A Globetrotting Airman Finds His Suburbs-by-the-Sea for $1,500 a Month

Master Sergeant Eric Haynes (retired) has a classic American story. Born in Moberly, Missouri in 1966, he joined the Air Force right out of high school and began what would be three-plus decades of globetrotting action and adventure.

Eric volunteered to go overseas and was rewarded with a remote assignment in Turkey for a year. He bounced back to the US but was immediately deployed to Saudi Arabia, an experience he got to have twice during his military years.

It was during these first few overseas assignments Eric contracted an incurable case of wanderlust and as a result, has spent most of his adult life outside the continental US. He was in Korea, Guam, Panama, The Philippines, and a long six-year stay in Hawaii. He wound up retiring at the end of his second tour in Korea and traveled Asia extensively.

When Eric finally got back to the Western Hemisphere, he tried to settle in several places. Glamorous locations like Las Vegas and Hawaii. Tropical sand and sun spots like Cocoa Beach in Florida, Puerto Rico, and even a return to Panama. But, he didn’t unpack his suitcase in any of those places for very long.

A little over two years ago Eric was living in Bradenton on Florida’s west coast and, like many retired Americans, reached the point where his rent was almost higher than his monthly pension check. If he wanted to continue living a nice lifestyle he had two choices … go back to work or find a cheaper place to live.

He decided to head back to Asia and ultimately landed in Jomtien Beach on Thailand‘s Eastern Seaboard, about two hours south of the capital city of Bangkok.

It’s here that I met him. He was the new guy in my condo building, floating on his lounge chair in the pool or zipping out of the parking lot on his motorbike with a tennis racket attached to it.

We got chatting, discovered that we were both former USAF guys, and proceeded down a rabbit hole discussion of where we’d been stationed. (One of the benefits of being in the military fraternity is that you connect with people you automatically relate to all over the world.)

“I knew I’d done the right thing,” Eric told me of his decision to move to Thailand. “I could feel it the moment I got off the plane in Bangkok. It’s not the weather, or the food, or the beaches. It’s the people and the vibe.”

He said that he likes going through a day with no drama and the fact that Thai people don’t get too upset about things that don’t matter.

“They smile and say hello. They can have nothing and still be happy,” he said. “I think it’s rubbing off on me because I smile a lot more and appreciate the little things that make life worth living.”

The former Airman spends his days playing tennis, swimming in our luxurious pool, and occasionally enjoying a round of golf. He’s in a dart league, a pool league, and at least four fantasy football leagues.

“I live a better lifestyle than I ever lived in the US at half the cost,” Eric said. “I have a big studio apartment overlooking the swimming pool, a 10-minute walk to Jomtien Beach. My rent is $365 per month. My electric and water bill is less than $50 per month. I have high-speed fiber optic internet for $20 per month. I have a motorbike that uses an embarrassingly small amount of fuel. I eat fresh healthy food every day. Unless I make a major purchase or take a trip somewhere, I spend less than $1,500 a month.

“The ability to actually retire from working and do what I want just isn’t available to me back in the US,” he explained. “I don’t know anyone who’s living better than me back there.”

I asked Eric why he chose Jomtien Beach to settle. “I want to be near the water, but I don’t want to be in some sleepy tourist town,” he confided. “Jomtien Beach is kind of like suburbs-by-the-sea. I can chill out by the pool, meet friends for a sunset beer at the beach, or get on my scooter and head towards the neon lights in Pattaya. It’s the perfect combination.”

He also likes the varied expat community. “There are people from all over the world and from all walks of life. I learn about other countries and cultures.”

Eric is a shining example of what expat life can be in Southeast Asia. He’s happy, and healthy, and he isn’t worried about making ends meet.

When I asked him what advice he would give to a fellow American who is considering a move overseas he thoughtfully replied, “You’ve got to let go.” And then he just smiled.