Take a peek inside the apartment of a 28-year old who left America and moved to Thailand. He pays $544/month. Paul Lee went on vacation in Thailand, April 2021. Paul Lee decided five months later to move permanently to Thailand. Lee was originally from Georgia and lived in New York City. He earned around $1,000,000 a year through his online business. The 28-year old, who had made enough money to cover his parents’ retirement, told CNBC Make It that despite being able to support them, he felt depressed and needed to change. When I arrived in Thailand for the first time, I felt renewed. “I felt as if it were a new beginning, because everything was brand new. The more time I spend here, the more in love I become with this city. Lee relocated to Bangkok in Thailand, 2021. Marc Aziz Ressang, CNBC Make It Documents reviewed show that Lee, who moved to Bangkok in 2010, has earned around US $150.000 a year working as both a real estate agent and a content producer. Lee’s experience in the real estate industry helped him find various living arrangements, such as luxury condos in Bangkok. Lee’s apartment is in Thonglor, a neighborhood that Lee calls “the Soho” of Bangkok. Rent for a unit measuring 650 square feet costs around USD 544 per month. Lee pays an additional $20 per month for Wi-Fi and $80 per month for electricity. He also spends $3 on water. Lee’s apartment was furnished and has access to amenities such as a swimming pool and gym. Lee spends around $544 per month on his one-bedroom apartment in Bangkok. Marc Aziz Ressang, CNBC Make It Lee was required to put down a deposit equal to two months rent, or $1,088. Lee spends more than $500 per month in food despite the lower prices of groceries. Lee admits that the food was also good in New York City, but in Thailand it is a whole lot better, more authentic, more spicy, and more locally produced. Lee’s other costs include a $93 gym membership, which is quite a big expense considering that he has access to the gym within his building for free. Lee finds the price worth it because he has access to the coffee and co-working area, as well as numerous networking opportunities. The price of his gym is also nothing in comparison to the luxury gyms like Equinox that can cost as much as $240 per month. CNBC Make It reports that Lee left America due to his materialistic nature and the “unique, dogmatic, and hyper-aggressive” environment he lived in. Marc Aziz Ressang, CNBC Make It Lee only visited the U.S. once since moving to Thailand, and that was to attend his sister’s marriage. CNBC Make It reports that he left New York City due to his feeling of being overly materialistic. He also felt the environment was “extremely individualistic, dogmatic, and hyper-aggressive.” Bangkok was a city that I found very interesting. It was very enjoyable. Lee: “It seemed affordable, and I thought it had a good culture. There were no major compromises.” Lee says he has built a life in Thailand and that he doesn’t see himself returning to America anytime soon. Lee said, “It took me a long time to discover that all the wealth I had amassed didn’t provide me with what I desired and did not give me satisfaction.” Lee’s Korean parents visited him at least three times a year since they moved from Thailand to South Korea. Paul Lee His parents, initially surprised that he had moved so far away, followed in his footsteps and moved to South Korea. Lee also travels with them to visit his parents in Bangkok. Lee says that it is one of the greatest perks to his new life as a Thai. He added, “At this point, although I make less money than I did in New York City I’m far more wealthy in terms my happiness, well-being and peace.” These are things that I was never able to accomplish back in the States. The OANDA rate for 1 Thai Baht = 0.02 US Dollars on July 1, 2020 was used. The amounts have been rounded up to the nearest $1. Learn how to become a confident and successful communicator with CNBC’s online course, Become an effective Communicator: master public speaking. You’ll learn how to communicate clearly, confidently and calm your nerves. We will also teach you what not to say as well as body language to create a good first impression. Use code EARLYBIRD to get a 30% discount on your first order until July 10th, 2024. Sign up to CNBC Make It’s Newsletter for tips on how to be successful at work, in your finances and life. Paul Lee,