🔗 Migrating from DigitalOcean to Hetzner: from $1,432 to $233/month with zero downtime

I saved over $1,200 per month by migrating from DigitalOcean to Hetzner. Previously, I paid $1,432/month for a droplet, while the Hetzner AX162-R costs only $233/month. Managing 248 GB of MySQL data across 30 databases and hosting 34 Nginx sites meant careful planning to avoid downtime. I implemented a six-phase strategy that included live MySQL replication using mydumper for fast data export and loading, and a well-scripted DNS cutover that reduced TTL to allow for quick switching. After the move, I noticed significant performance improvements thanks to MySQL 8.0's enhancements. The process involved meticulous configuration of services and a thorough testing phase before the final switch-over. The transition was seamless, with all traffic constantly routed during migration, solidifying the importance of planning when moving critical infrastructure.