What is it like to move to and live in Chiang Mai?
I just spent some time traveling in Thailand and one of my favorite places was Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is a popular city for both digital nomads and expats from all over the world. Some spend a few months here, others decide to retire here.
But what is living in Chiang Mai really like?
In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad. In the interview, the expat shares tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about the place the expat now calls home.
Expat Life in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Name: Min W
Age: 35
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
His Story:
“Well this is a long one. I met my partner 13 years ago in Sydney and he is Thai.
He spent the majority of our relationship in Sydney with me but always talked about going home. He generally didn’t like living in Australia, and on top of that, all his family and friends are in Thailand.
At the time I worked in wholesale travel, I was good at my job and didn’t really see myself moving overseas.
However, in the back of my mind, I knew I had to move to Thailand in the future.
Leading up to the move overseas, roughly three years prior, I started to look at options where I could work online/abroad.
I started researching the financial markets and now I run a small hedge fund while living in Chiang Mai.”
Why Did You Move to Chiang Mai?
“This was mainly because of my partner. He always wanted to go back home to Thailand.
I don’t think anyone just thinks they want to move overseas, as always there is a reason for someone to relocate.
We eventually chose to live in Chiang Mai, because it is a nice-sized city with good amenities.”
What Do You Like About Living in Chiang Mai?
“I visited both Bangkok and Chiang Mai many times before moving to Thailand, so I had a good sense of how different the two cities feel.
We seriously considered moving to Bangkok, but ultimately it was just too hectic for us; the traffic, the noise, the pollution, and the sheer pace of life can feel overwhelming day after day.
Chiang Mai, on the other hand, has a much more relaxed, livable atmosphere. Life here doesn’t feel rushed. People are friendlier, more patient, and there’s a sense of community you don’t often find in large cities.
I also love that Chiang Mai gives you a mix of conveniences and nature. You still have malls, coworking spaces, cafés, and good hospitals, but you’re only a short scooter ride from peaceful temples, viewpoints, and hiking trails. For me, that balance is a big part of the quality of life here.
The food scene is another huge plus. From affordable street food to great coffee shops and international restaurants, it’s easy to live well without spending a lot.
That said, Chiang Mai has been getting more popular in the last few years, especially with digital nomads and long-term expats. You can see that in the amount of development happening: new condos, new freeways, and even plans for a second airport. It’s still much calmer than Bangkok, but it’s definitely growing quickly.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Chiang Mai?
“Not much, but peak hour traffic is a nightmare. So we plan everything outside of peak hour traffic.
Another thing I don’t like about living in Chiang Mai is that around March / April the farmers burn all the old rice crops which covers the city in a very uncomfortable smoke. It’s often referred to as the ‘burning season’ and many expats and digital nomads choose to leave Chiang Mai around this time.
However, the local governments are trying to do something about this so hopefully it will get better.”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to a Different Country
Is Chiang Mai Safe as a Place to Live?
”Yes, in general Chiang Mai is a safe city to live in.
Pickpocketing does happen, so of course watch your belongings and use common sense as you would in any city.
But I never feel unsafe in Chiang Mai.
Traffic can get a bit hectic, and you definitely have to get used to watching out for motorcycles when crossing the street.”
Is Chiang Mai Expensive as a Place to Live?
“Overall, I’d say Chiang Mai is very affordable, especially compared to Western countries or even Bangkok.
Your biggest expense will be accommodation, but even that is reasonable. You can find a modern one-bedroom apartment with a pool and gym for much less than you’d pay in most capital cities, and if you’re okay with something older or a studio, the prices drop even more.
Food is where you really save money. Street food and local restaurants are incredibly cheap, and even eating at nice cafés or international places won’t break the bank. Groceries and markets are also good value if you cook at home.
Transport costs are low too. Most people use a scooter, and fuel and maintenance are cheap. Grab (the local ride-hailing app) is affordable as well.
Of course, you can spend a lot if you want a more Western lifestyle: imported food, high-end gyms, international schools, and luxury condos all add up. But day-to-day living can be very budget-friendly.
So basically: Chiang Mai is as cheap or as expensive as you make it, but for most people it offers a very comfortable lifestyle at a fraction of what they’re used to.”
What is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Chiang Mai?
“As I am an expat who works for an Australian company, I don’t really have much time to explore, but what I do enjoy is catching up with other expats who work here.
I have a friend who works in Bangkok and comes up to Chiang Mai several times a year to visit me, and also other work friends from Sydney who come to visit.”
What is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Chiang Mai?
“I’m not much of a bar/club person anymore.
However, the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood is a go-to area for expats in Chiang Mai, and especially for the digital nomad crowd. It’s a good place to meet other expats.
In general, in Chiang Mai there are many great coffee shops and restaurants, both for Thai food and international food, and several night markets with good street food.
Oh and for the best Khao Soi, go to Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kaat Gorm! It’s a popular spot though so it can get very crowded.”
What is the Expat / International Community Like in Chiang Mai?
“This is a hard one to answer, since the term expat is often used in such a broad sense. It could include anything from young digital nomads who only move to Chiang Mai for a few months, down to retired couples who decide to make Chiang Mai their permanent home.
There are a lot of digital nomads in Chiang Mai who often only stay for a few months. They tend to use coworking spaces and live in budget accommodation.
My partner and I have been living in Chiang Mai for a long time and are well-established here. I find myself relating more to the older crowd, as the street we live in has mostly retired expats from countries such as the United States, Switzerland, Dubai, and Australia, mixed with retired investors from different parts of Thailand.
The digital nomad scene in Chiang Mai is vibrant and organizes regular meetups. Older expats and foreigners who have been living in Chiang Mai for many years tend to keep to themselves, and I have found it difficult to meet expats in Chiang Mai who work in my field of expertise.”
Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Chiang Mai?
“Just do it. First perhaps come and visit the city and have a look around.
The most important thing to realize though is that working and living somewhere as an expat will be a completely different experience from visiting a place as a tourist.
Also Read: Living & Working Abroad – What You Thought vs What It’s Really Like
If you do decide to move to Chiang Mai and are looking for accommodation, I recommend renting a bike or motorcycle and just visiting all the condos that might interest you, as most of them don’t advertise online.
If you like a particular area or condo, just go to the reception of each condo and ask what they have available. In most cases, they will have condos available for rent.
If you are looking for a house in Chiang Mai it’s generally best to use an agent. Perfect Homes Chiang Mai, Doi Saket Properties, and FazWaz are the main players here.”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Chiang Mai?
“The Facebook group Chiang Mai Expats is a useful group to join.
Any questions you might have about moving to and living in Chiang Mai you can ask there. Plus, it’s a good way to meet other expats in Chiang Mai.
But I think the most important thing is to visit Chiang Mai for yourself and see what you think of it before committing to anything.
Because the worst thing that could happen is that you move to Chiang Mai without having visited, to then realize it just isn’t for you…”
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Chiang Mai?
“I have visited all the usual tourist hot spots and attractions, but I think the best thing to do in Chiang Mai is to mix with the locals.
There are many things that are “hidden” from the normal tourist, so this is the perfect way to get the insider secrets.
A good example is the annual lantern festival. A lot of tourists pay a lot of money to attend an organized event during this festival, not knowing that every local community/village will light lanterns and set off fireworks and that this has much more of a local feel to it.”
About Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is the hub of Northern Thailand and the capital city of Chiang Mai Province.
With a population of over 170,000 in the city proper (but more than 1.2 million in the metropolitan area), it is Thailand’s second-largest city.
Chiang Mai is a culturally and historically interesting city founded in 1296 CE, and was once the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom.
Elaborate temples are dotted around the city and several night markets liven up the streets, attracting both tourists and locals.
Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains and lush countryside. It is much greener and quieter than Thailand’s capital Bangkok, and has a cosmopolitan air and a sizeable expat population.
All of these are factors that have led many Bangkok residents to move to Chiang Mai.
Also Read:
- Interview With an Expat About Life in Bangkok
- Interview With an Expat About Living on Koh Tao
- Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
- Things to Know Before Traveling to Thailand as a Woman
- Do You Like Diving? Then Go Diving at the Similan Islands in Thailand
- Interview With an Expat About Living in Yangon, Myanmar
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