webworldly

If I promise to keep the "CR is paradise" secret... ..can anyone help with:

Any rec's for a good gym in Chaing Rai?

Any rec's for a good long term serviced apartment rental?

CHEERS!

D

If you are younger than 45 Chiang Mai might offer you more.

If you are older Chiang Rai will perfectly do.

I worked for a while for a famous family in Sankampaeng and had my office in Chiang Mai.

I liked the stimulating atmosphere as my jig also included activities at Chiang Mai University.

But every time I drove into Chiang Rai again I felt like a comfortable coat was draped around my shoulders (it can be rather cold during the winter months).

Chiang Rai is relaxed and offers all kind of possibilities to spend your free time and if you might consider to have too much of it there are all kinds of volunteer work you can engage in.

Welcome to check out!

Limbo

There is a wonderfully common element in the descriptions of Chiang Rai that folks have offered that makes it sound like a great place to live!

Has anyone here lived in both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai? What's the difference in day to day life like? What did you like best about each? What did you like least about each? What did you miss most about one when you were in the other? If you were going to live in either one for several years....which one would it be....and why?

CHEERS!

D

hello webworldly

everything you want is here in chaingrai,over the years the ex-pats that stay here for more than 3 months finish up making there home here.

if you want to spend 45,000 baht a month on rent etc you can take your pick of buckingham palace or the white house,but if you only want something that is on par to what you are renting now, i would say you can get for 8 to 10 thousnd baht .

Hey Soap....I was just speaking with someone else who mentioned Chiang Rai. Can you give me an example or two of serviced apartment properties you might recommend there?

Side note: Interesting to see that so far most of the responses in this thread have leaned more toward the mountainous North than the beach areas of the South.

For many people...."paradise" comes hand in hand with oceans and margaritas. It's cool to see that the "misty mountains" region evokes the same sentiment from so many folks here.

CHEERS!

D

Here's some views from fourth floor, downtown Chiang Mai:

To the west - Chedi Luang and Doi Suthep:

To the east - Top North Hotel and the eysore, they're building at the corner of Loi Kroh and Chang Klan:

To the north east - Amari Hotel:

Very Cool!

OK....the view out of my studio apartment window at the moment is.....less than "very cool". I see concrete.....lots and lots of concrete.

The good news is.....I took the advice of someone here and went for a stroll through Lumphini Park today. Nice! They even have an open air "gym" in the middle of the park.....with weights....and there are even mirrors so folks can flex and pose while watching themselves. Lol! Nothing wrong with that at all.....it was just unexpected to see it in the interior of a park.

CHEERS!

D

I've been looking at Chiang Mai serviced apartments online. Many of the sites don't have a "photo gallery".

For a serviced apartment....on a budget of 45,000 BAHT per month for a studio or 1-bedroom place that must cover rent, high speed internet directly in the room, utilities, gym, laundry, and maid service.....

....how sweeeeeet of a view can you get on that budget? Do you have pics?

On that budget....and with great view and healthy air as the goal....what part of town would be best? Any specific properties come to mind?

CHEERS!

D

When are you wanting to start your rental period and for how long?

I'd like to start the rental anytime after August 5, 2006......and would consider a rental period of anywhere from 3 months to 6 months depending on the value, amenities, and "feel" of the unit, the property, and the area.

As for the exact start date....I'm flexible. I can stay in the apartment I am now in Bangkok for as long as I want....and in fact, if I leave here in August, I will have to pay a higher rate for the time I was here than if I hang out here for a few more months (meaning I would owe the difference between the "short term rate" and the "long term rate").

That said....as of August 5th or so....the things that I needed to take care of here in Bangkok will be done....and I really would like to get to a place that feels healthier for the lungs, mind, body, and soul.

Know what I mean?

CHEERS!

D

overall Phuket is pretty awesome ...

we all do life here differently

but you sure aren't gonna find a first-class gym or a good grocery store on a mountain-side

I am guessing you don't speak Thai yet which explains the serviced apartment thing ...

I rent a 2BR house in a quietish beach town in Phuket pay 9k/mo .. ADSL goes in this week ...gym in town ,,, good food choices etc around. Best of all .. clean air and peaceful surroundings nesteled in a bowl between mountains and the beach

You are correct, sir! I'm a no Thai speaking Farang at the moment. But....I am committed to changing that status once I settle in to the place I'm seeking....and can then work with a tutor long term.

For now....I need the "hand holding" afforded by serviced apartments.

If you really did want to spend all of that 45k then take a look at Twin Peaks but I don't know how close they get to 'serviced apartments' but they are pretty much brand new or maybe second block isn't even complete yet? Again I stopped looking 2 year ago so you'll have to check latest but they are (to me) extremely pricey for this end of Thailand.

Interesting! I came across the sister property for Twin Peaks while I was doing my online searches ("Peaks Garden Condos")......but I hadn't seen anything about Twin Peaks until you mentioned it. From what I see online the last update by their real estate agents said "finishing date June 2006".

Does anyone know if any of the apartments in Twin Peaks have allowed move-in by residents yet? Any early reports/reviews on what life is like there?

Mountains or beaches or forest......doesn't matter as long as it has clean air.......high speed internet.....a gym.....and a monthly rate of less than 45k BAHT all in.

OK....I know full well this is a difficult thing to find....but that's the fun part of the "search for paradise", right?

If being "in the city"....if being "in any city".....wasn't a requirement....would some of the mountain side resorts offer this sort of combination of amenitites/services....or would getting outside of the city likely mean no high speed internet?

Greetings!

Can anyone give a review of the Northern Heritage -- Lamphun Golf Club course near Chiang Mai? Even better, has anyone stayed at the hotel there?

What are the hotel rooms like?

What's the restaurant like?

What's the fitness facility like?

Friendly staff?

CHEERS!

D

Here's my view from Viangbua Mansion. 12,000 THB per month on a month-to-month contract.

It has high-speed internet in the rooms and everywhere in the hotel, has a gym too. Although the rooms are small and the beds not-comfortable (to my standards). I'm trying to find something else myself, but I really don't know here to look. If anyone of you guys who have posted, can either give more details about the price your paying, the length of the contract you are in and such, I would greatly appreciate. I'm looking for something bigger and nicer. Thank you!

Hey Kudroz....

Great picture!

You mention that you're looking for a different apartment.....do you know how Viangbua Mansion compares with the Royal Peninsula Apartments (and hotel)?

How is the WIFI speed and reliability at Viangbua?

CHEERS!

D

There's just one thing. Bangkok doesn't offer the healthy lifestyle that I desire. I crave....clean air, peaceful surroundings, lots of trees and greenery.

You signed a 45,000B/M rental agreement and had no knowledge of the pollution in BKK????????

I had a few things I needed to tend to here in Bangkok.

Once the "tending" is done....I want healthier air.

I've been looking at Chiang Mai serviced apartments online. Many of the sites don't have a "photo gallery".

For a serviced apartment....on a budget of 45,000 BAHT per month for a studio or 1-bedroom place that must cover rent, high speed internet directly in the room, utilities, gym, laundry, and maid service.....

....how sweeeeeet of a view can you get on that budget? Do you have pics?

On that budget....and with great view and healthy air as the goal....what part of town would be best? Any specific properties come to mind?

CHEERS!

D

Chiang Mai

Hey Jockstar....

I'm exploring serviced apartments in Chiang Mai right now online.

What part of the city do you recommend?

Any specific property....or hotel....or serviced apartment that you would think best for a longer term stay of 4 to 6 months?

CHEERS!

D

Greetings!

Thanks to everyone here....this first month has been a good one. I was able to learn so much from this site in advance of my arrival by reading.....searching....and then reading some more. Very cool!

So....my serviced apartment in Bangkok has the three things I need.

1. High Speed internet access directly in my room

2. First class gym within walking distance

3. Grocery store within walking distance

I pay 45,000 BAHT per month for a studio apartment, and that pays for.....rent, all utilities, laundry (there's a washing machine in my room), internet, gym, and daily maid servicing.

OK....great.

There's just one thing. Bangkok doesn't offer the healthy lifestyle that I desire. I crave....clean air, peaceful surroundings, lots of trees and greenery.

If I leave Bangkok in search of healthier surroundings....where should I go? North? South? East?

I need a city that is modern enough to have High Speed internet available in the hotel/apartment room (not just the lobby).....and a modern gym......but I need a city that is not overrun with pollution or noise......and I need a city where 45,000 BAHT per month for a studio or 1-bedroom place can cover rent, internet, utilities, gym, laundry, and maid service.

*sigh*

I know there are great places like this......and I know some of you are reading this message right now while LIVING in one of these great places. I can picture how happy you are there!

Where are the places like this?

CHEERS!

D

Suk 24 is a great location for someone new to BKK to start. However, if your budget doesn't run to it, you may need to be flexible and be prepared to live a little distance away. As I wrote before, I suggest checking somewhere like Oakwood serviced apartments which are about a 15 minute taxi ride away down in Yannawa (toward the river). No agenda here, just that I drive past it twice a day and it looks great!

CC

Hey Cap'n

I saw the website for the Oakwood serviced apartments....and they do look sweeeeet! The rates they quote on their reservation form, however, are actually higher than the PP rates. Now that's not exactly an apples to apples comparison....since to make it fair one would have to compare the "best negotiated total rate" for whatever the duration of the stay would be. I didn't do that with Oakwood....so I can't speak to it. As for amenitites....the gym, the gym.....ohhhhh the gym. The PP one sure looks cool.

Heck...I may just run out of excuses not to exercise if it's as cool as it looks!

CHEERS!

D

Wow! This is such a great group of people here on ThaiVisa.

I'm not saying anything that you veterans don't already know.....but from the perspective of a board newbie (and soon to be neighbor in Bangkok...as of next week!).....I want you to know how much I appreciate all of the feedback I received.

Give me a bit of time to settle in.....and then if there's anything I can do to help anyone, let me know.

I lived at Pres Park on Suk 24 for about 2 years, until about 2 years ago. I think it's a great place. Fantastic location, particularly if you're new to BKK. The 'Capitol Club' gym is really good, and my kids loved the swimming pool. There's a TOPS built underneath the Capital Club, so it is indeed a 2 minute walk.

They renovated a lot of the rooms a couple of years back. Try and get one of those.

So many things around that area, I don't think I ever ate 'in'!

If your employer is paying the rent, then go for it. I only moved on because it got a little expensive for me. Now I live in Bangkok Garden, on Narathiwat 24. That's not a serviced place but there's Oakwood next door which is serviced and does look very palatial indeed. 'Up to you' as someone around here once said.....

Thank you, Cap'n .......the feedback on the gym helps a lot.

What I am mainly looking for is "efficiency" in my daily life (which is very much regimented/structured). This means I want to have everything I need all at the same place....all readily accessible...and all of sufficient quality/reliability.

**Studio or 1 bedroom with comfortable Queen-sized bed

**Full Service Gym (not just a "workout room")

**Reliable High Speed Internet in the unit

**Washer/Dryer for clothes in unit

**Grocery store with fresh veggies/meat within short walk

I really don't care how "upscale" a place is...but the thing is....every place I have found that meets these criteria ends up being (somewhat expectedly) on the upscale price side.

Any alternative places come to mind?

I stayed at the President Park a little less than a year ago. I was at the one on Sukhumvit Soi 24 though, which is different than the one you're talking about I believe. I would say it was ok. Rooms didn't look quite as nice as they do on the internet though, they are actually a bit older. I didn't use the internet in my room so I can't comment on that. Then the only food I ever ate there was the breakfast. Overall, it was a pretty good place to stay but it is surely not the 5 Star, high class place they make it look like on the internet.

Interesting that you would say that. I've been wondering how it would compare to what their online presence suggests....because like you said, they make it look pretty darn good. Thank you for the info!

(I think we are indeed talking about the same place.....the address for the one I have been looking at online is....95 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Bangkok 10110)

I live right behind it

Hey Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhchie......

Thank you for the reply. I noticed that you joined ThaiVisa about a year ago. How long have you been living in Bangkok? Can I ask what made you choose Bangkok over the other areas of Thailand that are more green, sandy, or mountainous?

CHEERS!

D

Greetings!

Have any of you guys had experiences with the President Park Hotel / Serviced Apartments? I'm contemplating a stay there that could be several months.....and I'd sure appreciate any feedback from anyone who knows of the place.

Are the rooms quiet?

Is there a big difference between the Maple Tower and the other tower (I forget the other one's name)?

How's the gym? They sure do seem proud of it

How's the food? Anyone eat lunch or dinner there? Aside from alcohol, what would lunch or dinner in their restaurant cost (approximately)?

How's the internet speed in the rooms?

Is the hotel within walking distance of the Tops grocery store located at:

745 Sukhumvit Rd., North Klongton,

Wattana, Bangkok 10110

What would the "real" walking time be to get there? (the hotel said "2 minutes")

CHEERS!

D