I chose Lanna for a variety of reasons
by definition I could afford it and liked the scenery, added benefits for me was a rural location easy for airport visa runs and duty free trips which can be done any morning from here, then I ran into my wife who made my mind
Of course the heat corruption crazy driving occasionaly noticeable but having lived and worked in dozens of great places Oman Portugal Finland Oz Malaysia Japan US this is where I'm happy to stay.
If not married to a Thai and setteled I read good things about Costa Rica Ecaudor and Uruguay.
If I could take the winters Queenstown,Moravia Canada and The Pyrnees come close and best of all the Atlantic coast Islands of Orkneys,Scotland and Ireland where you need a hefty pension to be a 'solvent' alcoholic.
If you leave slyam whither better?