article

Why Fleeing the USA May Not Be Such a Bad Idea

Tuesday Jun 9, 2009 – By Sky Obercam

79860411 Regardless of what those disgruntled Republicans say, scores of Americans believe that President Obama and his administration are doing their best to save this sinking ship called the U. S. of A. Despite their efforts, a continually growing deficit, and dollar on the decline, it appears as though we’re heading, en masse, towards trying times of unprecedented proportions. By no means do we advocate that the USA is not worth saving, alas, it’s hard not to fantasize about jumping ship from time to time. For those of you who indulge in this guilty pleasure, dig the following points that may justify your desire to evacuate:

The dollar ain’t worth ish. At this point, you may be better off getting a simple job abroad, like teaching English for example. In this economy, you’ll most likely be in a position to support your family back on the mainland, and even have enough left to take regular vacations.

Our experience in this country has always been a stressful one. Fleeing the US may a be a great idea for those of you who are sick of American-styled discrimination and seek to exist far away from the distinctly rigid social structure that stems from the American slave system.

Education is always the first to be hit by rough financial times, so if you have, or are planning to have children, they stand a better chance of receiving a decent education outside of the US – and may end up mutli-lingual in the process.

The fact that many Americans seriously considered Sarah Palin qualified to act as Vice President have left many fully prepared to run for the hills.

For those of you who are uninsured (or under-insured), imagine a day where if you were to accidentally cut yourself, and the first thought in your mind wouldn’t revolve around whether you can afford to have your severed finger sewed back onto your hand? Many countries actually view medical services a human service – not a for-profit business.

For the singles, this could be your moment to stand out from the crowd. As an expat, you’ll carry an edge of exoticism that’s bound to add volume to your dating life. That is, unless, you choose to live in an area where Americans are widely detested.

Practically speaking, there are several areas of the world that are actually experiencing huge economic upturns, China being one of them. With the right business strategy, spending a few productive years in select developing regions can yield favorable financial results.

Living abroad is an excellent way to broaden your mind and scope of experiences. Talk to anyone who’s spent a significant time out of the US and they will tell you that by immersing yourself in a new culture, you may grow in ways in which you never thought possible.

A growing number of Americans from all backgrounds are making their homes outside the boundaries of the United States. It’s no easy task to enculturate oneself into an unfamiliar environment, as it is no small feat to thrive in a country in facing such socio-economic turmoil. There are no clear answers – all any of can do is hold on tight, have faith, and continue to forge on.

EnsomCityEmpress says:

June 9, 2009 at 4:11 pm

wow this magazine is totally in my head. all these plans we( my husband & I). I dont plan to stay here very long, simply put id rather be living a simple island life until i die, i will be much happier, creditr free, tax free and just free! i wish my mother sent me away to some boarding school in europe when she had the chance, i would have been much more cultured, but i am definately doing that to my children. Western World has ran its course,everything that is supposed to happen is happening. long time we tell dem sey fi bring back black people go back a africa, but unno neva wa hear when rasta a talk, seeit deh now! hell cum a earth!

↑ Reply

Kathia says:

June 9, 2009 at 6:59 pm

For real Empress. I feel you. I listen to may things that the rasta man and woman say. Many events have been predicted within a variety of spiritual texts around the world. Simplicity is wisdom and I am open to move to another country to experience that.

Clnmike says:

June 9, 2009 at 10:41 pm

My mother works in Britian she came over to visit and you would of thought she was a rap star the way she was spending money. The British Pound is almost double the dollar, factor in free healthcare and the idea is pretty good.

On the flip side it is not uncommon for people to work in the United States for 4-6 months out of the year and than go to another country and live off the dollar saved for 6 months to a year in those countries were the dollar still is strong.

Glennisha Morgan says:

June 11, 2009 at 9:44 am

I’m totally down for living outside of the US one day.

Ms. R says:

June 11, 2009 at 10:40 am

It’s funny, those in the US want to leave but so many of us here (here being the UK) want to escape to the US.

texasgrl says:

June 11, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Hmmmm I was just thinking about this.

Lee Gordon says:

June 11, 2009 at 6:49 pm

Hey y’all. I married a Brazilian woman 5 years ago. We have a 3 y.o. daughter and are expecting another child. We speak Portuguese at home, something I never ever imagined before meeting my wife; it’s our daughter’s first language. As an American, I’m the one who’s jonesing to get down there and feel living everyday life outside this place. But my wife is a US citizen now, and we both fear the violence in Brazil. One of these days we gonna do it!

lajoliefille says:

June 12, 2009 at 9:38 pm

I’m sorry but if you’re a person of color and you travel to a European country be prepared to face xenophobia and discrimination of a different caliber. The thing that people often forget is that countries such as France,the UK, and Denmark, haven’t had a civil rights movement and aren’t really acquainted with immigrants like the US. So you’ll often meet people who assume you’re there illegally or you’re stealing their job and there more frank about their prejudices than those in the US. I say this as a self professed francophile every country has it hang ups its just that we don’t hear abut or experience first hand (due to the shittyness of US media IMO)

Amber says:

June 12, 2009 at 10:08 pm

I’ve done a fairly extensive amount traveling in Europe–even lived in Italy for a few months, it wasnt all it is hyped up to be. Just as much racism and classism from natives and visiting Americans as I experienced in the US. I couldnt wait to come home– at least here I dont have to struggle to understand what people say behind my back lol

18andlovinit says:

June 13, 2009 at 7:31 pm

Mrs R you are so right!
When i see americans over here….i always ask
“why did you come here”, it just seems so wierd to me, however, every country has problems.

Jst1BlckMn says:

June 18, 2009 at 5:59 pm

To Afrika maybe ?

Zoe says:

June 25, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Both my parents did it. They felt America is too stressful and now they’re living it up in West Africa.

TicToc says:

June 29, 2009 at 8:29 am

Those that comment on racism in Europe do forget one vital thing: The cultural diffferences between, say, a Germany and an Italy are way bigger than the difference between F.I. California and Ohio, even when Germany and Italy lie geographically much closer than the mentioned American states.Europe still has clrearly defined borders between countries. Ignoring it is a mistake that, sadly, many Americans make and it gives a skewed vision of ” Europe” as a whole. Europe is not a mega-state, but a conglommerate of smaller countries with very distinct differences in culture. It is only a Union in the financial sense.

Italy is Notorious in Europe for it’s racism, The Netherlands, Danmark, Sweden, Norway are known for their liberal look on “race” and their well-run wellfare and healthcare schemes ,yet are notorious for their fear of people of the Muslim faith(I know from experience,I am no muslim, but I happen to live in Northern Europe). France is racist to the umpteenth degree towards North-Africans & muslem and is acting just plain conceited towards the rest of Europe….So, not exactly “Xenophobic” but “Religio- or Islamo-phobic” A very important difference, that must be seen in the light of very secular societies, that have a long, painful, history of bloodshed in the name of religion, so Europeans as a whole are very wary of religion in any shape or form.

Being “colored/black/mixed/whatever” doesn’t mean a whole lot, but being a muslim very much does.

Racism towards blacks does exist, but not to the institutionalized extend it does in The States.(no “race” tick-box on any form or document)

Advise: When travelling Europe(Please dodespite expensive Euro’s), try more than 2 closely aligned countries and especially do not skip the odd little countries like Andorra, Monaco, Belgium or The Netherlands. It’ll give a whole new spectrum of experiences and a million differences to ponder..

Jay Digital says:

July 6, 2009 at 9:16 am

As a follow up to this article I would like to see a piece detailing how one would go about making the move to another country. Speak on the legal steps and career decisions that need to made to turn the dream into reality.

Thanks for the piece. Like many others who have commented this has been on my mind for the past few months.