I'd say that
for me personally the only liveable place in Phuket right now is the far South of the island...we get a alot of flack down here for being too quiet and boring...someone said "God's waiting room" IIRC, but that sounds like what some people are actually looking for, somewhere quiet on a daily basis but close enough to the bright lights whenever you want it. You have all the infrastructure you need, internet is fine, plenty of places to eat and getting up and down the island is pretty easy. (Just don't go out after dark
)
If I wasn't down in Rawai/Nai Harn I'm not sure I would still be here, Patong, Kata, Kamala and Karon don't appeal, Phuket Town I am willing to give a go, but I know after a few months the appeal of having alternate nightlife/eateries will have worn off and I will be missing the proximity of a beach and peace and quiet.
Further north, the Farang enclaves of Laguna are the perfect example of what I am not looking for here, any further north and the basics become a road trip. Kathu would be an option, but I have never really felt I would like to live there.
Not really a response to the OP question of
If not Phuket, where else...but there are still a few places left in Phuket in my opinion that are worth a go.