Why I Left the U.S. for Asia: A Millennial’s Perspective

As a millennial from the Bay Area, I’ve watched the cost of living soar to the point where a single room costs around $3,000. Prices eat more than half of most people’s income. For many of us, it feels nearly impossible to plan for the future. Homeownership? A distant dream. Investing in ourselves or our businesses? Feels more and more difficult each day.

Climbing Maslow’s Pyramid

I started looking at life through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the U.S. was failing me at every step:

• Basic Needs (Shelter & Security): Housing costs are insane, jobs feel unstable, and benefits are shrinking. Even highly educated friends struggle to find work.

• Belonging & Community: Friends are spread out, traffic kills social life, and work schedules leave little time for real connection.

• Freedom & Opportunity: The “Land of Opportunity” now feels like it’s running on borrowed time, offering instant gratification for some while leaving long-term instability for the rest of us.

When even one level of the pyramid is shaky, reaching self-actualization, or becoming the best version of ourselves, feels impossible.

Why Thailand?

So, I chose Thailand: affordable living, creative opportunities, solid public transportation, and a sense of community. Here, I can finally focus on freelance content creation, connect with other creatives, and build a future without feeling crushed by economic pressure.

This isn’t just an escape. It’s the start of a journey toward a life where creativity and stability actually coexist.

If you’re in the area and want to collab hit me up on Twitter, Instagram, or my Contact Page