The Ultimate Chiang Mai Neighborhood Guide for Digital Nomads and Expats

Nimmanhaemin, or Nimman for short, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan neighborhood in the northwestern part of Chiang Mai. Once a quiet residential area, Nimman transformed into a bustling urban hub due to its proximity to Chiang Mai University. Today, it’s a thriving community filled with chic boutiques, nightlife hotspots, and a diverse food scene. Nimman’s central location makes it an excellent base for exploring other parts of the city. It’s a hotspot for digital nomads and expats seeking a dynamic blend of convenient amenities and modern Thai culture.

Within Nimman, you’ll find an array of coworking spaces like Yellow Coworking, with its posh modern amenities, and Hub 53 Coworking & Coliving space. These spaces cater to the needs of remote workers, providing high-speed internet, comfortable workstations, and networking opportunities. An abundance of coworking-friendly cafes and restaurants add to the neighborhood’s popularity with remoters.

Nimmanhaemin offers a range of mostly high-ride housing options. Take your pick from the many serviced apartments and luxury condos – you’ll also find unique homes and villas via Airbnb. You can best explore Nimman on foot, but the sidewalks do leave much to be desired. Parking in this neighborhood is abysmal, so a motorbike ought to be your ride of choice. Between the nightlife and the nearby airport, this neighborhood is one of Chiang Mai’s noisiest.

Adjacent to Nimmanhaemin and just northwest of the Old City lies Santitham, an up-and-coming area popular among digital nomads for its affordability and authentic Thai-ness. With multi-story shophouses lining its streets, Santitham exudes a vibrant atmosphere. While affordable living costs attract both local Thais and visitors, modern condos and coworking spaces cater to international standards.

Santitham offers a range of coworking spaces to choose from. Ombra Cafe and Akha Ama are known for providing excellent work environments. For a more comprehensive coworking experience, One Coworking, bordering Santitham and Chang Puak, offers a well-rounded set of amenities.

Santitham predominantly features multi-story shophouses converted into cafes and restaurants, making it ideal for those seeking affordable and quaint living. Houses are scarce, but there are some great condos in this neighborhood, like D Vieng. It’s walkable, but a motorbike is recommended for greater convenience.

The Old City is the historic heart of Chiang Mai, surrounded by a moat and ancient walls. It’s a place where beautiful temples, museums, and cultural attractions harmoniously coexist with 7-Elevens and luxury spas. This charming blend of old and new, low-brow and hi-so, contributes to the Old City’s unique appeal. It’s a highly developed area that remains culturally rich, making it an excellent choice for those seeking history and modern convenience.

Alt_Chiang Mai, tucked behind Wat Pra Singh on a quiet street leading to the moat, is a fantastic coliving and coworking space in the Old City. It offers excellent amenities and keeps a busy schedule of lifestyle and entrepreneurial events for the community. You can also cowork at one of Punspace’s two Old City coworking spaces.

The Old City mainly offers smaller guesthouses and budget apartments, but you’ll also find charmingly renovated houses within its ancient walls. It’s highly walkable and easily explored by bicycle if you’re not yet ready for the thrills of a motorbike.

Chang Puak, extending from the moat and Chiang Mai’s North Gate to the surrounding Superhighway, is characterized by its proximity to Rajaphat University campus and bustling Tanin Market. It’s a diverse neighborhood offering a mix of local life and modern conveniences. Along the riverside, it blends into Chang Moi, where the famous Warorot Market is located.

Chang Puak boasts a variety of housing options at reasonable rates, making it an attractive choice for those on a budget. While the neighborhood doesn’t have a wealth of coworking spaces, its central location allows easy access to nearby coworking hubs in Santitham, Nimmanhaemin, and the Old City.

Chang Puak features diverse housing options, from apartments to townhouses, suitable for those on a budget. It’s best explored by motorbike, allowing easy access to surrounding areas.

Chang Moi is a bustling neighborhood that extends from the eastern edge of the Old City to the banks of the Ping River. It’s known for vibrant commerce and rich cultural experiences. The area hosts the lively Warorot Market, where locals and tourists alike shop for fresh produce, clothing, and traditional Northern Thai products. Here you’ll also find Chiang Mai’s Chinatown. This neighborhood is perfect for those who want to be at the heart of Chiang Mai’s hip urban revival. 

While Chang Moi doesn’t have many dedicated coworking hubs, the neighborhood’s bustling atmosphere invites remote workers to set up in the numerous local cafes. Don’t skip The Story 106, which has a cafe and crafts shop downstairs and a beautifully decorated coworking zone upstairs.

Chang Moi’s housing options may be more limited than in other areas – it has more hotels and guesthouses than condos and homes suitable for extended stays. This neighborhood is super walkable, but motorbikes offer greater flexibility for exploring beyond its bustling bounds.

Chang Klan is a district with an odd mix of upscale and rundown. This part of town was really emptied by the pandemic, but it’s home to luxury hotels, high-rise condos, and international restaurants, making it a top choice for affluent digital nomads. The area also boasts the famous Night Bazaar, where you can shop for handicrafts and savor local delicacies. 

In Chang Klan, you’ll find a handful of cafes and bars where you can work remotely, but Starbucks is probably your best choice. The lone coworking space in the ‘hood is Heartwork, the Sharing Space. Additionally, some upscale hotels in the area provide quiet and comfortable spaces for digital nomads to get work done while enjoying more opulent surroundings.

Chang Klan features luxury hotels, high-rise condos, and upscale apartments. It’s well-suited for walking, but many residents prefer motorbikes for quick access to nearby attractions.

Located along the banks of the Ping River, Wat Ket Riverside holds historical significance as Chiang Mai’s original expat hub. Missionaries were granted land here, and the neighborhood is home to Chiang Mai’s oldest church. It’s a place where traditional shophouses, historic venues, and a vibrant arts, dining, and nightlife coexist. With its rich history and many landmarks, Wat Ket Riverside offers a highly cultural living experience.

Wat Ket Riverside boasts a serene environment but is not typically the top choice for remoters. While there may not be dedicated coworking spaces within the neighborhood, the tranquility along the riverbanks provides a peaceful backdrop for freelancers and digital nomads seeking focus and inspiration.

Wat Ket Riverside offers a mix of older but usually well-maintained high-rise condos and residential houses. It’s walkable right along the Ping River but best explored by motorbike due to its spread. Cars may have trouble finding parking.

Hai Ya, bordering the Old City, Chang Klan, and Mahidol Road, is close to Chiang Mai International Airport. Its central location provides easy access to key city attractions. Hai Ya is known for its mix of major commercial roads and winding neighborhood streets. You can get a little bit of everything in Hai Ya. Notably, Wua Lai Road here hosts the vibrant Saturday market, which starts at the Old City’s southern Chiang Mai Gate and veins its way down.

A downside of Hai Ya is a lack of coworking spaces, but as everywhere else in Chiang Mai, cafes and restaurants are typically laptop-friendly. Do check out Weave Artisan Society. This venue has a cafe, craft beer bar, chocolaterie, barbecue restaurant, art gallery, and more inside a funky converted warehouse space. 

Hai Ya offers a mix of housing, including apartments and local-style homes. It’s walkable-ish but more bicycle or motorbike-friendly.

Practically hidden right in the middle of Chiang Mai, Suan Dok is a hidden gem nestled between Nimman, the Old City, and the Canal Road (Suthep). Dominated by the serene Suan Dok Temple, this charming neighborhood offers a peaceful retreat with its mix of residential houses and modern condos tucked away in its quiet streets. Its strategic location provides residents with the best of both worlds: the vibrant energy of Nimman, the historical allure of the Old City, and the lush green surroundings of Suthep. Suan Dok strikes a harmonious balance between urban convenience and natural beauty, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a tranquil yet well-connected neighborhood in Chiang Mai.

Nearby Nimman and the Old City are your best options for nearby coworking, but within this small neighborhood, you also have places like the Barn Eatery and Cafe, which are very coworking-friendly.

Suan Dok boasts a diverse range of housing options, from modern condominiums to traditional-style homes. Keep in mind that Suan Dok is right below the airport’s flight path, so it can be noisy with take-offs and landings.

Suthep, often referred to as Langmor, is a neighborhood favored by students due to its proximity to Chiang Mai University. It’s a lively area with affordable housing options and a vibrant atmosphere. The presence of students adds to its energetic vibe, making it an excellent choice for those seeking affordability and a youthful community.

Suthep hosts a variety of student-friendly cafes, but mind that the workspaces often fill up. Be sure to check out Blue Cafe & Coworking on campus. Additionally, a few coworking spaces in neighboring Nimmanhaemin are easily accessible from Suthep.

Suthep offers a range of budget-friendly housing, including student dorms and affordable apartments. It’s relatively walkable, but you’ll probably want to rent a motorbike if you’re staying here for long.

Flowing from Langmor and anchored by three temples along Wat Umong Soi 4, Pong Noi is a hidden gem for digital nomads and expats. Abutting Doi Suthep, this area is typically greener and cooler than much of the city. Wat Umong and Wat Rampoeng are popular meditation centers, so the area often attracts a spiritual crowd. It’s also a neighborhood teeming with artsy craft venues and community-oriented markets like Lansiew, Ban Kang Wat, and Laan Din. 

Pong Noi’s creative and communal spirit extends to its workspaces, local cafes often double as cozy coworking spots. We recommend Crate Cafe, Sensations Coffee, and Pate a Choux as particularly work-friendly.

Pong Noi boasts a mix of houses and condos, catering to both students and creative souls. There is a surprising amount of housing tucked away down many dead-end sois. While the main road through this neighborhood is crowded at times, it’s accessible by motorbike and car for convenient travel. Plenty of people walk and cycle around here but be prepared to share the road.

Jed Yod is a neighborhood squeezed between the Canal Road and the Superhighway, making it an ideal choice for those who value accessibility. Its affordability and proximity to other desirable neighborhoods make it a popular area for digital nomads. With a mix of condos, houses, and local businesses, Jed Yod offers an authentic living experience in Chiang Mai.

This area is a favored hub for those who want the convenience of Nimmanhaemin without the associated price tag. Popular coworking spaces like CAMP and Colab, which people often think of as being in Nimman, are technically in Jed Yod.

Jed Yod provides affordable condos and houses, ideal for those looking for budget-friendly living. Its exceptionally narrow streets are best navigated by motorbike. Keep in mind that this neighborhood experiences some of the worst airplane noise – it’s right underneath where departing airplanes making the turn about the city.