What Campus Reviews Reveal
Chiang Mai University (CMU) has received high praise from students and visitors for its campus environment. With a Google rating of 4.6 stars (based on 1,144 reviews), visitors repeatedly mention the campus’s natural scenery and tranquil atmosphere.
One reviewer, Lance Toh, wrote:
“Chiang Mai University is not just a campus, it feels like a full-on scenic park with a university inside it. The lake area is especially worth the visit — calm, wide open, and perfect for a slow evening walk to the Chiang Mai Night Market nearby~”
Another user, Nghĩa Phạm Văn, added:
“Chiang Mai University has a beautiful, peaceful campus filled with green lawns and fresh air. It’s very relaxing to walk around, and visitors are welcome to explore the grounds. A great place to enjoy nature right inside the city.”
User 孤獨的美食家 emphasized:
“A beautiful and serene campus with stunning natural scenery! Chiang Mai University offers a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for an afternoon stroll. The lake, especially at sunset, is breathtaking—the reflection of the mountains on the water creates a picture-perfect moment.”
Sercan mentioned the campus’s actual size and value:
“Chiang Mai University is one of the most beautiful and well known universities in Thailand. The campus is very large and surrounded by nature, with mountains, green spaces, and even a lake, which creates a very peaceful and inspiring environment. One of the highlights is Ang Kaew Reservoir…”
These reviews collectively portray CMU’s characteristics: the campus itself is a large park, with a lake, hillsides, and open green spaces, suitable for walking, relaxing, and even heading to the night market in the evening. For students living nearby, this environment means that the daily commute can become a pleasant walking experience, provided that the accommodation can take full advantage of these spaces.
Chiang Mai’s Urban Background and Cost of Living
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, known for its old city, temples, mountain views, and relatively low cost of living. Compared to Bangkok, rent in Chiang Mai is generally 30%–50% lower. The main CMU campus is located on Huay Kaew Road, about 5 kilometers northwest of the old city, in the Su Thep area, surrounded by a large number of student apartments and shared housing.
Since Chiang Mai University does not have large-scale on-campus dormitories (only a small number of international student dormitories), the vast majority of students need to rent off-campus. Between 2016–2026, the surrounding private rental market has matured, offering a variety of options from studio apartments to shared houses. Local food, transportation, and daily necessities are inexpensive. The total monthly cost of living (including rent) is about 15,000–30,000 Thai baht (about 3,000–6,000 RMB), depending on personal spending habits.
Note: Chiang Mai’s dry season (11月–4月) has warm weather, while the rainy season (5月–10月) has frequent showers. When choosing housing, whether the commuting route has shelter or rain protection will also affect the daily experience.
Housing Budget Range (2026–2027 Academic Year)
The following are common price ranges for private rentals around CMU. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
- Budget (studio / one room)
Monthly rent approximately 3,500–6,000 Thai baht (about 700–1,200 RMB). These properties are usually older apartment buildings or standalone small buildings, with basic facilities (fan instead of air conditioning, some with simple kitchen and private bathroom). Walking to the west gate or north gate of the campus takes 15–20 minutes, or 5 minutes by motorbike. - Comfort (air-conditioned apartment / one-bedroom)
Monthly rent approximately 6,000–10,000 Thai baht (about 1,200–2,000 RMB). Includes air conditioning, hot water, WiFi, basic furniture; some have a pool or gym. Locations are mostly along Huay Kaew Road or Suthep Road, 10–15 minutes walk to the main campus entrance. - Quality (high-rise apartment / community condominium)
Monthly rent approximately 10,000–18,000 Thai baht (about 2,000–3,600 RMB). Typically newer condominium developments with property management, elevators, parking, security. Slightly farther from campus (1–2 km), but offer a shuttle or are near a bus stop. Suitable for students seeking quiet and facilities. - Shared / villa room rental
Monthly rent approximately 4,000–8,000 Thai baht per person (depending on room size and shared space). Suitable for 2–4 people, usually in residential areas east or south of the campus; walking is not practical, mostly need a motorbike or bicycle.
Note: Some apartments require a deposit of 1–2 months’ rent; contracts are usually for a minimum of 6 months or 1 year. Short-term (monthly) renewals may incur a surcharge. It is recommended to ask for a reference bill for utilities when viewing – air conditioning usage habits greatly affect the electricity bill.
Walking vs. Transportation Trade-offs
When choosing housing, walking distance and mode of transportation directly affect daily time and money expenditure.
Walk-first group (relatively sufficient budget): Can accept monthly rent above 6,000 Thai baht, living within 1 km of the campus. CMU has multiple gates; the main gate (Huay Kaew Road) has the highest concentration of businesses – convenience stores, cafes, restaurants, laundromats. Walking to academic buildings (e.g., Student Union or Faculty of Humanities) takes about 10–15 minutes. Advantages are zero transportation cost and no traffic jams, but noise may be slightly higher (near the main road).
Transport-first group (limited budget or seeking more space): Live 2–4 km away (e.g., old city, Nimmanhaemin area, deep Suthep area); monthly rent can drop to 3,000–5,000 Thai baht. Mainly rely on motorbike (purchase or rental, monthly rent 1,500–2,500 Thai baht), Songthaew (red shared taxi, fixed route 20–30 baht per ride), or Grab motorbike (short trip 30–60 baht). Disadvantage: during peak hours (8–9am, 4–6pm) Huay Kaew Road is congested; commute time may reach 20–30 minutes. Motorcycle risk increases during the rainy season.
Compromise option: Choose a combination of walking + short Songthaew ride. For example, live near a main road, walk 5 minutes to the stop, take a Songthaew to the main gate (about 10 minutes, 15–20 baht). Monthly transportation cost can be kept within 600–800 baht, while rent is 20%–30% lower than around the campus.
How to Narrow Down Your Options (General Logic)
Since the data provided this time does not include specific apartment names or review lists, the following logic applies to any student looking for housing around CMU. You can use online maps and local real estate platforms (such as DDproperty, Hipflat, Facebook Group “Chiang Mai Rentals”) to filter, and always refer to the following steps:
- Determine the maximum walking distance: Measure the location of your faculty on the map. For example, the Faculty of Social Sciences is near the main gate, while the Faculty of Engineering is on the east side of the campus. Different teaching building entrances correspond to different optimal residential areas.
- List the budget cap: Rent should not exceed 50% of the monthly living expenses (including utilities). Also set aside a deposit and an annual electricity bill adjustment.
- Filter basic facilities: At least include air conditioning (unless you can accept a fan all year round), private bathroom, WiFi port or ability to install your own router. Although the demand for warm water in Thailand is not high, a water heater is still useful in the cool season.
- Check public transportation: Use Google Maps to see the distance from the apartment to the nearest Songthaew stop, and the walking time to a 7-Eleven or restaurant.
- Inspect the property in person: Before signing, you must personally or have a friend check the actual condition of the room, especially wall sound insulation, water pressure, mobile signal strength (some concrete buildings have poor signal), and the location of the washing machine (whether there is a public coin-operated machine).
- Check previous student reviews: Search for the apartment name on the Facebook Chiang Mai University Rental Group or Google Maps, and read recent comments. Avoid properties with ratings below 3.5 stars.
- Consider sharing: If your budget is below 5,000 baht and you want a good location, sharing a 2-bedroom 1-living room apartment may be more cost-effective than a studio. Ensure your roommate has a similar schedule.
- Confirm before signing: Whether utilities, garbage fees, WiFi are included; whether pets are allowed; conditions for moving out; whether subletting is allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it convenient to live inside the old city for attending classes?
There are many budget apartments inside the old city, with monthly rent around 3,000–5,000 Thai baht, but the distance to the main CMU gate is about 3–4 km. Commuting requires taking a Songthaew (about 20 minutes) or a motorbike (15 minutes). If you have a dense class schedule, the accumulated travel time can be significant. It is recommended to prioritize the Su Thep area or Chang Phueak area, which can be reached on foot or by short-distance transportation.
Do I need to buy my own motorbike?
Not necessarily. Chiang Mai’s public transportation (Songthaew, Grab, taxis) can cover daily commuting, with a monthly transportation cost of about 500–1,500 Thai baht (depending on distance). However, a motorbike provides greater flexibility, especially for visiting supermarkets, night markets, or leisure spots. Second-hand motorbike prices are about 20,000–40,000 baht, and monthly rental fees are about 1,500–2,500 baht. If you are staying in Chiang Mai for more than 6 months, buying a motorbike may be more economical; but you must ensure you have a valid driver’s license and insurance.
Does CMU have on-campus dormitories? Can I apply?
CMU offers a small number of on-campus dormitories for international students (such as International House), but spaces are limited and usually require applying several months in advance, with priority given to exchange students or graduate students. Prices are comparable to off-campus comfortable apartments (about 8,000–12,000 baht per month), including basic furniture and electricity. If you cannot get a spot, off-campus private apartments are the choice for the vast majority of students. It is recommended to contact the CMU International Affairs Office immediately after receiving the admission letter to confirm the dormitory situation.
Data date: Based on information provided in 2025. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator, and may adjust due to market fluctuations.
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