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Is it easy to find housing and make friends as a solo expat in Thailand?

DTV visa moving to Thailand housing in Thailand expat experiences making friends in Thailand local interactions living in Thailand

Jul 9, 2025

5 days ago

Pooja ***

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am planning to move to thailand on DTV. I would like to know your experience of moving to thailand as solo person. I am kind of scared. Is it easy to find housing, new friends, locals?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Moving to Thailand on a DTV visa as a solo person can be both exciting and daunting. Many previous expats suggest visiting first to explore potential neighborhoods and engage with locals, helping you to gauge if it feels right. Finding housing is generally straightforward if you have a budget, but challenges like dealing with landlords and scammers in online property listings can arise. It's advised to connect with reputable real estate agents and avoid upfront payments without proper agreements. Making friends can be more challenging; while joining local gyms, like muay thai, can facilitate introductions, many friendships may prove to be transient. Being proactive and open can help ease the transition into a new life in Thailand.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Anonymous ******************

Finding an honest landlord-landlady will be complicated tho

You will not get your deposit back, at least not 100% of it. Ever

5 days ago

Dave ********

Thailand is a popular place for solo travelers. But if you've never been here before, I'd recommend visiting and spending a few weeks getting a feel of the place before you commit to moving here. Finding friends can be tough, but an activity will help. Almost all of my friends here I've met through my muay thai gym, it has a good community vibe. As an expat you have to come to terms with the fact that a lot of your friendships will be transient.

5 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Finding housing is easy if you have a budget. Making friends is harder, especially if you're looking for long-term connections. Befriending locals is even more challenging though, of course, there are exceptions.

5 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Love it got my self settled in nicely

I would advise you join a good gym

Make lots of Friends

5 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Finding housing and infrastructure is easy, finding friends depends on your friendliness.

5 days ago

Nerya **********

Anonymous participant 995 could you please provide some examples on how to find housing (not Airbnb though)

5 days ago

Anonymous ******************

hotel for the first time -- search for housing with an Agent in real estate groups on Facebook --- signing a contract and transferring payment together with the keys, and not in advance

5 days ago

Wayne *******

@Nerya *********

Plenty of FB groups like this about but beware as scammers use sites like these to extract deposits from unsuspecting people.

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5 days ago

Reply to

Wayne *******

Peter ********

Go on holiday, explore where you want to live. Go talk with locals. After that make your decision. If you are scared don’t do it.