If you happen to seek for the most well-liked digital nomad areas, Chiang Mai is certain to seem on that record. If you happen to don’t wish to be immediately hooked, don’t look any additional—that is one place so intoxicating that you just’ll be planning your journey directly. There are numerous professionals of dwelling in Chiang Mai; it’s no marvel that so many distant staff and vacationers alike flock there 12 months after 12 months.
Having spent a number of months dwelling in Chiang Mai myself, I’d love to return, and I completely will sooner or later. It’s a sociable place, well-liked with numerous different distant staff and pleasant locals. The professionals of dwelling in Chiang Mai far outweigh the negatives in my view, but it surely’s vital to find out about either side of the coin to make your personal knowledgeable choice earlier than taking the plunge.
15 Professionals and Cons of Residing in Chiang Mai
For me, Chiang Mai is the jewel in Thailand’s crown. Sure, Thailand is a giant nation with superb seashores, like Koh Samui and Phuket, and the vibrancy of Bangkok is unbeaten, however there’s nothing fairly like on a regular basis life within the northern metropolis of Chiang Mai. It has its challenges, in addition to its main benefits, and having skilled most that Chiang Mai has to supply, I really feel fairly well-informed that can assist you out.
Professionals of Residing in Chiang Mai
As a result of I wish to deal with positivity earlier than the rest, let’s begin with the benefits of dwelling in Chiang Mai. By the tip of this record, you’ll most likely have one foot on the aircraft and be planning your first few days within the metropolis.
1. A Nice Place to Meet Different Digital Nomads
Unquestionably, one of many largest professionals of dwelling in Chiang Mai is simply how straightforward it’s to fulfill different distant staff. In 2023, an enormous 3.9 million individuals handed by way of the doorways of Chiang Mai airport, with an honest proportion of these certain to be digital nomads. Irrespective of while you go to, you’re assured to fulfill loads of different like-minded individuals, which is able to make your keep a lot extra gratifying.
I’ll speak about coworking areas shortly, however most have common social evenings, with a deal with bringing individuals collectively—the identical goes for hostels across the metropolis. It’s really easy to mingle in Chiang Mai, and I met many new mates whom I nonetheless communicate with at this time. Town gives many nice alternatives to collaborate, but when socializing is all you bear in mind, you actually received’t battle to discover a new buddy or two.
SEE ALSO: 7 Finest Digital Nomad Cities in Asia
2. Value-Effectiveness
Chiang Mai is a reasonably cost-effective place to remain over the long run. For instance, you may normally discover an condominium within the metropolis middle and even stylish Nimman, for round 7800-14,000 THB ($220-$390) with utilities on high. If you’ll find a coliving area or just share with one other distant employee, you’ll save much more on lodging.
It’s low-cost to eat out too, so long as you persist with native meals; if you need Western-style meals then you may count on to pay extra. One in every of my favourite locations was the Chiang Mai Night time Bazaar, the place it’s doable to fill your self with road meals for a really small amount of money. Even espresso retailers are low-cost—you’ll find a cappuccino for round 55THB ($1.50), and these are nice locations to work from too.
SEE ALSO: 10 Finest Espresso Outlets and Cafes in Chiang Mai (Laptop computer Pleasant!)
3. Security
While you’re trying on the professionals and cons of dwelling in Chiang Mai, you’ll little question wish to find out about security to start with. I can hand on coronary heart say that I by no means felt unsafe for even a second throughout my keep, whilst a solo feminine traveler. In reality, a 2023 report said that Chiang Mai is the most secure metropolis to go to in Southeast Asia general.
After all, like another metropolis on the earth, you shouldn’t take undue dangers, and customary sense ought to at all times be practiced. General, nevertheless, Chiang Mai is taken into account a protected metropolis to go to by way of low crime charges; supplying you with peace of thoughts when seeing the sights and going about your every day enterprise. Regardless of this, visitors is a wholly separate topic which I’ll speak about later.
4. Nice Web High quality & Coworking Areas
One other of the highest benefits of dwelling in Chiang Mai is the variety of coworking areas and the standard of web obtainable. In line with Speedtest, the typical add and obtain speeds in Chiang Mai are 169.21 and 198.03 Mbps respectively. I by no means struggled with the web connection as soon as, together with video calls and lengthy intervals on-line.
There are some improbable coworking areas across the metropolis too—Yellow Coworking House is considered one of my high suggestions, however you’ll discover many dotted round. There are some low-cost choices to select from, reminiscent of HeartWork, a coworking cafe that costs a low charge for using their web for a couple of hours. Once more, these are nice locations to fulfill individuals, community, and recharge on inspiration.
5. Pleasant Locals
You’ll discover among the friendliest individuals on the earth in Chiang Mai and loads of locals who wish to let you know about their traditions and customs. Whereas it may be difficult with the language barrier typically, it’s not one thing you may’t overcome. I had many conversations with espresso store and meals stall house owners and even made some native mates.
Locals in Chiang Mai are very accustomed to worldwide guests, and I by no means felt something apart from solely welcome. So long as you do your greatest to immerse your self within the conventional methods, you’ll meet individuals from all walks of life. After all, you may assist your self a bit by studying a couple of phrases within the native language.
6. Excessive-High quality Healthcare
One of many largest advantages of dwelling in Chiang Mai is the accessible, high-quality, and inexpensive healthcare. This must be one thing you concentrate on regardless of the place on the earth you might be. In Chiang Mai, you’ll discover private and non-private hospitals, each of that are inexpensive in comparison with different international locations.
I needed to go to Ram Hospital in Chiang Mai after tripping and injuring my arm. I anticipated it to be an advanced course of, but it surely was fortunately tremendous straightforward, and there have been English-speaking workers. After all, ensure you have good medical health insurance, and also you received’t have any issues if a health-related problem occurs to come up.
7. A lot to See and Do
There are such a lot of issues to see and do in Chiang Mai throughout your break day. I puzzled what I’d do in my spare time as the town doesn’t have a seaside, however I shouldn’t have even questioned it—I used to be by no means bored for a second. I beloved strolling across the night time markets, and there are a number of: the Sunday Strolling Market is vibrant and enjoyable and is at all times a very good choice.
A day journey to Inthanon Nationwide Park is a must-do in addition to a tour across the temples within the metropolis, reminiscent of Wat Umong. I additionally suggest a day journey to Sticky Waterfall, which is a superb option to beat the warmth. If you happen to’re a nature lover, there are some nice mountain climbing trails round, together with Huai Cho Reservoir Loop, which I actually loved.
8. Great Climate
Heat climate is undoubtedly one of many professionals of dwelling in Chiang Mai. Throughout the 12 months, the common temperature hardly ever dips under 22°C/71°F. August is the rainiest month, with the wet season stretching between Could and October. Throughout this time, there are a lot of heavy showers, however they’re typically short-lived, and the climate sometimes clears up in a short time.
April and Could are the most well liked months, with common highs of 30°C/86°F, and fortunately, most locations have air-con and loads of followers! Throughout the wet season, it could actually turn out to be a bit humid, however I didn’t really feel it was too overwhelming. Waking as much as the solar most days is unquestionably a plus and one of many main pulls towards Chiang Mai.
9. A Cultural Place to Discover
The factor I appreciated most about Chiang Mai is that though it’s very easy to search out residence comforts, it’s a very cultural place with a distinct lifestyle. Simply strolling down the streets and seeing the fantastically embellished temples and tuk-tuks passing by exhibits you that you just’re in virtually one other world. I’ve already talked about the night time markets, however these are an exquisite option to simply immerse your self within the tradition.
Absorbing the native tradition is a good thought, and by doing this, you’ll respect your time in Thailand rather more. Thai tradition is wealthy and simple to find out about; native individuals will fortunately present you their traditions so long as you present respect always. I don’t assume I’ve skilled tradition in another nation as a lot as I did right here, and it’s considered one of many the reason why I wish to return.
10. Wonderful Meals
One of many main advantages of dwelling in Chiang Mai is the meals, indubitably. It’s very straightforward to strive native delicacies, and the native markets are an important place to begin. Thai road meals is scrumptious and extremely low-cost, serving to you to maintain money in your pocket. I developed a severe love of Pad Thai in Chiang Mai and I turned rather more adventurous with making an attempt new issues.
Khao Neow Ma Muang, or sticky rice and mango, is considered one of my favourite dishes and it’s really easy to search out from road distributors. Thai meals can be actually wholesome and made with the freshest produce. I took a cookery class, and I discovered a lot about native delicacies; I’d extremely suggest it if you wish to throw your self into native life and take a look at one thing new.
Cons of Residing in Chiang Mai
Nowhere on the earth is 100% good, and there are some cons of dwelling in Chiang Mai you want to concentrate on. They’re not main deal breakers, not less than not for me, however they’re issues that might have an effect on your keep in case you’re not clued up beforehand.
1. Visas Can Be Difficult to Get
One of many largest disadvantages of dwelling in Chiang Mai is that getting a visa over the long run could be a problem. It’s in no way not possible, however the necessities are a lot stricter than they was and there’s a variety of paperwork concerned. Rules change typically so it’s vital to double-check earlier than you intend to journey to keep away from discovering your self in a difficult scenario.
General, most individuals can go to Thailand for 60 days on a vacationer visa, however this varies based on nationality so, once more, double-check. You may then apply to increase this for an additional 30 days in case you select to. To assist make your particular scenario a bit simpler to know, you may enter your passport particulars into this web site and discover out what your choices are.
2. Potential Language Barrier
When you’ll discover English audio system round vacationer websites and in coworking areas, in case you enterprise away from these areas you’ll possible expertise a slight barrier. I by no means bumped into too many issues, however I did have to make use of Google Translate a couple of occasions, which could be irritating, particularly in case you’re looking for vital data otherwise you need assistance.
I made a decision to view this as an important excuse to be taught a couple of phrases of Thai. You don’t should be fluent to get by, however the fundamentals will serve you effectively in case you enterprise into rural areas otherwise you meet somebody who doesn’t converse nice English. I discovered that talking even just some phrases made individuals wish to assist me be taught much more, and so they appeared to understand my makes an attempt, regardless of how dangerous!
3. Burning Season
For me, one of many largest downsides of dwelling in Chiang Mai is the burning season. In reality, many individuals both keep away from the realm throughout this time or depart and return as soon as it’s over. Burning season occurs between January and April throughout a lot of northern Thailand, when farmers burn their fields to prepare for the subsequent rising season and harvest.
Throughout this time, air high quality is fairly poor, and it could actually make even strolling round pretty troublesome. Some years are higher than others, however there’s a common haze over all the metropolis between these months it doesn’t matter what. If you happen to’re somebody who suffers from respiratory points, reminiscent of bronchial asthma, you may wish to keep away from these months and go to when it’s over.
4. Visitors
It’s no shock that in 2019, Chiang Mai ranked as primary on the record of most harmful locations to drive in Thailand; It even beat Bangkok, which is sort of stunning in case you’ve ever been to the capital. One of many cons of dwelling in Chiang Mai is making an attempt to navigate visitors, and in case you select to drive, you’ll should be very cautious certainly. Even strolling could be perilous as there are only a few first rate sidewalks.
Chiang Mai’s roads are famously congested, and many individuals driving scooters weave out and in of the visitors or drive at excessive pace. Personally, I most well-liked to get round by way of public transport, and I by no means discovered it troublesome to make use of; it definitely works out cheaper than gasoline and offers a extra genuine expertise. I used the songthaew very often and I even made some mates on there.
5. Twin Pricing
Many individuals see this as one of many downsides to dwelling in Chiang Mai, however I personally don’t thoughts it an excessive amount of and may perceive why it occurs. Twin pricing signifies that as a foreigner, you’ll be charged extra for some points of interest than a neighborhood individual, and typically the distinction could be fairly vital. I’ve seen twin pricing in lots of different international locations, however not as clearly as I skilled in Thailand.
It’s annoying, however what it’s a must to keep in mind is that native wages are significantly lower than what most foreigners obtain and these costs mirror that. The excellent news is that this solely occurs on admission charges and also you received’t see it on markets, public transport, or common every day purchases. It’s one of many belongings you merely have to simply accept, but it surely’s a draw back all the identical.
Is Residing in Chiang Mai Value It?
Like anyplace else on the earth, there are professionals and cons of dwelling in Chiang Mai. It’s obviously apparent that my record has much more professionals than cons, and that’s not an accident. The complete expertise of dwelling in Chiang Mai was optimistic sufficient for me to see these downsides as small annoyances moderately than huge deal-breakers, aside from the visa problem.
As probably the most well-liked locations for digital nomads, Chiang Mai has one thing for everybody and delivers all of it with a cultural and genuine vibe. Typically it’s frenetic and loud, different occasions it’s peaceable and chilled out—all the metropolis is a contradiction in all the very best methods doable. It’s additionally the primary place to fulfill different individuals, a few of whom might find yourself your greatest mates for all times.
I can’t wait to return; when are you going?
