Any US Expatriates here?

[Oubaas]

I've spent my adult life living all over the world. I've been to six out of seven continents. I tried to get to Antarctica, but they didn't have any billets for someone like me.


After I retired from the military, I went to Africa for many years. I finally got to an age where I said, "Okay, that's enough adventure now. Time for a quiet, normal life." I then returned to the United States, bought a ranch, and settled down for once.


Based on the life that I've led, here's my thoughts.


You're not going to fix anything by moving someplace else. All you'll do is exchange one set of problems for a new set of problems. And often the new set sucks worse than your old set of problems. There are no problem-free places. Not on this planet, anyway.


The myth of a, "free press" is a crock, unless you happen to be a billionaire who owns a major media outlet.


Do not listen to anything that the media says. The truth is not in them. Decades ago, I participated in military operations that made international news. I was there, smack in the middle of things, boots on the ground. When I got back to places where you could get things like newspapers and read the accounts of the events in which I had just participated, I inevitably thought, "Who wrote this fiction?" Most accounts were nearly unrecognizable. I doubt that the level of veracity has improved over the ensuing decades.


If you go near the media, just scan the headlines to make sure that nothing is sneaking up on you. Take all of it with a grain of salt.


If possible, live in a rural area. Fewer things to bother you. Ignore any titillating scraps of information provided by other people. They'll regurgitate anything, no matter how sketchy the source, if they think that it will make them look knowledgeable.


Do not discuss politics or religion with anyone for any reason. No good will come of it. As for current events, if it's not happening on my property, I ignore it. Don't worry until you have a reason to worry.



As you journey along the road of life, try not to let your ego or your emotions do the driving. Both of them are terrible drivers. You'll probably be in a major wreck if they drive.


Moving countries and continents is expensive. Dealing with the new country's rules and requirements can be far more stressful than anything that's currently upsetting you. Plus there are diseases for which you, unlike the locals, will not have any natural immunity. There's culture shock. And there's banking and currency exchange which are inevitably a major headache. The list goes on and on.



If you're determined to go ahead with leaving for another country, do yourself a favor. It will save you all sorts of money and headaches. Pick a place in Africa and go there on an extended vacation. Set up a checking account at a local bank. Write a few checks. Stay long enough to have to do some banking. Do it in person, at the bank. You'll get my point by the time that your vacation is over.



And once you've moved, you get to pay again to undo it when you start missing home.



Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Most people do much better in their own country and culture.