BootsnAll Travel Community

So I may be moving to Chiang Mai for a wonderful job opportunity.. and would like to hear some thoughts from expats on living in Thailand. How much is it to rent an apartment, etc.? Is it possible to rent an apartment in Chiang Mai for less than USD100? How are the bookstores? Lifestyle? etc..?

I had wondered to put this thread in the Asia forum as I might have gotten more responses but I am more interested in hearing from folks who have lived in Chiang Mai longer. FYI I've never been to Thailand!!!!

I can't comment on living expenses, but I can tell you Chiang Mai is a beautiful place with a nearby national park filled with waterfalls (Doi Inthanon). The people are wonderful, nice, friendly. There are plenty of opportunities to travel into the mountains to see the local hill tribes. Thailand for not speaking Thai is one of the comfortable places to be. I have been twice, not spoken a lick of Thai, and didn't really notice much difference. Good luck!!

Thanks Cristi! Am excited about the national park, would love to get some good hiking done if I end up moving to Chiang Mai.. I have heard good things about CM and Thailand so am pretty happy!..

I have not lived in Chiang Mai either, but have visited it and wanted to echo Cristi's comments. It seemed like a very nice spot, far less over the top and congested than Bangkok, but not so far out that there's not a good variety of things to do.

You can probably rent an "apartment" for about US$100 - but it will be a one-room efficiency or "bedsit" type apartment.

Lifestyle great - but does require some money. Who wants to go out for a few beers and have to go home early because you can't afford to stay out with your friends?

Lots of GOOD used books stores - so you can save good money that way.

Most likely you'll LOVE it - but wages earned in Thailand tend to be quite low.