r/expats

For context, I was born and raised in Germany, and life here is good. Wages are high, it's safe and clean, healthcare is quite good, college is cheap, etc.

I could go on. I recognize it's an immense privilege to have been born in such a developed country.

However, I long for the US.

I think in English, and I consume almost exclusively American media; the shows and movies I watch, the music I listen to, the videos I watch, the podcasts I hear, and the books I read are all American. Americans often just assume I'm one of them when getting to know me.

I'm brown and of visibly Middle Eastern descent. I live in a fairly liberal city, so it's not too great of an issue, but the stereotypes are still strong; most people expect me to behave and talk in a certain way.

When they hear me speak Standard High German, learn that I'm gay, or learn that I'm an atheist, I can sense they are surprised. It's exhausting having to prove again and again that I don't fit their stereotypical view of what a brown person is like.

In the US, I feel like I'd go under the radar in a major city/be perceived as Hispanic. Now, I don't want to downplay the racism Hispanics in the US face, but I'm fairly certain it's less intense, given that they're fairly close culturally.

I feel like my humour and openness align much more with Americans. I've met quite a few Americans in my city and on travels abroad, and I almost always get along with them great. I have good friends here, but I feel like I'd make close friendships there too. And I love AC.

Not to be cheesy, but I feel like I'm an American at heart, born in the wrong country.

I'm aware of issues as well though, of course. Healthcare, most notably, but also worse food quality, worse work/life balance, worse walkability, higher prices, lower safety, etc.

Nevertheless, I can't help but think I'd feel more at home there

Hi guys,
Me and my family are moving from the US to the Netherlands in a couple of days, going to Eindhoven! I’m sad to leave friends and family behind and pretty scared about the change but also excited. Anyone else here moved from the US to Eindhoven? Or the Netherlands in general? How’s your life now? Do you love it?

25, Moved alone to uae. Started a whole new chapter where I had no prior connections what so ever. I don’t like dating apps and dating in general is very transactional here. I’d like to settle down and marry before 30. I found friends in colleagues but i don’t understand how can somebody find love like this?

Health insurance is a pretty common topic in the expats community and I really see 2 types of people :
- the ones that are just relying on the national healthcare in the country they are, and paying for medical assistance
- the ones paying for an international healthcare

What’s your choice and why ?

tl;dr I’m a USA-Portugal dual citizen planning to move to Portugal but maintain a second residence in the USA. What are my options when searching for a remote job employer?
My partner and I are both USA and EU dual citizens. We’re planning to move to Portugal from the USA in about a year but with flexibility to still probably spend 1-2 months of the year in the US. My partner owns his own USA-based business and can support it remotely.
I will have to quit my job as it doesn’t support remote work. As I look for new employment, should I look for USA-based or EU-based remote jobs? Does it matter given my citizenships and plan to maintain addresses in both countries?
I apologize for asking about topics that have been sort of addressed before, but I’m finding it difficult to tease out how being dual citizens alleviates certain restrictions but not others. I’m not asking for all the answers but any guidance on what policies to consider when seeking new employment would really help me do more of my own research.
How to target my job search and when to start it given my timeline is really where I would love some tips. Thank you!

Moving to the UK from the US and I’ve driven there for a few weeks (including a gutsy travel through the lanes) so I know the sizes of cars, prices of petrol, parking spaces are much different than the US. I’m curious what “smaller” vehicle is best for my wife and I when considering sizes of roads (I.e. lanes), horsepower, cargo (for two), and petrol cost. Price range is 6k£-9k£.

Also any tips are appreciated!

Did you have a job lined up or go there on the fly. It seems such a risk to go there and have nothing lined up.

When I was young I had foreign ESL pen pals. I enjoyed learning about regular people in other parts of the world. I do not participate in the social media platforms common in the West, because of how toxic they are, and how toxic the owners are. This means I am at a loss as to how to meet English speaking people from other parts of the world. I can help them with their English if they would benefit from that.

My goal is to learn about them and their culture and eventually visit them in their country. I have no desire to live sheltered in some enclave of entitled American expats. I don’t think normal tourism with regular guides will really show me what a place is really like. Are there any subreddits or web platforms to meet people this way? I am seeking friends only, not romantic interest.

I wish to make friends online who live in any of the regions that western expats tend to land with SE Asia, central America, and possibly Mexico being high on the list. Unfortunately for me, my ignorant country does not value learning a second language. My greatest handicap is that I only speak English. I am willing to learn to communicate better where ever I end up, but I am far better with STEM subjects than I am with languages.

Apologies if this is not appropriate for this sub. I am an American in my late 40’s hoping to retire early (in 6 to 10 years) somewhere where I can be part of the local community. I have many reasons for wanting to do so. The men in my family tend to die fairly early. My father collected 1 social security check before dieing, even though he had paid into SS since he was 12 years old. Going back 12 generations the Average age of death is 67 and the median is 56.

With the rise of the oligarchs in the states and their market capture of all aspects of modern life, I feel disheartened trying to stay and retire in the USA. I feel like I am giving them my hard earned money every day and getting less and less in return. I understand that the same is more or less an issue in many parts of the world, it just feels like the developing world still has pockets of local economies where the money I spend to by food, to pay rent, and to support local events, helps the local community.

Previously I have traveled to many rural areas in the western US thinking of retiring there. But the rural politics have now become so toxic, I do not wish to be a part of their communities.