Chiang Mai - Cost of living

[Glen10]

If you did, would you have to use microfilm ~ BTW, that's a heck of a fish. Be well!

[howie444]

I am putting together a list of things that will ready me for my month in Chiang Mai next year, then for the 2-3 months visit a year after, hopefully in readiness for my permanent stay commencing in 2 yrs time!!

1. there are hundreds of B&Bs, wanted one for a month, with a small pool, basic B&B with wi-fi, near Thapae gate/Ping river.

2. 3-4 Condo's to view (if allowed) to get an idea of what you get for approx 5-7,000 per month, probably within a mile of above area (again with a pool)

As you will gather, only luxury (apart from actually being in Thailand, is that a pool is required for the odd dip!)

many thanks to all on this great forum

Howie

[relax222]

[QUOTE=howie444;853672]I am putting together a list of things that will ready me for my month in Chiang Mai next year, then for the 2-3 months visit a year after, hopefully in readiness for my permanent stay commencing in 2 yrs time!!

1. there are hundreds of B&Bs, wanted one for a month, with a small pool, basic B&B with wi-fi, near Thapae gate/Ping river.

2. 3-4 Condo's to view (if allowed) to get an idea of what you get for approx 5-7,000 per month, probably within a mile of above area (again with a pool)

As you will gather, only luxury (apart from actually being in Thailand, is that a pool is required for the odd dip!)

many thanks to all on this great forum

There are hundreds of B&Bs, want one for a month, with a small pool, basic B&B with wi-fi, near Thapae gate/Ping river.
Has anyone any suggestions please, also would love a B&B that is very authentic.
Thank you
Relax

[Song_Si]

hi
did you find somewhere to start your stay in CM?
three years ago we spent a week in Chiang Mai and stayed at Tha Phae Gardens Guesthouse - handy, quiet location and a small pool; unsure re wifi. two sets of friends have stayed there since for short stays no complaints. As you say, there are so many around that area to choose from.

[howie444]

Song Si

Many thanks for that; I will take a look at their web site. It is always better to get recommendations.

Thanks again

Howie

[Les66]

As a lifelong frustrated fisherman, I had to laugh at the fishing cost line. I could probably live out my days eating truffles and drinking French champaigne for what it's cost me to catch the odd miserable looking fish!!!

[JustChris]

45,000 Baht a month is more than enough especially if you eat Thai food! As far as 15,000 Baht a month for a condo that is a little steep unless you want a luxury condo with service in the city proper. I live just out side of the city and the village next to me has beautiful one bedroom apartments with a fitness club, sauna, first class swimming pool convenient to everything for just 6,000 to 8,000 per month. If you want something in the city I know of a few places that go for 8,000 Bath per month that have cooking facilities, gardens, dinning area and separate bedroom and balcony.

[howie444]

JustChris

In relation to your last post, would it be possible to send any website details of any of these apartments. When I retire to Chiang Mai i dont think I will get either a car or a motorbike, so the one were you live may be a little too far from the centre, but worth looking at.

Many thanks

Howie

[howie444]

Dear all

I thought I would just update this thread as I have recently returned from a month in Thailand.
I spent a week in Bangkok, then a week visiting an ex work colleague in Issan, followed by 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, which will hopefully be my chosen retirement location.
I could write pages and pages on my experience in Chiang Mai, but to not bore anyone, here is a quick overview.
I went to Chiang Mai to research the city as a possible retirement location, and also the related costs. I visited several apartments, and there is at present certainly no probelm me getting a lovely studio apartment with balcony, pool, gym for approx B6000-B8000 per month and services approx another B2000 per month. I spent several days eating as I would on retirement around the street stalls near the apartments I visited and I could have breakfast, lunch, early evening and late evening meal (I love Thai food and am a big eater) with water for approx B200 per day with B50 per beer. So without the beer thats approx B14,000 - B16,000 per month with health insurance for myself B6,000 and 2 beers a day B3,000 bringing a total of B25,000 (£500). The only other costs may be laundry but with a washer and a balcony that would be free and depending on location I would buy a pushbike to get around, therefore travel would be free. The only other initial costs would be to buy some provisions for my kitchen and costs for some courses I would enrol on like a Thai language course and an artist course.
I realise this isnt as detailed andprobably accurate as anyone who has already retired in Chiang Mai, but I hope it may be a little help to some.
I came hope with the knowledge that retiring in Chiang Mai is something that hopefully now will happen once I am 50yrs old (2 yrs time, although that will soon pass) and although I have visited now I think 17 times, the only other thing I need initially, is common sense and several hobbies (language course and drawing course).
The common sense bit....Thailand especially Chiang Mai is very safe, I walked around the old town and areas close to apartments and never once felt threatened, even early hours of the morning. I know I was only there 2 weeks, but I feel threatened in England nearly always in similar sized cities, especially at dark. I feel speaking Thai will help, I learnt a little but if you speak Thai I feel the Thai's will respect you even more, and you can listen when they are chatting to each other!! Dont ever get drunk, apart from in your apartment, and just use common sense.
Again I hope this may be a little help to some.
Howie

[semeya]

Originally Posted by howie444

Dear all

I thought I would just update this thread as I have recently returned from a month in Thailand.
I spent a week in Bangkok, then a week visiting an ex work colleague in Issan, followed by 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, which will hopefully be my chosen retirement location.
I could write pages and pages on my experience in Chiang Mai, but to not bore anyone, here is a quick overview.
I went to Chiang Mai to research the city as a possible retirement location, and also the related costs. I visited several apartments, and there is at present certainly no probelm me getting a lovely studio apartment with balcony, pool, gym for approx B6000-B8000 per month and services approx another B2000 per month. I spent several days eating as I would on retirement around the street stalls near the apartments I visited and I could have breakfast, lunch, early evening and late evening meal (I love Thai food and am a big eater) with water for approx B200 per day with B50 per beer. So without the beer thats approx B14,000 - B16,000 per month with health insurance for myself B6,000 and 2 beers a day B3,000 bringing a total of B25,000 (£500). The only other costs may be laundry but with a washer and a balcony that would be free and depending on location I would buy a pushbike to get around, therefore travel would be free. The only other initial costs would be to buy some provisions for my kitchen and costs for some courses I would enrol on like a Thai language course and an artist course.
I realise this isnt as detailed andprobably accurate as anyone who has already retired in Chiang Mai, but I hope it may be a little help to some.
I came hope with the knowledge that retiring in Chiang Mai is something that hopefully now will happen once I am 50yrs old (2 yrs time, although that will soon pass) and although I have visited now I think 17 times, the only other thing I need initially, is common sense and several hobbies (language course and drawing course).
The common sense bit....Thailand especially Chiang Mai is very safe, I walked around the old town and areas close to apartments and never once felt threatened, even early hours of the morning. I know I was only there 2 weeks, but I feel threatened in England nearly always in similar sized cities, especially at dark. I feel speaking Thai will help, I learnt a little but if you speak Thai I feel the Thai's will respect you even more, and you can listen when they are chatting to each other!! Dont ever get drunk, apart from in your apartment, and just use common sense.
Again I hope this may be a little help to some.
Howie

Hi Howie
I was very impress with the information you acquired in 2 weeks. I'm also planning to visit Thailand within the next 6 mths for about 3-4 mths. This will be my first visit to the country. However, I've been doing a lot of recherché. Chaing Mai and bangkok also appear to be a reasonable place for me. I'm single 65 therefore,
some of my expectation might be a little different. For example, focusing on future in home healthcare and a communication network etc. Would you be able to elaborate a little on the mode of transportation used, approximate cost. Also areas,place visited in bangkok and Chiang Mai. During your recent visit regarding your retirement recherché.

Thank's again for the information Posted.

Semeya.