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Work\u2013life balance<\/a> in Singapore can feel relentless, and more young people \u2014 especially Gen Zs<\/a> \u2014 are beginning to crave something else: a slower pace, more freedom, and a life that doesn\u2019t require working endlessly just to afford basic comfort.<\/p>\n It’s why some have turned to freelance work or working remotely abroad<\/a>, trading the stress at home for a lifestyle that feels more on their own terms.<\/p>\n One of them is\u00a0Valerie<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n On the latest episode of Gen Z Crash Course<\/em><\/a>, Valerie is paid a visit by host Chen Qijia<\/a>, who finds out what it\u2019s really like living overseas alone as a young Singaporean.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor lunch, a big difference is it that I order healthy food \u2014 like salad \u2014 from food delivery apps. In Singapore, that\u2019s a luxury as healthy food is expensive, especially for one person,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n After work, she grabs dinner around her neighbourhood, \u201cas it has amazing street food, caf\u00e9s and restaurants,\u201d adding that she could spontaneously decide to do her nails just because she can.<\/p>\n On the weekends, her priority is exploring and recharging.<\/p>\n She goes on road trips, signs up for activities like pottery classes, and also visits nearby markets where bargains are everywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n “The slower pace of life here makes me feel more relaxed amidst my busy work schedule,” she adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Valerie lives alone in a studio apartment. She buys her trinkets and furnishings from Lazada, and has also thrifted a lot of pieces in the time she’s lived in Thailand.<\/p>\n Her rent? S$500 a month. Safety, as well as location, are her priorities. “I picked this place because there is 24\/7 security here, and it’s also very central,” she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Having her own space is something she doesn\u2019t take for granted.<\/p>\n “I even have a gratitude journal… the first line [I write] is ‘I’m so thankful for having my own space’. Many people my age are still living with their parents or waiting for their BTO. As you grow older, having your own personal space becomes very important,” she says,<\/p>\n Since it’s not advisable to drink the water from tap, Valerie orders her drinking water through her receptionist and gets an entire carton of glass-bottled mineral water for only S$3.\u00a0<\/p>\n She spends S$1,500 a month on rent, utilities, food, transport, and weekend activities. She earns her money through freelance gigs and says she knows writers and marketers who do the same.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
She estimates the same place in Singapore would cost over S$2,000.<\/p>\n