A travel writer who has visited 90 countries has revealed the place that convinced her to move permanently, both for its natural beauty and its rock-bottom prices.
Lola Méndez, originally from Kansas, left the United States at age 25 to travel the world and pursue a career in journalism.
In one piece for Business InsiderShe revealed that her first trip to Thailand was in December 2015, shortly after she began her travels, and from that initial visit, she was hooked.
Some of its highlights include Thai massages, Buddhist architecture and delicious food, with its favourite dish being Khao Soi – egg noodles in a coconut curry soup.
He had such a good time on that month-long trip that when it was time to leave, he “cried” and decided to return.
Lola Méndez, originally from Kansas, left the U.S. at age 25 to travel the world and pursue a career in journalism.
Her first trip to Thailand was in December 2015, shortly after she began her travels, and from that initial visit she was hooked.
Two other things that attracted Lola back to Thailand were the legalization of marijuana in 2022, as she uses it for medical purposes, and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Although her travels gained momentum and took her everywhere from Kenya to Antarctica, Lola managed to return to Thailand, where she settled in Chiang Mai for three months.
However, when her family needed support at home, Lola divided her time between Uruguay and Mexico so she could be closer to them.
Telling her story, she wrote: “I felt a pain in my heart for Chiang Mai. I would tell anyone who would listen about my experiences in northern Thailand.
‘At the time, my father was ill and living so far away was not an option. The day he died, a close friend told me to follow my heart and move to Thailand.
‘A year and a half later, when I was invited on a press trip to Bangkok, I felt like the universe was allowing me to return to Chiang Mai and I jumped at the chance.’
Two other things that attracted Lola back to Thailand were the legalization of marijuana in 2022, as she uses it for medical purposes, and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
On the topic of sexuality, Lola, who defines herself as a “queer Latina,” explained: “I only feel comfortable living in places where I don’t face legal repercussions for being queer.”
Before moving, Lola researched different visa options and her hope is to secure a five-year digital nomad visa, which costs just under $300.
Since settling in Thailand, the avid traveler says she has saved thousands of dollars.
As for making friends, Lola says the locals are friendly and she feels “welcomed by Thai people.”
Since settling in Thailand, the avid traveler says she has saved thousands of dollars.
In Chiang Mai, he pays just $355 a month in rent, while in New York he used to pay around $1,500.
Meanwhile, shopping for groceries also costs a fraction of what I used to pay in the United States.
She reveals: ‘I can buy over six pounds of mangoes, pitayas and mangosteen for less than $5.’
Other things that are much cheaper in Thailand include massages, which “cost between $3 and $30 an hour,” and motorcycle taxis, which “cost less than $2 within a 15-minute radius.”
As for making friends, Lola says the locals are friendly and she feels “welcomed by Thai people.”
She adds: “I’ve built a community by attending events that align with my interests, including yoga classes, pottery workshops, co-working meetups, and dance lessons.”
