07.18.20

We’re called expats or ex-pats or ex-expatriates, but they all mean the same thing; we are people who have specifically chosen to leave the country where we lived. Sometimes it is the country where we were born, sometimes we were there because of family or business circumstances, or a host of miscellaneous reasons. But the reality is, unless you live in a communist country, and forced to remain (which is pretty rare) most people are not obligated to stay where they are. We do not live in a prison (usually), but live in a very flat world. COVID-19 notwithstanding, travel is so easy compared to what it was decades ago, and people have been leaving their countries for many years.

If you go back to cavemen days, many of them were wanderers, usually for more food or better temperatures. Over the centuries explorers of well-renown (and not) wandered for glory and riches or for a better life. That’s how the Pilgrims got here exactly 400 years ago. In the United States, people were told to “Go west, young man!” and many did, and in the 1950’s Jack Kerouac wrote “On the Road” which espoused the adventure of life on the road.

The truth is you don’t need to LIVE “on the road,” and you can live in many other countries.

This conversation came to mind due to an email I got from a friend in Las Vegas who said that friends of hers were asking about WHERE in the world that she would recommend moving if you were a “spoiled American.” And unfortunately, many of them/us, are… So she asked me that question and I have LOTS of ideas!

Kathleen and I “think” that LOTS of “Angry Americans” will consider or are considering bailing out and here’s why. Without getting political, that IS a big incentive. America is NOT what I grew up with 40-50 years ago, and there is too much BS for this Baby Boomer to deal with. I also sense an underlying anger and resentment going on right now and I think that arrogance is prevalent. I saw a video a few days ago of two guys in Huntington Beach, California trying to give away FREE masks. These two harmless surf dudes were treated with indifference or ignored by most, but also got ripped on by half a dozen people, including a few that wanted to FIGHT them! I was really disturbed by what I saw, and my first thought was… arrogance. We visited 23 countries in the last 15 months, and I can’t think of citizens in ANY of those countries acting that way.

First world countries, like Spain?

Economics is another reason since you can live in many places for a fraction of what it cost in the US, and especially, So. Cal. Yes, we may be “spoiled” but you don’t have to give up the creature comforts! I told her that I didn’t think her inquiring friends were “nuts” and may be more sane than those that remain!

When I reflect about where in the world to go, here’s some points to consider on what KIND of country to consider:

• First world countries, like Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc… We have been to all and started the visa process for Spain, which did not work out. These are top notch countries and except for language and currency might feel like “home” -with a lot more history.
• Second world countries, like some of the former Eastern Bloc nations. Some examples: Croatia (LOVE, loved it!), Romania, very cool, etc… These countries offer most of what the civilized world requires, but sometimes mindsets are old-fashioned, mass transit may be questionable, and access to some things may be more difficult. Even so, these places are cheaper than the US by as much as 50%. Much of South and Central America fits in here, and food has been exceptional in these places!
  

  Dubrovnik, Croatia…A-mazing!

• Developing nations. This one is more difficult to put a finger on, but Mexico, where we are, is more this than Second World. We have very civilized places, like larger cities, and we have small villages with nothing. Thailand, Cambodia reminded me of this and I’m not sure which category they “officially” belong in. Living expenses here can be 75% cheaper than the US…Our town of Puerto Morelos is a real draw for Americans and especially, Canadians. We can afford to rent a 2 br apartment and stay at the beach 2 days a week for a fraction of my Orange County rent.

Belgrade Castle, Serbia, night time along the Danube River

This may be one of the more controversial blogs I have written, but know that I am and always will be an American, born and raised. But quality of life and determining my own fate and direction is my decision alone. Yours is your decision alone…

Do you have thoughts to share? Please do!

#expat, #expatriate, #croatia, #france, #firstworldcountry, #secondworldcountry