Moving To Chiang Mai Topics

[Tywais]

I've seen quite a few 'Moving to Chiang Mai' topics recently and was wondering if perhaps a pinned topic on the subject covering the salient points would be useful? What do you guys/gals think. Perhaps a Q&A format plus links to recent topics on the subject.

[LawrenceChee]

Sounds good I will contribute on hotel buffets :-)

[Rob8891]

Yes, good idea. It will be much easier for enquirers to find relevant info.

[hellodolly]

I am not a big fan of the idea. To many negative people. I just read a post about moving here with a Baby in The smoke season. Not one post that it had been no problem in 2011 several that indicated it was always bad. The OP finally suggested a HEPA filter for the car and home.

11 posts in all and the OP is the only one with a answer.

Here was one answer to moving here and having a baby in mid Feb.

IF you want your newborn to have some chronic pulmonary disease go ahead

I am sure that coming to a common sense answer would be a life time job.

Take the couple who asked about moving here and getting a place in the 30,000 baht range. Posters replying they could get one for 6 to12 thousand. Others saying 22,000 or 25,000. They asked about internet most of the posters would not respond to that. It looked like most of them were answering the article and had not read it.The OP even came back on and said 30,000 baht was acceptable.

Like I say if you have time go for it. Maybe a list of every Wat restaurant and bar in Chiang Mai with no comments just check marks. 1 to 5

And the list of places to visit parks waterfalls hiking trails and the list goes on. Make this list with 3 boxes OK and no good or could be up to you

Edited September 21, 2012 by hellodolly

[Tywais]

@Hellodolly - I see your point and perhaps it is a moving target anyway so perhaps leave it at individual questions and hope for less jaded replies.

[kaptainrob]

@Hellodolly - I see your point and perhaps it is a moving target anyway so perhaps leave it at individual questions and hope for less jaded replies.

Idea has merit and as Moderator you can remove -ve posts bias posts.

Agree with Dolly, too many opinionated cranky old farts posting doesn't help "Thai Geezer's" image.

On the other hand, one can always refer ppl to use SEARCH.

[TommoPhysicist]

Take the couple who asked about moving here and getting a place in the 30,000 baht range. Posters replying they could get one for 6 to12 thousand. Others saying 22,000 or 25,000. They asked about internet most of the posters would not respond to that. It looked like most of them were answering the article and had not read it.The OP even came back on and said 30,000 baht was acceptable.

The problem being most noobs know so little, they don't know what to ask.

Also there is a problem with agents prowling the forums for new victims clients.

As for Internet access, how could anyone answer that question without knowing where they would be living.

Internet access is great in some areas, iffy in other.

Here was one answer to moving here and having a baby in mid Feb.

IF you want your newborn to have some chronic pulmonary disease go ahead

And air pollution, it covers the entire North of the country for several months not just CM. Most healthy people don't have a problem with it. While HD seems to have a problem with the air, my family and most of my friends don't.

I had to laugh at HD posting 'too many negative people' when his own post is just about the most negative anyone could get.

Edited September 22, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[mcgriffith]

Personally I think it is a good idea.

There seems to be a large number of people moving here to Chiang Mai.

Sometimes it does irritate that the same questions are asked, over and over again.

Or unanswerable questions, such as "Where should I live in Chiang Mai?".

Not singling out any specific recent posters, just my observation from years on this forum.

[scd]

A pinned topic on this subject is well overdue imo.

[villagefarang]

I think it is a great idea and when people ask the same questions with regard to Chiang Rai we can point them in the direction of this topic.

[kaptainrob]

Positive contributions could be along the lines of:-

House Rental in Chiang Mai -

Our criteria were:-

1. Non flood prone area, close to City and good shopping with mid-level living standards. After 3 months we decided on XXXX for YY and ZZ reasons.

2. Price range - 10,000 to 20,000 Bt. Actual cost for our spacious 4 year old house on 90 talangwah @ x + y + z = 15,000 Bt monthly

3. Amenities .....

4. Drawback/negative - minor aircraft noise

5. Best features - quiet, green leafy and cool. Pool and restaurant. Range of houses from 2Bed/8k up to 6 bed/50k rental. Easy access to Makro/HomePro/BigC Tesco and 10 mins to Airport Plaza .....

Pics attached of house, mooban, location map click HERE.

[hellodolly]

Positive contributions could be along the lines of:-

House Rental in Chiang Mai -

Our criteria were:-

1. Non flood prone area, close to City and good shopping with mid-level living standards. After 3 months we decided on XXXX for YY and ZZ reasons.

2. Price range - 10,000 to 20,000 Bt. Actual cost for our spacious 4 year old house on 90 talangwah @ x + y + z = 15,000 Bt monthly

3. Amenities .....

4. Drawback/negative - minor aircraft noise

5. Best features - quiet, green leafy and cool. Pool and restaurant. Range of houses from 2Bed/8k up to 6 bed/50k rental. Easy access to Makro/HomePro/BigC Tesco and 10 mins to Airport Plaza .....

Pics attached of house, mooban, location map click HERE.

Well I agree with your post but imagine the number of different answers to your specific requirements. Then the same thing for the below 10,000 baht range or the more expensive homes. Such as in the last month there have been two posters - one that said they would be willing to pay 30,000 baht and they even mentioned the school they were going to send their kids to. The other mentioned a figure of 50,000 baht. They got no answers because the posters here do not pay attention to what they were asking for.

One asked about the internet and they were ignored until I (a Tech challenged person) told them it varied and the only way to find out was to go knock on your neighbor's door and ask him.

This topic only referred to housing no one got suggestions help even though they mentioned the area and the price they were willing to pay.

What about restaurants, parks, hiking trails, Wats, Museums - and the list goes on? I did suggest a way to do those but even at that a mod would have to have a awful lot of time on his or her hands to sift through and post the facts not opinions.

Take your living arrangements - I have heard you describe it and it sounds quite nice. And that is your opinion. I am sure it looks quite nice and if I was to visit you, I would be very impressed by it. But it is not what I want. I am sure I would like it better than what I have but that is just the physical description. What I have is nowhere as near nice looking as what you have but it has other things that I really appreciate more than a nice looking residence.

We all have different wants needs and incomes. To list them all would be difficult at best. For example, is it wheel chair accessible, etc? This is why I prefer to have people ask and appreciate it when people bother to answer.

Yes, if you use an agent you might get ripped off but you might get exactly what you want. Money is not the number one thing in every one's life. Some can afford to pay more than others and I am happy for them. Using n agent in this case does save them a lot of work.

At any rate, if the Mods decide to do this, I wish them well and thank them in advance for the enormous amount of time they will have to put into it and update it as new housing developments, condos and restaurants come on line or drop off the scene.

Edited September 22, 2012 by hellodolly

[Tywais]

I was thinking more in line with generic information rather than absolute specifics as those are quite varied. Example: Internet options - than a list of available providers and a disclaimer regarding performance depends on area and ISP, etc. Housing - methods to help locate suitable places. For example on-line realtors, brick and mortar realtors, advertisement (classifieds), and driving around looking and suggestions and how to approach that such as getting a Thai to assist, etc.

Getting too specific of course starts involving subjective attitudes and where the arguments begin.

[kaptainrob]

I was thinking more in line with generic information rather than absolute specifics as those are quite varied. Example: Internet options - than a list of available providers and a disclaimer regarding performance depends on area and ISP, etc. Housing - methods to help locate suitable places. For example on-line realtors, brick and mortar realtors, advertisement (classifieds), and driving around looking and suggestions and how to approach that such as getting a Thai to assist, etc.

Getting too specific of course starts involving subjective attitudes and where the arguments begin.

Yes but ...

Dolly was probably getting a bit too specific re wheelchair access.

Anecdotal posts are what ppl like to read especially if supported with pictures and balanced opinion. Otherwise, use GOOGLE and forget about a sticky.

[Briggsy]

OK, here is a positive post,

I am able to communicate well in spoken Thai and can read and write it. I've been in Thailand 15 years.

I plan to locate to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai or anywhere else in the North in the next few months. I am into the mountains, camping, nature, birding, motorbiking, etc. So, I would like to be near the decent bits of forest/National Parks.

I will not fall victim to any daftie agent trying to scam about accommodation. In fact, I would not go near them with a barge pole.

I am looking for a condo, maybe 60 square metres. Must have internet access (or be able to get it) and must have Eurosport tv (or be able to get it)(don't ask why) for long-term rent, maybe 3 years. I currently have a furnished condo in Eastern Thailand of 60 sq.m. for the very good price of 72,000 a year. Doubt I'll be able to match that but I'll try.

Please could people provide names and locations of condos in the North that may fit my requirements. Thai or English, I don't mind. I'll do all the rest on the internet.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

That's it.

[hellodolly]

I was thinking more in line with generic information rather than absolute specifics as those are quite varied. Example: Internet options - than a list of available providers and a disclaimer regarding performance depends on area and ISP, etc. Housing - methods to help locate suitable places. For example on-line realtors, brick and mortar realtors, advertisement (classifieds), and driving around looking and suggestions and how to approach that such as getting a Thai to assist, etc.

Getting too specific of course starts involving subjective attitudes and where the arguments begin.

Yes but ...

Dolly was probably getting a bit too specific re wheelchair access.

Anecdotal posts are what ppl like to read especially if supported with pictures and balanced opinion. Otherwise, use GOOGLE and forget about a sticky.

Your rite I was may be getting to specific. I do know that I am reasonably mobile and with a cane able to go long distance. But where I live I have seen people in Wheel chairs or with walkers.

I was thinking down the line with the aging population this could become a concern. Where I come from it was not a concern until about 40 years ago and the city (Vancouver B C) started allowing for wheelchair ramps on every corner and buildings started to become wheel chair accessible even though the call was not that big then. Now they are glad they did it.

I agree people do like Anecdotal posts.

Also agree with Tywais generic information would be about the best they could do. And people might be a bit more specific when they post their questions.

Briggsy brought up a good point. He would have no trouble moving here and going out and getting what he wanted.

But he has lived in Thailand and reads and speaks the language. People like him have no problems. a lot of people myself included do not find it that easy to know what we want and go to a place we have never been to with a language we can not speak or write and just go out and get what we want. That is where the Anecdotal posts Would be a big help, and just general information such as Twais is suggesting. The two would compliment each other. And if money is available a agent. They might or might not rip one off but if one figures the cost of their own time per hour to find just what they want it might be cheaper to get ripped off. You can read a lot of Ads and drive around Chiang Mai a lot if you are being specific about your wants.

[true blue]

can not see the hugh attraction chiang mai is having on a lot of the public,for a long stay destination,and especially up rooting family and settling here,but there is no counting for peoples choices,especially as there is no beach here,but to answer my own question,i suppose it is a laid back place,even though its getting very busy and traffic moves far to slow.

[Briggsy]

Is this a hypothetical thread or a real thread. I mean I really do want some names of condos if anyone has any ideas.

In answer to true blue's post,

Chiang Mai and the Northern Region

1) Cool nights for maybe over half the year.

2) Cool daytimes for a couple of months a year.

3) Huge areas of relatively unspoilt montane forest.

4) A much longer dry season than the Central Region or coastal areas. Great for camping.

5) One of the premium birdwatching areas in Asia.

6) Fewer beggars than Bangkok.

7) No leeches for about 6 months of the year. Fantastic.

8) Great for mountain biking.

9) Cheaper than Phuket, Bangkok, Hua Hin or Samui.

10) Loads of flights, trains and buses to Bangkok and beyond every day.

11) The sex industry for chavs is nowhere near Pattaya or Phuket levels and the sex industry for locals is relatively unobtrusive.

12) Doi Suthep right next to the city.

13) Great roads for motorcycling.

14) I don't particularly like beaches and sunbathing is a stupid activity which makes you look prematurely old and gives you melanomas.

15) Fewer hitmen than Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

[CMweb]

OP, I think a forum is alive because of new or the same questions, it would get boring to find all answers in a list and truly there are questions you cannot answer because everybody has his own way to ask. I think it’s a waste of time and allot of work for nothing, but it would be good to make a general sticky topic with the best condominiums, moobans etc but then who can say the condo or mooban is good or not, it’s always how the individual person see it.

@Nomark, not sure why you say all agents are scams, I’m own a real estate agency and I hate to see peoples get scam from some “black sheeps” but there are also good ones out and you should not but us all in one back.

Edited September 23, 2012 by CMweb

[true blue]

Is this a hypothetical thread or a real thread. I mean I really do want some names of condos if anyone has any ideas.

In answer to true blue's post,

Chiang Mai and the Northern Region

1) Cool nights for maybe over half the year.

2) Cool daytimes for a couple of months a year.

3) Huge areas of relatively unspoilt montane forest.

4) A much longer dry season than the Central Region or coastal areas. Great for camping.

5) One of the premium birdwatching areas in Asia.

6) Fewer beggars than Bangkok.

7) No leeches for about 6 months of the year. Fantastic.

8) Great for mountain biking.

9) Cheaper than Phuket, Bangkok, Hua Hin or Samui.

10) Loads of flights, trains and buses to Bangkok and beyond every day.

11) The sex industry for chavs is nowhere near Pattaya or Phuket levels and the sex industry for locals is relatively unobtrusive.

12) Doi Suthep right next to the city.

13) Great roads for motorcycling.

14) I don't particularly like beaches and sunbathing is a stupid activity which makes you look prematurely old and gives you melanomas.

15) Fewer hitmen than Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

good post,if you like watching birds,dont no what you do in the rainy season though,555+

[Briggsy]

No ideas anyone?

Well, anyway I did some searching on the internet and came up with the following 3 condos which may match what I am looking for.

Heuan Por Liang in Tambon Suthep

Jigsaw Condominium in Nong Pa Khrang

My Hip Condo in Nong Pa Khrang

If anyone has any information about these, perhaps you could share.

[NancyL]

No ideas anyone?

Well, anyway I did some searching on the internet and came up with the following 3 condos which may match what I am looking for.

Heuan Por Liang in Tambon Suthep

Jigsaw Condominium in Nong Pa Khrang

My Hip Condo in Nong Pa Khrang

If anyone has any information about these, perhaps you could share.

Perhaps you'd have more responses if you started a new thread (with specific subject title), rather than piggybacking on another thread.

[Briggsy]

I did some more internet searching and in the Chiang Mai area, I came up with the following condos:-

Heuan Por Liang in Tambon Suthep

Jigsaw Condominium in Nong Pa Khrang

My Hip Condo in Nong Pa Khrang

Mountain Fawn(?), north of the city

Casa Condo, north of the city

Hillpark 2 on the road to Doi Suthep

Hillside 3 heading west of the city

The Chic View north of the city

The Unique Condo near the airport

Also condo(s) in Nong Hoi, south-east of the city, a few kms away, couldn't get the name(s).

So if anybody has any experiences, I would be glad to hear.

I might come up to Chiang Mai this week to check them out.

[NeverSure]

I rented what I think was about an 800 sq ft fully furnished unit at the Riverside Condominiums and I liked it. Seems like it was about 15,000BHT. They had smaller ones for about 10,000BHT. I'm no expert but I thought it was well located and they furnished it and kept it up nice for my needs.

I do need to learn Chiang Mai a bit better so maybe others will have better ideas. Here's their web site.

http://www.chiangmairiversidecondo.com/homepage/rent-a-condo-riverside-condo

[HappyInCM]

I did some more internet searching and in the Chiang Mai area, I came up with the following condos:-

Heuan Por Liang in Tambon Suthep

Jigsaw Condominium in Nong Pa Khrang

My Hip Condo in Nong Pa Khrang

Mountain Fawn(?), north of the city

Casa Condo, north of the city

Hillpark 2 on the road to Doi Suthep

Hillside 3 heading west of the city

The Chic View north of the city

The Unique Condo near the airport

Also condo(s) in Nong Hoi, south-east of the city, a few kms away, couldn't get the name(s).

So if anybody has any experiences, I would be glad to hear.

I might come up to Chiang Mai this week to check them out.

It depends where you want to stay really. I mean jigsaw and some of those others are pretty far outside of the city. After being here for a year though, I'm still not sure of the "best" location for me though

If you're going to be going to the farang bars and restaurants a lot in town then you may like city center condos or the smith residence or rimping condo. all basically walking distance.

If you like the young hip area near CMU, nimanhaemin, then hillside 2 or 3 or puma.

Some people like nakornping and hillside 4 on huay gaeew road which is near some restaurants and the mall and relatively close to nimanhamin.

Others like canal road but you are a bit out of walking distance IMO.

There's also north of the moat chaang puak which I've heard is coming up but I don't know of any places around there.

Then outside of the city, san sai, hang dong, etc.

Maybe you already know what you want or maybe you can try living in the different areas for a month each? One good thing about chiang mai is there seem to be a lot of month by month places to stay.

I'd be happy to show you around a bit if you drop me a PM when you come.

[Mapguy]

I was thinking more in line with generic information rather than absolute specifics as those are quite varied. Example: Internet options - than a list of available providers and a disclaimer regarding performance depends on area and ISP, etc. Housing - methods to help locate suitable places. For example on-line realtors, brick and mortar realtors, advertisement (classifieds), and driving around looking and suggestions and how to approach that such as getting a Thai to assist, etc.

Getting too specific of course starts involving subjective attitudes and where the arguments begin.

You are noble in your original intent, but --- even with some clarification above --- IMHO such a project would be very hard to create and moderate. For example, lists of service providers, et cetera are bound to leave some people out or create a problem. Care to start by listing law firms and lawyers --- and leaving some off??!!

Further, as you and many have pointed out there, is basic common sense (e.g., rent before you buy, spend time driving around, and so on). That's true anywhere. How do you bridge to more specific information given that different folks have different strokes? (Pun intended!)

And then there is the love of anecdote, which (as I was recently admonished) is the lifeblood of forums like this. Another TV veteran once urged "let the discussion breathe." I loved that comment!!

I don't wish to throw people into the maw of the Expats Club, but the coffee and crumpets are nice! And there are no end to how many business cards you can collect and the generous advice on emergency services , insurance and investment there is on offer!

Edited October 1, 2012 by Mapguy

[Tywais]

I was thinking more in line with generic information rather than absolute specifics as those are quite varied. Example: Internet options - than a list of available providers and a disclaimer regarding performance depends on area and ISP, etc. Housing - methods to help locate suitable places. For example on-line realtors, brick and mortar realtors, advertisement (classifieds), and driving around looking and suggestions and how to approach that such as getting a Thai to assist, etc.

Getting too specific of course starts involving subjective attitudes and where the arguments begin.

You are noble in your original intent, but --- even with some clarification above --- IMHO such a project would be very hard to create and moderate. For example, lists of service providers, et cetera are bound to leave some people out or create a problem. Care to start by listing law firms and lawyers --- and leaving some off??!!

Pretty much agree with you and with the other postings in here and decided to let it pass. Will leave this one open as a catchall for general questions on the subject in the meantime.

So will just leave this link - Chiang Mai Yellow Pages for perusal.