Work–life balance in Singapore can feel relentless, and more young people — especially Gen Zs — are beginning to crave something else: a slower pace, more freedom, and a life that doesn’t require working endlessly just to afford basic comfort.
It’s why some have turned to freelance work or working remotely abroad, trading the stress at home for a lifestyle that feels more on their own terms.
One of them is Valerie, a Gen Z who moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to pursue new experiences, all while maintaining an surprisingly high quality of life on a modest budget.
On the latest episode of Gen Z Crash Course, Valerie is paid a visit by host Chen Qijia, who finds out what it’s really like living overseas alone as a young Singaporean.
Valerie spends her nine-to-five weekdays focused on her job as a freelance graphic designer, but her day is wildly different from what it would be if she stayed in Singapore.
“For lunch, a big difference is it that I order healthy food — like salad — from food delivery apps. In Singapore, that’s a luxury as healthy food is expensive, especially for one person,” she says.
