I was in Chiang Mai earlier this year and was rarely not in the downtown area. I know that you guys have a certain lifestyle that you expect but let me tell you, Chiang Mai is much more organized and quiet than some of the alternatives. I really enjoyed how quiet it was. Construction sucks and so do rapid over-expansion of an area but dude, count your blessings. It is nonstop noise and beeping elsewhere in this part of the world and at least you don't have that to contend with.