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If you are looking to rent a home in Krabi for a short period (3 months to a year), this guide will give you some ideas as to how to go about itKRABI's housing market is still in its infant stages with a local population who are not very familiar with marketing in either a traditional sense (listing with an agent), or online (directly through a website such as this one). The situation is thus one where the majority of houses are rented out through word of mouth, or perhaps a simple sign placed directly outside the property.If you are sitting in Europe, or America and planning a move, this will naturally not be of great comfort! Things are changing; however, at the moment the best way to find a house to rent in Krabi, is still simply to turn up and look. Rent a motorcycle or car and drive around the areas that you like (see below for details). Most residential areas are down side roads, that can go on for miles, so don't be afraid to venture down them - they always come out again at a main road. Often, local expats can also point you in the right direction. Krabi is a small place and almost everyone knows someone with a place to rent, or will have seen a sign themselves near their own house. As a start, talk to bar and restaurant owners - although be wary of anyone who's obviously trying to make a sale. A limited amount of (usually more expensive) property will be marketed online - see our listings page - or with local agents. Although it may seem daunting at first, it is actually quite easy to find somewhere to live - as long as you are aware of what is on offer and thus have realistic expectations of your new home. Everyone will of course be different, but on average, it will take only a couple of weeks of dedicated searching to find a place to live.
TYPES OF HOUSES AVAILABLE IN KRABI Another popular style is the 'shophouse', rows of terraced townhouse units, with an open-plan ground floor to accommodate a small business, with individual rooms upstairs. Outdoor space in these units is limited. In all of these houses, kitchens will be small and come attached to a dining / sitting area. They will have simple counters and a gas ring - no oven, or electric hob. Bathrooms are usually fully-tiled, with a shower only, no bathtub. All houses have cold running water only; some may have an electric water heater for the shower; if not, this costs around 4000 baht to install. A/C (air conditioning) units are not standard and their installation, if necessary, should be discussed with the owner. Decor is usually in pastel colours. There is also a new style of house, designed for foreigners, that is slowly emerging. These are usually larger, with western kitchens and bathrooms, and, occasionally, a more contemporary, style-conscious decor. Often they can be found in a private housing estate, with security and other amenities such as a swimming pool. Basic services like cleaning and maintenance are also offered. These houses will usually (although not always, so check first) also have a telephone line installed - the majority of houses do not - and often cable or satellite television. If your house does not have cable or satellite TV, this is fairly easy to install yourself; a phone line is however much harder - there is a huge waiting list, as well as connection issues in remoter areas. Most people for this reason buy a mobile phone, which can also be used for reasonably cheap (if slow) internet access if necessary. For ADSL / broadband internet access information in Krabi, see the area guides below. For those seeking real luxury, there are less than a handful of large, private villas for rent on a monthly basis; please contact us for further information on these.
PRICE OF RENTAL ACCOMMODATION IN KRABI
WHERE TO RENT A HOUSE Seriously though, if you live here, you can see the beach and the dramatic cliffs every day, so it is not as important to be right next to them. Furthermore, it is pleasanter to live inland, without the noise and commercialism often found on the seafront. Public transport is fairly limited (although there are bus routes from Ao Nang , Klong Muang and Ko Lanta to Krabi Town) and runs only during the day, so your own vehicle (moped, car, or bicycle for the fit) is essential for getting around. Distances are not great, so it is possible to live in one of the mainland areas listed below and have easy access to the others.
This is the main tourist centre, with the greatest concentration of amenities for foreigners. If you want to drink a pint of Guinness, eat Swedish pickled herring, or speak only English, then this is the place for you. It is also where the majority of expats live. Broadband internet access is widely available around Ao Nang, as are banks and ATM machines. For more about Ao Nang as a holiday destination, see the Your Krabi guide to Ao Nang. The vlllages nearby Ao Nang (within 5km) offer cheaper accommodation and are also popular with expats - try Ban Chong Phli, Klong Haeng, Ao Nam Mao, the road from Ao Nam Mao to Sai Thai and around Ban Nateen. Unless on a very isolated street most houses with phone lines here will be able to get a high speed internet connection.
The provincial capital, on the mouth of the Krabi river, this is a pleasant little Thai town, with a great deal of property - both houses and apartments - for rent, almost all of which is Thai-style (see above). Krabi Town is cheaper than the beach areas, with better infrastructure (transport, restaurants, shopping, schools), as well as giving a more authentically Thai experience of life. Also home to a small community of expats, who collectively tend to dislike Ao Nang. Broadband internet access is widely available here. For more about Krabi Town as a holiday destination, see the Your Krabi guide to Krabi Town.
Worth mentioning as there are some beautiful, wooden private houses for rent on Railay West Beach, for those who wish to live in this idyllic setting. The downside is electricity that comes on only in the evenings (mains electricity is planned to arrive in Railay in 2009) - although you may be able to plug in your laptop at a friendly bar nearby. No land lines in the houses; and only dial-up internet elsewhere on the peninsula. For more about Railay as a holiday destination, see the Your Krabi guide to Railay.
There is quite a bit of activity in this area slightly to the north of Ao Nang at the moment. Unfortunately most of it is concentrated inside the new five-star resort complexes that are establishing themselves here. As a place to live, Klong Muang is fairly quiet, although there is a nice local pub (an offshoot of the Irish Rover in Ao Nang), as well as a couple of decent local restaurants. Shopping and nightlife will have to be sought elsewhere, however, in Ao Nang or Krabi Town, both some 20km away. Rental property is limited in Klong Muang and tends to be low-quality hotel staff accommodation, although there are a few more upscale houses. Broadband internet is now available. For more about Klong Muang as a holiday destination, see the Your Krabi guide to Railay.
For those who enjoy the quiet life, the countryside may be an option - if you are prepared to forgo a few comforts and conveniences. Life in the villages is fairly simple and lived on an early-rising, early-to-bed rhythm. A weekly market and a convenience store may well be the only local shopping; in the evening there is unlikely to be any restaurants or nightlife. And, while fairly tolerant, any great deviation from this pattern is likely to be frowned upon by local people, so don't expect to hold regular late-night parties. Although there are many properties for sale out in the countryside, there are limited houses for rent. There are some truly beautiful corners out in the sticks, but bear in mind also that you will be isolated - which is not meant in the sense of danger, but in the sense of being helpless if you cannot communicate with your neighbours. For this reason, many expats who live in the countryside have clustered into small pockets, such as around Din Daeng (in Nong Thaleh sub-district). Communications in the countryside are limited to mobile phones and satellite television - land lines are unusual and cable TV is not available.
Probably the closest you will get to living by a beach in Krabi is on Ko Lanta Yai, the province's biggest island. Most property is located up on the hills, so it at least has a sea view. If you don't mind living in a one-room bungalow, you can also usually rent these in any of the beachside resorts on a long-term basis. There are banks, ATMs and a wide range of western restaurants and bars on the island - perhaps even more so than Ao Nang - but communication and transport infrastructure is poor. Though the island recently got high speed internet access, finding a place with a phone line is difficult and mobile phone coverage, especially in the south of the island, can be patchy. Access to the mainland, should you require it (it will be essential for non-food shopping), is available from 7am to 10pm via two car ferries; or via daily passenger ferries during the months November - April only. There is a large expat community in Ko Lanta, particularly during these months. Out of season, the island is almost deserted - which could be ideal if you are seeking isolation with a few home comforts. For more about Ko Lanta as a holiday destination, see the Lanta Islands Guide.
Although close to the mainland, Ko Jum and Ko Siboya remain fairly remote and isolated and there are only a handful of foreigners living there, usually in self-built houses near the beach. There are some houses for rent here - try Joy Bungalows in Ko Jum, or Siboya Bungalows in Ko Siboya - but they have very basic facilities. Electricity is still generated locally and is only available at certain times of day. For more information about living in Krabi, see our guide to expat life in Krabi.
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