Where in Chiang Mai With Monthly Rates?

[natalie8]

When I went to Chiang Mai the first time, quite a few years ago, I met some tourists that were getting monthly rates of around 5-6000 baht in nice places. I'm going to be taking a Thai massage course all the way up to instuctor level, so this would last 5 weeks. I might even take another couple of courses which would add on one or two more weeks.

The location of the school is here: Location & Map

They have a list of places to stay, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has stayed in the area long term.

Thanks for any help.

[mobs00]

I lived in that area for several years. Full of uni students so it's not hard to find a studio room for 2-5k a month. Do you have your own bike or car? Do you want to be in walking distance?

[natalie8]

Thanks, mobs. I won't have a vehicle and I like walking, so if it's up to about a half hour walk, I'm OK. I need it to be clean, quiet, with AC and hot water. A fridge would be a nice bonus, but it's not a big deal.

If I find a place, I could probably negotiate a rate if I guarantee them that I'll be there for 5-6 weeks.

I would be having my meals out the whole time. Yummmm, I'll get to have khao soi. Arroy!!!!!

[mobs00]

^ There are at least a 100 apartment buildings within walking distance but they usually rent rooms out with a minimum 3 month contract. The best thing to do is to get there and look around. Go into the building you like and ask them if they will rent to you by the month. It will be more expensive but will include linens and cleaning service at the nicer places. Not many places in that area rent this way though.

I stayed at a place in the area for about 3 years and they do rent by the month and it has everything you want for 5k a month. The only thing is that it would be about a 20-30 minute walk from the school. I can send you the details if you'd like.

The other thing you could do is just rent something for a 3 month term. You'll have to put down a 2 month deposit but just don't pay the last months rent. You would have many more options this way. You'll lose your 2 month deposit but you will also save quite a bit on the monthly rate.

A quick example is that a room per month with linen and cleaning would cost about 5-7k. You could get a room on a 3 month contract for about 2-3k with no linen or cleaning service.

Start at the roundabout (upper left corner) on the map below and head north. There are places for rent everywhere.

[natalie8]

You rock! Thanks for those tips. I've always wanted to take the course in Chiang Mai, but I have a free place to stay in BKK. So out of curiosity, last night, I looked for Thai masage schools in BKK that have the courses in English. There were only 2 - Wat Pho which I absolutely don't want to go to, and another one on Sukhumvit, near Phrom Pong station.

The price of the course there is more than double the ones in CM, and they don't offer instructor level. So, I could fly to CM, pay for acommodations there, and get all the way up to instructor level for only a bit more than 4 levels at the school on Sukhumvit.

So, what I think I'll do is, fly to CM about a week before the course starts, then check out these places.

[DrAndy]

when is your course, Natalie?

a bike is great for CM by the way, and the red buses are very cheap; you can get one anywhere to take you down Chang Puak road

[natalie8]

DrAndy, they are held pretty much every week, but the only time that would make the most sense for me is January or February of next year. I know that sounds like a long way away, but there are a few major things that will be happening before then.

I'm planning on moving to London in January (with our three cats), to join my husband there. My visa will not allow me to work, so I figured this would be the best time to take the courses.

Also, my mom and stepfather go to BKK every year from early February to around mid April. This time, they are able to use their air miles to get business class seats on Air Canada and Thai Air.

The routes on these flights all include a transfer in Europe, with the stops being in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, and a few others. Sooooo, to get to the point, we want to time my trip to Thailand with our return / stop in London so that they can spend about a week in London on their way home. We would fly to London together.

I could get a three month visa for Thailand, since my stay in BKK is in our family condo, making it free. I know if I time it like this, it's going into the Thai summer, but if I could be back in BKK by around mid-late March, that would be OK.

I would love to be able to go now, since it's Ramadan and the summer, but it's not really feasible now.

The idea of a bike sounds good as I would be getting my exercise, but how are the drivers there? If they're anything like in BKK or Phuket, I think I'll stick to walking.

[DrAndy]

January/February would be a good time for CM, nice and cool

biking around the old city and down to where your course is holds no real problems, the drivers seem fine; I have done it many times without problems

contact me before you arrive, if you want, I may be able to help you with accomodation

[natalie8]

Thanks again, Andy. I might just take you up on that.

[garye]

I concur ..... Jan Feb is a lovely time to be in CM area.
I'll be back all of Feb 2012...my wife and I have a little house just outside of Chiang Mai city in Amphur MaeRim,very close to MaeTang....if your ever interested in old style muu baan massage or hill tribe massage(somewhat different technique) let me know.
Cheers

[Thetyim]

Found this advert today
Any interest to you:

Bright furnished room in large share house near the Night Bazaar. From the 4th October for one month, but you could move in earlier and stay later too. 2500B all inclusive. Quiet leafy Soi next to Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel. As we (3 women) may all be away at different times in October we need someone to stay, to cover feeding 2 young cat's any days we are all not here. 8mg Wifi, high ceilings and wooden floors, living room with nice old Teak furniture, large kitchen, roof terrace, washing machine, parking. Linen also provided. Call Victoria on 0820 316804 or shophousechiangmai[at]gmail.com

[DrAndy]

Natalie said from january, Thetyim

Jthe ad wants a house sitter in October

but it is a fair indication of price etc

[natalie8]

Thanks for the bump, guys. That house sitting option looks great. We have three cats, so that's no problem, BUT I'm going to be in UK for all of October. I'm also looking at my dates adn it looks like it might be better to do the course after Songkran.

I'll still go to BKK in Feb to meet up with my mom and stepfather, then they will go back home in April, around the second week. I could easily just go to CM right after that, as they have a course that runs from the third week of April to early July.

I just think it would be too difficult to do it in Jan or Feb, as this is the time that (hopefully) I'll be moving to London. So, even with the family travel to BKK, I'm pushing things a bit.

I posted on another forum asking about my visa options. I will be in Thailand for a total of 5 months and, luckily enough, the new Immigration office on Chaengwatthana is only a 5 minute ride from our condo.

I know that you can get a 3 month tourist visa, but what are some good options to get the other two months? Can I just go to the Immi office, or would I need to do a border run? I want to avoid the Jack's Golf / Cambodia run at all costs.

Oh, I found a nice place to stay from their website that offers a rate of 7,000 per month, or 5,500 per month if you stay 3 months. This place has a restaurant and a pool. The resto isn't a big deal, but I like the fact that it has a pool. I'll be able to keep in shape (somewhat).

[beautifulthailand99]

Hi Everyone - new tp the forum but not Thailand - have been coming here for 15 years now and can spake rough conversational and married to a Thai lady. Am coming to CM for the next 7 weeks to do somne internet work for clients back in the UK and enjoy the lifestyle. Am looking for a studio / 1 bed near to centre / night bazaar with reliable internet. A gym and pool a bonus as I have a gut I would like to get rid of ! Budget 5k - 10k per month - any Chiang Maiians any sugestions of places that might fit the bill. Many thanks in advance - have lurked on TD for many a long year and its a great forum with great posters.

Khorp khum mahk khrap.

[natalie8]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I would take a good look at Post#4, mobs00's post. He gives great recommendations and advice on where and how to look for a place.

BTW, it looks like my course will be delayed, but this is good news. I'm moving to London on the 29th of January. The only thing we do know is that we will be there at least until The Olympics start, hopefully after they finish for the disassembling / demolition of the security setup.

I won't be going to Thailand before this time, but, depepnding on how things go in London, I'm aiming at getting back to Thailand in either October or November. that sounds like such a long way away.

[DrAndy]

see you in Lunnun Natalie, after March prob?

[natalie8]

You live there? I'd love to meet up.

[DrAndy]

OK we can do that

I will be back end of March, so then

[natalie8]

My mom and stepfather will be there for the last week of March, which nicely includes my birthday. Any time after that, except for the Easter weekend will be perfect. Looking forward to it.

[DrAndy]

hooray, English beer time