With the U.S. economy in a death spiral, many Americans have been wondering if moving out of the United States is a way to escape the coming economic collapse. While it is true that the U.S. economy will drag down the rest of the economies around the globe at least to an extent, the reality is that someone living on an island in the middle of nowhere will be able to weather the coming economic storm a whole lot better than someone in New York or Los Angeles. But is moving out of the United States a practical alternative? First of all, it is very important to realize that moving some to another country can cause a massive culture shock. Even a nation that you would think would be somewhat similar such as the U.K. can be radically different from what most Americans are accustomed to. In addition, in some cases there can be huge taxes and fees imposed on those moving to a new country.
But if you are looking for a change and are ready for something different, moving to another country may work out for you. In particular, moving to another country tends to work out for those who already have money and do not have to work. The dollar is still strong in many areas of the world (especially the third world), so if you have a sufficient bankroll saved up there are areas of the world where you can literally live like a king.
However, if you still need to work, moving to another country can present a huge challenge. The truth is that wages in many areas of the world (especially in the third world) are much lower than in the United States. On the flip side, the cost of living is often much lower in other areas of the world.
So is moving to another country the right answer for everyone? No, of course not. But for some people it may be a wonderful alternative.
To give you more of a perspective on moving out of the United States, we have posted two comments from our readers below. The first is from a reader named Chris who is very excited about moving his family to the Philippines. The second is from a reader named John who provides an alternative viewpoint on what living in the Philippines is like....
Chris:
Well I feel the same way as Mae does. I can see what is the possible outcome; a deflationary depression, an inflationary depression, dollar devaluation, confiscation of our money, confiscation of gold, a “freeze” on our savings accounts, etc…
Well so what is our solution? Well my wife is a Filipino American. She was born here. But she has very close ties to her ancestral homeland. So we are going to move in April 2010. We are going to move to a remote town/village. We already bought some land under her father’s name who lives there now and had a beautiful 3000 square foot Spanish villa built two years ago. Plus we bought lots and lots of land where we can grow our own organic food and raise chickens.
Even though as a whole the Philippines is a poor society, they are moving forward. If you have about $150,000 or more, you can live like a king with all of the Western accommodations. If you are living in the U.S.A. then move. Our country won’t be the same in the next coming years. I will wait for this storm to pass. Then I can either choose to stay in the Philippines or come back to America.
Remember, whatever you do, prepare yourself. “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best”.
John:
I was talking to a friend here in the Philippines this afternoon who has two young adult children who are both working full time jobs. He is worried that they will NEVER be able to have a home of their own or even ever an apartment. They both work for Call centers and their jobs USED to based in the USA. They are happy to have a job but they are only earning 13,000 pesos a month. That is about $300 !!!
The same exact job in the states is paying over $400 a week! The of living is less in the Philippines BUT things are NOT so cheap that you could have a home of your own. $300 a month is NOT very much money NO MATTER where in the world you live. The cost of gasoline is MORE here, about $4.00 a gallon. Going out to eat at McDonalds appears to cost less BUT the serving sizes are less so in the long run you pay the same. The wages for a McDonalds employee is about $7 a day so the employees can not even afford to eat at McDonalds!
The employers are making MILLIONS off of the cheap labor. The jobs that used to be in the states are NOW here but the BOSS MAN is making even MORE PROFIT. The employers do not have the misc. taxes to pay like they would in the states. The wages are obviously several hundred dollars or more LESS than the same job in the states. These employers have NOT reduced the cost of their products or services so they are really raking in the bucks.
The american people have lost their jobs and they will NOT see them return. And the people here who are now doing those same jobs are not much better off. The filipino employees are wise enough to understand they are being taken advantage of but there is nothing they can do. They need a job also, so complaining about the low wages does nothing. There are thousands that will take the job you do not want.
Many areas in the Philippines are incredibly wealthy. You see housing developments that the average american could not afford to live in. I see cars that cost tens of thousands of dollars on the road everyday. They have huge shopping malls that are bursting at the seams with stores in EVERY retail location. Unlike the mall in my home town of Cedar Rapids Iowa. The mall there looks like a GHOST TOWN.
The only people that are winning are the CORPORATIONS that are raking in huge profits while the little guy suffers.
Australia is the best country in the world to live in. This is the statement of Australians who have been to USA and other countries. It is what USA used to be years ago. It will be a few years before Australia becomes like USA. USA has left its Christian roots and I am afraid there are those who will make sure it never goes back.
Good discussion and great points on both sides. Me personally, I saw the erosion of civil liberties, entitlements, and now bank bailouts and massive deficits as the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back”. First under Bush, now under Obama.
I had enough, so I left.
Now, you couldn’t PAY me to live stateside again. And this is from a man living in a South American “3rd World hell hole” (according to my critics). Oh, if they only knew.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But the low cost of living, higher quality of life, better medical care, chemical-free food, etc. makes the risk:reward ratio definitely worth the effort.
Moving overseas is not for everybody. If you’re not willing to let go of the “Ugly American” or if you can’t adapt/improvise/overcome, then it’s best you stay right where you are and deal with the head first dive into 3rd world standards of living that the U.S. is heading toward.
I love my country, but like investment tycoon Doug Casey says, “America is an idea, not a country. AMERICA IS A STATE OF MIND.”
nobody think in Uruguay in south america , this is my choice )))
My wife is from the Philippines. We spend as much time there as possible. Our plan is to retire there. I have two businesses here so I cannot leave now. We have built a 4-bedroom house in her hometown and my wife is going back next month to look for farmland.
The US outlook is poor and I feel my children will not have the standard of living we have. it is my hope to have my daughters take over my business so they do well. Our government is out of control.
My wife is also from the Philippines. However, we have traveled and fallen in love with Thailand. There is a good chance that we’ll retire in Chiang Mai.
I find that people that preach from the ivory tower are ones that have never ventured much outside of USA. I agree with many of the other posters in that I don’t like the direction the US govt is headed.
For the first time in American history, you have an entire group of middle class (usually men) scratching their heads thinking “I can go overseas and find a lovely wife 20 years my junior, live off $1000 a month and have many of the basic ammenities that I have in the States…where do I sign up?”
I look forward to jumping off the face paced rat wheel and living a less hurried and simple life. I won’t miss the uber war of the sexes that is happening in the States. Just want to live in a place where people make eye contact and actually smile at each other. Fortunately places like this really do exist.
Please go through some research with NAMI on learning about my recovery from that head injury I sustained at the age of 9. It feels like the Texan law making body is pouring nothing but pain in my lap. Sad as it sounds this state is full of nothing but unhealthy MDs and crooks who are running away with what I’ve created because of their disagreement on my behalf. Since I’ve had these seizures after that blow I suffered growing up, and recovered with marathons to talk about makes them look stupid. This whole state is off course with NAMI, but that doesn’t mean I have to follow; or does it? What’s up!!!
I am a law student. I know the meaning of “freedom” being a myth in America. America has more laws that restrict a person’s movements and possessions than any other country in the World. America has laws restricting a person’s movement that even North Korea doesn’t have (e.g. can’t place a bag next to you on a subway car seat. Can’t sit on a milk crate. Can’t drive slow or you will receive a $50-$200 fine or 15 days in prison, etc.) Ask an American what freedom is to them and they will only talk about freedom of speech. They fail to realize their lost freedom of movement and possessions.
My wife and I decided to move out of America. Things are getting worse here. Mothers are killing their children. Husbands are killing their wives for economic reasons. Kids are killing their classmates because of a movie they saw. American families are being defined as the single mother. Laws are being made to prohibit religions that help create morals. Americans are going crazy. It is just too much for us. We can’t take it any more. It is also the government who is on your back all the time victimizing you. The priority in America seems to be on how much money you have. It is NOT about what is fair to pay. It is about how much they can make you pay until you break. And many do it with fraudulent tactics. Everything is getting so expensive. Our government has implemented laws to allow our companies to move overseas while selling products to us. For example, it seems like everything has a “Made in China” on it.
My wife and I can live a better life outside of America. Free medical care. Free education. No monthly rent because we are buying a small apartment. No maintenance fees. No real estate tax. No sales tax. No income tax…LOL!!!! That’s a dream come true.
Bye…Bye U.S.A. Good luck.
America no longer encourages self-sufficiency and independence. I moved to Costa Rica because it is a country without a military, and still has a very strong rural community. There are also many sustainable communities, and the climate is ideal for the self-sufficient lifestyle — this one is an organic farm with ocean views
The United States was a despicable country to start with. They create the illusion of wellness, but are secretly poisoning their people for profits. Also, they hav a campaign of political sabotage and terror all over the world.
Some immigrants come here and are so excited to kiss-up to these people, even if their forefather were terrorized by the Anglo-American.
It was raised in the blood of the innocent whom they raped and murdered with impunity, and now it is their turn..
This time, the children will pay for the sins of their forefathers.
Good riddance to such a depraved, hate-filled, and wicked people.
SEE: TERROSTORM
The funny thing is how the Anglo-American will go to Asia and bed the Filipinas and others. These women have no scruples or morals.
They are no better than the children of the scum that founded this vile U.S.
Everything that’s going down right now makes me so sad. I can scarcely believe my eyes and ears these days…it’s like we’re being invaded by an insidious virus that’s eating us from the inside out. And Rudy, I don’t know who you are or where you come from, but don’t lay your heavy judgements on all Americans. You can’t blame regular, everyday American citizens just trying to get by for every horrible thing the U.S. Government has perpetrated. A lot of that is, sadly, out of our hands. Besides the nastiness you speak of is usually sent out by the Illuminati..the original s*** starters. And trust me, those freaks of nature are subplanted in every country on this globe;even Australia. They’re trying to destroy my country because we pose the biggest threat to their “New World Order.” Most humans don’t want war and I, for one, am sick and tired of being pushed around like a pawn on a chess board. I’d rather stay and fight then run away. That’s just my opinion.