In 2019-20 I did a six month exploratory trip to Chiang Mai to see if this is where I can call home. I lived in the Nimman area but it was too busy for me and the plane noise at times was unbearable. I came back permanently in February 2023 and settled in Doi Saket. I am 11km from the city center but only go into the City once per week. The countryside here is awesome, and along with the reasons which you stated is why I call Chiang Mai home.
Finishing up a visit to BKK and now going to CM. Moving around BKK can be intense on public transport, though there are so many options here in BKK like MRT, BTS. Looking forward to feeling the difference in the vibe in CM (different than BKK.) I like the points you are making about the unique benefits of CM.
I picked Chiang Mai for all that plus for the Sabi Sabi attitude. It has everything you need, but it's still chill. Not a huge party spot like some of the islands, and not overbearing like Bangkok. Great place for motorcycles! And the food and coffee cannot be beat anywhere.
Thumbs up 👍 Jon…….I love living in Phuket, I used to live in Hawaii for 6 years as well, I think I was a fish in my previous life as I have to be near the ocean 🌊
Hey Jon, love the content. You talk about hobbies and activities to pass the time. What is available in Chiang Mai? Photography? Libraries (in English)? Physical activities? What can I do when I am awake and not a vlogger?
Thanks mate, there is all sorts of things to do, depends what you like. For me I like getting out on the bike, traveling around the area and doing things with my family. But there are sports clubs and expat clubs if that's you're thing. I'm not sure about a library but there are some great English language book shops :)
I agree with you, Chiang Mai is for sure one of the best place to live if you like the mountains. On a smaller scale, I you want to live like the locals but you want some amenities Khon Kaen is also a good choice.
Shhhhh, the way the West is going everyone will move there. There must be some negatives though. I'm visiting in February to seriously consider it as a retirement destination. My biggest concern is the heat and humidity. After 35 years in Queensland, Australia, I'm kinda over that!
Haha yeah, more and more people seen to be leaving the West (and can you blame them!) but yeah I don't think February is the optimal time to visit Chiang Mai as it's the start of burning season, May to January would be best :)
Great video! I'm not living in Thailand yet but I've been there for almost one year totally after Covid visiting girlfriend in Saraburi and my plan is to retire there within next year. She lived in Chiang Mai for 8 years and loved it, we visited together only once so far but I loved it! Hua Hin we have been to many times, a fantastic destination and of course completely different in comparison. So most likely we will settle down in one of these two places in future!?
Appreciate the Info Jon. Is there any resources you might recommend for finding rentals in the mountains around Chiang Mai. My apologies if you have already provided this information in a previous video. Thanks!
Thanks mate :) Hmmm for finding rentals in the mountains I'm not sure tbh, it's harder to find long term rental in places like this but it should be doable, I'd contact an agency and ask if they can help :)
The OTHER Big Benefit of Chiang Mai is that it's ONLY a little over an hour's flight time down to Bangkok or twelve hours on a bus or--at the most--fourteen hours on a train! I LOVE to visit the capital and catch up with expat friends down there but it IS Nothing Short of Wonderful to LEAVE Bangkok and RETURN to Chiang Mai! 🙂
Yep true, there are also flights from Chiang Mai to other countries as well so if you want to visit places like Singapore or Malaysia you don't need to fly to Bangkok first :)
Well if not for the smoke season I'd live in Chiang Rai for the rest of my life. Now I'm considering finding somewhere else with more opportunity once I'm ready to move out. Chiang Rai is basically similar to Chiang Mai but focusing more on the cultural side. I predicted that Chiang Rai will be the Eastern Asian business hub in the future, but I can't pinpoint the time since we're still on a junction of the world direction.
Yeah Chiang Rai is awesome, I was there a few weeks ago and it feels like a more old school version of Chiang Mai, 100% know what you mean about the cultural side, it's great there :)
