For many Americans, the idea of leaving the U.S. to start over abroad feels risky. For one former Air Force veteran, it became the most life-changing decision he ever made.
At 36, Markeiz Ryan has built a calm, financially stable life in Vietnam — one that looks nothing like the pressure-filled existence he left behind in the United States.
A Childhood Shaped by the 2008 Financial Crisis
Ryan grew up in Maryland and describes his early years as relatively stable — until the 2008 financial crisis upended everything. His mother lost her job, and the family suddenly faced serious financial uncertainty just as he was finishing high school.
Without a financial safety net or the means to take on college debt, Ryan chose a path he believed would protect both his future and his family’s finances: he joined the U.S. Air Force in 2010.
Military Service, Setbacks, and a Turning Point
Over nearly a decade of service, Ryan was stationed across multiple continents, including Asia, Europe, and Africa. While the experience exposed him to different cultures and ways of life, it also came with personal challenges.
In 2016, while stationed in South Korea, a disciplinary issue resulted in lost pay, demotion, and months of restricted movement. That period became one of the lowest points of his life — emotionally and mentally.
But it also became a turning point.
With limited freedom and time to reflect, Ryan began questioning the direction of his life and what he truly wanted beyond survival and routine.
A First Visit to Vietnam Changed Everything
During that difficult chapter, Ryan planned a short trip to visit a friend in Vietnam. What he expected to be a simple getaway turned into something far more powerful.
The energy, affordability, and sense of ease he experienced during that visit immediately stood out. More importantly, he noticed something he hadn’t felt in years: genuine happiness.
That feeling lingered long after he returned to his military duties.
Starting Over After Leaving the Military
Ryan completed his service in the U.S. and was honorably discharged in 2019. Soon after, he made the decision to relocate permanently to Vietnam — a move that many of his peers found surprising, but one that felt inevitable to him.
Today, he lives in Ho Chi Minh City in a modern two-bedroom apartment located in one of the city’s tallest residential towers.
What It Really Costs to Live in Vietnam
Ryan’s total monthly expenses average around $4,000, a figure that affords him a lifestyle he describes as solidly middle-class — and in some ways, even upper-middle-class — by local standards.
Here’s how his monthly costs typically break down:
Rent: $850 for a two-bedroom apartment
Utilities & housekeeping: About $130
Health insurance: Roughly $1,000 annually
Transportation: Minimal fuel costs thanks to motorcycle travel
Food: Between $100 and $400, depending on how often he cooks versus eats out
Compared to the U.S., Ryan says his cost of living feels dramatically lighter — without sacrificing comfort, safety, or quality of life.
Multiple Income Streams Make It Work
Ryan’s income comes from several sources, creating stability without dependence on a single paycheck:
Monthly disability compensation related to his military service
Education benefits while pursuing a master’s degree
Teaching English
Occasional freelance voiceover work
Light day trading, which provides supplemental income
While these earnings might feel modest by American standards, Ryan says they stretch much further in Vietnam — allowing him to save, invest, and enjoy daily life without constant financial stress.
Life in Vietnam: Calm, Safety, and Perspective
One of the biggest surprises for Ryan has been the sense of safety and calm he experiences daily.
He describes Vietnam as one of the safest places he has ever lived, noting that people seem more focused on their routines and personal goals than on political tension or social pressure.
That said, life isn’t perfect. Noise pollution — from traffic, street vendors, and late-night karaoke — is one of the few aspects he finds challenging. Still, it’s a trade-off he’s more than willing to accept.
Finding a New Definition of Success
Ryan has lived in Vietnam for over six years and has no intention of leaving.
What changed most, he says, wasn’t just his location — it was his mindset.
In the U.S., he often felt stuck in survival mode, constantly chasing financial benchmarks that never seemed attainable. In Vietnam, that pressure lifted.
Instead of waking up to a list of obligations, he now wakes up thinking about goals, growth, and fulfillment.
“When you’re no longer just trying to survive,” Ryan says, “you finally have space to become the person you want to be.”
Is Leaving the U.S. Worth It?
Ryan’s story isn’t about escaping work or responsibility — it’s about choosing a different environment where effort leads to balance, not burnout.
For Americans struggling with rising costs, constant stress, and a feeling that progress is always just out of reach, his experience offers a powerful alternative perspective: sometimes, the biggest upgrade isn’t your salary — it’s your location.
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