A 28-year-old who moved from the U.S. to Thailand pays $544 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment.

In May 2021, Paul Lee decided to leave the United States and make a permanent move to Thailand, five months after taking a vacation there in April 2021.

Despite earning $1 million annually from his e-commerce business in New York City, Lee, a 28-year-old originally from Georgia, felt unfulfilled, depressed, and in need of a change.

"Upon my first arrival in Thailand, I experienced a surge of rejuvenation. The unfamiliar surroundings filled me with a sense of novelty and a new beginning," Lee remarks. "As I continue to reside in the city, my affection for it grows with each passing day."

As a content creator and real estate agent in Bangkok, Lee has been earning approximately US $150,000 annually, according to reviewed documents.

Lee discovered various living options in Bangkok while working in real estate, including luxury condos. Currently, he resides in a one-bedroom apartment in the Thonglor neighborhood, which he describes as the "Soho of Bangkok."

The 650-square-feet unit costs 20,000 baht, which is approximately USD $544, in monthly rent. Additionally, Lee pays $20 for Wi-Fi, $80 for electricity, and $3 for water each month. The apartment was furnished and comes with amenities such as a pool and a gym.

Lee had to pay a security deposit of two months' rent or approximately $1,088 to move in.

Although Bangkok's grocery prices are lower, Lee consistently dines out and spends $500 monthly on food.

Although Lee has free access to a gym in his building, he also has a $93 monthly gym membership, which he considers a splurge. However, the cost is justified for him because he can utilize the co-working space, coffee, and numerous networking opportunities available in the space.

His gym membership fee is relatively low compared to luxury gyms in New York, such as Equinox, where memberships can cost up to $240 per month.

Since moving to Thailand, Lee has only returned to the U.S. once, for his sister's wedding. He tells CNBC Make It that he left New York City because he became too materialistic and lived in an "individualistic, doggish, and hyper-aggressive" environment.

"Bangkok stood out to me because it seemed like a metropolis. It was fun, affordable, and had a good culture without any major compromises," Lee says.

In Thailand, Lee has created a new life for himself, and he doesn't feel inclined to return to the U.S.

"Lee realized that despite becoming wealthy, the accumulated wealth didn't provide the satisfaction he was looking for after going through a journey of being poor," says Lee.

Although his parents were initially taken aback by his decision to relocate so far, they eventually followed in his footsteps and moved to South Korea. Now, they visit him in Bangkok from time to time, and Lee travels to see them, too. He considers it one of the greatest advantages of his new life in Thailand.

"Although I earn significantly less money here than I did in New York City, I am much happier, healthier, and more at peace. These are things I could never achieve back home in the US."

Using the OANDA conversion rate of 1 baht to 0.02 USD on July 1, 2024, all amounts were rounded to the nearest dollar.

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