I remember as a kid how I badly want to go to the United States when I grow up.
At a young age, I was sold to this American dream of earning dollars and staying to the land of milk and honey.
In the Philippines, almost everyone has this family member who works abroad. Since we have poor currency and low employment rate, people would rather go to other countries to earn more.
One of the reasons I considered taking up nursing is it pays well, and because there are so many opportunities to work overseas.
But when I am about to leave, I felt I wasn't ready to work abroad. At that time, I never rode a plane and I am fine with my little World back in the province.
Seeing the posts of Overseas Filipino Workers moaning about how lonely it is, and how they just work all the time.
I felt scared.
So I ditch the offer of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
I was lost, and I don't know what to do.
So I tried several kinds of stuff on the internet. Earn a few dollars and got addicted to it.
Until I started traveling. Seeing the World and meeting people.
It was so different from working abroad because it's mostly for vacation. The feeling is so amazing being able to do what you want. So liberating and free!
After several months, I got burned out from moving so fast. So I plan to just stay in the Philippines.
And later on, I felt that I am no longer the same person as when I left for the first time. The old kind of life doesn't speak to me anymore.
I want to socialize, but there aren't like-minded individual in the vicinity. One more thing... the internet sucks!
They said that when you are bitten by a travel bug, the virus stays forever. In my case, it did.
So I searched online for a good place to stay for a few months. Somewhere that is close to nature, where the people are in line with what I do, and where I can step up my personal development.
Why I chose Chiang Mai Thailand?
1. It is close to nature
Chiang Mai is in the North Part of Thailand, so it is not as touristy as Bangkok or Phuket. The mountains are so near, I can do a 10-minute walk and I will be at the starting point of the Trek.
Falls are also close you could walk and hike, and you will get there, you can soak in the fresh cold water.
There's a beautiful garden nearby the lake where you could just relax and forget about the World.
And let me brag about my window view.
I get to wake up to this everyday.
At night, they turn the lights on, and it's just so nice to stay at the park and listen to the crickets.
2. Thai Food is one of the best cuisines in the World
Oh my goodness! I will fly to Thailand just for the food.
It is the street food capital of the World, and I have to agree with that. They have all kinds of food from noodles, to sushi, rice, smoothies, tea, and anything that you could think of.
An hour is not enough if you want to walk to all the food places.
The best thing is, it is cheap!
3. Meetups are regular
One of the main reason I went here is the community.
I've read it in books and have seen several videos about the 'nomad community' in the area. And after I visited 4 months ago, and it never left my mind.
So I went back to finally immerse myself, and I could say this is the best place to start a business or just be with people who have dreams of starting one in the future.
There is a meetup for almost anything. Wednesday is girl meet up, you can read my experience here.
Friday is for "Nomad Coffee Club". Weekly, there is a speaker that is invited to talk about a certain topic. It could be about podcasting, blogging, negotiation, freelancing, mindset or just about anything that can help you start or succeed in your business.
Every first Friday of the week is meant for networking. Instead of one speaker, being in front, the room will be surrounded by chairs and everyone gets a chance to speak about what they do, and what help they would need. Others will then chime in and give ideas.
There is also a cryptocurrency and bitcoin meetup that usually meets every Thursday.
Steemit meetup is every Wednesday bi-weekly. The group I met there is the reason I started on this platform. You can read my introduction where I write about the details.
And there are non-regular meetups that will just be announced here and there.
They aren't all about business, there are hiking meetups, yoga classes, meditations, Muay Thai, Jujitsu and other volunteering activities.
4. You will be influenced to live a healthy life
There are so many vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the area. In the Philippines, if you want to eat healthily, you have to prepare your own food. In Chiang Mai, you can go to any restaurant and most probably they have a healthy food menu.
You also get to meet people who take care of their fitness, in somewhat way, you get to be affected and will limit the food that is bad for your body.
Wellness centers are all over the place. You can try different kinds of exercises, and activities like Zumba, Tai-chi, Hip-hop classes, Yoga, Boxing and all sorts of stuff.
5. The standard of living is so high, yet it is so cheap
Coming from an ASEAN Country like the Philippines, I am used to low-cost kind of living. Rent is affordable, food is not that expensive and all things I need are economical.
Going to Thailand, I can't prevent to compare the prices. I can say that they are almost closed.
What makes them different is the value that you get for what you pay. For a condominium rent here with a great view, a pool and a gym... it would cost 8,500 baht (13,000 pesos). It includes all the interior furniture and appliances you would need: a bed, refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs, couch, water heater, cabinet, Smart TV, automatic washing machine and a free to use a bicycle.
Food is around 30-200 baht (45-600 pesos) depends on what and where you eat. But at 30 baht, the food won't disappoint you. What I like most about the food places, whether it be a restaurant or street area, they will cook it for you once you ordered. So it is freshly prepared, making it more delicious.
Yoga classes and gym membership are everywhere and they are affordable. I've been looking into trying Yoga in the Philippines but they are either far or non-existent. If you found one, it is too expensive.
About the transportation system, it is very convenient. They have uber and grab so you don't need to learn Thai to communicate with drivers. There are also promo codes that give you so much discount you always pay 1-5 baht in every ride. And there are times that it will be free.
These are just some of the reasons I am here. Don't get me wrong, I love the Philippines, and after seeing different countries, nothing will compare to it, especially to its people.
It's just that I am in the point of my life where I am looking for growth and I am experimenting the World's possibilities.
I might leave Chiang Mai in a few months to go to other places and stay there. To immerse myself in a different culture and get to know the people in places I know nothing about.
The World is such a big place, go out and experience it.
Image credit: Wat Phra Singh, Pad Thai, Yoga Class, Meet up photo © Monique Lindner, GIF images are from giphy.com, those aren't mentioned are mine taken from Xiaomi Redmi 4x
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Couple of friends who been there told me amazing stories of the community. I think I saw and a Steemit meetup .
Yeah, awesome community! There were 2 meetups that happened, and another one next Wednesday.
I'm really impressed with your post. I've known 2 other people that have vacationed in Chang Mai for 2 months and always want to go back! Do you nurse in Chang Mai? Again, I really enjoyed your post, you also made me understand what people from the Phillipeans go through when they leave, as I'm sure it's a common experience.
Thank you @steem-samiam for your unending support. I love having conversations with you! And I agree that Chiang Mai is really lovely. I am not working as a nurse, I do marketing online, but wanted to stay in different places to get inspiration. Yeah, it is so hard for Filipinos to work abroad as it usually takes years before they can come home. I hope to bump into you in one of our travels.
I got pump up with this post and I'm speechless. You wrote it beautifully. Amazing. Just amazing. Have a lot of questions in my mind right now. Hahaha. I'll ask you later. But for now I'll enjoy the feelings that this post gave me. I no longer know how to form a right sentence😂😂😂
I would let you sink it in, lol. I am so happy when I get to inspired someone. And I get this feeling because this was what I felt when I decided to leave and live a life like this. You are on your way. Baby steps!
Hey, I found your post in one of the Facebook groups.
I was in Thailand this year for a month, I stayed in Koh Phangan most of the time and I fell in love with the island. I've heard a lot of Chiang Mai as a number one destination for digital nomads but after reading your post I'm seriously considering going there. I'm about to finish University soon and want to start working online, and all these meetups, community, Zumba, health inspiration, nature, sounds incredible!
Thanks for sharing your experience, it really helps a lot!
Upvoted and followed! :)
I've never been to Koh Phangan but thinking of going to experience the Full Moon Party. I just have high expectations when it comes to islands as we have the best ones from where I came from (Philippines).
I went to Chiang Mai 4 months ago to check the community and as you can see, I went back. It's really a big place if you want to hang out with bunch of people who works online.
You should visit and see if you like it. And if I am still here by the time you come, we should go out! Would be lovely to meet someone in the flesh.
Thanks for the support. I will keep on writing more, and if you have any question feel free to reach out.
The reason I liked Koh Phangan is because it's a small island, it's not overcrowded, it is so chilled (it's gets a little bit crazy during the Full Moon party but only in that area) and like you said, food is amazing and cheap! But I understand why you have high expectations, I've heard so much about the islands of Philippines as the most beautiful islands in the world!
I feel like Chiang Mai is the same as Koh Phangan but in a city form.
I am planning to go back to Koh Phangan for another month at least (depends on my Visa), but I would also love to visit Chiang Mai.
So if you come to the island and I'm there or if I come to CM and you're there, we should definitely meet and hang out.
People I talked to about Koh Phangan said it's overcrowded and expensive. I have to ask you about that when I plan to go.
Yeah, Philippines has the best sceneries when it comes to nature. Beaches, Falls, Mountains, and I hate to sound bias, but you will love the people ;)
Yeah, that's right. It's like Koh Phangan without the beach. Where are you now? And when will you be in Koh Phangan? I might plan something out when you are there.
I was in Koh Phangan out of season, I found so many (almost) empty beaches and places to eat/bars to chill. But of course, there's a lot of 'hot spots' like Haad Rin where the Full Moon party is or Amsterdam bar that is very popular.
I am now in my home town in Serbia, my plan is to pass all my exams and graduate from University by December 19th and then maybe hit the road! :)
What about you?
I should take note on that. Will definitely ask you when I plan to go. Full Moon Party is on my bucketlist so I will visit no matter how crowded it is,haha.
Oh cool! I am in Chiang Mai now, and I don't know my next plans, lol
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would love to try some authentic thai food, looks good!
I would love to send you some if I could. Where are you from?
Thailand is one of the best countries in the world. What I love about there is their pure love of football. Thailand is the strongest in South-east asia.
I'm happy you're comfortable there ! :)
Oh I didn't know that. Thanks for the trivia.
And thank you for having me in our Filipino community. It feels that I am still home even though I am far away.
Sure, you can live with little money in Thailand, but I don't recommend it for a long period. There are plenty of people proudly calling themselves digital nomads there, but there are no nomads, they've settled down there, living a slow life. What else could they do? Cars are very expensive in Thailand, and foreigners have no right to buy land. If you're more adventurous, and want to start a business, or something, I advise you to go to Cambodia.
Yeah, not planning to stay here for good. Or maybe. I don't have a concrete plan for now, but I am open to the possibilities. It's nice to be here if you are starting, like the points I've given above, but it will all comes down to you, and the harder you work.
I am considering Cambodia as well, but would check out Bali and Taiwan first. Where is the community in Cambodia?I heard 1 year visa is easier too.
Good to know about that nomad community there. :)
It's an amazing community! :)
Pad thai!!!
Right..do u have a spare room? How much do i need per month???
Pad Thai is one of my favorite! But any of their food is actually great!
I don't have a spare room, but if you are okay with sharing it with me, you are always welcome ;)
Depends on you really, there are rooms that you can rent for 3000 baht (4500 pesos). It's not within the city, and doesn't have a view like mine, but is still worth checking. So around 10,000 pesos and above.
$300 enough?? Anything with a beach view?
Yeah, I guess. No beach view in this part of Thailand. The islands are on the south. Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Phuket. Cost of living is quite expensive than here, but not that much. Kung beach bet mo lola, nothing beat Pinas!
Oh Pinas definitely..so Chiang Mai is a city sya? So culture immersion cool!
City pero parang Baguio sa atin. Close to nature padin. Yeah, culture immersion kaso di sila marunong mag english :)
Eh di maganda if parang baguio..umikot ka kaya and recommend places to go to in Chiang Mai. Aales ka naman in the next few months kamo. Where ka go?
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oh wow, this is awesome! thanks for updating me :)
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That wasn't a compliment.
you are cool! would that be enough? :)
So are you! :).
Thanks ;) Now that's a compliment.
You're welcome.
Such a nice post ma'am, I wish you safe travel always,
It's such a lovely place plus the food is very attractive for foodies like me to try, hope me and my family may visit it one day
Cheers!
Thank you sir @rye05
Indeed! It's really nice, and food is so delicious. Yeah, you can visit. It's almost the same price in the Philippines.
You're welcome ma'am @marypineda, yeah, hopefully in the future with my wife and daughter :-)
If I am still here when you visit, let me know. I will buy you a Pad Thai :)