Why Chiangmai

Updated reasons on why I’m moving to Chiangmai, after staying for three weeks:

– Affordable, more ROI from money
– Lots of international schools, education resources that we can afford
– Near enough to SG, cheap enough to fly back to SG or fly parents in
– Visa options are easier (for now), more affordable
– Thai people - kind, gentle, friendly, to kids especially
– Familiar culture - Chinese, Buddhism
– Vibrant art and culture - My wife and I often remark how it reminds us of Ubud. It’s also not that kind of lame, self-gratifying art. A lot of it is centered on preserving heritage.
– Nature - in cafes, nearby, well designed, pleasant, easy to get to, enjoyable
– Low density - CM is still not so developed, more laid back, less stressful/crowded (unlike say SG or BKK), reminds me of SG when growing up in 80s (though traffic can be an issue sometimes)
– Quiet: There’s still quiet areas to live in. I slept quite well there, because it was so quiet. No loud birds, no cars, no traffic sounds.
– Wife has friends there, and knows her way around, knows some Thai.
– Personal likes - great coffee culture (even single origin beans grown in Thailand!), healthy fresh delicious produce, and calm corners I feel I can deep rest in.

For me I can work anywhere now so that doesn’t really matter… I’m adaptable and can thrive anywhere, so it matters slightly more than my wife and kid can thrive here.