Is Chiang Mai Thailand Just a Retirement Home For Expats?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.พ. 2024
- Ever wondered if Chiang Mai, Thailand lives up to the hype or if it's just a retirement haven? Well, buckle up for a chill chat because today, we're diving into the real deal of Chiang Mai - beyond the online stereotypes!
I stumbled upon some comments claiming Chiang Mai is just for retired expats looking to chillax and end their days. Having called this vibrant city my home for quite some time, I've got to say, it's anything but dull!
Join me in this discussion about Chiang Mai, from its culture. Let's break down the stereotypes and spill the tea on why this city is way more than just a retirement retreat.
#ChiangMaiReality #TravelTalks
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Hi Wayne, I am a retiree. I spend 6 months in North Norfolk and 6 months in Chiang Mai. I can't wait to escape Norfolk, which has the highest number of over 65s in the UK, every winter. I come to CM, precisely because it's NOT full of retirees. In my condo in Santitham, I am the oldest resident by far, and the only farang among many young Thais, mostly students. Couldn't be happier. Perfect....👍😎
Nice one Geoff, hope to see you back in Chiang Mai soon. I agree, Santitham is full of the younger crowd but still a great place for the older man. Happy days mate.
@@WalkAboutWayne I'm actually still in CM, chilling for another month. Even with the smoke it's a fun place. Keep up the vlogs 👍😎
@@user-ub5qp8sq1w Norfolk is fine in the summer, particularly as I know I'll be back in CM for the autumn/winter.
Was just in Chiang Mai for the umpteenth time and I would say it's a great mix of young ,middle aged and some older folks both Thai and foreign. It attracts younger people because there is alot to do and see. Lots of hiking and viewpoints. Mother nature is in full bloom here as well as historical landmarks. I would say this would be a great place to live out your days.
Spot on Mark!!!
Spot on aswell 👍👍
Hey Wayne, good topic. The way I see it, if the people who have a problem with retired people think Chiang Mai is to be avoided, then I am glad those people aren't planning to come to Chiang Mai. The rest of us know that Chiang Mai is a great place all around. Cheers Mate!
Nice one Erik! I think some people do avoid coming up North and they miss out on the Chiang Mai magic. Yes mate, it's special all year round.
I have lived in Chiang Mai for 3 months and I believe I have seen more young Farangs than old ones.
Yes, I would say the same . Maybe not all year round but definitely a good mix of age groups here 👍
Nice sunny stroll Wayne. A real good watch. Thank you for showing us around👍🏼😃
Cheers mate! It was a really sunny day. Been getting hotter all the time.
Just retire wherever you feel comfortable and content, could be Chiang Mai today and somewhere else a year from now. Thanks Wayne. 🙂
Can't argue with that 👍👍. Cheers 👌
Nice discussion Wayne. Have a blessed day ❤
Cheers Daniel, take it easy mate.
I love Your videos👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
So honest, yet with a cool sense of humor😂👍🏻
Thank You for Your great effort telling about the paradise You’re in🙏🏻🤩
Thank you! Comments like this keep me motivated 👍
I saw a lot of people my age (65) in Chiang Mai, but there were more people between 20-35 I think. It's very vibrant and there's tons to do in CM! I agree with you.
I hope you don't think I'm being offensive, however from one lady to another, what's the T on potential meeting and making friendships of the male variety in CM?
Yes, it really is a mixture here.
It is not just for old codgers such as myself but there is a global trend happening: retirees whose western pension is too small to keep living in the home countries find their final home in more affordable countries, such as Thailand. I live quite well in Chiang Mai but would be almost a pauper in Boston, Massachusetts. My SS check would barely cover rent there but puts you in the upper middle class here. It was a no brainer to move to CM.
Well said mate 👍.
Chiang Mai the city that has plenty of everything for everybody and a real travel destination whilst Hua Hin is definitely more the choice of many older retirees to settle down permanently. Certainly your visit to Hua Hin appeared to reflect that being the case and I'd heard it was a favourite of retirees over many years. Great topic. Cheers Wayne 🤩
Cheers mate, couldn't have put it better myself. 👍👍
Thanks Wayne, for your honest opinion and informative video. I am in the states, 50 years old and "retired", and have Chiang Mai near the top of my list of potential places to move to. I think this place would keep me content and could serve as a hub for when I wanted to travel around Thailand or grab a flight to other nearby countries, as travel is relatively cheap there.
Hi, glad you liked the video. Chiang Mai is a great place for a base, and to travel around. That's what I do mostly . Thanks
Nice one Wayne.
Absolute banger of a vlog. Shots fired about anyone not able to get any arsh in CM. Had me rolling 😂
Take it easy.
Jefe, nice to see you mate, not seen you in the comments for a while. Hope all is well.
@WalkAboutWayne Just busy. Played catch up tho. Can't keep my arsh out of your comments mate!
I think you nailed it when you said it's a backpacker town. It's also a university town and has a huge influx of young Thai people attending the dozen uni's. Overall it attracts younger foreign tourists than the even Phuket and also attracts younger Thai tourists than other spots.
I had a situation at a red light on the step thru when a couple of young tourists on their step thru pulled up alongside.....loud mouthy young tourists I should say.....one of them said to the other very loudly "Look at this old guy with his young Thai bird on the back"......before I had the chance to reply my daughter had picked up on it and said, also very loudly, "Dad, do you think we will get there on time?".
Suddenly the pair realised they were asswipes and wouldn't look our way at all and raced off when the lights turned green. Kudo's to my 20 year old daughter for quick reaction....we had a good laugh about it.....the first thing my daughter said though was "Eeeewwwhhhhh"!!!!!
I'm now in my 60's so cop that stereotyping from time to time. What they don't know is that I first came to Thailand as a 20 year old and have lived here since 2006 when I was in my early 40's.
Cheers for a great vlog :)
🤣 Great to read this comment. Yes, it definitely attracts the young crowd in Chiang Mai. I've never been to Phuket, so that's good to know. Thanks buddy.
I chose CM over several other global destinations in 2010 at age 56. Lived in Mae Hia for 8 years. Got to know many great guys and I was big into the golf scene. Family responsibility brought me back to Canada 18 mos before covid. I plan to return, part time with a couple other SE Asia cities. It is a great place for all ages but perfect for retirees to settle.
Spot on Steve. Hope you can come back soon. Mae Hia nice area.
Cheers mate yes had a few in than mentioned your videos mate
Nice one mate, I've had a few messages and people in the street saying they went for Fish & Chips. The vlog should keep getting more views steadily, so hope you get a few more in from it. I'll pop in again soon buddy.
I love Chiangmai been to the other islands but I love how Chiangmai is a really lay back place and I just love it ,coming back 2025
No other place like Chiang Mai. It's a magical place.
Nice walk & talk, beautiful gardens. I live on the Gold Coast alias God's waiting room. People would give their right arm to live here, but in 1yr I will be retiring to CM. Thanks for your condolences mate🙏
Why did I think you was British Randy? I must have forgot you was from Oz. Yes, loads of people would love to go Gold Coast. Nothing like like good ol' Chiang Mai though buddy. Thanks man.
Because I moan a lot😂😂
@@randyirvine5858 That must have been it haha
Beyond expat retirees, Chiang Mai is the WORLD’S LARGEST MISSION HUB. There are over 100 Christian mission organizations located in Chiang Mai. The city is strategically located in South East Asia allowing missionaries easy access to many countries outside Thailand via inexpensive airfare. The cost of living in Chiang Mai makes it appealing as well. There are a number of top quality International Schools located in Chiang Mai that provide great educational opportunities for English speaking missionary kids.
Well said 👏
God’s waiting room mate but what a room to wait in
🤣 Hell of a waiting room.
LOL well said
Possibly more just the ratio of older:younger tourists is different to other major cities (the the number of oldies is roughly the same as other) there so it more noticeable. I’m a big fan of Hua Hin and would say that has lots of retirees and that feels more noticeable. Good vid mate, take care 👍
Yes, Hua Hin felt more like that, but in a good way, I loved Hua Hin. Sometimes I prefer the older crowd. Thanks mate.
There are a lot of retirees in CM. There also seems to be a lot of the hippy backpackers learning meditation and Thai cooking. Hua Hin is full of the older retirees. It has the golf courses and the laid back lifestyle. As for Pattaya, most of the older team don't stay central and move to Jomtien and Pratumnak. Central Pattaya is for the two week millionaires and snow birds. Phuket is overpriced as is Samui. I moved to a small village in Chonburi which has no farangs but if I wan't my party time I am 90 mins from BKK and Pattaya. I would say you have missed a big area with expats and retirees is Issan. There are loads in Issan due to where there girlfriends and wifes came from.
For sure! But loads of youngsters come here. Like you said, hippies, digital nomads. I hope to go Isaan soon. This vlog was only about Chiang Mai really buddy. Thanks.
Hi Wayne . Your videos are great 👍. How do you finance your lifestyle in thailand 🇹🇭
Thanks James 👍. Through lots of grafting and saving back home mate.
I think there are many more wrinklies in Hua-Hin and Cha-Am,especially Americans,they seem to like to hang out together.
hahaha @ wrinklies. I've not head that term since I was a fetus
Hua Hin did feel more like a retirement place. I really liked Hua Hin though 👍
Lol, I retire in a week at 62 and moving to Chiang Mai in July, so I guess I'm one of those old guys.😅 The thing is, when I was there in October most of the farangs were 20 and 30 somethings. Sure there were old folks too, but by far we are the minority.
You're still a spring chicken Brian mate 🤣 Yes. so many young people here. Chiang Mai has a great mix I think.
Hi Wayne, we visited last year and really enjoyed the area. I'm now retired and my wife is a US and Thai citizen. We are considering retirement in Chiang Mai or splitting time in the US. Your channel is very enjoyable!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked Chiang Mai. It's a very special city.
It's full of digital nomads when I was there in January, coming back in August. Can't recommend it enough really
Yeah it's still a Digital Nomad place, nothing like years gone by though. August will soon come Chris 👍. Thanks
The impression i get is CM is mainly a student, tourist, digi-nomad and retiree town. What struck me was how LATE a lot of the coffeeshop/"breakfast" places open, many only opening at 9 or 930am, obviously not catering to office workers. In vietnam, even in the smaller cities i found a lot of coffee shops that open at 7ish. Highest concentration of expat retirees i've seen is udon thani. was only there for 2 days but saw quite a few of them on mobility scooters riding about.
That's true actually, I remember getting coffee in DaNang at 6am. There is places that do open early in Chiang Mai, but it's not a common thing. I wish it was.
Yes, I think Chiang Mai attracts all those people and age groups you mentioned 👍
Thumbs up 👍 Wayne
Cheers Mango 🥭
Not so smokey day. Does the air quality vary greatly during the burning season?
Yes! Even the last few days have been very different.
@@WalkAboutWayneGreat to hear. The smokey season is one of the biggest reasons stopping us from retiring there. But that is still a few years away. By the way, I know it is UK slang, but "having a fag" might not be so PC these days. Cheers.
I live in BKK and travel to Chiang Mai regularly, I believe the old fogies are in Hua Hin and Pattaya. Chiang Mai has an excellent mix and will be my permanent home very soon. Absolutely Love the place, people are friendly, climate is better and the farangs, well, present themselves much better.
It is a different vibe up north, I agree. Thanks
LOVE this city! Cant wait to get back... After nearly 4 years living thru the BEERBUG and all, and having to go back to the UK, I cant take it... the UK makes no sense now... go enjoy a coffee/tea over at Thann Aoan :)
Hope you can get back soon ! Say hello to blighty for me. There's not much I miss from back home 👍
I hope I do too, maybe even with the folks in tow. Nah don't come back there is nothing to miss here anymore... Also I think we may have met, not on camera or anything, Maybe just about town or... Did you ever come do QiGong or Yoga? Maybe at a cafe or in the street, I'm that weird guy; tattoos, white vest, beenie & beard around the CM gate area...or even the lost bookshop or the old Juicy4U veg place... Anyways take care :D@@WalkAboutWayne
@@danielhaward8506 Hmmmm I think I might have seen you. Was you always walking, with a backpack on. Always wearing a beanie and vest. The only place I've been around Yoga was in the park, in the mornings. Thanks buddy.
yeah that was me, we both were probably around the same time, I was there from Nov 2019. I am/was in study at Body&Mind Chiang Mai and lived across the street. A lot of time wandering as I got friends all over the city... or maybe playing with the temple dogs and cats... I found your vids as a help to get my Folks interested, its making me homesick for the simple life. Take care and walk-on :D @@WalkAboutWayne
Yeah thats me :) and for the last few months or so probably with a box of CATS.... take care on your walkabout. Sawadee@@WalkAboutWayne
Howdy Wayne! Whenever you have the time to visit America, I recommend you visit Phoenix Arizona during the summer. You'll experience 46.1°C that lasts 5 months. Have a nice weekend.
Hey Jimbo, I thing I'll give that a miss mate, 46c! 40 id about my limit. Although, I do hope to visit some friends in Texas one day. Cheers mate.
I just came back from Hua Hin and this definitely where retires go! It was way too many of them for me! Im 60 but I like a place where there is a mix of age. Chang mai is the place to be!!!
Nice! I really like Hua Hin too, but I agree, I think Chiang Mai has more a mixed age group.
Wayne, have you been to Jomtien yet? It's next to Pattaya city.
Not yet buddy 👍
@@WalkAboutWayne I suggest considering it. There's an excess of reasonably priced condos - often with a view of the sea or just a 2-minute walk away, a very decent beach, no burning season to worry about, and there's a good nightlife scene for the gents who are still young at heart - while being away from the madness of Pattaya City.
Plus its location is pretty good for exploring various coastal towns and islands.
Hi Wayne Chiang Mai and the surrounding area are more for people who love food , culture and nature ,with chilled out places for food , drinks and coffee with great views and not to forget the friendly local people 😊
100% Michael 👌
Good on ya mate.
Cheers John 👍
He is taking communication cables and electrical poles underground.😊
That's right. Everything's going underground
Chiang Mai is cool. Had two massages in the middle of a hallatious thunder storm years ago. Went to a bar to watch the world cup. Very nice place.
Happy days 👍
Prices for low cost rentals? Would be helpful and also how hot does it get, transportation? , is it close to the beach etc?
I've got a about 400 videos on the channel that covers lot's of things. Rentals first cheap, Transportation: grab, bus etc. It can reach 40c in the summer. Oh, and far from the beach.
Sounds like not the place for me I hate the heat. Chapala area mexico is where I am looking at but I am a real senior not just gettting older like yourself...lol@@WalkAboutWayne
He's done loads of great vids already on accommodation etc
@@WalkAboutWaynerentals are cheap but it's not gonna be cheap for petrol to get to a beach Wayne is it😁, hope you are well mate, it's still slinging down in Hull, nice and windy and cold too.
You walked in front of my guest house . Best in Chiang Mai . The owner is so great. Every month you stay ,the rent goes down. Very nice to see the place , haven’t been there since Covid started . Bobby dazzler , flat out
Nice! Sounds a bit like my place, my rent goes down every year though. I wish mine was every month 🤣 Bobby Dazzler mate.
I hope most people don't want to live in Chiang mai. We don't want everybody moving there. It just makes it crowded and more expensive.
Yes, I hope so too. I can feel the city getting more busy all the time 😢
You took the words right out of my mouth
" Coffin Dodgers " 🤣 I'm 75 this year😊 and have been to Thailand MANY times . Chiang Mai is my favourite city but , this year , i shall be exploring Hua Hin / Pkk .
🤣 I'm sure your still a spring chicken. I really like Hua Hin too. Always best to see some other places. Thanks
Funny you ask at 3:10 let you know what we think about CM.. the answer was in the background. Great scenery! ..and a million places to eat, nice weather, cheap, not crazy like Pattaya.. what’s not to like… other than getting your life in order to get there sooner. Nice vid, Wayne.
Nice one Drifter! Yes, so many great things to do in Chiang Mai. Thanks buddy.
I like to think that Chang Mai, is for the discerning tourist, not the hooligan louts of whatever age, that gather at Soi Cowboy in Bangkok.
Yes, I agree, Chiang Mai is definitely not a lout city. 👍
How's the air quality there compared to other cities in the Southeast Asia?
Good for 9 months a year
last year ,there was a bad couple of months,but the year before that(2022) hardly anything.....depends if there a lot of rain in the mountains....this year,up to now,nothing that ive noticed....wayne might disagree with me,but in bkk the air is poor all the time...
I know many expats only come Chiang Mai for restaurant and shopping especially because many live countryside I've retired here and one thing I've noticed is in the last ten years the tourists are definitely younger than when I first come By the way I went for the fish and chips give your vlog a mention gotta say thought it was bit expensive
Yes, I think more and more people are coming here these days. Well I hoped you liked the Fish & Chips. Sorry to hear you didn't like the price. It was still cheaper than back home for me 👍. Cheers
CM is a Cosmopolitan City. We have all sorts there and yes agree there are some good retirement homes about. But it's also a haven for young Digital Nomads etc. Just wait and see what type of people turn up for the world's biggest water fight soon 😊😊🎉 keep up the good work Cheers
Worlds biggest water fight? Huh?
Yes, it really is a multi age city. Nearly that time again, the water fight of all water fights 🤣. All types of characters 🤣
@simonn75 Songkran 👍
😊wear shades in the nights as well mate
?? Am I that cool 😎 😂
Where is this park in Chaing Mai Wayne?
Bottom left corner of the Moat Brian. Location is in the description 👍
Got to say that lorry had its hazards on and reversing lights so fair play to him .😊 . I think people come to retire in Thailand not to die but to hopefully live longer than they would in the bloody cold ,wet and miserable UK .
That's good then, I still couldn't see if the lorry had lights or not. I don't miss the cold, that's for sure. Thanks.
I love Chiang Mai and cannot wait to retire there, and travel extensively threwout South East Asia, happy days Wayne, roll on pension
That day will come soon Leila, you'll be living the good life again.
Define retiree.
In Thailand, the official "retirement age" is 50.
I spent a year there at the ripe age of 54!
I'll be returning when I'm an ancient 64...pushing up daisies, man haha
In America, full retirement age is 67, so it depends on WHEN an old lady or old fart decides to make the leap to Thailand, isn't it?
For the record, there's an increasing number of lady expat retirees now. Not as much as the men, but those of us who have the means and know about how to live overseas, it's becoming a thing.
Good question Beverly, I was probably referring to western state pension age, but as you mentioned, retiring in Thailand can be a lot younger. For the sake of the vlog, I was meaning western retirement. Yes, lot's of solo expat women here now, I meet so many traveling alone.
Last visit, there was 15 men sitting in my coffee shop and me.
They were all bald. 🤣
Yeah but, maybe they was 25 years old 🤣
No,,😂 old. But I bet their Thai girlfriends were. 😉
@@denise5334 You could be right Denise 🤣
Sounds like a Loi Kroh bar disguised as a coffee shop
Nice, nobody ever shows the silver temple
I know right, first time 👌
I’ve visited Chiang Mai many times over the past decade. I’ve never thought of it as a retirement destination. There’s a lot to do and see, but not necessarily a nightlife destination unless you’re under 30.
Let’s face it, most Farang marry ladies from Isaan, and end up there or Southern tourist destinations.
Yes, it's definitely a multi age city. True, I would say most married couples do live down on the beach.
You can probably say the same about Hua Hin. Both are nice places.
For sure, Hua Hin id a great place. I miss Hua Hin .
Wayne... Maybe too late. But do you find F1 as interesting now with the same guy winning almost every time?
I love my F1, I watched the race last night. I never think it's boring. Nothing last forever , it will be someone else winning one day. For now, it Max's time.
“ No “ when I was there last November , i agree with other comments , i seen more 25-40 yr olds , im sure there is plenty of expat retirees , plenty of wonderful people and more than enough ladies 👌🤩✔️😎👋👍🙏 - Thanks Wayne
Nice one Ant ! Yes, I would say the same lots of younger men and women around, more then I've ever seen in a Chiang Mai. Cheers mate
ps: MIA memory eh Wayne? Perfect time to announce that little gem, lol.
I know how to fix that 😉😆
🤩🤩🤩
lol,that's because they only stay in the center...go to mae rim, spend a night in mon chaem, meet the ethnic minorities ...go to the hmong new year,the Lahu new year ...you can even do paragliding in chiang mai ..there's really too many things to do there
👍👍
Ohooo God 😢😢
👍
Of course its a retirement home, the whole of thailand is for foreigners. Honestly how many of us are trust fund babies or have the required skills / opportunity to work remotely in another country. Chiang Mai has a mix of everything. Of course the nightlife isnt as vibrant as Bangkok / Phuket, but once I got to the wrong end of your 30s, I appreciate the peace and slower pace of life even more.
Yeah, but you don't need to have a job or have an income in Thailand to come to Chiang Mai. Yes, full mixture here of retirees , holiday makers, backpackers and digital nomads 👍
I don't understand what the big deal is, who cares if Chang Mai is where the retirees go to spend the rest of their years?
Huh? 🤔
Come on I am 60 now I plan to retire here one day in chaing Mia 66 65 is still young these days Wayne 😂
Nobody said it wasn't. 66 isn't 25 either though. The city has a mixture of age groups, that's what the vlogs about 👍
i live here in chiang mai,im retired here.The so called "burning season" is usually a non event,some softarses complain about everything....up to now,march2 ,no smoke whatsoever....(last year was bad tho') This is the best liveable city in Thailand.....Bangkok? no way.....Phuket? no way......
Do you live outside the city? Been some bad days with the smoke and in the red again today. It has been quite good this year so far though, for sure. Yes, Chiang Mai is a magical city . Thanks
i live in nong hoi area,actually at a place you did a video about,but i moved in before i saw your vid,i know this area/street very well...Have you done a vid of the old wiang kum kam area and the old ruined temples around there,The Lanna Rice Barn etc?....thats something very few visitors to CM know anything about...@@WalkAboutWayne
@@patrickfreney6269 I'm near Ning Hoi also, south of the city is my favorite area. Yes, I done many video Wiang Kum Kam in the early days. I always go down to the old city ruins when I need to get away from everything. It's so peaceful.
Why? What VERIFIABLE evidence supports that perception?
There is none…but it’s FUN to argue unverified opinion.
Chiang Mai has many different communities and economies.
Doesn't have beach but I've been in koh phangan for months now I realised I've been more in the swimming pool then the break
Was in Chiang mai no girls there? Rubbish plenty of girls and personally don't like Asian girls but I hooked up with Finish and Russian in Chiang mai when I was there
It's about skilset
Woo Hoo! A dude with an open door policy! Not being an Asian woman its reassuring I may not be celibate in CM the entire time! Singing Wayne's song now,, Oh happy days Oh Happy daaaays!
I actually think not having a beach is a plus for Chiang Mai. It doesn't attract the usual beach crowd , perfect.
@@WalkAboutWayne Could be right maybe some beach goers will give it some days then head off to Pai I've been there also and there they were
Many drunkards from England, Australia the unarticulated ones, some crazy Russian also but yes it is what it is
Chiang mai is good because it's known mainly for temples and these guys don't like temple stuff
Hmmm, so the question of the day is Chiang Mai morphing into an above ground cemetery? I hate to be the party pooper of the group however aging is a human condition wherever you hang your hat.
To the bloke who can't get laid, seriously dude, check your attitude and underpants, You may find the answer lol!
😇
Haha thanks Jen 👍
Sure, with eye candy guys like you no problem with the ladys. Right? Seriously, amazing that some guys just stay in one area with no interest to explore. Get on a bike and see what the whole city has to offer.
I'm just an old man too buddy and a stingy one 🤣🤣