If you are asking yourself why so many people end up staying here longer than planned, we can tell you that it is because remote worker life in Chiang Mai is incredibly fulfilling. The city offers remote workers a valuable mix of safety, adequate infrastructure, affordability and high quality of life which makes staying here an easy choice. As a remote worker here you can also expect your days to be filled with culture and memorable interactions with the welcoming locals.

Importantly, Chiang Mai’s incredible affordability will leave you with a few extra baht to spend on the city’s vibrant nightlife or even get out of the bustling center for a few days and head into northern Thailand’s beautiful countryside.

Without a doubt, you can expect remote worker life in Chiang Mai to be safe and stable. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why so many choose this as a place to live, work and retire - Chiang Mai does not suffer from the unbearable congestion and overcrowding of Bangkok. The city has experienced a surge in congestion in recent years, but certainly remains more livable than Bangkok due to its low crime rates and overall friendlier vibe. Chiang Mai’s nightlife scene is also vibrant and generally safe for visitors, without the pitfalls of Bangkok’s many red-light districts. Furthermore, while protests have occurred in Chiang May as recent as 2020, most of the major concentrations tend to take place in Bangkok.

Perhaps the biggest attraction of remote worker life in Chiang Mai, however, will be the city’s incredible culture and identity. If you decide to live in the Old City, you will be surrounded by some of Buddhism’s most important and elaborate temples - the golden Wat Phra Singh will never cease to amaze you, and the towering Wat Chedi Luang will give you an insight into local customs and rituals. Even if you live beyond the Old City, Chiang Mai’s spiritual idientity and strong sense of history is inescapable. In the city’s markets you are bound to not only find incredible food but also street performers showcasing local art forms. Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng festival in November and the Songkran celebrations in November are also unmissable and bound to make you fall in love with the city.

Beyond safe and culturally-rich, you can also expect remote worker life in Chiang Mai to be incredibly affordable. By all standards, rents here are very accessible - you can use Airbnb to find a great studio apartment for less 300USD and a 1-bedroom apartment in one of the city’s best neighborhoods is unlikely to cost more than 450USD. Equally, you will be able to find cheap fresh produce at the city’s many markets, or at the popular Night Bazaar, where you will also find some of the city’s best street food at low prices.

Despite the city’s distinct identity, Chiang Mai also feels international, and remote workers coming here will enjoy the large community of other digital nomads and expats available. The city’s cafes and coworking spaces are usually filled with those living in the city long-term, meaning it is easy to meet other remote workers here. These international communities regularly host events and trips across the city and region, giving you an opportunity to gain a sense of belonging in Chiang Mai and explore the incredible beauties of the surrounding region across northern Thailand.

For more information about living in Chiang Mai as a remote worker, check out our complete Chiang Mai guide.