If you have 5-10 million net worth, why do you stay here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

Because most of them have never lived abroad. Most of them don't know that the QoL can be better in these countries. Most of them have been fed the narrative that the US is the best country and best place to live in the world. Why would they think of leaving what they consider the best?

_+1. Sad to say, but this is true. IMHO, many white Americans who've been in this country for generations think that the USA is the best country in the world. But they have not done much international travel at all. Sure, in the 20th Century, America was pretty great. But we have so much crime now and so many shootings. Sure, it's a great country in which to live if you're UMC or higher. But for people who are MC or below, I think that Europe provides a more dignified existence.

There is no place better to live as the USA. Best with money; still true without. There are not many shootings --- there is really nothing wrong. The idea you can go somewhere better is nonsense.

[Anonymous]

You will be double taxed in many scenarios....US and then the host country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

many are headed to Medellín

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

Because most of them have never lived abroad. Most of them don't know that the QoL can be better in these countries. Most of them have been fed the narrative that the US is the best country and best place to live in the world. Why would they think of leaving what they consider the best?

I’ve lived abroad for years in multiple countries. I returned. QoL is higher here even with the crazy gun nuts and I have very deep family and friend ties here.

Expat communities are just super superficial and fake. Relationships are transitory and shallow. While I did make community ties, most countries are not nearly as welcoming to immigrants as the US is, and while they are welcoming and polite, you never really fit in.

So true. We are still working age but live in another country and while we enjoy it here, it has been difficult socially. There are language barriers, different unspoken societal norms, different cultural expectations that make it difficult. I'm an introvert so it doesn't bother me TOO much but there is definitely a lot of missteps and miscues along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

Because most of them have never lived abroad. Most of them don't know that the QoL can be better in these countries. Most of them have been fed the narrative that the US is the best country and best place to live in the world. Why would they think of leaving what they consider the best?

I’ve lived abroad for years in multiple countries. I returned. QoL is higher here even with the crazy gun nuts and I have very deep family and friend ties here.

Expat communities are just super superficial and fake. Relationships are transitory and shallow. While I did make community ties, most countries are not nearly as welcoming to immigrants as the US is, and while they are welcoming and polite, you never really fit in.

So true. We are still working age but live in another country and while we enjoy it here, it has been difficult socially. There are language barriers, different unspoken societal norms, different cultural expectations that make it difficult. I'm an introvert so it doesn't bother me TOO much but there is definitely a lot of missteps and miscues along the way.

I think age makes a difference too.. I came here in my 20s. I'm sure I committed a lot of missteps and missed cues along the way. Now in my 50s, I've reached a point where I consider myself American to the point that I wouldn't care if the 'locals' in the US don't think I am. Just don't give a sh*t. I won't pretend to like someone or act deferential because I think I may have missed some cues/don't want to offend someone by accident. Certainly not about to change that behavior at my age in another country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

Because most of them have never lived abroad. Most of them don't know that the QoL can be better in these countries. Most of them have been fed the narrative that the US is the best country and best place to live in the world. Why would they think of leaving what they consider the best?

I’ve lived abroad for years in multiple countries. I returned. QoL is higher here even with the crazy gun nuts and I have very deep family and friend ties here.

Expat communities are just super superficial and fake. Relationships are transitory and shallow. While I did make community ties, most countries are not nearly as welcoming to immigrants as the US is, and while they are welcoming and polite, you never really fit in.

So true. We are still working age but live in another country and while we enjoy it here, it has been difficult socially. There are language barriers, different unspoken societal norms, different cultural expectations that make it difficult. I'm an introvert so it doesn't bother me TOO much but there is definitely a lot of missteps and miscues along the way.

I think age makes a difference too.. I came here in my 20s. I'm sure I committed a lot of missteps and missed cues along the way. Now in my 50s, I've reached a point where I consider myself American to the point that I wouldn't care if the 'locals' in the US don't think I am. Just don't give a sh*t. I won't pretend to like someone or act deferential because I think I may have missed some cues/don't want to offend someone by accident. Certainly not about to change that behavior at my age in another country.

Well a lot of my miscues have been with the SAHMs at my kids school who don't seem very open minded to 1) women who work and 2) foreigners. I feel bad for my kids in some ways- luckily back to the US this summer. If it was just me and my husband then it'd be easier to suck it up.

[Anonymous]

Because my kids are in school here. We are counting down the days. Absolutely hate it here. Most boring and uptight city imaginable.

[Anonymous]

I’d kice to leave, but the kids like their friends and schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being an expat is hard and lonely.

Op here

I have been an expat

It’s not that hard and imo since it’s easier to afford areas with less dysfunction and a more “socially attuned” built-environment (public third spaces, public transport, Walkability) abroad than similarly in the us, I’d argue the us is more lonely (which data seems to back up)

And with the economic resource parameter I mentioned above, it would be even easier as I was an expat with less resources so I couldn’t trade money for time to socialize as easily as I could with more money

Expat is just White people term for immigrant. The vast majority of immigrants in the US were Expats first and they all adapted and thrived. Along the way, most chose to become immigrants and settled here. The common trait among all successful Expats is youth. Kinda hard to find someone in their 70s who'd thrive in a new environment especially if they don't know the language.

I do agree with OP on this.. If you are in your 30s/early 40s, already made some money but not all (say $2-5 mil), have a business that runs on its own, there's absolutely no reason to migrate to other parts of the world. Your kids will be young enough to adapt and will be enriched in the process and you will enjoy a lifestyle that is several times better than your current one in the US.

Op here - I’m not white nor white passing.

The difference between expat and immigrant isn’t race but time horizon intention

My parents were immigrants to the us as their intention from day 1 was permanence to move (if allowed)

I have been an expat before because I lived abroad without the open ended intention to stay in the countries I was in — but now I am seriously considering becoming an immigrant abroad.

Sorry.. assumed you were White. I get the diff. between and Expat vs. immigrant. Most Westerners (predominantly White) refer to themselves as Expats although several are economic immigrants - have to work to support themselves as they 'backpack' across the world, find themselves, etc.

Mind sharing your ethnicity, age and which countries you'd consider immigrating to?

You're dumb and racist. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we are thinking about long term generational wealth and stability for kids and grandkids. Not just peacing out and living in a vacation destination for the rest of our lives. That’s what travel and trips are for.

Long term generational wealth? Nauseating. Your job as a parent is to give the kids a good upbringing, pay for college, steer them in a debt free right direction and that’s it. It’s not to endow them financially for the rest of their lives.

PP here. “Nauseating” is subjective. Multi-generational generational wealth is in fact about supporting your kids in navigating education and building a home debt free and then maintaining and growing the wealth for their own kids and so on and so on. NOT for endowing this financially in every whim for the rest of their lives.

Honestly you sound burnt out on or about something and judgmental of people who have this “5-10m” that you are ideating on. It is valid that if you had that you would love to another country etc… and that doesn’t mean there aren’t valid reasons for why many ppl with that level of wealth would not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

many are headed to Medellín

Yeah, but Medellin doesn't really attract that many families from the US. It's mostly single middle class guys like retired cops, firefighters, etc. But lately lots of digital nomad types are everywhere, but they usually stick around for a year or two max. You can live a pretty nice lifestyle on 20k/yr, so no need for millions

I have to laugh about previous posters talking about kidnappings and bodyguards! That wasn't even that much of a threat in the late 90's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's blow your mind further: We're Europeans who come from a country with universal, affordable and pretty decent healthcare, and we STILL want to live here for now. Just like all our international friends. We complain about the healthcare industry here and the lack of gun control, but the reality is...

... there's a lot more economic opportunity for us and our kids in this country. My husband was offered half of what he makes here, when he looked for a job in our capital city, which has a higher cost of living than the DC area! And the job was not exactly at the forefront of research - because it's only in certain parts of the world (NIH, certain Asian countries) that his pointy field actually exists.

The USA also has a lot more support for people who are outliers. Our eldest has special needs that would never have been accommodated in private or public schools back home and our youngest is gifted and needs acceleration. Our "wealthy" home country doesn't have the money for special programs - what they do is offer a good education to the average kid, but they don't have gifted or SN supports. Most of the world is decades behind on childhood development, psychiatric treatments, acceptance of disabilities in schools and the workplace, etc, compared to the USA. Not to mention, the USA has a lot more available meds than anywhere else in the world. They cost a fortune, but they exist. In our country, Adderall is illegal, and my thyroid medication is not manufactured or distributed.

That being said, cultural nostalgia and senior healthcare costs being what they are, we might retire in our home country, and leave the kids to work around the world as they please.

But I just want to point out that even for first world nationals like us, the USA has many attractions.

Kinda agree with this post. We are Indian and based on what I've seen, read, etc. the US is the least racist country in the world for a non-white person, and that includes all the non-white countries in the world. I know some of y'all won't agree but that's a different thread. It is also the country where one can make the most money (gross and after tax) for any given profession, especially white collar. We may also emigrate to India in retirement given better access to medical care and support infrastructure. The biggest challenges in the US are guns and lack of access to medical care. I know of a family where the doctor suspected colon cancer and prescribed a colonoscopy. The earliest they could get was 6 weeks later. They flew her to India, had the colonoscopy, found the cancer, did the surgery, recovered and back in 4 weeks! If those two issues are fixed, the US will be a true paradise. While we have the best insurance possible, it's a royal pain to schedule appointments, tests, follow ups, etc even as a young person. In India, I can see any specialist in town within a day or two and most are way, way more qualified (at least on paper) than the ones I normally see here.

Tl; DR - I stay here for the money and QOL as a young/middle aged person. In old age? TBD.

+1

Brown person here who votes R for the reasons you mention. People who talk about systemic racism need to go live in other countries as a brown person before spouting their ignorance.

But clearly not all brown people feel like you. In fact, most seem like they don’t. Given the mostly vote for Ds (who openly discuss systemic racism, unlike Rs who deny it as a way of keeping it) and frankly a ton of brown people of all backgrounds constantly complain abt racism. Guess you’re right and they’re all lying?? Doubt it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you lived in S America? Or Latin America at all? I have, and went to school with many kids who were sent to US by family for safety. High net worth in many countries is a kidnapping concern. You need extra security and bodyguards. It’s really unsettling…and expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexico, BR, Arg, etc, but with high net worth they’d be no-go’s for retirement

Sorry my op was a bit all over the place -

I was illustrating that I don’t find the us that different than SA except for better economic opportunities…

…so for people/families that have hit networths of 5-10 million, why aren’t they buying their way into specific European towns with high QoL like the ones I mentioned

many are headed to Medellín

Yeah, but Medellin doesn't really attract that many families from the US. It's mostly single middle class guys like retired cops, firefighters, etc. But lately lots of digital nomad types are everywhere, but they usually stick around for a year or two max. You can live a pretty nice lifestyle on 20k/yr, so no need for millions

I have to laugh about previous posters talking about kidnappings and bodyguards! That wasn't even that much of a threat in the late 90's.

Medellin is great/ but it’s also not a great tax regime so it mostly appeals to those flying under the tax radar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being an expat is hard and lonely.

Op here

I have been an expat

It’s not that hard and imo since it’s easier to afford areas with less dysfunction and a more “socially attuned” built-environment (public third spaces, public transport, Walkability) abroad than similarly in the us, I’d argue the us is more lonely (which data seems to back up)

And with the economic resource parameter I mentioned above, it would be even easier as I was an expat with less resources so I couldn’t trade money for time to socialize as easily as I could with more money

Expat is just White people term for immigrant. The vast majority of immigrants in the US were Expats first and they all adapted and thrived. Along the way, most chose to become immigrants and settled here. The common trait among all successful Expats is youth. Kinda hard to find someone in their 70s who'd thrive in a new environment especially if they don't know the language.

I do agree with OP on this.. If you are in your 30s/early 40s, already made some money but not all (say $2-5 mil), have a business that runs on its own, there's absolutely no reason to migrate to other parts of the world. Your kids will be young enough to adapt and will be enriched in the process and you will enjoy a lifestyle that is several times better than your current one in the US.

Op here - I’m not white nor white passing.

The difference between expat and immigrant isn’t race but time horizon intention

My parents were immigrants to the us as their intention from day 1 was permanence to move (if allowed)

I have been an expat before because I lived abroad without the open ended intention to stay in the countries I was in — but now I am seriously considering becoming an immigrant abroad.

OP, it doesn't sound like you have children. Is that the case? Kids are a big piece of the puzzle.

Like you, I have lived abroad for short periods - 12 months here and there - and returned to the US. I loved it. However, I was in my 20s with all the time in the world and lots of energy to invest in meeting new people. I'm 43 now and can barely foster any new relationship here. It's just harder when you're older. I'm glad that I did it in my 20s, as I have no interest in moving now. Plus, my DH immigrated to US in his 20s. He has stated many times that he cannot adapt to a new country again. Once was enough.

You are right, I don’t have kids — but children is a huge reason behind my thinking. I’m terrified having kids in the US.

Good point about age.

My parents are like your DH. They don’t want to adapt to a new country in their 70s after being in the US for 40 years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being an expat is hard and lonely.

Op here

I have been an expat

It’s not that hard and imo since it’s easier to afford areas with less dysfunction and a more “socially attuned” built-environment (public third spaces, public transport, Walkability) abroad than similarly in the us, I’d argue the us is more lonely (which data seems to back up)

And with the economic resource parameter I mentioned above, it would be even easier as I was an expat with less resources so I couldn’t trade money for time to socialize as easily as I could with more money

Expat is just White people term for immigrant. The vast majority of immigrants in the US were Expats first and they all adapted and thrived. Along the way, most chose to become immigrants and settled here. The common trait among all successful Expats is youth. Kinda hard to find someone in their 70s who'd thrive in a new environment especially if they don't know the language.

I do agree with OP on this.. If you are in your 30s/early 40s, already made some money but not all (say $2-5 mil), have a business that runs on its own, there's absolutely no reason to migrate to other parts of the world. Your kids will be young enough to adapt and will be enriched in the process and you will enjoy a lifestyle that is several times better than your current one in the US.

Op here - I’m not white nor white passing.

The difference between expat and immigrant isn’t race but time horizon intention

My parents were immigrants to the us as their intention from day 1 was permanence to move (if allowed)

I have been an expat before because I lived abroad without the open ended intention to stay in the countries I was in — but now I am seriously considering becoming an immigrant abroad.

Sorry.. assumed you were White. I get the diff. between and Expat vs. immigrant. Most Westerners (predominantly White) refer to themselves as Expats although several are economic immigrants - have to work to support themselves as they 'backpack' across the world, find themselves, etc.

Mind sharing your ethnicity, age and which countries you'd consider immigrating to?

You're dumb and racist. Grow up.

You are a kid with a backpack who thinks you know it all. Grow up.