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Helpful hints for living in Chiang Mai

Nov 2nd, 2006 by Lillian

Are you new in town or thinking about moving to Chiang Mai? WELCOME. This page is for you.

Visa is what you will need before you can even come to Chiang Mai. Go the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Webpage to get the most up to date infomation..

Rain Tree Resource Center has a green Book called” Helpful Hints for Getting Settled in Chiang Mai”. You can pick up a free copy at Chiang Mai Community Church Raintree.
3 Charoen Muang Road
info line 053 262660

Houses and how much does it cost to rent or buy a house. These Websites should answer some of your questions.

Better Homes
mob phone 018818055
Office phone 053 262 588
Email:thanya@loxinfo.co.th

Chiang Mai House
1 Samlan Rd., T. Prasing A.Muang Chiangmai
50200 ( 50 m. from Prasing temple)

When you come from Tapae Gate, reach to Prasing temple turn left 50 M.
Park at Restaurant / J J Fresh coffee

Mitchai Property co.ltd.302/4 Chiang Mai Lamphun Rd . T Watkate Aa Muang Chiang Mai Tel.(053) 8005678 Fax (053) 800314 \

Shopping
There are many great markets in town where you get fresh vegetables, fruits, clothes, pets etc.
If you prefer western food you there are a couple of Supermarkets.
Lotus- Tesco at the Hang Dong Road and on the north side of town. In the 2. Floor you’ll find a childrens play area, a foodcourt and plenty little stalls selling everything from popcorn to cometic articles.

Big C, Carrefour and Marko are some other shopping centers.
For more imported articles such as swiss muesli, good coffee I can recommend the Kasem Store on Nimmenheimen Road.

Bake and Bite on Mohidol Road has a fresh bakes goods.

Tops Super Market in Central Airport Playa and Khad Suan Kaew has a good choice of baked goods, mexican food, wine, salads and sandwiches to take away.

Le Chocolate a new chocolate shop in Nimmenheimen. Very important lol

Kasem on Nimmenheimen has cheap and good coffee, baked goods and alot of imported goods.. and you might find what you need for that special cake in this shop.

Rimping has two shops. One near Novotel , Chang Puek Road and one not far from the Navarat Bridge, right near the Ping river. Great selection of wine, cheese and other expensive imported food. If you miss shopping like in Europe, this is the shop for you.

Mons Homemade Bread and Pickels
You can order online and get it delivered to you house. Khun Mon makes great bread.

11 Responses to “Helpful hints for living in Chiang Mai”

on 23 May 2006 at 7:58 am1Jimmy

hey, I was just there in Chiangmai. and I Love it!!. I met a women. and we hit it off well… now am thinking of going there to Live. can you Please tell me. the does and don’ts.. everything you have siad just far is true..about Chiangmai.. I was in every pleace. that you have talk about here..so I know you know what you are talking about!!.. I don’t have Much Money. only about $1200. amonth. and what I have Save.. the Lady . I met.has a good job. and is a good women.. I have know her for awhile now..am just wondering how can I rent a home or. Should we get an apt?… I thank you for your input.. Jimmy
on 24 May 2006 at 5:50 am2Lillian

Jimmy, generally houses are cheaper to rent… you’ll have to look around yourself when you get to Chiang Mai… Drive around or phone up a real estate agent who would be more than happy to help.
on 30 May 2006 at 7:39 am3Jimmy

Hello Lillan. thank you for your repaly..and for your help…. am New at al of this..I do wish to ask. if I can Buy a Home there?.. or is it Better if I rent?.. and what is the cost of Living in USD?… if you know?.. am only asking . how far will my Money go?.. and can I make it on $1200 a Month ..I do have Savings as I stated befor.. but I would Love to see thialand some!!. thank you for any help..yours always Jimmy
on 23 Jul 2006 at 9:09 am4Michael LaRocca

Hi,

Thanks for posting this. We just moved to Chiang Mai after six years in China, so I needed this. Talk about starting over again.

Best regards,
Michael
on 23 Jul 2006 at 9:10 am5Michael LaRocca

This link will work better than the other one…
on 07 Aug 2006 at 9:20 pm6Jula

I’m the woman who is Jimmy refer. I would like to say thank you so much for this website. I can find some good reasonable price of accommodation here. I hope this website is usefull for both of Thai people and foreigner
on 19 Aug 2006 at 7:28 pm7Lillian

I love responses like yours Jula, thanx alot !!
on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:55 am8michelle

I will be moving to Chiang Mai for 10 months next year and I just came across your site. It’s a great site with lots of practical information, exactly what I am looking for. Thanks!
on 20 Nov 2007 at 12:13 am9jason

planning on moving to chiang mai, 32000 baht a month to work with. can a single person with modest lifestyle survive on this amount.
on 20 Nov 2007 at 5:48 am10Lillian

Hi Jason Yes that should be enough.
on 13 Jan 2008 at 7:42 am11sipbkk

32,000 baht may be enough for some, but a more realistic amount would be ~50,000 baht. I prefer my housing to provide air cond and a private toilet.

Lillian is right in that houses are relatively inexpensive. You do as a foreigner have the option to purchase a condo should you desire, but you cannot legally purchase a home unless you opt to setup a company, and have the company own the house - that loophole however could be closed at anytime.

Regards and enjoy CM
Sip