How to Find an Apartment in Chiang Mai Without Getting Scammed
so here's the thing about finding a place in chiang mai: it's not as easy as everyone makes it sound. you'll hear people say "oh just walk around and look at signs" or "there's plenty of rooms everywhere" but that's only half the story. the other half involves dodging scams, dealing with landlords who think 'deposit' means 'gift,' and trying to figure out if that 'furnished' apartment actually comes with a bed or just a sad mattress on the floor. i've been here for three months now, bouncing between places like a pinball, and i've learned a few things the hard way. first off, never pay more than one month's deposit. ever. i don't care how nice the place looks or how desperate you are. if they ask for two or three months up front, walk away. there's always another place. always. second, use facebook groups. seriously. "chiang mai buy sell swap" and "chiang mai house rentals" are goldmines. but also full of scammers. so double-check everything. if someone messages you with terrible english and wants you to wire money immediately, it's a scam. third, visit the place in person. pictures lie. a lot. i once rented a 'modern studio' that turned out to be a glorified closet with a hotplate. the photos were angled to hide the fact that the 'kitchen' was basically a shelf. also, talk to neighbors if you can. they'll tell you if the landlord is a nightmare or if the building has plumbing issues. one guy i met had to move out after two weeks because the shower only worked at 3am. turns out the building's water pump was broken and the landlord 'forgot' to mention it. and don't even get me started on 'included utilities.' that usually means 'included until we decide to raise the price.' get everything in writing. even if it's just a basic agreement in google docs. and if you're here for a while, consider renting a motorbike. it'll give you way more options outside the city center. nimman is cute but expensive. santitham is cheaper and still close to everything. hang dong is super quiet and great if you want to pretend you live in a jungle. just don't expect to walk anywhere. also, learn a few thai phrases. even if it's just 'how much is the rent' and 'does the wifi work.' landlords appreciate it, and it might save you from getting ripped off. and finally, trust your gut. if something feels off, it probably is. there's no shortage of places here, so don't settle for one that makes you uncomfortable. you're not being paranoid, you're being smart. now go forth and find your chiang mai home. just don't forget to check for mold.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/shopping-in-kampala-threadbare-markets-gold-teeth-malls-that-breathe-ac
- https://topiclo.com/post/manila-where-the-density-hits-you-like-a-truck
- https://topiclo.com/post/best-suburbs-in-bucaramanga-for-families-and-young-professionals
- https://topiclo.com/post/fitness-and-wellness-in-mashhad-a-real-talk-guide-for-the-curious-soul
- https://topiclo.com/post/crime-stats-in-berlin-my-therapist-says-im-paranoid-but-have-you-seen-the-sbahn-at-2am