AFTER VISITING CHIANGMAI ON BUSINESS DURING THE LAST TWENTY YEARS MY WIFE AND I ARE PLANNING TO MOVE THERE FOR RETIREMENT. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS AND HOPE SOME OF YOU CAN HELP:

WHERE ARE THE MORE POPULAR AREAS IN CM FOR FARANG TO LIVE - BOTH RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP? FOR RESTAURANTS? AND SHOPPING? ARE THERE CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS WHERE FARANGS LIKE TO GATHER/SOCIALIZE?WE LOVE THAI PEOPLE VERY MUCH AND APPRECIATE THE CULTURE, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO TOTALLY DIVORCE OURSELVES FROM OUR WESTERN CULTURE.

THANKS FOR ANY ADVISE.

Welcome to Chiang Mai. It's a great place to live. To be honest, I don't know if I could adequately answer your question. Chiang Mai is like any other city - la great variety of places, people, clubs and restaurants. Perhaps if you were a little more specific on what exactly you were looking for, people could provide advice/suggestions.

Firstly, please don't shout. We understand lower case too you know!

Farangs live North South East and West of Chiang Mai, let alone the centre. I suggest you immerse yourself in Thai Visa and read a few pages of threads in the Chiang Mai section. You will find most of your questions will have been answered already. These will include many questions you didn't even know you had.

After reading, please come back and ask more specific questions. We are happy to help.

I suggest you immerse yourself in Thai Visa............

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stuvwg, This is good advice from p1p but I would suggest that after immersing yourself in TV that you take a good shower with lots of disenfectant soap to wash off the stray cooties that might adhere.

chownah

AFTER VISITING CHIANGMAI ON BUSINESS DURING THE LAST TWENTY YEARS MY WIFE AND I ARE PLANNING TO MOVE THERE FOR RETIREMENT.  WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS AND HOPE SOME OF YOU CAN HELP:

WHERE ARE THE MORE POPULAR AREAS IN CM FOR FARANG TO LIVE - BOTH RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP?  FOR RESTAURANTS?  AND SHOPPING?  ARE THERE CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS WHERE FARANGS LIKE TO GATHER/SOCIALIZE?WE LOVE THAI PEOPLE VERY MUCH AND APPRECIATE THE CULTURE, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO TOTALLY DIVORCE OURSELVES FROM OUR WESTERN CULTURE.

THANKS FOR ANY ADVISE.

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FONT=Geneva]Hi stuvwg and welcome to Chiang Mai!

earlofwindemere is correct in saying that expats live N, S, E & W of the city. It really all boils down to budget, travel time preferences for shopping, socialising etc. As CM expands the choices increase but I think I would be fair in saying that for most expats the socialising is down town CM.

The Bear's Den is becoming a very popular place for both expat married couples, and expat/Thai couples to meet in a great setting on the Ping river. As and when you arrive in CM pop by The Bear's Den ideally on a Friday evening where you ccan be sure to meet other long time expatriates who could provide their experiences and advice to guide you.[/font]