Locating To Chiangmai

[Halo]

Hi

Locating to Chiang Mai soon, I will be up to have a scout around but would like some input first.

House Prices to Buy or Rent, a house 3/4 Bedroom with a garden for the Bulldog and Cat.

The best area for location, I do not have children so schools are not at the forefront of choice for location.

Also a Hotel for my recce in the next 3 weeks.

All advice will be appreciated.

[ThaiPauly]

Rent first see if you like it, Tawan Court Hotel at 500 baht a nite is pretty cool, next to Porn Ping, if you are staying a long time I know you can get a room for 7,000 baht a month, you may be able to knock em down a bit over three weeks.

The number is 53284212-20

www.tawancourthotel.com

e-mail [email protected].

[ProThaiExpat]

If the Tawan Court Hotel is the one I am thinking of, it is in a good farang area location for starters and certainly any accomodation that is decent for that price is good for a starter.

Location to rent is primarily a matter of personal choice. If you will have a car, your choices are a great more varied. Certainly you don't want to rent near the airport or in the area south of Chiang Mai affected by the airport expansion.

Your need to meet other farang, socialize or eat in farang restaurants is an important consideration regarding location.

If you are an athlete, the sports stadium complex north of Chiang Mai would be a consideration.

If you are an academic, perhaps near Chiang Mai University would be important.

Finding a good house to rent is only part of the problem. Finding a decent landlord is another. There are as many "horror stories" about Thai landlords as their are rentals available. My condo owner (dutch) was one of the worst landlords in the world, a real scammer.

Kuhn Linda, of Linda Real Estate, number in all farang magazines, has the best reputation as an agent to find you a rental and treating her like gold will get you the farthest in protection from landlord in lease and all the little things like electricity, water, cable, telephone, garbage collection and the like.

Good luck.

[chanchao]

I never used real estate agencies.. I think there's no need for them unless your company sends you over to work and you have exactly 3 days to get settled before starting work and the company doesn't care what it costs. And of course you end up paying an unknown amount to the agency.. For no reason.. If you give it a week or two, YOU YOURSELF will know best what area you prefer, much better than an agent would. ProThaiExpat listed some good possible considerations about where you'd want to be. You will have to decide which ones (or other ones) are important to you and then just go drive through the area of choice and write down phone numbers of houses for rent or sale. Of course, real estate agents often drive you around looking and prospects for free.. this may not be a bad thing to get your bearings, and hey, it's free!

As for land lords, perhaps I've been lucky. I move around quite a lot, mostly because after settling in Thailand my own requirements kept changing all the time. (Be in town - have a 'proper' house - be outside of town with a garden - no time for gardening, want to be a tad closer - "hm, Mae Kha canal is not so clean most of the year" - "Maybe those housing estates aren't so bad after all", etc.

The worst was actually the first one, more or less oriented at Farang renters by an English-Thai couple. The English guy, who many of you here will know, was pretty alright, but his wife seemed to wear the pants around the house and take care of business. She was being real difficult, didn't seem to trust anyone even with one baht for one day, etc.

After that I had a Thai-Chinese landlord, great people. Then a Thai-Muslim (or Thai-Chinese-Muslim rather) landlord, he was absolutely awesome, coming in himself on Sunday morning to fix the toilet.. Then a young local Thai Muang guy, so so, but not bad and rent was cheap, and now I rent from people my girlfriend found and who I've never seen but did pay for fixing the water pump without even coming to see if it was actually broken or not.. So good relationship there as well.

Finally: DONT pay such a large deposit!!! So many 'farangs' seem to fall into this trap. Aside from the first house I rented, deposit has always just been one month's rent. (Deposit may be a tad higher if there's a lot of furniture or equipment/airconditioners in the house, but shoudl NOT be excessive)

Prices I paid over the years for different houses were: 6000 baht, 6500 baht, 3500 baht, 4000 baht and now 5000 baht. Houses ranged all over the place, from a simple row-house (townhouse) to a BIG villa with a one rai garden around. And you can't see from the price which is which!! (Hint!) One more hint: The house next to mine is pretty much the same as mine.. Also Farang renter.. they pay THREE TIMES as much rent as I do! Is he nuts? Nah, the guy just hasn't learned about upcountry Thai prices yet.

Cheers,

Chanchao

[Halo]

Thanks Guys

This is most informative, I really need a house with a garden, does not have to be grassed, hardstanding is fine as I have a Bulldog and 2 cats. I will also wish to purchase a vehicle when I am up there, I assume they have car sales or should I purchase here in BKK?

May be up om Monday.

[chanchao]

> I will also wish to purchase a vehicle when I am up there, I

> assume they have car sales or should I purchase here in BKK?

Well.. depending on the make and model, Bangkok may be slightly more competative.. But then you have to be willing to invest more time going there, driving it up here and re-registering it on a Chiang Mai license plate. (or don't do this, but then you have to go to the Bangkok transport office every year to pay your tax). AND drive around with Bangkok plates. That's a no-no for proud Chiang Maians like us here.. ;-)

Overall I don't think it's worth it, though I know of at least two Thai friends/collegues who actually did make the effort to go get their (new) car in Bangkok. If I were to buy Toyota, avoiding the Niyom Panich monopoly would be almost worth it all by itself...... :-) (On a side note, I think this is why you see **relatively** fewer Toyota's in Chiang Mai compared to Bangkok, which is crawling with them.)

Cheers,

Chanchao

[p1p]

There are several vehicle sales places around, take your choice.

Many houses with garden are available in the purpouse built Moo Bahn around the city. There are a few in the Moo Bahn where I live, to the South of CM but off the airport flight path.

It is always best to rent property here, at least in the first instance. The only truly valid reason to buy is if you just "have to own" your own dream home. Rental costs are so much cheaper than purchasing and there is a glut of property on the market now.

If you want to buy, I strongly suggest finding some good land and building to your own dream design.

Good luck.

If you want further advice, drop into Mango Tree... (am is best!)

[Thetyim]

Rent first see if you like it, Tawan Court Hotel at 500 baht a nite is pretty cool, next to Porn Ping, if you are staying a long time I know you can get a room for 7,000 baht a month, you may be able to knock em down a bit over three weeks.

The number is 53284212-20

www.tawancourthotel.com

e-mail [email protected].

I think the website is at www.tawancourt.com

[Halo]

Most informative so far.

May I be blunt and ask where the nicest part of Chiang Mai is for location. 3/4 Bed Detached House with garden. Near a Big C or Tesco.

A bar close by would be an advantage, especially a sports bar with Pool Table.

[chanchao]

> May I be blunt and ask where the nicest part of Chiang Mai is for

> location. 3/4 Bed Detached House with garden. Near a Big C or Tesco.

The hypermarkets are pretty much around town in a nice circle along the ring road, so anywhere not too far out of town will also be close to a Big C or Tesco (or Carrefour). Actually Hang Dong district will get a Tesco as well in the near future, so you could even be WAY out and still be a 10 minute drive from a hypermarket..

As for 'nicest part' this depends completely on your requirments and what you consider 'nice'. For me, being close to Tesco or Big C wouldn't even make it to the list of requirements. For me also traffic would be a considetation, but then I have to be at the office weekdays at 8:30am. If you are retired then you couldn't care less if some intersection closest to your house is clogged up daily between 8 and 9am.

Maybe the answer should just be: ALL parts are nice! ;-) You might as well ask "Who is the most beautiful woman".. you're mileage may vary, and beauty & nice-ness are in the eye of the beholder..

Cheers,

Chanchao

[Tj555]

Rent first see if you like it, Tawan Court Hotel at 500 baht a nite is pretty cool, next to Porn Ping, if you are staying a long time I know you can get a room for 7,000 baht a month, you may be able to knock em down a bit over three weeks.

The number is 53284212-20

www.tawancourthotel.com

e-mail [email protected].

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The price sounds good, location good, the amenities ok.

But their pictures make it look like a coffin:

http://www.tawancourt.com/hotel3.htm

(is that a fridge next to the bathroom door?)

I'm looking for a place to stay for a few months, located next to everything (I prefer to walk than negotiate every time I want to go somewhere, and the idea of driving in thailand is not a popular one with me).

Any recommendations for Hotel:

-Monthly rates; 7k was a reasonable enough figure,

-central location

-aircon

-fridge (minibar is fine)

-tv/ubc

-phone that allows for unmetered use, even if pay per call (for internet access) (how common is this, anyway? my hotel in BKK has it at 6 baht per call)

-preferably a deck for drying laundry (paying 30 baht to wash a shirt is not in the cards, and some outside thai laundries return clothes dirtier than when I sent them out)

[Rob5060]

Try Royal Lanna right in the middle of everything and good big rooms 7000 baht a month.

The views are pretty amazing too.

[chanchao]

This is a new place... A bit 'different' location, but, wow.. looks nice. And in town.

http://www.viangbuamansion-chiangmai.com/

[chuchok]

Rent first see if you like it, Tawan Court Hotel at 500 baht a nite is pretty cool, next to Porn Ping, if you are staying a long time I know you can get a room for 7,000 baht a month, you may be able to knock em down a bit over three weeks.

The number is 53284212-20

www.tawancourthotel.com

e-mail [email protected].

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The price sounds good, location good, the amenities ok.

But their pictures make it look like a coffin:

http://www.tawancourt.com/hotel3.htm

(is that a fridge next to the bathroom door?)

I'm looking for a place to stay for a few months, located next to everything (I prefer to walk than negotiate every time I want to go somewhere, and the idea of driving in thailand is not a popular one with me).

Any recommendations for Hotel:

-Monthly rates; 7k was a reasonable enough figure,

-central location

-aircon

-fridge (minibar is fine)

-tv/ubc

-phone that allows for unmetered use, even if pay per call (for internet access) (how common is this, anyway? my hotel in BKK has it at 6 baht per call)

-preferably a deck for drying laundry (paying 30 baht to wash a shirt is not in the cards, and some outside thai laundries return clothes dirtier than when I sent them out)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I stayed at Boonthavon court just over 18 months ago.Brand new and very nice rooms. The owner and his wife were perhaps the nicest Thai people I have met.

Web site: Boonthavon Court

The guest house is only 3 mins walk from Thaepae gate and 1 min away from the sunday walking street market and lots of resturants etc.

There is a lady that washes clothes across the soi from the guest house and the average load costs about THB35.Does a great job too.

We stayed there for 3 months untill we found a house. Kun Daeng who is the owners wife helped us no end as we were both new to the area.

The only problem is that they are quite full most of the year,because it is new and reasonably priced.The owner is a commercial builder and built this place with a lot more 'European flare" than you would expect from a Thai

[Steve2UK]

Rent first see if you like it, Tawan Court Hotel at 500 baht a nite is pretty cool, next to Porn Ping, if you are staying a long time I know you can get a room for 7,000 baht a month, you may be able to knock em down a bit over three weeks.

The number is 53284212-20

www.tawancourthotel.com

e-mail [email protected].

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The price sounds good, location good, the amenities ok.

But their pictures make it look like a coffin:

http://www.tawancourt.com/hotel3.htm

(is that a fridge next to the bathroom door?)

I'm looking for a place to stay for a few months, located next to everything (I prefer to walk than negotiate every time I want to go somewhere, and the idea of driving in thailand is not a popular one with me).

Any recommendations for Hotel:

-Monthly rates; 7k was a reasonable enough figure,

-central location

-aircon

-fridge (minibar is fine)

-tv/ubc

-phone that allows for unmetered use, even if pay per call (for internet access) (how common is this, anyway? my hotel in BKK has it at 6 baht per call)

-preferably a deck for drying laundry (paying 30 baht to wash a shirt is not in the cards, and some outside thai laundries return clothes dirtier than when I sent them out)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I stayed at Boonthavon court just over 18 months ago.Brand new and very nice rooms. The owner and his wife were perhaps the nicest Thai people I have met.

Web site: Boonthavon Court

The guest house is only 3 mins walk from Thaepae gate and 1 min away from the sunday walking street market and lots of resturants etc.

There is a lady that washes clothes across the soi from the guest house and the average load costs about THB35.Does a great job too.

We stayed there for 3 months untill we found a house. Kun Daeng who is the owners wife helped us no end as we were both new to the area.

The only problem is that they are quite full most of the year,because it is new and reasonably priced.The owner is a commercial builder and built this place with a lot more 'European flare" than you would expect from a Thai

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is a hotel/guesthouse (weekly/monthly rate) the only option for the bulk of the stay in CM? I'm going to be in CM from February 10 - March 10 with a view to checking things out for moving to CM permanently later in the year.

At the moment my notion is to stay the first 3-4 nights at, say, Pornping Tower to get my bearings/acclimatise and to identify a short-term condo to move into for the rest of my stay (e.g. for 3 weeks). I like the idea of the condo because it's less claustrophobic/more private/better value than a hotel/guesthouse room (however nice the management may be).

Am I being unrealistic in this plan? If not, I'd appreciate recommendations of reasonably central condo's that have short-term rental with a few hotel-type facilities available. Viangbua Mansion looks a possibility - but maybe pricey for less than a month. And, given that I'm coming from chilly London, a pool would be a plus

Thanks in advance

Steve

[chuchok]

The one that I mentioned above is more like a condo than a guest house. very well set out though.I think their monthly rate is nowTHB6500.There are lots of others though.

Here's another that is very close to the night market.

Galar condo

Or the Top North Hotel...great Pool and location.

Top North

[Steve2UK]

The one that I mentioned above is more like a condo than a guest house. very well set out though.I think their monthly rate is nowTHB6500.There are lots of others though.

Here's another that is very close to the night market.

Galar condo

Or the Top North Hotel...great Pool and location.

Top North

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks chuchok (wow - that was quick! ). I'm really looking for an apartment (living room separate from bedroom, maybe basic kitchen facilities). Top North looks great for the location/price - but it seems to be purely a hotel set-up. Boonthavon Court also looks great - but again, seems to be rooms not apartments.

Plus for Viangbua is that it has wireless internet available - maybe goes some way to balance the lack of pool........ but I guess I should be able to do dial-up from any place that has direct-dial 'phone.

I'm also planning to rent a vehicle for the month I'm there. Last time I drove in Chiang Mai was ten years ago, so I'm wary of diving in the congestion deep end until I find my way around again

[chuchok]

The only other place that I can think of that is reasonably priced is the nakhon ping condo.We stayed there on a 6 month contrack.Nice pool and good security.Older building.

Nakhon Ping

A little bit out of town, but almost opposite Central (Kad Suan Kaew) department store. Easy to get transport from here though.

As with most things here, might pay for a native speaker to do any negotiations.

Here's a web site with a few of the other condos around town.

condo

Edited January 27, 2005 by chuchok

[Steve2UK]

The only other place that I can think of that is reasonably priced is the nakhon ping condo.We stayed there on a 6 month contrack.Nice pool and good security.Older building.

Nakhon Ping

A little bit out of town, but almost opposite Central (Kad Suan Kaew) department store. Easy to get transport from here though.

As with most things here, might pay for a native speaker to do any negotiations.

Here's a web site with a few of the other condos around town.

condo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks again - I didn't know that website. Nakhon Ping looks promising - I stayed that side of town before and prefered it (also easier on the driving front - I hope).

I agree about the native speaker for negotiation - and I certainly don't want to be handing boosted commission to a Bangkok-based agent through the website.

Edited January 27, 2005 by Steve2UK

[NaiGreg]

The Doi View (executive apartments, walking distance to Amari Rincome) is pretty nice and has *very* high speed (i.e. wired) jacks in every room.

http://66.199.183.104/~doiview/English/home2.htm

Only problem is the adjacent outdoor night club. Pleasant music, but can't hide from it at night.

Also, a water tower partially obstructs an otherwise fabulous view of ... well... can you guess?

[Steve2UK]

The Doi View (executive apartments, walking distance to Amari Rincome) is pretty nice and has *very* high speed (i.e. wired) jacks in every room.

http://66.199.183.104/~doiview/English/home2.htm

Only problem is the adjacent outdoor night club. Pleasant music, but can't hide from it at night.

Also, a water tower partially obstructs an otherwise fabulous view of ... well... can you guess?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks NaiGreg - looks good and the location is good. Not to mention the pics show that you get a free teddy bear to sleep with!

Is that music enough to keep you awake - and until what time?

[NaiGreg]

The Doi View (executive apartments, walking distance to Amari Rincome) is pretty nice and has *very* high speed (i.e. wired) jacks in every room.

http://66.199.183.104/~doiview/English/home2.htm

Only problem is the adjacent outdoor night club. Pleasant music, but can't hide from it at night.

Also, a water tower partially obstructs an otherwise fabulous view of ... well... can you guess?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks NaiGreg - looks good and the location is good. Not to mention the pics show that you get a free teddy bear to sleep with!

Is that music enough to keep you awake - and until what time?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not too bad with the windows closed and the a/c making a little white noise. They close around midnight.

[udon]

Excellent links guys.

I've bookmarked all except NAKHON PING

which won't work for me.

Thank you.

[Tj555]

A nice set of replies, with some good contenders; many thanks for your time. The following are interesting; questions attached to entries:

• Boonthavan
  http://www.boonthavon.com/map.html
  Nice location. Website is... sparse, to say the least. Rates sound good. Pictures look good. Still waiting for them to answer a mail asking for more information on amenities. Now if only they had highspeed internet
  Am I correct in reading that the 6,500 baht figure they mention is for monthly stay? How frequently do they change linens? What's the charge for local phone calls?
  -
  
• GALARE THONG TOWER Condominium
  http://www.chiangmai-online.com/galare/
  Location seems good, if it's close to the Night Bazaar. Their use of the phrase "HOTEL is situated in a quiet and remote area" bothers me a bit. How can it be in a remote area, if it's close to the entertainment area?
  -
  
• Viangbua Mansion Service Apartment
  http://www.viangbuamansion-chiangmai.com/superior_room1.htm
  Rate's a bit higher, but the facilities look worth it. Wireless internet would be sweeeet. Wired would be even better (security). However, their location seems... remote. The scale on the map is way out of whack, and they list "superhighway" as a nearby landmark, which would put it substantially outside of walking distance from the bar scene. Anyone have comments on how close this is to the entertainment areas?
  http://www.viangbuamansion-chiangmai.com/location.htm
  -
  
• Doi View
  http://66.199.183.104/~doiview/English/rates.htm
  Much like the Viang Bua Mansion, this sounds like a nice place. Cheaper, too. Love the highspeed internet. But much like Viang Bua, sounds out of the way. How easy is it to walk to say, the start of Loi Kroh at the moat?
  Couldn't find an intentional link to the map, but they allow browsing of the directory, which turned up this:
  http://66.199.183.104/~doiview/images/Map1.png
  -
  

[chanchao]

> The scale on the map is way out of whack, and they list "superhighway"

> as a nearby landmark, which would put it substantially outside of

> walking distance from the bar scene.

While not walking distance, it's closer in than many others. Like it's closer than if you'd be near the university. Chiang Mai is not a big city, but if you really want walking distance (to bars?!) then you really limit yourself.

Also........ Viangbua IS walking distance to bars. It just depends what kind of bars.

(wink wink nudge nudge) Like if places like Adam's Apple and Doi Boy are your thing, it's an easy walk!

Seriously, being close to bars is nice if you're ('that kind of') tourist, but longer term...

Cheers,

Chanchao

[Tj555]

> The scale on the map is way out of whack, and they list "superhighway"

> as a nearby landmark, which would put it substantially outside of

> walking distance from the bar scene.

While not walking distance, it's closer in than many others. Like it's closer than if you'd be near the university.   

Chiang Mai is not a big city, but if you really want walking distance (to bars?!) then you really limit yourself.

Also........ Viangbua IS walking distance to bars.  It just depends what kind of bars.

(wink wink nudge nudge)    Like if places like Adam's Apple and Doi Boy are your thing, it's an easy walk! 

Seriously, being close to bars is nice if you're ('that kind of') tourist, but longer term...   

Cheers,

Chanchao

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's not so much being close to the bargirl bars, but rather being close to a concentration of activity. Good (straight) bars, as I like to drink. Good cheap restaurants and food stalls. A bank branch. A grocery store. And the area I'm most familiar with is the area around Loi Kroh.

Perhaps there are the facilities I'm looking for near the other end of town. I tend to be a creature of habit, though - which is also why the walking part is important. I tend to go to the same places over and over again, and like that to be convienent.

[KhunMarco]

Hi there, since this thread has been so helpful for me , I thought I can add my two Liras ( oh yes by the way, I'm from Italy, 36 yo, so please excuse my stinky English ).

Tawan court was very good as a base to search for a long term rent around the city, though it's 600 bath a day now.

I was able to rent a brand new honda for 2300 bahts a month ( ok I'm sure you can find a better deal around, my skill are not so good when it comes to haggle, geez i have a soft hart )

Now the bad news...

Doi View seemed my best choice, 'cause wireless internet is a big plus to me, but... oh boy ! I was so disappointed with the place. First of all the "basic" room now is 8500 bath a month , not 7500 as stated in their web site. (told them to update it. With a big smile and the look as an answer...hihi..you know the look right?)

Now the room showed to me was not worth the money they were asking.

The furniture is all scratched and looks very old , I mean it's been used by a gang of teenagers or what?

Internet is another 1500 a month...yea sure, do you want me to bend at 90 degrees?

The facade is dirty, though this seems to be a general issue all around the city... too bad.

So i went to Lanna 3 to have a look, same story, don't be fooled by the pictures, GO AND HAVE A LOOK before making a reservation.

I went to a couple of others places but was not really satisfied. I mean ,I'm not looking for the moon, but I give value to my money and I expect to recieve the right service for the right money.

So in the end I went to a shitty place were I pay 3600 bath a month with hot water a tube and AE, well at least it's worth the money

Now why this little voice in my head keeps telling me KEE NEAOWWWW!!!

What does it mean??

Saluti

oh I forgot to tell you, Chiang mai n.1 in my list and I've been in Thailand for 6 months now, so I'm a newbee, but I learn fast.

Laeo jer kan na khrap!

Edited March 24, 2005 by KhunMarco

[sbaker8688]

What would you guys consider to be a good monthly rate for a hotel? All I want is for the room to be clean, with a shower/toilet, air conditioner, and cable TV so I can catch the news. Last time I was in Chiangmai (several months ago), I got a monthly rate of 300 baht a day, which I suppose works out to 9000 baht a month. It was just a small room with 2 small beds, and no phone. But it was clean and worked out just fine, which is all I ask. Can I do better?

Thanks.

[ProThaiExpat]

KhunMarco: You can do no wrong in my book since you come from a country which is my favorite to visit of all.

After three years in CM, I found an Italian baker and so my life here is even more complete as I enjoy his breads every day, it is worth traveling to his shop when I can't find it in Rimping Market.

I rented a "motorcie" for three months three years ago and my best price from a friend of my Thai was 100 Baht a day. You are doing fine.

Supply and demand works well is Thailand if the Thai proprieter is on site, not a local manager with a rich absent owner who cares little about day to day operations.

I would certainly go shopping for lodgings during the low season and negotiate your monthly rate at that time and reach an agreement that it won't be changed while your there regarless how long you stay.

It does take time for one's westernized eye to adjust to poor maintenance of properties, a chronic condition, in Thailand. Even the world class hospitals, Rama I, are in need of paint.

[KhunMarco]

Hey ProThaiExpat, thanks for the compliments to my country, yes often when I tell someone where i come from, (by the way I'm from Bologna...,nice city,best food in the world,beautiful women)they ask me what the h*ll I'm doing here.

Well ..not sure yet... rofl.

Mmmh Italian kanom pan, I'm just craving for a good slice of real bread , I guess you'll have to send me a PM with the address or name of this guy or I'm gonna cry . PLLLEAASSEEE

Good to know I'm doing fine renting the MBK.

Well I'm not here to bash DoiView nor I'm a spoiled guy, but the reality is that once you've seen the pictures on their website, your expectations are really different from what you find there.

I don't know when they took those pictures, must be the climate,the cheap painting, I don't know really... I hate to contraddict the poster who took his time to suggest the place, I bet things where different when he was staying there.

Yes I know maintenance has really a different meaning here, generally only the big companies seem to have funds to take care of their buildings.

I still have to decide where to settle here in Thailand (that's why I'm travelling all around) ,Chiang Mai Looks like a good candidate so far.

Thanks for your advice about the low season etc. I think it's very smart and useful to anyone who reads this thread

Sorry I realize the post is getting a bit to much personal for a forum, but I'm fresh here so I'm forgiven uh?

Ciao