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He burned out, moved to Thailand with his family, and found early ...
Jona Dunning moved from Seattle to Chiang Mai, Thailand, with his wife, Mary, and their two kids. ElJay Luke Erickson. 2026-04-21T04:04:01.287Z Jona Dunning moved from the US to Thailand with his family after experiencing burnout from his corporate job. He had long been working toward early retirement but realized he didn't enjoy being out of the workforce. He snagged a remote job, which helped him to balance work with the family life he wanted. Jona Dunning spent years climbing the corporate ladder and saving aggressively to retire early. He worked in finance in Seattle, living with his wife and two kids. The job was demanding but well-paid, and he saw it as a path to financial independence."I realized that the paychecks aren't making me happier, but they are a vehicle that can help me to really accelerate things for my family and for me," Dunning, now 40, told Business Insider. In 2018, Jona got the promotion he had been gunning for and quickly found it came with intense pressure. His wife, Mary, noticed he had become more distracted, and the two began talking about making a change.The couple had long wanted to live abroad. Jona was ready for a break, Mary was a stay-at-home mom, and their children, then 1 and 3, were still young enough to adjust to a new environment.Jona, who is half Thai and grew up regularly visiting Thailand, said he had always been drawn to Chiang Mai, a city up north, about an hour's flight from Bangkok. That's where the couple decided to go. His wife, Mary, suggested he take a career break so they could finally try living abroad as a family, something they had long talked about. ElJay Luke Erickson. To make the move work, Mary, who had taught at an elementary school before having kids, had to find a job at an international school so the family could secure visas."Since we knew what city we wanted to live in, I researched the international schools in the area and applied to the ones that seemed like they could be a good fit," Mary said, adding that it was her first time working outside the US.Once she secured a role, the move quickly became a reality.At work, Jona framed the move as a sabbatical. In June 2019, the family moved to Chiang Mai.A break that didn't feel quite rightIn Chiang Mai, Jona took regular Thai lessons. The warmer weather meant more time outdoors, and he said the culture felt more accommodating for young children."Here in Thailand, you bring your kids to a restaurant, and everybody gushes over them, and ...
Moving to Thailand: A Guide for Expats to Live Here
Moving to Thailand is exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. Because there’s so much involved with the major life change, our long-term Thailand expat writers put together this guide to help you prepare for and adjust to your new life in the country. ContentsPros and ConsProsConsCost of LivingLiving StandardsMedical CareJob Opportunities LanguageCrime and SafetyAir Pollution and PM2.5Health InsuranceVisaAccommodation Property PurchasesWhere to LiveBangkokChiang MaiPattayaPhuketKoh SamuiHua HinIsanBank AccountPhone and InternetShippingPack the NecessitiesImportant DocumentsImport Your PetSchoolTaxationCultureHierarchy in ThailandYes, No, and Never MindFamilial Living ArrangementsSocial LifeNightlife Moving to Thailand from AmericaMoving to Thailand from the UKMoving to Thailand from AustraliaMoving to Thailand from CanadaHow to Live in Thailand PermanentlyEmergency NumbersChecklistEssential Reading for Expats Living in ThailandLiving Your Life in ThailandLatest Guides for Expats in Thailand Pros and Cons Here’s a quick list of pros and cons of life in Thailand. Pros Living standards: Because of the low cost of living in Thailand, your living standards in Thailand tend to be much better than in your home country. For example, you can easily spend less than US$700 a month while renting a nice place even in Bangkok. Healthcare: Being the top country for medical tourism, Thailand has quality and affordable healthcare, no matter where in the country you are. Food: Thailand is the land of food. You can find plenty of tasty food at affordable prices. You can find food anytime of the day, from street food to fancy restaurants. Travel: There are plenty of travel opportunities once you’re in Thailand, from beautiful beaches in the south to mountains in the north. No matter where you are, you can easily enjoy a weekend getaway. Convenience: It’s easy to live in Thailand. Online shopping has become more popular. So you can buy everything online and have it delivered to your door. Culture: Thailand is full of culture. In fact, each part of Thailand has a different culture for you to explore. Safety: While Thailand’s safety record might not look good in the news, statistically it’s very safe to live here. A young woman can safely walk alone at night. But, of course, it’s still a good idea to use common sense and avoid dangerous areas. Cons Visas: It’s a hassle to get a visa in Thailand because regulations often change. Also, each immigration offi...
Relocating to Thailand With Your Family in 2026: The Complet
Relocating to Thailand with a family in 2026 is genuinely achievable, but success depends on matching the right visa to each family member's situation, choosing the correct school tier before you arrive, and sequencing the logistics in the right order. Thailand offers more structured long-term pathways for families than most people realise, from the five-year Thailand DTV visa for remote ...
Workplace happiness at 67% in Thailand, but burnout risks persist
Jobsdb by SEEK finds Thai worker happiness at 67%, ranking third in the region, but warns burnout and stress remain key workplace challenges.
