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 :)
Hi, I am NEW in SHC..a little nervous to navigate around among the SENIORS like you all. Happy New year !
I am very interested to know more about Chiang Mai cos’ of the
cool weather & unpolluted environment..Does anyone know of Chiang Rai a little town not too far ..? was told there is
winery & orchards run by some German/australian..i am very
interested in Organic farming. Please register me for this
meeting. thank you.
Yes I can share my some information about Chiangmai, my brother has retired there for more than a year now and he rented a condo unit when he first got there for S$160/month now he lives in a one bedroom hse/sitting hall/kitchen/garden for S$350/month. A retiree wld need to put down a deposit of S$36,000/ for a one year visa you can use the money within the year but before your next visa renewal you wld hve to replace back the amount. Each exit trip cost S$40 if it is out of the country. There are a lot of foreigners living there the place is safe and cheap to live. Anyone with to make a trip there from now to March is good weather still cool. April to May gets hot can be 40 deg June starts the raining season after August is ok. Just
saw an advt AIRASIA promotion fare book before 8th feb one way all in fare is only S$33/- fly before March seems a little to late to catch this cheap fare look out again. Pls feel free to contact me my email is Lpcjanet@hotmail.com SHC can get a group keen to go and I can arrange for you to meet up with my brother in Chiangmai. Janet Loo
Hi felice I am not able to attend this mtg must tell you that as a retiree you are not allowed to work, there are charity organisation and senior clubs to join. If you are going to the east point gathering hope to hve a chat with you. Janet Loo
Hi, janet, thank you for sharing.would prefer to go in Dec.
I am glad there is charity organisation & S clubs to join..
By the way, where is East Point gathering ? in the East Coast
area ? i am very terrible when it comes to malls.
Dec is nice weather. Eastpoint Mall – get down at Simei Mrt stn you will see it there is only one shopping mall there hope to see you.
Hi, janet, Sorry i can’t go to East Mall for the meeting as
i have to wait for the air-con man to come..but i am going
to the 18th Feb Queenstown’ function, hope to see you there.
Can you please ask your brother whether he been to a lovely
place called Pai near ChaingRai where there is beautiful
resort wood-cottages in a rustic country side setting, even
with horse carriage..It would be nice if we can organise a
trip there from ChaingMai. I have the contact which we can
negotiate for group booking for cheaper rate..
Thanks for sharing again.
Hi Felice @ #6,
I was at Pai for 1 night only this January.
It it a very nice place, situated quite high in the mountains. But while you have the mountains in the background, you also have cultivated valleys so you don’t just see jungle.
The bus ride up to Pai is nice, I think they advertised it as only 170+ kms, but thousands of turns. (Ah Nee, you better remember this, means you cannot visit Pai). You can go free and easy, just buy a ticket from CMai, (only THB150) and about 4 hours, with a 30min break at halfpoint.
Weather in Dec and Jan is not really cold, you just need a jacket and even shorts can be used.
You can rent a car there as I was told there is only 1 rental agency. Otherwise you can rent a motorcycle for less than S$10. You need transport to enjoy Pai so you can visit some scenic high points, the Kuomintang village and to go hotel hopping. There are many hotels there, each with a special view or design. Eg 1 hotel had their own flower garden, others have a very nice view of the valley, others also with views but facing other directions. Quite a lot of the hotels are far from town so you need a motorcycle/car
Tourist infrastructure like intercity bus is very good, lots of food places, shopping in the night markets, pharmacists etc abound. No tuk-tuk in the town. I also don’t know how good is the internet connection, but easy to find internet cafes
I would have stayed longer except I had to return to CMai to join Terence then. I would visit Pai again, just to enjoy the feel. Of course, like CMai, everything is cheap
But with all the infrastructure, some may find it too touristy. But for Singaporeans, I think it is ideal.
Hi Charles,
thank you for sharing.I like the PAI, Mee Hong son’ Belle Villa resort kind of cottages. Pls check the website ..
http://www.bellevillaresort.com I have talked to them when they were
on road show here few yrs ago and they can give special rate
for long term stay.
Why don’t you organise a trip for us to explore others more
rustic & CLEAN cottages ? Feb 2013 ? I always plan much ahead
cos’ of hubby’ leaves etc.
Hi Felice @ #8,
I saw your bellevilla resort website. I did not see this hotel as it is situated slightly north.
As I had only 1 day there, I only visited the “Chinese Refuge” or the Kuomintang village, some hotels and even the so-called Pai Canyon.
A good idea is to try the adventure rafting in the summer/rainy months when the water is high. The hot water pools also look very interesting, if they are like the one we visited in Krabi.
I don’t intend to arrange any trips there. But like I said, it is easy to arrange a trip there for a few days. Public transport from CMai is easy, just buy the tickets from any hotel you are staying in, they will pick you up from your hotel, there are plenty of hotels in Pai. You NEED your own transport in Pai, and you can easily arrange that from Pai, with/without driver. Otherwise if there are enough cyclists there, you can pair up and rent some motorcycles and start you exploration.
Also don’t commit to stay in 1 hotel as you will be stuck there. Instead, I would suggest you ‘hotel-hop’ so as to enjoy each individual hotel, different locations, different views, different themes. Variety adds some spice to the stay.
If you find that Pai is not to your liking, go to Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle, Mae Hon Son, or go back to CMai. Free and easy, no hassle, no need to plan and book ahead. Everything is cheap. If you like a particularly expensive hotel, just go for it, splurge a little.
If you like it, stay a little longer. But Pai is a very small town, many hotels, enough places to eat, (no haut cuisine tho’). It would be better if Pai remained small and cosy, rather than big, noisy, boisterous and ‘successful’.
For those who plan to go to Pai and cycle, don’t do what I did there.
After I got my bike and a map and some instructions on where to buy petrol, I scooted off to look for a hotel. After I found one, I left immediately for the Chinese village.
After wondering around, I realised I could not remember the name of the hotel I booked, and all my clothes were in there. Finally after some exploring and backtracking, and riding in the night in shorts and no jacket, I managed tp find it. When you get old, these kind of things can happen, so be forewarned.
Hi Charles,
Thank you for sharing..i will remember what you said.
Did you see any winery or Organic farms ?
We prefer small villages than CITY provided it has clean
water & unpolluted air and Organic farms around..It is Ok
no gourmet food cos’ i can prepare them quite well with any
fresh ingredients & good EVOO (extra virgin Olive Oil) & some
herbs & spices..I prefer to COOK some days even during on
holidays..know any cottage with kitchen for rental ?
I think I remember seeing some local fruit wines there but did not see any wineries. Probably in the north, maybe even China.
Organic farms, you must ask our resident SHC expert, Mr Organ-ic Farmer. He can tell you chapter and verse about organic farming
If you want to cook, I am sure you can pay some money and the Thais will let you use their kitchen for a whole day. They are very accomodating
Hi guys!
Ten of us have just returned from Chiang Mai yesterday, hopefully with good memories and enjoyable moments at the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek exhibition and the Flower Parade.
The weather, contrary to many opinions, is very hot during the day and only in late evenings and early mornings do you get some cool.
I will be at the meeting to share some personal views on CM and retiring there… whatever I know, which is not much.
But I do look forward to meeting you all!
Hi Kenneth
I just wrote in another post to cancel this Sat meetup as I d response was bad, then I saw this email of yours. I find it kinda difficult to track conversations here, unlike other forum sites :(
As such, think let’s not meet this Sat, else will cause confusion further. Wld wonder if we can converse privately as I hope to learn from u. My email is raffady@yahoo.com. tks
I’m exploring d flwg options & planning a trip to Chiang Mai to “feel” which wld work, though I hope to get more advice & tips b4 gg plus being able to meet some kind soul there to learn 1st hand from them.
1) a small B&B outfit where I can keep a room & help out with d biz there
2) a small cafe where I hv a place to stay above, behind, beside?
3) a humble wellness resort where I can stay in 1 of d room, get involved in their activities & perhaps even conduct some of these activities
4) a charity organization tt hv a place for me to stay while I can volunteer my time & perhaps even start a cottage industry there
5) an small organic veg farm or fruit orchard where I can stay plus help in its operation
I’m into nature & am looking for a place where there’s
– water (river, lake)
– trees (forest, farm, orchard)
– “vegetarian” (no animals being killed, animal products being used)
Can I find these in Chiang Mai? Wld like to explore some of these places when I’m there. Any recommendations?
Hi Aeden
I just read on the other post “Seriously” that you’re calling off this meeting!
Please put this decision down on this post or take it offline! I sure hate to go and find no one there.
Please be serious if you put up a post especially one where you call for a meeting!
Hi Janet
Will write to u privately with d email address u kindly supplied & hope to learn more from u, if it’s ok. Also if possible to get in touch with ur bro there too :) tks
Hi Kenneth
Wld luv to c ur photos in CM & if u hv a Facebook account, wld be nice to view there, cos don’t think we can post pics here. btw, my FB is Aeden Tang. Fren me there lah :) tks
Hi Kenneth
1stly, apologies for d cancellation cos of d very low response, which I feel just don’t justify u guys spending d time, cost & effort to come all d way down for.
I cld see tt u’re VERY angry & upset with me, seeing all d “!” marks at d end of ur sentences. I guess u’re very passionate about CMai & wanna very much to share ur experience. Again, apologies.
As for me not being serious, I wld said tt if u’ve flw my comments, which r unfortunately, spread over several postings, u wld know tt I’m serious enou.
I must say tt I’m pretty lost in this forum, which unlike other forum, I find it hard to flw my own comments & others who’s comment included me in them. Plus timing of postings is another problem, which u can see our comments r just minutes apart.
I kinda predicted this problems, which I started off initially just engaging those willing to share, offline, until someone suggest I organize a meeting for this topic & share online. So it’s back to Square 1 … SIGH :(
Well, life is short & life goes on. I’m not gonna be upset & will move on :)
Take care & apologies again.
Hi Aeden
No, I’m not very angry or upset… just irritated that postings are not properly managed: it would have made me make a trip which would be a total waste of time.
Somehow I feel that each time a topic on retirement living or long-term overseas stay is discussed, there is a flurry of initial interest which rapidly dissipates or, as in your case, generates a poor response.
On Chiang Mai: Just book your flight (AirAsia has direct budget flights to CM), your hotel and GO! You can get recommendations on your hotel and places to visit from me or others. If you’re not comfortable with this then book a tour package.
Take this as your first personal exposure to CM and Thailand. You can then decided if you want to go further.
Don’t be disappointed but carry on your quest… there’s nothing like making your own efforts and decisions on your life goals.
Hi everybody, Aeden,
Re this discussion on Chiangmai as a retirement destination, I would like this discussion to carry one. For those who can make it, come. I will see you there.
See you at Yakun, Orchard Central, 5th Floor on 11 Feb, Sat morning, 1030am. If you have changed plans, no worries, there is another time. So, see you tomorrow. A confirmation would be good.
Terence Seah
Terence:
You’ll be talking to yourself! I don’t think anyone else will come after the to-ing and fro-ing of this post.
There was some interest at the beginning and there were some comments in other threads but there was no co-ordination. What could have been a small meeting of some five to seven fizzled out because the names were not posted.
I’m sorry, I will not be there.
Hi Kenneth,
No problems. I understand the to’ing and fro’ing. However, some members have asked for the event to continue. So, I shall be there. It’s a subject close to my heart too.
Terence Seah
Hi Aeden,
are you going tomorrow to the meeting in Yakun ?
Is it ON again ?
Felice,
I hope Aeden can make it. If not, we can still meet. At the moment, I have 4 confirmed.
They are Vincent Khoo, KC Lau, and Terence. How did I get 4? See u.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence #19
I’m coming to learn more about Chiangmai. :)
Hi Felice, Jassmine
The location is 181 Orchard Road, #05-33 Orchard Central. It’s oppositive Orchard Point/CentrePoint. See you.
Terence Seah
Terence, thank you ! Orchard Rd , centre point area is
ok for me..I thought another Central mall near OLD riverview
hotel area where many japanese retaurants are..
see you all !
Hi SHCians,
I have just returned from C/Mai with Kenneth’s group of 10 trippers. 2 out of 10 ppl could speak some Thai and this trully was important and made a difference.
Kenneth knows the place well and had been some kind of “library”, a resourceful person, throughout our trip.
Another SHCian, Peter, was in our group too. He, wif wife in tow, shopped til they nearly dropped. Hahaha. So , please check out with him re shopping.
We walked the night markets whenever we had the chance (if no other dinner appts). I didn’t specially shopped, I was there to enjoy the makan makam, jalan jalan and the fellowship.
During our 6days in C/Mai, we enjoyed The Royal Flower Show, the Annual Flower Parade cum Floats,a Teochew lunch, Thai Dinner Cruise,an Italian Dinner and tours to the Elephant Safari, Long Neck Tribal Village,whole day tours to the White Temple and Hot Spring – lots of Silverwares and silver Jewellery and snacks and a tour to The Golden Triangle too. Not forgetting, to include the famous Massages which Thailand is known for.
All the above and a little bit of snack-shopping for $300 sing only. The Swedish Massage at the Hotel took the biggest bite off the $300. It cost 1,900 bhat.
One can get by with $250 w/o the any shopping and the extra massage for 6 days in C/Mai. Cheap huh? GO! GO! GO!
C/Mai is a very clean city. Her people are polite, unrushed or relaxed and this indirectly affects us too. Our hotel is very clean and spacious. We really can’t ask for more for so little a price.
If you choose Chiang Mai for a holiday destination or to retire there, you would have chosen a clean, safe and relaxaing place at very little expense.
Enjoy C/Mai.
Geok Suan.
geok Suan,
Glad you all had a good holiday ! May i know which hotel ?
thank you.
Hi Felice/Aeden am sure you hve a lot of response and good feedback on Chiangmai, yes pls email me if you pp are planning a trip there.
Hi Janet,
Thank you..appreciate your gesture.
Hi Felice,
Sorry that I am 1 week late with the reply.
Name of Hotel is Amora Tapae. It is at the fringe of the city or walking distance to the shops and near the Moat.
I would want to make another visit to C Mai later in the year cos i want to find a dressmaker to make some dresses/suits besides the jalan2. Meanwhile, I must get on with work to save for the trip unless there is another 7D/6N + Hotel with B/fast for $287- all incld taxes. Thanks to Kenneth’s initiative.
Good nite.
Geok Suan
Hi Geok Suan and Felice
I thought I’d better add to your comments if only to prevent this post from getting lost… in the massive deluge of current posts.
Geok Suan: I didn’t know you were looking for a dressmaker… I could have directed you to one. Anyway, I’m glad that you’re planning another trip: the best time to go will be late November to January where the weather is cooler. I hope that our recent venture has made you more adventurous and confident to make it on your own or with a friend (unless our group wants another trip, haha!)
There are many possibilities of going to CM on the cheap… and I claim to be an expert on this (boast, boast!)
The first thing you need to do is book your airline ticket in advance, well in advance. Fares now for September are around S$250 return on AirAsia.
Then you book your hotel… and you can consult me on this: Cheap, airy places or high-end ambience at low-end prices.
What more can we want?
Felice: So delighted to meet you at the recent SHC meeting… now I can put a face to the many exciting culinary comments on the site. Keep smiling!
Hi geok Suan,
WOW! can not believe S$287/ for so many nights ?I was asked
to check “The Peak” of Angasana Group..any idea ? Central ?
I like to make some Thai silk dresses too !!
Thanks for your info.
Hi kenneth Tan,
So you are the Tour Expert for Chiangmai !!
I know you are a Gourmet foodie by the question you asked me in the Hewlee’ meeting..smoked duck !! any idea where to get
my own ‘smoking gadget ” here ? my friend lent me hrs and
she has left Sg..I saw online..it looks bulky !! i only like
the slim & flat one like a frying pan !!
I did a ‘duck confit’ last month for my elder daughter who
does not have time to lunch out on weekend..Hubby & her were
very delighted..that we do not need to eat “duck confit’ out
side…Do you like ‘duck confit’ ?
nice meeting all of you too !
felice
Hi Felice
Didn’t expect your reply so quickly; I usually don’t open my email/surf more than once a day… but it was an exception today.
Yes, there are many suggestions for places to stay in CM. You mentioned the Angsana which is part of the Banyan Tree; I don’t subscribe to staying in high-end places which are sometimes contrived and artificial despite their attempts at putting local touches to their premises. What is the point of paying hundreds of dollars per night just for a place to sleep in, unless you need to impress someone or flaunt your wealth?
There are other spa places in CM as well: the Rarinjinda which caters for stays as well, the CM Oasis Spa and its sister, Just Relax, and dozens of smaller spas.
Smoked duck? I just love to watch cooking shows especially the reality shows like Junior Master Chef. And I’m purely interested in the process, although I restrict myself to trying out Thai and Italian when I have the inclination (which is not very often).
I was keen on smoking fish (Indonesian way with coconut husks) and did smoke several times on my BBQ bandeng fish or bangus as it’s called in Philippines.
You are obviously a high-end cook: duck confit!! Even if you claim it’s rustic or country-style.
Smokers: the usual Western smoker is large and heavy, rather like a roasting pan with a sliding lid. You can try Sia Huat or their TOTT outlet although I’ve not seen one here in Singapore.
Chinese smoking will use the trusty wok sprinkled with rice, sugar and tea.
My al-cheapo way is my BBQ with a cover. I like the Indonesian way in a kerosene tin or slinging several fish over a 40-gallon drum smoked with coconut husks.
Well, I eat with my bare hands this deliciously oily-rich, smokey-flavoured “bandeng asap” with an exciting smoked chilli sauce!
Haha! Is everyone hungry?
Hi Kenneth ,
1. WOW! i do not expect you can be as’ sharp’as knife in my kitchen. i just asked about Twin Peak (sorry, not The Peak).
cos’ we are given free voucher to stay and it is almost
expired soon…Personally, i do not CARE what others do..I
was raised to be accepting..It is other people’ LIFE !!
2. Thanks for informing me about Sia Huat. I shall use
“apple wood chips” OR ” Oak wood-chips” when i get hold of
my own smoker.. or may be, use an old wok/pan..which i had in mind too..
3. “Duck Confit” is a traditional dish..created before people using refrigerators hundred yrs ago..I do not classify IT as up-market as my grandmother used to make
Chicken confits (Hakka way) whereby she steamed slowly for
hrs and preserved with salt for days..It is kind of Provencal if you go to South West of France..Gascony area..
where ducks & geese are more than Citron Cars on the road..
I do not think my grandmother knew what is up-market then..
She just used what was available to preserve the chicken..
since there was no electricity here 60 ys ago…
Thank you !
felice
4. Glad to read your sharing about your ‘Bandeng Asap”..
sounds delicious !
Hi Kenneth and Felice,
Kenneth,I have no doubt that you are an expert “on going to CM on the cheap” after our recent trip. CM is on your fingertips, man…
Just staying in CM in a rented condo for 2-4 weeks will be good enough to make me happy. Don’t think can retire/settle there for longer than that time if jus only jalan2 makan2.
Like Terence had said, I dare dream of another trip there to make some silk clothes.I would also love to browse around the chinatown and the floral market on alternate mornings. Jus 1 setback, cannot speak Thai like Kanneth or Peter. Can’t even Smoke it!Hahaha.
Felice and all, if you like the slow and unhurried lifestyle,cheap foods, fruits and flowers, CM is for you.
Hope Aeden will enjoy CM, as much as, we did as a group.
Good nite.
Geok Suan.
Hi Everyone
It’ve been a long while since I last posted on this topic or involved in SHC. Had been looking after my mum till she passed on. It had been a very tiring & demanding time as all caregivers of Sg aged can attest & u’re all aware of.
I’m back on this topic as I’m gg to CM this July for d same purposes, ie, look if I can retire there :)
For a week, I’ll be at Joy House’s Children Shelter Foundation orphanage to do some voluntary work ( http://www.childrens-shelter.com/ourproject.htm ). Anyone hv experience there?
For 2 weeks after tt, I’ll be in CM town area & wld greatly appreciate any assistance in d flwg so tt I can plan my time there productively ?
1) how do I get ard conveniently & cheaply?
2) where / which area do most retirees settle in, esp Singaporeans?
3) what do most of them do while there, like do they run a small biz, voluntary work, etc?
4) any Sg community meeting place?
5) where to seek medical help if I fell sick?
6) is there a Sg embassy / consulate ard?
7) where’re a gym nearby tt I can go pay for a day usage?
8) as most hotels / hostels only accept cash, will be carrying quite a bit of cash, any good suggestions how to keep them “safe”?
9) any police post ard if say I got robbed, etc?
10) any good recommendations of money changers?
11) anyone I can meet there to chat on CM?
I’m looking for places to stay for d 2 weeks in town, any suggestions on relatively inexpensive, clean place conveniently located to most places of interest?
Apologies for so many questions ? hope to get your kind assistance as I explore an unknown land ?
Meanwhile, seek good health & happiness. Hv a good week.