Have I Missed The Real Chiang Mai?

[PeaceBlondie]

I'm starting to close in on two years of living in Chiang Mai, and I'll bet I've been missing out on a lot. I can't speak Thai (maybe 20 words now, plus the numbers), and my brain doesn't do well at interpreting what I hear. I don't know the names of the streets outside my immediate neighborhood. I constantly was uninformed at work (teaching full time, 3.5 semesters). I have a limited circle of acquaintances, even though I'm far from anti-social.

I mention all this because I'm thinking of moving to the beach, which might be far more isolated (been there, done that in Mexico). Even if I stay in CMai, I plan to break up with my long-term Thai partner and get by on my own. I suspect the Thai partner has been shielding me from the competition. I will have more spare time, working no more than 3 days per week. I only drink about one beer a month, and it dawns on me that talkers love to congregate in pubs.

Any suggestions on how I can broaden my life experiences in CMai?

Signed, restless in Chiang Mai

[chuchok]

I'm starting to close in on two years of living in Chiang Mai, and I'll bet I've been missing out on a lot.  I can't speak Thai (maybe 20 words now, plus the numbers), and my brain doesn't do well at interpreting what I hear.  I don't know the names of the streets outside my immediate neighborhood.  I constantly was uninformed at work (teaching full time, 3.5 semesters).  I have a limited circle of acquaintances, even though I'm far from anti-social.

I mention all this because I'm thinking of moving to the beach, which might be far more isolated (been there, done that in Mexico).  Even if I stay in CMai, I plan to break up with my long-term Thai partner and get by on my own.  I suspect the Thai partner has been shielding me from the competition.  I will have more spare time, working no more than 3 days per week.  I only drink about one beer a month, and it dawns on me that talkers love to congregate in pubs. 

Any suggestions on how I can broaden my life experiences in CMai?

Signed, restless in Chiang Mai

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pop along to the meet up on the 14th.I'm sure you will meet some good people there.

[PeaceBlondie]

I'll still be in Houston then - do you have the meeting every month?

[Harmonica]

I'm starting to close in on two years of living in Chiang Mai, and I'll bet I've been missing out on a lot.  I can't speak Thai (maybe 20 words now, plus the numbers), and my brain doesn't do well at interpreting what I hear.  I don't know the names of the streets outside my immediate neighborhood.  I constantly was uninformed at work (teaching full time, 3.5 semesters).  I have a limited circle of acquaintances, even though I'm far from anti-social.

I mention all this because I'm thinking of moving to the beach, which might be far more isolated (been there, done that in Mexico).  Even if I stay in CMai, I plan to break up with my long-term Thai partner and get by on my own.  I suspect the Thai partner has been shielding me from the competition.  I will have more spare time, working no more than 3 days per week.  I only drink about one beer a month, and it dawns on me that talkers love to congregate in pubs. 

Any suggestions on how I can broaden my life experiences in CMai?

Signed, restless in Chiang Mai

PB,

Which beach? Or do you have more than one that interest you?

[chuchok]

I'll still be in Houston then - do you have the meeting every month?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's actually 1st real meet up since I've been here.I'm sure there will be more.

[PeaceBlondie]

Harmonica asked, "Which beach? Or do you have more than one that interests you?"

I've only been to Hua Hin (which I liked), Phuket (liked the south-west cape, but stayed in Phuket town), Pattaya (no thanks; dirty water) and Ko Phi Phi. I don't want an island smaller than Phuket. Doesn't matter if it's Andaman Sea or Gulf of Thailand. I'm a serious swimmer; it must be warm water year-round, decent clean water and sand. I have a 150 bike to ride a couple of kilometers (no more) to the beach. I don't want a community of less than 5,000; preferably over 10,000. I can probably find part-time work teaching EFL or math (in English); I have pensions.

I guess I'm at a fork in the road. Chiang Mai is good; I'm not sure what I want or need.

Thanks, Harmonica, for asking.

[meadish_sweetball]

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, so it is your only island option if you are not willing to live on a smaller island - unless a volcanic eruption should cause another, larger island to emerge out of the water.

If you need clear water all year round but are willing to live on the coast, the Andaman side is still your best bet. The water in the Gulf of Thailand can get VERY muddy during the stormy season (October-November).