Best place to live in Asia for 3-6 months as a foreigner
Hi Everyone
I'm planning a 3-6 month sabbatical and I need some input from seasoned travelers and expats on the best places. Hopefully this will translate to some connections and friendships, as I'd really like to eventually contribute to the forum. I promise that if I get some good advice that leads to me finding my place, You'll have a new contributing member. I'll get on here and help answer questions whenever I can be of help.
I'm planning on arriving in May. I hope to rent a decent place; I'm looking for something outside urban environments, but within a drive to civilization. I've got this vision in my head of a well-built dark-wood bungalow.
Internet is optional, as long as I can take my laptop into town to forward correspondence etc.
I have money in the bank, but I'm still hoping to keep my expenses at or even well below $1000 USD per month.
I'm 36, a US citizen. I'm taking some down-time while switching careers.
In the last 18 years I've taken months off and traveled through most of Europe, from the UK to Bulgaria and then some, but Asia is a new frontier. As is actually settling into a single area for the length of my stay.
In terms of what I'll be doing during this time, I'm realizing that I need to keep it flexible. I'll be doing some introspection and reading, and I'm developing business ideas for when I return home. I need a certain amount of time and space to avoid distraction and just focus.
When I'm not hiding out I'll hike around the region, learn the native language as much as possible in the short time I'm given, and soak up the lifestyle and beauty of my adopted environment.
I'll probably rent or buy a bike/moped to cruise the area, go into town occasionally for food, to get coffee, see what's up with the locals and maybe the expats. I don't expect everyone to become my best friend if I'm only staying for a few months, but in my experience some of my strongest friendships have been started from experiences like this, and you never know what kind of opportunity will jump out.
If there's worthwhile nightlife nearby for when I get the bug that's great, but I don't want to be drinking my nights away, so this could be reserved for when I take off for a few days.
If there is an opportunity to help out in the local rural community, I would be thrilled, but I don't want this thread derailed on the issue. I know that volunteering is a touchy subject in many Asian countries for many reasons. I know that it can require a special visa. If it's a problem, I will avoid it. I don't want to get jailed/deported for digging out garden beds for a temple.
Yeah there you go. In short: Where do you suggest for the most interesting region to look for a nice rural residence (Bungalow is a stupid word. Large hut? Tropical flat?), a sane distance from the creature comforts of a town/city?
Plumbing and electric are requirements, internet is optional. I can deal with inclement weather. I like rain. I can operate a fan.I'm currently in the So-Cal desert so I'm familiar with 40c+ heat (though not with humidity).
I know, I know, this is very open and vague, but help a guy out: I'm looking for the places that people here feel are more inspiring and wonderful than anywhere else in the world. It will be around that premise that I'm happy to build my next few months in life.
Thank you!