Why Would Anyone Want To Live In Chiang Mai

[tornado24]

Cant beat Chiang Mai! Mountains, markets, people, food, safety, cheap, swimming pools, ladies, weather... The only thing is the nightlife could be better but is OK.

People is always complaining... If you dont like back home mate!

[chiang mai]

Cant beat Chiang Mai! Mountains, markets, people, food, safety, cheap, swimming pools, ladies, weather... The only thing is the nightlife could be better but is OK.

People is always complaining... If you dont like back home mate!

The lack of 'night life' is what makes the place great and different from the other tourist destinations in Thailand, let's keep the mongers in the South if we may.

[ARISTIDE]

Quote

I think this country seriously lacks in the other important areas.

That's why some people like it here!

Edited March 31, 2013 by ARISTIDE

[Thighlander]

lots of uni-girls.......they will chat with farang man, too.

[puukao]

I will try to be honest, and this is just MY opinion. just a few thoughts:

1. It is hot, day and night (for the most part). There is one season.....hot.

2. This place feels like a community....the only place I feel "at home" in SE Asia.

3. I've never had a problem here. no aggression, ever....6 months.

4. Greasy eggs, white rice, questionable meat, and maybe plastic in fruit and vegetables get me worried

5. I like mountains more than the beach, but the older I get I might change

6. This place does make me want to justify to myself and others why i'm here more than 3 months. I don't do this back home. So, it makes you feel a little bit like a loser if you are here too long. sorry, just how I feel. I should wear the t-shirt, "i'm not a sex tourist and I am not broke."

7. this place does attract some people with no money and just looking for sex. sure, other cities do, but here it's more in the open. However, if you want to change that, just have much more money and go to a community where poor people can't spend much time there.

8. It's great being able to walk every single night. and every morning, for that matter.

9. I am not thai, and will never be thai. but that is my issue....

10. I really don't like paying for water, ever.

11. I was amazed there was good pizza here. and the milk, ice cream, and bread has become much better.

12. people are super friendly here.....even if it's just on face or for your money, it's all relative. it's nice.

13. I would never buy property here, or start a business......so that limits some "freedom"

14....and last thing, speaking of "freedom"......this is again MY issue....but I feel more comfortable at home when it comes to whatever laws exist. again....MY issue. i am certainly comfortable enough to be here 6 months.

[true blue]

come on lets be honest,place is full,full of backpackers
full of building sites
full of smog all day
roads full of cars motor bikes tuk tuks bycycles ect ect
immigration full 5 days a week
full of expats
full of chinese japanese korenese.
full of temples
full of thai people
were full please stay away
might be able to get a lung full of fresh air then.

[eek]

Cant beat Chiang Mai! Mountains, markets, people, food, safety, cheap,swimming pools, ladies, weather... The only thing is the nightlife could be better but is OK.

People is always complaining... If you dont like back home mate!

If you mean "nightlife" as in girly bars, that would be really depressing. If you mean really good clubs, yes it could do with some better ones. There is one pretty good team working on creating a PROPER nightclub. They ran a few events which brought Thai and Farang together that actually wanted to DANCE and party, not just stand about posing and awkwardly bopping..and then getting drunk and doing some weird gyrating stuff that is about as sexy as an epileptic fit. Was a breath of fresh air to see people out because they like to dance and enjoy music for a change.

Chiang Mai needs more dancing girls

Again, im guessing this pertains to pattaya style clubs though, which i think would be really sad to see in Chiang Mai. ..and not because im a woman, but because it just wouldnt be the same place anymore..which generally is known for culture, creativity, and arts. THIS is the side i would love to see continue in Chiang Mai. A creative city attracting interesting people, and showcasing Thailands artistic talents..of which there are many. In any case, in all honestly "dancing girls" would pertain to the ability to dance, would it not? Walking around a pole looking bored isnt dancing...

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.

Me too

Cant beat Chiang Mai! Mountains, markets, people, food, safety, cheap, swimming pools, ladies, weather... The only thing is the nightlife could be better but is OK.

People is always complaining... If you dont like back home mate!

I agree with most of your comments, i love the fact that i can get on a motorbike and ride up to Pai for a day, or go round Samoeng, Chang Dao, or MHS, or a visa run up Mae Sai and back. ..so many places! Its beautiful and scenic..when they arent burning! As for Chiang Mai itself, it feels fairly cosmopolitan. For me though, its the vibe of being creative and artistic. For everyday living its as cheap as i want it to be, and there is much available if i want to splurge. I am considering moving out a little out of the city though, because of how congested it is getting.

Ive also lived in many places and countries, so, even though other places do have some things which are much better, it is also a much more expensive lifestyle. Here i can have a balance of a pleasant life, with lovely people around me, and at a cost where i can sustain a fairly comfortable lifestyle without working myself to the bone.

[HaleySabai]

Chiang Mai is a hop & skip to Nepal,India,Burma,China,Bali,Hong Kong et... a peaceful & calm base to explore a swirling and energetic dynamic. I love coming to ChiangMai as much as I love leaving.

[NoshowJones]

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.

My wifes beautiful.

[transam]

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.

My wifes beautiful.

So is mine, l wonder what folk here think is young.

[tornado24]

The problem of chiang mai is that many foreigners hang out around the old city, however Chiang mai is much more than that.

To be honest, the nightlife in CM is poor quality, the best clubs in city are Infinity and warm up, apart from that the clubs are bullshit. ie spicy or hot shots.

Waiting for sonic playground

[BookMan]

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.

And sometimes not born a female

[eek]

The problem of chiang mai is that many foreigners hang out around the old city, however Chiang mai is much more than that.

To be honest, the nightlife in CM is poor quality, the best clubs in city are Infinity and warm up, apart from that the clubs are bullshit. ie spicy or hot shots.

Waiting for sonic playground

"Waiting for sonic playground"

Me too!!

[DiamondKing]

The problem of chiang mai is that many foreigners hang out around the old city, however Chiang mai is much more than that.

To be honest, the nightlife in CM is poor quality, the best clubs in city are Infinity and warm up, apart from that the clubs are bullshit. ie spicy or hot shots.

Waiting for sonic playground

"Waiting for sonic playground"

Me too!!

Sounds like a GO GO Bar

[britgent]

Bumped into two Russians at the Saturday market who started in their patter as yes I always get mistaken for one of them.

To think they aren't in route is foolish.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chiang mai]

Bumped into two Russians at the Saturday market who started in their patter as yes I always get mistaken for one of them.

To think they aren't in route is foolish.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

That would annoy me enormously.

[CMX]

Most everything is a mix. Foreign folks who complain about this town are simply stuck back in some past, are unaware of other nations' ways, or don't know a thing about history, even their own. Complaining about differences is pure nonsense, as matters will develop in their own way in spite of us.

For me in a mere three years, things have become somewhat more convenient. Korean Air's regular flying from CM to Incheon and then to N. America has been a strong positive, doubtless associated with the town's growth; perhaps one day westbound travelers will go to Istambul or India direct. .

On the other hand, this vast amount of construction without a hope of improved roads (at least on time) catches my attention.

On the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home. How quickly they've learned!

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

"On the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home. How quickly they've learned!"

your from Peru?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

"On the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home. How quickly they've learned!"

your from Peru?

Actually he could be on to something. I've been driving in the Pattaya area for the past month, and this is a night and day difference with Chiang Mai. People here truly don't seem to care about killing themselves, and the number of U-turns where there is no space on the right to wait is staggering. That means you end up stationary in the fast lane. There are very few of those spots in Chiang Mai left. Of course during rush hour traffic might fill up that entire area, but that's rush hour, and traffic is already a bit slower. Here in Patters you can be stationary on the fast lane on Sukhumvit highway or other fast roads at 11pm at night. Not fun. And far fewer roads have divided lanes to begin with, so that means traffic flying in and out from all directions.

It's human nature to forget to feel blessed about things that used to be everyday concerns but aren't (as much) anymore. But if Pattaya had the same attention to roads that Chiang Mai received, then the length of the Sukhumvit highway where it passes town would have tunnels at the main intersections. And tunnels are not only good because you don't have to wait for traffic lights and the general reduction in traffic jams, it ALSO means you're not a sitting duck in the fast lane trying to do a U turn!

There's no real excuse for that; the Pattaya area is booming, with ever increasing tourism from all kinds of countries, industrial estates in the area, condominium building at break-neck speed and Thailand's main port just down the road.

We sometimes forget to count our blessings. And nowhere more so than on this forum.

Edited March 31, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[thrilled]

i will tell the russians if they really want to make some big bucks head on up to Chiang Mai.

It'll be like killing 2 birds with one stone."so to speak".I believe the average age of dying is around 60.

Breathe in that air.

[CMX]

"On
the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in
the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home.
How quickly they've learned!"

Actually, I was just trying to make the point that I've accepted Thai customs and habits in driving, many of which are regularly done by many and therefore useful to learn, and easily, once I got over being indignant. Guess I didn't make myself clear, as usual.

Edited April 1, 2013 by CMX

[LarryBird]

It's a reasonable post and question.. I would estimate about 19 out of 20 farang that live here complain about Thailand non-stop. The ones that complain the least in my estimation are a few of the missionaries I know.. (Just to clarify, I'm not a missionary, and don't really support that cause, just calling it as I see it..)

Anyway, there's a trade off to living here... Every time you go out on the roads, there is a far greater chance you have a serious accident. To me, the danger makes it not worth it.. The lack of justice is also a serious issue. If you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, your number is up. The food is great , but again, there is a price.. My first few years I had 3-4 overnights a year at the hospital from serious food poisoning. This is the first year the smog has bothered me. How people get seriously ill from this weather? Most of the expats I meet here are insufferable.. The few that are tolerable tend to be people here doing business. The retirees are ALL very much the same. Self centered, can't hold a conversation, etc etc.. All they want to do is talk about themselves, and tell the same story they told you last time. My Thai is better than most expats I know but a few, but that is still a hindrance to making a close relationship with Thai people.

The funniest is the expats who say they 'love it here', but yet, they don't realize, they never stop their bitching and whining about Thais.. 'Did you notice how the Thais....?' 'Why do THEY do ...? ' ... The other one's that are funny are the expats who have lived here for a week and like to tell me all about what it's like here..

It's a matter of pluses and minuses.. I've been here for almost 7 years, if I could pack up and leave, I would, but I can't.

TAO RAI!!!!???? PAAEENG MAAK!!

[LarryBird]

The boat load of hot chicks is awesome, though!

[true blue]

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.

My wifes beautiful.

So is mine, l wonder what folk here think is young.

to most expats here,a young women to them is a lady in there 30/40s,

[glegolo]

Possum1931 31 march 2013

My wifes beautiful.

-------------------------------------------------

Do you have more than one, it seems!!!

glegolo

[uptheos]

I'd like to say something to put people off coming to Chiang Mai, bloody horrible place, you'll come here for a year and stay for 21.

However, my Korean and Mandarin are nil and that's where the new influx will be from.

[puck2]

"On the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home. How quickly they've learned!"

your from Peru?

Yes, they are exercising here now - Chinag Mai / Samoeng area, not in Peru.

If you learnt here you'll survive in CM traffic.

Edited April 1, 2013 by puck2

[onthedarkside]

We have taken enough of these off topic Abba and Swedish posts. All being cleared out.

[rubberduck]

I live here because of the air quality.

Hahahehehurrrp

Send from Thai Visa app on my modified Nokia 3310

[wholetthedogout]

Am lazy so i fit in