What's the best way to achieve a portfolio large enough to retire through passive income from dividends?

For myself, I diversify my portfolio with dividends and growth equities. For growth, mainly using S&P 500 ETF which is low cost and for dividends, I am buying Singapore REITs and banks which do not have the 30% tax. For yourself, you can invest in a strategy that you are comfortable with and can also adjust the ratio / strategy as you grow older and to one more suited at that stage of your life journey

The decision of whether to invest in dividend-paying stocks/ETFs or growth stocks/ETFs depends on your investment goals and risk tolerance.

Dividend-paying stocks/ETFs can provide a steady stream of income, which can be beneficial if you're looking for passive income. These types of investments tend to be more stable and less volatile than growth stocks/ETFs, which can make them a good choice for investors who prioritize safety over higher potential returns.

On the other hand, growth stocks/ETFs tend to have higher potential returns but come with more risk. They may experience more volatility, but they also have the potential for significant long-term growth. If you're willing to take on more risk for potentially higher returns, then growth stocks/ETFs may be the way to go.

As for when to switch from growth stocks/ETFs to dividend-paying stocks/ETFs, it's difficult to provide a clear answer without knowing more about your specific investment goals and the market conditions at the time. Generally, it's a good idea to have a well-diversified portfolio that includes a mix of stocks/ETFs that offer different benefits, including growth potential and dividend income.

Ultimately, it's important to do your own research.

Since i'm still relatively young, i would invest in growth stocks then give it 10-15 years, switch over to dividend ETF.

There is no perfect strategy, i lost all my money early on in individual growth stocks and would recommend just DCA into an index