A Year Ago I Left The US To Become A Digital Nomad/An Expat. Here’re 5 Things I’ve Learned So Far
Life-Changing Lessons…
Fresh food is way more expensive in the United States than it is in South American countries like Ecuador.
When I lived in the US, my partner and I would leave our local “Black neighborhood”, to drive all the way downtown to give ourselves a shot at buying quality and “organic” produce at Wholefoods, Trader Joe's, and Sprouts.
Our weekly grocery bill in the US used to range from $150 — $200 a week (depending on, if we shopped organic and high-quality produce)
These days, we spend anywhere between $35 — $45 on weekly groceries. And of course, the quality of the fresh produce here is amazing.
Tomatoes actually taste like REAL TOMATOES, and not something that came out of a 3D printer.
And oh, we’re in Ecuador now!
Moving from the United States to a cheaper country is a great way to lower your expenses.
In the United States, our monthly expenses including rent, food, gas, internet, and car insurance could range from anywhere between $2,500 — $3,000. (With rent costing $1,500). And we lived quite frugally.
Our monthly expenditure now in Ecuador is less than $1000 a month, with rent costing us only $400 which includes, electricity and internet.
Note: Not all countries outside the US have cheaper rent.
Some countries and major cities are as equally as expensive, if not more expensive than the US. Especially, if you want a nice and more modern apartment/house that’s to a western standard.
The Quality of Your Life Can Improve.
Access to high-quality fresh fruits and produce, lower cost of living, and less financial pressure has improved the quality of my life.
I’m less stressed and less anxious.
I can eat out or go for a 1-hour massage when I want to relax and spoil myself, without feeling like I’m breaking the bank.
Being under less stress, allows me to focus on my creative endeavors without the threat of being homeless or starving.
The quality of technology available to you declines as you move further away from the Western World.
The US has a higher quality of technological devices available for purchase from basic shops like Walmart, Amazon, and Target at an affordable price.
For example, if your blender breaks down all of a sudden, you can order a new one online, walk into Walmart or Target to pick up a decent one at roughly $40, and that’ll last you a long time.
I don’t know exactly how the global distribution of technology works.
But from my observation, most of the lowest quality devices/gadgets go to regions like South America and Africa.
I miss Amazon! (And overnight shipping)
Living in the US spoils you with choice and quick delivery services.
What I miss the most about living in the US is the privilege of hopping onto Amazon, ordering what I need, and having it delivered right to my doorstep, in a few hours or the next day.
However, the convenience of quick and fast delivery can keep you in the habit of continuously buying stuff you might not necessarily need.
Leaving the US helped me realize that, I don’t need as much ‘stuff’ to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Download my E-Book: A Digital Nomad & Expat’s Complete Research Guide To Moving and Living Abroad (It’s Free/You can pay whatever you want for it) here =>
https://judithbanquist.gumroad.com/l/CompleteResearchGuideToMovingandLivingAbroad
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