If I were young and single I would definitely spend time abroad. But it’s not as easy when you have aging/sick parents and kids with friends/lives in the US. Still, it’s worth considering. Any Substacks that you read focused on how to move abroad, ideally not as a digital nomad but someone setting down roots?
Hope these are helpful! Aging parents could be a roadblock for now but depending on how old the kids are I think some time abroad will open there eyes to new possibilities.
22% of ALL Americans voted for the orange man to make serious drastic changes for the other 80% ………and multi generational damage to our country. It’s your generation and younger that decided this election with their barely double digit voting percentage. Meanwhile lack of term limits will never change the congress since the same people win. Half the actual voters wanted this and half didn’t……..let’s see what happens next time. Hopefully the pendulum swings and your generation is heard if they choose. Good writing Bri!
Here's the rub - some of us need to stand up and fight this. We shouldn't just take the easy way out and leave. And you know I have one foot in Italy, so I have a backup plan. But right now, I need to try & fight the wicked, cruel, insane, ridiculous, random idiocy that is going on in the US.
I don't know that Brian took "the easy way out", and I think his efforts to shine light on the insanity of the current administration are more than many others have been offering.
But I also agree with you on this: Many of us progressive, compassionate people should stay and undo the damage.
So things get tough and you just... leave? Not trying to pick a fight here, because I don't argue online and I don't actually disagree with you, but I believe America still has a chance to course-correct and fix our mistakes. This country still has an amazing capacity to do a lot of good, and you're just going to give up on it? Any relationship, whether it be with a friend, spouse, teammate, etc. has ups and downs. What kind of friend, spouse, or teammate would anyone be if they just left as soon as things got tough? I think the same concept applies to being a citizen. I don't agree at all with what is going on in the White House, but I'm not going to abandon my friends, family, and fellow US citizens so I can comfortably stand by and watch from another country.
And if you ever do come back, it isn't on your shoulders to change national policy. Vote when you can, then love your neighbors in between voting times. Hug people you love, help out those you hate, serve people you don't know, and be a great friend to as few or as many people as you like.
When situations get difficult and times are dark, don't take a step back: lean in. Sounds like this country needs more people like you, that is, informed people who care.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Ryker - Deep down I love the US and I'm beyond grateful to have been raised there. I guess where we differ is I don't see leaving as abandoning, I see it as a search for a different way of life.
The country for sure has an amazing capacity, and by experiencing life elsewhere (whether temporary or permanent), we can see what other countries are doing well and then bring those ideas back to the US.
I didn't even leave because of political reasons, I left because I was sick of having to drive a car for every single thing. Now I'm on a mission to get more cycling infrastructure to US cities and help promote micromobility options so future generations aren't so spread out and isolated from one another. That's the best way I know to lean in for now.
Also took a moment to look at the context of the rest of your work on Substack and your POV makes more sense to me now. Subscribed! Thanks for writing.
Yeah, big agree on the "I'm sick of driving everywhere" thing. Suburbs are awful. I totally understand why you left then, if that's why. I think politics are kind of a crappy, "wash my hands of it" reason to abandon the US, but the whole cultural norm of suburban lifestyles is enough to make me want to move today. Haha. Let's not even talk about health insurance.
Would love to think I could make a difference in those areas, but what the heck can I do? I think a lot of Americans are irritated with the general lifestyle norms, but I have no idea how to combat it. Just trying to live an intentionally different lifestyle in the meantime. Been trying to at least fight for work-from-home options at the office, but it isn't going well. Corporations are a nightmare.
You're taking steps in the right direction! Would you mind sharing where you live? And is that where you're originally from? Or what brought you there?
And yeah some companies can be annoying about the WFH option, I came from engineering background so it was not an option when I was in that role but for the past five years I've been doing account management with smaller online businesses and they've all been fine with working remotely. Would need to know more about your specific situation but happy to give any more tips if I can!
I'm in Tulsa, OK. The company I work for is super old school and they just don't want to see it happen. I go to my cubicle and don't talk to a single person all day. Lol. Working from home is soo possible, but all of the policies are made by people who never had that option before, so they don't want to see it happen for younger employees. It's like an "I had to do it, so you have to do it" mentality which keeps everything from progressing. That mindset applies company-wide and it is very frustrating. So many things could be better.
The irony - considering you're in a place that has a program to attract remote workers 😅
Have you heard of Tulsa Remote? It came on my radar because I was researching places that offer incentives for remote workers to move there, idk how effective the program has been but love the initiative, I'm sure there's been some influx of remote workers because of it.
Would you be open to switching jobs or career paths?
Yeah, my buddy just moved back here because of it. Pretty cool! Definitely open to different careers, but my skillset is pretty limited. Or at least it seems like it is. Haha.
Thanks for sharing Larry, if you can, try 30-90 days in a different place and just see what it feels like. No need to make sudden decisions and sell all your belongings, little steps, poco a poco.
I largely agree with the enumeration of America’s ailments. But 14 of the last 16 years have had a Democrat in the White House. To me, this is more of a general issue of mentality and the country’s values than whose pony is in charge.
I loved to read your post because like a spanish girl I'm glad to know american people like you be able to express the poor socio-political managment of USA. In Spain politics don't use a slogan similar like the MAGA, they prefer to play with the victimhood. My social concern also is that still politics sell us the fact about to get us out of the "black hole" while "people tired of his life and conservative workers" that considered "open minded" are still asleep. I would like to share this documentary super interesting about the vision of being dissident and its consequences if you are in politics. Because politics involves us all and people should look at il and not turn their backs on as if nothing were happening. I don't like people who do that. More open minded please and for that is important to share.
If I were young and single I would definitely spend time abroad. But it’s not as easy when you have aging/sick parents and kids with friends/lives in the US. Still, it’s worth considering. Any Substacks that you read focused on how to move abroad, ideally not as a digital nomad but someone setting down roots?
Hey Diana - Came across another one I thought you might enjoy:
https://jmacdonald.substack.com/p/i-wasnt-running-from-anything-when
Hey Diana - great point and I know not all of us can pick up and leave at the drop of a hat.
Here are some other Substacks I follow that discuss this topic more from the perspective your looking for:
https://www.roccopendola.com/
https://www.russellmaxsimon.com/
https://livingelsewhere.substack.com/
Hope these are helpful! Aging parents could be a roadblock for now but depending on how old the kids are I think some time abroad will open there eyes to new possibilities.
Pick a country or place that speaks to you and go there regularly. Ease your way in.
22% of ALL Americans voted for the orange man to make serious drastic changes for the other 80% ………and multi generational damage to our country. It’s your generation and younger that decided this election with their barely double digit voting percentage. Meanwhile lack of term limits will never change the congress since the same people win. Half the actual voters wanted this and half didn’t……..let’s see what happens next time. Hopefully the pendulum swings and your generation is heard if they choose. Good writing Bri!
Thanks Dad, hoping my generation can get its act together 😂
Here's the rub - some of us need to stand up and fight this. We shouldn't just take the easy way out and leave. And you know I have one foot in Italy, so I have a backup plan. But right now, I need to try & fight the wicked, cruel, insane, ridiculous, random idiocy that is going on in the US.
I don't know that Brian took "the easy way out", and I think his efforts to shine light on the insanity of the current administration are more than many others have been offering.
But I also agree with you on this: Many of us progressive, compassionate people should stay and undo the damage.
Nailed it Ryan! Thank you 🙏🏼
I commend you Jude!! For anyone else reading this, are there specific steps your taking to fight the idiocracy or simply being a good neighbor?
💯 agreed Brian !!!
Thanks Brenna, I'm for sure coming to see you in Italy some day! 😜
The door is open for you in Napoli!!
So things get tough and you just... leave? Not trying to pick a fight here, because I don't argue online and I don't actually disagree with you, but I believe America still has a chance to course-correct and fix our mistakes. This country still has an amazing capacity to do a lot of good, and you're just going to give up on it? Any relationship, whether it be with a friend, spouse, teammate, etc. has ups and downs. What kind of friend, spouse, or teammate would anyone be if they just left as soon as things got tough? I think the same concept applies to being a citizen. I don't agree at all with what is going on in the White House, but I'm not going to abandon my friends, family, and fellow US citizens so I can comfortably stand by and watch from another country.
And if you ever do come back, it isn't on your shoulders to change national policy. Vote when you can, then love your neighbors in between voting times. Hug people you love, help out those you hate, serve people you don't know, and be a great friend to as few or as many people as you like.
When situations get difficult and times are dark, don't take a step back: lean in. Sounds like this country needs more people like you, that is, informed people who care.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Ryker - Deep down I love the US and I'm beyond grateful to have been raised there. I guess where we differ is I don't see leaving as abandoning, I see it as a search for a different way of life.
The country for sure has an amazing capacity, and by experiencing life elsewhere (whether temporary or permanent), we can see what other countries are doing well and then bring those ideas back to the US.
I didn't even leave because of political reasons, I left because I was sick of having to drive a car for every single thing. Now I'm on a mission to get more cycling infrastructure to US cities and help promote micromobility options so future generations aren't so spread out and isolated from one another. That's the best way I know to lean in for now.
Also took a moment to look at the context of the rest of your work on Substack and your POV makes more sense to me now. Subscribed! Thanks for writing.
Yeah, big agree on the "I'm sick of driving everywhere" thing. Suburbs are awful. I totally understand why you left then, if that's why. I think politics are kind of a crappy, "wash my hands of it" reason to abandon the US, but the whole cultural norm of suburban lifestyles is enough to make me want to move today. Haha. Let's not even talk about health insurance.
Would love to think I could make a difference in those areas, but what the heck can I do? I think a lot of Americans are irritated with the general lifestyle norms, but I have no idea how to combat it. Just trying to live an intentionally different lifestyle in the meantime. Been trying to at least fight for work-from-home options at the office, but it isn't going well. Corporations are a nightmare.
You're taking steps in the right direction! Would you mind sharing where you live? And is that where you're originally from? Or what brought you there?
And yeah some companies can be annoying about the WFH option, I came from engineering background so it was not an option when I was in that role but for the past five years I've been doing account management with smaller online businesses and they've all been fine with working remotely. Would need to know more about your specific situation but happy to give any more tips if I can!
I'm in Tulsa, OK. The company I work for is super old school and they just don't want to see it happen. I go to my cubicle and don't talk to a single person all day. Lol. Working from home is soo possible, but all of the policies are made by people who never had that option before, so they don't want to see it happen for younger employees. It's like an "I had to do it, so you have to do it" mentality which keeps everything from progressing. That mindset applies company-wide and it is very frustrating. So many things could be better.
The irony - considering you're in a place that has a program to attract remote workers 😅
Have you heard of Tulsa Remote? It came on my radar because I was researching places that offer incentives for remote workers to move there, idk how effective the program has been but love the initiative, I'm sure there's been some influx of remote workers because of it.
Would you be open to switching jobs or career paths?
Yeah, my buddy just moved back here because of it. Pretty cool! Definitely open to different careers, but my skillset is pretty limited. Or at least it seems like it is. Haha.
This is so bleak ... but so true.
It's so compelling, I sent it to a friend who recently wrote a book about becoming an expat. And you have me thinking about bailing, myself.
Thanks for sharing Larry, if you can, try 30-90 days in a different place and just see what it feels like. No need to make sudden decisions and sell all your belongings, little steps, poco a poco.
That's a great idea. Thank you.
Thanks, I think this quote sums the current USA up spot on
None of it makes sense.
I largely agree with the enumeration of America’s ailments. But 14 of the last 16 years have had a Democrat in the White House. To me, this is more of a general issue of mentality and the country’s values than whose pony is in charge.
Please write on how move abroad/your journey😄
I loved to read your post because like a spanish girl I'm glad to know american people like you be able to express the poor socio-political managment of USA. In Spain politics don't use a slogan similar like the MAGA, they prefer to play with the victimhood. My social concern also is that still politics sell us the fact about to get us out of the "black hole" while "people tired of his life and conservative workers" that considered "open minded" are still asleep. I would like to share this documentary super interesting about the vision of being dissident and its consequences if you are in politics. Because politics involves us all and people should look at il and not turn their backs on as if nothing were happening. I don't like people who do that. More open minded please and for that is important to share.
https://youtu.be/2I6hjwblA_g?si=0VvOi96qo5-OgWb6
Thanks for sharing!
Innha <3
"Everyone knows the stereotype of how friendly Canadians are, now over a quarter of their population thinks we’re the enemy."
Excellent article and don't mean to sound cruel but speaking as one Canadian, but I think you are low on that percentage now.
Jesus, it's beyond time to get out of there. Glad to hear you're in Spain already. Please do keep up the good work of spreading this message. 💪
Thanks Kaila, appreciate you!