What Living In Chiang Mai Is REALLY Like (Honest Pros And Cons)

Everyone talks about how great it is to live in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

It’s an attractive destination for expats and digital nomads looking for a slower pace of life. With its low cost of living, beautiful scenery, vibrant culture and active community, it’s no wonder so many people speak so highly of this city.

But does it really live up to this reputation?

Here’s the thing: it’s not perfect. There are a lot of downsides to staying in the city that people need to consider first.

Matthew and I have lived in Chiang Mai for a total of 8 months. We’ve experienced this city through all its different seasons (dry, wet and burning) and got a closer look at what life would be like living here long-term.

Here’s an insider look at what it’s REALLY like living in Chiang Mai, exploring the honest pros and cons.

Why Is Chiang Mai So Popular?

Chiang Mai is so popular because of the affordable cost of living, the easy-going lifestyle, the delicious food, the big international community and so much more. This city is located in the mountains of northern Thailand and is filled with delicious delicacies, stunning architecture and a rich culture.

Chiang Mai is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand and this city attracts many kinds of travelers such as:

• tourists
• backpackers
• digital nomads
• remote workers
• entrepreneurs and of course,
• ex-pats

A lot of people enjoy the pace of life in Chiang Mai. Whenever we are there we never feel rushed like we do when we are in bigger cities like Bangkok. But the city of Chiang Mai also doesn’t feel too small or isolated like in Koh Phangan or any of the Thai islands.

Chiang Mai is a happy medium and that’s why it’s gotten so popular!

Our Experience Living In Chiang Mai, Thailand

Matthew and I lived in Chiang Mai for a total of 8 months and it has become one of our favorite places in the entire world. Yes, that’s a pretty big statement. But it’s true!

Maybe it’s because it has everything a digital nomad could wish for, but it could be because it’s got this magic factor that can’t be explained.

We always talk about living on the Thai islands for a few months but then we remember our beloved Chiang Mai and we can’t resist going back there instead!

Our digital nomad lifestyle has taken us to Phuket, Koh Phangan, Bangkok and Chiang Mai. And to be honest, Chiang Mai is still our favorite. Why?

We love the easy and comfortable lifestyle you can have in this city. It’s the perfect size too, without being too big and overwhelming but also not too small (like some Thai islands). There’s a huge international community so we’ve been able to easily make friends!

But living in Chiang Mai wasn’t always perfect for us.

The biggest downside is the horrible burning season which happens every year. We didn’t know about this smoky season during our first trip and arrived just in time to experience it (lucky us – not). The smog, pollution and air quality were so bad that now we actively avoid Chiang Mai from February to mid-April.

Another reason it’s hard for us to commit to Chiang Mai for longer is that there are no beaches nearby. I’m more of a beach girly and we have to fly out of Chiang Mai any time we want to see the ocean which kinda sucks!

In saying that, we think the pros always outweigh the cons when it comes to living in Chiang Mai. And that’s why it continues to be a top destination for us.

Pros Of Living In Chiang Mai, Thailand

There’s a lot to love about living in Chiang Mai! After living there for a total of 8 months, we thought we would start to get sick of it, but you know what?!

We keep coming back! Here are the pros of living in Chiang Mai that might also hook you in:

High Quality of Life (Great Lifestyle)

We won’t lie –

Life is good in Chiang Mai. It’s comfortable, convenient, cost-effective and safe.

The high quality of life is what attracts so many foreigners to live in Chiang Mai. The low cost of living makes it easy to get a really nice apartment and eat good food and coffee. The weather is warm year-round so you can always wear a t-shirt and shorts.

Most of all, you can have a thriving social life because it’s easy to make friends with expats and even locals. Chiang Mai has a very laid-back culture which is something we love a lot!

The great climate, friendly locals, easy shopping, quality healthcare and affordable cost of living only increase the high quality of life you can have living in Chiang Mai.

Affordable Cost of Living

Chiang Mai has the most affordable cost of living in Thailand for digital nomads, travelers and expats.

As a couple living in Chiang Mai for 1 month, we spent a total of $1,670 USD. We always write cost of living guides wherever we go and this city continues to be one of the cheapest places for digital nomads.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Chiang Mai for a month? Here’s some real prices we encountered:

• Rent: $300 USD for a guesthouse room | $728 USD for a private apartment.
• Gym: $50 USD for a standard gym | $100 USD for a Muay Thai gym.
• Coworking: $95 to $160 USD (depending on high vs low season)

As you can see, Chiang Mai is the most affordable city on that list! From our first time visiting Chiang Mai to our most recent, it’s been so affordable.

Value For Money Is Unbeatable

A lot of people talk about “living like kings” in Chiang Mai for less than $600 USD.

The truth is, that is utter delusion!

It’s true, you can have a high standard of living without spending a lot of money. But the costs are slowly rising in Chiang Mai, so you can say goodbye to living there for under $600 USD!

This doesn’t mean that value for money in Chiang Mai is no more. You can still find amazing houses or apartments for less than $800 USD. You can still eat green curry with rice for less than $2 USD.

Value for money in Chiang Mai is still alive and well!

Locals Are Very Friendly

We found the Chiang Mai locals to be some of the most welcoming and friendly bunch. When we compare it to our time in Phuket or Bangkok, we found the Northern Thai people to be exceptionally hospitable.

From our guesthouse host who took us to her farmhouse to eat local delicacies (like ant eggs, which we reluctantly ate!) to the lovely ladies making our favorite passionfruit/mango juices – everyone is just so nice here and it makes living in Chiang Mai ten times better!

Very Safe

Chiang Mai ranks #1 as the safest city in Southeast Asia. The crime index for Chiang Mai is 23.50 which is well within the low range (20-40). In comparison, Bangkok’s crime index is 39.76.

We felt safe walking around during the day and even at night time. Even as a female traveler, I totally felt safe by myself getting on a Grab Bike, walking to the gym and any other activities at any time of the day – especially in the old city (the city center).

Crime obviously still exists as no place is perfectly safe 100% of the time. The most common crime in Chiang Mai is pickpocketing in crowded areas, including in the popular neighborhood of Nimmanhaemin. You may experience crime like this further out of the Old City. We have also heard that crime can occur along the mountains near Doi Suthep.

But overall, we always feel a sigh of relief and the peace of mind sets in when we land in Chiang Mai. In our personal experience, Chiang Mai is a destination we have always felt safe in!

Wifi Is Ultra Fast

Wifi in Thailand is next-level fast. Whether you are in a city or on a small remote island – Wifi is fast.

Matthew and I were digital nomads in Koh Phangan, a small island only accessible by ferry and we got download speeds of 600+ Mbps at our coworking space there. Insane! But what about Chiang Mai?

You don’t have to worry about Wifi speeds when living in Chiang Mai! Each time we visit, we consistently get speeds of over 100+ Mbps, whether that’s at home or at a cafe. And it’s even quicker at a coworking space (240+ Mbps).

Big International Community (Expats, Digital Nomads & Entrepreneurs)

Worried about not being able to make friends while living in Chiang Mai?

Don’t be!

There’s a thriving expat community, a digital nomad community and a local community that you can be a part of. A lot of foreigners move to Chiang Mai to live that expat life so you’ll find plenty of people doing something similar to you.

Here are some of the best Facebook groups to join to get connected to the communities:

• Chiang Mai Nomad Girls
• Chiang Mai Digital Nomads
• Expats Chiang Mai
• Expats & Locals Living In Chiang Mai
• Chiang Mai With Kids
• Chiang Mai Board Games Meetup

We recommend joining these groups before you start living in Chiang Mai. That way you can check out the kind of events or meetups that are happening to get a better feel of the community first!

Best Food In Thailand (No joke 😜)

We’ve tried the food in Bangkok. We’ve tried the food in the South like Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. But none of them compare to the delicious food of Northern Thailand!

Khao Soi, a northern Thai dish that originated in Chiang Mai, has become one of my most favorite Thai foods ever. Foodies will love Chiang Mai because there are plenty of new foods to try but the classic Thai foods such as Pad Thai or Panang curry are also amazing and readily available!

You can go to cool hole-in-the-wall spots for the best Thai food and it will cost less than $3 USD. It’s insane how good the food is and you still don’t pay a whole lot for it!

Coconut Shell, Ran Joke Pa Lek, Khao Soy Maesai, Khao Soi Khun Yai, Aum Vegetarian and Tikky Cafe are just some of our favorite restaurants in Chiang Mai to eat delicious Thai food!

Coworking Spaces Everywhere

Coworking spaces are great for digital nomads or expats looking to get work done. But they are also great for networking and meeting new people!

There are plenty of coworking spaces in Chiang Mai that have all you could ask for – fast wifi, ergonomic chairs, external monitors and a good community. Some of the best coworking spaces that we’ve been to are Punspace (the original spot), Yellow Coworking and One Workspace.

Vibrant Restaurant and Bar Scene

Love to go out, eat at restaurants or grab a drink at a bar?

You’ll love living in Chiang Mai because there are endless amounts of new and old restaurants and pubs to discover around the city.

And if you’re a sports lover? You’ve got plenty of options – we regularly watched Formula 1, Australian Football (AFL) and American Football (NFL) at different pubs in Chiang Mai. There’s a big culture around sport, especially with the expats living in Chiang Mai!

Great Day Trips Nearby

Want to get out of the city? When living in Chiang Mai, you have easy access to beautiful towns only a few hours away.

You can visit the peaceful town of Pai which is 3 hours away or you can make the journey to see the White Temple in Chiang Rai located 5 hours northeast of Chiang Mai.

🌟 TTA TOP TIP: Want a hidden gem of a day trip? Our local host shared with us this beautiful town called Mae Kampong, a traditional mountain village with rich culture, crafts and gorgeous scenery.

Warm Weather Year-Round

Don’t like the cold? Neither do we!

You’ll love living in Chiang Mai because of the warm weather year-round. Matthew loves to wear shorts and a t-shirt every day and he gets to do that all the time in Chiang Mai.

It’s true that it is pretty warm all year round, but Chiang Mai still has a rainy season like most Southeast Asian cities.

We have lived in Chiang Mai during the rainy season and the rain is very strong but only for a few hours or so – it doesn’t last all day long. The rainy season in Chiang Mai isn’t too bad, to be honest!

Shopping Malls Everywhere

Need to buy clothes, health and beauty products, tech or even pharmacy items? You can easily get most of what you need in the shopping malls of Chiang Mai within a 10 to 20-minute drive!

One thing we missed when living in Koh Phangan (a small Thai island) was going to the cinema to watch movies! It’s much easier and accessible in Chiang Mai – we’d just head to MAYA Mall or Central Festival Mall every time.

🌟 TTA TOP TIP: Shop online using Shopee! If you order online, you can rest assured that your packages will arrive in Chiang Mai. We’ve done several orders of our portable keyboards and even mailed our Formula 1 tickets lol! Chiang Mai has a good mailing system, it seems!

Decent International Airport Within 15 Minutes

Chiang Mai International Airport has plenty of domestic and international flights daily. It’s easy to get to and from the city center using Grab and it only takes around 15 minutes! Talk about close.

We loved traveling from Chiang Mai to domestic destinations like Bangkok or Krabi. But we have also tried departing from Chiang Mai airport to international destinations like Japan, South Korea or Vietnam.

If you want to live in a place close to an international airport, look no further than Chiang Mai!

Rich Thai Culture

Want to connect deeper to Thai culture? It’s easy to do that while living in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In tourist destinations, sometimes the local culture can get lost. But not in Chiang Mai! There are plenty of temples around with monks who regularly walk the city. You can get a san skrit tattoo in Chiang Mai and there are so many festivals year-round like the famous Songkran festival in April and the beautiful lantern festival in November.

The night markets on the weekends are also super fun! If you visit the Saturday night market, you’ll find a lot of yummy street food, handicrafts and clothing. We loved going every weekend just for the fun atmosphere!

We love to see a city embrace its cultural heritage and share it proudly with everyone who visits.

Easy To Get Around (Scooter, Bike, Walking)

If you’ve been living abroad for a while now, you’ll know that it can be hard to find a place where you can easily walk around the town.

Well… it’s very easy to get around Chiang Mai. When we first lived in Chiang Mai, we didn’t want to drive scooters so we either walked, took a Grab ride or even used an electric scooter ride share app. We were crazy enough to ride those electric scooters down the main highway in Nimman lol.

The point is – you can choose from many modes of transportation to get around Chiang Mai. Most people living in Chiang Mai will rent a motorbike (which is what we do now) because it’s easy and convenient, but lots of people still walk or bicycle everywhere.

Coffee Culture Is Next Level

Are you a coffee lover? You’ll enjoy discovering and finding the best coffee shops in Chiang Mai!

Living in Chiang Mai is so much better because the specialty coffee scene is elite. Matthew and I are obsessed (I’m trying not to say addicted :P) with coffee and Chiang Mai’s coffee scene is unlike any other.

The level of quality is SO high – from the beans to the aesthetic of the cafes to the talented baristas. We haven’t found a city that’s truly beaten Chiang Mai’s coffee culture (although Lisbon’s specialty coffee scene does rival it in our opinion).

If you want some good recommendations – Akha Ama Coffee, FOHHIDE, Roast8ry Coffee and Thor Phan are some of our favorite spots.

Cons Of Living In Chiang Mai, Thailand

We’ve gone through all the pros of Living in Chiang Mai (there’s a lot!). But, let’s be honest, there’s no perfect place. After living in Chiang Mai ourselves for a total of 8 months, we started to see the downsides of staying in this mountain city.

Here are the cons of living in Chiang Mai that might make you think twice about moving here.

Burning Season Every Year

Chiang Mai would be great year-round EXCEPT it’s got this nasty burning season. Every year from around January to mid-April, farmers begin to burn their crops and the smoke travels down to the valley of Chiang Mai causing horrible smog, smoke and bad air quality.

It’s not a big deal, it’s just smoke, right?

Wrong!

We experienced the burning season from February to April and I honestly found it quite difficult to breathe. I would even get headaches from the intensity of the smog! We had to wear N95 masks, the city looked like it had this orange haze and it became hard to breathe at times so it’s just a horrible time to visit Chiang Mai (especially if you want to do outdoor activities).

Businesses try to relieve the smoke with air purifiers everywhere but it’s just so bad some years. That’s why we actively avoid living in Chiang Mai during the burning season. What do expats who call Chiang Mai home do during this time? A lot leave the country or travel South to the islands until the burning season is finished.

It’s truly that horrible!

Lots Of Police On The Roads

I don’t know why, but there are just so many police officers patrolling in Chiang Mai. When compared to other places like Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan – there’s a heavy presence of police around.

They are usually very friendly though. The biggest issue they are looking for is people driving motorbikes without the proper license. You can expect way more checkpoints on the roads in Chiang Mai.

Not Close To Any Beaches

If you’re living in Chiang Mai, you’ll be very far from any of the beautiful beaches. The closest beaches are in the South like Krabi, Phuket or Koh Lanta and you will need to fly to get there. Otherwise, the train or bus can take more than 13 hours!

Instead, you’re surrounded by the mountains. Personally, I love the beach and prefer going to destinations close to the beach, but Matthew doesn’t mind not being close to the beach. So I guess it just depends on what you prefer.

People Come And Go

When living in Chiang Mai, it’s very easy to get connected with the international community.

But it’s important to remember: Chiang Mai can be a very transient place where people tend to come and go. This makes it hard to build long-lasting relationships. A lot of people who travel through Chiang Mai are backpackers on their gap year or digital nomads traveling full-time.

It’s challenging to find the expats or locals who stay for longer periods of time but it’s definitely worth it. If you value friendship and an active social life, it’s important to put yourself out there to find those deeper connections.

If you’re considering living in Chiang Mai and you value long-term friendships then this is something to consider first. While it can be hard to make friends as an expat or nomad, we do believe that it’s always worth giving it a try.

Storytime: The digital nomad community can be very transient but Matthew met one of his (now) closest friends at a coworking space in Bali. So much so that he became a groomsmen at our wedding. The point I’m making is: be open and try and pursue those friendships enough to see where it can go!

Prices Are (Slowly) Increasing

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that Chiang Mai is expensive. Not at all!

Chiang Mai is arguably one of the most cost-effective destinations to this day, however, the prices are very slowly increasing. Not by much at all, but we have noticed that for certain things like cocktails or specialty coffee, the prices have increased by about 10+ baht (0.28 cents USD). While still affordable, some things are starting to get a little more expensive than before.

I don’t believe that prices (very slightly) increasing is anything to stop you from living in Chiang Mai because it’s really only a few baht increase, in the end.

Tap Water Isn’t Safe To Drink

As with most places in Southeast Asia, it is not safe to drink the tap water in Chiang Mai.

If you’re someone who loves drinking out of the tap or simply doesn’t like the plastic wastage when buying new bottles every other day – this is something to consider before living in Chiang Mai. Whenever we head back to Australia or the US, it’s a sigh of relief that we can simply drink water from the sink.

But there are cool, sustainable solutions now like the LifeStraw which will purify the water so you can drink out of the tap – no matter where you are.

Fun fact: not completely related but did you know that you can drink the tap water in Medellin, Colombia?! We were shocked at first but to be honest, after 4 months of living in Medellin – we felt fine drinking it!

Not A Huge Variety Of Fitness Gyms

Love fitness?

Chiang Mai has plenty of gyms around but we found the variation to be very small. You can find plenty of your standard gyms but if you want anything more than that – it just doesn’t really exist.

For example, I love doing group reformer pilates classes. I could usually find a studio that does this whether we are in Bali, Australia or Europe – but not in Chiang Mai. There used to be an F45 studio in Chiang Mai which I joined for 2 months but it recently closed down.

I love in-person group classes so my solution was to try out Muay Thai classes which was actually fun! Other than your regular gyms, Muay Thai classes and the only Crossfit Chiang Mai space, there’s not really any other options.

Unfortunately, if you live in Chiang Mai – there’s just not a lot of variations of fitness gyms. At least, not yet!

Peak Hour Traffic

Let me start off by saying…

Chiang Mai peak traffic pales in comparison to Bangkok traffic.

After living in Chiang Mai though…you start getting used to the amount of traffic and so eventually, it can feel like a lot of traffic. The worst traffic in Chiang Mai is along Huay Kew Road before the big intersection at Maya Mall. It’s almost stand-still traffic at times and we have waited 20 minutes in a Grab car along that road to get to Maya.

Without traffic, that route from the old city to Maya Mall should only take 7 minutes. During peak hour traffic, it can be more like 25 minutes, which just shows how bad the traffic can get.

Hard To Get A Long-Term Visa

There are several visa programs that foreigners can apply for.

The visa programs differ based on what you intend to do in Thailand, how long you want to stay and the kind of activities you’re interested in doing. Some popular long-term visa options are the Education Visa, Volunteer Visa, Combat Visa or Retirement Visa.

However, these visa situations can be complicated and take a while to get issued. You also have to do a lot of research to figure out which visa will work for you. It’s very hard to get a long-term visa if you want to live in Chiang Mai full-time.

You can check the official Thai visa website to view all visa categories and get more info on them.

Foreigners Can’t Own Land

Want to buy a house in Thailand?

Well, foreigners are *not* allowed to own land in their own name in Thailand. However, it’s an unknown fact that foreigners can still own the house or structure that they build with a construction permit in their own name.

It can be hard to swallow that you can’t own land while living in Chiang Mai but there are still options for foreigners to build your own house. It’s important to get the necessary professional advice when doing so.

It Can Get Mundane – Not Lots To Do

After living in Chiang Mai for a total of 8 months, Matthew and I started to realize that there’s not THAT much to do in this mountain town.

We had already done all the touristy things like visiting an elephant sanctuary, the famous temples like Doi Suthep and the sticky waterfalls. But then what? That’s what we always say – Chiang Mai is a great place to live if you want to get into a routine. The lifestyle makes it very comfortable and easy.

However, outside of the tourist things – the only things to do are eat and drink around town. Obviously you can take weekend trips to Pai or day trips to Mae Kampong, but if you were just staying in Chiang Mai – it’s easy to run out of things to do.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying Chiang Mai has no activities or things to do – it does. But once you live in Chiang Mai for 6+ months, that list begins to dwindle!

Sleazy Bars Are Easily Found

The sleazy bars aren’t found around every corner of the city, but they do exist.

In certain areas like near the Night Bazaar, there’s a long street of these bars. You’ll see a lot of, let’s call them “interesting relationships” while living in Chiang Mai and I feel like that’s kind of normal. It’s definitely something to get used to, seeing the bars and the kind of people that are in them.

Isolated – Having To Fly To Other Cities

Want to visit the beach or the city? You will have to fly to get to most places in Thailand. Chiang Mai Airport does have a decent amount of connections, but the fact is you still have to get on a plane to visit a new place.

Or you will have to take a train or bus for 10+ hours on the road to get to Bangkok which has the most international flight connections. After living in Chiang Mai for a while, it can definitely begin to feel isolated.

Verdict: Is Chiang Mai, Thailand A Good Place To Live?

Yes, living in Chiang Mai is great for foreigners because of the affordable cost of living, high quality of life and the thriving community of expats and locals.

However, there are some real downsides to living in Chiang Mai long-term. The annual burning season will surely make people think twice before settling in this northern Thai city.

Overall, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives when it comes to life in Chiang Mai. This city has a special place in our hearts and we always find ourselves trying to get back.

What do you think about living in Chiang Mai? Any pros or cons you would add?

Living In Chiang Mai: Frequently Asked Questions