Navigate Chiang Mai from someone
who's actually done it.
Get honest guidance on visas, settling in, cost of living, and building real community. No generic travel blog nonsense. Just what works from someone who's been here since 2010 and helped 1,000+ expats figure out their path.
Thailand Visa Exempt: Back to 30 Days
Thailand's visa exempt entry has changed. Single entry visitors now receive 30 days, not 60. This affects your planning if you're arriving without a formal visa. Extension available: 30 days for 1,900 THB at immigration.
*** Effective: 2026. Applies to: Qualifying passport holders arriving by air or land. Extension: Get 30 more days at any immigration office. ***
Read the full update →What are you figuring out right now?
Whether you're researching from your home country, just landed, or already here trying to make sense of it all, there's a clear path forward.
Planning the move
Visa options, realistic costs, healthcare choices, tax implications, and the exact steps to get you ready. Stop guessing. Get a roadmap.
Explore →
Just arrived
Airport logistics, finding your first place, SIM cards, Thai banking, getting around, and what actually matters in week one. We've done this 16+ times.
Explore →
Settling in
Making real friends, understanding neighbourhoods, building roots, navigating healthcare, managing costs long-term, and figuring out what 'home' actually means here.
Explore →Where you settle matters
Each neighbourhood has its own vibe, community, and cost. Here's where people like you actually end up, and why.
Nimman
Cosmopolitan. Cafes. Walkable.
The closest Chiang Mai gets to a European quarter. Specialty coffee, co-working spaces, and a Sunday market you'll visit every week.
Read the area guide →
Old City
Cultural. Temples. Vibrant.
Surrounded by a 700-year-old moat. The right place to land first and understand the city's pulse.
Read the area guide →
Santitham
Local. Authentic. Affordable.
Where expats who've been here two years tend to drift. Fewer tourists, better food, real community.
Read the area guide →
Hang Dong
Spacious. Green. Quiet.
Larger homes, lower density, international schools nearby. The area that makes sense once you stay long-term.
Read the area guide →
Mae Rim
Green. Mountain-adjacent. Cool.
Higher elevation brings cooler climate and lush surroundings. Perfect for those seeking quieter mountain living close enough to the city.
Read the area guide →What does life in Chiang Mai actually cost?
We skip the "Chiang Mai is so cheap" nonsense. Here's what real people actually spend, by lifestyle choice.
- 1BR apartment, good area$300-450
- Food - markets and some dining$150-200
- Transport - scooter and Grab$60-80
- Utilities and internet$50-70
- Health insurance, basic$80-120
A comfortable, dignified life. You live like a well-traveled local.
- Serviced apartment or villa$900-1,400
- Dining out and international groceries$400-600
- Car hire or private driver$200-300
- Utilities, fast internet, streaming$100-150
- Comprehensive health cover$200-350
A Bangkok-quality life at half the Bangkok cost. You want for nothing.
Why Expats Trust Shayne
I am a Chiang Mai Ambassador. I love this city and I love helping people love it too. I have been connecting people here for over 16 years. Not as a tourist, not as a blogger passing through. As someone who lives here, knows the streets, knows the systems, and genuinely enjoys being the person who makes things easier for others.
I have worked for three foundations in Thailand: teaching English, helping up to 170 volunteers get their visas, and now coordinating Hope Connections Foundation, supporting schools and community development across Chiang Mai. I started Chiang Mai Clean City and Chiang Mai Safe City. I admin ten or so Chiang Mai Facebook groups, promote the Red Cross Blood Bank, help small businesses and community groups, and have lectured at CMU. Most of what I do never gets counted: answering questions, connecting people, picking up trash, telling a friend in a higher place about a problem they can solve. I said yes, and I keep saying yes.
My life has never been about money, which is handy, because I do not have much. I have what I need, and in Thailand I need a lot less. This site exists because the questions never stop. Where to live, which visa, how to get a licence plate sorted, where the best buffet is on a Tuesday. The guides here are the answers I kept giving. Every price is real, every warning is earned, every recommendation comes from actually being here.
Expert Help, When You Need It Most
Chiang Mai is easy to love and surprisingly hard to navigate without the right person in your corner. These services exist for people who want to get it right the first time.
VIP Relocation Concierge
End-to-end support for your move to Chiang Mai. Every detail handled before you land and after you're settled. Visa strategy, accommodation, bank account, SIM, driving licence, medical registration. You focus on the move.
- Pre-arrival strategy and planning
- Curated accommodation shortlist
- Visa pathway, fully personalised
- First-day orientation and setup
- Introductions to vetted lawyers, doctors, accountants
- 30-day follow-up support
Bespoke Concierge Requests
Not every situation fits a package. If you need one specific thing done properly. A business registered, a property found, a specialist located, a lease negotiated. No retainer required.
- Company registration and BOI advice
- Medical specialist referrals
- Property sourcing and lease negotiation
- School enrolment and family setup
- Research packages for relocation decisions
- Luxury travel and long-stay arrangements