My home in Chiang Mai, Thailand, may be the nicest place I’ve ever lived.

My wife, Carrie, and I live in a home with three bedrooms, two+ bathrooms, a back and front patio, paved backyard, driveway, and a shared park in the back.

Oh, did I mention the outside is painted hot pink?

 

My office/downstairs bedroom during a New Years Eve 2013 Party
My office/downstairs bedroom during a New Years Eve 2013 Party

 

The upstairs back patio and our shared back yard.
The upstairs back patio and our shared back yard

 

A sunset view of our communal backyard
A sunset view of our communal backyard

Every Room is a Different Color

It’s like someone went into the paint aisle, saw a bunch of pretty colors, couldn’t choose, and bought them all. The living room, master bedroom, and hallways are blue, the downstairs bedroom is purple with a white accent, the kitchen and upstairs guest bedroom are an orangish yellow, and, as you know, the outside is pink.

 

the master bedroom is located on the second floor and has huge windows facing both the front and back of the house.
The master bedroom is located on the second floor and has huge windows facing both the front and back of the house.

 

The upstairs guest bedroom of our house in Chiang Mai, Thailand
There’s also a small-ish bedroom on the second floor. At times, it has been used as my office and Carrie’s yoga and meditation room. Usually it’s empty.

Heading Downstairs

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Stained glass windows and stairs in Chiang Mai
That’s not stained glass; it’s a sticker on the window between the stairs and the downstairs guest bedroom.

 

Downstairs bedroom and office
The downstairs guest bedroom spends most of its time as my office. I’m typing this from that white desk right now…

Why Do Two People Need So Many Rooms?

To be honest, we don’t. But after spending quite a while looking at overpriced two bedroom condos and apartments around Chiang Mai, Thailand, Carrie and I realized that we could have a massive house to ourselves for less than any of them.

Having all this space makes working from home much more enjoyable. Plus, it gives Carrie a beautiful backyard and porch surrounded by nature to do her thing. All-in-all, the perfect situation.

 

Carrie doing some nighttime writing on the upstairs back patio on New Years Day, 2013.
Carrie doing some nighttime writing on the upstairs back patio on New Years Day, 2013.

A Huge Living Room that Barely Gets Used

Although the living room is massive, it has a serious shortage of comfortable furniture  As a result, we don’t spend much time in there.

 

A Thai living room in Chiang Mai
It’s not an illusion; the living room goes on forever.

 

Our kitchen is massive, orange, and great for cooking. It came with a fridge and a gas burner; we had to buy pots, pans, cutlery, and everything else.
Our kitchen is massive, orange, and great for cooking. It came with a fridge and a gas burner; we had to buy pots, pans, cutlery, and everything else.

 

Even the bathrooms are unique; both in design and color.
Even the bathrooms are unique; both in design and color. The archway between the toilet and shower is about three inches shorter than my head. Somehow, I’ve only bonked my melon once.

 

The Emergency Bathroom outside our home in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Carrie and I jokingly call this the “emergency bathroom.” The door is located outside in the driveway; it’s existence makes no sense at all.

 

The downstairs bathroom is quite small and has a shower hose, which we haven’t used once.
The downstairs bathroom is quite small and has a shower hose, which we haven’t used once.

What does the exterior of the house look like? 

In case you were wondering, this is what the house actually looks like.

Our pink house is at the end of a dirt road in a quiet residential neighborhood. At the top of the dirt, a busy street connects Wat Umong to Chiang Mai University. Fortunately, we barely hear any of that traffic and are instead woken up by birds chirping and frogs croaking. 

 

The Outside of our Pink House
The Outside of our Pink House

 

The dirt road leading to our house in Chiang Mai, Thailand
The dirt road leading to our house in Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

A look out the front door onto our driveway, motorbikes and bicycle
A look out the front door onto our driveway, motorbikes and bicycle

The House of Love

Carrie and I have had an amazing three months living in our Pink House. We are very sad to leave it behind, but as we’re taking a multi-month vacation from Chiang Mai, we have to let it go. Plus, there’s no air conditioning, which would make for a toasty living experience in the coming seasons.

 

Our House of Love in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our House of Love in Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

Me and Carrie in the downstairs mirror
Me and Carrie in the downstairs mirror

 

Our first mail at the Pink House
Our first mail at the Pink House

Our Favorite Things

We don’t have much stuff, but I do love photographing what we have!

Also, have you ever heard of a salt lamp? I hadn’t before Carrie bought one at Anchan: a local vegetarian restaurant. It’s now our favorite accessory in the house, as it gives off an amazing soft light and makes every room more picturesque.

 

A salt lamp in our bedroom in Chiang Mai
A salt lamp in our bedroom in Chiang Mai

 

Best of All, the House Can Be Yours

We’re leaving in three weeks, which means the house is available. I know the owner is thinking of selling it, but if you’re interested, please get in touch and I can connect you with the real estate agent who manages the property.

[UPDATE] – the house was sold less than a month after we left. 

 

Candles in the back of our pink house at midnight on New Years Eve 2013
Our backyard, set up for a New Year’s Eve party

Still Can’t Get Enough of the House?

Here’s a walkthrough, filmed shortly after moving in. As you can see, in comparison to the above photos it’s quite sparse.

 Have you ever lived in a house while abroad? What was it like?