Alternative lifestyles...Which would you choose?

[Paka]

28. Glad to expand a bit.

Because I like being able to walk most places I go, I chose to live in the central city (Chiang Mai) where rent are more expensive. I have what would pass as a small studio in the US, but if you go just a tad out of the center city, you can have a whole house for the price. My rent runs between $100-120 a month depending upon my electricity use. Thai food is uniquely cheap and although I do love it, I get tired of the same flavors. Local markets are plentiful, so you can cook Western food cheaply as well, but if you eat out Western it can be expensive.

There is a hugh expat presence here, so there are many activity options both local and foreign. There is an expat club that meets once a month with a speaker, etc. There are many small interest groups for those so inclined. To name just a few, there is a computer club, a photography club, a hiking club, a travel club, a game club, etc.

Transportation options are good also and cheap. I rely a lot on Songthew which is about 50 cents a trip. Internet and electricity are great. Where I stay now I have free WiFi and it is very reliable. Occassionaly during a thunderstorm the elctricity will go out, but usually only briefly. Back on before you even have time to grouse about it.

The big plus for me is the medical and dental. The medical and dental schools are both here in Chiang Mai, and I get top quality care for pocket change. Dental example, I pay $150 for a crown that would cost at least $1,000 in the US and my dentist is the best I have had in my lifetime. You can have insurance, but I chose not to. My health is good and it is cheaper for me to simply pay out-of-pocket.

I hope that covers what you were looking for.