Retire to Chiang Rai compared to Chiang Mai ?

[AlanM 5]

Comments welcome.

Currently I am in South Africa. With the increasing high crime rate here, it is time to consider the rest of my life

Wanting to retire to Thailand mid this year. My initial thought was Chiang Mai, after visiting previously. However, I believe of late, Chiang Mai is becoming more like Bangkok with the hustle and bustle of city life.

I am 65, not in to bars and clubs. Been there, done that.

I have a retirement pension which I need to budget on. Would accommodation and general way of life be cheaper in Chiang Rai than Chiang Mai.

Also, I believe, what I am told, there is more of a Thai culture feel to Chiang Rai

Thanks

Alan

[sceadugenga 3,069]

Come up for a week or so and have have a look around.

Check out what's available, apartments etc.

Not much good asking about prices, you really need to look around and decide for your self.

[harrry 4,916]

Unless you have stayed in a place for at least six months it is pretty hard to say whether you will like to retire here for the rest of your life. Come, stay and look round and if it suits make more permanent commitments.

I find ChiangRai a better choice for most things but others do not.

Edited May 26, 2014 by Maestro
Removed off-topic part of post.

[NeverSure 26,764]

The OP asked if CR was cheaper than CM, and I too am curious. Any comments, please?

[fifthcolumn 80]

I think Thsilsnd has had its day. I'm married and <55 but if I had a pension, I would not be here.

I have never liked Chiang Mai. Hot, smoky, landlocked. At least Bangkok is buzzing.

Then you have the politics. These issues as of late are ongoing snd unsettled from.decade/s past and won't be resolved soon.

Immigration procedures are tedious in all but the largest cities.

But hey, if you are lonely and coming for the women, I guess you too can live the dream

[aliep 68]

Straight forward answer, Chiang Rai is a much smaller town (Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city) and consequently, Yes, Chiang Rai is cheaper than Chiang Mai.

How much cheaper depends on how you plan to live, will you buy or rent your home? how do you spend your time? your money?

The people at the Immigration office in Chiang Rai are an absolute pleasure to deal with, they always have a smile for everyone, I don't have any experience with the Immigration officials in Chiang Mai, but I have heard it's not so pleasant.

[villagefarang 15,791]

Clearly those of us who live here, have made our declaration for Chiang Rai over Chiang Mai. Far more people have chosen Chiang Mai, however, and one could argue as to why that is, but I view that as a personal choice.

Most people who say they live in Chiang Rai are referring to Chiang Rai Provence and not the town. It would be more accurate to say, Chiang Khong, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Chiang Kham, Thoeng, Phaya Mengrai, Wiang Chai, Wiang Chiang Rung and the list goes on.

We all have our own personal reasons for living where we do and a story about how we got here. I doubt any two are identical.

Some people will spend the same amount regardless of where they live. I suspect some find Chiang Rai cheaper because they live a more sedentary and remote life, and find less to spend their money on.

Sitting on a rocker watching the sunset costs pretty much the same, regardless of where you live.

Edited January 29, 2014 by villagefarang

[harrry 4,916]

You have to qualify that cheaper.

Yes it is cheaper for many things but for accomodation of Western Style and Condos it can be much more expensive. There is an oversupply of condos in ChiangMai so it is possible to rent a quite liveable condo for 4000 baht but here that would not get you a tiny box in one of the few condos there are here.

[johnopolo 72]

Alan, send me a PM.

[Card 1,142]

I might suggest Nan - still very Thai but with a small but growing tourist and farang resident population. Great little city, but unfortunately it will end up like Chiang Mai withing 20 years with ASEAN, tourism and the Laos border opening up. It's got everything Thai that CM has - mountains, hilltribes, river, temples (and now an array of coffee shops, boutique hotels, 2 farang restaurants and even a Tesco's!). The downside is that they don't have many if any condos and the property and land prices, although quite inflationary, is not easy to access for outsiders as there doesn't seem to be any estate agencies. Also with 1 small plane a day from BKK, no railway at the moment, there are only cars and long distance buses to get there. They are widening the roads to cope with the influx. But it's worth it.

[jackflash 149]

Chiang Rai is very small and very quiet, and compared to Chiang Mai is rather primitive.

Western style nightlife is almost nonexistent.

So depending on what you are looking for, you'll either love it or hate it.

Edited January 29, 2014 by jackflash

[canardo 62]

CR is small and remote and not yet developed very much, if people here celebrating a TESCO in town I would wonder how developed the hospital situation is based on western standards: language, equipment, professionality...

Being 65, might be something to consider.

[harrry 4,916]

CR is small and remote and not yet developed very much, if people here celebrating a TESCO in town I would wonder how developed the hospital situation is based on western standards: language, equipment, professionality...

Being 65, might be something to consider.

Actually it is fairly well served. It has two private hospitals of qute fair standard and a public hospital which provides very very good health services within it's means. It is well equiped to handle all routine care and a transfer to Chianmai can be done in 2 hours by ambulance at a cost of 5000 baht if you really think you need it.

Edited January 29, 2014 by harrry

[villagefarang 15,791]

It can be interesting to hear people say they wish to live a more remote and primitive lifestyle, while in the same breath complain that services are not up to world class standards here in Chiang Rai. It could be that Chiang Mai is less of a shock to the senses, depending on where you are coming from of course, and that may be one reason far more people choose it over Chiang Rai.

[elgenon 1,511]

Chiang Mai is not the second largest city. : )