I knew Bangkok would be cheaper than New York. I didn't expect it to feel so much kinder.

Erasmo Guerra and his partner find life in Bangkok more affordable and the people to be kinder.

Provided by Erasmo Guerra

It was easier to leave our New York life than we thought it would be.My partner, James, and I had both lived there since the '90s. But downtown Manhattan had lost both its appeal and its affordability. The spike in hate crimes against Asian and LGBTQ+ communities also left us feeling unsafe. The streets felt mean.I was already working remotely for a New York literary magazine and freelancing on the side, while James had left his design job at a consulting firm, so we were no longer tied to the city for work.

Two years ago, after we were approved for Thailand's five-year visa for remote workers, we packed up the life we'd built together over 17 years in New York — I'd been living in the city for 31 years.We squeezed everything into a basement storage unit, rented out our studio apartment in downtown Manhattan, and moved to Thailand. The rental income now helps cover the mortgage, though we still pay the monthly common charges.The move surprised even me. Although we'd bought an apartment in Bangkok in 2021, I'd never imagined living outside the US.

The one-bedroom apartment in Bangkok has an infinity pool on the roof.