I Left The U.S. For China — Here's How Much It Costs

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.

Produced and Edited by: Mickey Todiwala
Senior Director of Video: Lindsey Jacobson
Camera: Marc Aziz Ressang
Animator: Alisa Stern
Reporter: Celia Fernandez
Additional Footage: Aleese Lightyear

Subscribe to CNBC Make It.: http://cnb.cx/2kxl2rf
Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+: https://www.cnbc.com/WatchCNBCPlus

About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money.

Do you want to buy a home but don’t know where to begin? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Buy Your First Home. Register today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025: https://cnb.cx/3HqS5dr

Connect with CNBC Make It Online
Get the latest updates: https://www.cnbc.com/make-it
Find CNBC Make It on Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCNBCMakeIt
Find CNBC Make It on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBCMakeIt
Find CNBC Make It on threads: https://cnb.cx/threadsCNBCMakeIt
Find CNBC Make It on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBCMakeIt

#CNBC
#CNBCMakeIt
#relocated

I Left The U.S. For China — Here's How Much It Costs