroom condos and two bedroom condos. One bedroom condos start at 50sqm and rent for THB 35 000/month, whilst two bedroom condos start at 75sqm and rent for THB 55 000/month. In keeping with a luxury Bangkok condo the Wind condo in Asoke has an infinity swimming pool, a well equipped gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms. It also has 24hr car parking and a luxurious marble cladded lobby area. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-wind-23-asoke-1121

Keeping with the theme of luxury, on the other side of Sukhumvit road lies the Lakes Condominium, a great condo with an excellent positioning so many units can enjoy a view of the Queen Sirikit lake and the Queen Sirigit park. With a fantastic roof-top swimming pool and sun deck more than 25 floors up and a well lit gymnasium overlooking the lake and the city.

The Lakes has one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom condo units and in keeping with Grade A luxury these Bangkok condominium units rent for luxurious prices, starting at THB 45 000/month for a one bedroom, THB 75 000/month for a two bedroom and over THB 85 000/month for a three bedroom unit. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-lakes-317

Again the Lakes condominium is located within 10minutes walk of both Asoke BTS and Sukhumvit MRT stations. And with spacious condos, great location and views and of course pure quality, the Lakes condominium is favourite with many expats in Bangkok.

Moving further down the Asoke road, towards Asoke’s CBD is the Supalai Premier Place Asoke. Like the Lakes condominium, Supalai Premier Place Asoke boasts one bedroom units, two bedroom units and three bedroom units, as well as a roof-top swimming pool and gymnasium all 25 storey’s high.

However Supalai Premier Place is great value and a one bedroom condo in this building starts at THB 23 000/month for a spacious 55sqm condo. Two bedroom condos start at THB 35 000/month and are 90sqm in area. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/supalai-premier-place-asoke-1279

Finally opposite Supalai Premier Place is the LPN Grand Park View condo, or Lumpini Grand Park View condo in Asoke. This well located condominium has Studios, one bedroom and two bedroom condos and offers great views from the rear of the Asoke condominium building.

With Studios starting at THB 18 000/month and one bedrooms at just THB 22 0000/month this offers an inexpensive way to rent a condo in Asoke. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/grand-park-view-661

If you haven’t head On Nut the last stop on the Bangkok BTS Sukhumvit Line, has recently experienced a major revival. With 6 new BTS stations nearing completion on the Sukhumvit Line spreading as far as Bang Na, On Nut is set to become a new centre of East Bangkok.

With a Tesco-Lotus in On Nut area, a Carrefour on On Nut road, Sukhumvit soi 77, and shops, highway links and of course the BTS On Nut station, condos have been developed in vigor to satisfy the growing demand of those who want to live on Sukhumvit or close to the BTS in Bangkok.

So what’s on offer, and why has this district of Bangkok become so popular?

Well let’s start with price, Bangkok rental prices as people who live in Bangkok know can be at their highest along Sukhumvit. For example mid-Sukhumvit can easily demand THB 500/sqm/month and some Grade A rated Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments can be even more. However in On Nut many of the Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments on offer have retained sensible prices and approx THB 250-300sqm/month is a regular price in this area.

Looking at Studio condos and Studio apartments in On Nut, we can see two great examples of why living in On Nut offers residents both convenience and value for money, as well as quality.

Green Bells is within a 5 minute walk of the On Nut BTS station and offers residents a swimming pool, and quality finishes in this apartment. A brand new Bangkok apartment, residents can be in central Sukhumvit in just 10 mins.

With prices starting at just THB 9 000/month for a Studio apartment, this really is good value for quality on Sukhumvit road.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/green-bells-1106

My Condo, is a Bangkok condo that was completed at the end of 2009. There are two My Condo condominium buildings in On Nut. One is located in Sukhumvit soi 52, and the other close by in Sukuhumvit soi 81.

These two buildings are identical in every way, in terms of lay-out, units and pricing. And the value is just as good as Green Bells. With Studios starting at THB 9 500/month, My Condo 52 and My Condo 81 offer residents a lobby, car parking, 24 Hour security and a gymnasium fitness room.

If you are looking for something larger than a Studio, but still want to pay under or around THB 20 000/month, then one again On Nut can offer some great Bangkok condo and Bangkok apartment deals. Here are two below:

The Roof Garden is a refurbished condo in Bangkok that can offer a potential resident great value for money considering the space and quality on offer for such a low price. In central Sukhumvit it is difficult to get a condo unit of over 40sqm for THB 20 000/month or under, but at The Roof Garden, one bedroom condos start at just THB 16 000/month and can offer the resident up to 60sqm in stylish chic modern condo unit. With a full kitchen area with an oven and stove, a full living room and balcony. Also a major plus for Japanese clients is the inclusion of a bath-tub in the en-suite bathrooms, a real rarity in modern Bangkok condos.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/roof-garden-1007

Perhaps at even better value is the apartment units at Methavanont Manor, an On Nut apartment block located within a 10 minute walk of the On Nut BTS station. A one bedroom in this traditionally designed, but very new apartment block will start at just THB 15 000/month and yet will still be 50sqm in size, ample room for a couple or even small family.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/mathevanont-manor-81

Finally are you looking for a two bedroom condo in On Nut?, then these two examples will hopefully catch your eye.

The newly built S-Condo is typical of the modern style and look of new condos in Bangkok that have opened in the last 5 years. Practical, well designed with a swimming pool and gymnasium on the roof. For just THB 25 000/month these 2 bedroom units can offer two equal sized bedrooms, two bathrooms and a soacious living room. All incorporate into a 75sqm condo unit.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/s-condo-854

And lastly, but not leastly The Room On Nut is another quality low-rise Bangkok condominium within a 5 minute walk of On Nut BTS station. These 58sqm units are small, but well designed with stylish fixture and fittings.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-room-sukhumvit-79-535

Priced between THB 25 000~30 000/month to rent, these are slightly more expensive than other Condos and apartments in On Nut, but the cost is justified by the location, and the proximity to the On Nut Sky Train station.

Well what makes the bet value Bangkok Condo or Bangkok Apartment is of course somewhat subjective and quite often the answer is not the cheapest one. As with many goods and products what we get is often what we pay for. So if we want high-quality and luxury we often have to pay for it. However often when we try to get the cheapest and lowest priced product or service, we are often disappointed with he end result.

As any good shopper will tell you, it takes time and knowledge to bargain hunt, and it is not always cheapest product in the shop that is the value. And so it is with Property in Bangkok. Searching for the best value Bangkok Condo or Bangkok apartment can be tedious and time consuming stuff! So you may need a little help.

Lets face it, we are all very busy people, and we don’t have time to research every Bangkok Property, nor do we hare time to suddenly become Bangkok Real Estate experts. And it does not matter if you are working in Bangkok on an international expat contract, an semi-retired Thai expat or and English teacher working in Bangkok, we don’t have the time and energy to look for Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments.

We see busy and extremely wealthy people in Hollywood and Bollywood employing Personal Shoppers to save their time in busy lives. However we can’t all be like Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce and employ a person to go shopping for us for are clothes, furniture and whatever else. But fortunately there is help at hand; there are plenty of Bangkok property agents there to help you.

A Bangkok Real Estate Agency can save you both time, money and perhaps even yur health! Walking around the Sukhumvit or Silom sub sois looking for a Bangkok Condo or Bangkok apartment, can be very hot work! So save yourself the bother, let someone do the work for you.

The best things about Bangkok property agents are that they are free! That’s right, they are free! Unlike in Tokyo, New York and other cities there is no charge to the clients in the Bangkok Property Market when helping you look for a Bangkok Condo or Bangkok Apartment.

So let’s look at 2 important points that would make a Bangkok Condo or Bangkok Apartment a bargain and great value:

Location to BTS and MRTA

As the old Real Estate mantra goes, location, location, location is the best way to choose a property. In Bangkok however the added detail is the locality of the property in reference to the BTS and MRTA in Bangkok. Fortunately as EasyHomes we have many of our properties are located within 500m of a BTS or MRTA Station.

Three properties that we would pick out as great value are below, one each for the entry, middle and high levels of the Bangkok property market.

1. My Condo 81 http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/my-condo-soi-81-1112 this Bangkok Condo is located 250m from the On Nut BYS station and at THB 10 000/month for a Studio, this brand new condo is great value.
   
2. Roof Garden http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/roof-garden-1007 also based in On Nut and located approximately 750m from the On Nut BTS station. The 1 Bedroom condos at this building are massive at 70-80sqm and the recent refurbishment makes them clean and new.
   
3. Nusasiri Condo http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/nusasiri-grand-condo-709 high-end, high priced, but what a location! With an actual Sky Bridge linked to Ekkamai BTS station.
   

Facilities and Amenities

1. The Ivy Ratchada http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-ivy-ratchada-1136 for those who want to live in Ratchada, this condo is located only 300m from the MRTA in Sutthisan. All around a beautiful pool with stepping stones and a large fitness centre.
   
2. The Address 42, Ekkamai http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-address-sukhumvit-42-ekkamai-1176 located close to the Ekamai BTS station. Great facilities include Swimming Pool, Car Parking, Gymnasium, Sauna Rooms, Free WiFi in the lobby and a laundry service. As well of course the 24 Security and impeccably kept gardens.
   
3. The Empire Place http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/empire-place-sathorn-1154 beautifully built superbly designed and facilities that go on and on. This is a fantastic brand new building with a Swimming Pool, Tennis Court, Steam Rooms, Sauna Rooms, Gymnasiums, Free WiFi in the lobby, Cafes, Childrens Playground and a Restaurant.