Phuket Areas for Expats and Long-Stayers

Where to live long and happily in Phuket? In Chalong, Rawai, Nai Harn, Bang Tao, Kathu, and Phuket Town. These are the areas most often chosen for permanent residence and long winter stays on the island. Here, you won’t find “package” tourists, countless excursion booths, or tourist attractions — but you will find all the necessary infrastructure for living and comfortable housing. And that’s exactly what you value most when you come somewhere not for a week or two, but for a longer period. Let’s find out which areas and why are chosen by expats and winter residents in Phuket.

Chalong

An area in the southeast of Phuket. People don’t come here to relax on the beach, because there isn’t one — but there is a pier from which it’s easy to head out to the nearby islands.

Chalong offers many housing options — from budget condominiums to luxurious villas. It’s quiet and peaceful here, with few tourists, and there’s good infrastructure: supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, markets, and hospitals. It can also be called one of the best areas for families with children, because there are many schools, kindergartens, and various clubs. All kindergartens and schools are collected in a special section on our website.

Chalong is a mecca for athletes from all over the world, and there’s even an entire “sports street” — a showcase of perfect bodies! Most of the gyms are located here, especially Muay Thai training camps — for example, Tiger Muay Thai, Rattachai Muay Thai Gym, and others. The full list of sports facilities is here.

Meanwhile, Chalong has its sights to see: the famous Wat Chalong temple, the Big Buddha statue (currently closed, but there’s another viewpoint nearby), and the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve. In short, you won’t be bored — especially since quite a lot of expats live here, making it easy to find friends with shared interests.

Cons of the Chalong area: no swimming beaches, no nightlife, and dependence on personal transport.

All the best places in Chalong are gathered in the dedicated section.

Rawai

Rawai is an area in the south of Phuket that has everything: the necessary infrastructure for a laid-back lifestyle, parties, and various activities for healthy-living enthusiasts. In short, everyone can find their place in the sun in Rawai. There’s also a wide range of housing options, including comfortable apartments. Use the feedback form below to find the best apartments for yourself.

The area is located right next to Chalong. Rawai also has plenty of housing options, schools and kindergartens, hobby clubs, sports facilities, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, and coworking spaces. The main difference from Chalong is that Rawai has many more great bars and other nightlife spots — sometimes it’s even called a “mini Bangla Road”.

The sea is nearby, and although the local beach isn’t suitable for swimming, there are other beautiful spots not far away for swimming and sunbathing — such as the gorgeous Nai Harn Beach. From Rawai Pier, you can also quickly reach nearby islands with turquoise waters and tropical fish, such as Coral Island.

Seafood lovers will be happy — Rawai is home to the best fish market in Phuket (more about it and others can be found in our article Seafood Markets of Phuket) and the popular viewpoint, Promthep Cape.

Cons of the Rawai area: no good swimming beach, a long distance from the exit off Phuket, and dependence on personal transport.

All the best places in Rawai are collected in the dedicated section.

Nai Harn

A super cozy area at the very south of Phuket. Technically, it belongs to Rawai. Its main distinction is its immediate proximity to one of the best beaches — Nai Harn. Of course, this means higher housing prices. Yes, you have to pay for the sea. Nai Harn is also a bit farther from kindergartens and schools. However, it offers plenty of palm trees, parks, shady alleys, and a lake for walks, jogging, and yoga. The best yoga spots in Phuket can be found at this link. Nearby, you’ll find everything you need: cafes in Nai Harn, massage parlors, motorbike and bicycle rentals, shops, and markets.

Nai Harn has lots of cozy housing options: private villas and small apartments. But for party lovers, this area won’t do — there are almost no clubs or bars, at most some live music at a beachfront restaurant. There are also no large shopping malls — so for shopping, you’ll have to head to Chalong or Phuket Town. And it must be said: during high season, it gets quite lively here, as Nai Harn is popular among European tourists.

Cons of the Nai Harn area: distance from the island’s center, dependence on personal transport, seasonal wave problems, and higher housing costs.

All the best places in Nai Harn are collected in the dedicated section.

Bang Tao

Those who want not just to “live by the sea” but to live in comfort with a European level of service — and, most importantly, are ready to pay well for it — choose Bang Tao. This area is the most upscale on the island. It features a long coastal strip with the gorgeous Bang Tao Beach, villas, luxury complexes, stylish cafes, and all the necessary infrastructure. The hub of activity is the Laguna residential complex with golf courses, tennis courts, yoga centers… essentially, the local Dubai Hills. Ninety percent of Bang Tao residents are expats, so it’s easy to make new contacts and connections here — and maybe even find business partners.

Bang Tao doesn’t look like Thailand at all: here you’ll find paved roads, sidewalks, street lighting, and parking lots. The infrastructure is excellent — cafes and restaurants, massage and spa centers, supermarkets, fitness clubs, coworking spaces — all top-notch. And of course, the housing: villas with private pools, condominiums, or apartments — everything here is modern, comfortable, and expensive. In some places, it’s even a bit too “sterile” — you won’t find any Thai atmosphere here, even if you try. But if that’s not what you’re after, and you’re looking for pure luxury, Bang Tao has gorgeous villas. Use the feedback form to find your perfect villa.

In principle, Bang Tao has everything you need for living. But if you suddenly decide to go to other areas of Phuket, be prepared to sit in traffic (yes, just like in a big city): everyone here drives, and everyone always has somewhere to go (classic!), so traffic problems in Bang Tao are a constant.

Cons of the Bang Tao area: high prices, relative distance from major attractions, traffic jams.

All the best places in Bang Tao are collected in the dedicated section.

Kathu

Kathu is the geographical center of the island, located between Patong and Phuket Town. The main advantages of this area are its developed infrastructure, affordable prices, and location — it’s easy to get almost anywhere from here.

Of course, there’s no sea in Kathu, so the vibe here is more urban than touristy. But housing prices are much more pleasant than on the coast: you can rent a condo or a small house for two to three times less. A paradise for the budget-conscious or for those who have already had their fill of the sea.

Kathu has all the infrastructure you need for living: schools, kindergartens, hospitals, markets, cafes (see the best cafes and restaurants in Kathu here), shops, and gyms. It’s also home to the island’s largest water park — Andamanda Phuket. You can buy discounted tickets from us via WhatsApp or Telegram.

Of course, Kathu doesn’t have any “Instagrammable” scenery: it looks a bit gray, especially around the main road — with wires, concrete, a market, and often traffic jams, usually heading toward Patong.

Cons of the Kathu area: no beach, limited nightlife and entertainment, and during the rainy season, some areas may experience flooding.

All the best places in Kathu are collected in the dedicated section.

Phuket Town

The “heart” of the island. An area with its own unique atmosphere. There are no beaches here, but there is real life — with Thai spirit, street food, markets, historic architecture, and culture.

Here you’ll find the Old Town — a beautiful, historic part of the city where cozy streets in Singaporean shophouse-baroque style intertwine with graffiti, authentic cafs (we’ve collected the very best in the Best Cafes and Restaurants of Phuket Town section), vintage shops, vibrant fairs, and night markets (Lard Yai Sunday Night Market, Naka Weekend Market, Phuket Indy Night Market). And, of course, all the essentials are close at hand: schools, hospitals, banks, and government offices.

What also makes Phuket Town attractive is its low housing prices. There are plenty of good condominiums here at reasonable rates. The sea is not nearby, and tourists usually come only to stroll through the Old Town and see local attractions. Many of them are concentrated in Phuket Town: almost all the museums, the Aquaria aquarium, and the Hanuman World rope park. You can buy discounted tickets to these places from us via WhatsApp or Telegram.

Cons of the Phuket Town area: no beach (it’s a 20–30 minute drive to the nearest one), and a business-like atmosphere.

All the best places in Phuket Town are collected in the dedicated section.

Phuket is not just a resort but an entire world with different “ecosystems,” and choosing an area depends on your lifestyle, budget, goals, and transport accessibility. Choose what suits you best — Phuket has all the possibilities for that!

We also have detailed articles about other areas of the island: Tourist Areas of Phuket, Phuket Areas for Nightlife Lovers, Phuket Areas for Families with Kids, Phuket Areas for Luxury Seekers, and Phuket Areas for Those Who Want to Escape Civilization.