
Last updated on Feb 11, 2022
Summary: With a population of approximately 125,000 (950k in the metro area), expats, digital nomads and retirees love living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They enjoy a lower cost of living, a tropical climate and numerous activities for expats such as Little League, ballet classes and chess club. Heat warning: March through May sees daily temps in the mid to upper 90s.
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Chiang Mai, they said:
"Make a trip or two to visit for several days at a minimum before even considering a move. There are aspects of living here that even those who have prepared may not anticipate without firsthand experience," mentioned another expat in Chiang Mai.
"Rent for one year before buying or renting long term. The city is very diverse and there are hundreds of housing communities to choose from. Make sure to visit all of the 7 international schools because each is very unique. If you have a family, also pick up the Sanook Book (www.sanookbook.com)," commented one expat who made the move to Chiang Mai.
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Betsy Burlingame is the Founder of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Some of Betsy's more popular articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Italy, 12 Things to Know Before Moving to The Dominican Republic and the Living in Panama Guide. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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Guide to Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Chiang Mai
Thailand Forum
Join our Thailand forum to meet other people living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Chiang Mai.
Expats and global nomads in Chiang Mai share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Thailand, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Chiang Mai: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
If you're moving to Chiang Mai with kids, here's are some of the best international schools according to expats.
Expats share their experiences living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
The number of people interested in becoming a digital nomad continues to grow, and Chiang Mai is considered by many to be one of the top destinations in the World. Find out why this city in Northern Thailand is so alluring to digital nomads throughout the world.
An expat in Chiang Mai advises newcomers to know their local doctors, dentists and hospitals. He also says that medical care and medicines are not expensive.
Expats in Chiang Mai find a complicated city that has many unexpected aspects to navigate. Here is a brief overview of this beautiful city in Thailand.
An expat who retired in Chiang Mai Thailand offers some detailed insight into what it means to live abroad there. Health care in Chiang Mai, crime, cost of living and more are covered.
An American expat who moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai talks about how she underestimated the how much culture shock she would experience in Chiang Mai. She loves the welcoming Thai people, low cost of living, affordable medical care, respect for elders, Thai food and more. However, she explains that Thai culture is very complex and it's easy to make social mistakes.
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Our new survey to find the Best Places to Live in 2022 revealed that 86% of expats in Thailand love their experience living there.
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Chiang Mai
Thailand Forum
Meet other people living in Chiang Mai.
Expats and global nomads in Chiang Mai share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Thailand, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Chiang Mai: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
If you're moving to Chiang Mai with kids, here's are some of the best international schools according to expats.
Expats share their experiences living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Chiang Mai.
The number of people interested in becoming a digital nomad continues to grow, and Chiang Mai is considered by many to be one of the top destinations in the World. Find out why this city in Northern Thailand is so alluring to digital nomads throughout the world.
An expat in Chiang Mai advises newcomers to know their local doctors, dentists and hospitals. He also says that medical care and medicines are not expensive.
Expats in Chiang Mai find a complicated city that has many unexpected aspects to navigate. Here is a brief overview of this beautiful city in Thailand.
An expat who retired in Chiang Mai Thailand offers some detailed insight into what it means to live abroad there. Health care in Chiang Mai, crime, cost of living and more are covered.
An American expat who moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai talks about how she underestimated the how much culture shock she would experience in Chiang Mai. She loves the welcoming Thai people, low cost of living, affordable medical care, respect for elders, Thai food and more. However, she explains that Thai culture is very complex and it's easy to make social mistakes.
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