'Green' Areas to live in?

[yaely]

Hi everyone,

We'd like to know about some of the greener areas of Chiang Mai. I know many health/environment-minded people like to stay in CM despite the pollution, are there specific 'green', recommended areas to rent at? Preferably with easy access to town, say 20km TOPS.
We'd checked out Google Maps, but it never tells the whole story, ie noise/pollution/the people/prices etc. Any ideas? Thanks.

Edited March 1, 2015 by yaely

[maichai40]

Sankampaeng....green, quiet, no crime,light traffic on a big road 15km to center....and so much cooler than center CM!

[kaptainrob]

Doi Saket is nice though we chose closer to CBD at Ban Wangtan, 7km's south of moat and very green.

[Goshawk]

Nam Phrae, Hang Dong . . . 'canyon' area, beautiful !

[Oryx816]

Doi Saket is beautiful and lush.

[MaeJoMTB]

Doi Saket is nice though we chose closer to CBD at Ban Wangtan, 7km's south of moat and very green.

Ban Waantaan

AIrcraft landing in CM fly directly overhead, the noise is incredible, at the moment not at night but from 1st August this will be 24/7.

Huge superhighway project planned nearby, if it doesn't go through the middle of Ban Waantaan, the dust and noise pollution from the building is likely to last years.

[Coaster11]

At the moment it's brown,dry and smoky everywhere around CM..

Mae On,Sankampaeng and Doi Saket are lovely in the rainy and winter seasons though.

[BradinAsia]

Sankampaeng....green, quiet, no crime,light traffic on a big road 15km to center....and so much cooler than center CM!

+1

San Kamphaeng -- east along Rt 1317 -- is very nice, quiet, green & cool.

[BradinAsia]

+1

San Kamphaeng -- east along Rt 1317 -- is very nice, quiet, green & cool. One of the nicest moobans is Naifun 4

(sometimes called Naifan). The houses are nicer, lot sizes larger and prices lower than close in.

Edited March 2, 2015 by BradinAsia

[sawadee1947]

San Kamphaeng !!

10 min to City

5 min to Promenada?Rim Ping

8 min to Makro/BigC

5 min to Hotsprings

5 min to Golf

GREEN, Quiet, Nice Market on weekends, Nice people, Nice Farand = ME

[WinnieTheKhwai]

^ So let me just add Mae Rim, then we have every direction covered. Take your pick!

[BB24]

What? This is Thailand - it is green everywhere. The only place it is not 'green' is inside the Old City and areas close by.

Then it is an issue of things like aircraft noice, construction, neighbours, roads, etc etc.

You staying long time or short time.

If short time, then look on the web in the places mentioned - and also check out Chiang Rai.

If long time, then get a place for a month, and check out all the places mentioned in other's posts.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

We'd checked out Google Maps, but it never tells the whole story

But seriously, Google Maps tells EXACTLY the whole story. For greenery you pretty much depend on forested hills, as all the flat stuff gets built on. (Or, is rice fields which are barren many months of the year and not very green.)

Now, if you draw a 20km circle around the city center, then that means you should be looking West / South West / North West. Sankamphaeng and Doi Saket are simply too far before you get to the hilly stuff.

Taking in all recommendations so far, Nam Phrae was one that actually met requirements. But you could be a lot closer to town too, as long as you hug the mountains. Suthep and Mae Hia subdistricts primarily. And then Hang Dong of course, again the bit West of the Canal Road. Bang Pong is also within 20kms; doesn't get greener than that.

And then it also depends on very local conditions: if you have a stream nearby that has water year-round then that makes it very easy to keep things green. At the same time you also don't want it to flood in the wet season, so it can be a bit of a balancing act.

Edited March 2, 2015 by WinnieTheKhwai

[MaeJoMTB]

^ So let me just add Mae Rim, then we have every direction covered. Take your pick!

Mae Rim

Too far out, ongoing roadworks on the main road in have been causing traffic chaos for the past year with no end in sight.

Great place to live if you never want to go to CM or like sitting in traffic jams.

Great MTB tracks from Sala Cafe to HTT to 700 Year stadium.

Edited March 2, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[TomYumpoochai]

The sewer running round the ruins looks pretty green.

[cnxkoolpunt9]

There is a gated community, Koolpunt Ville 9, which is en route to Hang Dong and only ca. 15 minutes from city centre. It's also not far from the ring road that fairly well will take you to any area of Chiang Mai you want to go. It has a variety of housing options.

[evenstevens]

^ So let me just add Mae Rim, then we have every direction covered. Take your pick!

Mae Rim

Too far out, ongoing roadworks on the main road in have been causing traffic chaos for the past year with no end in sight.

Great place to live if you never want to go to CM or like sitting in traffic jams.

Great MTB tracks from Sala Cafe to HTT to 700 Year stadium.

maejomtb

perhaps the only thing u got right is the mtb track quote

rest is ????

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Rest is per the usual forum standard.

(Obviously, better/wider roads should make it easier getting into town.)

[cheeryble]

Great MTB tracks from Sala Cafe to HTT to 700 Year stadium.

Please tell us where the MTB tracks are I would like to cycle that route?

MTB = motorbike?

HTT = hot to trot?

[luther]

10 - 15 Km out from town is best. If you ride a bike 10 is better. After a lot of trial and error, it's possible to ride into town on back roads without running into many cars or agressive dogs. You can run a few errands, eat lunch and bike home. I would also look for an area where to can bike to a market or a store without hitting a major interesection. I can spend days without getting in my truck. Once you have narrowed things down I would run it by this forum again. There's a good mix of snyde, off-base, and sold advice on here.

[thaigolfer]

to OP, Yealy,

I have PM you. Check please.

[MaeJoMTB]

Great MTB tracks from Sala Cafe to HTT to 700 Year stadium.

Please tell us where the MTB tracks are I would like to cycle that route?

MTB = motorbike?

HTT = hot to trot?

MTB = mountain bike, you need front suspension minimum to cycle the Huay Tung Tao to Sala Cafe part of the track

But a hybrid can do the 700 year to HTT trail.

Here is a 45Km loop ........

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=3104043

[yaely]

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We'd checked out Google Maps, but it never tells the whole story

But seriously, Google Maps tells EXACTLY the whole story. For greenery you pretty much depend on forested hills, as all the flat stuff gets built on. (Or, is rice fields which are barren many months of the year and not very green.)

10 - 15 Km out from town is best. If you ride a bike 10 is better. Once you have narrowed things down I would run it by this forum again.

Thanks a lot Winnie, Luther and everyone else.

Judging by the smoke situation, we're still about a month away, anyways right now I am looking at Mae Rim - specifically close to Makro ... right now we are right by Makro (Chanthaburi) and enjoy the convinience of picking up our fresh lunches and dinners with ease...hopefully that one is as good..? Then hoping Mae Rim isn't as problematic as MJMTB suggested, and that it is in fact nice and clean as it seems on the map, hopefully has a couple falangs in it and possible to get a fairly cheap place for short term (testing out). Any newbie tips/links for finding a cheap short-term place?
Another option we'll be looking at is MaeJo, as a few friends of friends live there (and I know they like it fairly quiet as well.)
Thanks again.

Edited March 12, 2015 by yaely

[MaeJoMTB]

We'd checked out Google Maps, but it never tells the whole story

But seriously, Google Maps tells EXACTLY the whole story. For greenery you pretty much depend on forested hills, as all the flat stuff gets built on. (Or, is rice fields which are barren many months of the year and not very green.)

10 - 15 Km out from town is best. If you ride a bike 10 is better. Once you have narrowed things down I would run it by this forum again.

Thanks a lot Winnie, Luther and everyone else.

Judging by the smoke situation, we're still about a month away, anyways right now I am looking at Mae Rim - specifically close to Makro ... right now we are right by Makro (Chanthaburi) and enjoy the convinience of picking up our fresh lunches and dinners with ease...hopefully that one is as good..? Then hoping Mae Rim isn't as problematic as MJMTB suggested, and that it is in fact nice and clean as it seems on the map, hopefully has a couple falangs in it and possible to get a fairly cheap place for short term (testing out). Any newbie tips/links for finding a cheap short-term place?

Another option we'll be looking at is MaeJo, as a few friends of friends live there (and I know they like it fairly quiet as well.)

Thanks again.

MaeJo is much closer than Mae Rim (about 10Km).

None of the ongoing traffic problems like Mae Rim.

But less tourist stuff to do..

In Mae Rim best way to find housing is cruise the Sois on a M/c.

I found a 3 bed big semi detached house in the Soi next to Makro for 4,000bht a month (last year).

No garden but nice big rooftop patio.

Bound to be plenty more around now.

The Soi to the right of Makro runs down to the river Ping and all the way down to Don Keow through really beautiful countryside. Look down there.

As for rice fields, two or three crops a year in MaeJo/Mae Rim, the fields are very green nearly all year round.

Don't have any idea why someone is claiming 'barren', not in this area it isn't (maybe they only know areas that have water for one crop a year).

I cycle through the fields around MaeJo Mae Rim and Don Keow almost every day, extremely green and beautiful, full of storks and other wading birds.

Don't make the mistake of using an agent or property firm, they inflate the rent to double (usually).

PS

Beware of property shills/agents on this forum, there is one on this thread already (probably sending you PMs to help you for free).

Edited March 12, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[evenstevens]

Judging by the smoke situation, we're still about a month away, anyways right now I am looking at Mae Rim - specifically close to Makro ... right now we are right by Makro (Chanthaburi) and enjoy the convinience of picking up our fresh lunches and dinners with ease...hopefully that one is as good..? Then hoping Mae Rim isn't as problematic as MJMTB suggested,

no problems with mae rim at all..the source saying so, is a very misleading ????

for a short term stay to find other accomodation in the area ..google ,maerim whalepark

have been swimming there since it opened about 9 yrs ago,the thai owners are very affable and speak clear english

the bungalows/houses plus pool and grounds are superbly maintained, their restaruant grub is quite good and at a very reaonsable price

plenty of parking available, and MAKRO, is no more then a kilometer away, and steak of the day restaruant (maerim plaza) approx 2 kilometers opposite direction

the bungalows are around the 600 baht a nite( from memory), the very best of luck and enjoy your stay with the beautiful maerimites

[MaeJoMTB]

I agree with ES, Whalepark is very pleasant, I've hired a bungalow there, and I've used the pool many times.

Short-term accom?

How short?

Mae Rim isn't really a place for tourists to stay, so not much tourist type accom. (that I noticed)

If you are wealthy, Four Seasons is nice.

[MaeJoMTB]

Mae Rim is very limited for foreigners (on holiday), when not in the 'day tourist' attractions (which are well out of town).

If you don't read and speak Thai, no restaurants or bars for you (apart from the one ES mentioned).

Better to live in town and travel out for the day, you'll be bored out of your mind otherwise.

Foreigners in Mae Rim ....... aren't any. A few that live there, but they socialise in town at more foreigner friendly establishments.

No English spoken at WhalePark, and no foreigners either, it's a Thai resort.

(well there wasn't last year)

[kaptainrob]

Doi Saket is nice though we chose closer to CBD at Ban Wangtan, 7km's south of moat and very green.

Ban Waantaan

AIrcraft landing in CM fly directly overhead, the noise is incredible, at the moment not at night but from 1st August this will be 24/7.

Huge superhighway project planned nearby, if it doesn't go through the middle of Ban Waantaan, the dust and noise pollution from the building is likely to last years.

Wrong. Inbound flights pass to the west of the extreme western side of BWT. And 24hr ops commenced a year ago. If you wish to post information at least get facts correct as others may reference this thread.

The spelling is Ban Wangtan. And the proposed Lamphun road project, if it goes ahead in ~ 5 years, is now well to the east.

Did you forget to mention the dog problem in Ban Wangtan ....

[MaeJoMTB]

Doi Saket is nice though we chose closer to CBD at Ban Wangtan, 7km's south of moat and very green.

Ban Waantaan

AIrcraft landing in CM fly directly overhead, the noise is incredible, at the moment not at night but from 1st August this will be 24/7.

Huge superhighway project planned nearby, if it doesn't go through the middle of Ban Waantaan, the dust and noise pollution from the building is likely to last years.

Wrong. Inbound flights pass to the west of the extreme western side of BWT. And 24hr ops commenced a year ago. If you wish to post information at least get facts correct as others may reference this thread.

The spelling is Ban Wangtan. And the proposed Lamphun road project, if it goes ahead in ~ 5 years, is now well to the east.

Did you forget to mention the dog problem in Ban Wangtan ....

I've spent many afternoons sitting in a friend's garden at BWT.

Never had any problems with dogs, but the noise from aircraft landing is horrific.

If you are inside watching TV, can't hear it until the plane has gone.

Having a conversation with a person next to you, forget it while the plane is overhead.

Not been there after 11pm ....... but he says nothing at night yet.

Maybe you're too old to hear the aircraft?

Edited March 12, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[kaptainrob]

Doi Saket is nice though we chose closer to CBD at Ban Wangtan, 7km's south of moat and very green.

Ban Waantaan

AIrcraft landing in CM fly directly overhead, the noise is incredible, at the moment not at night but from 1st August this will be 24/7.

Huge superhighway project planned nearby, if it doesn't go through the middle of Ban Waantaan, the dust and noise pollution from the building is likely to last years.

Wrong. Inbound flights pass to the west of the extreme western side of BWT. And 24hr ops commenced a year ago. If you wish to post information at least get facts correct as others may reference this thread.

The spelling is Ban Wangtan. And the proposed Lamphun road project, if it goes ahead in ~ 5 years, is now well to the east.

Did you forget to mention the dog problem in Ban Wangtan ....

I've spent many afternoons sitting in a friend's garden at BWT.

Never had any problems with dogs, but the noise from aircraft landing is horrific.

If you are inside watching TV, can't hear it until the plane has gone.

Having a conversation with a person next to you, forget it while the plane is overhead.

Not been there after 11pm ....... but he says nothing at night yet.

Maybe you're too old to hear the aircraft?

Ignoring the disrespect, If awake at ~3am I sometimes hear Cn-bound jets spooling up (faintly) for a northern take-off. Nothing wrong with hearing.

Your friends garden, or perhaps your idea of Ban Wangtan location, must be quite remote from our place within the mooban.

Note: We rented for 18 months/ neary 18 months ago, some 700m closer to the flightpath, and there used to be ONE old A300 (now retired) which caused excessive noise maybe 3 times a week ... past history!

Living within walking or scooter distance of major shops/malls/schools etc has many benefits. Mind you, we usually take the car during this weather.