A divorced Australian father-of-four has revealed why he walked away from life Down Under for a fresh start in Thailand.
A Growing Disillusionment
Former media producer Jeff Asselin, who spent 25 years working in the education sector, said the Covid era marked the beginning of his disillusionment with Australia. He said he felt increasingly isolated after choosing not to get vaccinated during the pandemic – an experience that reshaped how he sees Australia today.
'It felt like I'd gone from being a valued member of society to someone on the outside,' he said. 'Not long after, I was made redundant, and I wasn't alone.'
The 56-year-old said being made redundant twice in two years left him feeling on the brink both professionally and financially despite decades of experience and completing a master's degree to remain competitive in the workforce.
'Over two years, I applied for more than 50 jobs,' Jeff said. 'On paper, I was consistently a strong match. But in interviews, I often sensed decisions were being made very quickly and not always based on experience or capability. It was difficult not to feel that age was becoming a factor.'
Financial Strain
At the same time, the soaring cost of rent and bills were taking their toll. Despite living what he described a 'modest and frugal' lifestyle, Jeff was spending close to $7,500 a month while renting alone after his divorce. He said living costs were becoming unmanageable, and blamed government mismanagement for fuelling the housing crisis.
'It felt like ordinary Australians were being priced out of stability due to mass immigration,' he said. Jeff said he was frustrated by working hard enough to own two properties, yet he couldn't comfortably live in either – one remained with his ex-wife after their divorce, while the other was tied up in his self-managed super fund.
'I was never someone chasing luxury cars, boats or an extravagant lifestyle,' he said. 'Most of my focus was on trying to build long-term security while supporting my four children. I worked hard, stayed out of major debt, and invested as responsibly as I could. But despite earning what many people would consider a good income, it increasingly felt like there was nothing left at the end of the month for myself.'
Jeff said by far the biggest expense was taxation, followed closely by the 'extraordinarily expensive' cost of keeping a roof over his head. 'Then came soaring power prices, utilities, insurance, and everyday living costs,' he said. 'Financially I still felt like I was standing still.'
A New Life in Thailand
His frustration ultimately made him decide to move to Thailand, where he now lives comfortably on about $1,500 a month while running the growing YouTube channel Aussie Nomad Life documenting expat life in Southeast Asia. Jeff said the move had given him optimism about the future after years of feeling financially and emotionally exhausted in Australia.
'In Thailand, I felt welcomed and valued again,' he said. He said thousands of Australians had contacted him expressing similar frustrations with housing affordability, job insecurity and the rising cost of living. 'A lot of people feel stuck,' Jeff said. 'They feel financially exhausted and disconnected from the life they thought hard work would provide.'
Personal Costs
Despite embracing his new life overseas, Jeff admitted leaving Australia came at a personal cost. 'The hardest part has unquestionably been missing my kids,' he said. 'No lifestyle change or lower cost of living replaces being close to your children.'
Jeff said his family was initially unsupportive of his move to Thailand, but their perspective shifted as they saw what he had built both personally and professionally. 'Their minds immediately went to the usual stereotypes that often come with a middle-aged man moving to Thailand,' he said. 'There was an assumption that this was some kind of impulsive midlife crisis or that I was simply running away to start a new relationship with a younger Thai woman.'
But the reality, as it turned out, was a little more complicated than the stereotype suggested. He did find love with a local Thai woman who often features in his adventures. Together they live in a two-bedroom cabin costing just $106 a month, with power setting him back around $21 a month and cheap, high-speed internet that leaves Australian speeds in the dust.
'It's unbelievable for where I am,' he said. 'In Australia I couldn't even get 50 download, 20 upload on fibre-to-the-node and it cost more than my rent here.'
True Freedom
Despite the low costs, Jeff insists he's not living a life of luxury. 'I don't sit around bars all day, I'm focused on my business, my health and a new relationship,' he said. 'I love my simple life here but the best part is I'm not trapped, I'm not tied down by mortgages or debt. This is true freedom.'
While he still misses aspects of Australia, Jeff said he no longer felt aligned with the government or the social climate back home. 'Leaving felt a bit like walking away from a relationship that had become emotionally exhausting,' he said. 'A growing number of people feel disconnected from the political system because they no longer believe governments are acting in the long-term interests of the public. There's a growing feeling that governments are managing the country more like a corporation than a society where economic growth figures matter more than quality of life for ordinary citizens.'
Jeff plans to permanently settle in Thailand once he reaches 60 and can access his superannuation. His story comes as a growing number of Australians look overseas for a more affordable lifestyle.
'This is what retirement looks like when you stop following the rules,' he said. 'I gave my country 40 years of loyalty. I did the grind and played by the rules and what did I get? But I didn't leave Australia to escape life; I left because I finally wanted to have one.'
