Do NOT Live in the US!
(Important note: Don't take this 100% literally. I just want to raise some thoughts so I may be exaggerating. Would love to hear your thoughts about this after you've read.)
Don't live in the US Unless you're already a multi-millionaire!
Why on Earth Would You Like to Live in US?
When you're making money online, you can choose where to live.
Whether it's an exotic beach in Bali (as they always advertise in the Make money onlne ads), digital nomad capital in Thailand, beautiful tourist spot in the Southern Europe or a busy city in the US, the choice is yours.
During the last 1,5 years I've lived/traveled in 15 countries. (hehe, always the same travel picture)
That's the kind of freedom that I dreamed of and that's what I achieved thanks to Wealthy Affiliate.
And 1 thing that I've noticed is that your environment has a HUGE impact on your results. That's why this discussion is important.
I've spent now 3 weeks in the US and flying tomorrow to London.
Before US I was almost the whole last year in the Southeast Asia.
The main reason I'm saying that don't live in the US is that the prices are so much higher here but the quality is lower than elsewhere in many instances.
Let me give you a few comparisons:
1. SIM card + Internet
$85/month in the USA for the "fastest one" that in reality was much slower than a $7 plan in Vietnam.
2. Food
Regular lunch / normal meal in the US $10-20.
In the Southeast Asia $3-6 for a delicious meal.
Of course, in both places you can spend more but let's say that this is for a meal that just takes your hunger away and tastes good.
3. Transportation
Uber/Grab/Lyft 3-4 times more expensive in the US than in the Southeast Asia.
Flights also significantly cheaper in Asia.
4. Accommodation
In big cities of the USA: AirBnb minimum $30/night for a shared apartment.
In the Southeast Asia: For $30/night you can get your very own apartment in a high-end style with a pool, gym and other facilities.
5. Services like house cleaning, massage, etc.
In Vietnam I used to go to a massage almost every week. It cost me something like $10 per hour and the place was one of the best in town. The quality was certainly better than in Finland where I had paid several times more for that.
In the US you may easily pay $100 per hour which is like 10 times more.
Compare this one:
While living in Vietnam, I stayed in a basic but large hotel room, they cleaned my room every day offered me a huge breakfast (the room was for 2 person so I got 2 person's breakfast every day :D), they did laundry, etc., etc.
Guess how much did it cost?
That all cost me less than $400/month!
In the US, you'd need to pay easily at least $4,000/month for that.
"But the quality is better in the US..." - It Simply Is NOT
Let me tell you first a funny story from yesterday...
For some reason I like malls. Even though I don't usually buy anything else than food or a tea, they're somehow inspiring.
So I looked for some of the most popular mall in the US, Manhattan and I headed there. I was like, "this must be awesome! One of the greatest malls in the greatest country in the world!"
When I got there I was like, "Where is that mall? It was actually in front of my eyes but I didn't realize it at first because it really didn't look good as I expected!
If we compare the quality of the mall to the malls in Asia...
It felt like the quality of this US mall was in the schoolkid level while the Asian malls even in low-cost countries like Thailand, Vietnam, etc. are on the doctor level.
Just one example...
You remember the $7 high quality Internet that I mentioned above compared to a low quality $85 internet in the US?
That's another example...
What about the food?
If you want to find something with the same quality here as in Asia, you need to pay 5 times more. No kidding.
In Hoi An, Vietnam you can find numerous restaurants on Google Maps that are getting 4,5-4,9 stars and the food is heavenly. You're paying max. $5-10 for a meal.
Here in the US, try to find something with the same quality and you'll pay a minimum $50.
10 such meals in a week and you've just flushed $500 down the toilet.
That's just another one of many examples...
What about the service?
In many countries of the Southeast Asia, people are extremely friendly towards white people and tourists/expats in general.
They want you to feel welcomed and treat you well. I guess you'll certainly know that hospitaly if you've ever traveled to SE Asia.
In the US, there is more emphasis on the service in in the high-end places. In most places, you're just one out of millions of customers in the sea.
In taxi, I paid some tip for the driver. He almost got mad at me that I didn't pay more. I was a bit shocked because in Finland when I was a taxi driver I was happy for getting anything as a tip. Well, maybe it's a different culture, in Finland people don't usually leave tip but here it's a common thing to do.
Anyways... The bottom line here is:
When I came here, I had the thought, "The quality in the quality in the US must be much higher in many things than in the SE Asia where things are 5 times cheaper."
But I found out that even though you'd sometimes pay even 10 times less in SE Asia, you can still get a higher quality service / product than in the United States.
The only 100% sure thing that you can be in the US is that you're paying MUCH more.
The ONLY Benefit of Living in the US Is....
Networking.
Eventually, the truth is that lots of successful businesspeople in the world are packed in the United States.
Sure, you can find them also in Asia but not as many as in America.
The old wisdom says that you're the average of the 5 people you hang around with...
And if you're living in the US, you have better chances of highly successful businessmen.
I attended the Wealthy Affiliate Las Vegas conference (HUGE thanks to Kyle & Carson for paying everything for affiliates) and 10x conference in Miami.
Those were wonderful experiences, I can't deny that but still I wouldn't like to live here for the long term.
Now I throw the ball to you!
Where is the BEST place to live in the world for a "digital nomad" / Internet Marketer?
What is YOUR Favorite place? Why?
Let me us know in the comments below!
Cheers
Roope "don't live in the US unless you're a multi-millionaire" Kiuttu
PS. Needless to mention here about the weather benefits of living in the SE Asia...
Would you rather watch a beautiful sunset in an exotic of Malaysia or try not to freeze to death while walking along the concrete jungle of Manhattan?
PSS. I create every now and then on my YouTube channel videoblogs where I discuss about these things, "Living in xxx-place as a digital nomad." Feel free to check them out if you're interested in the subject of traveling and living in different countries.
PSSS. Smash that green button... ;)
Recent Comments
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Wait till you visit Australia LOL... the cost of living here is definitely higher than it is in the US.
I like your point though, I often think of becoming a nomad because why the heck not?
I see.
Yeah I highly recommend doing at some point. I must say that it can distract building a business but I see it as learning also.
The Philippines Roope! I want to go back to that mall 'The Mall of Asia' where I was totally lost and had to call for pickup because it's huge. Weather, pocket WiFi's, food and the whole nine yards, LOL.
I've travelled all over the world, but always enjoy coming back to my own piece of paradise on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The funny thing about (not all but a lot of) Americans is that they think the rest of the world wants to be American and live in America but the reality is they don't. Mexico, maybe.
Ans as for that gun culture, it's just frightening.
Australia has all of the advantages but none (OK well few) of the disadvantages.
Certainly not as cheap as Vietnam, though.
The mangoes are fabulous at the moment.
I freeze them and make them into delicious smoothies: frozen mango, frozen banana, yogurt, honey and whole milk.
No need to give reasons, you and everybody else already know. Just sticking up for my country, sounded like there was some ignorant bad mouthing. That's all. If you are looking for the cheapest place then stay wherever you're at my friend, but sometimes cheaper is not better. Let's leave it there.
Well what can I say. I have lived in SE Asia for close to 12 years and I’m ready to get back to westernization. Hopefully by the end of this year.
I hear you re SOME of the cost benefits and I’ll definitely miss my bi weekly massages but I’m officially Asia’d out.
However, I’m glad you’re enjoying all the benefits of your Asian lifestyle as there are many.
I see. What makes you want to move back to the Western countries?
This year I'm actually planning to stay many months in Bulgaria and visit some places from there.
Clean fresh air, clean non polluted food, a better understanding of what true service is, laws that offer consumers protection, being able to walk on decent pavements, being on the same ‘wavelength ‘ as others, enjoying a more active outdoor life, lack of corruption, getting a decent haircut, living in a democratic society, freedom of speech., properly maintained buildings, blah blah blah.
Have you ever been to Bali? how long have you lived there? Bali is one of the provinces in Indonesia where I live. I honestly want you to visit right around the world getting to know people and getting to know their culture
Actually, I didn't go to Bali. I have been in Pontianak, Jakarta and Banda Aceh in Indonesia. Bali is probably the second most poopular digital nomad hub in the world after Chiang Mai.
If I knew WA earlier when you visited Indonesia (Pontianak, Jakarta, and Banda Aceh) I really wanted to meet you in person
Maybe next time :D at some point I want to see Bali but not in the very near future probably
Funny you say that, we go to the U.S. from Australia and comment on how cheap it is - especially for clothing and sporting goods. I have also noticed the costs in Bali have risen in the past few years as it gets more popular.
Having said that, most Asian coutries are definitely cheaper than Australia or the U.S.
Surprising that Australia is much cheaper than USA. I didn't know that so thanks for sharing!
oh, sorry, just reread how I wrote the post - I meant that the U.S. is cheaper than Australia - when the exchange rate is good that is.
I would love to be able to pack up and move somewhere less expensive. I live in Arizona and the cost of living here is pretty affordable compared to the rest of the West Coast. We love the weather, my kids are in high school and I work full time. These are the things that keep me here.
I could certainly go for a $7 SIM card, a $5 meal or a $30 hotel room. Oh, you can find $30 hotel rooms, but I am definitely not staying there.
When the kids leave the house, all bets are off though. Especially when I am working for myself!
Yeah, I understand it's a bit different with kids and a family than as a single.
Note: the hotel room where I stayed in Vietnam was around $10-15 per night. For $30/night you'd get almost 5 stars in many places :D
Absolutely, it’s amazing to compare the value in goods and services outside of the United States. I just spent a month in Mexico and I’m always amazed by the quality of food (and beaches). Colombia is another great place as well as Ecuador and Peru. You’ll find your money to go quite a bit further depending on the services, it’s always fun to explore.
Thanks for the post!
Todd
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Hi Roope, for me this is a no-brainer as I live in SE Asia for 18 years already. First in Thailand and now in Laos. I would not change my life in SE Asia for the long term in another country. The Pacific islands would be another option if it was price wise ok.
Have a great time in London
Tommy
Thanks for sharing Tommy. I'm gonna write some review of VidCon London here.
Looking forward to it