This previous 12 months, we featured a viral TikTok that in contrast the price of residing within the US and Australia, which introduced up the notion that “America is a scam.” Many individuals (like myself) had been shocked by the numbers, however these within the BuzzFeed Community who’ve both moved to or from the US to a different nation knew in regards to the variations all too nicely. Listed here are among the most insightful and stunning “America is a rip-off” tales individuals shared:
1.
“Credit score scores. An arbitrary quantity that you haven’t any management over can bar you from residing in a good space, touchdown a job, getting honest charges for insurance coverage and loans, and even costing you alternatives to enhance your life. Full disclosure: I left the US practically 15 years in the past. I now dwell in Poland and personal my very own enterprise with full civil rights and privileges.”
2.
“I lived in Northern England for a time on a pupil work overseas visa. I used to be in want of contraception, so I went to the physician. I used to be supplied an implant that wasn’t accessible within the US till years later. When organising my appointment, I requested in regards to the out-of-pocket price, and the workers checked out me like I had grown two heads. There was no price, in fact. When my British roommate later turned pregnant along with her kids years later, her physician did home calls. She additionally obtained a 12 months of maternity go away with a assure she might return to her job. Residing overseas did a ton to interrupt the spell of ‘American exceptionalism’ and confirmed me how a ‘we’re #1’ philosophy might blind us to subpar situations. Once I was younger, I wished to maneuver from the US for constructive causes, like journey. It saddens me that my want for it’s now as a consequence of a seemingly worsening high quality of life and a tenuous political scenario right here at residence.”
—Nameless
3.
“I went to Panama on trip and unintentionally went with out my bronchial asthma inhaler. I needed to do was stroll right into a pharmacy — with no prescription required — and Albuterol was $11. Within the US, with a required prescription, it is about $150.”
4.
“I’ve a number of power ache situations, together with a few autoimmune ailments, and I had little or no ache and no flare-ups within the two weeks I spent in Europe — even with all of the sitting on planes and coaches. As quickly as I obtained again to the US, my ache began flaring up once more. So, fairly actually, america makes me sick.”
5.
“I paid $2,800/month to dwell in Los Angeles. Now, I pay $400/month to dwell in Taipei. My buying energy is 5 instances better after I left the US to dwell in Asia.”
6.
“I dwell within the UK and work within the public sector, which is unionized — vacation go away, healthcare, and retirement packages are all phenomenal. However even higher, if I get actually sick with one thing critical, I’d get six months of PAID go away. Plus, I’d nonetheless get all my vacation go away once I get again to work. I haven’t got kids, however my colleagues are getting a full 12 months or extra of maternity go away. America is a particular rip-off every time they attempt to current unions as a ‘unhealthy’ factor for staff. If you happen to can, unionize!”
7.
“I lived in Korea for a number of years, and I’ve to say that I by no means wanted a automobile since public transport is superior and low-cost, and so many individuals stroll. Additionally, I obtained actually sick as soon as and needed to go to the emergency room. I needed to get meds, and it was lower than $40. The whole lot is costlier within the US”
8.
“I’ve lived in Germany and cherished it. I truly felt extra at residence there than anyplace within the US, and I’ve lived throughout America. The tempo of life, values, and tradition simply actually suited me. Residing within the US may be an terrible problem, particularly now that we’re NOT doing nice. So many people are struggling beneath the boot of company America and unhealthy authorities coverage. Do not get me mistaken — there are loads of issues I really like about my residence nation and the individuals: a lot pure magnificence, People’ confidence and can-do spirit, and the way distinctive the nation is. Nevertheless, I’ve thought so much about transferring again to Europe. If I did transfer again, it could be for the group, connection, and ease, one thing that the US, sadly, is basically missing. No place is ideal, and there are complications and issues in all places, however it’s about selecting which of them you may tolerate.”
9.
“When individuals suppose Europeans do not wish to work and take day without work always as a result of they’re ‘lazy,’ however People are hardworking people who assist create an incredible economic system. I labored in London for 15 years at among the fastest-growing firms in Europe, and guess what? That they had quick and sustainable development, all whereas individuals used their statutory minimal required trip time of 30 days per 12 months or extra. By the way in which, why does one of many richest international locations on the planet have one of many lowest high quality of life for its residents? It is not sensible.”
10.
“Certainly one of my buds retired and lives in Mexico. He pays lower than $100 for main automobile repairs, $300 for hire in a giant condominium (with an included cleansing service), and little or no for medical remedy. He lives a beautiful, full life. His pension is lower than half of what I make, but he seemingly lives the life whereas I wrestle. It is heat and exquisite the place he lives with loads of ex-pats. I’ve heard different People who’ve retired to Mexico say the identical factor. It is one thing to consider.”
11.
“I am a Scottish man who lived in America for a number of years. I had insurance coverage coated as a part of my visa, and I had a motorbike accident leading to a nasty head damage. I took an ambulance to the hospital, noticed a health care provider, obtained stitches, had a follow-up appointment, obtained medicated, and the lot. The invoice was $25,000.”
12.
“I would not say America is a rip-off, however the worth comparability is jarring. I spent a number of months in France, and the hire was decrease and didn’t rise quickly because it does right here. The largest factor that caught out to me was a budget availability of high-quality meals. Contemporary and natural meals in France prices about the identical as cut price preservative-laden meals within the States. You may additionally go to a pleasant restaurant with out feeling like a complete splurge. Plus, the value of the menu was the value you’d pay. France has a very well-developed leisure and tourism business that advantages from its scale in a method that isn’t actually matched to that of the States.”
—Nameless
13.
“I’ve lived in a number of international locations however will use London as my reference since I’ve lived there for 10 years. I returned to the US due to the pandemic, and there are such a lot of scams. First, individuals shouldn’t have free medical health insurance. We’re one of many wealthiest international locations on the planet and have the perfect healthcare, however provided that you may afford it. In the meantime, within the UK, you may pay for personal healthcare, however even when you do not, there’s the NHS (Nationwide Well being Service). Regardless, everybody has entry to a health care provider, interval. In America, prescription prices range relying on the drug and your insurance coverage. In London, you both pay for prescriptions or you do not. All prescriptions price the identical, and contraception is free. I might go on and on, however I am going to cease my anger from build up greater than it’s.”
14.
“Meals in locations like Egypt, Japan, and even international locations in Europe is extra healthful and tastier. Come on, America, why the shit meals?”
—Nameless
15.
“I moved from the US and now dwell in Hong Kong. My tax charge is 12%, and my electrical energy prices lower than $500 USD per 12 months. I spend $400 a 12 months on healthcare, $75 a month for public transit, and $15 a month for my cellphone. My largest expense is my condominium with a part-ocean view, and I pay $2,800 a month, which is an effective worth for staying outdoors town.”
16.
“I have never moved (but), however I’m in Germany now, and up to now, the meals is so much higher, ALL the beer is meals, public transportation is SO MUCH BETTER, and, from what I’ve seen, most issues price much less. Germany additionally has financial authorities assist when you have kids or older adults in your loved ones. Yep, month-to-month stipends with no means testing. This can be a far cry from the USA, which has completely none of that, and the place you may simply die on the streets if you cannot make it. Actually, in about 95% of the way, residing within the USA sort of sucks. It does harm me to confess this, however it’s true.”
—Suzan, 66, Oregon
17.
“I’ve been residing in Thailand and Bali this previous 12 months, and in each circumstances, I’m far, far forward of once I lived within the Seattle space within the US. My bills are round half, and I lack virtually nothing besides some peccadillo-like issues like main music live shows (some are in Bangkok, however that is not a spot I select to go by way of). Additional, the tradition is so significantly better — not one of the worry and anger which have reared their heads since Trump entered the scene. The individuals listed below are so form, accepting, and joyful. I have never even seen a case of street rage! I’ve no want to return to the USA.”
18.
“When my daughter was born in Amsterdam, we did not discover out till she was a number of weeks previous that she wanted corrective coronary heart surgical procedure. By no means thoughts that we did not pay something out of pocket for the delivery, however her coronary heart surgical procedure and appointments for it did not price a factor both. If we nonetheless lived within the States, we might have been bankrupt, even when we had good insurance coverage.”
—Mark, 43, Netherlands
19.
“We’re being scammed. One of many greatest variations I seen when residing overseas was that even rich individuals had been outspoken about costs. America’s rising price of residing is vastly outpacing inflation — and we settle for it with out a lot protest. I’ve spent a good period of time in Germany, Czechia, and Argentina, the place I’ve native mates and a few household. Folks would inform the servers that the costs had been too excessive, or they’d complain on the grocery store and go away objects on the register saying, ‘That is too costly.’ In America, we have been skilled to simply accept issues as they’re as a result of we’re gaslit into pondering it is OUR fault that we all of the sudden cannot afford to eat out or go to the hair salon.”
20.
“I lived in Mexico my whole grownup life and moved again to America in 2022. My wage in Mexico was decrease than in {dollars}, however I had a a lot larger lifestyle there. Healthcare is free until you select to go non-public, and you may nonetheless get free healthcare even and not using a job. Automobile insurance coverage prices far much less, and even the vehicles are cheaper as a result of they promote extra primary fashions of the identical model. My hire in Mexico was solely about 20% of my wage, and it was straightforward to seek out loads of locations in an analogous worth vary. Within the US, it is not less than 30% of my wage. I’ve realized that within the US, all the things is designed to be larger, fancier, and costlier.”
—Nameless
21.
“Within the late ’90s, I studied in Paris, France. I might pay my tuition, dorm, groceries, and public transportation for 18 months on a $15K US faculty mortgage. In 2015, I lived in Quebec, Canada for 5 months, and my hire in a really good three-bedroom condominium was $400 CAD a month, with all utilities included. I’ve in contrast my US wage with mates in Germany, France, and Norway; although my wage is ‘larger,’ they’ve a lot decrease utility, cellphone, and different prices. Plus, they by no means had faculty loans to pay again, and even after taxes, they nonetheless had MORE cash on the finish of the month than me — to not point out the six weeks of trip yearly, parental go away, and so on.”
22.
“After I moved to America, I spotted that how the US presents itself to the remainder of the world is bull. There is a poor healthcare system, no labor legal guidelines to receives a commission for statutory holidays, the wages are a joke in comparison with the price of residing, and when you’re rich, the regulation is yours to bend. It shocked me to see how the US votes in judges and the way fragile the separation of church and state actually is! It is scary residing right here.”
—Lisa
23.
“I am initially from the US and at the moment residing in Germany. My husband and I’ve two youngsters born within the US. We moved to Berlin after they had been 18 months and three, and their daycare was FREE, apart from the meals. For 2 youngsters a month, we paid an equal of $58. Additionally, the healthcare system in Germany made me notice that America is a freaking rip-off. I had a lipoma on my neck that wanted to be eliminated. Together with the CT scan, bloodwork, and a one-night hospital keep, I paid 10 euros, which is about $10. And I’ve public medical health insurance. On high of that, I haven’t got the worry and anxiousness of being shot in public due to the rampant gun violence within the U.S. Germany will not be an attractive place to dwell, and it is tough residing right here if you’re not fluent within the language. However residing right here is 1,000% higher than the US.”
24.
Lastly: “We lived in Brazil for seven years for work-related causes. Though there are vital social points in Brazil, there have been substantial benefits, comparable to the dearth of high-processed meals. Repatriating to the USA was a horrible expertise that landed me in psychological well being remedy. So, we’re making ready to depart America for good and go to a rustic the place we will set up a less complicated way of life for about $2,700, together with all the things! So, sure! The ‘American Dream’ is a nightmare and is unquestionably a rip-off.”
—Richard, 67, California
*Large American sigh*. If you happen to moved from America to a special nation or vice versa, what’s your “America is a rip-off” realization story? Let me know within the feedback, or you may submit your story anonymously utilizing this form.
Word: Some responses have been edited for size and/or readability.
