A British man who left the UK due to rising living costs says he now lives comfortably in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on just GBP800 a month, compared with more than GBP3,000 a month previously. Robert Hoadley, 45, from Portsmouth, relocated in 2025 and says the move has given him greater financial freedom, improved work-life balance and a healthier lifestyle.

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Robert spent years working in construction before deciding to leave the UK. He said he had become frustrated by working long hours simply to cover increasing expenses and felt he had little freedom to enjoy life. After deciding he did not want to wait until retirement to pursue a different lifestyle, he sold everything he owned and moved more than 6,000 miles away to Thailand.

Now based in Chiang Mai, Robert works online as a content creator, producing material about the cost of living and relocating abroad. He is developing multiple online income streams that allow him to work remotely. His social media platform, Sea Turkey Adventures, has attracted more than 6,000 followers, with some videos receiving over 200,000 views.

Robert says daily life in Thailand is significantly less stressful. He highlighted lower living costs, affordable leisure activities and a wider range of lifestyle options, including gyms, cafes, swimming pools and outdoor pursuits. He also noted that pints can cost as little as GBP2, although he says he now drinks less than he did in the UK and focuses more on health, fitness and routine.

According to Robert, one of the biggest benefits is the reduced financial pressure. He said many people underestimate how far money can stretch abroad and believes Thailand offers good food, friendly people, a strong expatriate community and a high quality of life at a fraction of UK costs. He added that the warmer climate and more relaxed pace of life have also contributed to his overall happiness.

Despite the positives, Robert acknowledges there are aspects of Britain he still misses. He cited friends and family, traditional pub culture, certain foods and what he described as the UK’s distinctive sense of humour and sarcasm. He said those qualities are difficult to replace, even though he is satisfied with his decision to move overseas.

The Mirror reported that as he continues building his online business and audience, Robert says he remains committed to his new life in Thailand. His experience reflects a growing interest among some Britons in seeking lower living costs and different lifestyles abroad while maintaining remote sources of income.

Pictures courtesy of The Mirror

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 13 June 2026

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He's living the absolute dream on £800 a month... right up until Burning Season hits, and he has to spend his entire budget on air purifiers and inhalers.

What type of Visa would he be using then?

Me and my wife live comfortably on Bht 35000 per month here in Phitsanulok. House & cars are paid for. We do not frequent bars as the nearest one is 30 km away. Most food bought in local market. Air-con only when over 30 outside. Also pay 7000 per month for son's College.

I’m just wondering how sustainable this really is long term.

Content creators will face quite a few challenges in the future.

The typical mistake is leaving your country and cutting the string completely, with no real return plan.

Hopefully he has thought that part through.

Good luck to him

Awesome! Just another Brit that goes out in the papers with something others found out long time ago.

9 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Content creators will face quite a few challenges in the future.

Again Hummin! Please tell me how you know that? What are you basing you senseless reply on this time?

A couple of his videos popped up on my facebook feed. He comes across as a leveled headed nice fella, sort of guy you would have a chat with over a beer.

His content is not my bag, but I can see why others with limited funds contemplating a move here would find it interesting.

Welcome to Chiang Mai Rob.👌

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Now based in Chiang Mai, Robert works online as a content creator,

What's his annual income tax.

I don't suppose there's much left of that 800 sterling.

I don't believe this man is only 45.

23 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The typical mistake is leaving your country and cutting the string completely, with no real return plan.

I moved here permanently in 2009 to join a band in Pattaya, and to be with my then GF. Gradually removed all ties with UK, and am quite happy that I did. No way could I live the way I do now, in a warm, friendly country, on my UK State Pension.

I speak with family almost every day, thank you Whats App.

My NORD VPN and IPTV app allow me to watch whatever I want.

2 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I moved here permanently in 2009 to join a band in Pattaya, and to be with my then GF. Gradually removed all ties with UK, and am quite happy that I did. No way could I live the way I do now, in a warm, friendly country, on my UK State Pension.

I speak with family almost every day, thank you Whats App.

My NORD VPN and IPTV app allow me to watch whatever I want.

What was more sustainable, being a musician back then, or social media today? We do not really know, do we? How old were you? And did you already have a pension?

Obviously, you are one of the winners. Not everyone is so lucky, and many struggle. Thailand versus the UK? I do not know what is worse.

And honestly, I truly believe that for a good life in Thailand, you need a good partner, especially if you are dependent on making a living here. We also know little about him and how he plans to secure his future. Maybe he has more foundation than we know.

10 minutes ago, Packer said:

I don't believe this man is only 45.

Shaming peoples look now ?

12 minutes ago, Packer said:

I don't believe this man is only 45.

You looking to date him?😏

27 minutes ago, Packer said:

I don't believe this man is only 45.

He looks very puzzled.😉

While life might seem good for this man right now, I wonder if he has thought about the long-term finances that will be needed as he ages. Is he still contributing to his UK state pension? If he is on a DTV visa now, then bear in mind that it's a once-off visa of 5 years, and no re-application for a further 5 years is allowed under the visa rules.

And why is his photo mirrored (back-to-front)? Do these content providers not check their content for 'technical' correctness before posting it?

As an Ausralian pensioner, there are two main issues that prevent me from retiring in Thailand. First, I have completely free medical care in Australia, and second, because I'm concerned with my health and want to live as long as possible, it doesn't make sense to live in a country that gets an unhealthy haze due to burn-off every year.

Give him a break, he has the migrant dream of a better life.

No mention of gofundme

The man is right. Thailand is cheap, but there are other issues too. Traffic is terrible, airpollution not healthy, imported food and drinks very expendise, and the tax is also more than in other countries. But with a normal life, it is fine to live with 35k a month. In Europe impossible. It seems that everything is only positive here, but unfortunatelly that is not true, but that is not mentioned by the man

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Give him a break, he has the migrant dream of a better life.

But not at the expense of the Thai Government 😏

2 minutes ago, Celsius said:

No mention of gofundme

Bet that's p!ssed you off 😉

Only one of many thousands regurgitating the same old rubbish...nothing new here to see

1 hour ago, wil iam not said:

Me and my wife live comfortably on Bht 35000 per month here in Phitsanulok. House & cars are paid for. We do not frequent bars as the nearest one is 30 km away. Most food bought in local market. Air-con only when over 30 outside. Also pay 7000 per month for son's College.

But you just sit around doing nothing.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

What type of Visa would he be using then?

I was wondering that.

Yes can live comfortably on that amount you wouldn’t spend that much when you’ve been there a long time and know the people in the market etc so they don’t cheat you, most spending is on visa runs etc and be careful of the women or your money will soon finish.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A British man who left the UK due to rising living costs says he now lives comfortably in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on just GBP800 a month, compared with more than GBP3,000 a month previously. Robert Hoadley, 45, from Portsmouth, relocated in 2025 and says the move has given him greater financial freedom, improved work-life balance and a healthier lifestyle.

Get today's headlines by email

Robert spent years working in construction before deciding to leave the UK. He said he had become frustrated by working long hours simply to cover increasing expenses and felt he had little freedom to enjoy life. After deciding he did not want to wait until retirement to pursue a different lifestyle, he sold everything he owned and moved more than 6,000 miles away to Thailand.

Now based in Chiang Mai, Robert works online as a content creator, producing material about the cost of living and relocating abroad. He is developing multiple online income streams that allow him to work remotely. His social media platform, Sea Turkey Adventures, has attracted more than 6,000 followers, with some videos receiving over 200,000 views.

Robert says daily life in Thailand is significantly less stressful. He highlighted lower living costs, affordable leisure activities and a wider range of lifestyle options, including gyms, cafes, swimming pools and outdoor pursuits. He also noted that pints can cost as little as GBP2, although he says he now drinks less than he did in the UK and focuses more on health, fitness and routine.

According to Robert, one of the biggest benefits is the reduced financial pressure. He said many people underestimate how far money can stretch abroad and believes Thailand offers good food, friendly people, a strong expatriate community and a high quality of life at a fraction of UK costs. He added that the warmer climate and more relaxed pace of life have also contributed to his overall happiness.

Despite the positives, Robert acknowledges there are aspects of Britain he still misses. He cited friends and family, traditional pub culture, certain foods and what he described as the UK’s distinctive sense of humour and sarcasm. He said those qualities are difficult to replace, even though he is satisfied with his decision to move overseas.

The Mirror reported that as he continues building his online business and audience, Robert says he remains committed to his new life in Thailand. His experience reflects a growing interest among some Britons in seeking lower living costs and different lifestyles abroad while maintaining remote sources of income.

Pictures courtesy of The Mirror

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 13 June 2026

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Well, everybody is free to make mistakes. 😂😂😂

Forty five is much too young to retire, but can't really blame the guy as the UK's gone to the dogs, too woke, too violent, too expensive, immigration out of control, corrupt politicians, etc.

But I bet there's way more cheddar to be made in construction work than online content creation.

The main thing I miss is the English countryside. Thailand just ain't the same for hiking.

21 minutes ago, roo860 said:

But not at the expense of the Thai Government 😏

I’d have to see his health insurance before I answered that.