Living in Chiang Mai Thailand: Best and Worst

Dear Lynika, Its crazy nutty here on the streets - miss the ocean - meet me in California!? Thanks for watching and happy you got a laugh from it - thats my job to cheer up us folks living large in the world and I love it! Thrilled to be resting after that mammoth motorbike accident... whew - i have a new lease on life now - love being alive!

Well Mike its called free speech. And I do this channel as a fun and lively service that is Free. There is no "collection of pennies" as you say as I am too busy living life out loud, creating cash from my photography and writing. Just had a brush with death a few days ago driving my motorbike in this insane traffic here in Chiang Mai and I've noticed my subscribers and 300,000 views don't agree with you about the "real content." Perhaps you should create your own channel to rant on.

Clicking my tea cup with yours and sending a big hug your way Darling Lynika!

Mary, I didn't even know about the accident! Let's Skype soon! And Yes! Let's plan Cali! <3

Much love to you Mary dear and a huge humungous hugg!

Thanks for writing, there's a lot of info on Chiang Mai, I publish Vagabond magazine on slow travel and there is an issue on Thailand with news about this area, if you want to check it out it is in the itunes store, link is above. There are so many places to stay here - best thing to do is get here and find a guesthouse in the center so it is easy to get around. Then start looking for apartments, if you come in September that's the low season so you will have your pick of great places.

Moving to Chiang Mai next year, don't have a timetable yet, but maybe sooner than later. Lived in San Francisco South Bay since 1971, but too expensive here now that I'm retired. You've got me worried about how I'm going to get around in Chiang Mai, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Thanks for sharing, keep moving forward.

There are a lot of pluses to living here - its just that the traffic is a big con. You can take the red trucks everywhere and taxis to be safe - inexpensive and the red truck guys are good drivers. There are other cities in Thailand where the traffic is better. But drivers don't follow rules here so its better to not drive is what I have decided.

Do you stay or go away during the Slash and Burn season in the spring?

I have been in Thailand at this time of year but always in places that don't have much burning. The seaside and Issan are great places to be in burn and slash time. I'm getting ready to leave very soon as it is now time to explore again, will reveal soon where I am going!

I plan on moving to Chiang Mai soon. My girlfriend is from there. As for the traffic. I can't describe is politely here. It's semi organized chaos! I'm surprised there isn't more accidents. But yes the food is incredible as are the people. They are so polite and nice!

Hi Thaddeus, there are a lot of accidents - Thailand is one of the worst places for brain injuries in the world from motor accidents. When I went to my chiropractor after my motorbike crash he said, "I've seen people with their heads half gone. Don't ride a motorbike here, but that's just me" so I stopped riding in Chiang Mai. Take the songteaws the red trucks they seem to never get in accidents.

Hi Mary! I loved hearing the details of your journeys and the accompanying photographs. You are an amusing, (great facial expressions) informative raconteur. I also viewed your Belize beachfront shack footage, very quirky and funny. I' like to move there from the great white north, perhaps start some sort of cottage business. Keep the videos and wonderful photographs coming! Chris.

Hi Chris thanks for watching and writing I love doing the videos and sharing all the wonderful and crazy tales keep watching and check out my new book coming before Thanksgiving!

Mary where do you consider the best parts of Chaing Mai to live.  I don't want to be in the heart of the city but on the outskirts. Any suggestion much appreciated. Chris

the worse, many old farts everywhere

The air quality when burning is going on is a real issue, I think. Traffic fumes is one thing but 5 micron particles of soot knock years off your life. 

Yes air quality is bad - this is one reason I now live in Hawaii which has sparkling clean air to breathe

Yes there are many old farts Bob if you can overlook that item you might like Chiang Mai but it was another deal breaker

Two things - weather and best parts of CM to live in - you will need AC in the hot summers the humidity is crushing. I like the rain better because it cleanses the air and doesn't seem to last long. Where to live? I like near CM university and the zoo other people like farther outside but you have to consider the eternally bad traffic to get in and out. It gets annoying.

Hi Mary, I also live in Hi.(all of my life).I'm seriously thinking of retirement in Thailand.My friends all tell me it's much to Hot! Do you think that living on Maui should sort of prepare me for that kind of heat....Mahalo

Thank you Mary, well taken.In your segment"best &worst" you never mentioned anything about humidity or heat. I'm going to reluctantly take my chances,June,July, August. Again thank you. Aloha

Humidity is very high especially the time you plan to visit in June July and August but it is also the monsoon season and when it rains it cools off a bit - you can also head to the coast and the islands and enjoy the ocean

thanks for he video. Looking forward to visiting Chiang mai in june/july for three weeks for the thai fruit fest . Just hope its not to wet it will be my first time in Thailand ;-)

Another good video Mary, the weather in C M would be better than down south, would it not

I see you went to Chiang Mai because you like to get lung cancer very fast. Maybe you are smoking many cigarettes every day and use the filter of your cigarette to protect your lungs from the pollution in Chiang Mai. You look still healthy and I wish you a less polluted city in Thailand!

What's the sex like for a single person?

Hello thank you for your video. I would like to know how you okaying a six-month visa for Thailand

Hi Mary, my partner and I are going to Chiang Mai in June for one week. Do you have any favourite places to eat? Thanks, Michele

hi Mary, I am planning to retire in Thailand when I reach the age of 55.  right now I am 48.  can u tell me how do I get a retirement visa in Thailand?

Mary, can you tell me the price range to rent a furnished condo with a pool, in a decent area of Chiang Mai, month to month no lease? Can you recommend any hotel with a pool that rents by the month for about the same cost?

Mary,
My wife and I of 36 years are splitting up. I am considering Chiang Mai as a retirement opportunity, since I have a son in Japan. I am also considering Cuenca Ecuador, as they have a great ExPat community and  being at an 8500 ft elevation the air is clean mostly. I struggle with the altitude occasionally and would like to ask you about the ExPat community in Chiang Mai. Is it sufficient to feel comfortable (I am referring to people over 55 or so, as I am 64). I have been to Thailand several times and love the culture, the people and especially the food, but if there isn't really a chance to start over and possibly find a new partner, I would like to know. Cuenca has a large population of "mature" ExPats and that would be good for me. Thank you kindly for your feedback.
Mike Hinshaw
NomadicTexan.com

Hi mary, Cool you are sharing tips and info about Thailand. Im more interested in eastern spiritualisim too.  Im 59 and longing to head that way. Is CM the best place to stay upon arrival?  If you can drop me a name or a direction of places to rent, or just an area I might stroll to start my new adventure. Id be happy w a weekly rental until I buzz the area, checkout the pros and cons. Tymn

thanks for doing this.  I have just returned from Chiang Mai, and agree with most of what you said

I am thanking you for sharing your experiences in CM! I originally from Chiang Mai.... I hope you have enjoyed your time in my hometown... :) 

Hi Mary I have a question . What about art living there as an artist , if there is any artist moved from any place to Thailand and making living selling their work  ? Thank you and have a great day .

Wow what a fantastic vid Mary. I live in Baton Rouge and I think it may be hotter and more humid than BKK or Chang Mai. I keep my a/c on 68* lol and wonder how Thais live with only a cheap fan or two? You could get frostbite in my SUV too. Agree about Kauai. What's cost of living like in Kauai- owning or renting? Thumbs Up!!

Her video is way too simplistic, only iberia negative and one positive.

@Samir Hough you would have to google that as I don't know about the fitness centers on the outskirts - you certainly can find them in Chiang Mai. Best thing is to go there and look for what you need as not everyone or every business has an online presence. :)

Traffic is growing and get worse every year. I always go by bicycle . If it is in the city center I sometimes arrive before my friends that go with a motorbike. Going into the city with a car is .... should not be done simply as that. I still love Chiang Mai and everything around, but pollution is an issue.

I am thinking of buying a condo here . Which one do you recommend ? Tks.

u r so fuckin irritating.. omg

hi : ), was wondering how much it cost for rent there for an apartment/condo for a month? thanks.

Visa Runs?

I'm  coming to Chiang mai and am trying to0 figure out where to stay while I look for a rental. any suggestions?

mary, i really like thailand also and the cost of living is much lower compared to what im use to in california and hawaii. Trying to decide where i want to stay long term in near future , thailand, phillippines, yucatan in mexico or back where i began hawaii.. Btw my last name ends in ski also, dad polish mom hawaiian portugese. Are you polish . Aloha.

what's the use of good food if you are killed in a traffic accident?

Wow very cool video Mary👍

nice point