Condo Neighbors

[Shilo 371]

As you may (or may not) have noticed, I've been trying to start a few threads here in the Expats section to address some of the "out of the box" questions. Like sharing ideas for getting around town, or opinions on what size condo some guys feel they need to be comfortable, and or just getting some feedback on what to expect with changes to relationships with the girls once you go from an "I'm on holiday tourist" to an "I'm just another Pattaya guy, living on a budget and looking to get laid" kind of guy.

 

Thanks for all of the responses on those other threads, it's all about the sharing that makes these boards what they are

 

So along that line, here is another question...

 

I have been living in one house or another for the past 20 years. I have lived in condos and apartments in the past but never in anything with more then 3 floors. And it was when I was much younger and I had a family. Back then it was the wife who set out to meet the neighbors or it was the kids that opened doors to those who live around us. At the moment, I live in a house in a mid-western suburb and I couldn't name anyone on my block. I wave, they wave back and we all seem to be content to get on with our day without having to chew the fat.

 

So what might I expect when I move into a condo in Pattaya. I figure that with the rules that say 51% of the place "should" be owned by Thais and with a lot of other guys like myself living there either by themselves or with their live-ins, that it will be very different from what I have been used to.

 

 

Thanks again,

 

Shilo (31 more weeks)

[BigDUSA 71]

I'm not an expat yet but I'm getting to the point where I can damn near start counting. The answer to your question is simple. How friendly and outgoing do you plan on being? If your content to say hi when you pass someone in the hallway, you'll run into what goes on in the US. If you stay in a large condo there should be guys/couples that share some of the same interests as you. It's up to you on how much socializing you do.

[bangkapiboy 5]

I think people are mostly friendly in the condos around Pattaya. I enjoy talking just a bit with the neighbors. But you would need to make some sort of effort yourself to get beyond the usual hello routine I think. So it is really up to you.

[Eneukman 1]

On my floor in my condo, the unit next door is on one side is owned by an English guy who is only here for 3 months or so each year. His girl friend has been staying there on and off. The condo next to mine is, as far as I know, empty at the moment and was rented. A number of other condos are also rented on what appear to be short term leases.

 

The condo opposite mine is owned by an English guy but he lets it out on short term leases. The most recent tenant has just moved out has still to be replaced.

 

I know one guy who co-owns about 25 different condos. Many of these are, as far as I know, let out on a short term basis.

 

Also, there are people who live here for several months of the year, but I have noticed that one group of French people have been missing for a week or so. I assume that they have gone back to France for the summer months.

 

Whilst 51% of the condos are supposed to be Thai opened, I think you'll find that there are quite a few ina company name. I believe my landlord owns a number of condos in this building as well as elsewhere and I think that some of these at least will be in a company name. I know that the condo I rent is.

 

Alan

[Shilo 371]

On my floor in my condo, the unit next door is on one side is owned by an English guy who is only here for 3 months or so each year. His girl friend has been staying there on and off. The condo next to mine is, as far as I know, empty at the moment and was rented. A number of other condos are also rented on what appear to be short term leases.

 

The condo opposite mine is owned by an English guy but he lets it out on short term leases. The most recent tenant has just moved out has still to be replaced.

 

I know one guy who co-owns about 25 different condos. Many of these are, as far as I know, let out on a short term basis.

 

Also, there are people who live here for several months of the year, but I have noticed that one group of French people have been missing for a week or so. I assume that they have gone back to France for the summer months.

 

Whilst 51% of the condos are supposed to be Thai opened, I think you'll find that there are quite a few ina company name. I believe my landlord owns a number of condos in this building as well as elsewhere and I think that some of these at least will be in a company name. I know that the condo I rent is.

 

Alan

 

 

So it would seem that in some cases the condos act as oversized hotels rather then home units. This doesn't surprise me. I have often wondered where you could get so many Thais to live in Pattaya condos to come even close to the 51% rule. There are so many condos and yet not that many job opportunities.

 

So maybe that brings up a different question but in the same vein... what is anyones best guess of the percentage breakdown between condos that are lived in by renters vs by their owners. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that it is as high as 80-20%.

 

.

[Owen` 2]

The overall thrust of the concept is socializing.

 

If you don't socialize much now, there is no compelling reason to think that will change when you relocate. It is my belief that a lot of social interaction has moved online for people in general.

 

Beyond that, social circles evolve around activities. Not neighborhoods. If you play a sport, you know the people who play a sport. If you belong to a book club, you know those people. As you mentioned earlier, neighborhoods becomes social mostly because the kids play with neighboring kids.

 

It's a different world than it used to be. The internet has changed many things.

[torrenova 644]

In condos you see so many more people but spend less time with them as most you see will be in or around the lift or the pool so they do not actually know where you live. In a house, they know immediately where you live.

 

I think you develop a bond with those who are similar to you but there are changes all the time. I suspect that changes occur more frequently with condos than houses.

[RWB 0]

I have stayed in View Talay my last couple of trips, the longest was 5 weeks. I never got to know any of the residence, but never really tried. While not a loner by any means I do tend to pick and choose my friends. Most people were friendly and polite with a hello or the equivalent in their language. I certainly felt comfortable around the residents and I am one of those people that never sits with my back to the door if you understand. I have to admit that the old guys with young Thai guys kinda' gave me the creeps though.

 

I did notice that there seemed to be small groups of what appeared to be ex-pats around the cafes in the condo. The pool was popular, but I didn't spend much time there.

 

All in all from my short experience I would say that if you choose to make friends in a condo then you shouldn't have a problem and if you don't, no problem either.

 

BTW, anyone have a studio for rent Dec/Jan?

[Eneukman 1]

So it would seem that in some cases the condos act as oversized hotels rather then home units. This doesn't surprise me. I have often wondered where you could get so many Thais to live in Pattaya condos to come even close to the 51% rule. There are so many condos and yet not that many job opportunities.

 

So maybe that brings up a different question but in the same vein... what is anyones best guess of the percentage breakdown between condos that are lived in by renters vs by their owners. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that it is as high as 80-20%.

 

.

 

I really have no idea of the percentage. 80% rented may be a bit high, but I would be surprised if it's not a good bit over 50%.

 

Alan