Cost of living in Chiang Mai is shocking
In a good way.
I'm moving here soon. I am on an exploratory run right now and I am happy to find that the cost of living here is much less than I had figured it would be.
While i have been here before, it was nearly 20 years ago. I had never lived here or ever inquired about a place to live. Back then, i was a backpacker and I was just staying wherever. I don't recall what i paid 20 years ago but I am sure it wasn't much. I have spent the past decade living in Krabi and Phuket. This is my first ever foray into attempting to live in the north of this country and I am discovering something that is actually very welcome: Everything is cheaper up here.
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I started to suspect this was the case when I asked the krav maga school about a place to stay nearby and they recommended the Oasis Hotel. I looked online for a booking and found out that it was less than $10 a night. This is not some crappy dorm-bed type environment either. I have a big bed, air con, a fridge, hot water shower, tub and lots of space - for about $9.20 a night. Now this place isn't winning any stars any time soon, but I have absolutely no problem with it. I can't believe it is so cheap. It even has a pool. How's this economically possible?
I used to own a small hotel and we were barely making money selling lesser-quality rooms at double this price.
the city is also rich in history, which is always nice
The savings carries on to every other aspect of life. I was in a taxi the other day to go visit the old walled city. I was in this taxi for at least 20 minutes. The total cost was about $2. I had a cappaccino this morning at a corner coffeeshop that had one of those enormous Italian espresso machines and a barista that definitely knew what they were doing. This was less than $1. I had a rice plate at a road side stall last night. It was delicious and it was about 70 cents including soup and drinking water. I didn't take a photo because I hate those guys, but take my word for it.
I am here at the moment searching for a house to rent in the near future. I am just astonished at how cheap it is. I am finding condos for as little at $150 a month in places that have security, pools, and fitness centers. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to live there because of my doggo.
The houses I am finding are furnished, normally far more bedrooms and baths then I actually want, have a garden and a fence around the property (perfect for a doggo) and what would you expect to pay for something like that? In Krabi you would be looking at around 20,000B, perhaps more. I currently have a list of over 20 properties that I need to go have a look at and they are all between 6 and 15,000B.
This is all the opposite of what I had grown accustomed to in USA. The larger the city, the more everything costs. I remember trying to buy a diet coke in a minimart the last time I was in New York City and it was more than 3 times the price it would cost not in NYC. My friend's apartment in Brooklyn follows the same "three times the price" rule.
I guess I am starting to find out why it is that Chiang Mai has such a massive expat population as well as a thriving digital nomad sector. It reminds me of how I felt when I first arrived in Thailand so long ago. The amazement I was feeling about the prices of everything being so low that it makes you wonder how it is that anyone is making any money. They must be or they wouldn't be doing it.
I, for one am really excited about enjoying life without breaking the bank and I suppose if any of you are thinking about coming to Thailand to live long-term. You may want to have a look at Chiang Mai. There are no beaches here, but for this guy anyway, who has lived at the beach for the past decade.... I"m O.K. with that.
@gooddream, Great to hear the comparison aspect, and it's good that you found this place economical and it's really surprising aspect means, this place is economical yet you got pool too, so it's an add on value for sure.
And may be this hotel is small but i want to say that, it have the essence of the Ancient Architecture, and in my opinion these type of places are more explorative.
And i hope that you will going to get the economical rented house soon, and staying at hotel for longer becomes an boring aspect for sure. Good to know that you are also advising others about this place.
And in my opinion the most important thing is the Environment and if we have great Environment then our life will become ease for sure.
Wishing you an great day and stay blessed. 🙂
thanks pal. I am only at a hotel because i still have a house in the south of Thailand and I am not going to rent two places at once :) However, i was delighted to find out that it is definitely a "renters' market" right now, meaning that prices are down and supply is way up.
Welcome, and that sounds win win situation. 🙂
The Oasis Hotel offers a heck of a lot for $9.20! I suppose they make money because everything they need to run the hotel is also cheaper, like everything in Chiang Mai.
I wonder if you've ever seen seventies' British sitcom, Fawlty Towers. As someone who owned a small hotel, you might enjoy it. Each episode features touchy hotel manager, Basil Fawlty, played by an explosive John Cleese, at the top of his comedy game, slowly but surely getting wound up by the staff and hotel guests until at the end of each episode, he absolutely loses it! There were only 12 episodes ever made, but each one is a politically incorrect comedy master class.
Looking at 20 properties sounds like a lot of effort, but for such a consequential decision, a little extra effort now will save you money and heartache later. Just don't rent from any guy who looks like John Cleese. :)
i remember that show coming on PBS when i was a kid. I was tuning in for Dr. Who and never watched an episode. I will now, thanks to you :)
Awesome dude, you will love Chiangmai for sure. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. The living cost really is cheap in general, in Phuket not quite as cheap, but I’m living on Koh Samui in a real decent apartment, with lots of space, furnished, bathroom, tv, fridge etc, and I’m paying 6000B a month, it’s awesome! Plus about 2000 a month for electricity... but still real cheap!
Once you get to know the area and if you enjoy Thai food, as I know we both do, it’s great! I pay about 60-100b a meal and I do eat a lot. Sometimes 40 for a great noodle soup of some sort. I love it here! It’s been so hot the past few days though, absolutely boiling.
Good luck finding a place, I look forward to updates, especially with the Krav Maga
after a day of Muay Thai training, i bet you can down some noodles for sure :)
Haha I sure can! Food time is my favourite time of the day! 😀 and Sunday’s involve on stocking up for the week, so basically eating and resting:) it’s amazing 😀🌅
living the fitness dream pal! good on ya!
I am really going to visit Chiang Mai next year! Thank you for your post!!!!!
cjchun.com
if you look at an Agoda map of the city, similar bargains are all over the place for accommodation. I wouldn't worry too much about staying in the city center, just make sure to install the Grab app before arriving. Taxis are super cheap on Grab and there is no-nonsense about the destination either.
Hiii... Gooddream
Very Informative Post. My thinking about cost to live their is wrong. Thanks for the update.
Actually, you might want to go easy a bit on the bowing and wai-ing--it isn't completely necessary. The Thais considered us "farang" (foreigners) and so we're not expected to do it, since we are outsiders. True, it's nice, but also there is another component to it: if you are a traveling non-Thai, you are considered (by them) to be higher up the social ladder, and (the way they see it) you actually embarrass yourself when you bow and wai to Thai people. That's not the way I see it, it's the way the Thai people see it. So.. you can still do it, but just to accept it with a head nod is more appropriate. But if you must wai, just do it quickly and don't hold wai with your hands high up on the bridge of the nose--that's usually reserved for the most sincere, respectful signs of respect (like the King, etc).
You should also visit India....
In the daylight it is awesome,but in the night it is scary
An interesting story, life is not based on having a fortune, but on taking advantage of the best of each day with humility.
Hi @gooddream ,
Feeling happy and refreshed after reading it.
Thank you.