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The Delusion Behind “America Is the Greatest Country on Earth” A deep dive into the question: If America is so great, why
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earlyretirement
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For most that is what it honestly comes down to. The vast majority of people I see that have ended up moving out to Latin America (Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, etc) or Asia ended up retiring to another country simply because they didn't save up enough during their working years and moved to a more affordable country where the dollar goes further.
There might be some legitimate reasons to be closer to family living abroad but a large # of people will fall into the group that life has simply gotten more expensive.
They might make up some excuse like "the food is better abroad", or other such non-sense but the #1 reason just comes down to affordability.
Uncle Wong
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That would be the reason for me. I will be honest. I am looking for an apartment in Buenos Aires to buy and part of it will be an investment to make cash flow until I retire in the future. At least for me, I don't think I would be able to retire in the US. I will be honest and with rapid inflation over the years I can live a more affordable life in another country. I mostly will depend on a social security payment and it is not too much money. I should have saved more when I was younger.
Sometimes people say they leave because of politics or make another excuse but politics you don't really have to deal with if you don't want.
I'll be honest and say if I didn't have to worry about money I would just stay in the US and go travel around Latin America on vacation. Best of both worlds. I get frustrated with how inefficient some of these countries are. All comes down to money.
VINO
Well-known member
I'm american and I still do think America is the best country. I live in Argentina now but every time I go back home I miss it. I miss the simple things like how the roads and sidewalks are all great. Clean, and things just work.
I do agree that there are different reasons why someone might want to leave but I agree with the others finances is typically a big part of it.
In my case it was more affordable in Argentina and I did fall in love with the culture. But it was basically finances why I moved.
Avocado
Well-known member
Even me as a proud Porteña will admit that when I visit America I am surprised that anyone ever leaves to move somewhere.
Life is very calm there. When I go to the supermarket there is so much variety. Traffic is obeyed and people do not drive crazy. It is very clean. Organized. My vacation is very enjoyable. I go to the store and there are workers and no 1 hour line.
Your leaders crazy like our leaders but I don't see how that affect you life. I jealous and wish Argentina work so well like America.
Life is very calm there. When I go to the supermarket there is so much variety. Traffic is obeyed and people do not drive crazy. It is very clean. Organized. My vacation is very enjoyable. I go to the store and there are workers and no 1 hour line.
Your leaders crazy like our leaders but I don't see how that affect you life. I jealous and wish Argentina work so well like America.
Content Provider
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Proponent of America's the best country on earth. Found on LinkedIn 
Avocado
Well-known member
That actually kind of looks like you. Is that you? I thought I saw a photo you posted and you look like him.
America is definitely at the top of the list. It's hard to read about people trying to say it isn't. I am curious what country do you think are the best @Content Provider and I mean that sincerely. It is clear you are disillusioned with the USA but it always surprises me when proud Americans say that they love America and it's the best and then have other Americans say no it is not.
I mean if you wanted to live in Argentina and you think it is better fine. I love Argentina too.
But do you really think Argentina is better than the USA? Nothing works here. Like literally. Almost nothing. I can't even open a bank account! I wait an hour in line at the supermarket to buy a few things (that aren't too good). I buy something in a store that is broken and it takes 45 minutes to get a refund. My neighbor is blasting reggaeton all day and nothing I can really do.
Sure both the USA and Argentina both have grifter presidents so we have that in common. But what countries are you saying have a better quality of life or better than America? I am really curious?
I mean if you wanted to live in Argentina and you think it is better fine. I love Argentina too.
But do you really think Argentina is better than the USA? Nothing works here. Like literally. Almost nothing. I can't even open a bank account! I wait an hour in line at the supermarket to buy a few things (that aren't too good). I buy something in a store that is broken and it takes 45 minutes to get a refund. My neighbor is blasting reggaeton all day and nothing I can really do.
Sure both the USA and Argentina both have grifter presidents so we have that in common. But what countries are you saying have a better quality of life or better than America? I am really curious?
import export
Well-known member
I am one of those that left the U.S. a while ago but it was for work. I got transferred to Brazil and work mainly in South America. I am also American and will agree with the rest that U.S. is awesome. I didn't leave for the money. I can afford to live in the U.S. and still own property there (renting it out). I don't think the U.S. is the best at everything. Maybe that is what Jerry is getting at.
There are many things broken in the U.S. but there are many more wrong with other countries too.
In comparison, U.S. by every standard is wonderful and the reason why so many illegals want to come to America. A better opportunity, a better life for their children. In some countries, especially Latin America there are NO opportunities to get ahead. My grandparents came to America with nothing from Italy and they built up a business, raised 5 children and all of those children built up a successful life.
I will be honest, I wanted the transfer to Brazil because the women are better. 😍
That is one thing that Latin America does better than the USA.
There are many things broken in the U.S. but there are many more wrong with other countries too.
In comparison, U.S. by every standard is wonderful and the reason why so many illegals want to come to America. A better opportunity, a better life for their children. In some countries, especially Latin America there are NO opportunities to get ahead. My grandparents came to America with nothing from Italy and they built up a business, raised 5 children and all of those children built up a successful life.
I will be honest, I wanted the transfer to Brazil because the women are better. 😍
That is one thing that Latin America does better than the USA.
Lack of opportunity is the one thing you hear from every young person in third world countries, even some of the ones that are politically connected
Very true. The US does that better than anyone. I went to my mother's house for Thanksgiving last year. She lives in Arizona. Her maid was sick and the company she uses sent someone else. I was talking to her in Spanish just asking her how long she was in the US. She couldn't speak a lick of English. Turns out she was only here a few months.
She told me her perilous journey from Central America to get to the US. Coyotes, attempted rapes, spending her life savings of $5,000 dollars just to come to the US. People underestimate how bad some of these people have it.
She risked life and limb. Fought off 5 attempted rape incidents and spent her life savings to get there. I asked her if it was worth it and she said she would do it 100 times over. She was making good money, saving and sending it back to her family in Honduras.
And if you read her CP's article, I bet she would look at you like you had a third chromosome
Content Provider
Well-known member
I suppose you read the article. If you did, you noticed this: "The delusion isn’t that America has strengths. It does. The delusion is the need to rank it above everything else without question."
Content Provider
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You hear young folks in poorer countries talk about not having enough chances all the time, so it's almost like a common thread running through what they say. That goes for pretty much everyone, even some who have family ties to those in power. Basically, no matter their background, they often feel stuck without real paths forward, you know, like good jobs or ways to build a life. Still, reports show it's a huge issue across places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where unemployment hits youth hard, often over 20% in spots.
Content Provider
Well-known member
Something to ponder:
Wally
Well-known member
Jerry where do you think most people in the world would rank the USA? I am curious what you think. I have traveled around the world a good bit and I would guess most of them would say we as Americans are some of the luckiest in the world to be Americans.
I never take it for granted how lucky we are to be Americans. I have seen so much misery around the world. I have an Iranian friend that is stuck in that mess. I haven't spoken to her in a few weeks and at times like this I feel even luckier where I live. Not just as an American living in Argentina but seeing so much chaos in the Middle East. Many of those countries want to see mutual destruction and won't be happy until they get it. Makes me sad. But also makes me appreciate even more how fortunate we all are.
Love Rounders!
It's clear you don't like Trump. That is ok. Join the 55% of Americans that don't. But did politics play a role in you moving out of the USA?
Content Provider
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