Condo Living Vs Townhouse Living in Bangkok – The Perks

The various housing choices in Bangkok are available in abundance which can leave first-time home buyers in a pickle, wondering which is the best type of residence to by. Of course, each different style of home, whether they be condo or townhouses, have their own pros and cons to consider. You need to pay close attention to your lifestyle and available budget, including a wide variety of other factors such as how involved you want to be with on-going property maintenance. In this article, we’re going to look at townhouses and condos so that you can decide which will be better suited to your way of life.

What’s a townhouse?Let’s begin with defining what townhouses and condos are. A townhouse is described as being a narrow, multi-level dwelling that is attached to other houses on a street. The defining feature of a townhouse however, is ownership. Those who own townhouses typically own the land on which the house is situated – including front and back garden areas that go with the residence.

In addition, townhouse communities tend to have some sort of home owner association where owners pay monthly ‘dues’ in order to cover the various maintenance and insurances of the communities’ common areas.

Owners of townhouses are also financially responsible the exterior maintenance and repair of their own properties. As such, a townhouse is more appropriate for those who want to have some involvement with maintaining their home, but not the responsibility of owning a large lot.

You should also be aware that foreigners cannot own land in Thailand. This makes it very difficult for expats to buy townhouses outright. Certainly, you can rent a townhouse from a Thai owner and live in one, however, when it comes to purchasing one for yourself the process is very complicated and your options are limited (e.g., co-owning with a Thai spouse or purchasing land through a business that you own though you should do some thorough research before pursuing this option.

What’s a condo?Condominiums provide investors with the most laid-back approach to homeownership in Bangkok. They are usually far cheaper to buy than houses (in part because you will not be buying any land), making them an attractive investment opportunity for those who wish to spend less.

The exterior of the units and the land that surrounds them tend to be considered as being common area and are thus collectively owned by all of the condo owners within the condominium complex.

You will pay a monthly cost and maintenance, covering the unit exterior and the insurance to cover pricier items such as roofs, elevators, parking structures, and the other amenities that may be available within.

Condos as ideal for those who want to own real estate but do not want to pay too much or have any involvement with maintenance and upkeep.

As for foreign ownership, a foreigner can own a condo within a condominium complex as long as 51% of the units inside the building are owned by Thai nationals. This makes it much easier for expats to purchase and own their own home in Bangkok without having to worry about too much in the way of red tape.

Which is better: a condo or a townhouse?
So, which is the better housing option of the two, a condo or a townhouse? Really, it all comes down to personal preference, however, for the sake of making that distinction easier, we’re going to talk through the various pros and cons of each in greater depth.

As townhouses tend to have their own lots, it provides owners with a significant amount of freedom in terms of building on the property and improving the land that comes with it. The amount of square footage available varies significantly in Bangkok, from very limited to mansion-sized! Of course, the defining feature of any quality townhouse is having a freestanding feature with no neighbours sharing walls, however, most townhouses in Bangkok are joined, with smaller plots.

Townhouses are appealing to those with children and young families who want to put down roots and have space to grow and play, such as with a large garden in a private space.  Again, if you are a foreigner, enjoying a townhouse is only possible via rental, or through a strict land purchasing route.

On the other hand, condos tend to offer far more in the way of amenities, and community. If you would like a swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, tennis courts, and so on – condominiums will have a variety of attractive amenities that can be shared with other residents.

Additionally, condominiums will have 24/7 security, including CTTV and are often gated. This is far superior to living in a townhouse where the security and safety of your family and property are very much up to you.

Key differences between condo and townhouse
Let’s look at the key differences between condos and townhouses by comparing the various key factors:

Initial costs

• Condos: Condos tend to be the least expensive option between the two.
• Townhouses: While townhouses are less costly than a detached house, condos win this round.

Ongoing fees

• Condos: There will be monthly fees due for maintenance and insurances etc.
• Townhouses: It is often the case where monthly fees will be required for local homeowner’s groups.

Ownership

• Condos: Foreigners can invest in and own condo’s so long as 51% of the condominium development is owned by Thai nationals.
• Townhouses: Foreigners cannot legally own land in Thailand which makes this route practically impossible for first-time buyers. There are ways around it, such as being married to a Thai national and/or purchasing through a registered business, but more research will be necessary.

Amenities

• Condos: Condos have shared facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, restaurants, and much more depending on the quality of the development.
• Townhouses: In some cases, a townhouse may have some shared amenities, but typically they do not.

Responsibilities

• Condos: Your monthly fees will cover on-going maintenance.
• Townhouses: You will be responsible for the up-keep and maintenance of your property.

Autonomy

• Condos: There are generally rules and regulations that you must follow as per the condominium development’s request.
• Townhouses: Typically, as a townhouse owner you are free to do as you please (within the constraints of Thai law, of course).

Security

• Condos: Condos have 24/7 security, are often gated, and will have CCTV – for your safety and peace of mind. You may even require finger-print or key card access making it difficult for outsiders to gain access.
• Townhouses: As a townhouse owner you will be entirely responsible for your own safety and security.

Location

• Condos: Condominium developments tend to be built in strategic locations. This means that you will likely be situated closer to public transport such as BTS Skytrain stations, and have more access to local amenities such as shopping centres and restaurants.
• Townhouses: Some townhouses may be located close to local amenities, but typically they are situated within housing communities, further from central amenities.

Pets

• Condos: It is rare that a new condominium development will allow you to have pets – even if you own your condo outright. It all comes down to the development’s house rules. Certainly, in some cases you will be allowed a pet, but this is an important consideration if you have a dog or wish to get one in the future.
• Townhouses: In a townhouse you will be free to have pets as you will not need to adhere to any set rules.

Who should buy a condo Vs. townhouse?
So, who should buy what? Are you better suited to a condo or a townhouse? Ultimately, the decision boils down to cost, convenience, and lifestyle. How much money do you have available? What level of facilities and amenities are you interested in? And does your lifestyle justify living in a large condo complex or is having some more privacy a key factor for you?

For first-time buyers in Bangkok, it is always recommended that you explore investing in a condo. This is also true because foreigners cannot buy townhouses on land out-right, making the process even more complicated than it needs to be.

Certainly, the more established buyers who need space to grow their families and are able to purchase land in Thailand (married to a Thai or obtained residency), may benefit much more from a townhouse, such as the gorgeous Heart Sukhumvit 36 development. However, as for everyone else, investing and living in a condo offers the path of least resistance.

If you do have a family with small children, do not rule out living in a condo complex altogether. In fact, not only will the 24/7 security give you that extra piece of mind, there is also a great number of condo developments that are well suited to families. Take the Ivy Thonglor development as an example: it has a swimming pool, garden and BBQ area, and a kids playground (among many other facilities).

Conclusion
All in all, condos are the clear winner, mostly due to their convenience and affordability. Townhouses have much to offer and are seriously worth considering if privacy and freedom is high on your list, otherwise you cannot go wrong with investing in a condo in Bangkok.