They Went Abroad to Save Money. Moving Back Seems Unaffordable(www.nytimes.com)
21 pointsby toomanyrichies7 hours ago7 comments
  • trick-or-treat4 hours ago
    20+ year US expat in Asia here, I'm just shocked when I hear stories about $50 fast food prices.

    Needless to say I'm happy with my choices, although I do see a future where the value of my skills approach zero because of AI.

    I'm confident I can adapt to that future.

  • momocowcow3 hours ago
    The reverse is also true. It's not uncommon to hear of former eastern-block immigrants returning to their country of origin. The cost and quality of living is at last much better back home.
  • yetihehe5 hours ago
    It was pretty much always like that in Europe since late 80's. At least for those that could land a similar job for some kind of foreigners. For locals, it was rarely like that.
  • ilya_m3 hours ago
    How come a person living abroad is an expat only if they are white and an immigrant if they are not? I would expect better from the NYT... How about "undocumented Mexican expats" for a change?
    • rupi37 minutes ago
      I keep seeing this question often. It used to be simpler when there were only immigrants and expats but now other categories exist so everyone is confused.

      An expat is typically someone who is being moved by their employer, to a country other than their own, for a limited amount of time. Being white has nothing to do with it. I have known expats of every color and national origin. This term is still used by companies that send ‘expatriates’ out to other locations. Think someone going from SF to London for 3 years to set up a new office.

      If you are moving somewhere on your own volition, you are an immigrant. You can also be a temporary immigrant, an undocumented immigrant etc.

      If you are moving from country to country for short periods and working, you are a digital nomad. If you are moving countries but not working, you are a tourist. If you choose to stay forever in a country, you turn into an immigrant even if you were an expat, a digital nomad or a tourist before.

      I guess what you are called comes down to your intent.

      Source: personal experience of being an expat, an immigrant, and a digital nomad at different points of my life.

    • Ekaros35 minutes ago
      Or why not use traditional term of settler.
    • classified3 hours ago
      Expats are going away from your country, while immigrants come into it, I guess? It depends on the observer's location, obviously.
      • fnoffan hour ago
        The opposite of an immigrant is an emigrant (though that does depends on the observer's location). I think expat assumes a temporary stay outside the country, where immigration/emigration is maybe considered permanent? I also think expat generally indicate a higher educated job, so do feel like it is a way to distinguish themselves from other forms of migration.
  • classified3 hours ago
    A good reason to learn more languages. Then go somewhere with affordable cost of living and work remotely. Sounds like a plan. Why would anyone want to move back?
  • fittingoppositean hour ago
    Paywalled unfortunately...
  • lifestyleguru4 hours ago
    Okay but how do you rent "cheap" housing during these travels? Prices on Booking are uniform everywhere from Australia, through Thailand, to Europe. Airbnb has some weird accommodations in a trailer or an old boat. Long term rentals require local employment, deposits, insurances, and generally you'll be scammed thoroughly by an agent.
    • herbst2 hours ago
      Depends on where you are. In Thailand and SEA generally you can just walk around and ask for short term rentals and get highly different prices offered compared to booking. In Europe it's more complicated I guess.