I left the U.S. for China so I can finally save money

Name: I left the U.S. for China - here's how much it costs
Uploaded: 2025-07-03T18:03:40.000Z
Duration: 10 min 45 s
Description: Aleese Lightyear, 35, traded a hectic NYC life for China and now lives large on $30K a year. She pays $278/month for her downtown apartment, she’s thriving in Chengdu, paid off her student loans and is now saving up to $1,000/month. She’s hoping to purchase a beach house in Mexico next. Here’s how she did it.

Aleese Lightyear, 35, traded a hectic NYC life for China and now lives large on $30K a year. She pays $278/month for her downtown apartment, she’s thriving in Chengdu, paid off her student loans and is now saving up to $1,000/month. She’s hoping to purchase a beach house in Mexico next. Here’s how she did it.

10:45

Thu, Jul 3 20252:03 PM EDT

Mickey Todiwala

Celia Fernandez