Relocating to Chiang Mai!

[pluto]

I am relocating to Chiang Mai within the next 2 months and would like recommendations on best ISPs'(fast internet access(2-5mb) is a must and nice areas to live in. I am looking at Doi Saket, Mae Rim, San Sai and Hang Dong areas. We would like to settle about 20-30 minutes max out of town in natural surroundings with a bit of space, minimum ammenities would be appreciated(atms, market, restaurants, shops). I am familiar with Chiang Mai city but I am absolutely clueless about the suburbs. Any reputable real estate sites or should I just go solo and scout on my own. I would be interested in minimum 200 square wah gardens with perimeter walls for my dogs. Thanks

[DrAndy]

plenty of villa complexes around, of all different qualities, if that is what you like

doesn't really matter where as they are all walled and cut off from the local environment

[ltnt]

Better look for the high ground to avoid the annual flood. Make sure the high walls include electrified wire and broken bottle glass to keep the little buggers out of your bedroom. Lastly don't believe it when they tell you there is full time security for your estate. Lots for sale very few buyers. That should about tell you everything you need to know.

By the number of your posts it appears that your either new to this board as am I or that your new to Thailand? If the latter, you should rent for a year not buy. Learn about Chiang Mai and its surroundings. Discovery is a terrible teacher after you've bought your place.

[DrAndy]

I would not want to live on an estate, but others seem happy with that sort of environment

[pluto]

Better look for the high ground to avoid the annual flood. Make sure the high walls include electrified wire and broken bottle glass to keep the little buggers out of your bedroom. Lastly don't believe it when they tell you there is full time security for your estate. Lots for sale very few buyers. That should about tell you everything you need to know.

By the number of your posts it appears that your either new to this board as am I or that your new to Thailand? If the latter, you should rent for a year not buy. Learn about Chiang Mai and its surroundings. Discovery is a terrible teacher after you've bought your place.

Relatively new to this board, 2007. Not new to Thailand 1995. Completely clueless about the suburbs of Chiang Mai and the best area to live in. Thanks.

[graym]

Take a drive along the Eastern half of the 121 - Estates a plenty - Not for me but it seems to suit many...

[teddy]

I would not want to live on an estate, but others seem happy with that sort of environment

My estate doesn't allow entry to riffraff such as UK lorry drivers.

[DrAndy]

that's nice, TeddyFatarse

why do they allow perverts and molesters?

[teddy]

that's nice, TeddyFatarse

why do they allow perverts and molesters?

because you begged them

[DrAndy]

I begged them to go to your estate!

you must have asked me nicely

[Begbie]

Nonsense apart, I'd suggest you put yourself up in a guest house for a few weeks, get some transport and look around at your leisure. The roads are so good, with the exception of the Hang Dong Road and the highway to Lampoon, which have heavy traffic, that 20 minutes out of town could take you most places within the valley.

[pluto]

Nonsense apart, I'd suggest you put yourself up in a guest house for a few weeks, get some transport and look around at your leisure. The roads are so good, with the exception of the Hang Dong Road and the highway to Lampoon, which have heavy traffic, that 20 minutes out of town could take you most places within the valley.

Thanks for the tip, I am driving up in a few days. Any places to avoid or insider tips?

[DrAndy]

nonsense apart, there are few problem areas, if any

[ENT]

get a guest house with a friendly owner, she'll point u in the right direction, just don't part with cash or do deals at all, wait, relax, chiangmai is cool.

[Dino]

Stay clear of anything around the river unless you want to deal with flooding.

[DrAndy]

^ good point

and stay clear of the night market walking streets, unless you want to be trapped in your house by hordes of happy tourists

[SpicyMartin]

I'm relocating soon myself, just found a lovely house 10km outside town on the 1001 Phrao road...... spent way too many years down Pattaya and Jomtien and always hankered after Chiang Mai living (first visit was '88 and I've been countless times since!). Seems to be a lot of movement up thataway, of the 9 houses I'd booked a look at with one agent alone, 6 were gone within 72 hours!

[nigelandjan]

Get yourself one of these and make friends with the local oxygen supplier .

[Kaku]

Anyone have any pricing estimates for these locations? Is it best to conact an agent?

[DrAndy]

depends on what you want

a lot of agents are a bit crooked

[ltnt]

Better on your own. Call the numbers when sighted. If a agent answers hang up. Lots of signs to be found just driving around the areas. Many hotels take on rentals by the month as well. Some sweet deals to be had in these places.

[DrAndy]

we bought all our houses either by calling the numbers displayed or by being told of places by contacts

tuktuk drivers and red bus drivers are a good source!

[guyinthailand]

Get yourself one of these and make friends with the local oxygen supplier .

Oh so true. I lived in Chiang Mai years ago and it was cancer city. Could hardly f*#king breathe there. Choking, burning, stinging eyes, throat, lungs.

There was a farang woman who wore a gas mask. The only person in Chiang Mai with common sense.

The place is much worse now.

What a lovely city made toxic by greed, stupidity and the lack of rule of law/pollution standards.

[DrAndy]

yes, it can be bad in Feb/March

I think things are slowly changing but a lot of the pollution is not in the control of CM council, it covers ALL of the north in those months

I remember going on the slow boat to Luang Prabang from Nong Kiaw, we could hardly see the river banks at times; that is an area normally without any pollution the rest of the year

[SpicyMartin]

I'm relocating soon myself, just found a lovely house 10km outside town on the 1001 Phrao road...... spent way too many years down Pattaya and Jomtien and always hankered after Chiang Mai living (first visit was '88 and I've been countless times since!). Seems to be a lot of movement up thataway, of the 9 houses I'd booked a look at with one agent alone, 6 were gone within 72 hours!

Update: Made the move, couldn't be happier! Nicer people, nicer driving, nicer ambiance, nicer pace of life, nicer prices...... it's all about quality of life!

There are loads of older estates (ie bigger gardens so not squashed together in small boxes Pattaya style!) around the 2nd ring road area...... say 10-15km outside town, and a lot of younger folk don't want to be "that far out" (to me it's just a spit down the road to town!) but that very fact brings the monthly rental tumbling down..... said estates are full of older Thais who don't have yapping kids or noisy dogs and are real polite...... great living!