The beautiful island of Phuket lies off the west coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is a great place to visit, or live, as it has some of the most beautiful beaches, a laid-back attitude, good food and stylish shopping venues.
There are various reasons as to why people choose Phuket as a destination to invest in a property to use as a holiday home, part-time family home, or for their retirement, and the main one is that the island has a reputation as one of the leading resort islands in Asia. Its fascinating landscape, first-class infrastructure, outstanding golf courses, yacht marinas, wealth of international cuisine, lively nightlife and top notch shopping are just part of its appeal, add great transportation links and modern amenities including international hospitals and schools and it's no surprise everyone falls in love with the place.
Buying a second home in Phuket is also a great way to invest your money as rental returns on apartments and villas can be high if you choose the right area and a quality project. Over the past few years there has been a huge increase in holidaymakers booking rental properties, both short-term and long-term, rather than staying in a hotel as they realize the advantages villas, apartments and condominiums can provide, particularly when it comes to privacy and space if you're travelling with your family or a group of friends.
Rawai is a small village located right at the very southern tip of the island and a quiet residential area, many of the islands expats live here for its laid-back atmosphere and lifestyle. The beach in Rawai is a launching point for day boat excursions out to the surrounding islands and a great place to try the fresh seafood at the Thai restaurants. Just up the road is Nai Harn beach, an idyllic spot for relaxing and swimming whilst Phromthep Cape is famous for its romantic and impressive sunsets.
Property and land for sale Rawai and Nai Harn is still affordable and if you're looking for a quiet location then these residential areas fit the bill perfectly. They offer all the facilities you need for day to day living from local food markets and cheap eating places to kindergartens, general stores and banks, and just a 20 minute drive away are the main shopping areas of Phuket Town, Central Festival and Tesco.
Other parts of the island are easily reached from this part of the island with major roads leading to town and right up to the airport in the north. Or take the scenic mountain road and arrive at the tourist areas of Kata, Karon, - further up the coast and you'll reach Patong where the nightlife and bars are packed with people looking for a good time. Living in Rawai means you get the best of both worlds, peace on your doorstep and excitement easily accessible just a short drive away.
New land in Rawai Beach and the surrounding areas, with mountain or sea views, can still be found at affordable prices; on the other hand they don't stay on the market for long due to the closeness to the beaches and attractions so you need to be quick off the mark if you see something you like. If you can't find a property you like then consider buying a plot of land and designing your own house or villa, that way you can incorporate everything you want in your home, whether it's a garden, infinity pool, rooftop balcony or outside dining area.
When searching for land for sale in Phuket it's very important to make yourself aware of the laws and restrictions on property ownership, although they may seem complicated there are lots of well-informed websites that give advice and information. There are also established real-estate companies that can help you with this part of buying a property and will practically arrange everything for you.