Before we moved to Spain, we had a list. Healthcare. Safety. Food. Friends. We were Americans — we'd spent our whole lives being told we had the best of everything. So leaving felt like a risk. One year later, we're going through that list out loud. What we were wrong about. What surprised us. And the one fear that turned out to be the biggest unknown of all. If you've ever talked yourself out of something because of what might go wrong — this one's for you.
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I’m a Swiss, living in the US since 9 years. I’m always at home, too scared to get shot at the grocery store or shopping mall. Grocery shopping is a nightmare. Because I have to check the ingredients of every single item and often can’t even find pickles without any added unhealthy or cancerous ingredients. Healthcare I don’t have, because a healthcare insurance would cost me around 4000 dollars per month, due to preexisting health conditions. So I got bedridden because I don’t have access to the medical treatment I need. 😏 Soon I’m moving to Italy and I can’t wait! 💃🏻🎉
Americans have been sooo gaslit. I wouldn't go there even if I was paid.
From Canada (also in America): what a breath of fresh air to hear "Americans" explain this. We travel a lot and learned a closed-off mind is the most expensive thing you will ever own.
The US has some uncomfortable parallels to North Korea...
If you have to be told time and time again that you are the freest, best, etc., chances are that you aren't.
we try to care about people, not profit here. I hope it stays that way. I love my Europe!
Oh! I meant to say...if you haven't been already, and if it's still there, right at the end of the seafront in Malaga, walking left, there is, or was, a restaurant that serves the most brilliant seafood, and it's done by the plate. So the chef cooks up some fish, prepares salads, fries etc. Then the waiters just bring out the plates and call out what's on it. If you fancy it then you just beckon them over. At the end of the meal they count up the number of plates on your table and charge you the same price for each one. Absolutely gorgeous!
I was a taxi driver in Edinburgh and came into contact with lots of American tourists who were very nice but amongst the most naive and stupidest people I ever met
Honestly, Australians are heartily sick of Americans banging on about how exceptional they are! Children getting shot at school by weapons of war, high levels of medical and student loan debt/ bankruptcy, entrenched poverty, and don't get me started on voter suppression and gerrymandering! Good for you for getting out and seeing the life available in other places.
Really glad you guys found a place in the world you feel at home. I live and work in the Netherrlands, I have family in Spain, so I travel there regularly to visit. I recognise the things you love about Spain, it's a great place. I found a lot of wonderful people and places all over Europe. Keep exploring guys.
Toxic food, abysmal healthcare, insane gun violence, no public transport but you have a golden ballroom coming…
It's hard to think of living a life of fear the way Americans do. Americans tell us they live in the 'land of the free' but how is being scared of just about everything, being free.
American exceptionalism has done more damage than people think…
Afraid to leave the US? That's hilarious! Congrats on escaping 🎉
My wife and I worked and lived in Germany for 22 years. German teenagers know more about the United States than a majority of Americans. They also know more about what’s happening in the rest of the world as well. Glad you all took the chance to live in Europe. All the crap that happens in America just doesn’t exist there.
Hello from Scotland, the bread thing is amazing but, there is a rule, if when your bread is a couple of days old and there is no mould , then what you have is NOT bread, like you can buy in th USA Thomas from Glasgow
Its refreshing for me to hear Americans that say these things. I have (had?) American friends that would get on my nerves ramming it down my throat about how America was the best, at this, at that, at everything. And that is why non-Americans get pissed off with listening to it because we out here know its not true. Blessing from an Australian to two Yanks that have finally woken up!
Glad you're no longer afraid... Although, for the rest of the world outside the US, it's still very disturbing to see Americans think they have access to the best products, while your food industry is one of the worst in the world, and the same goes for your healthcare system. It's an ignorance of reality, unfortunately part of a conditioning instilled since childhood. Enjoy life!
As an American woman living in the UK just said about UK vs US education… The UK (read developed countries) teaches with an international focus. The US teaches how to be American!
I feel so sorry for Americans and so glad not to be American.