Leaving Coding for Real Estate Investment and Gaining Freedom from Stress

In today’s fast-paced world, many professionals seek ways to reduce stress and find more balanced career paths. For years, I worked as a programmer, immersed in the world of coding. While this field provided financial stability and a steady job, it came with long hours and constant deadlines that eventually led to burnout.

I knew I needed a change, so I decided to transition into real estate investment. This shift not only relieved me from the constant overtime stress but also offered new financial opportunities that gave me the freedom to enjoy life without the burden of working around the clock. After graduating with an IT degree in 2014, I entered the world of programming, following the same path as many of my peers.

The tech industry was booming, and job security seemed guaranteed. Yet, as the years passed, the nature of the job began to take a toll on me. The long hours, constant learning, and pressure to keep up with the ever-evolving technology landscape became overwhelming. Despite the financial rewards, I found myself questioning whether this was the career I truly wanted.

The idea of owning my own business seemed appealing at first, but the reality of running a tech startup in a competitive environment quickly dampened my enthusiasm. After a decade of working in tech and saving diligently, I had accumulated a modest savings of about VND7 billion (roughly $274,760). This was enough to give me some financial security and allowed me to explore new opportunities without the constant worry of making ends meet.

Initially, I thought about starting my own IT company, but seeing many startups fail and struggling with the unpredictable economy made me hesitant. The constant pressure to innovate, coupled with the high risk of failure, made me reconsider my path. I realized that while the tech industry offered opportunities, it also demanded sacrifices that I was no longer willing to make. It was then that I turned my attention to real estate, a field that many considered volatile but which I saw as having more stability.

After researching various markets, I settled on investing in land in suburban areas. Many of my friends were worried about potential property taxes impacting real estate prices, but I understood that these changes wouldn’t happen overnight. With this long-term perspective, I felt confident in my decision to dive into real estate. Instead of investing in a startup or trying to juggle a high-stress career, I decided to put my savings into land, hoping for better returns in the future.

I chose to purchase two farmland plots in Long An, located in the Mekong Delta. This area was not only affordable but also had strong growth potential. The process of converting the land into residential lots was straightforward. I divided the plots into smaller sections, each about 100 square meters, and sold each lot for VND400 million.

This wasn’t just a financial move; it was a way to free myself from the stresses of coding. In a few months, the real estate market picked up, and demand for affordable land surged. Buyers quickly snapped up my lots, providing me with significant returns on my investment. As I transitioned from a full-time coder to a real estate investor, the shift in lifestyle was remarkable.

I no longer had to worry about late nights spent coding or the constant pressure to meet deadlines. Real estate offered me a more flexible schedule, where I could work at my own pace and manage my investments as needed. Eventually, I joined a new company with a standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job, earning a monthly salary of $3,000.

While my new job provided financial stability, it was my real estate investments that allowed me to work without overtime or excessive stress. Looking back, I realize that my decade-long career in IT provided a solid foundation for financial security. It was a valuable experience, but it also made me realize that there were other ways to achieve financial freedom.

Real estate investment turned out to be the right move for me. It not only allowed me to escape the grind of overtime but also opened doors to new opportunities. Today, I work at my own pace, with less stress and more control over my time, thanks to my successful transition from coding to real estate.