Hello all,

We are a retiree couple from Canada.Currently my wife and I are living in Chiang Mai for almost one year, and we came to recognize that city is not the best option for us.

We love nature, slow pace of life and want to get out from city to the countryside of northern/north-east Thailand. Our needs are few as we are not city people and not concerned about shopping malls and bars. Online search and real-estate folks are of no much help in this case.

So we are asking our fellow expats seniors who are living in rural areas to share your experience and advices to find a long term home in a country-side.

Highly appreciate your suggestions and help in this regard.

slonic

We have a house in Mae Rim for sale,quiet location,18 km from the city...if you interested send me a PM.

I live in Mae Rim and concur that it is a great area. Its far enough out of the city but not too remote with some good eating places and stores that have most items you may require.

There are quite a few expats living in the area but you rarely see them unless you bump into them at one of the convienience stores or perhaps "Steak of the Day" restaurant.

Lots of nice areas out here to see as well.

Good luck

google "hualtulco" mexico. eco/tourism 9 bays. spanish is a lot easier than thai. and a lot closer to your home.

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I have a 2 Bedroom Bungalow for rent, out of the city in a village location and close to a main highway, advertised in a Chiang Mai magazine

Hello

My girlfriend has land with a western style bungalow for rent or sale within a lychee orchard next to a small organic garden.

There is natural water from the nearby spring as well as piped in water.

It is in a small village of 200 people and is 3 hours North of CM.

there are shops within the village and there is a hospital 10 minutes away

If you would like to know more i am more than happy to provide details

Thank you

Jamie

How's about Nan or Phayao in the Northern River Valleys region?

Have a look at Banchang Rayong beach and country at a reasonable price close to Rayon city and hour and a half from Bangkok good hospitals close by to important if you are of retirement age

Surprised to hear that realtors are not much help as there are so many properties for sale right now, ours included. My advice would be to check the classifieds and find a good realtor and keep looking. It is a buyer's market right now so take your time to find the place that fits your needs. We looked at about 80 parcels before we bought ours.

Rental prices away from the big towns, 2 bed on a bit of land should be 3000-4000bht a month plus utils from a Thai landlord.

Beware of foreigners, and property companies run by foreigners, trying for 2x or 3x more.

Beware of foreigners, and property companies run by foreigners, trying for 2x or 3x more.

I certainly agree with that. It would be foolish to come to Thailand and purchase or rent property from a foreigner.

My wife and I live in Chiang Mai, too, and last week made our first visit to Phayao. We really enjoyed the charming feel of the town, especially along the lakefront and had a wonderful sunset view with the mountains in the background. There are also a number of good restaurants along the boardwalk. We would definitely put Phayao on the list of places we would consider moving to if and when we get tired of the city. Phayao is a couple hours away from Chiang Mai. We are intermediate level Thai speakers so it really helped as English is definitely not spoken as widely as it is here in Chiang Mai, so that's something to keep in mind. Best of success!

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I would suggest you cruse some of the moobaans outside the city with a trusted Thai speaker (Doi Saket, Sansai, Mae Rim, Hong Dong and others. Look for signs posted on the houses with phone numbers and have a Thai speaker give them a call).

I would not recommend Phayao for elderly foreign retirees. Many people there don't even speak Thai, they speak the Northern dialect(s) and a lot of local slang. It is very difficult to communicate there. I could not imagine older, white people dealing with Doctor appointments, and other day to day tasks, let alone a medical emergency.

Even one Thai friend of mine said he found it very difficult to communicate there.

Have a look at Banchang Rayong beach and country at a reasonable price close to Rayon city and hour and a half from Bangkok good hospitals close by to important if you are of retirement age

Doesn't *really* qualify as the North East, does it?

we would be interested to hear more details about your place. please pm us and thank you

I have a 2 Bedroom Bungalow for rent, out of the city in a village location and close to a main highway, advertised in a Chiang Mai magazine

thanks for great tips - we'll do. wish us luck

I would suggest you cruse some of the moobaans outside the city with a trusted Thai speaker (Doi Saket, Sansai, Mae Rim, Hong Dong and others. Look for signs posted on the houses with phone numbers and have a Thai speaker give them a call).

great tips though. we'll keep in mind for sure

Rental prices away from the big towns, 2 bed on a bit of land should be 3000-4000bht a month plus utils from a Thai landlord.
Beware of foreigners, and property companies run by foreigners, trying for 2x or 3x more.

yep we're cruising around north right now in Phrao and heading to Fang. do you know any farangs there who we can meet and chat with? appreciate your suggestions

How's about Nan or Phayao in the Northern River Valleys region?

hi Jamie,

sounds intresting. we would love to see your place. Right now we're roaming around north of ChiangMai within gorgeous mountains and rice fields, trying to find a house for rent in rural areas. tonight we're staying in Phrao and will be heading to Fang tomorrow. where abouts is your bungalow? right now we are ready to commit for a long term rent but not buying yet. if you would be interested in renting your place for long term please let us know and provide us with more details. please send us PM

Hello

My girlfriend has land with a western style bungalow for rent or sale within a lychee orchard next to a small organic garden.

There is natural water from the nearby spring as well as piped in water.

It is in a small village of 200 people and is 3 hours North of CM.

there are shops within the village and there is a hospital 10 minutes away

If you would like to know more i am more than happy to provide details

Thank you

Jamie

Hang Dong is close to the city, airport and everything an expat will need. There are plenty of houses to rent for a reasonable cost. We have a good fresh veg market open every day. The local gov hospital is not the Mayo Clinic, but decent for most problems for me. Come out and take a look. PM me if you want any help looking around.

can you please PM with more details. appreciate it

I have a 2 Bedroom Bungalow for rent, out of the city in a village location and close to a main highway, advertised in a Chiang Mai magazine

yep you're right - HangDong is comfi, we spent almost a year renting a house near NightSafari. and now is time to move on - no more city life for us. need tranquility in rural. anyway thanks alot for your response

Hang Dong is close to the city, airport and everything an expat will need. There are plenty of houses to rent for a reasonable cost. We have a good fresh veg market open every day. The local gov hospital is not the Mayo Clinic, but decent for most problems for me. Come out and take a look. PM me if you want any help looking around.

google "hualtulco" mexico. eco/tourism 9 bays. spanish is a lot easier than thai. and a lot closer to your home.

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Jasper Alberta and they speak English.

But I am getting the feeling that they want Thailand. Pai might be worth a look. It has 5 7/11s for shopping.

No matter where you go if you are of retirement age you should check out the medical facilities there first. I don't think not speaking the language will be to big a problem as it seems most doctors can handle the language. If you don't speak Thai makes no difference what language they are speaking.

yes we are firm on Thailand. south is not for us - humid+expensive+crowdy+prone to storms. we'll stick with north and mountains. thanks for Pai though- maybe we'll visit it shortly, but what we've heard - its hippie paradise and we wouldn't fit. cheers

google "hualtulco" mexico. eco/tourism 9 bays. spanish is a lot easier than thai. and a lot closer to your home.


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Jasper Alberta and they speak English.

But I am getting the feeling that they want Thailand. Pai might be worth a look. It has 5 7/11s for shopping.

Hello, i live in chiang dao district. I don't have anything to sell but can have a talk if you feel lile it. There is a house for rent opposite my step father's house at 1000.- per month. Simple thai wooden house. I'm only aware of that one but should be able to find more...

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Get out of Chiang Mai as much as possible and start exploring. There are many hidden secret places all over the Kingdom well away from farang tourist hordes and those who prey on them. You need to get out of Chiang Mai and make lots and lots of weekend or 4-5 day trips. You will find somewhere and it will be fun. (I found that for myself one place is not enough).

Find it on your own or by travelling together with Thai friends.

yes we are firm on Thailand. south is not for us - humid+expensive+crowdy+prone to storms. we'll stick with north and mountains. thanks for Pai though- maybe we'll visit it shortly, but what we've heard - its hippie paradise and we wouldn't fit. cheers

google "hualtulco" mexico. eco/tourism 9 bays. spanish is a lot easier than thai. and a lot closer to your home.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Jasper Alberta and they speak English.

But I am getting the feeling that they want Thailand. Pai might be worth a look. It has 5 7/11s for shopping.

I have a friend up in Pai he has a residence here also in Chiang Mai. He prefers Pai. He just signed a 1 year lease for a place just outside Pai. He loves it he has a bike he rides through the hills on and takes his dogs out for a walk in the hills every day. He also goes into town for meals. He tells me they are cheaper and several very good places one was rated 5 star by trip adviser. He was telling me it is getting away from the strictly hippie days. There are now Chinese with business there.

Make a list and go on a tour. It would be a nice trip anyhow.

If you are still looking for a house to rent out of the city please contact me on 053 481039 or e mail <removed as per forum rules> and i will send you pictures, you did respond but unfortunately i had internet problems