Brown, who will quit when Phoenix's A-League campaign ends, will study for a Masters degree in Management at either the London School of Economics or Cambridge University.
"It was an emotional decision to make, but an exciting one for me," Brown said.
"The opportunity to continue my studies at either of those places is fantastic.
"It was tough making the decision to leave what has been a dream job but I believe it is the right time for me having just turned 31."
The New Zealand international originally planned to keep the decision to himself and 'just drift off in the off season', but a chat with coach Ricki Herbert changed all that.
"I spoke to Ricki on how I should handle it and he was adamant I should share it with the team," Brown said.
"I told the boys and management team at dinner while we were in Melbourne recently and I'm so glad I did.
"It was good to share it with a bunch of guys who are all real friends as well as team-mates. I thought it would be easy to do till I stood up. It was quite an emotional moment."
Brown preferred to concentrate on Phoenix's upcoming finals campaign rather than pick out a favourite moment in his time with the club.
"I can dwell on the past later but at the moment it is all about the present," Brown said.
"When you are going to the play-offs, as we are on Friday, you know that each game is potentially your last.
"I've felt all along that we could do something special this season and while I don't want to believe in fairy tales it would be great to go on and win something with this group of players.
"What a great way to finish that would be.
"That's why I didn't want to make a fuss about retiring. You can't get too emotional when there is an important game to be played on Friday.
"I want us to finish the season strongly. It is a shame we have gone off the boil a little in the last couple of games but we can't afford to leave anything in the tank over the next couple of games."
Brown's decision means he will miss out on New Zealand's qualifying campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
"The New Zealand team is different to the Phoenix but special in its own way," Brown said.
"It is probably one of the most talented New Zealand sides that I can remember. It is a hugely exciting group.
"But when you embark on a journey like that (World Cup qualifying campaign) you have to give it everything. That's what we did last time and we were rewarded.
"You can't be half-hearted and if you are starting to think about other things, as I was, I couldn't be certain I could give 100 percent."
