I recently spent two months living and working in Chiang Mai, Thailand as a digital nomad, and I have to say it was an incredibly rewarding experience. The city has become a hot spot for remote workers, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a vibrant community, the cost of living is relatively low, and the internet is fast and reliable.
The Amazing Food: Thai food is renowned worldwide for its flavours, and Chiang Mai did not disappoint. Some of my favourites included Khao Soi (Northern Thai noodle soup) and the mango sticky rice. Plus, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available.
![Khao soi - a Northern Thailand noodle soup](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230711_122120-1024x1024.jpg)
![Markets were everywhere with incredible food choices](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230526_201622.jpg)
The Friendly People: The people in Chiang Mai are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Whether it was the locals in the neighbourhood, or the other digital nomads I met, everyone was warm and approachable. This created a positive atmosphere that made my stay in Chiang Mai even more enjoyable.
The Temples in Old Town: Chiang Mai is home to over 300 temples, and many of them are in the old town. Exploring these beautiful and historic buildings was a highlight of my stay.
![A golden temple from the Old Town area in Chiang Mai](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230603_194759-1-1024x1024.jpg)
![One of the many temples throughout Chaing Mai](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230527_065937-1024x1024.jpg)
Colab Cowork & Cafe: A significant part of my positive experience in Chiang Mai was the Colab Cowork & Cafe. Finding a reliable workspace is crucial for any digital nomad, and CoLab certainly delivered. The space is modern, clean, and well-equipped with all the necessary amenities such as fast internet, private meeting rooms, and plenty of desk space. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and there is a great community vibe that makes it easy to network and make new connections.
Overall, my two months in Chiang Mai were incredibly positive. The CoLab crew provided a great base to work from, the people were friendly and welcoming, the food was amazing, and the temples in the old town were a sight to behold. If you’re considering becoming a digital nomad or are already living the lifestyle and are looking for your next destination, I highly recommend considering Chiang Mai.
![A shot of the sun through the dense nest of power and data lines](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230524_114027-1024x1024.jpg)
![Thailand rugs and textiles in a well-designed contemporary gallery](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230609_170601-1-1-1024x1024.jpg)
![Evening shot of the moat near the Tha Phae Gate of old town](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230609_191115-1.jpg)
![A trendy open-air mall in Nimman area](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230608_195925-1024x1024.jpg)
![One of the many clever patterns made with bricks.](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230609_170050-1-1024x1024.jpg)
![Art installation at the Jing Jai Market](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230603_103940-1-scaled.jpg)
![A black and white low angle shot of the ornate entrance to a temple](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230609_174137-1-1024x1024.jpg)
![Brightly coloured chairs at an art and craft village](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230611_113649-1024x1024.jpg)
![A fancy entrance way to a hotel in Nimman](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230612_174257-1024x1024.jpg)
![A low angle shot of lanterns](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230616_184448-1024x1024.jpg)
![An interesting curved building inside a medical university](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230617_060619-1024x1024.jpg)
![The Chaing Mai university grounds are beautiful to walk around.](https://www.michaeljohnjohns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_20230625_084140-1-1024x1024.jpg)