S'pore Gen Z Living Her Dream Life In Thailand for Less Than S$1,500 A Month

Work–life balance in Singapore can feel relentless, and more young people — especially Gen Zs — are beginning to crave something else: a slower pace, more freedom, and a life that doesn’t require working endlessly just to afford basic comfort.

It's why some have turned to freelance work or working remotely abroad, trading the stress at home for a lifestyle that feels more on their own terms.

One of them is Valerie, a Gen Z who moved from Singapore to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to pursue new experiences, all while maintaining an high quality of life on a modest budget.

On the latest episode of Gen Z Crash Course, host Chen Qijia visits Valerie and finds out what it’s really like living overseas alone as a young Singaporean.

The freelance graphic designer lives alone in a studio apartment in Chiang Mai, paying about $500 a month in rent. She estimates a similar place in Singapore would cost over S$2,000.

Safety, as well as location, are her priorities. "I picked this place because there is 24/7 security here, and it's also very central," she says. 

Having her own space is something she doesn’t take for granted.

"I even have a gratitude journal... the first line [I write] is 'I'm so thankful for having my own space'. Many people my age are still living with their parents or waiting for their BTO. As you grow older, having your own personal space becomes very important," she says. 

Monthly expenses come up to a total of about S$1,500 a month. Besides rent, this includes utilities, food, transport, and leisure activities. She earns her money through freelance gigs and says she knows writers and marketers who do the same.

It's also much cheaper to eat out or order delivery in Chiang Mai, according to Valerie. 

“For lunch, a big difference is it that I order healthy food — like salad — from food delivery apps. In Singapore, that’s a luxury as healthy food is expensive, especially for one person,” she says.

After work, she grabs dinner around her neighbourhood, “as it has amazing street food, cafés and restaurants,” adding that she could spontaneously decide to do her nails just because she can.

Since it's not advisable to drink tap water from tap, Valerie orders her drinking water through her receptionist and gets an entire carton of glass-bottled mineral water for only S$3. 

On the weekends, her priority is exploring and recharging.

She goes on road trips, signs up for activities like pottery classes, and also visits nearby markets where bargains are everywhere. 

"The slower pace of life here makes me feel more relaxed amidst my busy work schedule," she adds. 

For aspiring digital nomads, Valerie recommends saving at least six months of expenses —  about S$10,000 to S$20,000 — before making the move.

"Back home, it's much more costly, so I scrimp and save. But over here, I feel like I shouldn't hold myself back, so I splurge on stuff and all these activities. The quality of life is definitely better," she says. 

Another thing Valerie has done to assimilate into Thai culture is to learn the language. 

"There's no language barrier because a lot of them can actually speak English, but if you want to connect deeper with the locals, I think it's better to speak their language and not expect them to speak English for you."

"I signed up with a Thai school so I can connect with the locals. It's out of respect too," she adds. 

Despite the joys of her new lifestyle, something had to give.

"It's definitely having to deal with the loneliness here in a foreign country. I miss my friends a lot. [I had] to start from scratch and make new friends all over again."

Still, she doesn't have any regrets at all. 

"In Singapore, I have so many friends and I'm always surrounded by people, I get very overstimulated. But here, I'm forced to be alone. I feel more comfortable doing things by myself because it's by choice, and I guess I've become much more independent," she says. 

Watch the full episode of Gen Z Crash Course below to find out more about Valerie's life in Chiang Mai.