Leaving the US because it’s just not affordable anymore

[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.

[Anonymous]

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.

History. Jews always need to be thinking of the next place to go. How about Canada?

[Anonymous]

Japan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, the more we travel the more we can see how crappy the US has become. Huge and noticeable decline, and the US is far behind so many nations in so many ways. Roads/bridges and other infrastructure are falling part. Trash is often everywhere that the US looks more like a 3rd world country. So many junkies, strungout addicts and homeless everywhere that you simply don't see in countries like Australia, Japan, or South Korea. The worst public transportation. Horrifically exensive rail transit. Terrible performing schools. Terrible public safety and high crime due to all of the guns. Very bad and very expensive food. High rents and mssively overpriced housing. INSANELY overpriced internet and cellular services.

And the grand daddy of them all - Healthcare. What a freak show and a joke in the US.

Yes OP, the more we see of the world, the more we realize the American dream is a sham. The US is dystopian hellhole nightmare in so many ways and so far behind so many other first world countries in many ways. The US is increasingly a really crappy place to live.

USA has sold its soul to oil

[Anonymous]

The US is done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hoping to move to the Baltics at 62, but part time as my kids stay here. It's getting more expensive, but countryside is still affordable.
The best part is the long summer nights, fresh local food, and no people.
Healthcare is fine. Ambulance has come out 5 times for our family alone and put us back together.

You will not do part time as you get older. More challenges. Just pick one of the two places or a different place altogether if your kids will also move to that third place