While most tourists want to see the main attractions that Bangkok has to offer, the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the museums, the markets and the shopping malls, which are all well worth the experience. However, if you want to see how the Thai people live, move out to one of the many Bangkok suburbs and become part of a small community.
Expensive Rents
Most areas of Bangkok are expensive; the closer you are to Silom Road or Sukhumvit, the more you pay. In Thong Lor, even a studio apartment can cost a fortune, and three-bedroom units often command six-figure monthly rents (THB). However, once you move 30 km from the city center, rentals become far more reasonable. You can find a three-bedroom house with a garage and a garden in a pleasant residential area for 25,000-30,000 Baht. For those looking to marry by the sea, Rayong offers affordable banquet halls known in Thai as ห้องจัดเลี้ยงระยอง that specialize in weddings.
Lively Community
Thais love to have a good time, and they always eat together after work, whatever time that might be. If, for example, you rented a unit in an upmarket condo development, you would meet many professional Thais and a few other expats who have discovered the suburbs. This would do wonders for your Thai-speaking skills, which are very useful when living in Thailand. You would find at least one group doing aerobics in a park, and early morning Tai Chi sessions would also be happening.
Excellent Infrastructure
You can very quickly be in the centre of Bangkok, and you have a wide choice of transport; taxis are everywhere, motorcycle taxis are ideal for short hops, and then you have the a/c buses, which travel to almost everywhere. The BTS is expanding in all directions, with several new lines in the planning stage; many Thais commute to central Bangkok from the suburbs, as the cost of living is affordable. Of course, there will be times when you decide to stay at a luxury hotel in Bangkok.
Explore the Parks
Every suburb has parks, and Google can help you find a list of green areas in the suburb you are thinking of relocating to. Most are open daily, and gardens are very well-kept, thanks to an abundance of workers; you can chill out on the weekends, and there is always food nearby. There will also be Buddhist temples, which are always worth visiting, especially on Buddhist festivals.
Street Food Vendors
There are even more food vendors in the suburbs than in the centre of the city; everything from grilled chicken to noodles and everything in between. Pork sticks and sticky rice are a favourite with the locals. You will get to know them after a while, which is a stark contrast to the city, where you encounter a sea of strangers.
There are many good reasons to live in the Bangkok suburbs, and if you want to see and experience the real city life, move away from the centre and enjoy a different lifestyle.
