Living in Chiang Mai

After choosing Thailand as their new home country, many foreigners find themselves lured to Chiang Mai. There are many factors that make Chiang Mai so appealing to foreigners. Many are attracted to the nearby nature, mountains and possible outdoor activities, while others enjoy the older sense of culture and friendliness still inherent in the Chiang Mai life. Many choose Chiang Mai simply because it’s the small city that still offers all the conveniences of the big city without all the crowding.

One benefit of living up north, versus living in other popular cities such as Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, and Pattaya, is that the cost of living here is quite economical. It’s possible to get by on a fraction of what others pay in top hotspots such as those listed above. Reasonable budgets for life in Chiang Mai depend on your standard of living, but it can all be had from as low as 10,000 baht (US $300), to a more lavish 60,000 baht (US $1800) per month. Comfortable living comes quite cheap for all here as the average Thai professional is usually living off perhaps 8,000-12,000 baht per month. That average keeps prices of foods and most consumer goods relatively cheap.

How to Go About It

For those wishing to rent before purchasing a home, there are many options from studio apartments, to full apartments and condos, all the way up to renting an entire home. Smaller units that are simply a flat to sleep in and watch a little TV run very cheap in the neighborhood of just a couple thousand baht per month. Conveniences, as well as security are what you may find yourself exchanging for the cheap deal. However, when budgets allow for something closer to 10,000 baht and above, housing situations similar to what you are used to in your native country become quite attainable.

Most houses or condos that cost from 8,000-15,000 baht and up will offer all of the comforts you expect in a home, including several bedrooms and bathrooms, western toilets, storage space, a yard or public facilities, cable TV, internet, and overall much better diggs. The further out from the city center you go, the better the bargains you’ll find for your money. Be prepared to shop around for awhile before deciding.

Other Costs of Living in Chiang Mai

After paying for your rent, you will find that most daily expenses like food, and even luxuries like entertainment, are a bargain for those living here. You can choose to live like the Thais and eat mainly on the streets at foodstalls or no-frills establishments for as low as 100 baht per day. If you like to eat in nicer surrounding, the same Thai food will cost double or more. Western food of all types is available here as well, from every point around the world - East and West, in fact - but be prepared to pay for it, though still much less than you would back home.

Chiang Mai boasts many places where you can get out and about on a budget. Our major malls offer a variety of cinemas, and often have discos and other strolling and shopping-type entertainment nearby. Prices for movies average around 100 baht, and admission to most clubs is free. For those who enjoy the occasional drink, there are also all manner of bars in town, to suit all class of pursuits. The bars also have their specialties as you would expect; some cater mostly to foreigners, others to Thais, some have a good mix of both, and others are sports bars or pubs for having a chat with friends.

Getting Around

It’s not necessary to own a vehicle in Chiang Mai. This is a major convenience to many that are used to large payments for vehicles and insurance. In Chiang Mai it is quite affordable to get around by songtaew and tuktuk, though expenses do eventually add up on a small scale. If you live in the center of the city, chances are you will find yourself out walking for the morning coffee, or to go pick up a paper and meet a friend, needing no public transport at all.

Many people buy or rent scooters and motorcycles while here. For many this is simply a risk they would rather not take, and that is fine. For others who feel relatively safe on two wheels, they are able to get around with relative ease even when traffic is at a standstill for cars. Parking a bike is also quite easy. They are low cost, easy to maintain, and the places that can service your bike are often several to a block; bikes prove themselves very convenient for getting around town. 

The biggest drawbacks of course, are the inherent safety risks, and the difficulties endured during the rainy season.

Maintaining your Health in Chiang Mai

Like most things in Chiang Mai, seeing the doctor and even getting specialized treatment is a relative bargain compared with your home country. Furthermore, many doctors here have actually trained or studied abroad and then returned to Thailand to live, so you can feel assured you will receive good care while here.

For smaller needs, seek out one of the many clinics that are run by doctors working independently outside of the hospital system. Surprisingly, costs for a minor check up and some medicine will often run you less than 1,000 baht.

For more serious medical attention you have your choice in services and prices. There are many hospitals in town with reasonable pricing such as the one connected with Chiang Mai University, Suan Dok Hospital. There you can receive attention from doctors who are also usually on staff as university lecturers as well, and are aware of the latest techniques. Prices are very reasonable, though finding your way in such a large public hospital is daunting to many at first.

Others, like Chiang Mai Ram, are more pricey but cater especially to Thai high society and Western patients. They understand your concerns and standards, and are well versed in helping you get through the paperwork and treatments you are seeking. For those who do not mind paying double what they may pay elsewhere, places like Chiang Mai Ram located just outside the city moat are ideal. Keep in mind that even their higher prices are still just a fraction of Western hospital prices.

Dental

Much like hospital care in Chiang Mai, dental care can be had at various levels of comfort and affordability. Cheap services with no frills are available from the public hospitals, and pricier options can be had at private clinics all over town. In many cases, it should be noted that the same dentists rotate throughout many clinics and offices, giving the same services for different prices in different locations.

Thai Lessons

Life in Chiang Mai can be mysterious unless you try to pick up on some of the native language. Many language schools around town have classes for this such as the longstanding AUA. It takes time for most, but learning Thai pays many benefits for the foreigner who can show deference to their host country with a few polite exchanges in Thai when necessary. Many people also take up lessons when new in town as it is a great social activity during which you can meet other foreigners new to the country and make new friends.