Thinking of moving to the land of smiles and wondering where to live in Thailand? This post is for you!
Thailand is often a top consideration for those looking to take up the expat lifestyle.
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As I used to live in Thailand myself, I can say with certainty, yes! While living in Thailand is not the same as visiting as a tourist, the land of smiles has so much to offer expats of all kinds.
Of course, like any country, there are certain places more suited to foreigners.
Here are the five best places to live in Thailand for expats, foreigners, digital nomads, and retirees.
1. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second-largest city, but it couldn’t be more different from Bangkok’s hustle and bustle.
Set against a backdrop of mountains, Chiang Mai oozes tranquility and peacefulness that you wouldn’t expect to find in an Asian city.
Moreover, life certainly moves at a slower pace here compared to other Thai towns.
Many believe Chiang Mai to be the best place to live in Thailand for expats, digital nomads, and retirees.
The friendly locals, the impressive selection of food and coffee, and the vibrant nightlife are just a few aspects that make Chiang Mai one of the best cities in Thailand.
Chiang Mai is also one of the cheapest places to live in Thailand as an expat. You’ll find affordable long-term rentals and overall, the cost of living is cheaper than on the Thai islands.
On top of this is the neverending nature surrounding the town, which makes for relaxing weekend trips. What’s more, there is still a rich Thai culture despite the large expat community.
In recent years Nimmanhemin (or Niman for short) has become the hipster district of Chiang Mai.
Long-term expats and digital nomads have settled here. Read our guide to learn how to find Chiang Mai long-term rentals.
This has resulted in the pop-up of many trendy coffee shops, upmarket boutiques, and some of the best coworking spaces in Thailand.
In general, living in Northern cities like Chiang Mai is significantly cheaper than the south’s towns and islands.
It is worth noting though that smog and pollution can be a big problem in Chiang Mai.
Between March to May, the city experiences ‘Burning season’. During this time, most digital nomads temporarily move south.
2. Koh Phangan
Located on the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan is the fifth-largest island in the country. The center of the island is a vastly tropical jungle, while the majority of the coastline consists of stunning beaches.
Koh Phangan is mostly known for its famous full-moon beach parties and hippy history.
However, this tropical paradise has become a hub for yoga-loving, spiritual-seeking expats and digital nomads, making it one of the best cities to live in Thailand.
The west coast of the island is home to various vegan restaurants, yoga schools, and beach bungalows.
Being a relatively small island far from the mainland, Koh Phangan is not the cheapest place to live in Thailand.
Even so, its strong spiritual community means you’ll never be short of yoga classes, meditation sessions, ecstatic dances, and much more!
There is one thing worth noting about Koh Phangan. Given the distance from the mainland, living here can sometimes feel like you’re in a bubble and cut off from the world.
Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to you to decide!
3. Phuket
Although technically an island, the size of Phuket makes it feel more like a Thailand beach city. But that doesn’t make it any less of a blissful paradise.
The southern tip of Phuket could well be the best place to live in Thailand for expats. Here you will find Rawai and Naiharn, small beach towns with a strong ‘farang’ (foreigner) community.
While many expats choose to base themselves here, Phuket is also perhaps the best place to retire in Thailand. This is due to the comfortable and convenient lifestyle.
You’ll find supermarkets stocking imported food, shopping malls with western brands, and restaurants of all cuisines.
It’s also a great place to keep fit. Phuket is home to some of Thailand’s best Muay Thai gyms and wellness resorts, as well as a big selection of fitness centers and yoga studios.
Phuket’s beaches are nothing less than breathtaking, and with over 40 of them, your beach days will be endless.
Phuket is loved by water-loving expats thanks to the popular water sports scene.
Whether you’re a surfer, paddle-boarder, diver, or kite-surfer, you will find Phuket to be one of the best places to live in Thailand.
4. Bangkok
If you love the busy city life but not the high price tag it often comes with, Bangkok is for you.
While it may not be the cheapest place to live in Thailand, for a big city, it’s a very affordable place to root down for a while.
The modern, multicultural city is often claimed as one of the best places to live in Thailand for expats because of its diversity and inclusive culture.
The gleaming skyscrapers, trendy rooftop bars, and Michelin-starred restaurants may make Bangkok seem like any other capital city. However, Thai culture is still well and truly alive here.
There are stunning temples to explore along with enormous local markets to wander around to remind you that you are in southeast Asia.
According to InterNations, Bangkok has the world’s largest expat community, with over 3.5 million foreigners residing there.
Therefore, if you’re an English teacher, digital nomad, or retiree, you will find a home away from home in Bangkok.
Many expats in Bangkok choose to live in the heart of the city to make the most of the world-class public transportation system.
Of course, not everyone would agree that Bangkok is the best city to live in Thailand, and living there does have its downfalls.
Constant traffic, overcrowding, and poor air quality can take its toll after a while.
Because of this, most expats living in Bangkok choose to take regular breaks away to nearby beach towns to recharge.
5. Koh Lanta
Located in the Krabi province, Koh Lanta is a small island on the Andaman coast. The island is actually two islands. The one in the south is popular amongst tourists and nomads, while the one in the north is more exotic and quiet.
Koh Lanta is mostly known for its boho and quiet vibes.
While you can still find beach parties in Koh Lanta, it’s less of a party island than Koh Phangan.
Many people go to Koh Lanta because they’ve heard of Kohub – one of the best coworking spaces in the world.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants on the beach as well as beach bars which makes it a great spot to live in Thailand.
You’ll find a nice community there too, but many people are staying there temporarily – mostly between January and March.
The one thing that can make life in Koh Lanta a bit more challenging is the lack of malls and grocery stores – after all – it is an island!
The closest city is Krabi, but it’s still 1-2 hours away depending on the traffic and the ferry.
That said, there are so many good restaurants to pick from that you won’t want to cook at home.
If you’re looking for a modern serviced apartment, we recommend staying at Malee Highlands. They have an apartment for digital nomads that has two desks overlooking the jungle and the sea.
Final Thoughts On The Best Places To Live In Thailand
Where is the best place to live in Thailand for foreigners?
Where you choose to live in Thailand is a personal preference.
But regardless, if you’re looking to live your best life and have some adventures, Thailand is the place to be!
Moreover, the variety of landscapes and vibes you’ll find throughout Thailand makes for countless in-country holidays.
Are you heading to Thailand soon? Read our guide to learn how to buy a Thailand SIM card. Alternatively, you can learn about Wifi in Thailand.
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