Leaving the US because it’s just not affordable anymore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend moved to Ecuador because “cheap.”

She flies to the US every three months and brings three large empty suitcases with her to buy things in the US and bring back that are either not available in Ecuador or are too expensive in Ecuador.

There is no such thing as Amazon deliveries in Ecuador.

Sounds like a capitalist.

[Anonymous]

How easy is it to move overseas for at least a six month period to try living in another country before making a larger move like this?

[Anonymous]

I’d argue there is no better place than the US in terms of salaries and lower housing costs compared to Western European countries.

If you can earn a US salary and live somewhere like Portugal then it’s a different story.

Unfortunately I think many Americans romanticize Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend moved to Ecuador because “cheap.”

She flies to the US every three months and brings three large empty suitcases with her to buy things in the US and bring back that are either not available in Ecuador or are too expensive in Ecuador.

There is no such thing as Amazon deliveries in Ecuador.

Only because your friend is incapable of adjusting to life in Ecuador. She doesn't need three large empty suitcases worth of things that either can't be bought or are too expensive in Ecuador. Millions of Ecuadorians and thousands of ex pats in Ecuador don't have to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am hearing of people moving to Portugal. I can't manage to learn any other languages but English, and I'm jewish (and poor), but otherwise I'd leave the US too.

You need $500k invested for five yeras and competency in Portuguese.

If you're Jewish Israel will probably take you and give you a pension.

Yeah, the people I am hearing of plus the guy I know who wants to retire there easily has that much money. I can't speak Hebrew (or learn it) and wilt in the heat. So I am not sure I could do okay in Israel.

You can make it in Israel without fluency in Hebrew. My ex had several cousins move there and none spoke Hebrew. Their kids learned quickly and translated for them for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How easy is it to move overseas for at least a six month period to try living in another country before making a larger move like this?

It depends on the country and whether you plan to live off savings rather than working.

[Anonymous]

The grass is always greener eh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you live in the DC area. There are plenty of parts of the US that have a much lower cost of living. Albuquerque for example. Or Indianapolis.

but then you're living in Indianapolis.

Albuquerque summers are horribly hot and brown if you're used to green spaces in our area. Drive up a bit to Santa Fe and it's a lot greener. Don't know about the COL.

[Anonymous]

My MIL, who lives in a western European country, had a skin rash. She needed to see a dermatologist when the GP couldn't do anything more for her. First she had to wait for a letter to be mailed to her house with the appointment date and time for the derm. When she received the letter, the appt date was 6 months out. Finally, once she reached that date, she had the flu and couldn't make it to the derm that day. She ended up having to wait for another letter and then another 6 months for the appt date. Meanwhile, I need to see a derm and can get in same day. Same rigamarole happens with any kind of tests..MRIs, mammos, pap smears, echos in her country. It ends up more efficient for the patient to show up at A&E in an emergency situation to get these things taken care of but then of course the A&Es are overrun and there arent any beds and staffing is a major issue too. Its no picnic and forget about dental...people in her country dont even utilize the dentist because it's such a pain to get in and pay for.,,they just go to turkey or somewhere like that where it ends up being cheaper for the flights and procedures than it would be having it done at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you live in the DC area. There are plenty of parts of the US that have a much lower cost of living. Albuquerque for example. Or Indianapolis.

but then you're living in Indianapolis.

Is it that bad? I have never been there so I don't know.

The Indianapolis area is just like anywhere else. Some parts are bad and don’t ever go there. Some parts are really nice and you’d love it. The really nice parts come with a higher price tag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL, who lives in a western European country, had a skin rash. She needed to see a dermatologist when the GP couldn't do anything more for her. First she had to wait for a letter to be mailed to her house with the appointment date and time for the derm. When she received the letter, the appt date was 6 months out. Finally, once she reached that date, she had the flu and couldn't make it to the derm that day. She ended up having to wait for another letter and then another 6 months for the appt date. Meanwhile, I need to see a derm and can get in same day. Same rigamarole happens with any kind of tests..MRIs, mammos, pap smears, echos in her country. It ends up more efficient for the patient to show up at A&E in an emergency situation to get these things taken care of but then of course the A&Es are overrun and there arent any beds and staffing is a major issue too. Its no picnic and forget about dental...people in her country dont even utilize the dentist because it's such a pain to get in and pay for.,,they just go to turkey or somewhere like that where it ends up being cheaper for the flights and procedures than it would be having it done at home.

NHS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL, who lives in a western European country, had a skin rash. She needed to see a dermatologist when the GP couldn't do anything more for her. First she had to wait for a letter to be mailed to her house with the appointment date and time for the derm. When she received the letter, the appt date was 6 months out. Finally, once she reached that date, she had the flu and couldn't make it to the derm that day. She ended up having to wait for another letter and then another 6 months for the appt date. Meanwhile, I need to see a derm and can get in same day. Same rigamarole happens with any kind of tests..MRIs, mammos, pap smears, echos in her country. It ends up more efficient for the patient to show up at A&E in an emergency situation to get these things taken care of but then of course the A&Es are overrun and there arent any beds and staffing is a major issue too. Its no picnic and forget about dental...people in her country dont even utilize the dentist because it's such a pain to get in and pay for.,,they just go to turkey or somewhere like that where it ends up being cheaper for the flights and procedures than it would be having it done at home.

This is how my Canadian in-laws describe their health system as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you live in the DC area. There are plenty of parts of the US that have a much lower cost of living. Albuquerque for example. Or Indianapolis.

but then you're living in Indianapolis.

Is it that bad? I have never been there so I don't know.

The Indianapolis area is just like anywhere else. Some parts are bad and don’t ever go there. Some parts are really nice and you’d love it. The really nice parts come with a higher price tag.

I have some friends who grew up with rich parents in the Indy area. They had very nice childhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL, who lives in a western European country, had a skin rash. She needed to see a dermatologist when the GP couldn't do anything more for her. First she had to wait for a letter to be mailed to her house with the appointment date and time for the derm. When she received the letter, the appt date was 6 months out. Finally, once she reached that date, she had the flu and couldn't make it to the derm that day. She ended up having to wait for another letter and then another 6 months for the appt date. Meanwhile, I need to see a derm and can get in same day. Same rigamarole happens with any kind of tests..MRIs, mammos, pap smears, echos in her country. It ends up more efficient for the patient to show up at A&E in an emergency situation to get these things taken care of but then of course the A&Es are overrun and there arent any beds and staffing is a major issue too. Its no picnic and forget about dental...people in her country dont even utilize the dentist because it's such a pain to get in and pay for.,,they just go to turkey or somewhere like that where it ends up being cheaper for the flights and procedures than it would be having it done at home.

When I need to see a dermatologist in the DC area, it's a six month wait for an appointment.

[Anonymous]

These "leave the USA" posts have become so tiresome. If you want to leave, then leave. If you want to stay, then stay. This doesn't need to be a public declaration of anything - just do what you think is right for you.