Best for
- Retirees who want walkable streets and markets
- ED visa students at language or Muay Thai schools in the city
- Long-stayers who like a traditional atmosphere
Not ideal for
- People who want modern condos with gyms and pools
- Those sensitive to haze
What it is like
Low-rise guesthouses, temples and small shops inside the old walls. Weekend markets bring crowds. Costs are often lower than Nimman because housing is older and smaller.
Getting around
Walking and cycling work well inside the moat. Songthaews and ride-hailing apps cover the rest of the city.
Weather
Burning season haze typically runs January to April and peaks in March, so many residents leave or buy air purifiers.
Immigration office for Old City
Chiang Mai Immigration, 71 Airport Road
The office is a short ride south-west of the Old City. A counter at Central Festival is reported for some services. Confirm before you go.
Chiang Mai Immigration Office (Airport Road): hours and tipsChiang Mai Immigration Service Point (Central Festival): hours and tips
Visa notes for long stays
- Small guesthouses do not always file TM30. Check before you book a monthly room.
- 90-day reports can reportedly be filed online after your first in-person report. Keep a paper backup in case the system refers you to the office.
- Thai language schools for ED visas are common in Chiang Mai. Check the course meets current attendance rules. See /visa-rules/education-visa.
Banks, hospitals and services nearby
Banks 40
- Bangkok Bank · Muang Samut Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Bangkok Bank · Chang Moi Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Siam Commercial Bank · Soi Phongsuan, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Bank of Ayudhya · Changpuak Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Islamic Bank of Thailand · Changpuak Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Government Savings Bank · Canal road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Siam Commercial Bank · Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Krungthai Bank · Changpuak Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
Hospitals 13
- Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital · Suthep Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Suan Prung Psychiatric Hospital · หมู่บ้านระมิงค์นิเวศน์, Mengrai Subdistrict
- Chiang Mai Ram Hospital · Bun Rueang Rit Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Chang Puak Hospital · Chang Phuak Soi 3, แขวงนครพิงค์
- CMC Hospital · Nantaram Road, Mengrai Subdistrict
- Nakornping Hospital Outpatient Department · Sridonchai Road, Mengrai Subdistrict
- Chiang Mai Municipality Hospital · Khang Suksala Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Central Chiang Mai Memorial Hospital · Changklan Road, Mengrai Subdistrict
Coworking 5
- The Social Club - Coliving & Coworking Space · Arak Road Soi 3, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Mana Coworking Space · Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 10, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Co-working space with garden · Wiang Kaew Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- The Social Club - coliving & coworking space · Arak Road Soi 3, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Brain awake coworking space · Intrawarorot Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
Language schools 5
- The PRO Language · Nimmanhaeminda Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Chaing Mai Japanese Language School · Samlan Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- International language school · Sirimangkalajarn Road Soi 7, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Chiangmai German Language School · Singharat Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Walen Language School · Huaykaew Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
Muay Thai 5
- Muay Thai Shop (Twins, Fairtex) · Loi Kroh Road Soi 3A, Mengrai Subdistrict
- Por Silaphai Muay Thai Gym · ถนนสุริยะางษ์, Mengrai Subdistrict
- Sting Hive Muay Thai Gym · Arak Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym · Wiang Kaew Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Thaphae Muay Thai · Thapae Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
Gyms 3
- Gym · Prapokkloa Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Muay Thai Gym · Wiang Kaew Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Gym · Chang Lo Road, Mengrai Subdistrict
Int'l schools 3
- Chiang Mai International School · Chetupon Road, Kawila Subdistrict
- Singapore International School Chiangmai · Maneenopparat Soi 3, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- International Training Massage School · Chang Phuak Soi 4 Ching, แขวงศรีวิชัย
Supermarkets 25
- Supermarket · Changpuak Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Supermarket · Wichayanon Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Rimping Supermarket · Huaykaew Road, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Rimping Supermarket · Osathaphan Road, Kawila Subdistrict
- Rimping Supermarket · Mahidon Road, Mengrai Subdistrict
- Tesco Lotus · one way, แขวงนครพิงค์
- Tops Market · Soi Phongsuan, แขวงศรีวิชัย
- Tops · Assadathorn Road, แขวงนครพิงค์
Living in Old City: questions
Is the Old City a good place to live in Chiang Mai?
Yes, if you want walkable streets and temples. Housing is older, and some streets are busy with tourists.
Which immigration office serves the Old City?
Chiang Mai Immigration at 71 Airport Road serves all of Chiang Mai province. It is a short ride from the moat.
Can I live in the Old City without a scooter?
Yes. Most daily needs are walkable, and songthaews run across the city.
Is the Old City good for retirees?
Many retirees like the pace and markets. Check the distance to your hospital and plan for burning season.
Sources
- Chiang Mai Immigration (official): 71 Airport Road
- CM Locals: Airport Road vs Central Festival counters (secondary)
- Chiang Mai Property: Chiang Mai immigration office locations (secondary)
- Immigration Bureau: notification of residence for foreigners (TM30)
- IQAir: Chiang Mai during Thailand's burning season (March 2026)
- Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors via Nominatim (ODbL 1.0)
Last checked 2026-11-04 · Pending expert review. Immigration offices move: confirm before you travel.