Chiang Mai: World’s 5th Best City by Travel and Leisure
I recently noticed that the city I live, Chiang Mai, was listed as the number five best city in the world, 2009, by Travel and Leisure.
Actually, I agree Chiang Mai is a great city to live, that is why I live here, of course. The food is amazingly good. The weather is great. The people are quite friendly and fun to talk to. There are mountains, rivers, waterfalls and lots of nature to enjoy. The cost of living is very reasonable. There are so many good things about Chiang Mai, and I can see why it was listed in the top ten best cities in the world.
The down side of Chaing Mai is that driving in the city can be very stressful. Chiang Mai is an older, historic city. The streets are narrow and disorganized. There are small motor scooters flying everywhere, some with an entire family and with a baby in the basket! Drivers in both cars and motor scooters will pull out in front of you without looking or warning at any time, all the time. Bangkok is worse of course!
In fact, driving around Chiang Mai is so stressful at times, I am consider getting a bigger car and hiring a full time driver for about $150 to $175 dollar a month! That way, I can work online from the back of the car on my way to eat amazing steamed fish by the Mae Ping river.
One of the guys at TIBCO asked me a few years ago where I would live if I could live anywhere in the world. I replied “Chiang Mai!” without a second thought. Now, I am so happy to see that Chaing Mai was honored by Travel and Leisure magazine. It is also interesting that Bangkok (#3), Luang Prabang (#7, Laos), Siem Reap (#18, Angkor Wat, Cambodia) are on the same Travel and Leisure World’s Best List, and very close to Chaing Mai.
Please come visit. I’ll show you the best places to eat!
Note: After living in Thailand for a year, my cholesterol level dropped back into the “green zone”, so living here is absolutely good for your health!
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