When I moved to the US I moved with a job. But to Canada, I just packed a Uhaul and went to Canada with my permanent residency papers. My plan B was to buy a return flight if I didn’t find a job and ran out of savings. It worked out well: two weeks to settle, two weeks to get two job offers and the rest is history.

Most people think that travel involves spending a large amount of money in a short period of time. They work all year to spend a large sume in a week. Hence, they can’t imagine how someone can afford two weeks, or three, let alone 52 weeks traveling.

I spend a month what many people spend in a weekend getaway. And in 6 months in Europe what they spend on a 10 day Europe vacation.

That’s why they can’t understand someone traveling a nomad way. Spending the same or less or maybe just a tiny bit more than loving in the same place.

With an equivalent salary, my observation is that people tend to spend less in some things so they can spend more in others. From no mortgage/no car to less physical possessions.

Even the big spender nomads, making the same in a single place, would have a larger house or a more expensive car or more clothes, etc.

For context, I live now in Montreal where there is always something happening. Want culture, entertainment, to protest, etc. There is always something happening.

I don’t think it’s about countries but cities.

Many countries have the fastest and slowest paces in different regions.

Could it be that they share those complaints as a conversation topic given you are British too?

Most people miss familiar things when they become expats.

However, I had (past tense) a friend from the UK who emigrated to Canada and was complaining about immigration to the UK. He really couldn’t see the irony.

Back to the question. I don’t struggle with people from Mexico because I tend to socialize with people from everywhere (at our home parties we switch from English to French to Portuguese to Spanish to Mandarin) so the Mexicans I know are also “international” Mexicans. I guess we tend to associate with people similar to us.

Talking about irony and associating with similar people, here is an observation for awarwness. Did you notice that you are whining about how whiny people from the UK are?

The advantage for us who change countries because we want and can is that we can always go back if and when it doesn’t workout any more and there is no shame on that.

Others don’t need to agree with your reasons, they aren’t living your life.

Port tô a VoIP number. I pay 89 cents per month and I actually can use it anywhere I have internet connection.

I use VoIP.ms

1. Security
2. Corruption
3. Inneficiencies
4. Social inequalities.

I grew up in Mexico. Left 25 years ago due to those reasons above.

When I go on vacations I have a blast. I love it but I wouldn’t move back.

I find that most Mexicans are some of the nicest people but a few are some of the worst.

If you have money and power in Mexico, life is sweet, but you need to always look over your shoulder. If you don’t have money, life is hard.

Travelingnwith a US salary in Mexico everything seems cheap. Living with a Mexican salary in Mexico is ridiculously expensive.

Of course, Mexico is a large and varied country. There are safe and less expensive cities but jobs there pay way less.

On the other hand, I realize that, while security is an issue, the constant bombardment of news increases the security anxiety when you live there. This is: security ain’t as good as a vacation may feel but it isn’t as bad as the people there feel it is.

Context: in a single year I was assaulted at gun point in the street. My office was robbed at gun point for the payroll. I got kidnapped (just 4 hours). And my car was stolen from my parking lot. I had an accident (Just my car) on the highway and the MP (district attorney) threatened jail. I had to give a bribe or go to a jail in a town In the middle of nowhere. It took a out 10 years or more to regularize the deed on a house my dad had been building.

My sister’s ex is an attorney and business person with political connections I swear that he said with a straight face and thinking he was right when he had a public position “if I help someone get their business faster (jump the line) it is ok if they help be back”. He is a good guy in general but he couldn’t comprehend why that was wrong. Of course he is quite wealthy.

The world is wanderful and awfulnat the same time. It depends on the lot you get and your perspective. Even in the same country there may be scary and wonderful places.

Here is a thought. When I left my original country I thought. I’ll do my best, but if I can’t find a job and I have enough money for my return ticket, I’ll be back. Well, I didn’t go back.

So, when ypu leave out of your own volition, you can always come back.

City design is paid with taxes, changes to increase walkability are paid with taxes, public transit, which is fundamental for walkability are funded through taxes.

I live in Montreal. In recent years there have been substantial expenditures to reduce dependency on the car to the point where having a car makes things harder if you move within the city.

• Created dedicated bike lanes reducing car lanes and sometimes street parking spots.
• Add paid parking. Not expensive enough to break the bank if you need to use it but enough to make you think twice if you want to spend $6 or take the metro.
• Making some streets pedestrian in the summer.
• Creating the REM (metropolitan express network) : which include dedicated bus lanes, suburban light rail, bicycle “highways”, etc.

All that is expensive but necessary.

What’s the point of your post?

It is sustainable enough that many people do it.

Live and learn.

I knew that for US people it is frequently hard to impossible to live without a car.

Thats such an interesting and valid reason to go live elsewhere.

Just a side bar. The walkability and public transportation are paid with taxes. So, many DNs who don’t pay local taxes are leeching from the resources paid by the local population.

I know it is not every person’s fault, but those of you who complain of taxes (and this sub is full of tax discussions) are part of the problem.

US culture has swong even harder to the right, where taxes and public services are seen as a bad thing. It is “each for their own”. That is reflected in the infrastructure and common areas.

So, it is either a bad thing, if you are used to a different kind of society, or a good thing if you prefer low taxes.

One time I was leaving the hostel in Guangdong, China to go to India. As I was leaving, one of the guys I met there asks me “what kind of visa did you get?” 😳😲 I would have loved to see my picachu face.

I ran back in, extended one night, called the airline to reschedule (paid a penalty) and went online to get my visa. Paid for the urgent one.

The blunder costed me about $300 in total, had an extra night in Guangdong and one less day in Kolkata.

It happens :)

It can be Thailand. Just chose accommodations without roaches. When I was there I don’t remember seeing any or maybe I was not paying attention because they don’t bother me. I’m sure if I were paying attention I’d see them.