New To Chiang Mai -- Where To Live?

See the thing about asking about property is like asking what is the best car, or Windows vs Apple. The answer of couse is the one I chose. Everyone needs to justify their decision to purchase so will obviously recommend what they bought. Often they are indeed very good, also often good for one person but not another. Most here used trial and error, in the end the OP will as well, as all things don't suit all people. I am not going to recommend my moobaan as I don't live in one, have done so before but don't see the need. I have commented this before but my expenses are electricity plus 20 baht per month for garbage as I have ground water. The Tessabaan cuts the weeds outside and does the smoke for mosquitos, all tree clippings are collected with the garbage every second day. The local village head drops by with discounts offerred by surrounding shops, she also sorts out immigration if they come out. Living Thai style is good, fear of Thais is just plain unfounded paranoia.

this is very true which is why I did not mention where I now live - people will ALWAYS seek to justify their purchase and decision. However, to help the OP, I have commented on places other people have mentioned because I have lived in them myself