I'm travelling to CM for four days with my family, scouting out locations for a possible move from Samui. Having been a tourist in CM previously, my interest doesn't lie in the old city, night bazaar or river walk, but rather recommendations for nice areas to live. I suppose criteria would be as cool (temperature-wise) as possible, not having to exit some gigantic muban and travel by motorway for a litre of milk, family friendly (but not too family friendly, some good bars/resturants around), and two-bedrooms. I still want to feel like I'm living somewhere real and not some walled-off farang-land compound but with access to farang-friendly amenities, ie, gym, supermarket. Most importantly, we're looking at Lana School south of the airport for our daughter so a location near there is important.

This may be an impossible request, I'd be hard pressed to recommend a place in Samui with similar criteria; but any recommendations would be welcome.

Thank you in advance for any responses.

Advanced welcome to Chiang mai. In view of your very specific criteria I can only suggest you get up here and look at those places within easy reach of Lanna School that feel good to you and fit your budget.

Despite reservations of many about agents, you have nothing to lose by consulting them-I am not an agent (!) but can recommend a good one if you want to pm me.

Good luck with your search