I understand the situation, and even though I am biased, I believe you're on the right path. Whether you go back to the states or not, your idea to resettle elsewhere is a good one, especially somewhere that provides free time and a social way of life like SE Asia.
I didn't have any student debt or loans to stop me from going abroad, but because of this I can also earn a better income/cost of living ratio here, and that kind of prevents me from thinking I could go back to the USA and work hard for a few years to have retirement money for SE Asia. But if you have the uni degree and ability to earn big, you could easily go work a career job for 2-3 years while living rent-free in in an RV or something, then just flee after you pay off debts and build a little nest egg.
Not having student debt is a really big plus in your corner and I agree with the earnings or ability to save money living over here. I think it depends a lot on the kind of person you happen to be. I know people that guy into consumerism over here as much as they would back in the USA and those people are always broke. I think they will end up that way no matter where they choose to live.
The problem for me is that there just aren't very many non teaching jobs that are available for foreigners because the company can pay 10 Thai people to work the job for the same salary requirements of one foreigner.
Well if you'd really like to stick around this part of the world but get out of the teaching game, there are ways to do it. It was really hard for me to break out, but I found a way to thrive without teaching after a lot of trial and error.
What's your educational background and/or the kinds of non-teaching things you'd like to do for work?
I've been investigating doing something online. I've been talking to other digital nomads and been working on web design even though that seems like it is probably a nepotism based industry. My educational background is in economics.
I taught myself web design several years ago but I haven't kept my skills up to date, that stuff changes so fast. I think in the early days it was easier to break in, but now with so many easy to use website builders, many people are able to make a good-enough site on their own, so basically you're left with nepotism like you mentioned, and that's why I never pursued it.
With an economics background, you could easily offer services (at least here in Cambodia) to Microfinance companies here, possibly even major banks. Perhaps specialty English classes for the finance sector could give you a backdoor into other types of work within the industry. Once you're foot gets in the door I could imagine it would be easier to find more ideal jobs and get away from teaching.