Retire in Chiang Mai

Anyone already retired in Chiang Mai or planning to do so? Am toying with this idea. Hope to get some advice, tips, etc :) Can contact me (raffady@yahoo.com). Many thanks in advance.

29 thoughts on “Retire in Chiang Mai”

  1. Hi Aeden …. Nice to see u here. My husband is interested but not me, I shall check with him to see what he has research so far… Happy new year to you.

    Cheers
    Freda

  2. Hi Aeden

    You guys SHC members? Are you just asking or have you been to Chiang Mai to decide that’s it’s the place for you?

    What I’m trying to say is that we should keep the info and comments online and share with other like-minded members. There were several postings on “retiring in Thailand and other Asian countries” but not very much has materialised.

    I shall be in CM next week with nine other SHCs for the Royal Flora Ratchapruek exhibition as well as the Flower Festival parade.

    We should be able to show pictures of our visit soon.

    And Freda: Your husband wants to retire there and not you??

    Haha, and have a great New Year!

    Kenneth

  3. As I have children and grandchildren in Singapore, I would like to retire in a country nearer to home. My choice is either Johore or Batam. Properties there are still comparatively lower in price as compared to Singapore. My concern is healthcare costs and security issues.

    Cheers
    Ros

  4. Hi Rosalind,

    I have been living here in JB since 2007 and am enjoying my retirement years here.
    As for security, it is good if you purchase a gated and guarded property.
    Properties in Batam are on a 30 year lease.

    Rgds

    Daniel

  5. Hi, tks for all d sharing :)
    Just thot not to “flood” or “pond” this forum with long comments so thot good to be offline. Nonetheless, anything is fine :)

    Been asking ard & quite a few recommended Chiang Mai somehow. Hv not been there & plan to go, but b4 doing so, wanna do my homework 1st, get tips, advice, so tt I know where to start & trips there to recce will be fruitful :)

    Not ruling out other places, but been told to be careful of govt changes tt cld change policies tt’ll affect foreigners owning properties there.

    Am thinking of alternative ways besides outright simply own a property. Am open to views & hope to hear from anyone willing to share :)

    Many tks in advance :) aeden

  6. Aeden,

    I have a suggestion, and I think you can consider. Go to the Thai embassy in Singapore, get a 2 months visa, book a flight to Chiangmai and of course, a return ticket too. Look for a guest house, or hotel, for say around $50 a day or find a stay-in for say $800 a month.

    Besides enjoying the place, you get to answer most of the questions yourself. Really, you have to get the feel yourself. And, if you go along with a partner, better still. Have fun.

    Terence Seah

  7. Hi Aeden,
    Like you, I have thought of retiring to another place.
    In fact, I stayed at my friend’s place in Perth, recce JB, Batam and almost bought an apartment in Koh Samui. All this happened sometime ago in the ’90’s. There was no follow through in my plans because I realised that the grass seemed greener on the other side but it will still turn brown if I don’t care for it. Having said that, some things are done not with our heads but with our hearts. Follow your dreams and take whatever comes because you will emerge richer from your experiences. If Chiangmai is where you want to be, it will be a good idea to recce the place yourself rather than rely on hearsay because this emigration thing is very complex.Touch ground in Chiangmai and all the answers are waiting for you there.Better to pay a little “tuition fee” than to uproot in the big way. Go Baby Go!

  9. Hi again!

    Yes, the suggestions are good… and you should make the trip to check out the place and see whether you can get comfortable with staying there long-term.

    Chiang Mai is a very livable city with many foreigners and long-term stayers; so there’s no problem with accomodation, food, medical needs and safety.

    But you do not need to get a 2-month visa, this will cost you and you can easily stay one month with a regular Singapore passport, renewing for a further month (for a fee).

    Stay at a nice studio or serviced apartment in the city or just outside, You can get many places for far less than the S$50 or S$800 that Terence mentioned, especially if you’re looking at a few weeks’ stay. Enjoy the many restaurants and foodstalls, markets and coffee outlets, simple lifestyle of the Thais and the more elaborate pursuits of the expat community.

    Downsides: Property ownership rules for foreigners, bad haze during the dry months, threat of global warming and floods especially along the riverbank.

    As Wendy says: Follow your dreams, take time to explore options and just do it!

    Wow, Wendy, you almost became a Ko Samui resident! I was looking at a beautiful cliffside chalet overlooking Bang Po beach, but that was in the early 90’s. It is still a pipe-dream for me!

  10. Hi Aeden,

    Kenneth has been a keen observer on Chiangmai. Perhaps, it is good you consider a trip to Chiangmai with a group going up to smell flowers. Not too late. The weather is still nice and cool. So, do pick up your excitement of retiring in Chiangmai while you are hot at it. Get a friend to go along too. It helps.

    Terence Seah

  11. Hi All

    Tks so much to u wonderful ppl for “ponding” with so much good advice & tips :)As u hv suggested, definitely will take, likely several trips there. Wendy – I like ur “Go Baby Go” encouraging motivation :) haha

    Perhaps cos I’m a very detail pax, like many said, probably being in d profession of data mining for decades, I’ll find out more b4 taking d trip there, esp noting immigration rules & weather. Too much info on d Internet & mostly good comments, hence like to hear real life ones from ppl who’ve retired there or planning to :)

    Besides simply say getting a property there & get stuck with it & later problem disposing it say if I wanna relocate elsewhere or when my time expires, am thinking of alternative ways where I can still retire there yet not hv this headache :)

    Tks again & hope to hear more. Still within 15 days of CNY, so here’s wishing all a Happy CNY fill with good health, wealth, joy & happiness :)

  12. Hi Aeden

    I agreed better to hear real life ones. I like chiang mai’s cool weather and nice people at the hillside but amenitites only in the city? I generally felt Malaysia are better developed than Thailand and yes nearby healthcare facilities are important. My husband initially was attracted by the possibility of obtaining “teaching assignment” I noticed most woman if given the choice prefer to lived near their families and frens whereas men if given the financial power will go ahead to lived n do what they have missed, they have less “emotional attachement” yes?

    Kenneth #2 “nothing materialized” – perhaps its because most of us are still at the research stage for a place to live peacefully, what challenged a retired couple to make a big move? bdw, sharing a Cantonese song with couples who had lived with each other for a long long long time…

    http://youtu.be/NH7C0Gpocpg ???????~?? ??

  13. Hi Aeden,
    Was recommended to the silver hair club and am happy to hear that quite a few are planning to retire in ChiangMai and you are seeking for some information. I had been working there for 5 years from 1990-95 and have very fond memories of the place. I have many friends and associates that I still am in contact. Quite a few Singaporeans have semi-retired there and are very happy and satisfied with the place. If anyone who is considering now or who is keen to have more information, it would be my pleasure to share with preferably at an informal coffee/tea discussion session at KOPITIAM. Aeden – you could organise it and let me know the time and place. Hope to hear from you.

  14. Hi Richard
    Am so glad of u willing to share your experiences with us & to let us advice. Many tks in advance.

    Sure, will organize one & hope my suggested arrangement below is ok & do let me know which r preferred, or any other alternatives:-

    Date: Feb 11 or 12th
    Time: 10am or 3pm
    Place: Raffles City or 313 Orchard food courts (they got long tables)

    Hope to hear from all :) hv a great week :)

  15. Hi Richard

    This is great news! We will all be definitely interested to explore further the idea of longer-term stays in Chiang Mai.

    Aeden: Please put me down if it’s Saturday Feb 11. I will be back from Chiang Mai and would be delighted to share my experience.

    I hope Raffles City and 313 Orchard food courts are not too crowded on the weekends. Or maybe we should go to our regular meeting place at Han’s.

  16. Hi Aeden

    Kindly register me for this gathering as a tentative.

    Both dates and venues are fine with me but not regular Han’s but it’s your call.

    Thanks!

  17. Hi
    1stly, tks again for all d comments. Appreciated.

    Think most places will be crowded somehow, cld think of 2 other alternative places which I think is less crowded but maybe more expensive than kopitiam :( …

    1) Orchard Central – Coffee Bean, Spinelli, Burger King, Merz, Ka Kun

    2) Heeren – Spinelli, TGIF, Viet Cafe

    Any comment, suggestions, etc? … Is 10:30am a good time?

    Let’s make it a pretty informal sharing session. Will put this invite up once I hear from u nice ppl :) Cheers

  19. Hi
    Not been to YaKun there but generally know tt Orchard Central is kinda quiet overall still :(

    OK, will put up a simple invite soon with d flwg arrangement:-

    Date : 11 feb, Sat
    Time: 10:30am
    Place: YaKun @ Orchard Central

    Will phrased it as an informal sharing session (need to manage expectation, else some may expect lots & lots of tips, advice, etc … though I hope it’ll turn up to be such :)

    Tks all again :)

  20. Hi
    I’ve put up d flwg post … hope it’ll be posted up soon :)

    %%% ————————————
    Hi Everyone! Happy CNY !!

    Retirement is a hot topics here, guess most of us wanna enjoy our lives after years of working hard for our $$$ :)
    Several places hv been brought up here as we noticed.

    I’m glad tt there’s a couple of guys who’re willing to share their knowledge & experience of Chiang Mai with us.

    If u hv a thot of Chiang Mai & wanna know more of the place, … or
    U hv experience there & wanna share some tips & advice …

    … let’s come together for an informal sharing session to explore Chiang Mai as a retirement destination.
    Am arranging a simple meetup as below:-

    Date: next Sat, 11th Feb
    Time: 10:30am, morning
    Venue: YaKun at Orchard Central, 5th floor

    Hope to touch on topics like:-
    * Good & bad of Chiang Mai
    * Stay options available
    * Immigration laws, property options & laws, etc
    * Biz opportunities & regulations (for those who still wanna biz / freelance job but less streeful one :)
    * The community, weather, health facilities, security concerns, banking facilities, etc
    * The various areas, zones for leisure, games, nature, … & to avoid !!!
    * Charity / voluntary organizations tt’re worth supporting / helping
    * Preparation needed to settle there
    * Contacts there for assistance, etc

    Do add if u’d like to know more or can provide info on.

    Thanks all & hope to hear from u! Hv a great weekend ahead :)

  22. Hi
    Believe u’re seen my meeting notice. Well, not much of a response as yet, but do hope there’ll be nearer d date.

    From d postings here, I gather tt 4 of u will be there ..
    1) Freda Lim
    2) Kenneth Tan
    3) Richard Lim
    4) Geraldine Ting

    It’s ok to hv a small group as a start. Pls do respond to my notice to confirm so others wld know of ur interest lah :)

    Tks so much & do hope to learn from u kind fellows on this topic :) Hv a good week ahead !

  23. Hi Aedan #22,

    Your topic on retiring in Chiangmai definitely would interest a number of members. You must have heard about the positive points of Chiangmai. I have a question for you; how keen are you on Chiangmai? If you are, make a trip there with some friends, and I will link you up with a Singaporean friend, who lives there for a number of years. He is more than 60.

    Terence Seah

  25. Hi Terence
    – yes will plan a trip there, will like to know & learn from your fren (u hv his email so we can chat in advance?)

    Hi Felice – tks for your interest, noted
    Hi Geraldine& Freda – hope to c u this Sat

    Hi Kenneth & Richard
    – will u be there cos am depending on your sharing :)

    Tks all again & hope this Sat will be a fun time together :)

  26. Hi Aeden,

    I suggest you keep in touch with him on the gathering for retirees in the West. He doesnt read emails. Or join him for the West event.

    Terence Seah

  27. Hi All
    At this pt, looks like just me & Felice can confirm to be at this Sat session on retiring in Chiang Mai. Am thinking of calling it off if I don’t hv any more ppl showing interest by tdy.

    Hi Felice
    – tks so much for all d great ideas (in other posts), noted all of them, appreciated

    Hi Terence
    – may I know d name of this guy u recommend so I know who to look for
    – I stay in d West, CCK, & will try to join in those gathering if time permits

    Hi Geraldine
    – do keep track of whether Sat session is on or cancelled, tks

    If Sat session is cancelled, then I hope to engage individuals to learn more of Chiang Mai, if ok with them & to plan me trip there & meet up there if possible.

    Tks again for all d comments, feedback, ideas, suggestions, tip, etc, so far. Hv a great week! Cheers

  29. Hi Kong Chee
    Apologies I’ve to cancel this cos of very low response.

    Posted d cancellation in other posts & believe it easy to miss as, am new to SHC, am constantly lost in this web of postings & comments. It’ve been confusing. Sigh.

    Hope u got this & do respond so tt I know u got this. Again sori for d cancellation. Cheers

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