Walkable area to live in CM?

[zierf1]

Me and my wife want to move to CM(she is from Isaan). We want to stay in an area that is walkable or can be reached by discount tesco bicycle(for saving transport costs). We stayed at a place last time but it was out in the middle of nowhere and had to pay every time for the tuk tuk man to take us everywhere which cost us big money. We will be staying in an affordable Thai apartment loom(~2000 baht/month) and need a market with food stalls around for our rice cooker and cooking stove. Can you suggest an area?

[true blue]

propaly isaan some were

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Kad Kom Area, Santitham, or even the old city itself has apartment buildings that are affordable, just maybe slightly higher than 2000 for something nicer. But if you want it cheap, then the aforementioned areas should work.

[itsmylife]

Kad Kom Area, Santitham, or even the old city itself has apartment buildings that are affordable, just maybe slightly higher than 2000 for something nicer. But if you want it cheap, then the aforementioned areas should work.

Wiang Bua rd beside santitham with siri wattana market you can't find any place better. everything have here .

[Lizard2010]

Maybe find something in the Thai Newspapers

depends on how far you want to ride going to Tesco

Good Luck finding that cheap

[uptheos]

Wiang Inn Mansion on Santisuk Rd.

Run by a really nice lady named Amporn.

Nice clean furnished rooms for 2,500-3,000 baht (a bit over your price range)

You can eat downstairs or in your room for 25/30 baht, or bring whatever you like to your room and cook it.

Five minutes walk from the 'haa yaak' and ten minutes from Central

I love Santitham at night, I loved it more 25 years ago but I still think it's a really neat area.

If I didn't have my own house, I'd move back to that area in a heartbeat.

[fang37]

B2k/mth. Far too much for rental (in a cupboard). Sleep on a bicycle built for two?

[asdecas]

Do you mean before or after your lungs have become clogged with particulates?

[martijn12345]

2000 per month... I am really worried what kind of room you can find for that money. Around 4000 there is plenty of stuff for rent that would be torrable for me. The areas mentioned are indeed good areas. But I really hope you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget for a little more rent. And as everybody in Chiangmai, get yourself a motorbike or a bicycle at least

[uptheos]

2000 per month... I am really worried what kind of room you can find for that money. Around 4000 there is plenty of stuff for rent that would be torrable for me. The areas mentioned are indeed good areas. But I really hope you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget for a little more rent. And as everybody in Chiangmai, get yourself a motorbike or a bicycle at least

I'll let you into a little secret.

Those 4,000 baht 'tolerable for you' rooms are 2,500 baht 'tolerable to a Thai rooms'.

If you happen to know the owner of the building you might get it at Thai price.

That's why some foreigners have a really cheap room and others can't believe it.

[sawadee1947]

hardly to find, better stay in Isaan

[bazza40]

Possibly the Nong Hoi area, one permanent market and two other day markets close by. The day markets operate Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There are Thai condos there for that price. As other posters have said, much better to have a bicycle or scooter.

[movsrus]

Try looking around Rajabhat University. There is a good market near the school (Tallot Tannin), lots of relatively inexpensive housing and it is easily walk-able and with a bike you would have no problem getting to the old city if that was something you wanted to do. Avoid the area near the Tesco complex as it is full of bars that go late at night with young people partying. Pattara Place is OK. We stayed there for about a year although I think we paid almost 4000 a month for rent. Baan Sri Monkol is another nice apartment building although it is more expensive.

[KonaRain]

Is a push bike really safe..?

With my dust mask.

[Rimmer]

A disrespectful flame has been removed

[Chicog]

I think a tent would be your best option.

[blazes]

What exactly will you do all day? I mean, you would have to spend most of your time out of the "home", since living in a sardine tin is a little uncomfortable...

[phrodan]

The cheapest place I've seen was 1500 baht a month, a semi-derlict 1970's concrete cancer housing block, with a lift that stopped working when the buffalo that powered it died. From memory it didn't even have windows. Space for windows? yes - but no windows. I jest not.

What you are looking for is the lowest of the low housing - the equivalent of living in a run-down project. If that's your aim, go ahead - you're going to have far more to worry about than the proximity of the local Tesco.

[phrodan]

2000 per month... I am really worried what kind of room you can find for that money. Around 4000 there is plenty of stuff for rent that would be torrable for me. The areas mentioned are indeed good areas. But I really hope you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget for a little more rent. And as everybody in Chiangmai, get yourself a motorbike or a bicycle at least

I'll let you into a little secret.

Those 4,000 baht 'tolerable for you' rooms are 2,500 baht 'tolerable to a Thai rooms'.

If you happen to know the owner of the building you might get it at Thai price.

That's why some foreigners have a really cheap room and others can't believe it.

But you're still in a room that is merely tolerable to a Thai. Not much to be said for that.

[fang37]

CNX would have some of the most affordable & value for $$$ accommodation in Thailand. Guesthouses, rooms, condos, houses are aplenty.

Looking for the bottom end of the market? Why? As previously suggested, buy a tent.

[uptheos]

2000 per month... I am really worried what kind of room you can find for that money. Around 4000 there is plenty of stuff for rent that would be torrable for me. The areas mentioned are indeed good areas. But I really hope you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget for a little more rent. And as everybody in Chiangmai, get yourself a motorbike or a bicycle at least

I'll let you into a little secret.

Those 4,000 baht 'tolerable for you' rooms are 2,500 baht 'tolerable to a Thai rooms'.

If you happen to know the owner of the building you might get it at Thai price.

That's why some foreigners have a really cheap room and others can't believe it.

But you're still in a room that is merely tolerable to a Thai. Not much to be said for that.

Maybe I worded it incorrectly, but there are a lot of Thai's living very happily for 2,500 baht........have you ever actually been inside one? They're not as bad or as small as you think. Foreigners are paying double for similar rooms.

[zierf1]

The cheapest place I've seen was 1500 baht a month, a semi-derlict 1970's concrete cancer housing block, with a lift that stopped working when the buffalo that powered it died. From memory it didn't even have windows. Space for windows? yes - but no windows. I jest not.

What you are looking for is the lowest of the low housing - the equivalent of living in a run-down project. If that's your aim, go ahead - you're going to have far more to worry about than the proximity of the local Tesco.

No, we think we can get something for 2,000-2,500. It is normal price for Thai people. My lady is fine with it. She doesnt even use aircon anyways.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

^ I think so too; ignore the unhelpful snobs & naysayers.

[ronwparker]

A lot of bullshit is talked on here a basic room with fan is available close toTesco on the Hangdong Road-costing about 2500 a month-but riding a bike on main roads here is very dangerous(heavy traffic and bad driving)!

[connda]

I've been living with Thais since I got here. There are 'Thai' apartments in the 2000 THB range around Kampandin Soi 1 area. My wife and I have maintained an apartment in that area for over 8 years. There are at least 4 in the immediate area. I don't know the names right off hand. This area is between Thapae Road and Loi Kroh Road and is within walking / biking distance of multiple markets (Thai and farang), businesses, and attractions (Sunday Market, Night Market, Worarot Market, Anusan Market, Thapae Gate, and the Old city). Actually, if you walk/bike the Thapae Road and Loi Kroh sois, there are a number of 'Thai' apartments to be found, all in the 'cheap' price range, and a lot of guest houses that rent monthly. Depends how comfortable you are with that. If not, take the other TV members advice and look for apartments that other farangs live in. Then you're in the 4000 and up range. One of the primary 'farang' apartment is Verachai Court off of Thapae soi 2, but I believe these are all furnished with A/C and over 5000THB/mo.

Just a word of warning though. This area totally sucks between about mid-February until mid to late April. The air quality is horrendous if not down-right dangerous. That's the down side. There is a pinned post in the Chiang Mai forum about the suckola air quality. You should read it. Other than that...

Best of luck. Happy apartment hunting.

[phrodan]

2000 per month... I am really worried what kind of room you can find for that money. Around 4000 there is plenty of stuff for rent that would be torrable for me. The areas mentioned are indeed good areas. But I really hope you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget for a little more rent. And as everybody in Chiangmai, get yourself a motorbike or a bicycle at least

I'll let you into a little secret.

Those 4,000 baht 'tolerable for you' rooms are 2,500 baht 'tolerable to a Thai rooms'.

If you happen to know the owner of the building you might get it at Thai price.

That's why some foreigners have a really cheap room and others can't believe it.

But you're still in a room that is merely tolerable to a Thai. Not much to be said for that.

Maybe I worded it incorrectly, but there are a lot of Thai's living very happily for 2,500 baht........have you ever actually been inside one? They're not as bad or as small as you think. Foreigners are paying double for similar rooms.

You delude yourself that they are living happily in these units.

It's all they can afford, and they dream of getting out of the cell blocks.

But if you wish to continue telling yourself that fantastical lie, then up to you.

[phrodan]

^ I think so too; ignore the unhelpful snobs & naysayers.

Snobbish for pointing out that the units in CM under 2,000 baht a month are as rough as hell? what's wrong with you?

[Seligne2]

In mid-July 2015 my Chiang Mai condo lease was up. Beautiful condo, 2 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 baths, swimming pool, gym, billiard tables, largely Japanese clientele (working at Lamphun factories). I had decided to leave Chiang Mai as I had lived there for 2 years plus living/teaching 6 months in Samoeng. My intention is to live in every region in Thailand (I'm a writer).

Anyway, faced with the logistics of moving, I needed a place to store my stuff as I exited the condo. Across the street from the condo was an apartment building. I rented a 3d floor room there for 2.5k baht per month (plus 2.5k deposit). One room, furnished with bed, armoire, 2 electrical outlets in inconvenient places, a bathroom, insufficient overhead lighting, and a tiny balcony mostly used by residents for drying clothing. No air conditioning, no refrigerator.

This was in the Wat Ket area, a 1 km walk to the Sanpakoi Market and only slightly more to Duke's and Rimping Market.

The building was spotless, with an amiable on-site cleaning lady and at night, a security guard. I deposited all my stuff there as I cleaned the condo, cancelled contracts with 3BB, et al., and made arrangements for a rental truck, etc. All in all, I slept there about 5 nights.

Could I live there full-time? No, for the simple reason that I require a kitchen. I don't like eating in restaurants on a regular basis. That's why I was in the condo with a kitchen. I found that in Chiang Mai it is difficult to find apartments with cooking facilities.

All in all, it worked well for me. My storage alternative seemed to be a well-regarded place in Hang Dong, quite inconvenient for a guy with only a motorbike, and possibly more expensive.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

^ I think so too; ignore the unhelpful snobs & naysayers.

Snobbish for pointing out that the units in CM under 2,000 baht a month are as rough as hell? what's wrong with you?

I think he said 2,500 Baht. Or maybe these cost 3K now in a reasonable area, whatever. Either way I think we're talking about a room in an apartment block that includes a bathroom, small balcony, in a building with 3-4 floors, no elevator, no air conditioning provided. Hot water shower is often included but not always. Furniture (if any) is basic.

Of course as a tenant you can add lots of things to add comfort: your own furniture, bed/mattress, etc.

So the limitations you have are basically the same as when living in a hotel room: you don't have too much space, and you don't have a kitchen.

So while these don't work if you have a family or want a kitchen and a yard and a dog and so on, I can understand that they are perfectly adequate for people by themselves (or as a couple), without culinary aspirations.

I would not want to live in such a place now but it was perfectly fine for me when I first arrived. Not to mention they're right downtown so you can walk to anything: why require a washing machine when a laundry lady is right downstairs. Why require a kitchen when you have all the food you need for 40 Baht just down the road, etc.

> what's wrong with you?

Ah, I answered the question the OP asked. Sorry.

I guess that means there is something wrong with me, and not with those who ignore the question but still respond to start some kind of diatribe. :/

[MadMac]

2...3000B is one thing. But you need some form of transport. Scooter at least. If you have that, your options increase significantly. Why it need to be walkable, aka central, with high prices? Just jump on the bike and you are everywhere in no time. Hang Dong may be a good choice, nice area, you have a BigC there, fresh market, Kad Farang with Rimping and McDonalds.

I'd rather take the nicer place you find further in the outskirts than anything "walkable".