BayLay

OP - Does your wife know that she can still keeps her Thai citizenship and her Thai passport after becoming a US citizen ?

Ezra- I do have an idea of the price in Bangkok.  You are right, it's crazy.  My other brother has a nice house in one of the high-end moobaans near Fashion Island in Bangkok.   about $1 million all said and done.  (30+million baht).   He could have bought one of the lakeside mansions where I live.  But over there, it was just a nice house in a nice neighborhood.  I was also disappointed in the build quality overall, which is might as well, since I cannot afford it.  :-)

still hoping to hear from people who have rented a reasonable quality housing in Chiang Mai.   Thanks again.

Thanks for your opinions.   

Nanlaew- I found it true that as we get older, bigger house is more of a burden than joy.  So I want a small and easy to maintain place.  Still hoping for a bit of privacy if possible.

Hi...

i am brand new here.  Currently still working in US but thinking of (somewhat) early retirement and moving to Chiang Mai within the next 5 years.  I am a Thai and US citizen.  My spouse is American.

My brother moved to Chiang Mai 10 years ago and we are thinking of retiring there, may be part time.  We recently went to Chiang Mai to scope out housing and was quite surprised at how much it costs.to buy a decent house there.  We live in a suburb in Midwest, and have a new 2,000 sqft house with good size landscaped garden for a little more than $200,000.    Grocery stores and a couple of casual restaurants within walking distance.  Yet the subdivision is quiet and only 15 minutes from work.

if we want something like that in Chiang Mai, it would cost much more.   Not sure if we want to sink our money in it.

i am thinking of renting a small (but comfortable and nice) house, or even condo, instead.  But not sure if that will be a good idea.  Would appreciate your opinions.  Thank you.