Is Rawai a good base for expats on a DTV visa in Thailand, especially for fitness and community connections?

For those of you in Thailand on a DTV visa — is Rawai a good place to base yourself as this is where I’ve seen a decent Muay Thai gym under the soft power visa, or would you recommend another area of Phuket?

While I’m out there, I’d love to connect with others into fitness/gym life and digital nomads. Would you recommend renting a motorbike or a car, and what are the typical costs? I know motorbikes are easy to rent, but I only have an international driving license (not a motorbike one), so I’m not sure how that works.

Same with accommodation — did you sort it once you arrived or book in advance? Roughly what are the monthly costs for a decent place in Phuket?

Also, how did you go about meeting like-minded people? I’d like to avoid feeling isolated, as I’m moving from the UK and hoping to meet people into fitness, good vibes, and community.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated as I’m getting flights to Phuket booked and sorting putting things into storage back home in the UK currently preparing to move. Thanks in advance!