Hello All - what a great active forum!

We have just arrived in Chiang Mai and could use some advice for a 6 month stay.

We are looking for a good nursery school that accepts 18 month olds for half day morning visits.

As we are on a 6 month visit, price is not that important - we're open to a thai nursery school on one end of the price spectrum, or a more western or other school likely on the other end.

With that found, we are looking for a 4 bedroom place to live close to that school. We have lots of relatives and a newborn expected in October.

We don't require a modern moo baan, or a modern western house, and prefer a majority thai community, though we're open to it as finding a 4 bedroom in a thai village seems unlikely.

We don't have a need to be near the city center and don't want to be surrounded by concrete - but just not too far out (more than half a hour) as we'll be likely to select a hospital near the city for the new baby.

I know this is a very broad request, but any advice is very welcome on any parts of it.

Sunshine Nursery School in Hangdong is very good. Our 1.75 year old attends weekdays 9-3 and loves it. Both English and Thai are spoken. Hangdong is a good - great - area to live - about 10km south of Chiang Mai, say 15-20 minutes drive. Lots of houses to rent, very good restaurants, the Leo Club with swimming and playground for toddlers, Nick's restaurant and playground - highly recommend.

I second hangdong suggestion.

Several schools; easy access to the city, airport plaza, imigration, Nimanhiem rd, promenada a little round the ring road. If using car easy to get around. Plenty food options, restaurants, markets, Rimping, tesco, big C, Makro.

Activities like night safari (open in the day like a zoo with a great indoor and out door play ground) and nice green mountains, rivers etc of national park next door.

Moo bans along the canal road are nice and not too much traffic getting to them (where as the main trunk road between airport plaza and baan tawai gets a bit congested around rush hours times). Try "Lana Pinery Home" for example. Or for a village setting you can drive in the sois on the mountain range side all along that canal road. Quite a range of houses. Can ask in the mom n pop stores to track down rentals that might not have a sign on the gate. 4 beds is possible I should think.

Btw also fairly easy access to the suandok hospital. The private birthing zone on 12 to 14 the floor is good for having and caring for babies. Had both our boys there. Not overly expensive at all.

Welcome and all the best for your stay and new joys.

We have just found the house today. It's located very close to the ideal school and local market in Hang dong. We'll explore other things around this area.

Thank you kindly for all your suggestions and warm welcome