Why I Love Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand

People always ask why I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

My response is always the same: “because it’s awesome!”

Then, I go on to explain that it’s a great place to explore your dreams and passions.

I love being surrounded by monks at all times in Chiang Mai

Making a home in Chiang Mai, Thailand

My wife, Carrie, and I stopped in Chiang Mai for two weeks so she could take a Thai massage course.

That was in May of 2012.

We stayed until December, 2013

I love seeing the look of excitement on Carrie's face... it fills me with joy! — I love seeing the look of excitement on Carrie’s face… it fills me with joy!

Life in Chiang Mai

In the year since, we have made friends, rented homes, explored the countryside on a scooter, hosted guests, feasted on Thai food and embraced the chance to work on that which interests us most.

For me, those interests include my photography, storytelling and this Web site.

For Carrie, that’s yoga, meditation, energy work and spiritual healing.

My photography has appeared in two exhibitions in Chiang Mai

Carrie had the wonderful opportunity to teach Yoga and Reiki at a wellness center named Sankara. This was her first class ever.

A community of dreamers

Once you get past the bar and backpacker scene, there is an amazing community of alternative-thinking people living their lives according to their own rules.

These beautiful people include the dancers and artists; the internet entrepreneurs and early-career retirees; the yogis and healers; the English teachers and freelance writers…

It’s an incredibly supportive, uplifting, active and loving community; which we are thrilled to be a part of.

One morning Carrie and I got up before dawn and rode our scooters to a lake with our friend Caroline. This is them performed sun salutations at sunrise.

Just relax, lay in a circle and let the gentle sounds of RJ and his healing bowls lull you into another world

This is Yoga Tree: one of Carrie’s favorite places in Chiang Mai. They often have events, such as this Kirtan concert that later had everyone up and dancing without inhibition

Carrie, Katie, Lauren, Daniel, Travis, and me at 12:37am on January 1, 2013

Greg, Carrie and Caroline at Wat Pan Tao - Asanha Bucha Day - August 2, 2012 — Greg, Carrie and Caroline at Wat Pan Tao – Asanha Bucha Day – August 2, 2012

I get to eat Thai food every day!

No more having to choose between Pad Thai or curry… one can be lunch and the other dinner.

Or, I can eat both in one meal. An average plate only costs $1 -$2.

A delicious bowl of Khao Soi at the Airport Mall in Chiang Mai, Thailand

We Live in Big Beautiful Thai Houses

Chiang Mai, Thailand, is cheap. Like, really cheap.

You can get a studio apartment for $100 per month.

However, for just a few hundred more, Carrie and I have rented entire houses.

One of them even came with a live-in maid.

Downstairs bedroom and office — My office doubled as the guest bedroom

Carrie in our living room during our New Year’s Eve party

On a few occasions, we actually convinced Naa, the housekeeper, to cook with us

Our sink at the Pink House with our water jug of drinkable water for 25 baht per jug – 83 cents

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.

A Series of Amazing Opportunities

Since deciding to stay-put in Chiang Mai, I have dedicated myself to photography and this Web site.

As a result of following my dream, some amazing opportunities have come my way.

These are a few of my favorites.

Seven of my photographs appeared in the Spiritual Life Asia exhibition at the Silver Temple in Chiang Mai

I had the opportunity to teach Photoshop to Burmese refugees with the Burma Rights Network

I created my first postcards and am currently selling them in my friend’s souvenir shop in a Chiang Mai museum.

I led photo tours around Chiang Mai as a part of my friend Allan’s Chiang Mai Day of Photography business

Photographers and Digital Nomads Unite!

Being a digital nomad and working primarily online or behind a camera can be a bit isolating.

Fortunately, in Chiang Mai, there are lots of other people doing the same thing and we all love getting together and sharing common interests over a cold Chang beer.

I am a part of the Chiang Mai Photographic Group, which meets every two weeks. In 2013, we also put on a huge photo exhibition at the Airport Plaza mall, which was seen by thousands of people every day.

From bloggers to app creators, designers, photographers and work-abroad’ers, the Chiang Mai Business Group welcomes entrepreneurs from all over the world to our semi-regular meetings

Smiles, Produce and Souvenirs at Local Markets

Going to local markets is one of my absolute favorite activities in Chiang Mai.

Smiles and laughter always accompany our visits, as Carrie and I communicate using 1% Thai language and 99% pantomime: aka, the universal language.

Just one of the many smiles that we get every time we go to a local market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

How much do you think all this fresh produce would cost back home? In Chiang Mai’s local markets, it costs $13

A look down the Sunday Walking Street Market in Chiang Mai, Thailandat 7pm

We Love Visitors

There’s something extra special when we get to explore our new home with friends and family from our old homes.

My dear mother, Bonnie, came to visit!!!

Carrie's father, Bill, stayed with us for 10 days of elephants, lanterns, coffee shakes and wonderful conversations — Carrie’s father, Bill, stayed with us for 10 days of elephants, lanterns, coffee shakes and wonderful conversations

My friend and old coworker Susan came through Chiang Mai with her childhood friends.

Thanksgiving was spent with my dear high school friend Daniel, his wife Queenie, and some of our best friends from Chiang Mai

Never Ending Sightseeing Opportunities

In Chiang Mai, you can spend a lifetime looking at temples and ruins, going to museums, wandering the streets, sitting in cafes, watching monks go by or scooting around.

Meanwhile, mountains, jungles, villages, rice fields and and other cities are just a short ride away.

There’s something for everyone!