15 Pros and Cons of Living in Chiang Mai

If you search for the most popular digital nomad locations, Chiang Mai is sure to appear on that list. If you don’t want to be instantly hooked, don’t look any further—this is one place so intoxicating that you’ll be planning your trip without delay. There are countless pros of living in Chiang Mai; it’s no wonder that so many remote workers and tourists alike flock there year after year.

Having spent several months living in Chiang Mai myself, I would love to go back, and I absolutely will at some point. It’s a sociable place, popular with countless other remote workers and friendly locals. The pros of living in Chiang Mai far outweigh the negatives in my opinion, but it’s important to know about both sides of the coin to make your own informed decision before taking the plunge.

15 Pros and Cons of Living in Chiang Mai

For me, Chiang Mai is the jewel in Thailand’s crown. Yes, Thailand is a big country with amazing beaches, like Koh Samui and Phuket, and the vibrancy of Bangkok is unbeaten, but there’s nothing quite like everyday life in the northern city of Chiang Mai. It has its challenges, as well as its major advantages, and having experienced most that Chiang Mai has to offer, I feel pretty well-informed to help you out.

Pros of Living in Chiang Mai

Because I like to focus on positivity before anything else, let’s start with the advantages of living in Chiang Mai. By the end of this list, you’ll probably have one foot on the plane and be planning your first few days in the city.

1. A Great Place to Meet Other Digital Nomads

Without a doubt, one of the biggest pros of living in Chiang Mai is just how easy it is to meet other remote workers. In 2023, a huge 3.9 million people passed through the doors of Chiang Mai airport, with a decent proportion of those sure to be digital nomads. No matter when you visit, you’re guaranteed to meet plenty of other like-minded people, which will make your stay so much more enjoyable.

I’ll talk about coworking spaces shortly, but most have regular social evenings, with a focus on bringing people together—the same goes for hostels around the city. It’s so easy to mingle in Chiang Mai, and I met many new friends whom I still keep in touch with today. The city offers many great opportunities to collaborate, but if socializing is all you have in mind, you really won’t struggle to find a new buddy or two.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Chiang…