I have recently (Within the last 3 days) returned from a short holiday down in Krabi. And I must say that all in all, Chiang Mai is a lot better in a lot of areas.

Sure Krabi is next to the sea and there are a lot of marine activities available, hell the missus and I did the 7 island snorkling trip and also diving around Phi Phi islands. But other than that we were both rather disappointed with what Krabi had to offer. We stayed at Krabi resort which I must say was very good but the rest of the town area left us cold. Actually it was in Ao Nang that we were based.

Taxi fares are far greater than Chiang Mai as is just about everything in the area. Food generally was below par compared to CM but cost more. A large leo was 180 baht in one place, and it wasnt even at a resort. The attitude of the shop owners was extremely poor with a give a damn towards anyone. I was not impressed.

Long story short, I was happy to get on the flight back to CM. Sure I like the sea and the activities therein, but CM is a lot more hospitable and Im so glad that its my home.

Ive yet to find anywhere in Thailand that will entice me to move; Chaing Mai is great!

went to krabi once with the intention of beaching. got into a song taew in town, so off we go. good should be there soon. after quite some minutes we were back where we started with some extra passenger. repeat two more times and i get out of the songtaew at the start point and catch a bus to elsewhere in thailand. still havent returned. been to phi phi though it was ok.

My feelings also. Krabi seemed to me to be a bleak place to live and We were very disappointed with Ao Nang. The island tours were nice but there was not a lot of any thing else there. OK for holidays and tours but not to live there.

Being the CM forum i think i can see where this is heading... but just thought i'd add my two cents.

I've travelled a lot through Thailand, not everywhere, but a fair bit.

I visit every place with an open mind and if it's better than CM i'd consider it a possibility.

So far the only place that has come close is Udon Thani, though at this stage CM still comes out on top.

Krabi was never really a tourist town, the first time I went there it was Thai entertainment only, but bloody good fun it was.

Different strokes for Different Folks...

I went to ''CM'' once, and that was enough.. not for me....., but i can see why some people like it..

like i said, ''Different Strokes for Different Folks''..

I was at an outdoor bar in Jontiem/Pattaya about five or six years ago. All of the guys drinking there (it was the same bunch every night) were perfectly nice. After getting to know me for a few days they asked me, "what are you doing up in Chiang Mai? Hiding from something?"

I tried to explain to them that there was a vibrant foreign community up here, but I am not sure they understood. As I explained to them, living in Chiang Mai is living in Thailand. Living in Pattaya is like living in Las Vegas. It's a decent enough place but you aren't really living in the US, you are living in Vegas.

They seemed to appreciate that.

I wouldn't know where else to live in Thailand. Udon Thani is too rough around the edges. Phuket is too big for me to wrap my head around. Bangkok is, well, I've already lived in New York City and I don't need to be in another huge city again.

So I am here in CM. I open to moving if I can find another place. I lived in southern Portugal for a few years and would not want to live there again, but I am considering a move to northern Portugal.

If someone else has a better suggestion I am all ears.

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Different strokes for Different Folks...

I went to ''CM'' once, and that was enough.. not for me....., but i can see why some people like it..

like i said, ''Different Strokes for Different Folks''..

The topic was Chiang Mai compared to Krabi. What was your impression of Krabi?

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Different strokes for Different Folks...

I went to ''CM'' once, and that was enough.. not for me....., but i can see why some people like it..

like i said, ''Different Strokes for Different Folks''..

The topic was Chiang Mai compared to Krabi. What was your impression of Krabi?

Krabi is not mentioned in the topic title.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Different strokes for Different Folks...

I went to ''CM'' once, and that was enough.. not for me....., but i can see why some people like it..

like i said, ''Different Strokes for Different Folks''..

The topic was Chiang Mai compared to Krabi. What was your impression of Krabi?

Krabi is not mentioned in the topic title.

Hey, you can't talk to the Internet Police that way! :-)

Good feedback people, always interested to hear what others think of different parts of Thailand.

The missus also wanted to hop across to Phuket seeing as we were in the South, but after 4 days I dont think we would have been able to handle the extra hassle from the abundant touts and tuk tuk mafia. I diplomatically managed to sway her idea for our next trip away.

Ive also done the Pattaya scene in years gone by. My last few trips there were just for the artist/painting work that is amazing. Im not sure if the lane next to Mikes Mall/Arcade is still the place but on the last trip I spent a bit of time there purchasing lots of great work. Very good talent by the artisans/artists in the area.

Ive not spent a great deal of time in Udon Thani.... generally passing thru when doing a visa run to Vientiane (Thank god Im on a retirement visa now, visa run money can be spent on better things!)

Prior to coming to CM I spent just 4 days in BKK. That was enough for me. Maybe too much of a good/bad thing? I found the night life to be a bit tiring after a while and not something I could do month in and month out..... has age got something do do with that?

Overall Im stuck on CM, generally good people here, great food, fair prices for most items and services without too many touts getting in your face. Actually no touts out here in Mae Rim! Its easy to escape into the hills if you want and heaps of tracks for mountain bikes or lesser travelled trails for motorbikes. And with the cool season upon us its a magic place.

Keep up the comments/feedback..... all good stuff

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, still has a small-town feel, prices are reasonable, it's close enough to Bangkok and I hear it has the cleanest air in Thailand. I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, still has a small-town feel, prices are reasonable, it's close enough to Bangkok and I hear it has the cleanest air in Thailand. I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

It gets flooded by all the Bangkok mob on holidays and weekends.

The only place better than Chiang Mai..is Chiang Rai.

The only place better than Chiang Mai..is Chiang Rai.

Interesting. For you, what makes CR better.....?

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, still has a small-town feel, prices are reasonable, it's close enough to Bangkok and I hear it has the cleanest air in Thailand. I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

I was living in Chiang Mai when I took one month vacation in Cha Am. I was close to move there because I like the beach and the beach weather, but Cha Am do not have the Thai flair and culture of Chiang Mai. Again, only Chiang Rai can beat Chiang Mai. If you want to try Chiang Rai, get a studio in our cheap motel or in our mountain resort for days or months.

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, still has a small-town feel, prices are reasonable, it's close enough to Bangkok and I hear it has the cleanest air in Thailand. I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

I was living in Chiang Mai when I took one month vacation in Cha Am. I was close to move there because I like the beach and the beach weather, but Cha Am do not have the Thai flair and culture of Chiang Mai. Again, only Chiang Rai can beat Chiang Mai. If you want to try Chiang Rai, get a studio in our cheap motel or in our mountain resort for days or months.

I have tried Chiang Ria. Maybe I missed something but why do you think it better than Chiang Mai???

Sure whats not to like about cm. never been to krabi, they just seem like two completely different ends of the scale compared to tourism in the north. i imagine diving watersports and beach life and activities for k. i do get a bit bored in chiang mai city after a while, theres a fairly limited nightlife and once youve done all the touristy things once thats it. its got a pretty nice natural beauty to the place and its pretty cheap and nice climate. gets a bit crazy with foriegn tourists and hard to get around outside city centre good for a holiday, couldnt live there. They do have some nice pretty girls tho

I like Chiang Mai but I would rather drive there and stay with friends from time to time, than actually live there. Even though it is a 3 hour drive for us to Chiang Mai, we have been known to pop over for the day and return in the evening. With good company, in a nice car, it can be a beautiful drive.

After 30 years in Bangkok I decided to reverse my travel directions. Instead of living in a city full-time and only occasionally getting away to a more beautiful natural environment, I switched to living in a natural rural environment and occasionally getting away to the city.

Sunsets are now a daily experience and I don’t have to travel to a health club to get some exercise. Mt. bike trails start at my front door as do my evening sunset walks with the dogs. I usually feel the need to go for a drive at least twice each week and usually end up in Chiang Rai for a coffee and a little shopping. I am almost always back in time to walk the dogs and enjoy the sunset.

I never had a view like this in Bangkok. Phaya Mengrai east of Chiang Rai.

I love Chiang Mai. I have been here for more than 20 years and all my friends are here, but, if not for that, I would rather live at the beach, if I could afford it.

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Different strokes for Different Folks...

I went to ''CM'' once, and that was enough.. not for me....., but i can see why some people like it..

like i said, ''Different Strokes for Different Folks''..

The topic was Chiang Mai compared to Krabi. What was your impression of Krabi?

Krabi , yes it was OK..... I would consider living there, I love the Sea....

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, ... I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

this is a matter for conjecture. beach chairs yes, umbrellas yes, tables yes. beach? no one has seen it for years.

beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in? last i was there somewhat recently, the army-police hadnt done a phuket style sweep operation, so one assumes thats how the thais like it.

Other than the islands Krabi left us cold.....not much to do & there is a certain (M) group there that seems well entrenched in the business/merchandising/lodging end of things and nobody comes out ahead when dealing with them....and item that cost me 150 at a pharmacy in CM was 460 there.....also didn't care for the hustlers/barkers there - especially one comment aimed toward my wife and openly leering women.....didn't really care for places with people in burkas smoking waterpipes......there's an arrogance in Krabi.....places to eat were OK - nice to eat overlooking the beach at sunset.....island tours were fun - very picturesque.....

Much prefer Cha Am......

Always glad to come home to CM.....

i like the sea hua hin,would do it for me but ive been to long in chaing mai now and its so easy to get to most places in thailand,north or south,from cnx. krabi/ ao nang,is a quiet place shame really as there is some great places to go around there.

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, still has a small-town feel, prices are reasonable, it's close enough to Bangkok and I hear it has the cleanest air in Thailand. I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

Yes been to Cha-Am many times,its growing at such a rapid rate, it soon will be glued together with Hua Hin.Its very expensive compared to CM for land and/or condo,housing, restaurants etc,a very ordinary beach which at holiday times is chaotic with visitors, you would be lucky to find room to stretch a towel out.

Go a little further south to the Bangsaphan area if you want a non touristy town with a very long uncluttered coast line.

As for the cleanest air in Thailand,pure nonsense why would it be any different to any other coastal town ?

Anyone been to Cha-Am? It has a beach, still has a small-town feel, prices are reasonable, it's close enough to Bangkok and I hear it has the cleanest air in Thailand. I'm just wondering why it does not beat Chiang Mai as a place to settle down in?

I was living in Chiang Mai when I took one month vacation in Cha Am. I was close to move there because I like the beach and the beach weather, but Cha Am do not have the Thai flair and culture of Chiang Mai. Again, only Chiang Rai can beat Chiang Mai. If you want to try Chiang Rai, get a studio in our cheap motel or in our mountain resort for days or months.

I have tried Chiang Ria. Maybe I missed something but why do you think it better than Chiang Mai???

Just look on Village Farang respond...I felt the same. The view on his picture is similar to the one I have from my window living just 10 minutes from downtown. In the opposite direction, even more mountains, water falls, parks. Better trafic, not so much tourism that means no bargaining or dealing with "extorsion", and everything cheaper. Just to go in and out of the immigration office in 10 minutes for any reason makes a big difference! Better weather too..if you like cold mornings and nites. My husky loves it.....To run freely on the closest park by the lake?..priceless!

For me Chiang Mai is probably one of the better places to stay in Thailand. I like it because it still has a small city like feeling, i.e. nightlife is quite good, you have everything available, you have an airport with good connections, the climate in the North is awesome, traffic is still ok. Friends from all over the places love to come visit you. So all in all it's quite alright. I like Chiang Rai for a short visit, holiday but for daily life Chiang Mai offers a lot more. @Villagefarang: you can buy a house near Chiang Mai with a similar view (probably not the same mountain bike trails as Chiang Rai to be fair:) )

@ JulieM: I've been to many places across Asia and to be honest Thailand offers still the best quality of life in my opinion for Asia and I've seen many people return to Thailand to live here after they've been abroad for work, i.e. KL, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan. But ultimately it probably depends on what factors are most important to you. Maybe you like Vietnam, personally I enjoyed my travels to Vietnam but I prefer to stay in Thailand to be honest.

Being the CM forum i think i can see where this is heading... but just thought i'd add my two cents.

I've travelled a lot through Thailand, not everywhere, but a fair bit.

I visit every place with an open mind and if it's better than CM i'd consider it a possibility.

So far the only place that has come close is Udon Thani, though at this stage CM still comes out on top.

I agree totally. Visited many places in Thailand. I just moved from Udon....and am now in Chiang Mai.

For me, it is the people that makes a place feel like home. Udon and Chiang Mai had the friendliest people, by far.

Chiang Mai (province) is just more my flavor. Nature parks and such (outside of town). We just drove from CM to Udon and back, last week (for the fourth time). What beautiful scenery inbetween...especially through Loei. Stayed near Phu Ruea...just before Dansai.

I lived on or near a beach for most of my adult life. Even owned fishing boats/sailing boats. I do not miss it much

Maybe you like Vietnam, personally I enjoyed my travels to Vietnam but I prefer to stay in Thailand to be honest.

I used to love traveling in Vietnam. When the baht collapsed in 1997, I got a much better paying job there and moved. Within two weeks, I knew I had made a mistake and returned to CM as soon as my contract was up. I have never gone back to Vietnam.

i like the sea hua hin,would do it for me but ive been to long in chaing mai now and its so easy to get to most places in thailand,north or south,from cnx. krabi/ ao nang,is a quiet place shame really as there is some great places to go around there.

Out of curiosity when you say some great places to go. Are you speaking as a person living there year round or for touring?