Ten years ago I found myself travelling through a sleepy town in the tropical foothills of northern Thailand. I really loved the area. But, sadly, I’d had to return home to London to make money.
Over a decade later after getting married, starting a business, buying a house, getting divorced and losing half a house, I’ve finally been able to return to Chiang Mai to combine two of the greatest loves of my life: travelling and business.
I used to get up in freezing cold dark mornings in London to endure a nasty commute to get to a boring, meaningless job and, then, return on the nasty commute to an evening of equally boring, meaningless TV.
Yes, I know that I’m lucky. I love my life now. I’ve never even had a feeling like this before. I have to stop myself from worrying about when it’s all going to end.
More time to spend on my business
Chiang Mai has the cheapest cost of living out of all digital nomad destinations. This means I didn’t have to perform the domestic tasks of supermarket shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing up, etc. I had this done for me. Yes, it was a dreadful imposition, but I got used to it.
A more positive environment
During the three months I’ve been here, I can only remember hearing one argument – and that was farang on farang (farang is the Thai word for European). Thai people are notoriously friendly, happy and co-operative and this attitude even passes over to the ex pats who have been here for a while.
This positivity – or lack of negativity – made me more relaxed and freed up my thinking.
Meeting a different type of business person
I was always meeting other entrepreneurs in London. But in Chiang Mai, a digital nomad hub, I meet a special breed of online entrepreneur.
In London, I met a more financially successful but “traditional” entrepreneur (there’s a contradiction). In Chiang Mai, I meet more beginner entrepreneurs but also more creative and more “out there” entrepreneurs.
Making new friends
In your 30s, most of your friends are married with kids and move out of London to a place where they can afford to buy a house. After 15 years of over-socialising singledom and 5 years of a cocooned failed marriage, I, rather shockingly, had no friends. Nobby No-mates, as we say in England.
I had completely forgotten what it was like to make new friends. And, it was heart-warming to know I could still do this.
So, in Chiang Mai, I mix with the thriving ex-pat population (digital nomads et al) as well as the famously friendly locals. I’m so lucky I meet such amazing people. I may not always show it but I have a lot of affection for people that I meet. If you’re reading this and I met you in Chiang Mai, just remember I love you.
It’s all rather amazing.
Bad discipline
But it hasn’t all been good news. With my new found fun came the old familiar temptations.
I’d been so proud of myself for not drinking much, not taking any drugs, reading and exercising. I’d thought that I’d conquered my old demons with willpower alone.
Not a bit of it. I’d only managed to stop drinking because I’d had no one to drink with. In Chiang Mai there’s more opportunity to have fun and party and I embraced this opportunity with open arms.
But, you can do it
Never mind me. I’ll return next year and enjoy the delights of Thailand with a book rather than a beer in my hand.
But you can follow me to Chiang Mai – literally – or follow what I’ve been doing and go anywhere. You can earn passive income to create a lifestyle business that will give you the time and freedom to do what you want when you want.
It starts with giving away great free content …
Hey Rob, it definitely sounds like you had an amazing time there and I’d definitely love to know more about it, that is, in case you have plans to publish a bit more on the subject of course.
Hope you’re enjoying the holidays man and having a fantastic time, take care and cheers!
Sergio
PS. Just for the record I wouldn’t mind having some drinks with you! 😉
I don’t know, Sergio, I certainly enjoy writing about location independence and living and working in Thailand, however there are lots of people doing a great job of these subjects so I’ll have a think about it.
I would love to have a beer with you one day, amigo!
Hi Rob
Sounds like you had a great time in CM. Two of my biggest passions are also travelling and business – and it’s the best feeling being able to combine the two.
I’m planning to travel extensively next year as I build my business. Hope to see you in Chiang Mai!
Merry Christmas Rob and thanks for all the great content you put out.
Dan
Look forward to seeing you in CM next year, my friend. 🙂
Those photos are incredible! I’d love to travel more–once I get those passive streams coming in!
Glad you’ve found a place and people you love. Happy holidays!
Happy Holidays to you, Erin. I’m sure you’ll get those passive income streams sorted out very soon. You’re e-books are amazing!
Hi Rob I see you booked to return already! Chiang Mai is presently on the top of our list of places to stay to escape the Goa Monsoon starting in June. It’s the rainy season there too, but maybe there will be a bit more blue sky?
I think I know what you mean when you say “I have to stop myself from worrying about when it’s all going to end.” I had the belief that you only were entitled to so much happiness. What BS that has turned out to be!
Yes, apparently it’s very hot in June in Chiang Mai but the rain is sometimes only for one hour a day. I may well be there in June so look forward to meeting with you again – only in very different surroundings from last time. 🙂
I hope so – It would be great meet up again. Looks like we’ll have our niece over for Summer and she really wants to go to Thailand.
Maybe you can give me some tips on apartment rentals . As always, if you ever fancy a trip over to Goa you know where I am. Although I think you may get annoyed with the Internet reliability here.
Chiang Mai is the place to be, David, especially for when Goa gets too wet or hot. Yes, I can certainly help you with accommodation tips. See you soon. 🙂
Hey Rob, we’re definitely coming to Chiang Mai 🙂
Has being in Koh Samui made you long for a beach life? I so love the beach that I get a bit nervous about booking somewhere long term without it.
Just thought I’d mention a weird thing that happens (on every post I comment on ). I get everyone else’s comments and your replies, but never your reply to me ( I check both boxes).
Well there are pros and cons, David. I’m not really a big beach bum, like you, lol. I like the way Samui is more touristy than Chiang Mai because it’s more fun and a great place to hang for a short amount of time. But, on the other hand, Chiang Mai is more of a cultural and university town so it’s a better place to stay long term. Chiang Mai is also easier, the internet is better, there are better places to work in and it’s cheaper.
Sorry about these comments. What is the best subscribe to comments plug-in? I’m using Subscribe to Comments Reloaded which is a bit basic. Which is the best one?
Ha ha Rob I think you have just nailed it. Without the beach I’m just a bum! I’m cool with that.
Certainly I know how much more expensive it is in the tourist beach areas (unless you stalk the locals who are there for the work)
I got a shock last year to find the banks charge you every time for using the ATM with an foreign card.
I’m looking forward to Chiang Mai. I had a short break there many years ago and really don’t remember it.
I’ve absolutely no idea about comment plugins. When I last looked I thought Subscribe to Comments Reloaded was the best so it’s good to know.
There’s a good one but it’s bundled with JetPack 🙁
Yes, I think it’s 180THB with every withdrawal. This means I withdraw the max every time on the credit card!
I actually got the notification to this one. Did you change something?
Nope.
The rain is welcomed after the hot season. And unlike the south of Thailand it doesn’t as much.
Chiang Mai certainly has a great climate, Peter.
Rob, LOL on the suds hahaha!
Chiang Mai WILL test your will power if you like a pint or 2, because there are like a gazillion bars and a bazillion Brit bars and all type of ex pats and the beer is always flowing.
Kelli and I are tee-totallers, so we’re immune from that. I will say though, that CM is about my fave place on earth to do stuff so it becomes challenging to get work stuff done because we’re walking about all day, and Chiang Mai Riverside has an awesome pool to boot.
Dude, congrats on your lifestyle. I commend you man because I personally know how uncomfortable it is to make the jump.
I’m always telling folks it’ll be the most freeing yet uncomfortable decision of your life when you choose to be a digital nomad.
We have a 4 month house sit in Bali all set up, heading there in February.
Excited!
Keep on inspiring!
Ryan
I know, Ryan, lots of temptation (and I try to avoid hanging with too many ex-pats but it’s inevitable). Yes, Chiang Mai is so slap bang in the middle of such beautiful scenery that you’ll never get bored. I haven’t even been to the Riverside Chiang Mai, shame on me!
Thank you, Ryan, congratulations on the lifestyle is praise indeed coming from you. You have been doing island hopping and blogging for so many years, you really are a yardstick for bloggers working on the road.
Yes, uncomfortable yet liberating!
I might swing by Bali next year. May see you then!
Enjoyed your course on Word Press. I will recommend to my students at Long Island University next semester as I have plans to introduce Word Press. I am looking forward to more of your courses and your blog.
Thanks for sharing!
Happy New Year ~
Thank you, Bill, I’m glad you enjoyed my course. And thank you for your intention to recommend the course to your students.
Hi Rob,
I will be in Chiang Mai Feb 8 – 23, 2015 to meet with the Chiang Mai team of our company.
It would be great to meet up and have a beer with someone who lives there, as I will be spending more and more time there in the future.
Regards,
Mark
Sure, Mark, let me know when you’re there.
Nice one Rob
Glad you managed it.
I was also a while in Australia in December and will be in the states for a while later in spring, so I know the feeling (albeit not the cost saving feeling) of getting out there and still being able to work.
Being locked up at home in Winter (like I am now) is rather depressing. But building a successful business keeps me going.
Thanks for the inspiration
ashley
Well, I’m back in the UK at the moment, Ashley, visiting the family for the Christmas and New Year period so I know what you mean. I can’t wait to get back out there. Glad it’s an inspiration because successful business does give us freedoms that are truly life changing. Thank you for the comment as always, Ashley, and we’ll speak soon.
Hey Rob,
What’s your strategy for visa issues? Visa runs, building international travel into your budget, or something else? Or are you married to a Thai woman, thus sidestepping them altogether?
Hey Zachary, well, I’m not the best person to talk to because I haven’t been there long. However, I’m not married to a Thai lady, even if I was that wouldn’t be the end to this issue. As a Brit, I can enter on 2 month tourist visas which can be extended for a further 30 days – and these can be triple entry which means you can string one of those out for 9 months by leaving the country twice. How many times you can do that I don’t know. Even those people on business or education visas seem to have to leave the country every 2 or 3 months or so. Yup, it’s a bit of a minefield!
Forgot to reply to this! Thanks for the info. What about an article like this http://www.smh.com.au/world/australians-in-thailand-face-visa-crackdown-junta-warns-20140801-zzdvp.html
Seems to indicate there’s a crackdown. What’s the word on the street there? Pre-coup, when I was there (I left a week after they shut down tv stations and instituted curfew in May) no one seemed to care if you kept going in and out!
Hi Zachary, I would say the word on the street is “Sabai, Sabai”. There are tens of thousands of foreigners here staying on multiple tourist visas and the situation doesn’t seem to have changed much despite the coup although there are a few random stories like the one you mention. Long term, I don’t know if Thailand is going to be a stable democracy or a place to base yourself but short term it’s the same as it always was.
Great to hear. I will hopefully be back after a stint in the US this summer. Enjoy it!
Great article, Rob!! I’m glad to be part of the amazingness that is life in Chiang Mai! And also happy to contribute to the beautiful photos!! 😀 😉
When you coming back, dude? 🙂
Yes, Jason, you no doubt noticed the fifth photo from the top was taken from your apartment’s balcony! Love your place, dude! Back in a week or so (after the bad weather finishes lol).
Hi Rob, thanks for this.
It’s such an inspiration.
You’re doing what many thousands dream of.
I would love to take my family and join my parents in the Caribbean, running my online business from the balcony over looking a small patch of land.
I don’t know how long that will take, but it’s a goal I have.
I look forward to meeting you again.
Kind regards.
Tony.
Hey Tony. I shouldn’t think it’ll be too long before that becomes a reality. You’ve made such a good start. Thanks for the comment.
Glad you had a good time in Chiang Mai!
Good luck for the return trip.
Joe
Thanks, Joe, I’m in Samui at the moment. Headed back to Chiang Mai soon.
Farang means any foreigner not just European.
I find this quite nice. Nothing really beats the great feeling of being able to do what you love no matter the circumstances. This is definitely an example to the people who keep on working just to survive. We should all be able to take risks as long as we know we enjoy what we do, we find a way to be happy. Living the dream! Thanks for this inspiring post!
I’m glad you find it inspiring, Elvis. I love to encourage people. 🙂
My wife and I own a house in Samut Prakan and were just out there recently. We visited Chiang Rai but didn’t have time to get to Chiang Mai. My wife says it’s a great place to live. Much less hectic than Bangkok.
Hey Bill, wow, maybe we’ll meet one day. I went to Chiang Rai years ago and really loved it. Chiang Mai is awesome – always giving up its secrets, day after day!
Hi Rob, i’ve discovered tiger air has cheap flights from Taiwan to Chiang Mai. I read from another digital nomad that the Pun Space is a good co-working space. If I want to come and sample the Chiang Mai lifestyle for a week, relax by the beach, and use a co-working space do you have any recommendations for accommodation?
thanks
Hello Greg, Chiang Mai is definitely a great place to work. I’ve personally never been to Punspace because Chiang Mai has so many excellent cafés to work from I never needed to go there.
There isn’t a beach in Chiang Mai, Greg 🙂
Accommodation is pretty easy. You could post here https://www.facebook.com/groups/436338589849184/ – most digi nomads live in the Nimman area but I found it too busy there and I lived in a beautiful place at the foot of the mountain called Chang Khian. Hope this helps.
An interesting read, Rob (just catching up now). Will this be a regular trip or a possible permanent move?
Regarding comment subscriptions, I changed to the reloaded version a few months ago, but then had complaints that people couldn’t unsubscribe, so I reverted to the original “subscribe to comments”. If it ain’t broke…
Hey David, great to see you here again. I’ve been in SE Asia since September last year so I would say I’m based in the area now.
I think I remember updating to Subscribe to Comments Reloaded because the original one had issues. But WordPress comments are never that great and this plug-in ain’t perfect.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for this great post. I have to say I can relate to it a lot, especially some of the difficulties you mention regarding the rat race and making friends.
Recently, I have been thinking more and more of making the jump to Thailand (or somewhere similar) and trying out the lifestyle for a month or two. I know this post is very positive of Chang Mai but I was wondering whether you could point me to any websites or resources that might help me choose the best place to go and how to go about it? That would be a massive help.
All the best.
There are loads of resources out there, Joe. Really you’re better off doing a google search because the choice of place to go would be an individual choice. There is Nomad List. There are loads of resources online about the “best way to do it” because you could just use basic travelling advice. Sorry your question is too general for me to be able to answer here. You’ve just got to do it at the end of the day. It’s one of those things.