For many, buying a house is the single most significant investment they will make in their lives. However, while most of us wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it, we typically don’t get to “test drive” a house or condo before buying. As such, the best we can do is do our homework the best we can before making a decision. There’s a lot to consider with some questions easy to answer and others more challenging. The key is to ask the right questions, and lots of them, so you can be as confident as possible before making the big decision to buy. Before committing, it’s worth looking beyond brochures and listings to understand the everyday realities that shape life here.

Daily Livability

Phuket has a wide range of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. While there may be an area of the island to suit most tastes, it’s important to get a feel for a region you’re interested in to see if it’s right for you. Some higher-end gated communities may be more insular and isolated, but may also be farther from daily conveniences.

Another extremely important consideration is how close to the island’s most popular tourist hotspots you are. Certain areas, such as Patong and Phuket Town, are pretty bustling year-round, but places like Kata Beach and Cherng Talay may seem relaxed during the low season, but morph into chaotic messes during the high season. Consider what time of year it is when looking at properties and how this will impact daily life.

The Sounds All Around

There are still some quiet corners of Phuket, spots where you’ll mostly hear the soundtrack of nature playing out in the background. However, the reality for almost all of us is that we’re subjected to some kind of human-generated noise. Beaches, temples, mosques, schools, construction sites, and bustling restaurants all contribute to noise levels. Some sounds are seasonal, others are daily and may drive you crazy over time. What feels charming during a holiday can become tiring long-term. Try spending time in the neighborhood at different times of day to get a sense of the soundscape.

Beware of Flooding and Drainage

This is a topic that is becoming ever more relevant. The occasional hours-long torrential downpour can transform a normal street into a river. Unfortunately, in the race to develop Phuket, floodplains are often filled in to create more buildable area. When/if drainage systems are installed, they are often inadequate to handle heavy downpours, resulting in flooded houses and property damage. More cement also means less surface area for rainwater to be absorbed into the ground, further exacerbating drainage and flooding issues. Check your potential neighborhood after a big rain – check the surrounding area for floodplains that may be filled in at some point and how this might affect the neighborhood

Surrounding Properties

As Phuket is developed at breakneck speed, it’s safe to assume that any undeveloped tracts of land won’t remain that way for long. A neighboring rubber tree plantation may appear idyllic and inviting, but they are quickly disappearing as property values continue to rise. Even those living in the island’s hills are now facing uphill development. Before 2024, permitted structures were allowed no higher than 80 meters above sea level; however, the regulation changed that to 140 meters. It’s easy to imagine how this can significantly impact the following properties.