A decade ago, Bradley Krae left the United States to teach English in Shenzhen, China. He spends less money and says the has found his own version of the American Dream there.
I’m not from the US, but I’ve had similar experiences in half a dozen or so countries all over the world. I couldn’t even imagine my life if I’d never moved away from where I was raised, nor do I ever wish to go back to that time or place. The world is so goddamn full of excitement and opportunities. I never tire of new experiences.
I may get responses to this post saying “must be nice to be rich,” but I was raised poor. I literally just got on a plane after giving away whatever was in my apartment. A day later I was working a job making the equivalent of 300 usd a month and having a fucking blast. I met my future life partner quite literally the next day.
I have so many good friends from my childhood who are drowning in money or stress issues, yet when I try to entice them to make a significant change, each of them finds reasons why it’s “impossible” while continuing to complain about their lives. What I’ve come to realize is actually impossible is convincing anyone to step outside their comfort zone.
My story is pretty similar in starting out poor. I was raised poor, but then was the first person in my family to graduate university, all on loans in my own name (subsequently paid), and then the first to travel outside the US. From there it just snowballed.
I do wish more people made the choice, just for their own sakes. Statistically, the idea that the place you were born is the best fit for you is pretty low. But then, I also get that not everyone can make the jump. I’ve watched most people who come here spend some time and then go back home. It’s scary to leave everything behind, and not everyone is up for it.
Great post. Thanks a lot.
I’m not from the US, but I’ve had similar experiences in half a dozen or so countries all over the world. I couldn’t even imagine my life if I’d never moved away from where I was raised, nor do I ever wish to go back to that time or place. The world is so goddamn full of excitement and opportunities. I never tire of new experiences.
I may get responses to this post saying “must be nice to be rich,” but I was raised poor. I literally just got on a plane after giving away whatever was in my apartment. A day later I was working a job making the equivalent of 300 usd a month and having a fucking blast. I met my future life partner quite literally the next day.
I have so many good friends from my childhood who are drowning in money or stress issues, yet when I try to entice them to make a significant change, each of them finds reasons why it’s “impossible” while continuing to complain about their lives. What I’ve come to realize is actually impossible is convincing anyone to step outside their comfort zone.
Edit: a word
My story is pretty similar in starting out poor. I was raised poor, but then was the first person in my family to graduate university, all on loans in my own name (subsequently paid), and then the first to travel outside the US. From there it just snowballed.
I do wish more people made the choice, just for their own sakes. Statistically, the idea that the place you were born is the best fit for you is pretty low. But then, I also get that not everyone can make the jump. I’ve watched most people who come here spend some time and then go back home. It’s scary to leave everything behind, and not everyone is up for it.