Additional Coverage:
Lola Méndez, a seasoned traveler with nine years of globetrotting and 90 countries under her belt, has settled down in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Méndez, originally from the United States, moved permanently to Chiang Mai following the death of her father, having been repeatedly drawn to the city over the years.
In her travels, Méndez experienced life in various countries including Spain, Italy, India, Vietnam, Uruguay, and Mexico. Her journey took a significant turn during her first trip to Thailand in December 2015, shortly after leaving the United States.
It was her initial visit to Asia, and she was captivated by the local Buddhist practices, engaging with monks, meditating in temples, and admiring the golden statues. Méndez was also introduced to her favorite meal, Khao Soi—a coconut curry noodle soup—which along with Thai massages, left a lasting impression.
After a month in Thailand, she knew she had to return.
Life circumstances, including familial obligations in Latin America, kept her away from Chiang Mai for a time. Following her father’s passing and encouraged by a close friend, Méndez decided to move back to Thailand. Supported by the progressiveness of Thai laws, such as the legalization of marijuana in 2022 and the forthcoming legalization of same-sex marriage, Méndez felt Chiang Mai was a safe and accepting place for her as a queer individual.
Currently, Méndez enjoys an affordable lifestyle in Chiang Mai, paying $355 per month in rent—significantly less than her previous rents in Puerto Vallarta and New York City. She actively participates in the local community through yoga, pottery, and coworking meetups, and has found a network of English-speaking healthcare providers, including a therapist who charges $35 per session.
Méndez plans to continue using Chiang Mai as her home base while she travels, taking advantage of the lower cost of living, which allows her to rent locally and thus support the Thai economy. She eagerly anticipates potentially benefitting from Thailand’s new five-year digital nomad visa.
For those interested in sharing their own experiences of living abroad, they are encouraged to contact the editor at Business Insider.