e.g., broader perspectives on life, empathy, ability to adapt…etc
If you could go back in time, would you chosen to live in multiple countries and/or cities vs staying in one place your whole life?
I’m a special boy. If you like that kind of thing.
Experiencing how people live in different cultures made me more accepting and open minded, and I can now see beyond the tribalist nonsense that many of us grew up with. Being fluent in several world languages also helps.
-> I can now see beyond the tribalist nonsense that many of us grew up with.
This is gold. So many of us grow with ideas fueled by competition and discrimination. Only to realize that this makes us insensitive ignorants
Having one home for life is blessing, same as ability to travel and occasionally live in other places.
My brother lived all his life in the same country. I lived in multiple cities/countries.
Both of us had good lives: He enjoyed benefits that are typical for people who live in the same place. I enjoyed benefits that comes with migration.
Both of us were fortunate to avoided problems: He avoided problems that are typical for people who live in the same place. I avoided problems that are typical for migrants.
I really dislike posts that lead to romanticizing migration.
I feel like people who romanticize migration specifically, and not enjoy the one new country they move to, are the type to never be satisfied. I suppose if you have to skills, money, will power, and lack of attachment to move countries constantly, that’s your choice, but just admit you get bored quickly lol.
New perspectives and experiences, talking points and easy connections when meeting new people, broadening my understanding of the limits of what I can achieve or be comfortable with, etc.
Dual citizenship. It’s nice to have the security of an escape hatch, if I ever need it.
The maintenance of privacy and the air of mystery.
what a lovely way to put it lol
- Not feeling limited or trapped.
- Greater lifestyle and experiences.
- A broader perspective of my options
My brother lives a good life in a small town. Has a wife and kids, a low-cost mortgage that he can afford very easily given how much money he makes. But even though he makes significantly more money than me, I would not trade places with him. When we talk and I mention he should travel, he says it would be fun but he can’t because he needs to take time off work, schedule things with his family, etc… He also feels it would be more expensive than it actually is.
I do not feel that when it comes to travel because I work remotely, do not have a family, and if I go somewhere else, I can just leave my Airbnb for another Airbnb. My “rent” is monthly or bi-weekly. I’m not locked into a contract that forces me to pay for a specific location. This grants me an amount of psychological freedom that’s hard for people who don’t live this life to even imagine without thinking they need to be rich to do it.
I’m able to stay in a mansion, penthouse, or just a nice condo with a view in South America, SEA, etc… Eat at fancy restaurants, have a maid, and driver for a MUCH lower cost than in the states. My lifestyle is dramatically better because of this.
The way I think about money has totally changed. When I lived in San Francisco, I was make about $5,000/month. I felt like it was peanuts. Barely enough to get by. I dreamed of doubling it and I could feel comfortable. Now I know that $5,000/month gets me a radically greater lifestyle in various parts of the world and I would even be able to save money.
With that said, the way I think about money has changed completely. I’m not as obsessed just “making more” as much as I’m thinking how can I make more remotely and where can I go to maximize my lifestyle with what I have now.
It’s even more important when you’re older. I live in Portugal own my seaside T3 condo outright. condo fees 170.0 quarterly. Full time housekeeper/ Cook. Fresh Sea bass, Cod. Have not cooked, cleaned done laundry in years. Average 5k spend maybe a little more with a car service or home repair. In the Bay Area I made 140k and felt barely middle class. Too tired to cook after work spent all my money on sushi and sake. My quality of life improved dramatically. No car jacking, car thefts, or swarms of shoplifters where I live. The U.S. no longer thinks there should be consequences for criminal behavior which is only a recipe for norm less ness and anarchy.
Do you think you’ll keep that lifestyle till your 60s? Or is it just a phase till mid life crisis hits in your 40-45?
Considering that I’m only 28, I can’t realistically make assumptions about what I’ll be thinking 20-40 years from now.
Right now my goal is complete location and financial freedom. The fact that I don’t make $1M/month prevents me from having that without lowering my lifestyle ambitions. Which I will not do under any circumstances.
Gotcha. But I assume the US is your tax residence country (183 days spent a year), right?
changed completely. I’m not as obsessed just “making more” as much as I’m thinking how can I make more
what do you do for work?
Marketing
You don’t believe in stereotypes like all Canadians are the nicest, friendly, sorry, etc. people.
I’m sorry some of us aren’t nice.
Freedom of fear. You know if it’s not good that you can just go .
Yes, I would do it again, just maybe started sooner
If everyone had the experience of being a foreigner (or an outsider) they would understand how much a friendly hand can be, and they’d be more willing to extend a friendly hand to a stranger in need.
The friendships that last to this day, and the realization that every country has positives and negatives - just pick the one that fits you best.
I think I am a lot more open that other people from my country - I am genuinely curious to know other people’s stories and love meeting new people. And of course language abilities. I also have a lot more intercultural knowledge than my compatriots that have not lived in different countries, which is really helpful in the workplace.
I have lived in six different countries (three continents) and wouldn’t change it for the world! Looking to move abroad again soon.
Takes almost no time to adapt to a new place now. And extra languages. That’s about it.
Understanding that my normal is abnormal in many places and yet still there is happiness and thriving.