As a digital nomad, you have the freedom to choose to live anywhere in the world. From week to week, you could be hopping around different countries exploring the beautiful world around you. However, from time to time you will find that you want to settle down with an apartment and a stable internet connection.

South East Asia has been drawing adventurous backpackers since the 1960′s. Now, with the internet era fully upon us, digital nomads are being drawn to the region, attracted by cheap prices, tasty food and fast Internet. Few places are more appealing to this new breed of entrepeneur than the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. Here are 10 reasons why the city would be perfect for you.

It’s Cheap

One of the biggest attractions of Chiang Mai is the cheap cost of living. There is accommodation in Chiang Mai to suit all budgets. If you have the money, you can get a nice one bedroom apartment with a kitchen, gym and pool for just $700 a month. Utilities and Internet should obviously be added on top of this. In total, with bills, a nice apartment in Chiang Mai will come to close to $800. With delicious street food that can be bought for as little as $1 a meal, motorbikes that can be rented for just $60 a month, you can live comfortably in Chiang Mai on a budget of just $1,200 a month. 

Accessible

Chiang Mai is just a short $60 flight away from Bangkok, which is your gateway to the world. It is literally that easy to go from Chiang Mai to anywhere you can imagine. Being based in northern thailand also gives you a chance to explore more local destinations, like Myanmar and Laos.

Good Internet

Good Internet is a prerequisite for any digital nomad and Chiang Mai comes up trumps. You can get a WiFi connection in almost any of the cities many cafes and restaurants and the broadband speed is actually fast. You can also get very affordable 3G packages if uou buy a local SIM card.

Climate

The weather is in Chiang Mai is a mixture of warm European summer days and hot tropical sunshine. From November to February, the temperature hovers around 30 degrees and humidity is low. From March through to May the temperatures start to rise and the air conditioning bills with it. Finally, between May and October things cool down as the raining season hits the city.

The Food

Thai food is in my personal opinion the best culinary option in the whole of South East Asia. As I previously mentioned, you can buy most street food for just $1. The favourites like Khao Soi, Pad Thai and Red Curry are all available and are perfect for vegetarians. Being a cosmopolitan city with a large expatriate community, you can also find restaurants that serve food from all over te world. Of course, these options are more expensive, but sometimes the change is worth it.

The People

Thai people are amazingly friendly and the people from Chiang Mai are no exception. However, it is the local community of digital nomads that makes Chiang Mai such an exciting destination for young entrepeneurs. Go, investigate, socialise and network your way to business success.

Simple Visas

It’s easy to get a visa in Thailand. Fly into the country and most nationalities are able to get a 30 day visa on arrival. If you want to get a long stay visa, you can easily apply for one in one of the neighbouring countries. This can be extended every 30 days, allowing you to stay up to six months in the country.

Facilities

Chiang Mai is a thriving cosmopolitan city with all of the facilities that you would expect. The city ticks all the modern consumer boxes; shopping centers, cinemas and computer stores, etc. which it mixes with the traditional rich culture of saffron monks. Most importantly of all however is the good healthcare services.

Sites to See

Chiang Mai has a rich history and vibrant culture. There are plenty of temples to see, hill tribes to visit and natural wonders – waterfalls and mountains – to explore. You can also do cooking classes, grab a massage and even try your hand at learning a bit of Thai.

The Festivals

Anyone who has seen more than one tourism photo of Thailand will have looked at a photo of the Yee Peng floating lantern festival. This is just one of the dozens of fantastic festivals that are held in the city.