I went from a nice, but generic, house in the suburbs that wasn’t close to anything, to a much bigger house, two blocks from the ocean, walking distance to the city centre.
It doesn’t suck.
Would I recommend it? No. Wages are a lot lower here, but since I’m retired that doesn’t matter to me.
Yes, yes and yes.
We left when I was 12.
My parents were able to afford private education for 4 kids + university, a 6 bedroom house, all while living in a bustling city with great public transport.
I currently work as a radiation oncologist in Santiago, Chile, with 0 school debt.
I don’t think I would be in such a great place (education and money wise) if they hadn’t left.
I have no plans to move back for now.
Great place to raise and educate a family.
Yes, it’s better. US to NL. Do it when you’re older and you’ve saved some money in the U.S. – the wages are lower in Europe but the work life balance is better and of course, health insurance
I’ve never been more grateful. I don’t live in this shit hole that is America. I’m so sorry for everyone I know who couldn’t afford to leave. The process has been difficult and I’m going to have to return to the US at some point for a few weeks for the final visa and I’m absolutely terrified. I’ll be bringing a burner phone and driving a 1970s car.
I moved to australia and it was the best decision I ever made. No way I would go back to America now… no school shootings, no reckless tyrants ignoring the law, almost bo hostility between fellow citizens based on political leanings. Sure, there are exceptions, but this is how it’s supposed to be.
Also, just putting this out there, most people don’t qualify for a visa. For most people, it isn’t just filing some paperwork and paying fees. It’s getting a decent education, or having marketable skills. You’ve also got to be healthy, and able to prove you won’t be a burden on the new country. The average person just can’t. If it weren’t for some very specific circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to move.
That said, I did move to New Zealand as a person without a degree. I was low income in America, and I’m low income here.
The pluses would be:
A comprehensive culture and rule of law
Affordable healthcare that isn’t tied to employment
Decent public transportation
Mince and cheese pie
The cons would be:
Everything is more expensive, and I make less money doing more work
Isolation. Flights away are expensive, and there isn’t as much stuff to buy. Got a niche hobby? You’re paying more, and have fewer options
I plan on retiring to Indonesia, but not to Bali. My wife is Indonesian, I speak the language, eat their food all the time, and I have traveled to Indonesia 7 times staying for at least 1 month at a time.
I was in the military for several years, I spend years of my life in South Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Comments
I went from a nice, but generic, house in the suburbs that wasn’t close to anything, to a much bigger house, two blocks from the ocean, walking distance to the city centre.
It doesn’t suck.
Would I recommend it? No. Wages are a lot lower here, but since I’m retired that doesn’t matter to me.
Yes, yes and yes.
We left when I was 12.
My parents were able to afford private education for 4 kids + university, a 6 bedroom house, all while living in a bustling city with great public transport.
I currently work as a radiation oncologist in Santiago, Chile, with 0 school debt.
I don’t think I would be in such a great place (education and money wise) if they hadn’t left.
I have no plans to move back for now.
Great place to raise and educate a family.
Not me, but my aunt moved to the Philippines from Vancouver because it was cheaper. You get maids and stuff there for cheap.
Not even 3 months later, she realizes how good we have it here in Vancouver
Yes, it’s better. US to NL. Do it when you’re older and you’ve saved some money in the U.S. – the wages are lower in Europe but the work life balance is better and of course, health insurance
I’ve never been more grateful. I don’t live in this shit hole that is America. I’m so sorry for everyone I know who couldn’t afford to leave. The process has been difficult and I’m going to have to return to the US at some point for a few weeks for the final visa and I’m absolutely terrified. I’ll be bringing a burner phone and driving a 1970s car.
I moved to australia and it was the best decision I ever made. No way I would go back to America now… no school shootings, no reckless tyrants ignoring the law, almost bo hostility between fellow citizens based on political leanings. Sure, there are exceptions, but this is how it’s supposed to be.
We moved from nyc to Switzerland. Everything about life here is better – schooling, safety, work / life balance, and especially salaries.
There are lots of pluses and minuses.
Also, just putting this out there, most people don’t qualify for a visa. For most people, it isn’t just filing some paperwork and paying fees. It’s getting a decent education, or having marketable skills. You’ve also got to be healthy, and able to prove you won’t be a burden on the new country. The average person just can’t. If it weren’t for some very specific circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to move.
That said, I did move to New Zealand as a person without a degree. I was low income in America, and I’m low income here.
The pluses would be:
A comprehensive culture and rule of law
Affordable healthcare that isn’t tied to employment
Decent public transportation
Mince and cheese pie
The cons would be:
Everything is more expensive, and I make less money doing more work
Isolation. Flights away are expensive, and there isn’t as much stuff to buy. Got a niche hobby? You’re paying more, and have fewer options
Taco Bell here tastes like shit
I plan on retiring to Indonesia, but not to Bali. My wife is Indonesian, I speak the language, eat their food all the time, and I have traveled to Indonesia 7 times staying for at least 1 month at a time.
I was in the military for several years, I spend years of my life in South Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.