Anyone Living In Different Locations Throughout The Year

[JustCurious]

Hi:

Anyone with experience living in different locations throughout the year?

I passed through Chiang Mai a few years back on my way to Latin America, looking at some of the expat communities people have settled into.

I liked Chiang Mai and plan to return but I'm also thinking of residing at more than one overseas location during the year, including some time spent back home.

Who's tried it and what places did you enjoy staying at?

Thanks in advance.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

10 years back was my first visit to Thailand

8 years ago my first visit to Chiang Mai

6 years ago I started to live part time in Chiang Mai and part time in Hawaii with some travel tossed in here and there

The plan was to move here at 50 for the retirement visa.

Hawaii became so expensive and things in America turned, well, not so good, and I ended up here early. Very happy though. Now 75% of my time is in Chaing Mai, and 25% traveling about asia. Have a nice home, but happily the only westerner in my area.

[JustCurious]

I was also thinking of Hawaii part-time. I'm planning to visit the Big Island some time in the future.

In Latin America, I liked Cuenca, Ecuador and San Cristobal de Las Casas Chiapas Mexico, but I'm a bit concerned now over the increase in crime.

On my last trip, I visited Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Chiang Mai felt just right and I'm thinking of researching Malaysia on my next go around.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

We spend the summer in Idaho and the rest of the year in Cha Am works out nice for us. Get to see the family but not to much and get to miss the cold by being in Thailand. Have considered Chapala Mexico but the crime there is getting out of hand. Perhaps Cabo San Lucas on the tip of Baja.

[SamSipEt]

I'm thinking of researching Malaysia on my next go around.

Georgetown is nice and Air Aisa have a direct flight from Bangkok or you can take the train (24 hours) which is fun once !

The air pollution in Chiang Mai gets bad before the rainy season starts and more than a few people opt to leave town for a couple or 3 months to avoid it.

[JustCurious]

I'm thinking of researching Malaysia on my next go around.

The air pollution in Chiang Mai gets bad before the rainy season starts and more than a few people opt to leave town for a couple or 3 months to avoid it.

I've read about the pollution problem, too, which is another reason I was only thinking of living in Chiang Mai part year. The trick of it is finding the right destinations to live during the right time of year.

[L&J]

We have a place here but enjoy traveling away for about 4 months a year, particularly April & May when the

weather and atmosphere are most unpleasant. Guess the issue is if you have "stuff" you have somewhere to

park it while you travel. Chiang Mai is ideal if you enjoy travel in the eastern hemisphere, but if you want to

spend more time in N & S America then probably you should set a base up there.

The Thai yearly visa hassle becomes less appealing year by year and the Malaysian ten year visa looks

like a more secure deal. Cost of living will be more there but living herewith the uncertainity of visa policy/procedures

is not comfortable. Conceivably when ASEAN kicks in fully in 2015 it might be better?

[SantiSuk]

I live between Issaan, Bangkok and West Yorkshire (UK). They are right - you never know where your clean knickers are .

Before falling for Thailand/ a Thai I was flirting with spending time in Buenos Aires. My one regret about settling for a country is that I've given up the right to sample other cultures on more than a holiday basis. In 20 years when the family has grown up I'll be dribbling!

[tfc]

After this year's smoky season I've already made arrangements to be in Vietnam for 4 months next year just to be safe. HCMC air seemed like the freshest ocean air after CM during smoky season.

[anto]

Hanoi is a kip .OK for a few days madness but after that ?

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Anywhere but CM during the feb/mar/april smoky season. If your hanging in CM during those months your either in serious denial, numb or really strapped for cash.

I go to California but a lot of good choices out there.

[JustCurious]

Good suggestions above.

I can picture staying in Chiang Mai, using it as a hub to explore neighboring countries and then going on hiatus during the "smoky season" to travel and return home.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

It's not actually all that easy to travel to neighboring countries from Chiang Mai; for example there's no direct flights to Cambodia and Vietnam, and overland to Burma you can't go deep into the country; and besides, Burma suffers from the smoky season worse than the Chiang Mai valley.

[JustCurious]

It's not actually all that easy to travel to neighboring countries from Chiang Mai; for example there's no direct flights to Cambodia and Vietnam, and overland to Burma you can't go deep into the country; and besides, Burma suffers from the smoky season worse than the Chiang Mai valley.

That's good to know. I'd have to fly to BK and then transfer.

On my last visit to CM, I opted for the two day river cruise down the Mekong, stopping off at Luan Prabang, bussing over to Vientienne and continuing on to to BK. Now that was fun!

[HaleySabai]

Ive lived in CM for 13yrs and love it. The 'smokey' season is really only for about 6wks and can be mild to serve depending on the winds and some rain at the time. This year was rather harsh, Iam considering a trip to Nepal next year during this time,treking the Annapurna circuit.

I am married to a Thai/Karen and have a 3yr.old daughter,4yrs ago we started a food vending business in Canada running from June-Sept where we work like crazy people around the clock dishing out Thai-food at major outdoor events(music festivals et...)

This works out really well because we miss the rainy season and hit the summer season on the other side of the planet as we gypsy around the country in our caravan having a wonderful time sharing Thai-food with thousands of people....then come back to CM with a sack full of cash and greet the end of the monsoon as it disappears into winter...for the next 8 months everyday is Sunday,full of love & sunshine!!

Its taken me like 20yrs to finally say I have the "best of both worlds" - Cheers

[tfc]

It's even worth going to BKK to get some fresh air during that time. I really felt my lungs open up when I went through there after the smoky season of CM.