Well, so there is already a large community in Chiang Mai, you can live well, the city is online and the cost of living is low. In addition, there are still a few more amenities, pull me and other nomads to Thailand and Chiang Mai
1. The temperatures are pleasant
It’s nice to be in a warm place. Warm enough to walk around in summer clothes can. That’s one reason why I did not want to be at home in November. But it’s not brutally hot or muggy, but very pleasant.
Only for a few coffee shops, malls or movie I put me a jacket. Conditioners are often too cold – but I have seen a lot worse elsewhere.
2. In Chiang Mai I am mobile
In Thailand, it is very easy to rent a scooter and thus throughout the city to be mobile. Such a scooter costs between 150 and 250 baht per day. For a full month, you can expect 2,500 to 3,000 baht. Near the Nimman Road there are, inter alia, these two landlords: COOCASE Bike Rental and Bikky Chiang Mai.
But even without Scooter I’m tied here well. With tuk tuk or taxi to get in a short time anywhere conveniently. And Nimman Road is still relatively close to the center, so that I can then go-out (when I have time).
3. The food is excellent
For lunch and dinner, you can eat well in Chiang Mai. There are plenty of restaurants and especially street restaurants, where there are meals from one euro. Who eats a bit more – like me – get there with about two euros.
I also like snacke me through the night markets. East of the old town there is the daily Night Bazaar. Even more exciting are the Saturday and Sunday Walking Streets. On Saturday it is located at the South Gate of the old town and then goes south. The Sunday Walking Street begins at the east gate and then leads to the historic center.
Late in the evening you can also well retire in society in a bar. The abound both in the Old Town, as well as near the Nimman Road.
Only with breakfast, it is a little more difficult. Near Nimman Road there are hardly any options. I often had breakfast at Coffee Villa, but have only one dish (American Breakfast) and sometimes at Smoothie Blues (quite expensive). On some days I had a scooter and went for breakfast in the old town. There are much better options, for example, Blue Diamond Breakfast Club, Chiang Mai Breakfast World or Breakfast Chiang Mai.
Blue Diamond Breakfast Club in Old Town
4. Massages on every street corner
I’m not a big fan of massages. In recent weeks I have just treated myself to a Thai massage and was enough. Others, however, are almost addicted to massages and so they are another reason to come to Thailand.
At every corner you can easily leave for an hour massage (5 euros) here for 200 baht.
5. Nature is close
Chiang Mai is not a tourist hub spot, since there is not the big attractions. Nevertheless, one can do a lot here, especially in the countryside.
On the first weekend, I went to some of the destinations that recommends Florian Blümm in his blog. On the second weekend I drove the 800 km long Mae Hong Son Loop for the second time.
In addition there are a number of temples in Chiang Mai, including the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Mountain on the house. There is a zoo, in the countryside, a elephant camp. And 140 kilometers from Chiang Mai lies the backpacker destination Pai, where you can spend a quiet sometimes weekends.
For respite from the city life is thus ensured.
6. It’s a bit like home
A digital nomad needs a bit of home. I any case. And I think that the attractiveness of Chiang Mai has a lot to do with the fact that it happens here very western. Especially around the Nimman Road.
Many coffee shops could also be in any western country. When I work at the camp, I forget briefly that I am ever in Thailand. There are large shopping malls with everything the western heart desires. There are supermarkets with Western products. And there are modern theaters showing the latest Hollywood movies. All this is available even in a: CAMP, shopping, supermarket and cinema are all in the Maya shopping center five minutes walk from my hotel.
Conclusion: Chiang Mai is the Mecca for digital nomads
The city exerts on digital nomads and expats from a great attraction. I understand now why this is so. The conditions are as good as they can be in an Asian country somehow. The combination of low cost of living and convenience is ideal.
And so I’m a little bit sorry that I again departure today. On the other hand, I’d rather go now, while it’s still like that. More than a month I do not want to stay in Chiang Mai. I can foresee a that me all the nice amenities are boring soon. Then the time had already come for something new or for the home.