The cost of living in the United States is OUT OF CONTROL! Many of the things we need to live have become unaffordable for the vast majority of people. Things like food, healthcare, transportation and elder care are being charged on credit cards and driving people further into debt. It’s INSANITY!
So in this video, we’ll talk about 10 things that you need to live, but that most people can’t afford in the United States, and how moving abroad might be a solution to your cost of living problem.
Watch Our Video About the Outrageous Costs in the United States
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This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/USA-Costs.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2023-01-19 21:00:342023-03-20 16:21:29Why Does The United States Cost so Freaking Much?!
In this video, we share the fears that WE had about living in Latin America and compare them to the reality of living in the region for over 5 years.
Many people worry about safety and crime, but the reality is that crime rates vary significantly across the region and many cities and communities have low crime rates.
Ultimately, living in Latin America can be just as rewarding and enjoyable as living in any other part of the world, and it’s important to remember that every place has its own unique challenges and opportunities.
Watch the Video About Our Misconceptions About Latin America
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https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/We-Believed-the-Propaganda-About-Latin-America.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2023-01-05 22:00:192023-03-20 18:04:29We Believed The Propaganda About Latin America!
They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and after 5 years of living in Ecuador, we were prepared for a huge dose of nostalgia going back to the United States. However, there were a lot of things about the US that felt really foreign to us!
Here are some of the most shocking (and sometimes hilarious) things that required some readjustment. Number 22 had us laughing out loud!
1. Extreme Heat
During our time in the US, the temperatures soared to 105F. While not a cultural issue, it was a huge adjustment for us as the weather in Ecuador is reliably temperate. It rarely goes above 75F / 24C, and there isn’t much fluctuation between seasons.
Hanging out all day in the air conditioning with its dry air certainly took getting used to, and we’re thrilled to be back in the cool Ecuadorian climate.
2. Drug Ads
It was impossible to go a day without seeing an ad for a drug or medication. They are all over the television and on billboards. After three years without these showing up, it was a bit of a shock to hear all the side effects listed off, especially DEATH!
3. Fancy Highways and Bridges
Driving around in Ecuador, you become accustomed to having two-lane roads. You’ll find a few with four lanes, but nothing like the infrastructure you see in the US. Navigating the huge looping bridges and highways was a big change, but seeing all that architecture and engineering blew us away.
4. Driving Everywhere
Speaking of highways, we spent a lot of our time in the US driving from one place to another. We’re spoiled in Ecuador with it being so walkable. It would be physically impossible to get things done in the US without a vehicle of some kind.
5. Rushing Around
When so much of your day is spent in the vehicle, it can be hard to find time to make a meal or slow down. There’s always an energy of “I have somewhere to be,” which isn’t common in Ecuador.
6. Gas Is Expensive
In Ecuador, we don’t need a car, so gas prices have been the furthest thing from our minds. Even if we did need fuel though, gas prices are regulated in Ecuador, so they never get too high. That’s not the case in the US. We found ourselves spending three times our monthly transportation budget in just a week, all because of the ridiculous price of gas.
7. Limited Public Transportation
We see so many buses and taxis on the roads in Ecuador that they feel like part of the scenery. On the off chance that something is too far away to walk, there’s a plethora of public transit options to get you where you need to go.
There was a distinct lack of opportunities for public transit anywhere we went in the US, which took some getting used to.
8. Food Prices
Walking through a grocery store in the US gave us serious sticker shock. Every single item was exorbitantly expensive, which we expected, but it was worse than we could have imagined. There was also a lot of shrinkflation, meaning that we were spending more for even less food than before.
9. Everything is Extremely Homogeneous
One of the things we love about Ecuador is the diversity, not only in culture but in stores and architecture. During our time in the US, we started to feel stifled by the aggressive sameness of the houses, malls, restaurants, and stores. Everything was a chain, and we saw the same storefronts and food options again and again.
10. Strip Malls Are Everywhere
The convenience of a one-stop shop can’t be denied. Everywhere we went in the US, we could count on being able to get what we were looking for in one shopping trip. This isn’t possible in Ecuador, as every store will have different things. If you’re in a new place, it can be a bit of a scavenger hunt to find everything you need.
11. Staff Shortages
Since the pandemic, America has been struggling with labor shortages. This is a huge change since the last time we were home, and it was almost eerie to see help-wanted signs in every window. The biggest shock was coming into a store and seeing only one person working in an area that used to have four or five.
12. Empty Shelves
This is another big difference from when we left the US. The transportation crisis and manufacturing shortages have led to empty shelves in many stores, which felt like we were in an apocalypse movie. This has gradually improved over time, but it was a noticeable change when we visited last summer (August 2022).
13. Eating Out
As a side effect of rushing around so much, we found ourselves eating out more often than not. It was nice because there was a huge variety of places to eat; however, we ended up spending a lot of money and gaining some weight.
The prices felt otherworldly: in Ecuador, if we decide to go out for a nice meal, it comes out to only $10-$15 per person. In the US, it was triple that, even for lunch.
14. Tipping Culture
No matter how much or little people interacted with us, they expected a tip. We have grown accustomed to only tipping for service that is above and beyond, but in the US, tipping is used to subsidize low wages, so we felt obligated to give a lot more than we would have otherwise.
15. Flavorless Produce
Fruit and veggies in the US didn’t taste like anything. We were so upset about unripe, low-quality produce because we’d been spoiled for years with rich and diverse fruits and vegetables in Ecuador.
16. Weight Gain
We’ve heard again and again from our friends that everyone gains weight when they return to the States. Between the convenience of snack food, lack of walking, and frequency of eating out, it seems inevitable. Plus, when food doesn’t taste as good as you’re used to, you’re bound to eat more because you aren’t satisfied.
17. Automated Everything
From vending machines to entire stores, automation in the US is through the roof. We could get everything by simply tapping our phones. This was great for convenience, but it felt like something out of a sci-fi novel.
18. Credit Cards
Cash barely made an appearance on our trip. Everyone uses a credit card or mobile phones for every purchase, no matter how small.
19. Fast Delivery
Same-day and next-day delivery is not a thing in Ecuador, so the prospect of being able to order something at night and receive it by the following day was mind-boggling. When we left, Amazon Prime shipping would get things to you within two or three days, so this was a huge change.
20. New Technology
The US gets more technologically advanced by the day. We were floored to see charging stations, Teslas, and other electric cars everywhere we went. In grocery stores, there were even digital displays to show you what was in the fridge without needing to open it – though oftentimes, the shelves behind the screen were empty.
21. Sloppy Clothes
Everyone dresses very casually in the States, which was quite a change from the everyday fashion in Ecuador. It’s not uncommon to see Ecuadorians walking around grocery stores in suits or dresses, while Americans will go out in a simple t-shirt and baseball cap.
It featured singing and dancing cartoon hair pleading with the viewer to give them the attention that hair on other parts of the body received. As funny as this was, it was certainly a representation of how ridiculous many things in the US have become.
If you think these culture shock moments were funny, you’ll love hearing all our other stories of being immigrants in Ecuador. Check out our content to learn how you can move to a new country and start having your very own reverse culture shock! We’re sure about one thing: we’re thrilled to be back home in Ecuador!
Watch Our Video About Our Reverse Culture Shock
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https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Reverse-Culture-Shock-in-the-USA.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2022-12-14 10:00:572023-03-20 18:15:51Reverse Culture Shock In The USA: 22 Wild Things That Took Us by Surprise!
In August 2022, we took an emergency trip to the United States to help Amelia’s family. After spending a month in Texas and several days in Kansas, we now understand what reverse culture shock means.
We left the United States 5 years ago to start a new life abroad in Ecuador. The last time we went back to the USA was over 3 years ago before the pandemic
Lots of things have changed since the pandemic, but even the things that stayed the same seem very weird to us now.
In this video, we’ll talk about the 22 things that were very shocking to us as Americans after being gone for so long.
This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Ep-311-Reverse-Culture-Shock-v1.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2022-09-23 01:00:062023-03-19 18:15:23REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK in the USA (after living in Ecuador for 5 years)
After a LOOOONG month in the United States and our return home to Ecuador, the contrast between the two countries reminded us why we’re so much happier living abroad.
In this video, we share the top 10 reasons why we’re happier living in Ecuador, and why our quality of life is so much higher outside the United States.
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We SLASHED more than $1200 from our monthly budget by moving abroad and ditching our cars.
Unfortunately, the United States is built around cars and individual transportation. It’s next to impossible to get around without your own vehicle.
However, in most other countries, cities are designed to be walkable and bikeable, while public transportation is very efficient, affordable and widespread.
We’ve lived in Ecuador for 5 years and still don’t own a car. We don’t miss it and don’t plan to buy one.
We walk most places, which helped us lose weight after we left the US, and it continues to help us stay in better shape.
After just 3 weeks in the US, we’ve both gained 5 pounds from not walking and eating out more because we spend too much time in the car and don’t have time to cook.
In Ecuador, when we can’t walk, we use public transportation, call a cab or hire a private driver.
We just don’t need a car in Ecuador, and the personal and financial benefits are tremendous!
If you would an introduction to our private drivers, tell us more here (it’s a free service).
Are you planning a move to Ecuador? We created the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse to make your move abroad as easy and painless as possible. It has 63 videos with tons of written content that will walk you through every step from A-to-Z. We even have a downloadable move abroad checklist and a city comparison matrix that will help you choose the perfect location based on what’s important to you. Read what our past students had to say and sign-up here.
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This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WE-DONT-MISS-THIS-GIANT-EXPENSE-AT-ALL.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2022-08-25 21:00:342023-03-19 18:15:24WE DON’T MISS THIS GIANT EXPENSE, AT ALL!
If you’re on a tight budget and feeling the pressure of inflation compounding an already high cost of living, you have an escape hatch at your disposal if you’re willing to do something a little unconventional.
There are several places outside the continental United States that have BOTH a lower inflation rate AND a lower cost of living. They also offer extended tourist visas and residency visas to Americans.
That means you can live a higher quality of life while spending less money, you just have to move somewhere else for awhile (or forever, like we did).
As of May 2022, when we recorded this video, here is the list of countries (and one US Territory) that are below the current inflation rate of 8.5% in the United States: Portugal, Italy, Puerto Rico, France, Thailand, Belize, Panama, Ecuador, Malaysia and Bolivia.
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This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ep-294-Escape-Inflation-v1.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2022-05-28 21:00:062023-03-19 18:15:44How To Escape Inflation (by leaving the USA)
Amelia And JP VLOG 243: Please join us on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 2PM Eastern for our 50,000 Subscriber Live Stream Celebration right here on YouTube!
It’s open to ALL of our amazing viewers! You’ll be able to ask us questions in the Live Chat window and we’ll respond to you right then on video! Check out the Live Stream today and be sure to hit the Set Reminder button.
We broke free of the hamster wheel and found a more fulfilling existence by leaving the United States and moving abroad to a lower cost of living country with a slower pace of life.
One of the reasons we started our YouTube channel was to inspire our viewers, and make it easier for them to follow in our footsteps.
We are NOT a political channel so even though you may have political reasons for wanting to leave the United States in 2021, there are far more compelling reasons to pack up and move abroad that have nothing to do with politics.
The 11 reasons to leave the United States that we discuss in this video resonate with us. If you can think of other NON-POLITICAL reasons to move abroad to Ecuador or another country, drop them in the comments below and we may add them to our blog post: 11 Reasons to Move Abroad in 2021
And remember, if you decide to move abroad, it doesn’t have to be forever, but it could change your LIFE forever!
This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Should-YOU-Leave-the-United-States.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2021-02-18 04:03:332023-03-19 18:16:42Why You Should Leave the United States
Amelia and JP VLOG 236: You’ve been asking to see a video featuring our new eBikes so we took them for a spin along La Ruta Ciclística heading northeast out of Olón. We also talk about the top 10 reasons WHY we love being expats from the United States (and immigrants in Ecuador).
This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/we-LOVE-being-EXPATS-from-the-United-States.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2020-12-26 11:32:222023-03-19 18:16:45Why We Love Being Expats from the USA (in Ecuador)
Amelia and JP VLOG 218: A lot of people accused us of bashing the USA with our Why We Left The United States video so we wanted to share some of the things that make the USA amazing! While we share our top 10 list, we also show you the eclectic Bohemian beach town of Montañita Ecuador.
We love living in Ecuador and have no plans to leave. Plus, we can’t return to the US even if we wanted to until the healthcare system gets a complete overhaul, but there are several things we miss about our home country like the one-stop-shop and our postal service.
If you’re planning a move here, this video will help you mentally prepare for the differences, and remind you to bring a few things with you.
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Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:
This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/10-Things-We-Miss-About-the-United-States-as-Expats-in-Ecuador.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2020-08-20 11:18:052023-03-19 18:17:0610 Things We Miss About the United States (as Expats in Ecuador)
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