Airports and airplanes excite me. From the minute I land in a different country, I instantly fall in love with picturesque views, colorful streets, rich culture, savory foods, and ancient structures. I become a tourist wanting to see and experience everything in a short time. I rarely want to leave, knowing I would be returning to a country with a different standard of living and that is far less exciting.
But what if you could live where you vacation?
Well, you can— so long as you have a passport and a visa to your country or countries of choice. The expat lifestyle is not a new concept. Many Americans have been living abroad for years, whether it is Mexico, Spain, Bali, or Thailand. Now, more than ever, given the climate of our beloved ‘Merica, men and women are opting out of this so-called American life, especially Black Americans. We are making these moves now and we are no longer waiting for retirement. Many Black Americans no longer feel safe living in the US; nor do we feel valued for our contributions to society. We are just not seen as human and other countries are willing to embrace us.
So, why not go where we are accepted? Why not go where we are seen, heard, valued, and understood? Here are some reasons why Black Americans find the expat lifestyle appealing.
Credibility
I am sorry to say, but we have lost our credibility as the land of the free. Our eastern, western, northern, and southern neighbors have surpassed us in greatness. Offering essentials, systems, and benefits that we as Americans have no access to even in a pandemic. The American dream is far gone. It is a societal truth that we are not ready to recognize or accept. How can we still call our country the land of the free with present-day racism and racial injustices continue? And – with technology and social media, sadly this truth is confirmed. The excessive laws and policies we as Americans live by are overburdening and not made to protect us.
Work-Life Balance
Other countries have a far better work-life balance. The American lifestyle is stressful with no sense of community. Countries like Australia offer an abundance of personal time off (PTO) than American corporations and/or industries do. I once met an Australian woman who was backpacking through Europe. After a whole five months of vacation, she returned to work with a promotion in middle management. In other countries, it’s not a crime or a sin to enjoy a beer on your lunch break and then return to work. Globally, we are moving towards more flexible schedules and work environments. Unfortunately, the United States is behind in this game.
Cost of Living
According to a January 2020 Business Insider article, the United States landed in the top 25 countries to live in with a cost-of-living index of 72.95 and a local purchasing power of 127.62. We ranked 23 on this list. The article looked at factors such as the cost of dining out, groceries, personal income tax, and rent. While other countries pay slightly more for certain goods and services, Americans pay double if not triple in rent and home mortgages.
Freedom
As a child, I often visited my parents’ home country of Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies. That was my first taste of freedom. I knew freedom back then, I got to know her recently, and I will do anything to keep her now. The freedoms of different countries are widely appealing. Who wouldn’t want to walk down a street and not be harassed by the police for simply being out late? Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a bottle of wine at the beach enjoying the sunset without being cited?
The problem in America is we are not living to enjoy the goods and services we work for. We are working to maintain or keep simple freedoms. Living to maintain societal order. We are bothered by law enforcement often for no particular reason. I mean, have you observed the behavior of law enforcement in other countries. What is customary in other countries is considered social disorder in ours.
As more Black Americans choose to live abroad and become expats, a greater sense of freedom, well-being, security, and happiness is attained.
Camille is a lover of all things skin, curls, music, justice, and wanderlust; oceans and islands are her thing. A California native with Trinidadian roots, she has penned personal essays and lifestyle pieces for Medium. Camille is currently creating a life she loves through words, self-love, fitness, travel, and empowerment.
Follow her on social media as @written_by_cam.
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