How one man ditched the American dream to embrace island life: The money he saved on living costs will surprise you
Seven years ago,
Mike Holp
was cycling through the congested streets of Austin, Texas, delivering food to make ends meet. Despite holding a computer science degree, the fierce competition kept him away from landing a tech job. Instead, he found himself earning $15 to $20 an hour as a delivery worker, sharing a cramped rental with three roommates just outside downtown. The relentless cycle of working long hours to cover soaring rent left him exhausted and questioning his future. 'What am I doing all this for? Just to get by?' he recalled while talking to
Business Insider
, feeling trapped in a life that seemed unsustainable amid Austin's skyrocketing living costs.
A Leap of Faith: The One-Way Ticket Out
Determined to change his life, Holp saved enough through
food delivery
and side gigs in real estate photography to buy a one-way ticket to Asia in 2019. His journey began with stops in Bali and Singapore but soon settled on an island that offered the slower pace and affordability he craved. This new chapter marked a stark contrast from the frantic, expensive hustle of Austin.
Finding a New Home and Love on a Quiet Island
After moving around Thailand, Holp landed in a relaxed coastal town on an island. Here, he met his fiancée Mary, whose work split time between Bangkok and the island. Together, they found their first modest one-bedroom home through Facebook Marketplace, renting it for just 9,000 Thai baht a month—roughly $270. After three years, they upgraded to a larger, modern home with flood protection features for about $600 a month, still a fraction of what a similar place would cost in Austin.
A Lifestyle Transformed
Holp's days now start with dropping off his fiancée at work, followed by peaceful beach walks and workouts at an outdoor gym. His work is flexible, blending content creation, photography, and consulting to help others relocate abroad. Freed from the financial stress and grueling pace of his former life, Holp embraces a carefree lifestyle filled with island exploration and community connection. The lower cost of living—monthly expenses around $1,500 to $1,800—allows him to focus on passion projects without constant worry.
Beyond Finances: Safety and Serenity
Holp cherishes the safety and warmth of island life. 'I don't even have to worry about locking the door,' he says, a sharp contrast to his time in Austin. Though he misses family and friends back home and occasionally the convenience of driving a car, he has no desire to return to the rat race that once consumed him.
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Mike Holp's journey from a stressed-out food delivery worker to a relaxed island digital creator paints a vivid picture of how escaping the expensive and competitive American lifestyle can open doors to new possibilities—at a fraction of the cost and with far greater peace of mind.
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