What is the point of living in the US?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This.

[Anonymous]

Is real estate really cheaper with an equivalent standard of living, wherever you’re from? I have relatives all over, Germany, UK, Israel, Canada, Belgium. Real estate is very expensive everywhere. And you’re not getting a big house in most of those places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you were such a fool, OP. Do you blame yourself or your parents, or do you just offload your angst onto the rest of us?

I was very ambitious and wanted to be among the best in the world - I was very focused on my academic interests and haven't considered the consequences that immigration would have on the rest of my life. My parents should have had provided a balancing perspective there but they failed to. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have listened to them anyway.

OP, I think you identified a big reason that many people do want to come here—it’s the land of opportunity, right? At least for some. I work at NIH and have so many colleagues who immigrated because they wanted to be among the best of the best. The US excels in some specific ways.

All that said, it also has some real downsides. I’m not sure whether it’s worth the trade-off for someone less ambitious. I think DH and I could happily live and work in Canada or the UK, for example.

Of course, many people immigrate here because where they’re coming from is far worse. America has many problems, but so do most other countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I bought my first house in Falls Church when I was 24.

[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.

How much do you earn and how big/expensive is your apartment/house?

[Anonymous]

For the money.

Signed,
Another immigrant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is real estate really cheaper with an equivalent standard of living, wherever you’re from? I have relatives all over, Germany, UK, Israel, Canada, Belgium. Real estate is very expensive everywhere. And you’re not getting a big house in most of those places.

Almost no-one is getting a big house but a vast majority gets walkability, safety and good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I bought my first house in Falls Church when I was 24.

And you think that's the norm? You were the exception, not a typical 24 year old. Most 22-24 year olds (especially now that housing costs have gone up so much) are not buying houses and are not thinking long term about real estate in the future, having kids, thinking about schools and other kid-related issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the money.

Signed,
Another immigrant

Here too. DH is Norwegian. When I ask if we should move back he says no way, the work world here allows for way better lifestyle and opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Many other counties restrict foreigners from purchasing real estate. In the US we don't. This has contributed to many Americans being priced out of the market. Assuming you did not come here as a refugee, why not go back to your home county? At least you have that option.

[Anonymous]

Where did you move here from, OP? I agree with you about how things are in the US and there are many places in the world I'd rather live than the US. But as someone who has lived all over, I'm just curious where you're coming from...every place has issues.

Where I'd most like to live if I could: Japan; Denmark; Sweden; Norway. Places I think are probably better standard of living than US but I don't have a particular interest in living: Canada; Australia; New Zealand; Germany; Finland. Tons of other countries where certain things (less gun violence and violent crime in general, better education system, better healthcare system, etc.) are better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How much do you earn and how big/expensive is your apartment/house?

We earn a lot. More than we would elsewhere. Our apartment is 2,600 square feet.

[Anonymous]

I'm a poor American, I've always been poor, my combined HHI was never more than about 80K. I'm very happily retired now and living on about 30K plus a small side gig.

My H and I researched where the best schools were in NoVa, then we rented a house there. Eventually we were able to buy a house in that community, it was a small house but we only have two kids. After awhile we traded up to a larger house but not any kind of mcmansion by any definition.

It's a great and very walkable community with great people, great parks, events, services, etc.

So, we managed all you said you couldn't pull off on a low salary just by wanting it bad enough and finding a way. Not sure what the problem is.

If I had a whole bunch of money I'd try living in Australia for awhile but I do know I'd come back here eventually. Love the USA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How much do you earn and how big/expensive is your apartment/house?

We earn a lot. More than we would elsewhere. Our apartment is 2,600 square feet.

So you basically have no clue what it's like to live in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How much do you earn and how big/expensive is your apartment/house?

We earn a lot. More than we would elsewhere. Our apartment is 2,600 square feet.

So you basically have no clue what it's like to live in the US.

Last I checked NYC was an American city…the US is the best place in the world to earn lots of money and be at the top of your field.