If you are looking to relocate to northern Thailand and the idea of living in an artistic, creative and fashionable neighborhood appeals to you, then Nimmanhaemin is the place to start your Chiang Mai property search.
For ambience and culture, there really is nowhere quite like Nimmanhaemin in the whole of Chiang Mai. Even uber-fashionable travel and style magazine, Monocle, described it as ‘particularly attractive’ when it listed Chiang Mai as one of the world’s five most lovable cities.
With the picturesque Doi Suthep Mountain forming an unforgettable backdrop, Nimmanhaemin road is just a short bike ride away from Chiang Mai’s historic mounted city walls. Closer to home, a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood will mean stumbling across chic cafes, amazing galleries and the best nightlife in the city.
As with many parts of Thailand, food is also a key component of everyday life in Nimmanhaemin. Whether you prefer a mixture of freshly cooked local ingredients and traditional Thai foods or the best international cuisine, there is no need to choose. You can have them all here. Local hawkers selling the lip-smackinginly spicy northern Thai food, sit side-by-side with Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish and many, many more international restaurants.
If shopping is your thing, then this area is a paradise to all discerning shopaholics. With its variety of independent boutiques, handicraft stalls and antique shops, there’s no shortage of temptations for indulging yourself in a spot of retail therapy.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that living in such a hip area with a buzzing atmosphere means sacrificing your peace and quiet though. The charming neighborhood’s many side streets (sois) mean that Nimmanhaemin is still a quiet and peaceful place to live, wholly in keeping with Chiang Mai’s rural charm.
An ancient city surrounded by rolling hills, you can also experience the contrast of urban and rural lifestyles within the area’s somewhat eclectic architecture. With traditional rustic Thai buildings standing side by side with more contemporary urbane constructions, property here is a quirky mixture of charming Chiang Mai houses, upmarket condominiums, and luxury apartments. There really is something to suit every taste.
While Nimmanhaemin road is today regarded as one of Chiang Mai’s most stylish neighborhoods, this hasn’t always been the case. It was only a few decades ago that it was nothing more than a few dusty noodle bars surrounded by small wooden houses and rice fields.
It was only when the area was redeveloped exclusively for residential use that the teachers from the nearby university and doctors from the local hospital began to move into the area. As the middle classes were drawn to the area and more homes were built to accommodate them, Nimmanhaemin quickly grew into the upmarket neighborhood it is today.
With its trendy vibe and convenient location, properties in Nimmanhaemin tend to be slightly higher than in other parts of Chiang Mai, but with so much to offer, it’s a price many are more than willing to pay.
