Astrowhale
Community Member
0 posts
94 comments
283 upvotes
844 points
Just a crazy whale lover, wanting to go to space and be a panda at the same time, some classic, had to be.
Astrowhale • commented on 10 posts 11 months ago
Show All 10 Comments
Astrowhale • upvoted 7 items 11 months ago
Show All 7 Upvotes
Astrowhale • upvoted 23 items 12 months ago
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
Because I’m so tired of constantly living in fear. Fear of medical debt. Fear of any kind of overwhelming debt. Fear of getting screwed over by a landlord. By a mortgage lender. By a bank. By a corporation. Fear of getting screwed by an employer. Fear of losing my job or getting sick and getting in over my head with expenses. Fear of getting shot. Fear of getting covid due to lax regulations. Fear of getting hurt by a radicalized anti-vaxer. Fear of losing access to civil rights protection (ahem, Texas). Fear of the out of control housing market. Fear of the ramifications of our own civic, economic, and social policies. Fear I’ll finally give in to the despair. Our way of life is… it’s so completely irrational. And it’s seemingly inescapable. I think about this every day. And generally speaking, I align with contemporary European values more so than contemporary American values (are these even a thing? What are contemporary American values?) Education, culture, a well-rounded life fully lived, travel, prioritizing social good over economic growth. These are the things that I want for myself and everyone. I’ve lived in the US all my life. There are so many things I love about it. Truly. But the older I get, the more it feels like a trap. A trap with a really effective marketing campaign.
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
I moved from the US to Denmark in 80 and since then have lived in various European countries, for the last 30 in England. Culture is better. Not saying that some Americans are not cultured (I am American after all) but things are so much more oriented to enjoying music, theatre, and arts. I had relatives in the US that mocked university education, modern art, and pretty much anything that was not simple patriotism and religion.
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
I moved to Europe 7yrs ago. Our motivation at first was having children without going into debt. After living here a few years we were able to buy a house with property. Live a lifestyle that was once considered the American dream. I important distinction is that we/I found that life was more basic here. Less materialistic. People still have gardens, walk to places they want to go. Christmas is about family and not about how many gifts you got. I just find it to be a more sustainable environment for my family.
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
My partner and I moved to Sweden two years ago. We were both working extremely long hours in the US and it was killing us. We were both making a lot of money, but it was coming at too great a cost. There's also the political and social situation. Society is extremely polarized in the U.S. Now, we have six weeks of vacation, guaranteed healthcare, and a political system that isn't a complete sh*tshow 24/7. There are also a lot more opportunities here. America is actually extremely toxic for non-unicorn small businesses, so industries are getting consolidated into fewer and fewer firms. Stockholm is internationally known as a tech hub, but unlike the Bay area you can actually afford to buy a house here. Hell, for 18 months we were living comfortably on a single income, which would be impossible in the states. We don't ever want to move back. Hopefully we'll be able to get our citizenship in 3 more years and we'll never have to.
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
I moved to Spain from the US 6 years ago (initially through a program to teach English, now I'm married to a Spaniard). As much as I deeply love and miss the US -- the nature, the food, friends, the VIBE -- I have no plans to move back. Healthcare in America scares the bejeesus out of me, especially as I age. I just had surgery on an injury that cost me nothing -- I still feel like I'm getting away with murder. And the work-life balance is so insane once you see it from the outside. I stopped being able to understand how my mom was slaving away for a company that really didn't pay much for 2 precious weeks of paid vacation a year (and I would describe my family as privileged). COVID really changed my view, seeing everyone in my city dutifully wear the mask even after it's not required, whereas my state in America devolved into a culture war. "Devolving" is, unfortunately, the best word I have to describe the US in the last decade(s).
Products-Ignored-Main-Purpose-Alternative
The royal dansk danish cookie container, used by many for storing sewing/ knitting supplies
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
Because practicing medicine here feels dirty. I was never in it for the money or prestige. I’ve already started working on my exams to go to the UK. There are pros and cons to the way healthcare is handled in the UK, but I’d rather be able to treat a patient and sleep peacefully knowing that I haven’t financially crippled someone for life. Medicine as a career is much better in the US than anywhere in the world, but I’d rather make much less money and have a clear conscience.
Reasons-People-Moved-From-USA-To-Europe
Quality of life - I hate having to drive everywhere in the US, city parks are usually way worse, and my friends thought I was crazy for not wanting to default to spending money as a way to hang out (restaurants, bars, concerts, nail salons, shopping). I know that exists in Europe but there still seems to be more appreciation for the slow life. That plus being able to walk more and use public transport, long vacations, better social safety nets…I just feel happier and healthier with that lifestyle.Show All 23 Upvotes
This Panda hasn't posted anything yet
This Panda hasn't posted anything yet
Astrowhale • commented on 10 posts 11 months ago
Astrowhale • commented on 2 posts 2 years ago
Astrowhale • commented on 8 posts 3 years ago
Astrowhale • upvoted 20 items 11 months ago
This Panda hasn't followed anyone yet
Astrowhale • 26 followers
