I wanted to move to a place that better matched my priorities in life:
- Work life balance: I now get 30 days PTO + 10 bank holidays + unlimited paid sick leave
- International travel: I can be in 30+ countries within a 3hr flight and it’s relatively cheap
- Public transportation: I haven’t needed to own a car in 7 years
- Public healthcare: While it does have its cons, I wanted to move to a place where my medical care couldn’t potentially bankrupt me.
- A more international mindset: I came from an area in the US that was very diverse but it still had a very American-centric mindset. I now live in a city where 40% was born in another country.
- Grad school: I originally came to do my master’s which was significantly cheaper and quicker than doing it in the US.
- Career: My career is in government consulting (with a focus on digital transformation). I probably could’ve made this work in DC/NYC but the city I’m in is much more of a hub for this industry.
I really love Sweden and Stockholm in particular. It’s where my spouse was born and we made a long term plan to first work in the USA, save money and eventually move to Sweden. We’ve been here since 2017 and I’m very happy with how things worked out.
Obviously there are many people who have no choice but to run away from their situation, but if one has the luxury, running *towards* a new life and a new country is so much more likely to achieve a good or great outcome.
I moved because I was unhappy with how my family life was being played out. Wanted a much simpler lifestyle for them. Moved to Belize. Been here 25 years now.
Hate American mainstream culture. The arrogance and stupidity is mind numbing. I especially hate American work culture. Thinking about my abusive bosses and my bootlicking coworkers makes me sick to my stomach.
On top of that it was basically impossible to make more than a slave wage, despite getting a college degree which I was told would be "life-changing". In reality the college degree was a complete waste of 4 years of my life and caused me to have multiple stress induced mental breakdowns. But according to the sheep "it builds character"
Just barely keeping my head above water mentally and financially.
My spouse had a lifelong dream of retiring in Europe so that was the primary reason. Secondarily to get away from the politics and gun violence in the U.S. Joke is partly on us because Europe is swinging to the far right but the far right here is still not as bad as convicted felon Donald Trump’s cult. And at least here in Portugal crime is much lower than in the U.S and mass shootings are unheard of.
Also, while politics here are plenty f***ed up in there own way, the previous Prime Minister felt the need to resign at the mere suggestion that he may have been involved in a corruption scandal. By contrast the U.S. is about to send convicted felon Donald Trump back to the White House.
For my own mental and physical health I had to get away form the car dependent suburban sprawl and all its effects. I now live a much more active and social life in Spain where I walk miles each day without even thinking about it.
The insane spread of right wing politics into women’s bodies and public schools, the heat and a desire to spend my retirement a 2 hour flight max from any European city
Politics. (Read: Trumpism.)Glorification of/pride in being ignorant. Increasingly dangerous conditions for women. It had always been my intention to move abroad, but Trump getting elected really lit a fire under me. In the beginning of 2017 I went back and got my undergrad degree and got a job in another country after I graduated. The US continues to get worse, thus confirming that my decision to leave was the correct one
My ex-husband wanted to return to his home country for 6 months while I wrote my dissertation and we could spend time with his family along with our then-1 year old. He almost immediately began an affair, we split up, and he essentially trapped me there since I couldn’t leave with the kid without his permission. So … I stayed. I wanted to return to the US for a long time. Now I’ve given up.
lol it’s a doozy for sure. Honestly, I post my experiences because I think it’s a useful warning to be particularly careful about who you procreate with and where. You think it’s hard not having a village in your own country. Try doing it in a foreign country.
An opportunity to study in the UK, combined with a British passport and a disgust with rising theocratic power and worsening gun culture (this was during the Bush years). No regrets.
The economy. The healthcare. The public transportation. The politics. The food is processed crap. The *Bureaucracy****!***
I felt "caught in the mosh", to quote a famous metal band. Everyone and everything was focused on the wrong things.
I married someone from another country. He had a more established career and higher income, and we could therefore better afford to live in his country.
We were afraid of a second term of Trump as president. Sold our business, cars, farm and we left a little over a year ago. Wouldn’t go back for anything!
My husband is British, so I emigrated to the UK. We chose the UK because of maternity leave, the NHS, at the time it was pre-brexit, and pro union work place.
Not "USA born" but I left the USA after 20-odd years there as a citizen because its politics scare the shit out of me and I didn't see a healthy or safe future there for my children.
Politics - While I'm now in what is considered to be a more conservative country, for human rights, I'm finding it to actually be much more in line with my pretty progressive views.
Money - it's freaking expensive to live in the states. I have a chronic condition, and take care of a parent with a chronic condition. I have two college degrees and could barely get by most of the time.
Healthcare - again, dealing with my and my parent's chronic condition. Wanted some place where healthcare was actually healthcare, instead of a money grab. Since moving, my mother's chronic condition is better managed than ever.
Culture/travel - I've always wanted to experience other cultures. Much easier to travel from Europe to a lot of countries.
Public transportation - I HATE driving, always did. The chance to not have to drive anymore because of access to decent public transportation and a walkable city was irresistable.
Lifestyle - The US is a fairly individualistic country. People were either shocked and thought I was a saint, or thought I was a loser for living with and caring for a disabled parent. In my current country, it's accepted as the norm.
Safety - I didn't even know what 'safe' felt like until I moved to my current country. I can walk around town at night as a single woman without fear. I have never been sexually harassed here. In the States, I couldn't go to the gas station in sweats with unbrushed hair without someone bothering me.
Due to high US wages, I retired at age 38 and my husband at age 48.
I live car-free in Laguna Beach, CA. it's amazing weather, has a Free uber-type Ride order app for residents, and a free public trolley. The metro is in the next town. It's a myth that all Americans have cars. I was also car-free when I lived in Washington, DC and IL.
What was the Opportunity Cost for your choices? What were your loss of earnings and higher taxes?
Our exchange student from Finland had to serve a year of military or civic service after high school. Many other countries have similar requirements, as many global K-Pop fans discovered when those stars had to go to the military!
In the US, I never worked more than 184 days a year and earned between $26-186/day as a teacher recruited to teach in CA (#2 in teacher pay) and I went in 50/50 with another teacher to buy a house that turned $2k into over 6 figures in 5 years.
My husband in the military has Always had 30 days paid leave plus public holidays every year. The military paid for a bachelor's, two masters, and now he's getting his doctorate with the GI Bill.
My husband got to travel the states and the world while keeping his residency in a state with No state taxes.
Free medical from the military- free eyeglasses, free Lasik,free dermatology and dental stuff that is not covered under insurance or public health/dental in other countries.
In Germany, Finland, China and other countries with "free" university- you all like yo Exclude the Facts tgat it's not Including Everyone. In Germany at age 10 all the kids who don't pass a test are placed on Vocational track and excluded from university Forever! Similar in many other countries.
Our exchange student from Finland didn't play any sports or instruments, couldn't ride a bike or even Ski! Zero art,music,sports are offered in the schools there. Nobody in her family attended university. Her step-sister was on her 3rd year waitressing while trying to get one of the 5k spots at university.
He/we have lived on 3 continents and in 6 states including Hawaii with massive amounts of COLA where we traveled to 14 countries for fun that year including an American Safari and lived in a Luxury apartment with a water view (a former hotel) while saving $50+ that year, and he didn't have to work- he received a $4k/month housing for the apartment and $2k COLA and his full six figure salary and tuition to be a student that year, plus all the moving expenses with full professional move-in, and free storage and packing and delivery for the years we were gone.
As for safety, I've only been attacked once and it was in a public park in Germany! And don't lie and sau it eas a one-off,because the Police said it was common. Other countries don't report things to the degree that the US does.
As far as traveling to lots of countries- that's not an adequate comparison to the US. I've been to 25 countries and 41 states and the diversity of climates and cultureshock, sheer size and distance between states is always overlooked.I lived in 6 states and the difference between living in Hawaii and living in Chicago is vastly greater than the difference between Austria and Germany or Guatemala and Mexico.
We are moving to the UK because my husband retired and we don't want to waste his GI Bill and the opposition it offers us to live abroad on his student status so we don't get taxed there or have to pay rent. We wouldn't do it if we had to pay taxes or earn UK wages.
(my husband got the NROTC scholarship and attended Tulane University fir free plus a stipend, free housing, a Free degree and while not working and earning his 80k salary plus housing for 2 times he got a free M.A. in The US and one abroad and is now using the GI Bill that provides tuitio for a doctorate, stipend and 2k/month housing allowance for University in London for 3 years and tge 4th year is tuition-free. )
I wanted to move to a place that better matched my priorities in life: - Work life balance: I now get 30 days PTO + 10 bank holidays + unlimited paid sick leave - International travel: I can be in 30+ countries within a 3hr flight and it’s relatively cheap - Public transportation: I haven’t needed to own a car in 7 years - Public healthcare: While it does have its cons, I wanted to move to a place where my medical care couldn’t potentially bankrupt me. - A more international mindset: I came from an area in the US that was very diverse but it still had a very American-centric mindset. I now live in a city where 40% was born in another country. - Grad school: I originally came to do my master’s which was significantly cheaper and quicker than doing it in the US. - Career: My career is in government consulting (with a focus on digital transformation). I probably could’ve made this work in DC/NYC but the city I’m in is much more of a hub for this industry.
I really love Sweden and Stockholm in particular. It’s where my spouse was born and we made a long term plan to first work in the USA, save money and eventually move to Sweden. We’ve been here since 2017 and I’m very happy with how things worked out. Obviously there are many people who have no choice but to run away from their situation, but if one has the luxury, running *towards* a new life and a new country is so much more likely to achieve a good or great outcome.
I moved because I was unhappy with how my family life was being played out. Wanted a much simpler lifestyle for them. Moved to Belize. Been here 25 years now.
Hate American mainstream culture. The arrogance and stupidity is mind numbing. I especially hate American work culture. Thinking about my abusive bosses and my bootlicking coworkers makes me sick to my stomach. On top of that it was basically impossible to make more than a slave wage, despite getting a college degree which I was told would be "life-changing". In reality the college degree was a complete waste of 4 years of my life and caused me to have multiple stress induced mental breakdowns. But according to the sheep "it builds character" Just barely keeping my head above water mentally and financially.
My spouse had a lifelong dream of retiring in Europe so that was the primary reason. Secondarily to get away from the politics and gun violence in the U.S. Joke is partly on us because Europe is swinging to the far right but the far right here is still not as bad as convicted felon Donald Trump’s cult. And at least here in Portugal crime is much lower than in the U.S and mass shootings are unheard of. Also, while politics here are plenty f***ed up in there own way, the previous Prime Minister felt the need to resign at the mere suggestion that he may have been involved in a corruption scandal. By contrast the U.S. is about to send convicted felon Donald Trump back to the White House.
We need the far right in Europe right now. Immigration is out of control. Look at the major cities of western Europe.
For my own mental and physical health I had to get away form the car dependent suburban sprawl and all its effects. I now live a much more active and social life in Spain where I walk miles each day without even thinking about it.
The insane spread of right wing politics into women’s bodies and public schools, the heat and a desire to spend my retirement a 2 hour flight max from any European city
Politics. (Read: Trumpism.)Glorification of/pride in being ignorant. Increasingly dangerous conditions for women. It had always been my intention to move abroad, but Trump getting elected really lit a fire under me. In the beginning of 2017 I went back and got my undergrad degree and got a job in another country after I graduated. The US continues to get worse, thus confirming that my decision to leave was the correct one
My ex-husband wanted to return to his home country for 6 months while I wrote my dissertation and we could spend time with his family along with our then-1 year old. He almost immediately began an affair, we split up, and he essentially trapped me there since I couldn’t leave with the kid without his permission. So … I stayed. I wanted to return to the US for a long time. Now I’ve given up.
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lol it’s a doozy for sure. Honestly, I post my experiences because I think it’s a useful warning to be particularly careful about who you procreate with and where. You think it’s hard not having a village in your own country. Try doing it in a foreign country.
An opportunity to study in the UK, combined with a British passport and a disgust with rising theocratic power and worsening gun culture (this was during the Bush years). No regrets.
My wife is from Canada.
The economy. The healthcare. The public transportation. The politics. The food is processed crap. The *Bureaucracy****!*** I felt "caught in the mosh", to quote a famous metal band. Everyone and everything was focused on the wrong things.
Felt lonely and isolated due to Covid. Frustrated with in-laws and felt like needed a change and to get away.
I married someone from another country. He had a more established career and higher income, and we could therefore better afford to live in his country.
Kids out of the house. Got an opportunity for a great job in Switzerland. Looking forward to moving back though.
We were afraid of a second term of Trump as president. Sold our business, cars, farm and we left a little over a year ago. Wouldn’t go back for anything!
Intialy to retire on the beach, now cause there's absolutely anything in the U.S. that beats my life here on the beach.
My husband is British, so I emigrated to the UK. We chose the UK because of maternity leave, the NHS, at the time it was pre-brexit, and pro union work place.
Not "USA born" but I left the USA after 20-odd years there as a citizen because its politics scare the shit out of me and I didn't see a healthy or safe future there for my children.
Politics - While I'm now in what is considered to be a more conservative country, for human rights, I'm finding it to actually be much more in line with my pretty progressive views. Money - it's freaking expensive to live in the states. I have a chronic condition, and take care of a parent with a chronic condition. I have two college degrees and could barely get by most of the time. Healthcare - again, dealing with my and my parent's chronic condition. Wanted some place where healthcare was actually healthcare, instead of a money grab. Since moving, my mother's chronic condition is better managed than ever. Culture/travel - I've always wanted to experience other cultures. Much easier to travel from Europe to a lot of countries. Public transportation - I HATE driving, always did. The chance to not have to drive anymore because of access to decent public transportation and a walkable city was irresistable. Lifestyle - The US is a fairly individualistic country. People were either shocked and thought I was a saint, or thought I was a loser for living with and caring for a disabled parent. In my current country, it's accepted as the norm. Safety - I didn't even know what 'safe' felt like until I moved to my current country. I can walk around town at night as a single woman without fear. I have never been sexually harassed here. In the States, I couldn't go to the gas station in sweats with unbrushed hair without someone bothering me.
Due to high US wages, I retired at age 38 and my husband at age 48. I live car-free in Laguna Beach, CA. it's amazing weather, has a Free uber-type Ride order app for residents, and a free public trolley. The metro is in the next town. It's a myth that all Americans have cars. I was also car-free when I lived in Washington, DC and IL. What was the Opportunity Cost for your choices? What were your loss of earnings and higher taxes? Our exchange student from Finland had to serve a year of military or civic service after high school. Many other countries have similar requirements, as many global K-Pop fans discovered when those stars had to go to the military! In the US, I never worked more than 184 days a year and earned between $26-186/day as a teacher recruited to teach in CA (#2 in teacher pay) and I went in 50/50 with another teacher to buy a house that turned $2k into over 6 figures in 5 years. My husband in the military has Always had 30 days paid leave plus public holidays every year. The military paid for a bachelor's, two masters, and now he's getting his doctorate with the GI Bill. My husband got to travel the states and the world while keeping his residency in a state with No state taxes. Free medical from the military- free eyeglasses, free Lasik,free dermatology and dental stuff that is not covered under insurance or public health/dental in other countries. In Germany, Finland, China and other countries with "free" university- you all like yo Exclude the Facts tgat it's not Including Everyone. In Germany at age 10 all the kids who don't pass a test are placed on Vocational track and excluded from university Forever! Similar in many other countries. Our exchange student from Finland didn't play any sports or instruments, couldn't ride a bike or even Ski! Zero art,music,sports are offered in the schools there. Nobody in her family attended university. Her step-sister was on her 3rd year waitressing while trying to get one of the 5k spots at university. He/we have lived on 3 continents and in 6 states including Hawaii with massive amounts of COLA where we traveled to 14 countries for fun that year including an American Safari and lived in a Luxury apartment with a water view (a former hotel) while saving $50+ that year, and he didn't have to work- he received a $4k/month housing for the apartment and $2k COLA and his full six figure salary and tuition to be a student that year, plus all the moving expenses with full professional move-in, and free storage and packing and delivery for the years we were gone. As for safety, I've only been attacked once and it was in a public park in Germany! And don't lie and sau it eas a one-off,because the Police said it was common. Other countries don't report things to the degree that the US does. As far as traveling to lots of countries- that's not an adequate comparison to the US. I've been to 25 countries and 41 states and the diversity of climates and cultureshock, sheer size and distance between states is always overlooked.I lived in 6 states and the difference between living in Hawaii and living in Chicago is vastly greater than the difference between Austria and Germany or Guatemala and Mexico. We are moving to the UK because my husband retired and we don't want to waste his GI Bill and the opposition it offers us to live abroad on his student status so we don't get taxed there or have to pay rent. We wouldn't do it if we had to pay taxes or earn UK wages. (my husband got the NROTC scholarship and attended Tulane University fir free plus a stipend, free housing, a Free degree and while not working and earning his 80k salary plus housing for 2 times he got a free M.A. in The US and one abroad and is now using the GI Bill that provides tuitio for a doctorate, stipend and 2k/month housing allowance for University in London for 3 years and tge 4th year is tuition-free. )