Having lived more years than I want to admit I pose the question as to why anyone would want to live in Chaing Mai orThailand for that matter.

Using basic criteria of a good climate, good infrastructure., sensible immigration requirements for expats, genuinely friendly locals, good local food, and low cost living what really is the attraction here?

Other than the low cost of living and possibily the food if this is your culinary preference, I think this country seriously lacks in the other important areas.

Maybe if you are married to a Thai or have a business that makes good money you can make a case for being here. Other than that aren't there a number of other places in the world that offer a better life?

You're exactly right. There are so many negatives one can't begin to list them all. Please spread the word and tell everyone you know not to move here.

good post - don't come

I live here because of the air quality.

Because you should ever trust the air you can't see.

On the basis that you may actually be asking a serious question and not merely trolling and trying to alienate Chiang Mai based farangs, let me try and give you a more sensble answer:

Your basic criteria comprises "good climate, good infrastructure., sensible immigration requirements for expats, genuinely friendly locals, good local food, and low cost living", I siuggest to you that Chiang Mai has all those things, perhaps not in the abundance that you would like but they exist plentifully neverthless.

Climate: there's a two month window around March/April where the climate here is not good, for the rest of the year most of us find it quite pleasant and desirable.

Infrastucture: there is an international airport downtown that is easily accessible and highly convenient, the railway station proivdes good services to all points and there's a series of taxi companies and local transportation services which when combined make for an inexpensive transportation network. True we don't have a subway system or a sky train but hey!

sensible immigration: a retirement visa at age 50 costs THB1,900 a year and 45 minutes of your time, that is pretty sensible to me.

genuinely friendly locals: you reap what you sow, I like very much the attitude of most locals here by comparison to those in other parts of the country and I have absolutely no problem with them.

Local food: is varied and of excellent quality but if you don't like Thai food, it will not appeal.

low cost of living: I can eat for 100 baht if I so choose, my water bill is 160 baht a month, my electric bill is around 1,000 baht a month and deisel costs 30 baht a litre, enuf said I think.

But, perhaps your question is better answered by asking what things CM doesn't have that seem to exist in spades in other tourist destinations in Thailand!

the large number of farang in ChiangMai has ended up working for the farang; not against. Competition for our money, a prolonged low season, and cooler climate make it a nicer place to be. Lots of wealthy thai, and that's a good thing....lots of banks and dentist, way more than you see in Isaan.

i think it is a great place to live too.if you don,t like the place, move and tell the russians to stay down sth like yourself

... and hospitals and medical specialists too, there is a medical teaching hospital here also.

And whilst thinking of it, we don't suffer from the high humidty that most other tourist destinations do.

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

More so or less so in Chiang Mai than in any other place in Thailand?

Uppers...weather,food,people,easy getaways, cheap,hobbies,slow pace,festivals,comfortably challenging....everyday brings something new

Downers...just the inconsistencies in law and politics at the big end. The dual pricing or donation to the BIB retirement fund not a big problems for me.

Life is generally so easy and interesting here.....so much so that TV topics like this are the most annoying thing about the place

Hasn't this sort of topic been done to death.....usually by those whose shekels have run out and now have to contemplate a return "home".

Chiang Mai needs more dancing girls

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

It certainly does not hurt, but that goes for most of South East Asia. The pleasant people, access to decent international restaurants and cheap living all contribute too.

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

The ones willing to sleep with older men are rarely beautiful.

Just take immigration for one and try to immigrate to the U S. For the rest of his list I think he might have been imbibing of some of the liquid pleasures to be found at many establishments around town and meant them as a list of positives.

He said

"Using basic criteria of a good climate, good infrastructure.,
sensible immigration requirements for expats, genuinely friendly locals,
good local food, and low cost living what really is the attraction
here?"

Obviously confused list a great list of reasons to live here. And then tries to pass them off as no big deal.

PLEASE keep spreading the word that C.M. doesn't have much to offer, locals are not friendly and so forth...

Apart from the few weeks of crap smoginess I have absolutely.no problem living here.

Great food,great people.most of our friends are Thai. Weather generally very acceptable,infrastructure is not a problem (plan your outings for optimal comfort).Not too expensive.

Compared to some other countries I have lived in immigration requirements are relatively easy to comply with and again if you plan your visits each year also quite painless.

And the age old answer to those who don't like,can't deal with the above- you don't have to be here!

what really is the attraction here?

In short, I think for many it's a case of better than the 'other'. But it's a pertinent topic and op doesn't deserve the flak.

It's not for everyone and things (indifferent service, rubbish gov', dodgy cops, bent natives, SMOG, the immigration question) can easily get on one's tits after a time. It can be great, it can be infuriating, it ain't perfect, but compared to the alternative...

Op, have you considered half a year here, half farangland?

After 25 years living here,I still wonder!, No really ,Chiang Mai has everything

I want and need and has been very good to me, and the grass is not always

greener on the other side.

regards Worgeordie

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

The ones willing to sleep with older men are rarely beautiful.

Sorry, I meant older men with money.

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

The ones willing to sleep with older men are rarely beautiful.

As people age, their faculties deteriorate, and the first thing to go is eyesight.

T

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

The ones willing to sleep with older men are rarely beautiful.

As people age, their faculties deteriorate, and the first thing to go is eyesight.

T

And the second thing to go overides the need for the eyeight to be good anyway!

I don't have the data to back this up, but I've always suspected that young beautiful women willing to sleep with older men is a factor.

The ones willing to sleep with older men are rarely beautiful.

Remember ..... beauty is in the eyes of the beholder ...... that is if they still halfway work,,,,,, and also if you can remember to remember.

don't a lot of the prettier girls prefer the older and less healthy guys?

Less likely to cheat

slower witted so easier to trick and manipulate

more generous with the spending money

more likely to kick the bucket and payoff sooner

Sure these girls can be really pretty but its like inviting a beaver to come live in a lumberyard.

what really is the attraction here?

In short, I think for many it's a case of better than the 'other'. But it's a pertinent topic and op doesn't deserve the flak.

It's not for everyone and things (indifferent service, rubbish gov', dodgy cops, bent natives, SMOG, the immigration question) can easily get on one's tits after a time. It can be great, it can be infuriating, it ain't perfect, but compared to the alternative...

Op, have you considered half a year here, half farangland?

For the most part I have to agree with you but when one posts their opinions based on their own likes and dislikes as a fact for every one they deserve nothing but flak.

I recall one of the previous posters talking about great infrastructure to get to an International airport. It would sure solve the posters problems.

But seriously, one thing I am beginning to greatly dislike is the increasing traffic with accompanying pollution that is clogging the limited roadways for both Thais and foreigners.

don't a lot of the prettier girls prefer the older and less healthy guys?

Less likely to cheat

slower witted so easier to trick and manipulate

more generous with the spending money

more likely to kick the bucket and payoff sooner

Sure these girls can be really pretty but its like inviting a beaver to come live in a lumberyard.

Given all the possible analogies at your disposal you had to pick one involving beavers, in this context, too funny.

don't a lot of the prettier girls prefer the older and less healthy guys?

Less likely to cheat

slower witted so easier to trick and manipulate

more generous with the spending money

more likely to kick the bucket and payoff sooner

Sure these girls can be really pretty but its like inviting a beaver to come live in a lumberyard.

Given all the possible analogies at your disposal you had to pick one involving beavers, in this context, too funny.

It would make a great name for a massage shop also.

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