Chiang Mai Or Chiang Rai - Best Place To Live/first Visit?

[martyjames]

Hi All

I would appreciate some input. I was planning on visiting Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai arriving CM next week, however i might be stretched for time.

Im really wanting to check out both C.M. or Chiang rai with view oi living in one of those places long term (but by no means ruling anywhere else out in Thailand) - im in Ubon Ratchatani currently.

My likes/dislikes are (kind of)

- like convenience of city but dont like traffic of larger cities

- love countryside

- love thai culture / interest in buddhism

- love great coffee / cafes

-love eating out

- like nice, friendly people

- like to visit many places of interest

- love to be able to walk in parks / countryside (not city streets!)

Im thinking , IF i dont have the time Chiang Rai might be the go for the 1st trip - watched youtube videos and read up on both places etc . Would appreciate any thoughts and also any input from people living in C.R./C/M.

thanks

Marty

[PhayaoPete]

Personally I really like both places, but as my user name should indicate, I don't live in either! Probably why I love going to either for a nice weekend. I had a friend living in Phayao that really liked CM, and he moved there. Last time I talked to him, he hated CM. Go figure, eh? CM has more traffic than CR does....I think. I am sure someone from CR will let us both know the real situation there. Hell, at 5 ish, Phayao has traffic....now! Get outside the city and you should be okay....close enough to come in for when you want, and far enough out so you will still like living near....longer. Good luck....PP

[sceadugenga]

The Chiang Rai traffic won't bother you if you keep off the main thoroughfares for an hour or so in the mornings and evenings.

Easy to get around and the countryside is right on the cities perimeter heading east or south.

I like Chiang Mai for a couple of days but I mainly do the markets and have a meal... there's definitely more variety there.

Read our forum for tourist and eating out tips, a couple of good threads on the go now.

[villagefarang]

Our recent road trip took us through places like Nong Khai, Udon and Nong Wua So. While the riverside promenade in Nong Khai was nice, I think you will be favorably impressed by our environs and easy access to nature compared to most of the Isaan region.

We have few enough foreigners still, in comparison to some other cities, that we are still a bit more likely to smile and say hello. Just yesterday I met two new foreigners while servicing the car. Neither was rude or standoffish and we had pleasant exchanges while we waited.

In the past some have been quite mean spirited in their labeling of ThaiVisa members but many of the friendliest people in Chiang Rai are to be found on these pages, dropping by when they have time.

We have some great coffee shops and a lovely little shopping mall. There are famous Buddhist retreats that attract people from as far away as Bangkok. As Scea mentioned, the dining scene is more varied in Chiang Mai but on the whole I think you will be impressed with Chiang Rai.

[martyjames]

Great - many thanks for your thoughts and input all - much appreciated!