What is the point of living in the US?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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+.

It seems like your primary concern is having a big, fancy house. Why not just move to a cheaper part of the US? Not to say you shouldn't move back to your country, but I think most places with comparable living standards are equally or more expensive. You can still get a fancy new build McMansion in most parts of the country for under $1m.

Op probably doesn’t want to ‘a cheaper part of the US’ because he/ she would feel uncomfortable living in an area where they are an ethnic/ racial minority and they would miss their immigrant community that they have here. Some of these towns are not exactly welcoming to immigrants!

But there are lots of places outside the big expensive cities that have immigrant communities. I don't know what ethnicity OP is, so it's hard to suggest something, but I'm sure s/he could find a welcoming place that is cheaper than DC. I think OP has rose-colored glasses for the place s/he left and if s/he moves may find that the grass is not always greener.

[Anonymous]

Leave then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saying "the U.S." as if every part of the country is the same as every other part is patently preposterous. Yes, the official language is the same, and so is the currency, but in virtually every other respect the 3.5+M square miles and 331M people in the country encompass a huge variety in every social, professional, geographic, and economic dimension. However, if it all looks the same to you, and you don't like anything you see, by all means find another country where you'll more easily achieve your particular and apparently peculiar ambitions.

I think this needs to be said more often. Our country is not as culturally cohesive as other countries. The South is different from the American west. The heartland is different from New England. Our cities are different from sprawling suburbs. Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Interesting. I find the right wing country parts of the USA to be much more interesting and welcoming.

Really? Whereabouts? I used to believe that those areas were friendly as well, but they’ve changed in recent years. There is a chip on people’s shoulders. And it’s noticeable. This simmering anger below the surface.

[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+.

You came here then found it was overrated? I could have saved you time and money and told you that before you came.

[Anonymous]

We survived the 60s and I would say that was on par with what is happening today in the political and world view - just different. Then, we had assassinations of our leaders, a horrible war in Vietnam, racial and civil rights issues, and much worse.

I stay because this is my country and my family lives here. I thank God that I was born here. At least we can speak freely to the shitshow before us and have the ability to vote (esp as a woman).

OP, you don't sound like you have travelled within the US very much. There are many many cultures and subcultures within each state, each city in this vast nation. I agree with others that you need to find your own happiness, find out how that is defined for you.

[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.

This is so funny: "New York City and the US also have a lot of problems like crime, gun violence, republicans, etc."
I cant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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)

I'd like to leave here but what countries openly welcome Americans to live there indefinitely? Especially if you work from home for an American company.

[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.

This is so funny: "New York City and the US also have a lot of problems like crime, gun violence, republicans, etc."
I cant.

NP. I agree with the poster. All three problems—crime, gun violence, republicans—seem to be spreading & getting worse and more dangerous.

[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.

This is so funny: "New York City and the US also have a lot of problems like crime, gun violence, republicans, etc."
I cant.

NP. I agree with the poster. All three problems—crime, gun violence, republicans—seem to be spreading & getting worse and more dangerous.

+2. “Republicans” is shorthand for open carry laws, anti-abortion laws, cutting back social programs, and so on.

[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+.

Yea I think you need to move out of here. This is how it is and you should feel lucky to have this oppurtunity

[Anonymous]

OMG - please leave if you hate this country so much. Grass ain't greener in these other countries, in many cases.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We survived the 60s and I would say that was on par with what is happening today in the political and world view - just different. Then, we had assassinations of our leaders, a horrible war in Vietnam, racial and civil rights issues, and much worse.

I stay because this is my country and my family lives here. I thank God that I was born here. At least we can speak freely to the shitshow before us and have the ability to vote (esp as a woman).

OP, you don't sound like you have travelled within the US very much. There are many many cultures and subcultures within each state, each city in this vast nation. I agree with others that you need to find your own happiness, find out how that is defined for you.

meh, i've seen enough. i lived in several cities while never caring to live near "my people". i wanted to fully assimilate, and i have. in many ways, i am just a regular dcum mom trying to survive on 300k. it's just that for me, that doesn't make sense any more.

[Anonymous]

Most countries are expensive if you consider your income is coming from the local currency.
If you make your money in dollars and live in another country that will work well.
For example you have a remote work in the US
You live in Mexico 🇲🇽.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, don't get me wrong - I love this country and everything it ostensibly stands for. This idea that your identity is tied to an idea vs a race, ethnicity, or place of origin really is a beautiful thing. But - we have massive problems. The gun violence is just insane and no developed country with the resources we have should tolerate it. I know almost everyone who posts here would probably support policy changes to help curb it, but that's not the country we live in.
The creeping autocracy is also quite concerning. I follow international politics pretty closely, and while you do see some of this in other western countries - we are much further along. Look at Canada - yes the Conservatives have a wide base of support. But the fascist-adjacent, "Trumpy" part of the Canadian right, the People's Party, still only gets like 5-10% of the vote.

But some of this is also the case elsewhere, particularly the rise in populism.

Here's the reality - the US is a great place to be if you are very ambitious. It's unparalleled if you are smart, an entrepreneur, have a clear and focused goal, and are either already educated or can afford a U.S. college degree. But it is not a great place for everyone else. Content to be type B? Not for you. Want to work just to pay your bills and focus on enjoying your free time? Nope. Happen to get sick or disabled or have a financial crisis of any kind? Nada.

This is the most honest truth about the U.S.