I've only stayed in the city of Chiang Mai and never really ventured further than Doi Suthep. 

Rural north is quite slow, people are a little reserved but very friendly,  initiating interactions goes a long way. Being retired in the rural north is no different than anywhere else in the world, stay active or get bored and possibly go insane. The wife has business in rural lampang and cm city, so finding time to be bored is quite challenging. Western food is bleak, it might be challenging if you’re the type that gets tired of Thai food, though counterfeit hamburgers are always available at 7.

They'll love you as long as you keep buying beer and whiskey. sa soi

Don't know, I've been here in CM the past 16 years.

Not found anything worth visiting beyond Sticky Waterfalls.

40Km north of the city.

45 minutes ago, chawbdurian said:

I've only stayed in the city of Chiang Mai and never really ventured further than Doi Suthep. 

No need to ask what life is like, and you've already decided not to venture out and find anything different.

 

Please tell us you just arrived in CM, and haven't lived there for years.  The 'city' of CM would be the last place I go, when in CM province.  Thought it one of the worse large metros in TH, and that's saying a lot.

29 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

They'll love you as long as you keep buying beer and whiskey. sa soi

Once you get right up near the border you will find a lot of fin/opium.

2 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Once you get right up near the border you will find a lot of fin/opium.

Names and contact info please.

15 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Once you get right up near the border you will find a lot of fin/opium.

I thought 'fin' was the Thai word for a woman in the mood for loving.

That reminds me of a Victoria Wood sketch....it only lasted about 20secs.

 

A female newscaster looking very serious looks into the camera and says.........

 

"I would like to apologise to our viewers in the North"

 

"It must be awful for you"

I come every year for at least 4 Months staying in Udon Thani but a few days through the week I stay at the girlfriends mums house out in the sticks close tp Amphur Phen. There are no bars or very little things to do but for peace n serenity suits me down to the ground. We might jump on the bike to her dads place in the next village where i'm now accepted and the locals are friendly towards me. For a home comfort I bring my firestick with me to watch sport and English TV.