5 Pros of Living in Chang Mai as an Expat

So you’ve been offered a new job in Chang Mai! Exciting times, but does it sound like a good idea to go and live there? What’s the lifestyle going to be like? Is it a huge cultural shock from your home country? Well, here are five reasons why living in Chang Mai is absolutely brilliant.

1.    The Weather

So, it isn’t exactly the most exotic climate in the world, but having the sun on your back every day is lovely. Sunlight helps to boost vitamin D levels which can decrease the risk of cancer and other horrible illnesses! Living in Chang Mai also means you may never need to use an umbrella again (although that does depend on whether or not you’re moving to the rainy season and which seasons you choose).

2.    It’s an Awesome Place for Health Nuts

There is a huge culture surrounding healthy lifestyles in Chang Mai. When people visit, they often say, ‘oh my god, everywhere I’ve gone, there’s been a vegan restaurant!’ Well, yes, because vegan restaurants are popular amongst locals and expats for their healthy and delicious food. There are also a number of yoga studios, meditation centers, and health food stores to help you on your way to a healthy Chang Mai lifestyle.

3.    The Cost Of Living Is Really Low

Compared to other places in the world, the cost of living in Chang Mai is really low. You can survive on next to nothing – in fact, you can live in a beautiful mansion for less than the cost of renting one room in London. This is because rent prices are low.

If you’re offered a job here doesn’t worry about affording housing because that’s one thing that won’t be an issue for you. You’ll have so much money left over at the end of each month.

4.    The Food Is Amazing

There’s more to Thai food than pad Thai – try some tom yum or khao soi! There are restaurants on the restaurant on the restaurant on a restaurant – and all of them have delicious food which is super good for you! Eating in Chang Mai won’t break the bank, and you’ll never be bored of the food because there’s just so much variety.

5.    The People are So friendly

The locals in Chang Mai are some of the friendliest people on earth! They’re always happy to help out, and they go above and beyond to make sure that expats feel welcome in their city. If you’re ever feeling lost or need help with something, just ask a local, and they’ll be more than happy to help you out.

Cons

1.    The Cost Of Living Can Be Fairly High

Locals often lament the rising costs of living in Chiang Mai. The cost of an apartment rental or condo can go upwards of $1000 (or more!) for something decent. Your food bills will also be higher than they might be elsewhere, as fresh produce is not very abundant, and there are no big grocery chains like TESCO or Carrefour.

2.    It Can Be Difficult To Make Friends

The expat community in Chiang Mai is relatively small, and it can be tough to make friends if you don’t know many people when you arrive. There are lots of clubs and activities available, but it can still be hard to break into social circles here. Also, expats in Chiang Mai often tend to socialize only with other expats, and it can be hard to meet locals or integrate into the local community.

3.    A Lack of Diversity

Chang Mai is full of friendly, laid-back people; however, this also means that things here are fairly homogenous. If you are interested in learning about different cultures and backgrounds, you might want to live somewhere with more diversity.

5 Best Areas to Live In Chang Mai

Are you a resident of Chang Mai, or are you considering moving there? It’s a great city for people who enjoy the laidback lifestyle that Thailand is known for. If you’re looking to settle down in the area, here are five of the best places to live in Chang Mai:

1.    Baan Kang Wat Pao

The district of Baan Kang Wat is home to a large population of expats and locals alike. The area is safe and offers many conveniences that make it an attractive place to live, such as access to three major supermarkets and plenty of western-style restaurants.

However, the area’s main attraction is its incredibly peaceful vibe, which can largely be attributed to Baan Kang Wat Pao itself. This historic temple has brought people together for centuries, and it remains one of Chang Mai’s most popular attractions.

2.    Huay Kaew Road

Huay Kaew Road is filled with upmarket stores, hotels, and restaurants. If you’re looking for a luxurious area to live in, this is it. Huay Kaew Road also offers easy access to some of the best hiking trails in the city. Besides, who wouldn’t want to wake up every morning and be surrounded by mountains? Also, there are many nearby spas, which themselves are an attraction.

3.    Nimmanhaemin Road

Next up is the district of Nimmanhaemin Road, which has become incredibly popular among westerners in recent years. It’s known as the “hippest place to live” because it’s full of trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars. It also has a local night market with lots of delicious food and trendy clothes and trinkets. The locals in the area speak English, which is another attraction for foreigners.

4.    Huay Kaew

Living in Huay Kaew offers many of the same benefits as living on Huay Kaew Road but at a more affordable price. Along with great restaurants, it has convenient access to the weekend market and Wat Suan Dok, which is another one of Chang Mai’s most historic attractions. It also offers short proximity to many of Chang Mai’s famous attractions, including Doi Suthep Mountain Temple, Elephant Nature Park, and Mae Sa Waterfall.

5.    Hang Dong

Why live in the city when you could live in the forest? The district of Hang Dong is one of the most popular places for expats to settle down. It’s located near many fantastic outdoor attractions, including Elephant Nature Park, Doi Suthep Mountain Temple, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Another major advantage of living in Hang Dong is the lower cost of living compared to the city.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Chang Mai

Why did I choose to move to Chang Mai?

What made me pick Chang Mai is that I wanted somewhere smaller than Bangkok and more interesting than a beach area. I’ve stayed in the city before, and it felt like a really good fit. I’d heard from other people who had moved here how good it was, so I went for it!

How did I go about finding an apartment?

I didn’t look online because each complex has its own website, but I’d recommend it if you don’t mind the possibility of having to email every single one. What worked for me was walking around and asking questions at apartments that might be good for me, like rent price, whether there was a pool or gym, and whether they had any permanent residents.

Did I need to sign a lease?

Not always. I’d recommend finding one you like and then asking about the contract length if that interests you. It’s normally around three years but can be less or more depending on the complexity. You might also ask how many months’ notice you need to give when you want to leave; some places can be quite strict.

How does apartment management work?

There are staff at every complex that will help you with anything you need regarding the rent or any maintenance issues. They’ll usually come out to your place within a couple of days if something breaks down, and they’re really helpful about showing new residents around when they move in!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a relaxed and culturally rich city to live in, Chang Mai might be the perfect spot for you. Located in the north of Thailand, Chang Mai is known for its beautiful temples and lush green landscapes. Nonetheless, always check this platform for more updates about living in Chang Mai as an expat.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

In today’s 21^st century, knowing the best schools is quite an essential thing to consider. And for the fact that international schools are very popular in Chiang Mai, you need to know the best amongst all. These schools typically offer different curricular, with the most popular being the American and the British.

For its name ‘Chiang Mai, meaning New City, there are many things to explore. And this is because; it has positioned itself to become a creative city and is considering applying for the Creative City status with UNESCO. Are you about to relocate to Thailand, and you’re looking for the best schools for your child?

Well, no need to panic as we’ve compiled the best international schools. But before that, we need to enlighten you about some of the benefits of staying in this city. Chiang Mai is known to be the second-largest city in Thailand after the country’s capital, and it’s home to about 1.5 million people, where about 20,000 of them are expatriates.

However, this city enjoys a tropical climate year-round with instances of cool weather from November to February. Aside from this fact, education in Thailand is becoming extremely popular with expatriates, and that’s why you need to visit the country. But people often rely on recommendations to get the best!

In other words, if you’ve been surfing the internet to get the right information about the best schools in Chiang Mai, look no further. We’ve got you covered on this platform! In this article, we will walk you through the benefits of studying in Chiang Mai and more. Would you love to see what we’ve unleashed for you? Read further to get a glimpse of what we’re saying.

Understanding the Pros and Cons of Chiang Mai

As a tourist, it’s quite essential to know the pros and cons of living in a country before you enroll your child. Although living in Chiang Mai means finding a place to live without stressing yourself about food, but it is still worth knowing how your children will live conveniently in the city. Take a look at the pros and cons below.

Pros

Cheap Place to Live

One reason why you need to enroll your children in the best school is because of this factor. Sometimes, the school might not provide accommodation, and you’ll need to rent an apartment. In this case, you can reasonably see beautiful accommodation for as low as $1,500. Also, with some full-service hotels having excellent facilities, you can spend nothing less than $600 to get your children what they want.

Excellent Food

Just like you may think of the Caribbean about their food, you can think of Thailand cuisines. Since Chiang Mai is a city in Thailand, you should expect incredible food. And that’s because expats of all nationalities have decided to relocate to this country and surprisingly they own many restaurants.

First-Class Medical Service

Apart from being a destination to the best school in the world, Thailand has been known for its first-class medical services. Here, your children can enjoy this benefit as there is well-trained personnel. Yet here, the healthcare services are quite low compared to countries like the United States and the UK.

Enjoy a Friendly Atmosphere

While you’re enrolling your children in the best school in Chiang Mai to learn, they also enjoy the peer-to-peer relationship. This way, they could easily get along with foreigners and seek more cognitive knowledge and build other skills. Aside from this fact, the locals can just help easily while they tend to smile a lot.

Fantastic Weather

This fact is especially true from November to February, and this is because the temperatures go high to about 86 degrees. On the other hand, it can get hot in March and April when the summer temperatures get to about 96 degrees. However, but during the rainy season, it could last for an hour.

It’s a Safe Nation

It’s no doubt that Chiang Mai is just safe as other Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Besides, there’s even a special tourist police division that could help your kids during their stay in the country. On the flip side, you can get around without your kids and be sure of their safety in this country.

Cons

Language Barrier

Sometimes, living in another country may be quite challenging because of the language, and it also applies to the Thai people. Meanwhile, you don’t have to be baffled because the British curriculum is the primary syllabus being used in the best international schools.

Environmental Pollution

This is one of the problems that you or your children could face while studying in Thailand. Besides, many full-time expat residents might even leave Chiang Mai to escape the burning season. So, be wary of the best school to attend.

Zebra Crossing in Thailand

If you haven’t been to Thailand before, zebra crossing is another thing to consider. Simply put, cars have priority over pedestrians on Zebra crossings, and surprisingly drivers won’t stop. So, don’t be surprised if you see or hear something like this happening in the country.

Benefits of Studying In Chiang Mai

Are you ready to immerse yourself in a completely unfamiliar culture? If that sounds like a yes, then study in the best international schools in Chiang Mai. Learn a brand new language, a rich ancient history, explore different outdoor activities, and get the best skills to brace your children’s life. Below are the reasons to study in the best international schools in Chiang Mai.

1.    Explore Diverse Eco-System

One reason you need to study in Thailand is because of this factor. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore diverse ecosystems not found anywhere else in the world. Not only that but from the mountain of the north to the oceans and islands of the south, the benefits of studying in Chiang Mai cannot be overemphasized. Moreover, it’s a great place for nature lovers and environmental science students.

2.    Indulging in the Best Food

While you’re studying in Thailand, you’ll indulge in delicious and exciting foods every single day. Whether you eat at a fancy restaurant or local street stall, Thai food is affordable on all budgets, and you won’t go hungry during your stay in this country. This means you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the cuisine and still have great knowledge about what you’re doing in the country.

3.    Affordable Travel Options

As an expat, you can take advantage of convenient and affordable travel options. Since Thailand is centrally located in Southeast Asia, where adventures are endless and traveling is easy and affordable, you can spend your weekend and holiday days exploring different things. Aside from this fact, you can travel by plane, train, or go more traditional and hire a tuk-tuk or bicycle to get to anywhere you want to go.

4.    Religious Advantage

When it comes to religious advantage in the country, you’ll expand your understanding of Buddhism. In addition, Buddhist beliefs and traditions are deeply integrated into the daily lives of Thais, as 98 percent of the population professes to follow the religion. Therefore, as international students, you’ll be able to sit in on a monk chat or visit temples to gain a deeper understanding of the role of Buddhism.

5.    Embracing the Land of Smile

By living in Chiang Mai, you’ll truly embrace the land of smiles. And this is because; they’re known for their genuine hospitality and their ear-to-ear smiles. So, by living in Thailand for an extended period of time, you can test your skills at figuring out if a person is smiling due to joy, covering up embarrassment, trying to keep the peace, or using the expression for other reasons.

6.    Celebrating Thai Holidays

While studying in Chiang Mai, your academic calendar is sure to be broken up by various Thai holidays. In this country, the two big ones are Loi Kratong and Songkran. According to research, Songkran is Thai New Year, and it’s the largest three-day water fight you’ll see here. So, it’s one amazing thing to enjoy.

7.    Develop Foreign Language Skills

While you’re studying in Chiang Mai as an expat, you’ll have the opportunity to develop foreign language skills. Here, you’ll take advantage of this language because you’ll quickly find yourself immersed in the Thai language outside of the classroom. Moreover, you’ll learn not about the people who speak the language, but it’s a great way to make the most out of your study abroad experience in Chiang Mai.

Best International School in Chiang Mai

In this section, we will walk you through the 16 of the best international schools in Chiang Mai. There are several international schools in Thailand, and we hope the information below will take some stress off your shoulders by narrowing down the most suitable schools for your child. If you’d like further assistance in choosing an area or finding an eligible apartment, refer to this platform. Until then, check the list of the best schools in Chiang Mai Below.

Chiang Mai International School

This is one of the best international schools in Thailand. It was established in 1954, and the school aimed at providing an American-sourced education with a global perspective. Aside from this fact, the school offers Kindergarten up to High School levels to almost 500 students. In addition to this, Thai language and culture classes are integrated into their system, making you understand Thai.

Chiang Mai Montessori International School

The school curriculum is based on the Montessori Method and caters to students aged three to twelve years old. Aside from this fact, toddlers will enjoy the classroom because it’s conducive enough for students to learn. On the flip side, they provide additional English language to support students as a second language options regardless of their country.

Christian German School

This school has also made it to the top in our list of the top 16 international schools. It a foreign school in Chiang Mai that offers the German curriculum, and it covers nursery, kindergarten, secondary school, primary school, and even at the pre-university level. More so, students can sit for the German university entrance qualification, as well as the German International Abitur (DIAP), at the school.

Grace International School

The Grace international school was opened in 1999 and now has more than 600 students since its inception. Not only is that, but students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 levels are accepted at Grace International School. Besides, they use the American Curriculum and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Lanna International School

If you’re looking for the best schools to enroll your child in, this is one of the best. In addition to that, they offer British Curriculum from Early Years up to pre-university level. Their fee is affordable, and they also integrate personal, social, and health education (PSHE) throughout the curriculum via workshops for a better learning experience.

Nakornpayap International School

Nakornpayap international school has also made it to the top of our list. Just like other schools, they offer the American Curriculum to students in early childhood, middle school, elementary school, and many others, to mention a few. Here, the school encourages all students to take to take part in their dynamic art programme, and they consist of music and virtual arts.

Panyaden International School

As of the time of writing this article, we compiled that Panyaden international school offers preschool, primary school, and secondary school levels. In this school, students are taught the Thai language from preschool to primary school level. Also, they offer an international primary curriculum, international baccalaureate curriculum, and many others, to mention a few.

Prem Tinsulanonda International School

This school was established in 2001, and research made it known that it’s among the best school in Southeast Asia. Also, this school was authorized to provide all four international Baccalaureate programs to the students. And as of today, students aged three and above in this school are taught the primary year’s program and middle year’s program. In addition to this, this school also has a boarding facility.

Unity Concord International School

This school was established in 2017 with the aim to offer the American Curriculum and shape children’s lifestyles. They opened to pre-kindergarten to grade 5 students and had an estimated enrolment of 150 students. Not too far after its establishment, the school opened a new campus in 2018-19 academic years.

Varee Chiangmai International School

The varee Chiangmai international school offers Kindergarten, secondary school levels, and primary school. Aside from this fact, the school curriculum is a unique combination of international teaching methods paired with the quality of the Thai education system. Also, in this school, mathematics, science, and English are emphasized for students to access the common European framework.

Meritton British International School

The meritton British International School eliminates confrontational relationships, freeing up high-quality teaching and learning time. Also, they provide social capacity to students and this gives them the relationship skills, intelligence, and attitudes to succeed in schools and prevail in life. Aside from this fact, they have qualified teachers that create a healthy learning environment to achieve academic attainment.

Singapore International School Chiangmai

The Singapore international school is located in Northern Thailand. They offer a renowned Singapore education curriculum in Chiang Mai. It’s located in the city center, and they deliver a custom-built Nursery and Kindergarten curriculum that’s child-centered. While students learn through a unique proggramme, they offer UK curriculums in Chinese, English, and Thai languages.

Satit International Bilingual School

This is a proud Bilingual school in Chiang Mai that offers its students a study pathway that covers both national and international curricula. Not only that, but they also establish mutually beneficial relationships with the universities to ensure a smooth transition to the student’s university choice. Also, they help students to get ready for life with innovative educational facilities and world-class learning experiences and exposure.

Ambassador Bilingual School

This school was founded in 2009 by Chugait Garmolgomut and Amporn. They have administrators with more than 20 years experience as an educator. Aside from that, ABS continues to foster outgoing characteristics, ethics, and morality with the ability to thrive in an international learning environment. In this school, your children will develop skills in technology, communication, and as well develop management to be more interactive with the community and the world at large.

Christliche Deutsche Schule Chiang Mai

This has also made it to our list of the best international schools in Chiang Mai. They offer nursery-level educational programs to the German international Abitur at the end of Grade 12. Aside from this, their education is structured on personal development and is useful to society. CDSC is well known for its highly qualified teachers, friendly and welcoming environment, and beautiful school campus.

Lanna International School

Lanna International School is the last on our list. They offer British education at its best, culminating in Cambridge IGCSE and A-level qualification. Also, they teach a culturally diverse international students population representing 31 nationalities that speaks nearly 17 languages.

Interesting Facts about Chiang Mai, Thailand

No journey to Thailand is complete without visiting the artsy north capital of the Kingdom. Cute elephants, plenty of authentic cultural shows, and lush jungles are many things to enjoy in this country. For you to know how special this country is, we would love to explain some interesting facts you should know.

It’s a Natural Paradise

Even though there are no white-sand beaches or blue water around, the Chiang region still remains the country’s region for most prominent natural paradise. Of course, you might be wondering why, but not to worry. Chiang Mai is home to 14 different national parks and more than any other region in the Kingdom.

Thailand is a Land of Temple

As research made it known, Thailand is home to over 40,000 temples, and they’re still active. This way, you can practically see temples anywhere you go in the country. And this is because temples play an essential role in Thai everyday life, so it’s no wonder why there are many temples in Thailand as of today.

World’s Largest Solid Gold Buddha

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the largest solid gold Buddha and you want to experience it, Thailand is the best place for that. The 15-foot tall golden statue of Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon is known to be one of the most impressive sights in the country. However, the statue weighs 5.5 tons and is worth millions of dollars in today’s twenty-first century.

Thailand National Flag

Another thing to put into consideration is that it’s impossible to hang Thailand’s national flag upside down. Since the flag consists of five horizontal stripes in the colors, it is systematic and looks the same even when you turn it upside and down. In addition, this story goes that in 1917, King Vajiravudh saw the flag hanging upside-down during the flood, and he designed a new flag that was side up.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chiang Mai

What special assistance is available to students?

The best international school in Chiang Mai provides learning support and English as an additional language program. Aside from this, they open doors to universities around the world, a strong background in the English language, as said earlier, and they help students to build problem-solving skills.

Can my child go to a Thai University?

If we could get the question right, you mean can your child go to a Thai university after completing year 13 in an international school? If that’s the question, the answer is yes. However, they’ll write exams that’d make them qualify to enter the university. Moreover, both first and non-native Thai first language speakers will access the international programs.

How are the students graded in this school?

In most of these international schools, the students are assessed on a 1 to 8 scale in all academic subjects at the school level. In the long run, Cambridge checkpoint exams are written at the end of the year in subjects like English, Mathematics, and many others, to mention a few.

Conclusion

As said above, there are many international schools in Thailand. However, if you want to know the best one, read the article and find the right one. This way, you have passed the rumors of internet surfers giving the wrong information. Nonetheless, check this platform for more updates regarding Thai schools.