Finding an Apartment in Chiang Mai - Condo Tour

If you plan on staying in Chiang Mai longer than one month the most affordable option is renting or leasing a condo or apartment. Finding and renting an apartment in Chiang Mai is super easy and really straight forward. You can basically arrive and be set up within a matter of days.

We had planned on staying in our hotel for 3 nights and during that time find a condo so that on day 4 we could be in our own place however after spraining my ankle we ended up staying in our hotel a few days longer.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I had come across a fantastic website called Perfect Homes whilst in Australia which gave me a really good idea on what we could get and for how much allowing me to work out our monthly budget. I was also able to look at the properties on the map to see where there were located. I had also emailed Perfect Homes and kept in touch with Kia, one of their agents for a few months prior to arriving. I provided her with our budget and what we were looking for in a home to which she would send me links to properties that matched our budget and needs. I was so glad to finally make contact with her and tell her that this time I was ACTUALLY in Chiang Mai. We set a date to meet and this is how our property search went....

Our Requests

• Budget: 10,000THB Per Month or under ($380)

• Pool

• Fitness center

• Close to Nimman & the old city

• Preferably 1 bedroom but happy with a studio

• Kitchen

• Communal Laundry

Viewing Apartments and Condos in Chiang Mai

Kai had arranged to meet us at Wawee coffee shop in Nimman soi.6 (Opposit Nimana Condo Soi.6) at 12pm. We jumped in a Tuk Tuk with Phoenix and headed to the meeting point. I was super happy that the coffee shop had soy milk and could make me a soy late whilst we waited. We waited and waited... hmmm where could she be? It was already 12:30pm and stinking hot. We sent her a few messages and she said she was there waiting for us.... Are we at the wrong coffee shop? We went outside to have a look and to cut a long story short... the coffee shop had a Soi on each side of it. We were in Soi.7 and she was in Soi.6. Needless to say we were all super confused! We have also since then downloaded the Line App which allows you to make calls and send text messages for free if you are in a Wifi area, and everyone over here uses it to communicate.

Kai pulled up in her fancy little air conditioned car and we were off and ready to view the 7 condos she had lined up for us. She was so lovely and super informative, doubled as a bit of a tour guide and spoke fantastic English. Kai went into great detail as we drove around letting us know where to shop for groceries and baby things, where the best vegetarian restaurants are and touristy spots to visit.

I wish I had been able to take photos of each place we visited but we were moving at the speed of light (well as fast as I could whilst limping). Each place had it's own perks and shortfalls. If it were just Lucas and I the decision would have been easy, however when you have a baby they are always first and foremost when making any decision.

The first condo we looked at still really stands out in my mind. It was a bit older but was open planned with massive glass doors that opened to a balcony that looked out to Doi Suthep, the views and breezes I will never forget. It also had a bath which is super unusual over here. It had a pool but no Gym. The others we looked at were either to small, or didn't have everything we needed or you had to pay extra to use the pool and gym etc. It's also worth noting that each place was fully furnished.

It was the second last condo of the day that fit the bill PERFECTLY! It ticked every box! It took 4hrs of viewing but we found our Perfect Home!

Signing the lease, paying a deposit, bond and rent in advance

So over here in Chiang Mai it is pretty standard when it comes to renting and this is how it went for us:

Friday:

Viewed the properties and handed over 10,000THB Cash to Kai as a security deposit (this also made up half of the bond)

Monday:

Packed up and checked out of our hotel and caught an Uber.

Met Kai and the property owner at the condo

Signed 3 month lease and handed over another 20,000THB cash (other half of the bond and 1 months rent in advance)

Gave the property owner 675.00THB to connect the internet

....AND THAT WAS IT! We were in our very own place!

And here it is...... De Condo Campus Resort - Suthep

Reasons why we love it here!

We absolutely love living here! It has everything that we wanted in a place to live and although not as big as some of the others, we are able to use the Gym and Pool for no extra cost, not to mention we are surrounded by nature and trees situated and at the bottom of Doi Suthep so I feel the air is just that little bit cleaner. There is also sooo much grass for Phoenix to play on outside and he is in the pool every other day learning how to swim!

Living in a studio style apartment is a bit different to what we are used to however saying that, in Australia Phoenix sleeps in the same room as us anyway, so that's not really an issue and during the day when he has naps he is never really disturbed by us because once he is out he is totally zonked and sleeps through anything! I should also mention that the condo came fully furnished including a microwave, utensils, bench top cooking devices (we haven't used these yet as we eat out all the time), toilet paper, a TV, DVD player, fan, air conditioning, Bed setting with pillows and little ornaments to set the place off. The only thing we had to buy was towels!

I love the security here as well. We have key-card entry and 24/7 guards. It is also super dooper quiet. I have only seen maybe 2 foreigners in the whole complex the rest of the tenants are Thai and full of smiles! There is also a laundry room where you can do a load for 30THB and a drinking water machine you can fill a 10L bottle for 7THB.

It's worth mentioning that the area feels safe and we have no problems walking down the the 7/11 on the corner at night. We are in the hub of Chiang Mai University and also right next to a primary school that teaches English, so we mainly see a lot of uni students on their lap tops working at the cafes whilst they sip their iced coffees.

Electricity, Water & Internet

Utilities are paid separately. We are yet to receive our bills for the month...however did get our electricity bill in the mail today!! OMG I was shocked at how much it was!! Can you believe the highway robbery!! It worked out to be $28!!! haha (I will update as I receive the other bills)

UPDATE: First Water Bill = 50THB ($1.50)

I hope you have enjoyed this entry and you have found it useful. I have tried to be as detailed as possible as I know how much it can help if you are in the same position as us. If you have any questions or tips feel free to leave a comment below.

Until next time xxx