A travel journalist who has visited 90 countries has revealed the place that convinced her to move there permanently, for its natural beauty and rock-bottom prices.
Originally from Kansas, Lola Mendez left the US at age 25 to travel the world and pursue a career in journalism.
In a piece for Business insiderShe said her first trip to Thailand was in December 2015, shortly after she started her journey, and from that first visit she was hooked.
Highlights included the Thai massages, the Buddhist architecture and the delicious food. Her favorite dish was Khao Soi: egg noodles in a coconut curry soup.
She enjoyed that month-long trip so much that when it was time to leave, she started crying and decided to turn back.
Originally from Kansas, Lola Mendez left the US 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 started her journey – and from that first visit she was hooked
Two other things that drew Lola back to Thailand were the legalization of marijuana in 2022, because she uses it for medical purposes, and the legalization of gay marriage.
Despite her travels becoming increasingly popular and taking her everywhere from Kenya to Antarctica, Lola managed to return to Thailand, where she spent three months in Chiang Mai.
However, when her family back home needed some support, Lola split her time between Uruguay and Mexico so she could be closer to them.
She told the story from there: ‘I felt a pain in my heart for Chiang Mai. I would tell anyone who would listen about my experiences in Northern Thailand.
‘My father was ill at the time and living so far away was not an option. The day he died, a good friend told me to follow my heart and move to Thailand.
‘A year and a half later, when I was invited to a press trip to Bangkok, it felt like the universe was allowing me to move back to Chiang Mai, and I took the opportunity.’
Two other things that drew Lola back to Thailand were the legalization of marijuana in 2022, because she uses it for medical purposes, and the legalization of gay marriage.
On sexuality, Lola, who calls herself a “Queer Latina,” says, “I only feel comfortable in places where I don’t face legal repercussions for being queer.”
In preparation for her move, Lola has been researching different visa options and hopes to secure a five-year digital nomad visa, which costs just under $300.
Since settling in Thailand, the avid traveler says she’s saved thousands of dollars
When it comes to making friends, Lola says the locals are friendly and she feels “welcome among the Thai people.”
Since living in Thailand, the avid traveler says she’s saved thousands of dollars.
In Chiang Mai she pays only $355 a month in rent, while in New York she paid almost $1,500.
Meanwhile, grocery shopping is also a fraction of what she used to pay in the US
She says, “I can buy over 2.7 kilos of mangoes, dragon fruit 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 motorbike taxis, which cost “less than $2 within a 15-minute radius.”
When it comes to making friends, Lola says the locals are friendly and she feels “welcome among the Thai people.”
She adds: “I’ve built a community by attending events that align with my interests, such as yoga classes, pottery workshops, co-working meetups and dance classes.”
