Moving to Chiang Mai from BKK

[rdmike]

Looking at a house in Mae Rim off of Hwy 107 and 1260. Anyone know this area? Living in BKK for the last 10 years, and now retired. Any advise is appreciated.

[beau thai]

Sorry- not clear what advice you want - maybe you could clarify/say more...

[rdmike]

Sorry- not clear what advice you want - maybe you could clarify/say more...

Meaning is this a good area? Want to be a bit out of the city center. Away from traffic a bit. Is it too far to travel in for a beer now an then?

[rakchaingmai]

25 minute drive late at night .

[rdmike]

25 minute drive late at night .

Is there transportation or are you on your own? Is there any foreign pubs close by?

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Too far,

It's just that little bit too far from CM, where all the good stuff is.

Also there are extensive roadworks nearer CM, been going for a year, look to be continuing for another year.

Mae Rim itself OK, once you've had lunch at Sala Cafe, and noodles near the corner of 107/1260, that's about it.

Big Makro that's quite good. Western food and bars, very limited.

Shopping and Malls drive to CM, and those roadworks are a real pain, adds at least 10 mins to the journey into town (about 35mins to the moat).

But it was always that little bit too far. Same as Doi Saket, the trip in becomes tedious after a couple of months

(Did I mention the nightmare roadworks at 107/121 intersection that will been ongoing for years?)

MaeJo or Sansai are much better bets at the moment, two times 1001 into town, one slow, one fast.

20-25mins to the moat. 15mins to Central Festival Mall.

Big Tesco and Rimping at the 121/1001 MeeChock intersection less than 10 mins away.

The problem with all the outer villages, limited entertainment and food for western tastes.

You need to get to CM. Mae Rim a bit too far (and killer roadworks)

@RCM

25 mins to CM at midnight if you drive at 80Km/hr all the way running the red lights.

35 mins in off peak time without the roadworks, if you are not totally bonkers.

60 mins in a car with traffic and roadworks.

[rdmike]

Too far,

It's just that little bit too far from CM, where all the good stuff is.

Also there are extensive roadworks nearer CM, been going for a year, look to be continuing for another year.

Mae Rim itself OK, once you've had lunch at Sala Cafe, and noodles near the corner of 107/1260, that's about it.

Big Makro that's quite good. Western food and bars, very limited.

Shopping and Malls drive to CM, and those roadworks are a real pain, adds at least 10 mins to the journey into town (about 35mins to the moat).

Appreciate your reply and comments. Living in a highrise condo now in bkk, but traffic doesn't make for a good retirement. So looking to get out some but within reach of the needed stuff. Not ready to be in a village cut off to the rest of the world.

But it was always that little bit too far. Same as Doi Saket, the trip in becomes tedious after a couple of months

(Did I mention the nightmare roadworks at 107/121 intersection that will been ongoing for years?)

MaeJo or Sansai are much better bets at the moment, two times 1001 into town, one slow, one fast.

20-25mins to the moat. 15mins to Central Festival Mall.

Big Tesco and Rimping at the 121/1001 MeeChock intersection less than 10 mins away.

The problem with all the outer villages, limited entertainment and food for western tastes.

You need to get to CM. Mae Rim a bit too far (and killer roadworks)

[rdmike]

Too far,

It's just that little bit too far from CM, where all the good stuff is.

Also there are extensive roadworks nearer CM, been going for a year, look to be continuing for another year.

Mae Rim itself OK, once you've had lunch at Sala Cafe, and noodles near the corner of 107/1260, that's about it.

Big Makro that's quite good. Western food and bars, very limited.

Shopping and Malls drive to CM, and those roadworks are a real pain, adds at least 10 mins to the journey into town (about 35mins to the moat).

Appreciate your reply and comments. Living in a highrise condo now in bkk, but traffic doesn't make for a good retirement. So looking to get out some but within reach of the needed stuff. Not ready to be in a village cut off to the rest of the world.

But it was always that little bit too far. Same as Doi Saket, the trip in becomes tedious after a couple of months

(Did I mention the nightmare roadworks at 107/121 intersection that will been ongoing for years?)

MaeJo or Sansai are much better bets at the moment, two times 1001 into town, one slow, one fast.

20-25mins to the moat. 15mins to Central Festival Mall.

Big Tesco and Rimping at the 121/1001 MeeChock intersection less than 10 mins away.

The problem with all the outer villages, limited entertainment and food for western tastes.

You need to get to CM. Mae Rim a bit too far (and killer roadworks)

Thanks for your reply and comments. This helps.

[bluweyze]

Too far,

It's just that little bit too far from CM, where all the good stuff is.

Also there are extensive roadworks nearer CM, been going for a year, look to be continuing for another year.

Mae Rim itself OK, once you've had lunch at Sala Cafe, and noodles near the corner of 107/1260, that's about it.

Big Makro that's quite good. Western food and bars, very limited.

Shopping and Malls drive to CM, and those roadworks are a real pain, adds at least 10 mins to the journey into town (about 35mins to the moat).

But it was always that little bit too far. Same as Doi Saket, the trip in becomes tedious after a couple of months

(Did I mention the nightmare roadworks at 107/121 intersection that will been ongoing for years?)

MaeJo or Sansai are much better bets at the moment, two times 1001 into town, one slow, one fast.

20-25mins to the moat. 15mins to Central Festival Mall.

Big Tesco and Rimping at the 121/1001 MeeChock intersection less than 10 mins away.

The problem with all the outer villages, limited entertainment and food for western tastes.

You need to get to CM. Mae Rim a bit too far (and killer roadworks)

@RCM

25 mins to CM at midnight if you drive at 80Km/hr all the way running the red lights.

35 mins in off peak time without the roadworks, if you are not totally bonkers.

60 mins in a car with traffic and roadworks.

Killer roadworks? I drive through them every day and they add 5 minutes to my journey, probably because if it is a busy time I use the backroads . Perhaps I lived in London too long where killer roadworks added 45-60 minutes to a journey.I don't think they have been there a year but it might take up to another year before the underpass is complete then it will be a benefit although probably an unnecessary one. I have had longer delays in Nimmenheimen.

I enjoy living in Maerim and don't want to live in the city. It is each to his own.

[beau thai]

Agree with much of above- Chiang Mai city traffic gets worse almost daily and as thai upgrade from motorcy to car, it will not improve.

Many newbuilds (some even occupied!) add to the problem.

No sign of any significant infrastructure changes that will relieve in-city traffic.

So for people who dont need/want the city, out of town is a better lifestyle but for the rest of us, I think people will live closer and closer in, trading living space for shorter journeys and less frustration - pretty much like any big expanding city in the world I guess.

Only my opinion of course-there will be many that differ...

[zippydedodah]

once the 4th ring road gets in (how many years though?), going from doi saket to points down south (meaning the 1317 SanKamphaeng Road and hence, Promenade mall, Bo Sang, Mae On and eventually the next great airport!) will be a lot easier... question is, how long is it gonna take? Lots of "smart" thais i know are buying property on that stretch, near the new road and intend to make big money... but again, with the coup in place, how will public works projects fare?

[rdmike]

once the 4th ring road gets in (how many years though?), going from doi saket to points down south (meaning the 1317 SanKamphaeng Road and hence, Promenade mall, Bo Sang, Mae On and eventually the next great airport!) will be a lot easier... question is, how long is it gonna take? Lots of "smart" thais i know are buying property on that stretch, near the new road and intend to make big money... but again, with the coup in place, how will public works projects fare?

All, thanks a bunch, this is what i was looking for. Iam now retired so 10 minutes here and there is not a big deal.

Before i commit to the buy i will travel a few times at various times of the day.

I have few friends that retired and went too far in the village with the nearest big city 100 km away and now regretting it...