WHY I LEFT THE USA 🇺🇸 | Life in Europe (2022) 

The US used to be a good place to visit, but not to live. Now, it's not even a good place to visit due to the anger, violence and hatred there. The self proclaimed mantra that it is the 'greatest country in the world' is just so bizarre.

Unless you have lived in every single country on the planet, how can you know the US is the greatest country? I’m planning to leave the US and look forward to new adventures.

Workaholism is unhealthy, but many people in the US are unaware of it. it is important to strike the right work-life balance. Good countries to live in are Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, etc. Bear in mind that healthcare is not free, but paid through taxation, so if you are unwilling to contribute to pay other people's healthcare costs, then stay in the US because Europeans are proud of it. Everybody is entitled to free healthcare at the point of need, and everybody need free healthcare during your stay on earth. And that has nothing to do with comunism or socialism as most people in Europe hold (right or left) liberal views.

In Europe we work to live, we don't live to work.

As a retired American, I can agree that college tuition is outrageous and the working hours are ridiculous. There are factories that work young people 12 hours per day, 7 days per week until they quit. That's just pure evil. That's not what this nation was like when I was a kid in the early 1960's. Corporate greed and Big Government greed are destroying the lives of young people.

I dropped out of my masters program at Pepperdine, because I realized the cost was ridiculous...it was 60K. It took me a while to realize that "The greatest country in the world" is not so great after all ... ;) California is nice, we live here part of the year, but my heart feels at home in Germany :)

Leaving the US was the best decision I made. New York was/is too damn expensive. Korea has its own set of issues but I never felt broke here. I was able to save much more than I could back in the states. That’s one huge stress off of my back.

The thing I like the most about Europe is diversity. You can travel from Portugal to Estonia without visas and enjoy different experiences in each country.

Hello from Finland 🇫🇮 You are doing great job 😊👍

Fully agree! Spent time living abroad before the pandemic sent me home. Now I'm plotting my way back to Europe.

I moved to Japan and I'm a proud American but we still have a long road ahead of us to be called the greatest country in the world.

I hear you, sister. I'm black American and have been working abroad for about 11 years around Asia and am considering a permanent leave. Thanks to you, I'll look further into finding a school in Germany or elsewhere in Europe to make it easier to settle down with my foreign-born fiance. Our government is unwilling to properly invest in its people, and that includes their education, infrastructure, and accessibility to public transit, as you mentioned. I think a lot of it stems from too much bureaucracy and misguided priorities. It's exhausting just to think about it. Plus, I have more international friends and acquaintances than I do in the states at this point. Best of luck to you!

I left San Francisco 38 years ago for Europe, I will not knock the US, there are some great things about it, however, one must see and experience the world, your views on the US will change as will your views on the world.

Good points. I remember in elementary school my teacher saying that Europe had more holidays than the U.S. I thought the U.S. would have corrected that by the time I entered the workforce, but nooooooo. It’s definitely good for the mind, body and soul to be able to travel and take a break periodically.

I moved to the UK from the USA over 10 years ago and will never return. Racism is still rampant and gun laws are crazy. I feel safe here. Good luck.

You made incredibly sound observations and points here. Have been debating heavily these past few years w/ when exactly I should start investing in leaving this country (esp on top of the rising cost of living, poor healthcare and quality of life here as an African American). I want to leave so badly and discover a quality of life that’s actually worth living and working for in comparison. Thank you for your input and insight. Hoping to get out myself.

Currently in Portugal and have no plans to go back either. Decided to go back after 5 years abroad, NEVER AGAIN. Lesson learned.

I dream of leaving the US and I hope it will happen one day. It just looks like it is so hard to get out unless you are a doctor, engineer, and have a lot of money

This video gives me so much peace ❤

Hello, I don't mean to be rude but must say you come across as very sweet and a very kind person compared to so many Americans I am seeing online. it is like the USA is going insane. Good thing you got out, you deserve to be happy.

Awesome! We’ve got Portugal on our minds for next year as a retirement destination. Looking forward to a new life.

I share your sentiments. I left Canada for Iceland 10 years ago next month and it was one of the best decision I made! YES, the vacation days are a plus!!

I was in Europe for a month last month. I am from Los Angeles; born and raised. Back to the hustle and bustle. Im ready to make my way back to Europe(Spain/Portugal) next year hopefully to live.

As a Brit who recently moved to the US, another huge difference is the cost of owning a home. For my example I just worked up numbers for two equivalent houses, my current 4 bedroom house on the edge of London in a good area vs an equivalent sized and priced condo in a good area of North Chicago. Here are the numbers for ongoing costs, excluding mortgage. Sample 4-bed “nice” House £500,000/$700,000 UK Council tax £162/mo, £1947/year ($2575) total, all-in US Property Tax $1,239/mo, $14,868/year (£11,240) US HOA $883/mo, $10,596/year (£8,010) US Total $2,122/mo $25,464/year (£19,251) 9.9x the cost! And mortgage rate 1.59% in UK and in US you are lucky to get under 2.5%

Hi Kendra! Great video and you made incredible points. I work for the City of Indianapolis and we get 22 days of vacation a year AND its use it or lose it. No days can transfer over. Also, getting my Master's degree cost almost as much as my undergraduate degree. It is SUCH a broken system. Goodluck on your move!

My COA is $50,000 per year. The US is a country founded on Capitalism and altough it is called a Democracy it is actually a PROFITOCRACY

100 percent agree with you

Thank you for this feedback! I like visiting USA but not to live there. I'm German living in Spain. ❤❤❤

I live in the UK. If I had holidays built up and didn't use them, my employer would make me take them. You are almost forced to take paid time off.

US citizens!! Come and join Europe!! Healthcare, university are free!!! I'm from Spain, and we are not perfect, but i feel that all of us have the same opportunities to be whatever we want without thinking how rich you are.

These are all good points! I left California because it felt like a bubble. I went to Asia but Europe is hopefully next on my list.

I'm thinking about moving to Germany after graduating. I'll have at least a year of rent saved up, so I hope I can make something happen.

I am planning on moving to Mexico soon. I love the food and the people there.

What I find interesting is that I can't imagine so many people wanting to leave the US 40 years ago. Back then, the US was - at least in the vast majority of citizens' eyes - the greatest country on earth (despite the fact that most Americans had never traveled abroad). Things have clearly changed big-time in America.

100% agree with you Kendra. I'm a European from Ukraine but used to live in Germany and 2 years in the UK at the moment moved to Florida. So in my perspective, I feel EU better for myself. As you said education, public transport, vacation, multicultural...100% agree but can add: 1)Ability to walk in the EU. In the US you can not just open the door and be in the middle of smth. You have to drive to the park or walking area in 90% of cases. 2)Cheap flights in Europe. Ryanair or Wizzair could cost 10-20 euros...in US 100-150$+ 3)Medical care!!! IT'S PURE MADNESS!!! And the funniest thing for me is that in the UK it was no direct medical tax and free medicine. In Florida, it's medical tax 1.7% of income and no free medicine XD 4)I will put the last one very personal so it's could not be related to you at all. Cheese: I can't find good cheese at any supermarket in Jacksonville :( I found 5-7 kinds in Costco...so it's extremely a few + price 4 times higher, comparing to Germany or UK. So as a resume I can say if your goal is to found Google, Amazon, or other massive company - go to the USA. If you want to live your life and be good but not reach (I mean to be a multimillionaire) - Europe. Enjoy your life in Germany. I feel to go back to Europe in a couple of years too:)

I’m from Saudia Arabia and would like to told yiu I’m totally agree with you 👍🏻 I’m planning to complete my studies in zurich and this video really help me 😘🇸🇦

I'm German and I've been to the USA twice I would honestly say that I didn't feel comfortable in US USA is nice for a vacation but not for life Europe is safer and more beautiful and multicultural and the cities are very clean Germany has the best health system in the world we haven't talked about switzerland yet (the best country to live in the world) i would also like to say that the americans are very nice and helpful people but unfortunately they don't have much time, they work all the time

A fact-filled and enjoyable video. Public transportation is extremely important to me; it probably forms the main reason for Europe's attractiveness. Illness prevents me from driving, and here in Australia the perils of non-car-ownership are rapidly becoming as severe as they have long been in the USA.

You are so AMAZING!!! Thank you for this great video. So informative, fun, and engaging.

Here not only education is free, you get monthly student and housing benefit, and you can take government backed loan on top of it, it is meant to pay for things you need for your first apartment, maybe buy a cheap used car, a bike etc. Of course some use it for partying, that is their prerogative and at least i don't care at all if they waste it; it is in the time of humans life where social life is very important, you can get stuff later but you are young only once.

I am from Egypt and I was planning to move to America 🇺🇸 but after watching your video I may change my mind and go to Europe..! What do you think.?

Omg I can’t stand that people are proud of not taking vacations

You can make happiness anywhere. I've traveled to many places and honestly if I'm in the U.S, Europe, or Asia I can't say that any place is better in totality. I've seen perfectly happy people in all three. I feel like when people make videos like this it can give people a false impression that just because you move somewhere you're going to be happy and that's not necessarily the case.

Welcome to Europe! Hopefully, you will be able to visit us up north in Sweden too.

Das Leben in Deutschland ist wunderschön,ich kann es mir nicht vorstellen wo anders zu leben ❤

I think it’s absolutely sad especially with the education system and the cost of college tuition and housing and more but I feel like it was created that way for only a certain class of people (upper/rich) I’m from 🇺🇸 and l plan on going to college here but that’s why I’m gonna apply for and get as many scholarships as I can so I’m not stressed about thousands of dollars to pay for school we honestly shouldn’t have to pay for our education, it’s sad

I want to leave the US so bad but money is always in the way 😢 I fucking hate it here.

Very good points resonated with me. I'm embarrassed with our transportation after seeing the bullet trains in Europe. I also worked 6 days a week 60 hrs and we are supposed to be proud on missing out on our kids functions and not taking time off etc. Too much greed and the politicians not giving a care about us. Not to mention what is going on with Healthcare. It's totally gone down hill.

Welcome 🇨🇭 you are much appreciated.

I'm leaving the US because I don't feel safe here anymore I feel scared terrified And I don't have a job or a life here I'm going to become a filmmaker I want to make my films in Asia where they have better dramas And care about the life we have All I'm saying is I want to leave the United States to start a better life I don't feel safe here anymore where I feel safe is around Asia

Could it be that the "American Dream" has turned into the "American Nightmare"?

$500 a year for a full course-load in Germany? Am I hearing that right? That's about the cost of 1 month of 1 summer course in New York!

I'm gonna be going back to live in the UK in 8 months.......... 8........ long and grueling months that I have to wait for. I can't wait!

Hay girl hey - shout out from Austin, Texas with plans to move to France!! Good on you for movin on outta here to Western Europe. You did a great video: straightforward, well-spoken, to the point! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the most annoying ‘little things’ like washer/dryer, adjusting to metric system, etc

Fantastic... love to see stuff like this!

Because you're smart. Period.

Vacation Days in the U.S.A. and the peer pressure NOT to use them. Or the pressure to work 10-20 hours of OT each week. I have never understood this and I was freaking born here! I don't get slaving for a boss - sacrificing your life to provide for your family - and then just before your employer has to pay you those retirement benefits or even partially pay you for them as stated in your employment contract (if you were lucky enough to negotiate a decent one) they lay you off. This happens SO often here - and the majority of states in the US are "right to work" states - which basically means you can be let go for almost any reason. I think of that line from _The Devil Wears Prada_ about if you're doing well at work, your social/private life sucks and vice versa. The American Dream is a myth for most folks - even those entrepreneurs that slave away for years. Most don't make it. The ones that do are famous and house hold names BECAUSE making it like that IS so rare. The whole "work hard" to get ahead doesn't apply if you don't already "know" someone or are somehow in the "club" with the upper management. The average entry-level worker has a greater chance of walking on water than working 80 hours a week and becoming the CEO of a major corporation, golden parachute and all, based SOLELY on merit. Most people work themselves into the ground for no reason for an employer that only sees them as a number that affects in their margins and stock value. Now to the inevitable "whataboutism" responding to my comment.... I _know_ there are people that this does happen for. But the list is short of good, honest, hard working people that got promoted for all of the right reasons and not because they are the bosses nephew or in the same college fraternity as the boss. (And yes, the fraternity/sorority thing happens more than Americans think it does... again... it's not what you know - it's who you know.

Im a dual national and thankfully i have an out, im moving back to the uk this year yea me!

Wowzers, great video. Keep up the great work.

I am American and lived as a student in Belgium for 4 years. One year language study and 3 years undergrad degree. That was $300 a year in tuition. For masters and phd degrees, which are available in English there, they actually pay the student a small amount if under age 35 and call it, "working", not studying. Lots of days off sound nice, but living in Europe as an American was exhausting. It was funny people go to work on Friday, but instead of catching up or reviewing the week, actually nothing gets done on Friday. Everybody kicks back on Friday and no appointments can be made on a Friday. So there are actually 4 week days to get any kind of office services needed. Transportation works on Friday, but they also strike on Fridays, to get attention by messing up people's weekends.

Thank you for all your information.

in europe we walk. i tried to explain that to my american friends and they were like "sure we walk to" i'm like no,not the way we walk in europe haha. like you said in the u.s "everybody" is dependent on their cars

I was planning to move Usa but cancelled

I really wish you'd eventually come back to the USA one day

I been to Europe twice and I love it, right now I’m doing more research to see if I’d like to stay in the US, or move somewhere in Europe.

Now this is it..i turn down my green card and choose finland to live peacefully and comfortably

Newly subscribed and I'm super excited for more videos 😃

for european people it looks great on your cv when you have studied in the US. The other way around the same. The european people rather not interested in multi culture when studying in the US. But I hear ya what you mean. Hollidays is a big issue of course!! I cannot imagin just have 10 days of vaccation per year.

Most awesome intro EVER!!!!

Actually if you combine taxes with all the health- and other insurance premiums to get your total deduction from your income, US citizens generally give up double of what Europeans give up. Europe contribution +- 26% US +-47%

Okay.. We can discuss all day what country is better or worse. USA is a great country in many aspects. Science & military being two of them. If you like fast food you will probably love US for it's prices and for it's big portions. Houses are big, cars are big. New york city have lots of people and much to do. Schools and sports feels alive. Great parks. People seem very sensitive but they also have unique personalities. This is based on what I catched up during my lifetime though I have never been to USA so you can always correct me if you think that I'm wrong. Also you have the lovely forests in the north towards Canada. Asia have a unique Culture. While USA and Canada seems to share a lot of culture, Asian countried seems to have alot mor differences. Even though some cultures are shared through the whole Asian region as far as I know, like rice as one example, the countries seems to differ alot in culture. Thailand is very unique country as well as India, Japan and the Philippines. Now their locations are also very different from each other. Thailand is a Buddhism country with lots of Buddah statues and elephants. It's a country ruled by their King. They are known for their TukTuks and their food is worldwide famous with meals like Pad Thai, Tom Yum and Khao Soi. Also some sports like Thai boxing comes from here. Philippines have a president and have cultures from USA, Spain, China, Japan, India, Italy and much more, and most important their own Native culture and is Basically a Catholic Christianity country. They have a hugh selection of foods such as Adobo, Bulalo, Kare-Kare, Lechon, Kaldereta and Bangus to name a few. Some of the biggest malls in the world including the worlds biggest IKEA can be found here. Their Jeepney is a very unique and well known vehicle in the Philippines. Some of Philippines biggest sports are Basketball and Boxing. India have a very unique style of music that is easy to recognize. They also have a big range of instruments mostly used in India. They are also very famous for their foods with Rice & Curry, Tikka Masala, Tandoori and Biryani. Hinduism is the main religion here. They are very famous for their bread. India also have India Mall which is one of the biggest malls in the world. Yoga was invented here. Japan have culture of being extremely polite and for their Bonsai, Sakura, Sumo Culture, Cleanliness and for their video game industry. They are also a big player when it comes to robots and wending machines. Japanese most popular food got to be the Sushi. Other famous foods from Japan are Tofu, Tempura, Ramen, Sashimi, Wagyu & Nihonshu. The fighting sport Karate comes from Japan. China is very big for making and exporting clothes, cars, toys and much more to all over the world. They are also very famous for their porcelain and their emperors. They have alot of different religions in their country. China has probably got the most widespread food in the world. Some of them are Dumplings, Dim Sum, Spring Rolls and Jian Dui. China is also popular for the Kung Fu fighting sport. South Korea is very well known for tech and electronic companies. They are also very famous for their boy bands and girl bands. When it comes to food they have some famous dishes like Bibimbap, Kimchi, Bulgogi and Samgyeopsal. South Korea have the most plastic surgery in the world. So this is just a few countries on this earth that are so different. And the only thing that can make a better country is your own mindset of what you like. They all have good sides and bad sides. I tried to focus on the good sides here. Please come with peace. *Bless You Everyone*

Excellent content and informative! New subscriber. ❤️

I would like to live in Europe, I live in a very poor country in South America and around here I don't see any prospects for living and working. I'm saving money to get a resident or student visa.

One thing with Europe, you stay in the same job making the same salary your entire life and they don’t pay well at all aside from certain countries. The US, you have choice and progression and the option to really make money.

So interesting I enjoyed ur videos 👍 Happy to see u friend and good luck

Welcome to Europe!

I don’t have a car and I’m used to walking everywhere. Hi, my name is Eddie.

Plus they treat you like an adult in Europe.

It's like you cannot win here in America

I’m almost done with my associates here in this US and I am thinking about finishing my bachelors abroad. I’ve been asking everyone what they think because I don’t know if it’s a crazy idea. I love Costa Rica and would love to earn my bachelors there. It’s way cheaper to just independently study instead of doing a “study abroad” program. My concern is that, if I wanted to come back to the States and work, would employers accept a bachelor’s from Costa Rica? I think the quality of education is the same (or better) in many other countries, but I don’t know how US employers would view that. Great video!

America is the greatest country to live in. We have our problems for sure. But no other country can defend itself like America.

Taxes are higher but you have a quality healthcare.

Finland is even better when it comes to vacation days. One of the best in the world

I hope maybe you'd eventually come back to the USA one day

It's nice to see a civilized American) )

I moved from san diego to Belgium, but im originally from Houston. I can completely relate, except for the college part I used my GI bill but I know its not cheap.

Washington state also is a good state for international living. 🙂 also thank you for this video.

I want to leave here to Kendra.. I can't stand this place.. I am in Florida.. I understand.. I have some people over in London and out that way and want to go over there.

I’m 56 and have been working for banks and real estate closings and I hope to retire away from the USA (chicago). I wanted to ask you did you research how your job skills carried over there ? I don’t like driving either 😅

Long live the U.S.A 🇺🇸❤🇺🇸

You are lucky 🍀 🌍 just stay there for the rest of your life, and never ever to think of back to America 🇺🇸 !!! God bless you...

Another truthful video about the decline of 🇺🇸 😊❤!

Oh, I live in Austin now-our public transit is okaaaayish but still mostly bus-based. NIMBYs push back on expanding trains that would get around the horrorshow that is our road traffic, so yeah. Compared to say, the train network in Germany? It's night and day. Given that most of my train experience is in NYC because cities just don't expand their rail networks here, I still marvel over every train car that *doesn't smell like pee* in Europe. I lost a sandal after stubbing my toe on one in Stuttgart and didn't feel like I needed a round of every kind of shot including ebola, tetanus, COVID, tequila and some undiscovered diseases only found in bears from just walking across the floor missing a shoe. Public transit can be clean? Pleasant? Well-lit? Well-monitored, with helpful staff? Not sticky? Can we please show this to the NIMBYs who keep voting against investing more in it here?

My sister just moved there she loves it

The costs of studying in Germany appear to be low while you are studying. However you have to consider that you will have to fund this system for the rest of your working life with the highest tax rates in the world. So at the end it is not that cheap anymore

You had me at vacation days!!

Focus on socalled "Fenstertage/Window days"..meaning for instance a state vacation day is on a Thursday than the Friday is the socalled "Fenstertag/Window day" in relation to the weekend..where you can take 1 day of your working vacation days for that Friday and you expand your "freetime" from Thursday till Sunday having 4 days to for instance take a trip by loosing just 1 of the 35 working vacation days...or the state vacation day is a Tuesday then the "Fenstertag/Windowday" would be the Monday and you expand your "freetime" from Saturday till Tuesday by loosing just 1 working vacation day...just a tip if you didn´t noticed it already..with doing this you expand your holidays to over 35 days because you had 2 vacationdays (1 state vacation + 1 working vacation day) but actually 4 days in a row off... presumed you don´t have a job where you have to work at the weekend as well but a Monday till Friday job which most office jobs are.

Don’t move to LA unless you wanna pay $2500 for a studio.. and you might have a homeless person sleeping outside your building.

Hahahahaha omg yes! They are happy about not taking a vacation! Crazy!

You should have mentioned That the 30 days fully payed vacation by your employer