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Which is better for families moving to Thailand: Hua Hin or Chiang Mai?

Jun 3, 2025
4 days ago
Roxanne *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edit for all the enquiring minds:

My husband receives a steady monthly income from the VA. We will have DTV visas. We homeschool our children and will be be putting them in muay thai. Thanks for all of your input and concerns for our family. P.S. we've done a lot of research but are also looking for feedback from people who are actually familiar with the areas.

Hi, we are a family of 5 looking to move to Thailand by the end of the year. I would like opinions on Hua Hin vs Chang Mai for families. TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A family of five is considering moving to Thailand and is seeking opinions on whether Hua Hin or Chiang Mai would be better for families. The discussion highlights various factors such as educational opportunities, lifestyle, air quality, and general suitability for families. Hua Hin is described as a beach town with a slower pace of life, suitable for families seeking a peaceful environment, whereas Chiang Mai offers a cultural environment but faces issues with seasonal air pollution. Concerns regarding international schools and their costs, along with personal experiences related to bullying in schools and general challenges of living in either location, are shared. The discussion emphasizes the importance of considering these factors in relation to the family's needs and interests.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Chuleeporn **************
We provide expert legal consultations on immigration, healthcare, and other legal issues - specifically tailored for veterans and those with military backgrounds who are looking to start a new life in Thailand.
@https://www.facebook.*********************
Jeff *******
If you're home schooling, then it's an easy choice.

Live in CM and leave when the air quality gets bad.
True ********
Live in Chiang Mai and take holidays down south for March & April.
Adam ******
Less smog in HH. Plus there is a beach.
Timi *****************
Alan *******
Hua Hin- long stretch of beach with condos much like any anglo development. Chiang Mai - totally different northern climate and culture with centuries of history wafting every which way. But a beach is nice...
Sharene *****
If you want a more active family lifestyle near beach and mountains, losts of events for families and kids and no seasonal pollution you want to escape from then neither. Phuket would be more ideal even if it is slightly more expensive.
Lam ************
Chiang Mai is great place to live or visiting if you can manage couple of months the burning season
Linda **********
It's a USA beach but cheaper and nothing to do.
Sharene *****
@Linda *********
just stopping by to ask what a USA beach is? ☺️
Per ***************
Beach!
Will *********
depends on what you are doing - are you retiring or have you got a job?

What sort of visa will you have? What are your interests? Do you intend to travel around Thailand or Asia?

Hua Hin is a bland seaside town and Chiang Mai suffers from terrible airr pollution for 3 months out of every year.

Have you planned your healthcare?
Christopher *********
Air pollution makes the choice a no brainer for your family, Chiang Mai has poor quality air all year round!

Good luck.
Randall *******
@Christopher ********
that's completely untrue.
Christopher *********
@Randall ******
Ok maybe I have been unlucky during my visits to Chiang Mai.

I have family living there and every time I visit the air is “smokey”.

Below is a quote made by IQAir this year:

The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai was ranked as the most polluted in the world on Saturday, according to air-quality monitoring website IQAir 28 March 2025

- It is actually caused by agricultural farmers, primarily the burning of biowaste such as unsold corn.28 Feb 2025

It is a shame because Chiang Mai is a beautiful part of Thailand.

Every time I drive down from the mountains/hills to the North I have seen a blanket of smoke.
Randall *******
@Christopher ********
Burning season is real and skews the annual numbers. But for 10 out of 12 months, the air is fine. We were there from January 9 through March 6 this year and didn't see any smoke, although I hear it got bad a week or two after we left. But, "all year round" is very misleading.
Christopher *********
@Randall ******
I think after research and talking with family I withdraw my “all year round” statement as it is untrue and replace it with first few months of the year when crop burning takes place!

😊
Thaat ********
You can live in Chiangmai for winter season in November, December, January and February.

And the less you can live in Huahin or maybe Phuket for summer and rainy season.
Mike ************
health wise the south
Ian **********
I think you'll find on balance that Chiang Mai is a better choice. Loads of very good international schools and an infrastructure that supports farangs (in my personal experience). I've been here 18 years so you can ask me. (just in case we also have a beautiful family house to sell?
Jack ********
@Ian *********
the worst air pollution in the world is not a good thing for young lungs 😔🫁
Ian **********
@Jack *******
like many other places there is pollution at a certain time of year. At other times the air is fresh with a very low aqi.
Jack ********
@Ian *********
avg air quality is still terrible compared to the west. Would not want young children there.. would have to leave 4 months of the year.
Angel ******
As a half-Thai, half-Farang child, my father spent 150,000 THB per semester for me to attend an international school. There are two semesters per year. Our family lived in Chiang Mai, where owning a car is essential without one, it’s difficult to get around. If you're considering renting, I would recommend renting a house. Prices vary depending on the location, generally ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 THB per month.

As a child in international schools, I honestly didn’t enjoy the experience at all. Many of the students were wealthy Thai kids who bullied me. I never hated school as much as I did when I attended an international school. Making friends often depended on whether you had the latest iPhones, iPads, or drove a car during your high school years. I ended up dropping out and studying for the GED instead, which eventually led me to enroll in an international university in Chiang Mai. But even there, I still hated it. Studying was difficult not because of the academics, but because of the constant bullying and materialistic attitudes among the students.

So if you’re thinking about moving to Thailand, especially to Chiang Mai or the northern region, think carefully. Many people there are extremely materialistic and only look into your pockets when it comes to making friends.

Yes, there’s also the issue of the smoky season, and to be honest, there aren’t many places to buy Western food. There’s Rimping Market and Central Festival—at the bottom floor, you can find some Western groceries—but overall, Chiang Mai has become quite expensive.

If you want to know the names of the schools I attended in Chiang Mai, feel free to DM me. I would strongly advise avoiding them. I can recommend a few international schools, but to be honest, they're not much better than the others.

I hope you will make the right decisions for you and your family.
True ********
@Angel *****
hi, do you still live in Chiang Mai?
Jacques ************
@Angel *****
awesome and honest reviews are the best! This is why we followed the GED route for our kids too. We lived in China and our kids experienced the same in international schools where we worked.
Marco *******
I dm messaged you
Sara ********
Hua Hin is a beach town, slower pace of life.

Chiang Mai is cooler weather. Prepare for smokey season end of January through April. Many will relocate to the south during this time.

As long as you have your work situation and education for the kids figured out this move can be done. Our family of 5 move next week to Thailand from America, but I am Thai so the approach is different. There are somethings I can guide you on to make your transition smoother. You may want to look into a DTV visa for all adults, kids can be in the country.
Colin **********
Hua Hin: For families seeking a peaceful beach lifestyle with good amenities and easy sea access.

Chiang Mai: For families wanting a more cultural environment with many activities but has seasonal air pollution
Jack *******
@Colin *********
Good summary, nailed it.
Robert *********
@Colin *********
sorry ,not some risk .

It every year for months ,sure!
Robert *********
You can live in hua hin year round .

Chang Mai is crazy polluted 4'months a year .

Have you looked at the cost of education for kids ....expensive!
Tommy ********
You have to look at whether either are them places are suitable for a large family.

Hua Hin is a retirement town and Chiang Mai is more rural and quiet.

Do they have substantial international schools compared to where you are from? What’s the reason for moving? Will you make more money or is it a move for other reasons?
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