For many Singaporeans, starting a new life abroad is just a dream.
But for 28-year-old Carissa Chan and her 31-year-old partner Darryl Ng, it became a reality when they decided to pack up their lives and move to Bangkok — dog included — three months ago.
According to the couple, the decision to move was a relatively spontaneous one.
Having rented together in Singapore for the past two years, the pair began considering their next move when the lease was nearing its end. With rent here feeling “too expensive”, they began considering moving to another place — this time, out of the country.
Why Bangkok?
The two places they shortlisted were Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
After visiting both countries to view apartments and get a sense of the life there, they ultimately decided on the latter.
@asiaone For many Singaporeans, starting a new life abroad may be a dream — but for Carissa Chan and her partner Darryl Ng, it became a reality when they packed up their lives in Singapore and moved to Bangkok with their dog three months ago. #sgnews #Singapore #Thailand #Adulting #Choices ♬ original sound – AsiaOne
Speaking to AsiaOne, Darryl said that they felt that Kuala Lumpur was too similar to Singapore.
“We want something more exciting, a new experience or adventure,” he told us.
Bangkok, on the other hand, appealed to them for its food, culture and lifestyle — and it was a destination they were already familiar with from regular holidays.
https://www.tiktok.com/@carissacly/photo/7660562238369041671
Prior to the move, the couple would visit Thailand at least three times a year, including trips to other cities in the country such as Chiang Mai and Phuket.
But what about work?
Fortunately, both Carissa and Darryl are self-employed and can work remotely — so relocating did not affect their jobs.
Carissa has an e-commerce business while Darryl runs a children’s enrichment business focusing on education centres.
Making the move
However, making the move still came with its own set of challenges.
While the decision to move was “impromptu”, sorting out the logistics took approximately five months, the couple told us.
They had begun planning the relocation in January and only eventually moved in May.
One of the first things they had to sort out was their Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which allows eligible foreigners like Carissa and Darryl to stay in the country for extended periods.
Bringing their dog along also meant an additional set of administrative work had to be done — such as preparing health documents and vaccination records, applying for a Singapore export permit and Thailand import permit, as well as getting a flight-approved pet carrier, Carissa explained.
Leap of faith
Apartment-hunting from Singapore was also nerve-wracking.
Recalling the process, Darryl said that he was asked to transfer money directly to a landlord before they had even arrived in Bangkok — something that he was wary about after reading about rental scams online.
“The agent themselves, some of them don’t even have a real estate licence, which is very different from Singapore,” he said. “I got very scared.”
Despite his concerns, the 31-year-old eventually went ahead with the transfer.
Reflecting on the process, he said that that was one of the “toughest” parts about the move.
“The administrative work is still fine, but this was a leap of faith and uncertainty,” he said.
New experiences, lifestyle
Today, the couple live a considerably different lifestyle compared to when they were in Singapore.
As someone who preferred staying in more often, Carissa shared that she now finds herself going out more and trying things she might not have done as often in the past.
“In Singapore, I tend to coop at home because I think going out and spending [money] is too expensive,” she said. “So on a day-to-day, I wouldn’t want to go out and spend so much.”
In Bangkok, however, she said she feels “more liberated” to head out and explore.
The couple have since picked up activities such as pickleball, joined running clubs and met people outside of their usual social circles.
@carissacly Truly one of a kind experience #samesabali
Recalling an instance where they befriended a group of strangers after joining an open pickeball game, Carissa and Darryl shared that they went out for supper with them and have continued hanging out since.
For Darryl, being surrounded by new people and experiences has also been one of the biggest differences from life back home.
“Being in a new city gives you an opportunity to live a new identity,” he said, adding that in Singapore, people often stuck to their usual circle of friends and a fairly routine lifestyle — working, watching movies, having dinner then going home.
Since the move, he found himself coming across new people and experiences more — something he may not have had in Singapore.
“Here, I’m trying new things. I play soccer with the locals, I speak Thai. You start realising that you are not just existing, but rather, you are living a life,” he said.
The 31-year-old also added that the move has also prompted him to reflect on what he used to prioritise.
“In the past, I probably worshipped achievements in income, but I was not really living. Just eat three meals a day, and continue working, continue working.”
Still, the couple acknowledged that the initial excitement of living somewhere new eventually wears off.
“The first two weeks you’ll feel like a tourist,” Darryl said, with everything from shopping to going for parties and massages still feeling exciting.
“Then after that, the novelty wears off. Welcome to life, you are a local here.”
This meant everyday routines begin to set in, such as daily work and repetitive chores.
“I think that transition came for us after the third and fourth week,” he explained, adding that they are now trying to find their rhythm for balancing work while exploring the new city.
Cost and quality of life
While Carissa and Darryl said that affordability was one of the factors behind the move, they stressed that living in Bangkok has not necessarily meant dramatically cutting their expenses.
Instead, they feel they are able to get more out of what they spend.
“Even if it’s cheaper, it’s not like we can cut down a lot,” Carissa explained. “But it’s more like an increased [quality] of life for the same amount.”
Darryl echoed this, saying: “You will maximise more value in Bangkok.”
Housing is one area the couple have noticed a difference.
In Singapore, the pair had been paying about $2,500 each month in rent for a HDB flat, while their current condominium in Bangkok, which comes with facilities, costs around $1,200 a month in rent.
@carissacly Our new cosy space #bangkok #housetour #petfriendly
They have also found transport, dining out and recreational activities to be slightly more affordable.
For example, Darryl shared that a date night in Singapore might’ve cost around $100 in Singapore, but in Bangkok, that number is halved.
The couple estimates that, depending on their spending, they could save around $2,000 per month as a couple with a dog there.
What’s next?
While Carissa and Darryl plan to stay for approximately two years in Bangkok, the pair shared that the timeline is “not fixed”.
“It’s just a rough gauge, it’s not a fixed thing,” Carissa said. She added that the timeline would allow them to experience the city and see if they would like to continue staying or move to a different place.
The couple also makes regular trips back to Singapore to visit family and friends — an important aspect for the 28-year-old as she feels that being away from them has been one of the more difficult parts about living abroad.
For Darryl, meanwhile, the move has reinforced an idea he has been thinking about — “global citizenship”.
With children in their future plans, Carissa and Darryl shared that they are open to raising them across different places rather than staying in one country throughout.
While Singapore will still be the base, particularly during times when they will need family support, the pair is also considering other places such as Australia to potentially call home.
“I will still have a place based in Singapore, but I will be travelling up and down non-stop with my family and kids, for them to really see the world at their age,” he said.
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