Australian expat Jay Houston says he has cut his rent to a quarter of what he paid in Australia after moving to Thailand, and is now running an online business to help other Australians make the move.
Houston, 50, told 7News he can live what he describes as a luxury lifestyle for $1,800 a month, as rising living costs and pressure on household budgets prompt more Australians to consider working or living overseas.
The Thailand costs he cites
Speaking while sitting beside a pool at his condominium, Houston said: "This is my office, I'm in no hurry to leave it."
He said he lives in a "beautiful high-security condominium" with two pools, paying $630 a month in rent. His power bill is $60, water costs $4 and Wi-Fi costs $2, he said.
"I finish (work) by 2pm and then hit the beaches... I've got the best half of my life ahead of me," he told the broadcaster.
Houston also said his retirement visa with multiple exit permit, allows him to fly in and out of Thailand as often as he likes.
Business built around moving abroad
Houston has launched an online business offering guidance to Australians on insurance, visas and finding housing in Thailand.
He said the venture grew from his own difficult experience after first moving overseas. Houston selected the wrong medical insurance policy, an error he said was costly and almost killed him.
Thailand remains a popular base for foreign retirees, remote workers and long-term visitors, although the costs and paperwork involved can vary considerably according to location, accommodation choices and an individual's visa and healthcare needs.
Australian households under pressure
Recent Australian data has pointed to more people looking overseas for work and relief from the cost of living crisis.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed the number of Australians holding more than one job passed one million for the first time. Full-time employment fell by 6,000 in August, while part-time employment increased by 39,000.
KPMG chief economist Brendan Rynne said the figures suggested Australia's economy was weakening.
"Households are still feeling the pinch of higher inflation," he said. "Households are scrambling to find more income to help cover their rising day-to-day expenses and future increases in mortgage payments."
Picture courtesy of Daily Mail
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26 September 2026
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