We left 'nanny state' Australia and moved our entire life to Thailand. From property prices to taxes, eating out and help at home - here's why our lives are so much BETTER than before

For Natalie Coulson, uprooting her life to move from Australia to Asia felt 'risky' - but living in an expensive city while working a 9-to-5 job seemed even 'riskier'. Natalie Coulson uprooted her life to move to Thailand with partner Fred and son Alex Long before making the major move abroad, the family were living a 'really good life' in Manly, close to the beach, for almost 10 years. The family was living in Manly, Sydney when they decided to move overseas for a new life They shipped 23 boxes of personal items to Thailand, left a couple of things with Natalie's parents and travelled to a place they now call home. Cost of living and hired help Even though the family's rent is still considered expensive in Asia, Natalie points out that the cost of living has been much more affordable compared to Sydney. 'While it feels like a holiday at first, pretty soon it's back to normal life, at least for families,' Natalie says.