Is Chiang Mai A Good Place To Live?

[Zachry]

Members:

I would like for sincere input on Chiang Mai. There are three primary questions on my mind:

1. Good Moo Baans to search for in buying a house 2-3MM Baht price range.

2. Hospitals that may accept US military health plans, Tricare.

3. Adequacy of the health care infrastructure, emergency rooms, ambulances, staff experience, etc.

I apologize in advance to anyone that may already have answered these type questions in the past, but recent information has additional value.

Thanks to the Members...

[elektrified]

1. Farangs can't buy land/homes in Thailand. Perhaps you should research this.

2. There was a discussion on this very same subject just recently in the Health, Body and Medicine Forum. You could learn a lot by reading that thread.

3. The health care infrastructure, providers, etc. are more than adequate and abundant. There are many resources available. There was a recent discussion in the C.M. Forum on calling an ambulance. The consensus: Best to transport the patient to the hospital in the back of a pick-up truck. There is only a 50% chance that they would be able to locate you if called.

[Just1Voice]

As far as I'm concerned, Chiang Mai is a great place to live. I love it here.

I live in a relatively new (4-5 yr old) housing development, where the houses run from about ฿1.5m for a single story, and up from that for the 2 story. Gated, security guards, everyone is very friendly. There are also other new housing developments nearby. It's about a 20 minuted drive into the city itself from here, all on highways.

As for the health care in regards to military plans, I think, but I'm not positive on this, that Chiang Mai Ram is the only one here that is approved for that at the time. It's a very modern hospital with excellent services (I've used it myself a few times). I would suggest you contact the VFW Post here in Chiang Mai for further information in regards to that issue. (http://www.vfw-chiangmai.org/)

[Sao Jiang Mai]

Chiang Mai is a fantastic place to live. And unlike other great places in the world, it is great for all income groups. You can live a wonderful life for less than 30,000 or live at dizzying plateaus of hundreds of thousands. Marvellous.

[IanForbes]

There have been lots of threads on what there is to do in Chiang Mai. A little research will show you that. I love the place, but everyone's expectations are different. I can't answer the specifics of your questions, but electrified gave a good answer.

Like most of us would recommend... take a long holiday of about 5 months here and then decide. You MUST stay longer than a month or it's like looking through rose coloured glasses. Short holiday visits are totally unrealistic to long term living. You can get a triple entry tourist visa that would allow you to stay for approximately 180 days. The tourist visa is relatively cheap.

[Zachry]

Thanks to all for the wonderful input and quick reply.

Moving presents a complex set of issues, and a move abroad complicates it further.

I will do further research as suggested.

Just1Voice: Can you name a few representative subdivisions that seem to appeal to you. This would be helpful in grounding the Wife's search.

Thanks again...

[Just1Voice]

Thanks to all for the wonderful input and quick reply.

Moving presents a complex set of issues, and a move abroad complicates it further.

I will do further research as suggested.

Just1Voice: Can you name a few representative subdivisions that seem to appeal to you. This would be helpful in grounding the Wife's search.

Thanks again...

This is the one I live in. I'll go out later today and the the names of a few more that are in the area.

http://www.thanapornlakehome.com/

Keep in mind the web site photos were taken some time back, and there have been some definite improvements since then. If you want, send me a pm and I'll send you some more recent photos of the village.