'Feels safe here': US couple who moved to Thailand reveal how life changed for the better after moving abroad

The United States of America can be described as the largest economy in the world and the most popular democracy on the globe. From a controversial president to a rising tech sector, the country has it all. But what it lacks is a peaceful and content public.

The consistent violence, instability in policies and rising issues like racism and discrimination have made it a place that many want to move out of. According to the Global Peace Index, America ranks 128th in societal safety, domestic/international conflicts and militarisation across 163 states.

One couple who finally made the move after years of thinking about it has said that they were right. In 2022, Clea Barry, a 44-year-old interior designer moved from Kansas City to Chiang Mai, Thailand. She and her teacher husband had lived in numerous US cities with their three kids including San Diego and Denver.

While the lady travelled quite a bit for her job, after the pandemic and a year and a half of online school, the family felt ready for a change. The couple thought it would be good for the husband to get a couple of years of experience teaching abroad while their kids attended the same school.

They had considered the plan for years, even getting offers over the years. However, when a teaching opportunity arose in Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand in 2022, they said 'yes". Since the couple had already visited the city during their honeymoon in 2009, they knew they loved the Thai culture, food and lifestyle and thus the move became even easier.

"When we talked to our kids - who were 9, 7, and 2 at that point - about the move, we framed it as a family adventure," they said to Business Insider. The parents showed their kids YouTube videos and fun prospects they could try in the new country, raising their interest.

Life in Chiang Mai

While they originally planned to live in the country for two years, it has now been four. The family resides in a three-bedroom home in Hang Dong, about 15 minutes from the city centre. They have a pool, a garden and a school about eight minutes away. There's a coffee shop across the street and walking trails all around.

They pay a monthly rent of 32,000 Thai baht, about $975. Barry's kids adjusted to the new life quite well and she began volunteering at their school. With the school having club activities like swimming and soccer, she doesn't have to shuttle them from one place to another for activities.

"The slower pace of life has been great for our family. On the weekends, we enjoy hiking together and going out to eat. One thing we love about Chiang Mai is its play cafés - restaurants with built-in play areas or activities for kids," said Barry.

One thing that is different for them is the safety. "It feels safe here, and we feel comfortable letting the kids have a bit more independence," she said, adding that her daughter, a tween likes to go to the mall and meet her friends.

With community events, school events and social media groups, they have been able to find friends. "In the US, I only had a few weeks of vacation each year and didn't have summers off, which made family travel much harder. Since moving to Chiang Mai, we've been able to travel to 10 different countries together, including Laos and Vietnam," she added.

However, what Barry seems most grateful for is the time she is able to enjoy with her children and share their childhood with them.