Why I left America and why you should too!

Summary

The speaker shares their decision to leave the US, citing high cost of living, an inefficient healthcare system, a flawed education system, poor work-life balance, a divisive political climate, and safety concerns as major factors. They highlight the challenges of affording a comfortable life on a six-figure salary and the relief of escaping the 'rat race', expressing a newfound sense of opportunity and personal growth since leaving.

Takeaways

• 💵 Cost of Living: The speaker found the cost of living in the US to be outrageously high, with everything from gas to insurance being expensive and getting worse with inflation.
• 🏠 American Dream: Despite achieving the traditional American dream with a house, car, and family, the speaker felt trapped and financially squeezed, questioning the viability of the dream in the current US context.
• 💼 Job Market: The job market in the US is challenging, with people feeling choked by the system and struggling to get ahead despite working hard.
• 🏥 Healthcare System: The US healthcare system is criticized for being expensive, tied to employers, and creating barriers to accessing care, with personal experiences highlighting the difficulties faced.
• 🌍 Education System: The speaker is critical of the US education system, having chosen homeschooling over public or private school due to dissatisfaction with the quality and approach to learning.
• 🤝 Work-Life Balance: There is a cultural issue with work-life balance in the US, with people often prioritizing work over life and family, unlike in many other countries where life is valued more.
• 🔍 Political Climate: The speaker dislikes the divisive US political climate, which they feel breaks families apart, destroys friendships, and influences where people live and who they associate with.
• 🚑 Safety Concerns: The US is perceived as increasingly unsafe, with issues like drug problems, homelessness, police brutality, and mass shootings causing worry for personal safety.
• 🚀 Opportunities for Growth: The speaker felt limited in their opportunities for entrepreneurship and personal growth in the US and sought more by leaving.
• 🌱 Personal Development: Leaving the US has allowed the speaker to pursue personal development and work on projects like content creation and app development, which were not possible while working a 9 to 5 job.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Considerations: The decision to leave was heavily influenced by the desire to provide a better life for the family, including better healthcare, education, and overall safety.

Q & A

What was the primary reason for the speaker's decision to leave the United States?

The primary reason was the high cost of living in the United States, which was becoming increasingly unaffordable despite living in a high cost of living area.

How did the speaker feel about their financial situation in the US, even with a six-figure income?

The speaker felt that even with a $150,000 annual income, they were just middle class and struggled to get ahead financially.

What issues does the speaker have with the US healthcare system?

The speaker criticizes the US healthcare system for being expensive, tied to employment, and for creating a situation where people avoid necessary medical care due to the high costs.

What personal experience did the speaker share regarding healthcare costs?

The speaker shared an experience of having to pay $500 out-of-pocket for an MRI, even with insurance, which they decided to forego.

How does the speaker describe the education system in the US?

The speaker describes the US education system as 'garbage,' criticizing it for being outdated and not fostering real intelligence or creativity.

What alternative did the speaker choose for their children's education?

The speaker chose to homeschool their children as an alternative to the public education system and found it to be a better fit for their family.

What cultural differences in work-life balance did the speaker notice when comparing the US to other countries?

The speaker noticed that in other countries, like Europe, there is a stronger emphasis on life over work, with practices such as Siesta time, whereas in the US there is a tendency to prioritize work over personal life.

How does the speaker feel about the political climate in the US?

The speaker dislikes the political climate in the US, citing the extreme divide and the obsession with politics that can ruin relationships and conversations.

What impact did the speaker observe regarding safety concerns in the US?

The speaker observed that the US felt increasingly unsafe, with issues like gun violence, mass shootings, and other crimes making them feel concerned for their family's safety.

What opportunities did the speaker feel were limited in the US?

The speaker felt that opportunities for personal growth, development, and entrepreneurship were limited in the US, especially when compared to the potential they experienced after leaving.

How does the speaker perceive the concept of the 'American Dream' after their experiences?

The speaker views the 'American Dream' as a trap that squeezes money out of people and does not necessarily lead to happiness or fulfillment, despite achieving traditional milestones like owning a house and a car.

Outlines

00:00

💵 Escaping the Financial Strain in the US

The speaker discusses their decision to leave the US due to the high cost of living, which they find to be a significant burden. They mention the challenges of inflation, the job and housing markets, and the overall expense of maintaining a middle-class lifestyle. Despite earning a six-figure salary, they felt trapped in a system that seemed designed to extract as much money as possible from them, leading to a realization that the 'American Dream' was unattainable under these conditions.

05:01

🏥 Disillusionment with the US Healthcare System

The speaker expresses dissatisfaction with the US healthcare system, highlighting its high costs, employer-dependency, and the lack of accessibility for many individuals. They recount personal experiences where the fear of high medical costs deterred them from seeking necessary treatment. The narrative contrasts this with experiences in other countries where healthcare is more affordable and accessible, even for travelers and expats, and emphasizes the relief of no longer being burdened by the high costs of health insurance in the US.

10:03

📚 Critique of the US Education System

The speaker criticizes the US education system, describing it as inadequate and a significant factor in their decision to leave. They chose to homeschool their children due to concerns about the quality of public education and the financial burden of private schooling. The speaker also discusses the benefits of educational systems in other countries, which they perceive as superior, and the potential for their children to receive a better education abroad, including the possibility of more affordable international schooling options.

15:04

🕊️ Seeking a Better Work-Life Balance

The speaker reflects on the cultural emphasis on work over life in the US, which they find problematic. They contrast this with experiences in Europe, where there is a stronger emphasis on life balance, as evidenced by practices like siesta time. The speaker acknowledges their own entrepreneurial drive but recognizes a broader societal issue with work-life balance in the US, suggesting that living elsewhere has allowed for a more relaxed approach to work and life.

🗳️ Avoiding the Toxicity of US Politics

The speaker expresses a strong dislike for the divisive nature of US politics, which they feel has a destructive impact on society, causing rifts among families and friends. They mention the relief of living in a place where politics are not a constant source of stress or conversation. The speaker's decision to leave the US was partly motivated by the desire to escape this toxic political environment.

🚓 Concerns Over Safety in the US

The speaker discusses the growing sense of insecurity in the US, citing issues such as gun violence, homelessness, police brutality, and mass shootings. They share personal anecdotes and stories of friends to illustrate the pervasive fear and danger they felt. This sense of unease and the desire for a safer environment for their family were significant factors in their decision to leave the US.

🌱 Opportunities for Personal Growth Abroad

The speaker concludes by discussing the limited opportunities they felt they had in the US for personal growth and development, particularly in terms of entrepreneurship and global experiences. They believe that leaving the US has allowed them to pursue these opportunities and work on projects they were unable to while living the traditional 'American Dream' lifestyle. The potential for personal and professional growth outside of the US was a compelling reason for their departure.

Keywords

💡Cost of Living

Cost of Living refers to the amount of money needed to sustain a certain standard of life in a particular area, including expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare. In the video's context, it is portrayed as 'outrageous' in the United States, contributing to the decision to leave. The speaker mentions that even in a high cost of living area, the financial burden felt too heavy, and the desire for a better life was stifled by the constant struggle with expenses.

💡Inflation

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling. The script discusses how inflation in the US is making the cost of living worse, affecting the affordability of basic necessities and contributing to the feeling of being 'choked out' financially.

💡Health Care System

The Health Care System encompasses the organizations, policies, and programs aimed at providing healthcare services to people. The video criticizes the US health care system as being inadequate, with high costs and limited access, often tied to employment. The speaker contrasts this with experiences in other countries where healthcare is more affordable and accessible, even for those without insurance.

💡Education System

The Education System refers to the structure and administration of schools and educational programs in a country. The script describes the US education system as 'garbage,' with dissatisfaction stemming from the quality of schooling, outdated materials, and a lack of personal growth opportunities for students. The speaker prefers homeschooling and sees better educational opportunities in other countries.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance is the equilibrium between an individual's work responsibilities and personal life. The video suggests that the US has a cultural issue with prioritizing work over life, leading to a lack of balance and stress. The speaker contrasts this with experiences in Europe, where there is a stronger emphasis on life and leisure, even institutionalized through practices like 'Siesta time.'

💡Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business, which typically involves risk and innovation. The speaker feels limited in their entrepreneurial opportunities in the US due to the constraints of a 9-to-5 job and societal expectations. Leaving the US has allowed for more time and freedom to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

💡Political Climate

Political Climate refers to the prevailing attitudes and opinions about politics in a certain area or among a group of people. The video describes the US political climate as divisive, with extreme positions on the left and right causing stress and conflict. The speaker prefers the lack of political obsession in other countries, which contributes to a more peaceful and enjoyable life.

💡Safety

Safety generally means the state of being 'safe,' free from harm or danger. The script mentions a decline in perceived safety in the US, with concerns about gun violence, mass shootings, and other forms of crime. The speaker contrasts this with a sense of safety in other countries where they have chosen to travel.

💡Opportunities

Opportunities refer to instances or conditions that make it possible to achieve a goal or to engage in a particular activity. The speaker felt that the US, despite being known as the 'land of opportunity,' limited their personal growth and potential for new experiences. Leaving the US has opened up new opportunities for the speaker to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

💡Personal Growth

Personal Growth is the process of improving one's mental, emotional, and social skills and characteristics. The video emphasizes that the speaker felt their personal growth was stunted in the US due to societal constraints and a lack of exposure to different cultures and experiences. Traveling and living abroad have provided the means for significant personal development.

💡American Dream

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States that suggests that freedom, opportunity, and hard work can lead to success. In the script, the American Dream is portrayed as a 'trap' that led to financial strain and a lack of fulfillment despite achieving traditional milestones like owning a house and a car. The speaker's disillusionment with the American Dream was a driving factor in their decision to leave the US.

Highlights

Cost of living in the United States is extremely high, affecting the ability to get ahead and enjoy life.

Inflation and the economy are worsening, impacting housing and job markets.

The American dream feels like a trap, with high expenses for basic living and luxuries.

Even with a high income, feeling middle class and struggling financially is common.

Health care system in the US is criticized for being expensive and inadequate.

Health insurance issues are tied to employment, creating a lack of freedom to change jobs.

Personal experiences with the high cost of medical care, even with insurance.

Health care abroad is often cheaper and more accessible than in the US.

The US education system is seen as subpar, with outdated methods and materials.

Homeschooling as an alternative to the public education system.

International schooling options are more affordable and of higher quality outside the US.

Cultural differences in work-life balance, with the US prioritizing work over life.

Political climate in the US is divisive and impacts personal relationships and choices.

Safety concerns in the US, including gun violence, mass shootings, and crime.

Opportunities for personal growth and development are perceived as limited in the US.

The potential for entrepreneurship and new experiences outside the US.

A desire for a more relaxed and less politically charged environment.

The impact of leaving the US on personal safety and mental well-being.

Transcripts

here's a bunch of reasons why I decided

to leave the US give up my 9 to-5 and

quit the rat race the first thing is

going to be cost of living cost of

living in the United States is

outrageous everyone knows this even if

you try to live in a lowcost of living

area it's still really expensive and

it's getting worse and worse it seems

like inflation and the economy the job

market the housing market everything is

just getting so bad in the US as someone

who's just trying to get by and raise a

family and maybe we have a little bit of

extra money to go on vacation and buy a

few toys for your garage or [ __ ]

that you want to spend your money on

feels like we're all being choked out it

feels like it's so hard to get ahead in

the US and it feels like everything is

so goddamn expensive gas food housing

cars Insurance all of that stuff like

it's insane how much we were spending

just to live in the United States again

we were in a high cost of living area

but we crunched the numbers and we knew

that moving to a lower cost of living

area would only save us a tiny bit more

and it wasn't the answer to our problems

because it's almost like the United

States figures out a way to get you when

you're trying to make your life better

and that sounds cynical and I'm sure

that that's not true but it did feel a

lot like the American dream was dead

we've owned houses we've had the car

we've had the white pickup fence we had

everything that you strive for when you

live in America everything that they try

to sell that dream on we had we bought

into it and it felt like it was just a

trap in order to squeeze as much money

out of us and at the end of the day it

felt like it was just too expensive to

live and the cost of living was just

terrible that's one of the main reasons

if not the top reason we left the US was

we just couldn't afford it anymore and

we didn't want to afford we didn't want

to keep working so hard spending so much

just to live a regular life we did not

live a lavish lifestyle I made $150,000

a year and we felt like we were just

middle class and I remember thinking

that that six figure $100,000 a year was

like that golden number to be well off

and it wasn't the case at all it feels

like in order to have what you think

$100,000 a year will get you in the US

you need to make like half a million and

it's really hard to make that much money

and it's a lot nicer to leave the US

make $50,000 a year and feel like you're

making $150,000 a year and that's what

we've noticed so far and that's one of

the reasons why we left the Health Care

System the Health Care system in the

United States sucks health insurance is

super expensive it's tied into your

employer it's like they dangle it over

your head and they know they hold that

over you and they have

power in the health insurance how many

times have you felt like I would just

leave this job if it wasn't for my

health insurance how you say you know I

could probably get something better but

I'd have to give up my insurance how

companies will hire you part-time or on

call or just just enough to not give you

full benefits so you don't have to get

health insurance how so many people

struggle and don't go to the doctor and

don't get Tak care of for ailments and

things that they need to get looked at

because they don't have health insurance

I'm speaking for personal experience I

remember when I messed up my knee back

when I was younger and I went to go get

an MRI and even with insurance it was

like 500 bucks and I was like no thanks

I'll pass I don't need to do that I'll

just you know cut that leg off if my

knee gets arthritis and I can't walk

when I'm 50 at least I saved 500 bucks

because I didn't have it at the time and

I know that that is a reality of America

and I understand what it's like to not

have health insurance and to worry about

getting sick and going to the doctor or

to get injured and need an ambulance

when I flew off on my motorcycle when I

was like 23 years old I had no health

insurance and I was covered in Road Rash

the firefighters that helped patch me up

were like dude we should take you in so

you can get this stuff cleaned up we

will take you in the ambulance and I was

like whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa I cannot

afford that ambulance ride my motorcycle

was wrecked which was my main mode of

transportation I was covered in blood

and half of my clothes was tore off and

the paramedic was like you should really

get a tetanus shot we should really take

you in right now and get that all

cleaned up cuz you're going to have

asphalt stuck in your arm and that

really looks pretty nasty you might need

a skin graph I remember going to the

Quick Care the next day and having to

call in sick for work and feeling like

damn I'm going to miss a day of work I

don't have insurance and I have to deal

with all this stuff you just don't have

to deal with that when you leave the us

and we're traveling right now so we we

are not in a permanent place but we've

talked with a lot of people who have had

to get health care in different places

in Europe in Asia we got Health Care

here like we had things that we needed

to go to the doctor for my daughter got

food poisoning so we took her in I got

sick my my son stepped on a bee and had

like an allergic reaction so we took him

in I had a blood panel done just because

I wanted to get one done that was only

like 150 bucks that would have been like

thousands of dollars if I wanted to do

that in the US and they probably

wouldn't have even done it because I

tried to get a full blood panel done

when I had Kaiser Permanente insurance

which was like really good health care

from my last job and they wouldn't do it

unless there was a reason unless I was

sick and they needed to check to see

what was wrong with me they wouldn't

give me a full blood pain panel but when

I was in Vietnam I paid 150 bucks and I

got a full blood panel with all my

markers and everything to see if I had

any possibility of getting different

types of cancer and to check the full

works of my blood and it was 150 bucks I

got my teeth clean for $6 great teeth

cleaning that's best teeth cleaning I've

ever had to think that I was paying like

$600 or $700 a month for health

insurance when I was in the US and that

was cheap for my whole family because I

worked for the state and I had really

good health insurance and the think that

like I don't have to pay that anymore

and honestly if anyone gets sick and has

to go to the emergency room like we had

to take my daughter it was only about

$300 for an emergency room visit and

they did an ultrasound they did blood

work they gave her an IV they let her

stay the whole night and it was 300

bucks that's it nothing else no strings

attached at an international hospital

too where everyone spoke English and it

was super clean and nice imagine that

happening in the US and you don't have

health insurance been like 10 to

$20,000 so health sucks in the US and

it's another big reason why we left and

I think that many people probably feel

the same way about that one too the

education system the education system in

the US is garbage and it's a big reason

why we left we were already

homeschooling our kids because we didn't

want them in public education and

private school was too expensive it just

wasn't realistic for us to put them in

private school so we decided to take the

route of homeschooling it kind of worked

out because it happened right during Co

and that's when my wife started

homeschooling them and and we just kept

it up even when they could go back I

don't want my kid at a desk all day

doing worksheets and reading outdated

textbooks filling their head with

information that they probably will

never use and stuff that is not going to

really make them any smarter just makes

them smart enough to read the manuals

and to sit down and be quiet and follow

Direction and that's not what I think

education should be and I know that the

education system system in a lot of

other countries is completely different

when we went to Portugal for the first

time we talked to a lot of parents that

had their children enrolled in school

and they told us about their curriculum

they told us about their school lunches

they told us about how the education

system was there and we were like taken

back we had no idea that it was like

that in other places and we thought they

were in a private school and they were

like no this is completely free they

were expats that lived there and their

American kids were in school there it

was just like you just don't realize how

it is until you leave because you really

do think that it's not going to be

better in other places and then when you

leave you realize that it is and the

education system was a big reason why we

left but not the only reason because

like I said we homeschool but if we ever

settle down somewhere we know that when

we do our kids will have probably a much

better education than they receive in

the United States also we have the

option of taking them to like an

International School which is kind of

like a private school but it's still way

cheaper than most private school in the

US and that's another option and it's

more affordable which I don't want to

get into what an international school is

but goes to show you how bad our

education system is because you can get

private International schooling at like

half the price when you're not in the US

than when you are there just to get a

regular private school it's hard to

understand until you leave but when you

do you'll realize that it's one of the

reasons why you left another thing too

is work life balance I'm on the fence

about work life balance because I'm like

on hustle mode I'm on entrepreneur mode

I don't care about work life balance I

want to go go go go go that is me

because I am trying to do

entrepreneurship because I'm trying to

build businesses I'm trying to create

content I'm trying to make this thing

work and it requires that level of

effort at the time but I will tell you

that there is culturally a problem with

work life balance when it comes to the

United States That You Don't See in

other places and I know every place is

different but I'll tell you like this

when you go to Europe and the stores are

all closed from noon to like 400 p.m.

because it's Siesta time nobody puts

work before their life and it's it's

very balanced in the other direction but

in the US so many people put their work

before their life and their family it's

just something that you don't realize

and you start to appreciate it and you

start to see how it is different

culturally and how it's ingrained in Us

in the US to just be like that and when

you leave the US you start seeing that

oh other people don't really care about

work and their jobs as much as Americans

do and it's crazy how we're almost

indoctrinated to be like good little

worker bees where other places like in

France for instance didn't they up the

retirement age by like one or two years

and there was a fullon protest with

riots and they were burning [ __ ] down

because they are like uh-- uh uh you are

not making us work any harder than we

need to it's nice to kind of adjust and

change that way because I do feel that

there is a sense of obeying our

corporate overlords that we have

instilled in us As Americans that you

don't see in other places that was kind

of ranty and whatnot but just know that

it's a lot different in when you're not

in the US and it's a big reason why we

left because we kind of just like when

it's more chill political climate I

hate United States politics I hate the

divide that there is in the US I hate

the extreme left I hate the extreme

right and I hate anyone who's too far

off the middle because it is crazy how

people just obsess over the news over

the politics over the policies over what

people are doing with their bodies over

what the beliefs are there like so much

of that [ __ ] in the US as and it's just

like it breaks families apart it

destroys friendships it just makes you

choose where you live it makes you

choose who you hang out with it makes

you hate people for no reason other than

the [ __ ] that they're pumping into you

through the media and it's so crazy how

much the political climate just doesn't

affect us now like we left and I don't

know what the politics are here I don't

care

I don't live here I'm traveling my

family and I are nomads if we ever

decide to settle down somewhere we will

make the right choice to find a place

that has reasonable politics although

politics areed everywhere the fact that

we don't have to deal with that anymore

the fact that I don't have to hear about

Trump or Biden or whatever the fact that

I don't he have to hear about any of

that nonsense it's not on the radios

it's not on all the TVs when you go to

different establishments you don't have

to hear people talk about it it's not

brought up in conversation even with

expats who are full-time Travelers I've

never once got into a political

conversation with any of them unless it

was more like don't you hate how crazy

things are in America and Isn't it nice

like leaving and coming somewhere else

where it's not like that and then you

kind of get into that like a lot of us

that decide to travel and become expats

and traveling families we all kind of

felt a little bit like America was on

fire and there's a lot of political

aspects to that but I've never gotten

into a political conversation with any

of the Americans that I've met while

traveling and I've met a bunch of them

and it's just something like when you

leave you just stop caring about it many

of us who decide to leave were never far

left or far right we were just far from

the [ __ ] and I think that that's

what a lot of the politics are in the US

and it's one of the main reasons that we

decided to leave cuz we don't like it we

don't like having to have every

conversation be about what site are you

on are you team red or blue are you left

or right we don't care we we we

left we we left left not we left or we

are left like we we're gone so a few

more reasons why we left the US is

safety the US just started to feel very

very very unsafe problems everywhere

drugs homelessness police brutality mass

shooting school shootings you name it

all of that stuff like those safety

concerns that really started to feel

like it could happen to us at any time

I've got friends who have been involved

in some crazy stuff you just wouldn't

imagine that happening in other places

again different places right like if I

hear that there are some really sketchy

places that you can visit that we're not

going going to cuz we are traveling to

Safe locations and I'm not Young and

Wild and Free I've got family and kids

and I got to make sure that they're safe

so we go to Safe places so I'm sure that

there are dangers if you go to dangerous

places but America just felt very unsafe

overall in general like I don't know how

many people that I know personally that

have had some crazy [ __ ] happened to

them and not even my shady ass friends

from back in the day like nice people

people who have families and jobs and

responsibilities not the delinquent hood

rats that I knew from when I was younger

someone I know actually you know I won't

drop names but they watch my channel and

they'll know if I'm talking about them

like him and his son got shot at by some

delinquents trying to sell some stuff on

offer up they're both lucky to be alive

his son was like 15 at the time and it's

just crazy like I I had an

AK47 pulled out on me and my friends in

traffic because my friend accidentally

cut somebody off an

AK47 in traffic this was way back in the

day but it happened gun violence and the

dangers of America are crazy I know so

many people who were committing crimes

growing up I know that those are

realities I understand that like there

are very dangerous people again

everywhere not just America but it seems

like it felt that America was getting

more and more unsafe you know what's

funny is we heard a firework go off and

me and my wife jumped we freaked out and

the first thing that came to her mind

and I were someone was shooting and I

remember when we first went to England

when we went for guy fox day somebody

made a joke that they said that you can

tell who the Americans are when the

fireworks go off they start jumping and

they get scared and it's

weird because it's true and I've

experienced it since and that most

recent one was just like oh man that's

that's nuts and it's just where your

mind's at because we're just so used to

that being a potential reality of our

day when you just don't know if

something dangerous is going to happen

and it doesn't feel that way and it's

one of the reasons why we left because

safety was a concern and we like going a

safe places and it felt that America was

just getting a little unsafe the last

two things that I'll just mention is

opportunities that we have and the

potential for personal growth and

development I felt that I was very

limited on my opportunities in America

ironically enough the land of

opportunity and considering where I came

from I am literally a living breathing

embodiment of the American dream because

I came from nothing and I was able to

work my way up and eventually get a good

job in a career and get the house and

kids and all that stuff but it still

felt like the opportunities for me to

pursue entrepreneurship for me to grow

as an individual by traveling and seeing

different parts of the world like those

things were not going to happen if I

just kept working a 9 to5 and I kept

living the American dream and if I

didn't leave America and just kept doing

those things like I would not have been

able to do that and there was a big

reason why we left that had to do with

opportunity and growth and now as we've

left I've been working really hard on

trying to continue to make content and

build up my social medias and start

working on the apps that I've been

talking about working on that I didn't

have time to I have time now and I

wouldn't have had that time if I would

have stayed and that's one of the

biggest reasons why we left apart from

the rest that I've mentioned in this

video and with all that said I'm going

to end this video now I don't know if

this video is going to be helpful to

anyone but I just wanted to express some

of the reasons why we decided to get out

because maybe you're feeling the same

way and you might want to get out sooner

or later all right with all that said

thanks for watching and I'll see you

next time