Key facts
- Andrew Corona moved from San Diego to Bangkok in January 2025.
- He works US business hours for his commercial real estate lending firm, which means working overnight in Thailand.
- Corona finds the overnight schedule more relaxed and conducive to focus.
- His monthly expenses in Bangkok, including rent, are estimated at around $4,200.
- He and his fiancée hold the Destination Thailand Visa, a program designed to attract remote workers.
Andrew Corona relocated from San Diego to Bangkok in January 2025, fulfilling a long-held dream sparked by a vacation in 2018. Initially planning a month-long trip, Corona extended his stay and became convinced he wanted to live in Southeast Asia. The normalization of remote work during the pandemic, coupled with growing dissatisfaction with San Diego's urban issues, prompted him and his fiancée to make the move.
After a three-month trial run in Bangkok in early 2024, they officially settled in the city, renting a two-bedroom condo in the upscale Thonglor neighborhood for approximately $2,500 per month, significantly less than their San Diego rent. Their building offers amenities like a rooftop pool and gym, and is conveniently located near a train station.
Despite the geographical shift, Corona continues to operate his private lending firm for US commercial real estate, which requires him to work US business hours. This means his workday in Bangkok typically begins around 7 p.m. and concludes between 4 and 6 a.m. He has found this overnight schedule to be surprisingly more relaxed and conducive to focus, preferring it to his previous US work patterns.
Corona and his fiancée are among a growing number of foreigners choosing Thailand as a base, attracted by factors such as safety, a vibrant social scene, and the availability of visas like the five-year Destination Thailand Visa. English is widely spoken in Bangkok, further easing the transition for expats.