Chiang Mai

Even though it lacks Bangkok's oversupply of modern condo towers, accommodation is still great value across the city, even during the high season when demand is at its highest. For as low as £600 per calendar month, you'll be able to find a quality studio or one-bedroom apartment on Airbnb. Compared to Bangkok, you'll get a lot more for your money.

I would happily return to either of the apartment blocks I stayed in:

D Vieng Santitham - A calm, modern apartment block situated in a residential area about a 25-minute walk from the centre of Nimman. Good quality small gym and well-maintained pool. On a motorbike, you can be at the Maya shopping centre in just over 5 minutes.

Hillside Condo 3 - An older, yet well-maintained apartment block, situated just off the main road in Nimman. Lacking some of the modern amenities you might expect in more recent buildings, but it was impeccably clean. Location was perfect if working from a coworking space nearby.

During my stay over New Year, the lower daytime temperatures meant having access to a pool didn't feel quite as imperative as it does in Bangkok. There are several pool cafes you can access for relatively low costs across the city, so I wouldn't prioritize necessarily having one as part of your accommodation.

For a city of around 130,000 people, there's an incredible density of coworking spaces across Chiang Mai. While the area of Nimman has the highest concentration, you'll find options spread across the city. I opted for Nim Space, which I've written about further below.

The sheer abundance of coffee shops, many of which are open until 22:00 and beyond, present viable options for getting work done, with most offering Wi-Fi access with purchases.

Many of the spaces are smaller than what you'd find in a major city and can reach capacity quickly. If you're working European hours and starting later in the day, you may struggle to find a hot desk, as venues often fill up during morning hours. If you have your eyes on a certain space, enquire as far in advance as possible, especially if travelling during the high season.

I have a tendency to agonise over finding the right place to work from, so I visited several options during my first week:

Yellow - The largest and most famous. I had a quick scan around but something didn't quite click with it for me. Something about the space felt somewhat depressing. The air conditioning wasn't particularly strong, the interior felt a little tired and you could sense the potential for the desk space reaching an uncomfortable capacity. One of the more expensive options where the premium didn't quite seem worth it. Worth popping by, but keep in mind there are (numerous) alternatives.

Alt_ChiangMai (Old City) - Stylish, quiet, professional space in a particularly peaceful street within the Old Town. I would have signed up on the spot, but they were at capacity until the second week of January. They have another site closer to the Ping River on the other side of town which is also worth considering.

The Brick - Would have happily worked from here, but the hot desks were all full by 1pm. Worth considering if starting early in the day and don't need the security of a consistent desk.

CAMP - The Maya Shopping Centre features a free coworking facility on its top floor, which is popular with local students, with two hours of internet provided with a drink purchase. For a free space, it's impressive. But as it's deathly quiet and if you'll be on calls throughout the day, it's not a viable option. A handy option if you need somewhere to focus for a few hours.

Buri Siri Hotel - I ended up working from here for a day over the New Year holiday while a lot of places were closed. For a very reasonable 150 THB (£3.60) you get a day of coworking and a complimentary drink. Wouldn't consider it for long-term but absolutely fine for a day, plus you can pay a small surcharge to use the pool. Food from the restaurant was tasty and reasonable value.

Punspace Tha Phae Gate - Realistically this was too far from Nimman for a daily walk but it looked a large, airy and spacious option with solid reviews online. Worth checking out if in the area.

Chiang Mai remains almost incomprehensibly good value in 2025. Expect to pay as little as 50 THB (£1.20) for a freshly cooked meal in a modest street-side local restaurant, such as Pad Kra Pao or a simple noodle dish. If you love Thai food and have a stomach that can handle generous amounts of oil, you could quite happily eat at such places throughout your stay.

From my experiences across Thailand, an increase in price rarely guarantees better food quality. Spending more typically means better facilities, air conditioning and service, rather than tastier dishes.

Speciality coffees start from around 60 THB (£1.45), with cakes and pastries around 100 THB (£2.40). Domestic beers in casual bars cost around 100 THB (£2.40).

Like anywhere in Thailand, if you want to burn through money, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Bills can quickly rack up with imported craft beers and more refined international dining carries a premium.

The rest of your day-to-day expenses remain exceptional value. An hour-long Thai massage costs around 300 THB (£7.20), quality bicycle rental 250 THB (£6), and most motorbike journeys across the city under 100 THB (£2.40).

These low costs are almost always a direct result of local wages being very low. While tips aren't expected, they're always warmly received, no matter how seemingly small the amount.

If you're expecting a big-city experience, you should temper your expectations. While Chiang Mai has its own energy, it's markedly different from the intensity of larger Asian cities. The city fully embraces a slower pace of life, offering a stark contrast to Bangkok's urgency and frequent chaos.

I had chosen it partly to make the most of time off over Christmas and New Year, planning to spend time hiking and cycling before 2025 kicked into motion. For these purposes, it proved ideal. If you're planning on making the most of the outdoors, the trade-offs feel worthwhile.

The cooler climate and proximity to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park open up opportunities that are rare in Southeast Asian cities. Going on a leisurely Tuesday hike under the morning sun in mid-January is the type of benefit that reminds you just how liberating remote work can be.

With these reasons in mind, I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a more sedate pace of life in Thailand.

Based in Indochina time, during the winter months, Thailand is 6 hours ahead of Central European, dropping to 5 during the summer.

While this is a significant time difference, adapting your daily schedule can make it manageable, especially if you have some flexibility with your working hours.