Chiang Mai

Many foreigners choose to make central or southern Thailand their home and a majority of them end up settling around Thailand’s third “country,” Chiang Mai. Since the 1800s, the Thai city of Chiang Mai has been luring expats from the West, some come for the weather, and others are attracted to the low cost of living. It’s an area rich in history with a culture distinctly different than central and southern Thailand. 

About 435 miles north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is nestled in a fertile river valley surrounded by mountains and enjoys a more temperate climate than other parts of Thailand. It’s an area rich in history with a culture distinctly different than central and southern Thailand. Many people who first experience Northern Thailand on vacation end up staying for years. 

The heart of Chiang Mai lies within its old city walls. Here, dozens of ancient and modern Buddhist temples coexist with public and international schools, residential and commercial neighborhoods. Street markets and festivals occur almost nightly, and a huge array of restaurants catering to all tastes can be found within walking distance of almost anywhere in the Old City. 

Chiang Mai has grown beyond the ancient walls, though, and extends for several miles in every direction. Large shopping complexes are located along the superhighway, a multi-laned, controlled-access ring road that circles the outskirts of the city. Several “mega-malls” and huge multi-national grocery and department stores line the access roads to the superhighway. 

Between the Old City and superhighway are the condominiums that so many foreigners purchase, freestanding houses, terrace homes, and hundreds of independently-owned neighborhood stores. One thing that Chiang Mai definitely has going for it is its weather. 

While the weather in Bangkok is hot and steamy year-round, Chiang Mai has a cool season From December until the end of February, mid-day temperatures are generally in the low or mid-80s.