What is the point of living in the US?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, you immigrated here. Do you often do "pointless" things?

I immigrated when I was 22 years old. It's not like I was thinking about real estate, kids, schools, etc. If I knew what I know now, I would never come here.

At 22 you didn't think about a house and kids in your future? Pretty dumb for a 22 year old.

I work with many 22 year olds. They’re not thinking about these things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, you immigrated here. Do you often do "pointless" things?

I immigrated when I was 22 years old. It's not like I was thinking about real estate, kids, schools, etc. If I knew what I know now, I would never come here.

Well now you know, so when will you be leaving?

This September

[Anonymous]

I agree OP. I regret leaving my first world country to come here for an adventure two decades ago. Unfortunately unlike you I am stuck since I am married to a spouse that will not leave.

[Anonymous]

This thread is so funny. We Americans truly are brainwashed into thinking that our country is soooo special. I think PP had a legitimate question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Parisian here. My Bethesda property is much cheaper per sq ft than my parents' apartment in Paris.

So... depends where you come from.

Me again. I came to the US for grad school, at 20. I love it here, specifically the parts of the US that are cosmopolitan and more left-wing
Since I've lived in many different countries, I KNOW that there is no perfect place. Summers here are way too humid with mosquitoes, for example. There are too many guns, healthcare is too expensive. But then my parents just had a massive heatwave in Paris, without A/C, because Paris didn't use to need A/C in the summer... so the places I used to love have not stayed the same either. And France has more right-wing voters than ever, just like here.

You have to find a "good enough" place, OP. I hope you find it!

[Anonymous]

I agree too. USA has "jumped the shark" as they say. In retrospect can time it to around period in 1980s (Reagan, dog whistle politics - end of Cold War > end stage capitalism) through 1996 and launch of Fox News and profit from political and cultural polarization.

Would rather live in NZ, AUS, France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Canada these days etc etc. Crazy gun violence and corrupt/treasonous politicians not been held to rule of law is final straw - heading to failed state territory.... Actively making plans to leave - just need to get pensions and assets out (and renounce citizenship - not paying US tax for this dumpster fire)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, you can get a wide variety of fast food handed to you through your car window...

I think the US is overrated, especially right now.

Yeah for some reason the thought of having my kids doing active shooter drills in elementary school isn't that appealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so funny. We Americans truly are brainwashed into thinking that our country is soooo special. I think PP had a legitimate question.

Agree. Our country is pretty messed up now. I’m pondering alternatives for retirement.

[Anonymous]

You sound really bitter. The grass is always greener on the other side. I hope you will find happiness back in your home country.

I’m an immigrant from Canada. I’m not going to respond to all your points, but real estate here is a much better value than the cities l lived in in Canada (Vancouver and Toronto).

[Anonymous]

Because no country is perfect or ideal. The US has many flaws. So do many European countries worshipped by self hating Americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so funny. We Americans truly are brainwashed into thinking that our country is soooo special. I think PP had a legitimate question.

I think so too. America can be a very hard country to live in. I love our country, and I’m glad to live here, but it can be VERY challenging to move ahead here. I have a lot of sympathy when I hear of migrants, refugees and immigrants relocating here. We simply don’t have good systems in place to humanely and respectfully process and assimilate people into our culture. You are left on your own. And OP is correct, outside of our cities, we do not have walkable communities. When I hear of Ukrainians coming here, I worry they’ll be depressed and lonely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because no country is perfect or ideal. The US has many flaws. So do many European countries worshipped by self hating Americans.

This. Nobody in this thread is brainwashed. But try moving out of your little bubble to see that there are flaws everywhere. I live in the West Village of NYC. My neighborhood is beautiful, walkable, friendly, has some of the best restaurants in the world, and my kids go to amazing schools. New York City and the US also have a lot of problems like crime, gun violence, republicans, etc.

I also lived in London for 10 years. It had its share of beautiful qualities and a great quality of life and also its share of hardships and imperfections. I wouldn't move if someone offered me a flat in London just as I wouldn't expect someone who established a life in London to move in next door to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an immigrant, so the question is highly relevant to me. The real estate is so expensive that it entirely negates the point of earning high salaries. Schools are garbage, crime is rampant, nothing is walkable... once upon a time at least you could get a huge house to compensate for that. Not any more. I am now embarrassed to show tiny old houses with low ceilings and vinyl siding that go for million+.

So go back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because no country is perfect or ideal. The US has many flaws. So do many European countries worshipped by self hating Americans.

This. Nobody in this thread is brainwashed. But try moving out of your little bubble to see that there are flaws everywhere. I live in the West Village of NYC. My neighborhood is beautiful, walkable, friendly, has some of the best restaurants in the world, and my kids go to amazing schools. New York City and the US also have a lot of problems like crime, gun violence, republicans, etc.

I also lived in London for 10 years. It had its share of beautiful qualities and a great quality of life and also its share of hardships and imperfections. I wouldn't move if someone offered me a flat in London just as I wouldn't expect someone who established a life in London to move in next door to me.

I would *absolutely* move out of NYC if someone gave me a flat in London - send them my way!

[Anonymous]

It depends where you're coming from, OP. I work in immigration and am married to an immigrant. For many people, the US is far better than what they left behind. Yes, life is expensive here but you couldn't pay my DH to go back to his place of birth.

If you're Canadian, W European, or from any number of countries that have a standard of living on par or above that of the US, you may think twice.

It's all relative. this place is better for some and worse for others. Plus, immigration to the US can be straightforward if you have means. It's really not rocket science.