Living in Asia - Why Everyone Should Give It a Go

So I'm creating this thread to have a discussion about the pros and cons of moving to Asia.

A bit of background about myself - 35yo Male, Born and raised in Sydney now residing in Vietnam for the past 6 months.

After 2 long years of covid cooped up inside Australia, I decided I had enough of the rat race in Sydney and made the plunge to move overseas to a different country. Why Vietnam? Cheap cost of living, abundance of teaching jobs, rapidly developing infrastructure and amenities, amazing food and people, to name a few.

Most of my friends thought I was crazy - leaving a comfortable life in Oz to move to a completely different way of living and culture. In Oz, I had a high paying job, friends/family, mortgage paid off. I still question certain aspects of my decision today, and appreciate the things we had like free healthcare and being able to buy things like fresh milk and pasta that wont cost an arm and a leg!

However, in my opinion, I've made the right decision. Life was very mundane in Australia, it was mostly work, go home, gym, eat, repeat. Multiply by 5. Then have a couple days off then do it again. Not saying it was all bad, but after 35 years, I had enough. Not withstanding the insane cost of living - bills galore and only going up and up as most of you reading can attest.

Fast forward to today, Vietnam offers me so much more. In the spirit of Ozbargain, I'll detail my semi frugal life here. Cheap cost of living, inflation here is barely felt. Eating out, travel, entertainment, gym, does not cost an arm and a leg here. Vietnamese street food is incredible and cheap, even some of the western food I've had here is better than back home. Cheap rent (im paying $250/month for a studio near the beach), gym ($25/month), food (varies but no more than $5 a day for 3 filling meals) etc.
People here are way happier than back in Sydney (angry people everywhere) on much less, life does not end after 9pm like in Sydney where everyone is inside watching Netflix, just happy to wander around seeing all the sights, sounds and smells (life does not stop here)! Sitting street side sampling all the tasty delicacies on plastic tables and chairs brings me so much joy.

So just wanted to keep this fairly short, I just wanted to give my perspective on why I made the decision to move out of Australia and maybe inspire some reading who may have the same thought. Cost of living is only getting worse in Oz, housing crisis, every damn thing going up. Happy to hear your thoughts.

Cheers

closed Comments

                • +1

                  @Bargainitis: Its an interesting conversation to have, because im not sure many people fully understand the situation of many people in these places.

                  For example:

                  I was merely describing in the instance locals having angst against tourists. Here's a reality check - don't like dealing with tourists? don't work there.

                  They work in these tourist job’s because they have an opportunity to earn the official minimum wage and possibly get tips.
                  Many people working in jobs in Asia don’t even get the legal minimum wage and people working in some industries are completely reliant on what ever work comes in.
                  Considering the minimum wage in many asian countries is between $2-400 aud a month and you would be lucky to have that guaranteed…

                  Its not really a matter of if you don’t like it, leave.

                  You seem to be offended with the "master / slave" comment. The words might be a little outdated but conceptually very real. I am a slave to my boss, in turn he is a slave to his superiors. I am a slave to my bank. Again, raw words but its accurate.

                  That’s because it is an offensive term, especially when used in the context of one race using the other.
                  I understand what your trying to say, but thats a very poor way to put it.

                  Takes two to tango, again, not their fault that there is a market over in Asia wanting white guys.

                  They don’t generally want to date a white guy because he is white, it’s generally because he is perceived as financially well off or a novelty.
                  The power is one sided.

                  I make no judgment about people’s dating lives, but it’s not a level playing field.

                  • @El cheepo: 1) take it or leave it

                    Again, its driven by the pursuit of money right but i'm not sure how you link OP's story which involves him paying market rates (potentially slightly ripped off vs a true local to be honest) to minimum wage in Asia. Sure I'm sympathetic to the low wages there (but lower cost of living, etc) but OP isn't there to squeeze everyone of their money. He is spending it (frankly overspending it) like everyone else?

                    They choose to work in certain areas because it pays more. That area is driven by tourism. I'm going to say this for a 11th time. Most tourists do the right thing. Stop focusing on the bad cases. There are bad cases everywhere. Just like when a tourist enters a street mall in Ho Chi Minh and pays 12x the market rate for a straw handbag. Do you care about that? or do you take the view that since the tourist is "Wealthier", its okay to rip them off? hmmm…. perhaps a morale question.

                    2) slave / master

                    Thats because you take the term too literal. All I'm getting at is that we all have a place in society. I serve someone today, I am being served by someone tomorrow. I serve someone else the day after. Don't get caught up on the term. Its the practical part that I'm trying to convey. That is life.

                    3) dating

                    Well I would argue the issue is more about upbringing and culture. If you are teaching your kids that money is everything then sure, this happens right?

                    • @Bargainitis: I think we will disagree on many points - And that’s perfectly fine.

                      Peoples lives and experiences shape their thinking and mindset and it can be difficult to see things from different perspectives without experiencing it first hand.

                      I am not asian, but i have seen both sides of the fence and i think it is something many people that visit asia will never understand.

                      Even after living in several asian countries I don’t fully understand or agree with their culture or ways but i can understand and empathise a bit more with them.

                      But that is why I originally said i found it refreshing to read P1 ama’s comments (which aren’t all directly related to the op, but foreigners abroad in general)

                      Most Aussies don’t and won’t understand the culture and differences between them and their Asian counterparts while abroad.
                      Which is also fine, but it is ignorant to make posts like this without understanding the country your recommending.

                • -1

                  @Bargainitis: "Lastly, the topic of white guys going abroad and dating Asian girls. Historically, I might have thought about it how you described it but I'm indifferent to it now. Takes two to tango, again, not their fault that there is a market over in Asia wanting white guys."

                  It's not necessarily white guys, it's just that white people generally come from wealthier countries and have more money (not hard when we're talking about a developing country). My ethnically East Asian friend recently holidayed in the Philippines and told me about how much more successful he was on Tinder over there compared to here. Compared to the local income, the average wage in AU is hot stuff.

    • But that's the point, no? He has the privilege of being an Australian with wealth and status, and he is using it to live an engaging life in a cheaper country rather than mundane life in Australia, where most of his money went just to surviving.

      Will it last? Probably not, but that's not the point. Even if he returns, he will have good memories. He is pitching to others to give it a go.

      Is it morally wrong? Maybe, but who are we to judge?

    • Going by OP's post history, he's the kind of white guy you see growing older but picking up younger viet girls down at Bui Vien Street. He takes advantage of their desperation

  • Sounds like Australia before the "Big RUSH".

  • +1

    the healthcare in vietnam is awful and the infrastructure is dogshit, not to mention the pollution. i hope to god the OP isn't one of those english teachers trying to make it on youtube ffs.

  • +6

    Couldn't agree more. We stayed overnight at a Holiday Inn in Box Hill when I was younger. The people were very welcoming and the food was amazing (Dad got us Maccas).

  • +2

    I literally moved to Asia last week.

    However, the decision was purely to make more money and then eventually go home.

    Expat life ends sooner or later. Not many people can sustain it forever.

    • Where in Asia?

      Also do you have a mortgage here?

      I’m trying to understand your make money angle.

      • +5

        Where in Asia?

        Philippines

        Also do you have a mortgage here?

        I have a mortgage in Australia, yes. It's big but even back home, we were fine with the repayments.

        I’m trying to understand your make money angle.

        Wife has a highly paid expat job. I got made redundant earlier this year so we just both left when she got her offer.

      • If you have a decent paying job in asia or even a low paying Australian job that can be done remotely, its quite easy to save money.

        If your living costs in asia are around $2-300 a week but making $700pw, easy money saved.
        I've known a few English teachers to be getting a salary of 2-3k a month, some contractors get $50ph.

        (As the op mentioned its quite possible to rent a decent place for a few hundred a month in many places and cost of living is low.)

    • +1

      how are you making more money in Asia?

  • +11

    I could go to any poor country and spend my AUD. Nothing special. I’ll keep my Australian life with safe streets, clean water and a medicare/pension system. Are you saying you would sell your house, transfer all of your money to a Vietnamese bank and raise a family in Vietnam long term? Of course you wouldn’t.

    • This.

  • +16

    OP has a paid off house in Sydney and is receiving rent. Won't say how much he earns in Vietnam.. but maybe the title of the post should be 'Why Everyone Receiving Passive Income From Australia Should Give It a Go'.

    • +2

      Exactly, it’s a very privileged position to be able to do what they’re doing.

    • TIL OPs house is actually a 2 bedroom duplex in Ambarvale

      • +1

        Well the way things are going I'm sure that will be out of reach of many soon enough.

        • +1

          tbh probably is for the demographic who live in that area and the jobs available to them

    • If only there were enough rental properties for every man, woman, and child in Australia to be able to count on owning one to line their pockets while living like kings in Vietnam. Perhaps we could all rent each other's investment properties if we all owned one, ensuring we all got rich, haha.

  • +9

    Thanks OP.

    Wow some really judgmental people in here!

    My wife and I are considering spending a good chunk of our early retirement abroad. We hope to pull up stumps around 50 and then spend a couple of years in Malaysia as a launching pad to explore greater Asia, and then spend a few years in Spain/Portugal/Wherever has a favorable visa program at the time to do the same across Europe. We don't plan on working and will be fully self-funded retirees at that point. I have spent a large chunk of my working life abroad (currently in Papua New Guinea) so share your sentiment about exploring new cultures and venues. We will eventually move back to Aus, but we are very excited about exiting the rat race and spending about 10 years abroad.

    • +1

      My wife and I are considering spending a good chunk of our early retirement abroad

      Lots of people are doing this these days. I know someone in Thailand living on the AU pension as she can get a better life there on the pension.
      Also know some people on the retirement visa in Portugal - they really enjoy it, there are lots of struggles etc - but the decision to go was in part about money. If they were to live in Australia, they wouldn't be in nearly as good position and would most likely need to continue working and couldn't retire as early.

      Some people do that, then return to Aus and just go on the pension.

    • Do you have any concern about Indonesia's involvement in Papua New Guinea?

    • I'm going to do the same but I'm a bit young for it although I've saved enough.

  • +10

    I agree, moved to the UK for 13 years. Never missed Australia once. So much European travel and different ways of life. Came back as kids and grandkids became a strong pull. Most Ozzie's are stuck in this little bubble and never try anything different. I did it in my 40s so not young. Compared to Europe,travel and history Australia offers nothing to compare. Get out and experience life I say.

    • When the kids are a bit older we'll be able to do Europe for weeks/months (we're homeschooling so easier). But the hot weather and trend is making this more problematic in summer/

    • yer so I guess you havent been back and lived in the UK recently then (post brexit and covid)

      because you would be begging to come home in the state it is now

      • a lot of 38C in the Northern Hemisphere in the last week - place to be ? not for me !

  • +6

    Mate, as long as you're happy that's what matters.

    It's always easy to just go along with the status quo and not go beyond one's comfort zone, and reading your post, you had a comfortable life in Sydney. Some ppl like stability and some ppl chase adventures/new opportunities.

    Do what you need to do with you life, as long it's not harming anyone else.

    Best of luck with this new phase in your life.

  • +1

    You mean to say that people should try and live in Vietnam. Living in Asia is like saying living in Africa, live in Singapore and cheap goes out the door, etc.

    I agree that Vietnam is amazing - once I left HCM, I will live there one day due to cheap and good quality food etc.

    Don’t forget though that things like healthcare is many steps behind what is considered normal in Australia. If you can not afford it then you can die, learnt this from experience recently with a Vietnamese relative who is currently In treatment for a serious illness. Taking this into amount though I would much prefer the Vietnamese way of life.

  • +11

    So I'm creating this thread to have a discussion about the pros and cons of ….

    What is the point of making this statement at the start of your first post ever and then not taking any part in the discussion?

    There were responses within minutes of the original post that you could have engaged with but you seem to have posted then run away.

    Do you throw this sort of thing out there for your own amusement or do you really want to have a discussion?

    Is this yet another version of the 'humble brag' that is becoming more and more common?

    • +11

      There were responses within minutes of the original post that you could have engaged with but you seem to have posted then run away.

      It was about 6.30pm Saturday night in Vietnam when he posted this. Straight after posting, he had to go out on the town to meet Vietnamese women - who are more open to him, than back in Aus.

      • Straight after posting, he had to go out on the town to meet Vietnamese women - who are more open to him, than back in Aus.

        I overlooked the timezone difference (I just assume everyone else in the world should be happy to follow our lead as we are the superior ones apparently /s)

        So we should start seeing much more involvement from the OP real soon then - he (I make an assumption here) will be resting up after a much better night than he ever had whilst here in Australia so will have time on his hands to get much more involved in the discussion he apparently intended.

      • +2

        those poor Vietnamese women

        I wonder if OP wears a bintang singlet around

      • Lol!

  • +27

    I’d love to do the same except for the part about being a sex pest.

  • How are you contributing to the country and its people or is it just take, take, take?
    If the latter, I can't see your enjoyment and satisfaction lasting very long unless perhaps your intention is to be totally selfish for the rest of your life. And then you will wonder why life has not delivered the fulfillment you crave so you will likely blame external circumstances or conditions and maybe look for somewhere else to live or something else to distract you from your feeling of dissatisfaction.
    If you can find some way to contribute positively in your local community, then by all means continue to share more equitably in the local environment and community activities. When I read posts such as yours, I feel almost ashamed of being white and would find it hard to hold my head up if I were to visit such a country without a definite intention and plan to make a positive contribution whilst living there. Giving and helping is so much more satisfying than just enjoying the spoils. Change your attitude and it could be a win-win.

    • +5

      Take take take is a proud part of white history.

    • +2

      Why the negative assumption?

      For starters, he is likely paying local taxes which means he is contributing. Then he is also spending money there - again - contributing?

      How do you define "contributing"? Keen to understand how you contribute yourself?

    • They're bringing money into the country and probably over-paying for goods and services over there, so yeah?

    • OP is contributing to the economy by living and working there while paying for local goods and services. Ashamed of being white? Give us a break!

      Did OP say they were white btw?

    • Why does the level of societal contribution need to increase for a white person living in Asia to a white person living in Australia?

  • +4

    It's pretty obvious this guy is what's known in Asia as a '(profanity) boy'

    • +3

      OP even said it himself

      "Dating here is also WAY easier"

    • Skater boy he said seeyalaterboy

    • -1

      i would just call white trash lol

      • I see more white trash in Australia than in Asia.

  • +3

    After seeing someone first hand suffer the bad part of the law (Thailand), once things turn south, you'll wish you were home on Oz.

    • Don't leave us hanging, what happened?

      • He only gets internet 1 hour a week from his Thai prison, we might have to wait.

  • passport bros up

  • +4

    found it

    "Dating here is also WAY easier"

    OP went their to bang 18yr old chicks

    • "chicks"

    • +1

      Sincerely hope the number starts at 18

      • Yes min 18

        Otherwise we might be watching OP on a 60 minutes investigative report next year

        • Haah crime stopper

  • +3

    This thread surely didn't pan out the way OP had hoped.

    • +1

      He forgot that most OzBargainers are Asian, and that either their parents or they themselves left Asia to Aus in search of a better life, so surprise surprise when there's few people who agree with this whole "living in Asia is better" schtick. Doesn't help that there clearly seems to be ulterior motives behind his move to there…

      • +4

        Why do u think most here at asians?

        • +3

          Maybe we should start a poll

        • +2

          Because he's likely basing his opinion on the Sydney OzBargain meetup photos.

        • +1

          Because it is.

    • -1

      It certainly didn't.

      Perhaps the OP was naive in not understanding the depth of bigotry that runs through OzB.

  • +6

    “people here are less flaky and more open”

    You really don’t know people there mate. There are good and bad people everywhere. And while it’s true people enjoy life with a lot less, your quality of life is very high standards compared to the average locals. You’re a male with a foreign passport to an English speaking country, that’s a ticket out for most females. Don’t lose sight of that and you’ll be ok. Life there can be very enjoyable and I wish you the best.

    • +7

      Step 1: find gullible western man to marry
      Step 2: use him as a bridge to australia
      Step 3: bring family over
      Step 4: divorce & profit

      • +4

        Nailed it . Thats exactly what the girls see in him over there .

      • +2

        All they have to do is feed his ego and belly with some delicious meals and hey presto, I live in the westo

        • +1

          rub his tummy - get his money !

  • +2

    I don't understand. The only difference you have really noted is that YOU wander around after 9pm. Sydney is one of the best looking cities in the world to wander around after 9pm, plenty going on and mostly safe?
    Maybe Vietnam is more to your taste, maybe it's still just got an exotic vibe for you.
    But you haven't give any compelling advantages. Sure if you move there with access to Australian income I can see the advantage. But working locally I expect your income would be to the scale of your expense.
    'mortgage paid off', does this mean you are lording with your Aussie cash, sounds like you can't complain then it's the advantages you had in Australia that gave you the financial means and education to do what you are doing.

  • +1

    Interested to know which city you're in?

    Personally I found Hanoi and Saigon too busy and for me. And there aren't as many green fields/parks as there are in Oz. Having said that Vietnamese food is fantastic.

  • +1

    Just don't get sick (cancer, anything that needs surgery, etc).

  • -3

    As long as you have a home to return to in Sydney other then that it's foolish.

    Getting back into Sydney will be impossible now, say goodbye Medicare.

    Shane warne sends you he's love

  • +6

    Life was very mundane in Australia, it was mostly work, go home, gym, eat, repeat.

    that sounds like a you problem more than a continent problem lmao. what a ridiculous take.

    to paraphrase a great SNL bit, if you're bored in at home, you'll be bored in southeast asia. if you're depressed at home, you'll be depressed in southeast asia.

    • If you don't get laid at home you…will get laid there I guess.

  • I was looking at moving to Singapore straight out of uni (family ties there.) Looked at the jobs and realised the cost-wage relationship didn't add up.

    6 day weeks sometimes - 10 hour days, western levels of rent.
    Biggest benefit to me was the possibility of being an expat, cheap food and climate (love the humidity).

    Overally realised it wasn't worth it and stayed in Australia.
    Yes its mundane, but the wage/cost of living scenario still adds up better here.

    Vietnam would be amazing (if i spoke vietnamese.)

  • +1

    I respect people's decision but if you choose to live and set up a life in Asia, please only have sex or get a girlfriend above the age of 16.

    • +3

      Or if ur 35 make it at least 18 and that's still 'ick'.

    • 18 and above

    • @ripesashi
      username checks out

    • 16?!

    • 18 is AOC in Vietnam.

      16 is Australia.

  • Vietnam is great I am living there right now, nice appartment less than 1k AUD per month, things are affordable compared to Australia, traffic is pretty crazy though.

    Descent internet speeds, there are good hospitals too, if you should ever need them.

    If you have even a modest Australian salary or retired on super you could easily live very well here.

    • Descent internet speeds

      The one thing every country has over us…

      • You are right there especially upstream!

  • Can I ask. How did you find a job before you moved? What was the order of finding a job, place to stay etc. What field of work are you in?

    You didn't mention but I'm assuming no family? If so, how do you find the schooling and health care there?

  • +4

    Wow. The negativity in this thread for someone choosing a different lifestyle option.

    How about some constructive (I know, it's ozbargain) discussion, such as:

    • What are the practical steps to making that move?
    • How do you find a place to rent with out being ripped off.
    • Anything else to be wary of?
    • Did you experience any communications difficulties?
    • Wow. The negativity in this thread for someone choosing a different lifestyle option.

      Because people are bitter and never miss an opportunity to try and put others down. It's like when condom deals are posted and people make jokes about a lifetime supply, except they aren't actually joking.

    • +1 Would be keen to hear especially on how to choose which town and how to find an accom without having to pay too much 'expat' premium

  • +1

    What do you do in Vietnam ? Because I know it's not CHEAP for local people. Unless you r getting paid in Au n living there.

  • +9

    As a Vietnamese born in Vietnam, moved to Australia when I was 15, and now working and living in Australia, all OP's points about Australia's life being "mundane", are actually the exact reasons I love living here. Compared to most of my peers in Vietnam whom jobs are not that stable, income is not really high, terrible environment (pollution, traffic jam, no close by beaches, mountains for hiking, etc), I believe life in Australia is really good for us as a young family. Stable employment (relatively), good income, best nature scenery and places, great healthcare system (in my opinion still much better than places like USA or Vietnam). I still love Vietnam at heart, and often come back to visit my family once or twice a year. But to actually live there now, I would seriously think again.

    Of course, all this depend on your own personal circumstances. Some may enjoy life in Vietnam more, especially if you are single or not having a child yet.

  • +5

    People are salty on here because OP can enjoy KFC at very low prices.

    • +2

      is this a sarcastic comment? Because KFC in Vietnam actually costs equal or even more expensive than in Australia. I have tried KFC there and that's the truth.

      • haha yes fast food costs are about the same!!

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