U.S. Cost of Living is a SCAM! 

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I am 62. Life in the USA has declined so much in the past decade. It's all about greed here.

Here in Thailand we have a housekeeper. In the states we would be housekeepers.

The priorities in the U.S. are skewed: subsidies for corporations, so much money for the military industrial complex, and bailing out Wall Street.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE US THAT I SEE IS THAT PEOPLE STAY QUITE, NO PROTEST.

A recent study was done post-pandemic and 2/3rd's of the worlds wealth went directly to the top 1%, for the past two years.

I paid $4k a year for my homeowners insurance for my house in a town 6 miles from the beach in Florida. Then 2022 , after the hurricane, it was $7k. And no, my area didn’t get the brunt of it. I’m planning my escape from the US this year, before the cost of living completely erodes everything I’ve worked for, for the last 40 years.

Moving to Mexico is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. If I had stayed in the US, my entire social security check would have gone to utilities and property taxes.

I had a fall and hit my head. Two days later, dizzy spells and felt like I was going to fall out of my work chair. Went to the hospital for one night - $6000 just for my initial cut, and who knows what else they charge when the insurance company and hospital start fighting each other. It is ridiculous. I just wanted not to die alone in my home 2 days after the fall, and all they did was hook me up to a heart monitor and pump me with a saline IV. No ambulance service, took an Uber, just a bed and a device squeezing the crap out of my arm once an hour. 6 Grand. Welcome to the USA. $6 for a dozen eggs. Try to get a raise, all the big tech companies are laying off 10,000 employees.

We are SO getting screwed in the US! We don’t want to leave but retirement is close at hand. We are SERIOUSLY considering becoming expats.

The more you print money……..the less valuable it becomes……

Wages have been suppressed for decades while prices have increased for everything and income inequality has worsened.

I'm 51 and have lived in Germany half my life(was raised in California and Kansas till age 18). I have three kids and when our family of 5 travels to Kansas to visit my mother the prices of some stuff blows me away now. I don't consider gas prices there high, because we pay 8 bucks a gallon here in Germany, which is why I ride a bike everywhere. What got me was the tipping. Going to a restaurant is like having a sixth person with us at all times. Crazy. And health care sucks compared to Germany. We pay for it enough but I just hurt my hand this morning, went to the doctor, gave him my insurance card,he gave me stitches, and I'll never know what it cost. My mom had to go to the hospital and was charged like 5 dollars for ONE aspirin. Food and utilities here have grown expensive, but when my mom says Iceberg Lettuce cost 5 bucks a head. Damn. It's ICEBERG LETTUCE. My house is paid off, so our budget has a cusion but I feel sorry for my kid's generation when it comes time to buy, well, ANYTHING. Germany is far from perfect, but I have zero desire to move back to the States.

My wife and I live in Guayaquil in a house that's paid for, no car and no debt. Our monthly income is modest, but we have a comfortable life. There is a crime problem here, but I never worry about going to the mall or most public places. I doubt we'll ever live in the States again. I love the USA, but grateful to live in Ecuador.

Very true. Rent 2000 Medical 600 Car and gas 1000 Food 600 And that’s the beginning I’m in Thailand now and continuing through Southeast Asia this year Cheaper and more peaceful

So true! My wife and I spent two months in Italy where we rented a two bedroom apartment in a town between Firenze and Pisa and our morning cup of cappuccino and fresh baked pastry cost $2.70 and we didn't need a car since everything we needed, laundromat, restaurants, dry cleaners, and groceries were all within a few blocks of our apartment. When we went out to stock our apartment with food and drink, we brought it home and I placed it on the kitchen table and took a photo. I sent the photo to some friends back in the states with a caption that said, "70 dollars worth of groceries for $32 dollars".The only thing in Italy that costs more than in the states is gasoline. Not to mention the cheap cost of excellent public transportation and excellent health care which is a fraction of the cost of in the states, even if you're a foreigner. We're planning to go back to italy and search for a place to retire.

I’ve lived in Mexico City for a year and a half now, and what I don’t miss about the US at all is paying 5-star prices and getting one, two-star crap in return. And this goes for both the public and private sectors, I wouldn’t mind paying the taxes and the prices if I got my money’s worth but it just keeps getting worse

Agree 100% with everything you guys said! I'm absolutely planning on leaving the US as soon as I can because I can't afford to live here when I retire. I live in California and I honestly don't understand how so many people can afford it here. Where do so many people get so much money? Might be an unpopular opinion, but everything in the US seems like its designed to make as much money as possible from everything. It's not a sustainable economic model.

Unless you make millions per year, many people don't realize the costly low standard of living in the US because they've never lived abroad. I was lucky to have lived abroad as an adult and didn't want to come back but my husband's job brought us back to overpriced California.

Yep it's one big money grab. Corporations treat us like atm machines

It's true. Cashiers are asking for tips at local restaurant where you're already expected to tip the server. Five Guys and Jersey Mike's ask for tips at the register. Very annoying.

I remember seeing a tip jar at a gem and mineral show, at a booth selling dinosaur fossils. 🤣🤣🤣 I should have asked if it was going to the paleontologist who dug it up.

Just one caveat that I feel is fair to mention. While things may seem cheap to an American in Ecuador, to a local getting paid local wages(less than $500USD/mo ) the things that seem cheap to us are very expensive to them. It's only cheap if you're making your money from sources abroad.

Cannot wait to get out of the US. Everything you say is 100% true.

Amen! I just got back from the States and was SHOCKED at the prices. It seems everything is double or even triple. I found myself walking out of some stores refusing to pay the prices. And restaurant foods...forget about it! How can people remain in the States.

Healthcare in USA has been a scam for years. The last 2 years it has even gotten worse. The doctors are not as good as they once were. Most work for the corporation now. Insurance companies run the system. You better stay healthy. My wife and I are almost 74.

The root of the problem with the cost of living in the US is the tremendous income inequity. People who have money are used to overpaying for everything from housing to tipping just to get what they want. Doing so raises the prices for everyone. If someone pays $100,000 over asking price for a house, it shuts out the average person who is living on a much more modest income.

I agree that prices in the USA have gone nuts.

Yep, tipping in the US is out of control. At the local baker when you pay with a card, you’re prompted to select a tip amount….really…a tip for putting a baguette or pastry in a bag…come on! I’ve seen tip jars in McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants and even in 7-11s.

I live in San Francisco. In 2022, my basic, no thrills, lifestyle (beans and rice; no guacamole) cost over $5,200 per month. Dios mio! That's is a lot.

Spot on. Lived and worked in Asia for 10 years. Loved every minute of it. Returned to USA in 2014 and can’t wait to get out. Wife currently overcoming cancer. Looking at Nicaragua. Love you guys.

The Savings Rate just collapsed down to 2.2%, the lowest level ever. Means Americans are running out of money. Last time it was this low was 2006-07. Right before GFC. Major Recession Warning. Expect a big decline in consumer spending in 2023. In five years, I would be retiring or working less hours, so I'm just curious about how people divide their income-specifically, how much goes to investments, savings, and consumption. I make about $165K a year, yet there is now nothing to show for it.

Guys, I’m visiting in the States right now, as I watch your video. I’m in Dallas, then going to Louisiana. Been here 48 hours, and bought groceries at Walmart. $6 for a dozen eggs! I was CRAVING oysters! One pint of oysters was $21!! $4 for half gallon of milk! Can’t wait to get back home to Ecuador! 😢

Recently retired. I’ve had it with the US. I’m returning to the overseas life I miss. Through careful planning I have a great pension, high social security, and enormous stock portfolio. I can afford to live anywhere, but I’m choosing Southeast Asia.

I saw your video and am sick of getting gouged left and right! Yes here in Colorado. Prices are through the roof!! I have no plans on retiring here. Eggs are now $5.00 a dozen!! I agree with you on everything!

I have been back in the US(California) 5 times in 22 years for a total of 10 weeks and every time I think I would be shock-less due to having been shocked by how much more it costs with increasing costs but also increased number of costs. It is literally impossible to recreate my life inside the US because one of my interests is culture and love being able to attend quality drama, opera, ballet, jazz, symphonies, clubbing, fine dining, world class museums and great art, all things unavailble to 95% of Americans. I am single and date a lot, and what would be $500-2000 for a date for a play and dinner in the US is $28 for better quality, and have a choice of 250 theaters. Americans do not have access to good museums or art for the most part so do not appreciate it. The cost of living is a major problem but so is the lack of options and lack of privacy with every aspect of life requiring being monitored and tracked, and everything is on contracts instead of pay as one goes. Americans are the most constrained, contained, least free people on earth with media and government that is 90% deception, lies and propaganda. I have been in 92 countries and see every place that is current not being regime changed or attacked by the US(currently the US is attempting to overthrow 57 democratically elected governments, including the one I live under.) and justified by convincing the people of the US of lies. Every war that is reported, less then 1/10 are reported, only years later does truth come out if one digs, only to find out it was all based on lies. But Americans are always willing to believe any current wars are truthful this one time. Over and over again, Americans fall for it despite having a 100% track record of prior wars were based on lies. Do not move outside the US if you want to be shielded from the fact that you will learn how destructive and untruthful your government has been to the rest of the world. Stay in the bubble where reality never intrudes.If you watch TV(in most countries TV is not so popular because there is so many options for information, entertainment, culture etc outside the home) you have a very distorted view of the rest of the world. I have yet to find a society that was not far far better than Americans are told, and unless under active covert or open attack by the US, every region of the world gets better every year, while quality of life in the US EU UK etc gets worse. The collapse of Europe that is going on now, all traces back to the US orgins. So if one leaves they are well advised to consider countries that are not dependent on the US. So going to countries that do not have US military bases is almost always better than going to countries do have them. It is better to live in countries with a rising expectation than declining so any country connected to the BRI, BRICS, SCO and other independent trade pacts are having rising quality of life, currently that is 74% of the world population and increasing with new members applying every month. All of South America will eventurally be in that grouping, all the middle east, all of Africa , Central Asia, Asia except Japan. Russia, and the 'Stans" such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan(a personal favorite is Kyrgyzstan as a really cool place to live with great food, calms, low cost, friendly with mx of all the cultures of the old Silk Road) are low cost, safe and highly cultured and a lot of English is spoken with better access to health care, great food quality, highly educated. For the most modern cities and services, China is amazing with a very high quality of life and happiness index and no serious poverty. Some areas in Asia are expensive such as Singapore. Vietnam is a growing region for ex-pats with low cost of living, good medical, growing economy, stability etc. I picked St Petersburg Russia and love it. It has a large ex-pat community and English is spoken a lot, with far lower cost of living, 100 times the access to culture than western countries, safe, great for families with children, no need for a car, friendly and lack of homeless or poverty. The stress level is almost zero and it is cheaper than Moscow and much smaller population, higher quality of food, wide range of cuisines to choose from, great and easily available health care and Americans get a 3 year visa that can be renewed. Current one has to leave the country every 6 months and they return the same day for another 6 months, unless they apply for residency.Great schools, universities(some degrees can be pursued in English such as computer science or economics. The medical care is very good, even free house calls. 600 clean safe beautiful parks, 44 islands, more world class museums than the entire US combined, easy to start a business, low taxes(ex-pats do not pay taxes however and in fact residents don't either since income taxes and social security are paid by the employer so nothing is deducted from the salary) In the next few years, major changes to the world economy is expected as the US dollar will not longer be the world reserve currency. That will have the most impact on the US because unlimited printing of money without inflation will end. Most of the world and all the growing economies will be in trade pacts outside of the US control so the dollar value will primarily be based on domestic factors, not world trade as now. The producer countries are working out the details of a new commodities back reserve currency that will be self-regulating based on the value of the essential commodities value such as gold, silver, food, oil, gas, uranium, steel, aluminum, water, timber, etc. This has been needed for a long time, a reserve currency disconnected from any one country. As the demand for one or more essential commodities increases or declines, the currency it backs will automatically change in value, and having enough different essential commodities included in the basket will be a smoothing or moderating effect. Most of the wars of the last 70 years have been to maintain domination of the dollar so that source of conflict will be removed. So it is better to think of the value of your assets now, and how will they be affected with the dollar no longer king in deciding where to move to. But move you will if you want a secure and low-stress life in retirement or for those just starting a family

I'm in western Canada, and I find our public transit is such a blessing, and so few people use it, aside from kids who don't drive. I'm about 40 minutes from the nearest shopping area and there is a direct bus 3 times a day and a connecting one more often, and you can go all day for 5 bucks. I love it. It's our lack of medical care here that is driving me to move elsewhere. I'm lucky enough to have a GP, but I've been waiting a year for an ultrasound, and heaven help you if you need to go to Emergency. I know people who just get their medical stuff done in Mexico while on vacation :(

Finally someone told the truth about. Health Care. Should I call them , Money Care. ? Thank you, so very much. Great way to present the misery in our country. I'm retiring this year. Thinking South America or Philippines.

The tipping thing in the US is because so many workers are subsisting on non-livable wages. Some restaurants are now including a "living wage" surcharge for meals, which just goes to show how horribly broken the US is in so many ways. I once had to survive on minimum wage in Michigan, which at the time was about $7.50 per hour. It was a horrific time in my life. I agree with everything you both said. I love traveling abroad. I've considered moving to Latin America. The only question I would have is: do you think the extremely inexpensive cost of living for Americans in some foreign countries is related to global wealth inequities? In other words, would the extremely affordable cost - for Americans - of Ecuador feel extremely affordable to the average person who is from Ecuador and lived there their whole life? When I visited Colombia, the extremity of the wealth inequities exceeded anything I have seen in the US. And I have worked in social services with homeless youth, who live in extreme poverty here. I am very curious about moving abroad sometime, but I'm just curious as to whether the high quality of life for US expats abroad is in some cases connected to global inequities.

I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewa, Canada. Diesel fuel is $8 a gallon Reg Gas $6. $7.50 for 375 grams of bacon, lunch meat is $4 per 100grams for the cheap stuff. loaf of bread is $5, dozen eggs $4-5. 1 pound of low quality water injected ground beef $5-7. Cell phone 70-100$ a month limited data. Internet and cable 200$ a month for a entry level package. Yes we have free med care up here but not drugs or dentist.$ 250-350 for a filling, 1 pack of 25 cigarettes $25 yes 1 dollar per cigarette. 1 dozen beer 25-30$, 26 0z bottle of hard Liquor $30-35. Minimum wage is $13 per hour in this province. WE also have a carbon tax thanx to Justin Trudeau and it is just hammering us . 98% on our natural gas bills so yes what used to be 100 is now 198 but he also adds gst 5% tax on the carbon tax what a nice guy eh?

You guys are amazing. And every time I see one of your videos, I get a little bit closer to pulling the plug on the U.S.

You guys are giving good information. Thank you … there are so many people living on the streets here in the USA . Seniors are getting beat up .. I’m ready to go .I’m 58 . Was trying to wait till 62 .. get some retirement.

UNLESS you're a millionaire, you have a business generating over 500k and your home is paid off, you will struggle living in the USA. Even people making 100k are struggling right now. Nurses going on strike, scarcity of doctors and nurses, teachers quitting their jobs, etc. Cost of living in the USA is ridiculous and youll be paying over 500k for a crappy house built in the 1800s.

As I have always said about the states… the only good thing is the outdoor stuff, the landscapes and natural world here. They have fucked up everything else. National parks are its savior.

Lived in the US my whole life. Everything in this video about the US has been this way for OVER 50 years from my experience, putting this video at least 50 years late.

I have made comments before on videos you have posted because I lived in Peru as a child from age 5 to 15, in the 50's & 60's, when my dad worked there. My family has been following the current instabilities there with interest because we love the Peruvian people and the country as a whole, but it also points out something that needs to be factored in by Americans moving to a Latin American country, and that is the fact that (1) no matter how long you live there you will be an outsider, (2) whatever your income level, you will be viewed as rich, and (3) your future is tied to the country you are living in. When I was a child, Peru was going through much more political instability - we were there when the country nationalized much of the foreign investments there and when Che Guevara was active in the Indian areas. My parents would be notified by the US embassy (not sure if it was a letter or a phone call) and told to consider leaving for a while, but if not, to keep a low profile till things settled down. When that happened, I would stop going to the nearby park where I would join pickup soccer games, and instead of walking to our private school in Lima (Roosavelt), our parents would drive us there. The only problem we had was that once someone painted anti-American slogans on the walls of the house we were renting at the time. We had a steady stream of Peruvians living in our neighborhood who stopped by to apologize and say that they hoped this didn't ruin our view of Peruvians, and the Miraflores police were quite upset that this happened. I never felt unsafe there, but then I was a child. We came back to the US in 1966, and while Peru and most of South America has changed for the better since then, the truth is that the three points I listed at the start of my post are still valid today, and the political factor must be taken into account along with the economics. Let me list these three again: (1) No matter how long you live in the country, you will always be a Gringo. (2) No matter your income level, you will always be viewed as rich. (3) Your future is tied to the political stability of the country you are living in. Ask Americans who retired in Venezuela what that is like. Love your videos, BTW. I am praying for Peru and the wonderful people living there.

First, I love your videos and your content. Regarding tipping, I am working as a waitress after being a public school teacher for 22 years to supplement my income. Every tip we get on any credit card, we the servers who make $2.13 per hour (40 years ago we made $1.86 per hour) have to pay the credit card fee for whatever tip we receive. To clarify, we do have to claim all tips for tax purposes and this includes the occasional cash tip. On a great note, within 18 months, my child will graduate from college with no debt. With him being on his own, I am moving to Cuenca. This November, I will be making my initial visit to determine where I will explore the area. Again, I genuinely appreciate your content. After living in Spain and in China, which I loved, I am certain that I will love Ecuador and look forward to taking your online e-course. Thank you for all of your content. Cheers,

You guys yet again confirm my sentiments! We are moving to Mexico this year. Family and friends think we are out of our minds. I think they are out of their minds for staying! I realize not all are able, but don’t shun the ones who want to run! Thanks for the video!

I've been watching you guys for a while, and have decided to affordably retire in Ecuador, then... I'm 67 and partially disabled as of about 4 years ago. My monthly Social Security benefit, my only income now, equals my rent. The max disability I MIGHT be able to collect is $800 per month. MAYBE. See the problem? I'm looking forward to new adventures, but I'd prefer not to be forced to take them because the US lacks sufficient safety nets. Most older folks today lack pensions and certainly have little savings for retirement. After working hard and paying taxes for 50 years, you would think...But, no. Too many hungry corporations and foreign countries to support. Fed up with the US and glad I'm leaving soon, at least before greed and corruption totally crushes it.

We are in Mexico now...at the moment a 2 month stay in Mazatlan. In Oregon, 2 or so years ago I had a retinal detachment and just had to choose blindness in my left eye because even if I would have had great insurance and/or lots of money in the bank there was such limited access to care I would have also needed be be flown into a hospital in Eugene or Portland (I was in Gold Beach) IF they would have taken me. Well, it was also during the first part of the covid thing and they were not accepting anyone for non-lifesaving surgeries (plus all the other scary stuff that was going on in hospitals at the time to top that all off). I know of others who have had the same thing happen. So, I found a great ophthalmologist that speaks English here in Mazatlan to get sort of a debrief of the damaged eye and a thorough assessment of my "good" eye. Took less than a week to get an appointment with him AND my cost was 900 pesos or around $45 US. I'm grateful but kind of pissed off at what's going on (planned implosion) in the US... At least now if I have that happen to my other eye I can get into a hospital and get it addressed here in Mexico.... We do not consider ourselves "ex-pats", either. We are refugees from a country that is falling apart.

Enjoyed your video, I agree with you, things are really getting crazy here, it's just not the same anymore.

Thanks Amelia and JP for this important information. Definitely, these facts are going to help people to redefine their goals and make crucial decisions.

I already have shared this video with people living in their vans and 🚗. Eternal blessings.❤

Companies charge as much as people will pay. The only way to stop high prices is to stop buying the overpriced items -- or severely cut back. That will send the message that they can't get away with it. I was recently in Arizona on I40 heading west toward California. I stopped at the last gas station in Az and the price was $3.39 per gallon, knowing from the gas buddy site what was coming. Twenty miles down the road in California in Needles, the price was $5.89 per gallon. And every station I saw in town was that much. What a scam. What a ripoff.

Great Video! Thank you for being so honest and trying to help others to realize that they have other options in this world to live comfortably and get the health care that every human being deserves.

You are so-so-so-100% correct !!!!! I left 6 years ago and live in Eastern Europe now (NOT WESTERN EUROPE). On a modest fixed income we live like kings, want for nothing, and shockingly, without even trying, bank 1/2 of our income every month. And we drive our car anywhere we want with $2/gallon propane for fuel. Also I just had a complete 4 wheel brake job done , rotors , pads, calipers, the works , all for under $100. The day of reckoning is coming soon in the U.S.

This is why I'm going to move to Colombia, ASAP.

JP and Amelia, I absolutely love you guys - and especially when you’re exploring and sharing places many can only dream of seeing. So I hope your subscriber count grows to the point where you’re able to do that full time. And just a thought: As a retired military officer, you may want to consider hosting an episode focusing on Veterans. Many Veterans have overseas experience, so the shock factor really isn’t a factor. And for retired military, “TriCare for Life” (essentially Medicare for retired military), unlike Medicare, covers health care overseas. I have zero doubt you’d have problems finding qualified Veterans living in Ecuador (or any country South of US) willing to host with you and share their experience.

It’s insane brother! I am not able to really go out! So i just stopped drinking period and eat home and thats it, no new clothes nothing just social media. Working out, work and home! Thats life

In Cuenca I was buying 30 eggs for $3.40. I arrived back in the US and am paying $4.99 per dozen. I went to a local Ecuadorian restaurant in Connecticut and paid $13 for Seco de Pollo. The US is completely out of hand control regarding pricing. I am leaving for Thailand in 2 weeks for a 1 year stay. Ecuador has some of the best public transportation that I have seen. 1/25/2023 Update, I am in Connecticut and had to take a cab 21.5 miles, the charge was $87.25 plus a tip of $10.00. I am staying with a friend while I await leaving for Thailand next week. She just received a $400 electric bill. She heats her home to 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. I do not understand how people can afford to retire with any quality of life in the US anymore.

It’s true! I Never thought that at 68 years of age I would be so broke all the time, after a lifetime of working as an educator. It’s a shame. I just want to give up

Imagine raising a family in a developing nation in Latin America like Mexico, Ecuador, Nicaragua...and then take a breath and realize how fortunate Americans and Europeans are that we are able to live such privileged lives. We were born with an economy that has given us the opportunity to not live in poverty while hundreds of millions struggle to eat. Living abroad with our US dollars should never be taken for granted.

Keep spreading the word. Great work.

Excellent video 😊. Thank you both for this, much appreciated.

I’ve been in Quito for 3 days… everyday I’ve seen at least one young person helping an elderly lady across the street or a young person walking with there what it seems to be their grand parents with their arms locked.. you could see how much they care for their elderly

Hi guys. I do follow your channel. You always talk about speaking Spanish. Well, I live in Florida and we have so many people from all over!! Spanish, Russian. Most of the people that work for our maintenance are Spanish speaking. We can't even communicate with them!! Many people who live in my building in Delray Beach are Russian and they speak it all the time! Our HOA just went up almost $40.00 for each condo. I'm paying around $450.00 per month! One of my pet peeves is the landscaping that goes on here. It was so noisy today if I wasn't feeling good (just had a tooth pulled) I would have left my condo. My mom lives nearby so I go to her home. Also, everyone has a dog here!!! When I moved in we were not allowed to have dogs. There was never any amendment added in our by-laws to allow them either. I just want to live in a place where I can't hear my neighbors and there is peace and quiet. I have been to Ecuador. I believe I shared with you a while ago. I went to do Ayahuasca, plant medicine, with a group of women. We were in the mountains. I never saw so many stars. It was wonderful!!

All good points. Having to own a car in the US is not only a massive cash drain, and bad for the environment.

Totally agree with everything you pointed out. Great research, editing, and presentation. So full of logic and common sense ❤ thank you.

My dad once joked about people tipping saying maybe you should tip the cashier ringing you up saying " I liked the way you rung me up".

Great video guys !!!! I used to pay 6 thousand dollars!! for my mother in low nursing home care , but the worst part she was being abuse , her room was always smelly and I had to wash her clothes and much more cos they wouldn’t do , in fact they never washed her blankets once ! Awful experience

I’m a 37 year old American with three kids. My husband and I have worked our entire lives and have absolutely nothing to show for it. We’ve been living in poverty the last five or so years after a series of bad occurrences completely bankrupted us, and I don’t think we’ll ever get out. We moved back to our hometown in WV (something I swore I would never do) because it’s so cheap to live here, but we’re STILL not out of it. This video was depressing. I guess at least we’re poor enough to get Medicaid and food stamps. I’m trying to look at the silver lining lol

I agree with you guys,take care and have a wonderful upcoming 2023 .

Tips is something that we in Europe pay only for when the service is extra good. Why do you subsidize the owners, who should be paying a living wage. You cannot compare the prices which include salaries between a 1st world and 3rd world when the salaries and property costs are so different.

If you can make US money and not live in the USA you are living like a king if you are smart.

I’ve been in Southwest Europe for a couple weeks and have marveled at how much cheaper it is here than in California. I always assumed Europe would be substantially more expensive but it’s not really. Gas is expensive but I don’t intend to drive as an expat. Other than that, everything else is cheaper.

I left Denver 3 years ago for Malta, where I have citizenship by descent. I will never go back. My small SS check gets me a 2- bedroom flat here. I almost never had any healthcare before and stopped eating things like broccoli and fruit decades ago. But I have all that here. Free buses, too, and they go everywhere.

As of today in SD , Cali. Rent 2400 2bd , elec 350 (70% increase over the last month) Internet 105. Food 800 p/m for 2 Gas 4.99 /gal Car ins 276 Dental and Medical prices (Mafiosa) spousal support 2k and the list goes on..

The cost of living is insane for sure. I'm hoping to spend a few months in Thailand later this year, if all goes well. Working a seasonal job in Alaska for the summer, and then maybe teaching English online p/t when I'm there. Would like to start spending half the year overseas to explore options. Thanks for the great video! 😍🔥👍

A wise man once said, the four basic needs of living (Food, Shelter, Medicine, Education) should be cheap and easy for everyone. Otherwise, you can't call it a Civilized society.

I'm a disabled senior citizen or worked hard all my life and now two-thirds of my income goes to taxes and insurance

Ive been sleeping outdoors in my truck for much of the past seven years since I became disabled. I have had some savings to get away for winters to preserve what is left of my health. Im currently in Mexico for the winter where I am using up the last of my savings to have a roof over my head for one last winter. Have to sell my truck and all my possessions when I go back because I cant afford the gas and upkeep of the truck and the storage for my possessions that I hoped to one day put back in a house or apartment. From living abroad for a few winters, its very true, we are being raped financially in the USA in every way. And no where in the world do you see the depravity of what it is like to be homeless in the USA. Im not getting any help with housing , despite being disabled. There are a few countries that I could at least get by on with my SSDI (at least while there is still a dollar, but that concerns me) and health care would be an issue too, since my income is only $1000 a month. And I have to clear it with Social Security as well to be able to leave the country.

Love your videos. The cost of living here is crazy. I live in Colorado. Getting tired of the inflation, gas, oil changes, brake pads, blah blah blah. Life is so complicated here. Thanks for putting things in perspective and letting people know there is an escape!

The US has areas of true brilliance in Health Care - but most of our health care delivery is too expensive and of average quality. When My son needed heart surgery we were happy to be in Houston and able to go to Texas Heart Institute. Luckily Blue Cross Blue Shield covered the vast majority of cost for two procedures totaling around $150000(!). Generally,, we have fantastic research hospitals. But the vast amount of healthcare delivery is not in that category, and for that stuff we have long waits, ridiculous prices, and (in many cases) arrogant and unresponsive doctors. The US model for pricing and insurance - and even salaries for doctors - is out of line with reality. I doctor friend told me that as a doctor he deserved his princely salary ($400K 20 years ago or so) because of all his schooling. I reminded him that as a PhD in Engineering I actually had more school than he did . Silence..... I really worry about the future. And I hope it becomes feasible to move to EC at some point. But as that would mean leaving our large family behind, it doesn't seem feasible. Buckle up folks, the right is going to get rougher before it gets better, I fear. EC looks better each day.

As you mentioned education and universities. I don't know the situation in Ecuador, but in Argentina there are also private and public universities. If you're just looking for a fancy looking diploma or a bullshit career like marketing or business administration, you're fine with a private university if you can afford them (compared to the US, they still cost very little). They look nice and clean, and you don't have to deal with politics. On the other hand, if you take the subject of your study seriously, it has to be a public university. Some of them, like Buenos Aires and La Plata, are world-class academic level. In most of Europe, the situation is similar.

I love this couple! So glad to see them again! It's been awhile.

I did not leave the US because of the costs, but I cannot imagine going back because of how expensive it is!! Portugal checks off all of these boxes...We bought a house and live a very comfortable life at a fraction of the cost of California and France, where we moved from! My husband's medication is 750€/month here and $3,000/month in the US...Luckily we pay ZERO!!! California is now just a vacation!! Great video!

Moving…first stop Nicaragua. My Eliquis, with insurance is almost $100/month. But $39 for it in Nicaragua without insurance ! Crazy !

If your in the middle class in the USA, your either going to get richer or going to get poorer.

You are so spot on… why the hell is everything so expensive and the quality so poor in the US.

I totally agree with you on costs. I doubt I could every get my husband to leave his hometown. My kids also use me a lot for babysitting grandkids. It's still in the back of my mind, but probably won't happen until we both retire, if at all:( I'm going to keep working on him and researching:) Thanks for your information!

prices going up and the dollar is going down. When the mex peso goes to 13 per us dollar the living standard will be similar in the two countries.

The quality of people who are looking to be in health care generally do not care and only are there for the paycheck. I’ve seen it first hand. They could care less about the residents / patients.

Thank you for these informative videos!

We live in Nueva Gorgona, Panama and it is SO much cheaper to live here. Ecuador is on our list to visit next. Great job Amelia and JP!

Living in Chicago, IL. I hear you loud and clear. My spouse is from Colombia and does not want to move back. I'm retired, but they are not and employment doesn't come easy in Bogota. Oh well, guess I'll have to remain here and make of it what I can. Love your channel and all the good work and information that you share. I'm happy for you folks. :-)

Wow! You put motivation on me!!!!

(In Boulder, CO) I have a long-term medication that I take. It cost $35/month... until January 2023. This past week the pharmacy told me it is now $641/month because my company has taken it off their "magic list". I priced it in Ecaudor and it appears to be $105/month.

A sad situation here in the USA. When it crashes, it will be a hard crash. It isn't sustainable.

It's what happens when the FED prints money and goes brrrr

Totally agree with you, except on the investiments...lol. Great video.