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.
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 :)
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 🌊
Went to Chiang Mai a couple of times, but sadly didn't particularly like it. Apart from the Historic center, I thought the City was not very pretty at all. I thought Bangkok was really a Wow kind of buzzing place, full of life, though. For me, the best part of Chiang Mai was motorbiking out of the city, doing the classic loop of Soppong , Pai, Mae Hong Song. But I guess once you've done it there's no need to repeat it too often. And of course near Bangkok you've got beaches. You've got kanchanaburi and you've got Ayutthaya.Etc. I will probably at some point go back to Chiang Mai, and no doubt if you are living there longer term it probably is a better option because it's quieter. But personally I wasn't really impressed with the place and couldn't see myself living there long-term. I just didn't really groove with the place. I know there are much better places in many other locations in the world where I would rather choose. To be honest, I don't know why people are raving about it. I think it's because a lot of people don't actually make the effort to travel and see many places around the world. They just watch some UA-cam channels and make a decision based on that. Which is okay, but very limiting.
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.
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 :)
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 :)
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 :)
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 :)
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.
I love doisaket! It is a beautiful place and has easy access back to town.
Yep, Doi Saket is great, I like the road from there to Chiang Rai for an awesome bike trip :)
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.
Hope you like Chiang Mai mate :)
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 :)
Central Festival is much better than Maya
👍
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 🌊
Yeah if you like the ocean than Chiang Mai may not be for you :)
Missing Chieng Mai every minute when I'm away
Definitely best place to live
San sai for me
Yep agree on it being the best place to live!
Went to Chiang Mai a couple of times, but sadly didn't particularly like it. Apart from the Historic center, I thought the City was not very pretty at all.
I thought Bangkok was really a Wow kind of buzzing place, full of life, though.
For me, the best part of Chiang Mai was motorbiking out of the city, doing the classic loop of Soppong , Pai, Mae Hong Song. But I guess once you've done it there's no need to repeat it too often.
And of course near Bangkok you've got beaches. You've got kanchanaburi and you've got Ayutthaya.Etc.
I will probably at some point go back to Chiang Mai, and no doubt if you are living there longer term it probably is a better option because it's quieter. But personally I wasn't really impressed with the place and couldn't see myself living there long-term. I just didn't really groove with the place. I know there are much better places in many other locations in the world where I would rather choose.
To be honest, I don't know why people are raving about it. I think it's because a lot of people don't actually make the effort to travel and see many places around the world. They just watch some UA-cam channels and make a decision based on that. Which is okay, but very limiting.
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.
Yep, I like Northern Thai food best of all Thai foods :)
Watch out for Jasmine Homes copy cats
That mountain is what attracted me to Chiang Mai. I was there a month ago exploring Chiang Mai and I really like it.
👍
Is there a Burning season in Chiang Mai.
I think Feb to April
Yep, Feb to April
Taxes taxes taxes
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 :)
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!?
Nice! Yeah Hua Hin is a popular place as well :)
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 :)
Outstanding video as usual. Very convincing. The videography and editing are top-tier--I can tell you put a lot of thought into it.
Thanks mate
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.
Yep, I've only ever been to Khon Kaen once but I liked it, it was a lot bigger and had a lot more there than I was expecting :)
Couldn't agree more about the great scenic driving or riding roads in northern Thailand. Our favourites in Nan province are #1256, #1081 and #1148.
Yeah I'm hoping to get to Nan to drive the roads there, not been yet :)
Jon, I enjoyed your video and agree with many of your reasons why Chiang Mai is great.
Thanks mate :)
Best place untill that I know (so far) - Hua Hin - ChaAm
Yeah Hua Hin is a good choice as well :)
If only Chiang Mai had a beach, it would be perfect.
For me I'm OK with the odd beach trip once a year :)
nice cap
😁
Who'd drink lukewarm beer in such a hot weather? 🤣
Haha yeah, ice all the way!
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!
February is burning season and the air is not healthy
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 :)
Mountain is nice but I prefer ocean or beaches.
👍
Fantastic video! Thank you.
Thanks :)
Well said, Jon!!!
Thanks mate :)
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 :)