A US vet wanted to retire in Bangkok. Less than 2 years later, he realized city life wasn't for him and built a home with his fiancée by the sea.

• Joe Green and Gift Prakaew gave up Bangkok city life to live in a seaside town in Central Thailand.
• The couple spent eight months and $188,000 building their dream home.
• "I could not have a lifestyle like this in Europe or in the United States," Green said.

After living in a Bangkok apartment with his fiancée, Gift Prakaew, for more than a year, Joe Green decided it was time for a change of scenery.

When Green retired from his job with the US Department of Defense in 2018, he wanted to be in a city — or so he thought.