Courtesy of Myles Simms-Aur
Myles Simms-Aur had a $70,000 salary, a nice car, and a stable routine living in Maryland.
But he wanted to experience the world and felt financially restrained by the cost of living in the US.
After trips to Mexico, Brazil, Portugal, and other countries, Simms-Aur was convinced he could adapt to life abroad. In December 2023, Simms-Aur moved to Bangkok.
Simms-Aur, 26, said the low prices for housing and food in Thailand allow him to save more money and have a better peace of mind than he did living in the US.
"The things I was afraid to let go of, such as my nice car, nice job, and nice place, were all holding me back from my personal financial goals," Simms-Aur said. "Now that I have released those things, the ability to save, invest, and travel full time has increased exponentially."
Simms-Aur is one of many American military veterans who moved abroad. As of 2022, 132 US Navy veterans lived in Thailand, according to a Department of Defense report published in October 2023. While the report didn't include reasons for why veterans left the US, Simms-Aur said he wanted a better cost of living and the opportunity to travel more.
Thailand was the sixth-most popular country for Navy veterans, following the Philippines, Japan, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Simms-Aur enlisted in the US Navy when he was 21. He said he wanted a better economic opportunity and didn't want to take out loans for college.
"I researched a lot of stuff about finance because I don't come from wealth," Simms-Aur said. "I definitely wanted to change the trajectory of my family's financial future."
Simms-Aur served for three years, and after he was honorably discharged, he said he realized how expensive it was to live in the US. He was receiving veteran benefits — but declined to elaborate on what type — and worked in IT, but felt like he was "scraping by" living in St Mary's County, Maryland.
Additionally, he had always been enthralled by the prospect of traveling the world, often watching YouTube and social media videos of young Americans exploring different countries.
Simms-Aur said he did extensive research to consider life abroad, including comparing travel vloggers' experiences and inquiring in Reddit forums and Facebook groups about people's experiences moving abroad.
"I realized that Thailand was a common country that kept popping up in regards to safety, cost of living, and being able to live a nice lifestyle," Simms-Aur said.
Courtesy of Myles Simms-Aur
Simms-Aur has a student visa and is living off his savings and veteran benefits. He studies cybersecurity technology at the University of Maryland Global Campus, which offers a hybrid curriculum that enables him to complete his studies in Bangkok.
In his free time, he is also learning Thai at a local school to immerse himself in the culture.
He hopes to save and build wealth by living abroad before eventually returning to the US to further his career in cybersecurity.
Simms-Aur said he worked up the courage to move in December 2023.
"The biggest hurdle was the initial anxiety and mental decision to follow through with it," Simms-Aur said.
In Maryland, Simms-Aur said his monthly rent was $2,123. In Bangkok, he pays $540 a month. His apartment building includes a gym, pool, laundry facility, café, and a 7-Eleven store in the lobby.
What's more, he said day-to-day life is affordable. For example, he can afford to eat out regularly and schedule mid-day massages. He said he can get a healthy takeout meal for between $3 to $7.
"I came here to make less money, but it feels like I make even more," Simms-Aur said. "I think that was the craziest part about it."
He said the language barrier isn't too much of a concern as the people he's encountered in Bangkok have a general working level of English, but it also gives him a chance to practice his Thai.
Simms-Aur also plays the flute and participates in the Bangkok music scene, including performing during Bangkok's Mango Art Festival.
Courtesy of Myles Simms-Aur
Simms-Aur said the travel opportunities include cheap destinations across Thailand, as well as easy flights to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and more. Given the low cost of living, he can afford to explore more of the world while still saving.
"I realized I value time and peace of mind over money, but by moving here, I increased them all," he said.
Are you a young American who decided to move abroad? How are you saving for and financing the move? Please reach out at jtowfighi@businessinsider.com
