AN EXPAT'S PERSPECTIVE.....
So you've had enough of Western living expenses, Western politicians, Western crime waves, Western wars, Western crises, Western 'nanny states' and Western weather -- unless you're fortunate enough to live in California, in which case, please disregard the weather! Or there's always been a gypsy in your soul and you've a compulsion to move on every few years…

EDGE THAILAND PROVIDES EXTENSIVE RELOCATION SERVICES
But, why Chiang Mai?  Maybe you’ve been here on vacation and fallen in love with this town, (perhaps because it isn’t Pattaya), or even fallen in love with your dream girl whose home this is!  But living here is what you feel you have to do, whatever the reason. You may even realise that a break here, however long, won’t prepare you for the major adjustments that come with permanent residence --- or at least as permanent as current and ever changing visa rules will allow. So you surf the internet at all hours of the day and night, you read Chiang Mai Mail every week, you hit websites for information about visas, housing, weather, lifestyle, shipping, shopping, living expenses, hobbies, sports, clubs, language,(if you feel you can’t survive without learning Thai), TEFL,  (if you feel an irrational compulsion to teach English), and the important stuff such as entertainment and restaurants. 

WE KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THE MOVE CAN BE
But all this still doesn’t quite explain “why Chiang Mai”, and by then you may well have realised that a fair proportion of the data you have collected is either wrong, inaccurate, or hasn’t been updated in the last ten years! Oops. The next step, therefore, is the “ research trip”, during which, having explored the joys of the Night Market, several Wats, the Elephant Camp, several Thai restaurants, rather more farang restaurants, and three  pubs,  you meet Westerners who actually do live here! In conversation, they tell you about aspects of Chiang Mai which you perhaps hadn’t noticed online. This information will invariably include the pollution during the hot season, the “Thai price versus farang price” issue, the language from hell, the political situation, driving in Chiang Mai, (an interesting experience!), the “tomorrow means next week if you’re extremely lucky” syndrome, the internet problems, the power cuts, the program repeats on UBC, etc, etc. And so on. 

EDGE WILL TAKE ALL THE WORRY OUT OF YOUR RELOCATION
By this time you’re very, very nervous………. Until someone mentions the amazing eccentricity of the place, (and its resident farangs!), the beauty of the spectacular sunsets, the stupendous electrical storms, the massive banks of clouds balanced precariously on the surrounding mountains, the exquisite clarity of the air during the rainy season, the flowers and trees everywhere, the feeling of peace as the evening draws to a close, the genuine smiles, and the warmth of new friendships. Then you notice the softening of your informant’s expression as he describes life here, and you realize that it’s not so much that you have to leave your home country, but that you have to come here. It’s said that people come to Thailand either to lose themselves or to find themselves – here in Chiang Mai, both processes happen as one, and you don’t even notice!  

WE WILL “WATCH YOUR BACK”FOR YOU
So how do you arrive and adjust without incurring serious stress? There are ways, and, as in any country, even your own, the best advice is, 'Watch your back'! Having said that, in this city there are many like-minded expats who are ready and willing to help you adjust and avoid the inevitable danger zones, mainly concentrated in the areas of legalities, finances, and housing. Chiang Mai Friends and Retire in Chiang Mai, (both are the inspiration of Duenpen Chaladlam, known to her very many friends as Khun Boong), are two such groups. In addition, Chiang Mai Friends, with the support of the city's Mayor, is committed to an essential part of settling down in Chiang Mai—integration between the Thai and expat communities. Regular meetings and cross-cultural, highly informative events are held, focusing on the diverse cultural experiences of life in Thailand and in the West. The aim, quite simply, is to help everyone understand everyone else, and the benefits are enormous. 

CALL OR EMAIL KHUN BOONG TODAY TO LEARN MORE
So, there you are—your decision is made, and you're about to reorganize your life. The first few months are never easy--culture shock is a fact of life—but help, support, friendship and practical advice are all at hand, given freely by residents, both Thai and expat, who love Chiang Mai, and want you to love it too!