Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles

What would you do if the dream of owning your home seemed to be slipping away? For one Aussie mum, the solution was packing up her family and heading for exotic shores, trading Oz for the Land of Smiles.

Natalie Coulson, a 45 year old mother of one, had enough of Sydney’s spiralling property market. The fear of a lifetime of renting and slogging away at a tedious 9-to-5 was more terrifying than the prospect of moving abroad. In a bold twist of fate, she and her family left their three-bedroom duplex in Manly and embarked on a daring adventure in Thailand.

“It’s risky but living in Sydney was a bigger gamble.”

The Coulson clan – Natalie, her 60 year old partner Fred, and their five year old son Alex, decided it was now or never. After 10 years of overseeing the Sydney seascape, they waved it goodbye, lured by the promise of palm trees and affordable mango sticky rice in Phuket.

The family had been coughing up AU$1,295 (29,260 baht) weekly for rent alone and their aspirations of home ownership were growing increasingly out of reach. The solution? Relocation. An overseas property hunt beckoned, and Thailand’s sun-soaked beaches answered.

Sipping coffee amidst the tropical breeze, Natalie revealed she had made the right choice.

“Australia’s a nanny state now. Phuket feels more like the Australia I remember – the carefree 1980s but with modern conveniences.”

In July, the family bade farewell to surf, sand, and Sydney. The irony? Joining the real estate market in Thailand was smoother than expected.

The Coulsons now own a four-bedroom haven in an expat-friendly enclave, all for a cut-price AUD$1.2 million (27.1 million baht). Compare that to what they’d pay in Manly, and it’s an absolute steal. A kicker to the deal: in Thailand, you can buy a house, but leasing the land it stands on is the norm.

“It might sound odd, but it’s how things work here.”

While their Phuket dream home gets built, the family rents a luxurious three-bed pad with an overflow pool and panoramic vistas of the ocean for a breezy AUD$920 (21,000 baht) weekly.

“It’s posh, yes, but we get far more bang for our buck than in Sydney.”

The Thai lifestyle offers a new tapestry of experiences – think affordable markets, delicious street eats, and a pace of life that feels like a quaint country town. Artful and pragmatic, Natalie is juggling her Sydney-based marketing business and exploring possibilities left open by leaving her government contract behind. Meanwhile, Fred, previously a business analyst, is pivoting to a marketing guru role, taking advantage of new Asia-based ventures, reported the Daily Mail.

“We’re making a go of it.”

For the Coulsons, life in Phuket is liberating yet challenging. The language barrier poses occasional hurdles, though English’s prevalence offers a bubble-like respite at times. They diligently learn Thai – baby steps, as Natalie puts it – to forge genuine connections with locals.

And what of the day-to-day? Groceries are now a fraction of Sydney’s price, with market-fresh produce dramatically reducing their weekly bill to around AUD$50 (1,132 baht). Casual dining out is a steal too – fantastic meals for mere dollars are a joy they’ve quickly embraced.

Despite all the savings, one thing’s undeniable: the perks don’t just stop at a lower cost of living. Thai life offers tranquillity, a bonus respite from Sydney’s frantic rush. The Coulsons cherish the international school’s offerings for young Alex – an opportunity for him to thrive amidst vibrant ex-pat diversity.

Still, the adventure isn’t without its hurdles. The absence of Sydney’s efficient public transport is felt as they navigate their new home by car. Visa renewals are another reality check but, undeterred, they’re in it for the long haul, said Natalie.

“Thailand’s near enough that we can pop back to Oz whenever.”

Natalie’s advice to other Aussies eyeing the possibility of an overseas leap? Do your research, explore your local options, and ensure that the call of foreign lands matches your lifestyle aspirations.

After months of melty mango shakes and sun-soaked explorations, the Coulsons are certain: they’ve struck gold. Australia’s Hall of Shopping or late-night Sydney cinema treks might rankle as distant memories, but the promise of new culture, new beginnings, and new adventures prevails.

For Natalie and her brood, it’s clear: Thailand’s not just a change of address – it’s a fresh start. Where others tighten their purses, fearful of the unfamiliar, the Coulsons have bravely embraced a life that looks like a perpetual holiday but means the world to them.

Now, who said you can’t have your mango sticky rice and eat it too?