Spotting your most suitable Chiang Mai apartments for rent is not as easy as you think! Dreaming about a knock-out view of rolling mountains and infinity pool on your next amazing trip to Thailand!

But before you take the plunge, consider the types of properties that pretty much works for you, your spouse, family or being the go-to guy organizing a trip for your colleagues.

Now, the not so good stuffs…if it’s your first time looking for apartments in Chiang Mai, you might be pondering at utilities expenses like electricity, water bill and other hidden costs. Here’s my honest Chiang Mai apartment renting guide focusing on where to live, the hidden gems that you have to see and of course the realities and costs of living.

True Facts:

“Almost all apartment rentals comes with a minimum stay of six months to a year at a good rates. Anything lesser than a month will cost you the same as staying in apartments listed on booking.com for example.
Also, consider peak and non peak season whereby rental cost might be different, depending on the areas. Finding your choice apartment might be even more trickier on peak season”

Tips & Tricks:

My best recommendation for month or longer apartment stay is to book those rentals in your wish list for a week or so.
Most of the apartments are listed on AirBNB and leading online booking platforms.
Start to feel the accommodation as well as the property. Get acquainted with the owner, management, long term stayers and neighborhood before making your decision.
If you book the apartment via AirBNB, write a million dollar review on your stay there to get the owner or management attentions.
After you have decided which apartment fits your checklist, approach the owner or management to negotiate a longer stay deal.
You’ll be surprise that it cost cheaper if you follow my tricks that actually works for me rather then making a haste choice.

If you wish to stay in Chiang Mai town to soak in the surroundings or to know more about cheap transportation food & delivery stuff, check out my other post below:-

Where to book your apartment rentals In Chiang Mai?

Nimman (Nimmanhaemin)

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I’m a totally true blue Nimman guy! It’s like my home away from home, and my world stretches from MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Mall to the mountain range of Doi Suthep.

This neighborhood has pretty much continue to be my oyster. It’s alive with restaurants, cafés, pubs, shops and all the essentials that you require.

This is an area of Chiang Mai where most blogs will tell you that you have to stay as a long term traveler or ideally for digital nomads. You get a lot of your western comforts here and I think the general vibe of the place is a little bit Californian.

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Tons of healthy salad bars, best mountain coffee latte and you’ve got quirky cool coffee shops as well. Try to mingle with the expat-friendly community and you’ll be totally delighted for the range of apartments available here.

“Everything nice!!!!! staff were excellent – very kind and flexible. The food is fantastic, great swimming pool, the room stay was clean. I would definitely stay here again if I were to return to Chiang mai”
Anny, Tripadvisor

PROS:

Upmarket shopping
Dazzling entertainment & nightlife
Near airport
Great Internet service
Near Doi Suthep

CONS:

Fewer attractions
High traffic at rush hour
Crop burning season March-April

What To Do

Where To Eat

What To Do

Where To Eat

Check out where I live...

Dcondo Campus Resort

Booking.com

HOC1 @ Dcondo Campus Resort, Suthep Road Behind Chiang Mai University

A totally cool oasis surrounded by lush nature and beside Doi Suthep mountain, somewhere to totally unwind and relax. It’s quite minimal sort of perfect size for 1 to 2 person to live here. It’s a nice bright space with a dining area which doubles up as a sort of desk when you want to work.

“I’ve stayed in a few different Dcondo buildings around Thailand. This is the cleanest and nicest one. To my surprise, this apartment was bigger and nicer than the one I stayed in last year in the same complex.
It’s a little bit far from the center of Chiang Mai, but it’s totally worth it because it’s a short ride to the center and there’s lots of food options within walking distance. A great row of street food vendors and some bigger restaurants. The complex itself is beautiful and this apartment is one of the nicer ones. I highly recommend it” – Joe AirBNB

Main features with fast Internet. Got a nice double bed. The kitchen is quite basic. Bathroom with shower. And a balcony which kind of function for drying clothes. And let’s not forget the amazing mountain views from the main window too. The property is just a bit further up from Nimman.

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The location is at an area called Suthep, so it’s about 15 minutes drive from the city center. Approx 100 baht with Grab Chauffeur booking. Suthep is best known for the mountain top Doi Suthep Temple which you can actually see from the apartment’s window.

Nevertherless, locally it’s also known as the home of Chiang Mai University and its sprawling green campus.

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On the opposite side of the University campus is the Chiang Mai Complex which is another student market but more focused around clothes and technology.

It’s not all good news if you’re looking for some nightlife or a pub at the end of the day. You’re not going to find that here in Suthep so if you’re looking for a pubbing environment, you have to head out to the city or to nearby Nimman.

Nimman is only a 10 minute drive from the apartment and it’s undoubtedly the coolest area in Chiang Mai. For me personally though, I’m quite happy to live in Suthep. All you need is a Grab booking app and Foodpanda app for food delivery.

Both booking platforms are super affordable like 100 baht for chauffeur limo around Chiang Mai and a complete meal from tons of restaurants and street food vendors listed in the app.

Near Me

What To Do

Where To Eat

Near Me

What To Do

Where To Eat

How much is my apartment in Chiang Mai?

So how much does this all cost? Well, I’ve got this apartment for US$580 a month after negotiating with the friendly owner directly. You can easily get to know the owner or management when you first arrive on your booking with AirBNB or any other online booking platform.

And that includes professional cleaning every week as well as unlimited gym and pool access. Which is a pretty good deal. If you’re staying more long term though, it’s much easier to get yourself even a better deal.

I’ve met some long term stayers in the same building who are only paying around USD$300 for a month. I highly recommend living in the Suthep neighborhood which keeps you close to all of the best places and attractions near the city.

Nevertheless, it’s not totally that far to most of the top attractions. Check out my top 10 activities for newbies in my post. At the same time, Dcondo Campus Resort is close to nature and stunning mountain view from your apartment.

The coolest part is you can explore Doi Suthep just a few steps away from the property which make this one of Chiang Mai apartments best rental choice.

Booking.com

HOC1 @ Dcondo Campus Resort, Suthep Road Behind Chiang Mai University