Most of the things that made this list could be said for a lot of Thailand. There are a raft of factors that makes life in Chiang Mai easier than anywhere else, even compared to other parts of the country.
We’ve got our list down to the best 7, but if there is something we’ve missed drop a comment and we’ll consider making a bigger list next time!
1. The laid-back lifestyle
One thing that goes under the radar a little is that Thailand is ahead of the curve
when it comes to connectivity. While it is often recognised for the wires that hang
along the streets (which incidentally, are now in the process of being taken down)
that sets the impression that it is stuck in more basic times, this couldn’t be further
from the truth.
The three or four main mobile carriers offer 5G coverage across the whole of Chiang
Mai and have a wide range of packages that would rank very well in terms of cost.
The internet coverage here is also far better than many western countries. Every
store, café and restaurant has WIFI – if nothing else for the people that work there
who are likely glued to their phones – and it is usually high speed. You can’t go
anywhere without a WIFI network you can likely join.
Most cafés are accustomed to digital nomads and expats working out of them and
have high speed internet. It is also extremely good value for the home, with 500Mbps
or even 1Gb download speeds available.
This makes it exceptionally easy to access international streaming services, work
online, video call your family and friends stuck in less appealing countries, or simply
order Grab for dinner.
2. A friendly expat community
Luckily, there is a large community of expats – several communities really – who have already adopted this laid-back lifestyle in Chiang Mai. This makes assimilating into this pace of life rather easier.
There are a variety of meetups, bars frequented and owned by expats, as well as buildings and communities predominantly accommodating people who have moved here from all over the world.
You won’t need to look far to find people who can help you navigate your way in the city – or to simply expand your friendship group. Facebook groups, events emails, and local community boards are always a good place to start.
Chiang Mai is also a popular destination for digital nomads who come into town for a few days or months. A little more transient in nature, they will often be part of or create meetups that popup around town and add a little more energy to the city.
Finding people with similar interests – or even finding some new ones – in and amongst the expat community, will make what is already an easy place to live even more so.
3. Getting virtually anything delivered, and fast
With Grab and Foodpanda the most widely used, Chiang Mai’s food and grocery delivery game is very strong.
Whether you want a pad Thai, greasy burger, a carton of milk, or a week’s worth of groceries, the food delivery services in Chiang Mai are a big part of what makes it such an easy city to live in.
A couple of taps on an app and you’ll likely have dinner prepared and delivered before you can cook it and get to make the most of the great restaurants around the city. All without leaving the house.
Aside from the handful of food delivery services (that can also offer transport and courier services, amongst others) you can get practically anything delivered within days on Lazada, Shopee, and Aliexpress. Similar to Amazon in most western countries, these will ship from China or inland meaning there is a near limitless supply of useful – and not so useful – goods.
While Chiang Mai is a city that we’d recommend you get out and see as much of as possible, you don’t actually need to go out at all to buy almost anything you might need.
4. Getting around
With Grab and other services like Bolt and Indrive offering lift and ridesharing around the city you don’t need your own transport to navigate the streets. Within minutes a car, truck, or motorbike can be at your door and whisking you around Chiang Mai.
Alternatively, the red trucks – known as Songthaew or Rod Daeng – operate in a quasi-bus/taxi manner. For just 30 baht you’ll be dropped off exactly where you need, unlike the linear bus, tra,m and rail systems of other big cities.
To add to the experience, you’ll likely be sharing one with a local or two, and there are no set destinations. Tell the driver where you want to go, and they’ll plot a route that suits everyone onboard.
Getting your own transport isn’t difficult either. Picking up a cheap, reliable motorbike is very popular with the roads perfect for zipping around the city and dodging any traffic there might be.
We’re not going to lie, driving a car requires a little more patience, but you’ll be more than ready for this by the time you’ve adapted to the pace of life.
5. Everything is nearby
One of the reasons getting around is so easy compared to most cities you are likely to be moving from is that Chiang Mai is a compact city.
For the second city of such a populated nation it is only sprawling in terms of its extended residential areas. On the whole, very neighborhood has everything you would need but going to the other side of the city for a particular restaurant, meetup, or activity is not the hour-long or more journey it can be almost anywhere else.
The vast number of local restaurants, bars and cafés, local grocery stores, means you really don’t need to travel far from home for any of these anyway.
There will also be a good handful of mechanics, car washes, markets, and gyms within a few minutes of wherever you live.
You could in theory stay in your local neighborhood the whole time and live a perfectly happy and well-provided for life! Though it is unlikely, thanks to being so easy to get around Chiang Mai.
6. Cuisine choice
As we just mentioned, there is an unfathomable number of restaurants in Chiang Mai. From one-man ice cream carts to established local Thai joints to high-end hotel restaurants, the city has it all.
It is not uncommon for it to be referred to as one of the best food city in the world by expats. And, given the density of restaurants within a small area food choice from every cuisine – and offering very high quality options for them all somewhere in the city – it is not an unreasonable claim.
This makes finding the food you fancy within a reasonable distance – or available for delivery – any day of the week, extremely easy.
If anything, this could be a hinderance – too much choice can make ordering dinner HARDER, not easier. We definitely think it’s a positive.
7. Internet & Mobile Coverage
One thing that goes under the radar a little is that Thailand is ahead of the curve when it comes to connectivity. While it is often recognised for the wires that hang along the streets (which incidentally, are now in the process of being taken down) that sets the impression that it is stuck in more basic times, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
A Bonus #8 The value for money
We nearly forgot – though it’s a running theme through most of the previous 7 – that they all come at an extremely affordable price.
Some of the conveniences we’ve listed that makes life in Chiang Mai easier than anywhere else are available in other countries too. They are almost certainly going to cost a premium.
Chiang Mai is one of the lowest cost cities in Thailand, let alone anywhere else. Many claim they live comfortably on $1000 a month, and that is certainly achievable for some, and they can do so with the advantage of access to all the things that make the city so easy to live in.
The great thing about the easy way of life in Chiang Mai is that so MANY things combine to make day-to-day life a breeze. Yes, a little patience might be required if you are relying on some services, but we’ll refer you back to point 1 – life is more laid back here!
Let us know in the comments if there are any big omissions from our top seven. There are so many things that make life easy in Chiang Mai we expect a lot of debate!
