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“Stupid, First-World, Entitled Idiot”: American Gets Reality Check After Moving To Africa For A ‘Simple Life’
“We work jobs we hate, to buy things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t like.” You don’t need to have watched the movie Fight Club to have heard this phrase before. It’s become synonymous with the quest for minimalism, or the yearning for a simpler life.
More and more people are waking up to the fact that they aren’t happy with the traditional way of life – and some are even brave enough to turn things upside down and make a drastic change. Like one American, who quit their jobs (yes, plural), took all their savings, and moved across the world to North Africa.
Sick of hyper-consumerism and being in debt, this person went in search of a better life. One based on “slow, intentional living” and being “more connected to the earth.” But they say after the honeymoon phase wore off, a very rude awakening was waiting on the other side…
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They quit their job, took all their savings, and moved to Africa to live a “simple life”
Image credits: PlatooFotography / Envato (not the actual photo)
Little did they know that things would actually get much harder than before…
Image credits: Light-and-Vision / Envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: petero31 / Envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: anon
Africa is much richer than you might think, and here’s why…
Image credits: Ninno JackJr / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Africa is not a country. Let’s start there… In fact, the 2nd-largest continent on the planet is made up of 52 different countries, and many of them are nothing like the next.
It was once seen as the “dark continent,” a land of primitive civilization and nothing much worth studying or visiting. But thankfully, thinking has changed. People have caught up to the fact that Africa is, in fact, a land of plenty. Much of it was just plundered and colonized in the past, setting its people back by centuries.
According to the United Nations, Africa is home to around 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 8% of the world’s natural Gas, and 12% of the world’s oil reserves. But wait, there’s more… The continent has 40% of the world’s gold and up to 90% of its chromium and platinum.
“The largest reserves of cobalt, diamonds, platinum, and uranium in the world are in Africa,” notes the U.N. Environment Programme site, adding that it also holds 65% of the world’s arable land and 10 % of the planet’s internal renewable fresh water source.
Like anywhere in the world, each of Africa’s countries faces its own set of challenges. And each has a unique set of positives when it comes to living there.
Here’s how African countries compare to some others around the world, according to global research
Image credits: Xavier Coiffic / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Looking for a semi-laidback island life? You might want to head over to Mauritius or Seychelles. But beautiful beaches aren’t all that await you.
There’s something known as the Human Development Index (HDI). It’s how the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) measures a country’s average achievements, or its citizens’ quality of life. The HDI is based on three factors: health (life expectancy at birth), education (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and standard of living (gross national income per capita).
Both the Seychelles and Mauritius scored big in the 2025 HDI rankings. This was mainly due to a combination of strategic investments and policies.
“These nations have prioritized education, resulting in higher literacy rates and wider access to quality schooling. At the same time, improvements in healthcare systems have contributed to longer life expectancies and better overall health outcomes,” reports Business Insider.
The media outlet adds that economic stability has also played a key role. A higher gross national income per capita means a better standard of living for both islands’ populations.
Africa is often stereotyped as a place of high conflict, corruption, crime and poverty. But global stats show that Ghana has a lower crime rate than Canada or the United States, Mauritius outperforms China in the Human Development Index, and Tanzania boasts a more peaceful population than France.
According to the Global Peace Index, the island nation of Mauritius is one of the safest countries on the continent. In fact, “it surpasses the vast majority of countries worldwide, including Spain, Norway, Italy, the UK, Sweden, the USA, and many others,” reported the Altezza Travel site, after analyzing a range of global studies.
And for those who think African countries are a dump, think again. One particular city on the continent consistently gets voted the best in the world by global travelers…
We’re talking about the Mother City. Aka Cape Town, South Africa. Once again, it shone in 2025. It won The Telegraph Travel Awards based on votes from more than 20,000 UK travelers, and also received Time Out’s “Best City in the World” award. Voters cited the city’s “stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and excellent food scene.”
It’s the 7th time Cape Town has won the Telegraph Travel Awards title in 11 years, proving that life might not always be simpler on the African continent, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful!
“It was a hard life”: Many people could relate, and some shared similar stories
“Africa is not a country”: the American faced criticism from some quarters
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What do you think ?
Rika 2 days ago
From the way OP described it, I thought they had moved to a hut in a small village in the middle of Kenya with lions waiting at the door to eat them. Morocco isn't the first place I think of when I hear "live simply". I've met several people from there and they weren't living in huts and milking cows, they lived in an overpriced apartment and took the bus to work an underpaid job and spent their salary on unnecessary stuff like pretty much everyone else in developed countries.
Petra D. 2 days ago
Is always wild to read "Africa or South America" like if all the 66 huge coutries in the two continents were one little poor place with all those little poor people who live in the 1900. Oh all of those poor third world countries with their lack of modern world stuff. Honestly, uneducated people suck.
Load More Replies...
Sofia 2 days ago
I just wonder why africa? Italy has more or less the slow pace and the same bureoucracy of third world countries
Anne Edwards 1 day ago
Because he wouldn't be able to afford to live in Italy. He wants to live cheap, pay almost nothing to live but on the other hand wants to be afforded the top notch luxurious home and style he just can't afford.
Load More Replies...
Kkg 2 days ago
She should have moved to Europe. Some small village somewhere. Italy maybe. And then she could have a simple life with normal food and healthcare. I wish people used Google more before making such life-changing decisions.
Onan Hag All 2 days ago
I admire the sentiments and the courage to move, (especially from an American, ) but the nievity is astonishing.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 days ago (edited)
Thoreau didn't go live the simple life. He borrowed a cabin from his pal, he went to town fairly frequently (less than a mile away), had an affair with a local woman, but left it out of the book. The pond was frequented by people nearby and not isolated. Walden was a romantic fantasy, and only a short term one at that. This sounds like OP was more similar to Thoreau than he thinks. You want good advice on simple living read Abbey.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
At least OP admitted their mistake and their ignorance. That's more than most people do.
Load More Replies...
Marianne 2 days ago
I just came back from a holiday in Morocco. I loved to explore the country as a visitor, because it has rich culture, impressive nature and most of the people we met were extremely friendly. But moving there? Breathing the exhaust gases from 1000s of motocycles in Marrakech every day, not being able to drink tap water, pass through the crazy traffic with my small child every day, and yes, seeing the poverty in the streets every day. That wouldn't slightly compare with the very privileged life I lead here in Germany. I know that I'm lucky and I do appreciate it.
Disgruntled Panda 2 days ago
Did she think people live in poverty by choice? That their simple life style was a conscious decision? SMH
JayWantsACat 2 days ago
I think this story is good one to tell and I know the point is "do your research" but how dumb do you have to be to move somewhere based on what you THINK it's like without doing any (apparent) research? "I loved to Costa Rica because I just wanted to live that beach life. Who knew that outside of having the money to live in the nice areas that the entire country isn't like a resort? DURRRRRRRRRRRRR"
Chris Angleberger 2 days ago
What an idiot. Of course it will be difficult to move to an impoverished area. A ‘simple life’ doesn’t mean to move to where basic life needs are a struggle. Dumbest thing I have read in a while.
Ian Webling 2 days ago
They moved to "Africa". I lived in "Asia" and "North America". Would not recommend.
Bored Birgit 2 days ago (edited)
You can't escape yourself and your thoughts. They will stay with you forever.
Michael Grant 2 days ago
Therapists call this the "geographic solution". It never works, because "Wherever you go - there you are."
Vinnie 2 days ago
I wonder if the writer knew the pros and cons. One of my relatives moved from southern to northern Canada, but she visited the north several times and fell in love with it She moved for good when she fell in love in with a northerner. She's also done the emotional work to adapt, going from culture shock to identifying as a northerner forever.
Bartlet for world domination 2 days ago
I will forever recommend Europe even though it gets more expensive the further north you go. Bologna in Italy, Lisbon in Portugal, the French coast west of Paris or Antwerp in Belgium are all fine, and the villages around them are quiet.
T'Mar of Vulcan 2 days ago
Could have moved to Cape Town or Jozi where there's drinkable water and electricity (most of the time). But no... They went North.
Becky Samuel 2 days ago
Drinkable water, electricity, sky high múrder rates...
Load More Replies... Rika 2 days ago
From the way OP described it, I thought they had moved to a hut in a small village in the middle of Kenya with lions waiting at the door to eat them. Morocco isn't the first place I think of when I hear "live simply". I've met several people from there and they weren't living in huts and milking cows, they lived in an overpriced apartment and took the bus to work an underpaid job and spent their salary on unnecessary stuff like pretty much everyone else in developed countries.
Petra D. 2 days ago
Is always wild to read "Africa or South America" like if all the 66 huge coutries in the two continents were one little poor place with all those little poor people who live in the 1900. Oh all of those poor third world countries with their lack of modern world stuff. Honestly, uneducated people suck.
Load More Replies... Sofia 2 days ago
I just wonder why africa? Italy has more or less the slow pace and the same bureoucracy of third world countries
Anne Edwards 1 day ago
Because he wouldn't be able to afford to live in Italy. He wants to live cheap, pay almost nothing to live but on the other hand wants to be afforded the top notch luxurious home and style he just can't afford.
Load More Replies... Kkg 2 days ago
She should have moved to Europe. Some small village somewhere. Italy maybe. And then she could have a simple life with normal food and healthcare. I wish people used Google more before making such life-changing decisions.
Onan Hag All 2 days ago
I admire the sentiments and the courage to move, (especially from an American, ) but the nievity is astonishing.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 days ago (edited)
Thoreau didn't go live the simple life. He borrowed a cabin from his pal, he went to town fairly frequently (less than a mile away), had an affair with a local woman, but left it out of the book. The pond was frequented by people nearby and not isolated. Walden was a romantic fantasy, and only a short term one at that. This sounds like OP was more similar to Thoreau than he thinks. You want good advice on simple living read Abbey.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
At least OP admitted their mistake and their ignorance. That's more than most people do.
Load More Replies... Marianne 2 days ago
I just came back from a holiday in Morocco. I loved to explore the country as a visitor, because it has rich culture, impressive nature and most of the people we met were extremely friendly. But moving there? Breathing the exhaust gases from 1000s of motocycles in Marrakech every day, not being able to drink tap water, pass through the crazy traffic with my small child every day, and yes, seeing the poverty in the streets every day. That wouldn't slightly compare with the very privileged life I lead here in Germany. I know that I'm lucky and I do appreciate it.
Disgruntled Panda 2 days ago
Did she think people live in poverty by choice? That their simple life style was a conscious decision? SMH
JayWantsACat 2 days ago
I think this story is good one to tell and I know the point is "do your research" but how dumb do you have to be to move somewhere based on what you THINK it's like without doing any (apparent) research? "I loved to Costa Rica because I just wanted to live that beach life. Who knew that outside of having the money to live in the nice areas that the entire country isn't like a resort? DURRRRRRRRRRRRR"
Chris Angleberger 2 days ago
What an idiot. Of course it will be difficult to move to an impoverished area. A ‘simple life’ doesn’t mean to move to where basic life needs are a struggle. Dumbest thing I have read in a while.
Ian Webling 2 days ago
They moved to "Africa". I lived in "Asia" and "North America". Would not recommend.
Bored Birgit 2 days ago (edited)
You can't escape yourself and your thoughts. They will stay with you forever.
Michael Grant 2 days ago
Therapists call this the "geographic solution". It never works, because "Wherever you go - there you are."
Vinnie 2 days ago
I wonder if the writer knew the pros and cons. One of my relatives moved from southern to northern Canada, but she visited the north several times and fell in love with it She moved for good when she fell in love in with a northerner. She's also done the emotional work to adapt, going from culture shock to identifying as a northerner forever.
Bartlet for world domination 2 days ago
I will forever recommend Europe even though it gets more expensive the further north you go. Bologna in Italy, Lisbon in Portugal, the French coast west of Paris or Antwerp in Belgium are all fine, and the villages around them are quiet.
T'Mar of Vulcan 2 days ago
Could have moved to Cape Town or Jozi where there's drinkable water and electricity (most of the time). But no... They went North.
Becky Samuel 2 days ago
Drinkable water, electricity, sky high múrder rates...
Load More Replies... You May Like “Safe, Reliable And Boring”: 43 People Compare What It’s Like To Live In Europe Vs. The US American Didn’t Expect These 14 Cultural Differences Between The US And Germany
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