I have been living in the Sukhumvit CBD since 1987. I started on Soi 39, then moved to Soi 8, followed by Soi 4, back to Soi 8, then Soi 1 and finally Soi 23. I love the lack of residential zoning laws. (The only one I have ever heard of was a restriction on massage parlors within 200 meters of a primary school).
I am well within walking distance of half a dozen supermarkets, BTS, MRT. There are motorbikes on every corner. I can't remember the last time I used a taxi. I can find any kind, style, and price of food. There are more pot stores than 7/11's. There are dozens of foot, body, and other massage parlors.
The Central group, the Villa group, and now the Emporium group are building a small city across the road. Everything is air-conditioned. I wear a mask between the buildings. I guess my lungs are as good as my Chiang Mai friends.