I don't want to spend the rest of my life in Amerikkka.

My 5-year plan: Move out of the U.S. I turn 47 in a couple weeks. By 50, I want to have my debt and credit cleared up and a legitimate plan in place to leave. then by 52, bounce.

So in my limited research on where Black Americans can move and thrive, I keep coming across these four places:

1. Thailand
2. Costa Rica
3. Hong Kong
4. New Zealand

does anyone have or know anyone BLACK that has experiences leaving the U.S. and living in these places?

or if you want to talk about other countries, that's fine too.

d

There's a community of expat black folk down there?

I don't have any countries to suggest. The Netherlands maybe?..Rotterdam was way browner than I expected...

I've thought about living outside the US for short periods of time (a couple months to a year or two), but it's hard for me to imagine leaving permanently even though we're a total shitshow. Not unless I had a partner I really loved to do it with me, and even then I feel like it'd be really difficult to be away from home

--
the untold want by life and land ne'er granted
now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find

but I think we could do a few years outside the US. Would be nice to have a little escape pad too

but I will never let these fools run me out of my home

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>but I will never let these fools run me out of my home

its not about the people...its about what they are doing to make us unsafe...forget about the police shootings for a second

DEREGULATION is the real scare...they are loosening regulations on what chemicals can go in our food, on how much air pollution is ok, on what drugs get on the market, on construction site safety, on how much lead etc is safe in our drinking water, and sooooooo many other things that we don't even know or think about

fuck that.

i'm out.

d

You could totally make that work as a Black or Brown person. Everyone there speaks English too. Even the tv channels are American, with no dubbing either.

>There's a community of expat black folk down there?

I don't know. many articles position it like they are very friendly to outsiders, in general, the cost of living is low etc etc
>
>I don't have any countries to suggest. The Netherlands
>maybe?..Rotterdam was way browner than I expected...
>
>I've thought about living outside the US for short periods of
>time (a couple months to a year or two), but it's hard for me
>to imagine leaving permanently even though we're a total
>shitshow. Not unless I had a partner I really loved to do it
>with me, and even then I feel like it'd be really difficult to
>be away from home

I feel you. This doesn't feel like home to me anymore tho. And here is just a plane ride away.

But of course, my opinion is currently based in the fact that I've never not lived here..so maybe i'd feel differently on the other side...i wanna find out tho

d

The Netherlands
>maybe?..Rotterdam was way browner than I expected...


I'd love to hear more about anyones experience with that city. We (the fam) may be relocating later this year. Rotterdam is high on the list of potentials. The biggest challenge is that our family includes several school-aged children.

THX

It was a daytrip from when I was visiting Amsterdam. I just remember a lot of Surinamese restaurants. And just the general feeling of not feeling conspicuous at all. There was enough black and browness around that I didn’t feel self-conscious at all.

What I loved the most was that, after I got out at Centraal train station. I just started walking around randomly and within the first couple of minutes into my wander, I ran into two black hair shops, one was strictly for locs. I think the name of the street was West Kruiskade.

--
the untold want by life and land ne'er granted
now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find

>There's a community of expat black folk down there?
>
>I don't have any countries to suggest. The Netherlands
>maybe?..Rotterdam was way browner than I expected...


I've heard a lot that the Dutch have a lot of racism in their culture (Zwarte Piet/blackface, deep in the slave trade, planted the seeds of apartheid, etc.)

Not sure about that choice.

Of course, they will refute it and point to the racism of America, but that's just denial and redirection.

It's pretty expensive down there and can get claustrophobic being on an island in the middle of the pacific, but I loved it.

I've traveled around a bit, especially Europe. Lived in France and England for a few month. It was cool, but there isn't really any place like America (aside from Canada). And being a brown, middle eastern looking person in Europe during the migrant crisis was...interesting. I'm currently looking into going back to school, but in Germany. I've been learning the language and trying to get it to a B2 level. But you can get by in places like Berlin with just English.

I'll put them on my list of "easy" places to visit, lol

> But you can get
>by in places like Berlin with just English.

--
the untold want by life and land ne'er granted
now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find

it's also full of ex-pats, esp from NYC

______________________________________

Navem nu, cuando sol
Tutu nu, vondo nos nu
Vita em, no continous non
Nos nu ekta nos sepe ta, amen

When the sun shades the ship
We sweat and life is not safe
To swim or to touch not
When we unite we hedge amen

Folks say it's like NYC in the 80s. Was thinking about moving there a couple of years ago. They are also putting a lot of money out there to attract folks in the arts. Grants and stuff.

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

says he loved it but its really expensive...which doesn't mean its out of the realm of possibility...i'd just have to have alot saved up and/or have a good job there

he said the culture is calm and friendly, which is what is most important to me

d

and how while people are a minority there. A lot of locals never got over the century of colonialism. The activists there are one of a kind.

***********************************************************
https://soundcloud.com/swageyph/yph-die-with-me

but we know why that is

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

not sure if i'd want that particular quagmire to take on...unless you can tell me of a particular African country where that ins't an issue

like Nigeria, no way
Liberia (where my aunt actually just moved to)- no way

that is in every major city in the post-colonial world and its just way too much. I was in places in India and Pakistan that were so incredibly wealthy I couldn't believe it. Parents sending their kids to the best universities in the world. Everyone speaks English and does something cool. Blah blah blah. Didn't matter, cus I could never got over the class differential at places like those. Nice to visit, but not to live. I don't care how nice the bubble for the elites are.

i could'nt just look away from all that and join the elite

d

Rest In Peace, Bad News Brown

..

Capetown. Johannesburg.

--
the untold want by life and land ne'er granted
now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find

The countries of Africa seem like they do a shit job in marketing and promoting themselves. Even trying to find local-language media is fucking hard online.

any word on any African countries?

but like i said up there, being a feminist in Africa would be....challenging.

d

But I am absolutely in love with Bali. Ubud specifically. Granted there aren't many Black folk here. I probably see like one or two black people a day. Most aren't here long term. Just passing through on their South East Asia vacay. I'm used to being the only Black person because of the stuff I like (I just realized recently that I am mad hippie lol). With that though, literally everyone I have met have been mad friendly. Whether it is locals or other expats, or just tourists passing through on their vacay. Everyone is so open. You can't help but get caught up in the energy of the place. The only downside is that tourism is such a big money producer for them that everyone tries to aggressively sell you stuff. It can be really annoying. Even if you ignore folks or have headphones on the will still keep asking you. Even when you say no they hit you with a second attempt lol. I know it must work that is why they do it but it sucks at times. Especially on the beach when you are just trying to relax and not be interrupted every five minutes :/

I originally planned on only staying here 2 months and then go to Thailand but now I am definitely staying here 4 months. Will still go to Thailand for a few months but thinking Ubud will be my base from where I hop around the world until I make up my mind where I want to stay long term. There is a really good chance I won't return to the states for more than a month or two each year.

I'm also curious about New Zealand. I've met quite a few folks here from there that have been mad cool. Also surprisingly the Australians have been mad cool too but I think that is just cuz a certain type of person travels to Ubud.

*Typing this on my phone so probably has typos lol*

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

Her IG

)))--####---###--(((

bunda
<-.-> ^_^ \^0^/
get busy living, or get busy dying.

We originally planned the trip just to do a meditation retreat for a week and to stay an extra week to explore but I decided to come a few weeks early and stay until I feel ready to go. So I'm still here solo and loving it. Don't see myself leaving anytime soon.

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

My only advice is don't try to plan every little thing out. Just do it. I held off on coming to Bali for 10 years and wish I had just stopped waiting for the perfect time and just done it then. I've met quite a few people who have lived here 7+ years and no doubt I am sure I would have been one of them if I had come sooner.

Also regarding the credit cards, if you choose a place where the cost of living is low and you find some remote US work then you can do it much quicker. That is my plan. Not trying to ball out over here. Just living normal and comfortably and using my extra funds to pay off my credit cards.

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

did a visa run to singapore last month so I could get a social visa that allows me to stay in Bali for up to 6 months. planning on staying here the full six months then go to the states for a couple of months to visit the fam and then head to thailand. after that, i'm thinking singapore. really liked it when i visited last month for my visa run.

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

no i haven't fallen in love with someone in bali (although that would be pretty awesome lol) that was supposed to be "fell in love with it" as in fell in love with bali so i stayed lol

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

i'm planning to get a spot in at least one of those two places, just to chill, for a few
months out of the year. also planning to explore asia.

She absolutely loves it.

There are things she's not entirely thrilled with but she says she's never felt so much at home.

I can put you in contact if you want.

Bangkok is phenomenal for the cost, and HUGE, with a ton of visitors all year. I'd definitely recommend a trip to there and Chang Mai. HELLA affordable.

because of the large expat community. I've met quite a few folks who absolutely love it. Especially here in Bali since pretty much everybody has done both.

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

I think, if I hit the point of the "great peace-out", I'm prolly gonna run UP my credit as part of my going away present.


Visa ain't tracking me down in nairobi



But anyway, I'd guess ghana and South Africa have the biggest expat community

All depends on what u mean by "thrive," tho

Of places I've been, I think I cld live in jburg, Ethiopia, bahia, or prolly even a small chill island like barbados or TnT


But (sad?) fact of the matter is black American quality of life is among the top

)))--####---###--(((

bunda
<-.-> ^_^ \^0^/
get busy living, or get busy dying.

fuck the debt...lol

or like datpitts said. Go now and pay it down while living on the cheap in one of those places

that's the problem with most of us Black folk. We get debt and let that shit ruin our health and mindstate while other folks just live to the fullest or file bankruptcy

an old coworker of mine filed a few years back during the market crash and made it sound like the best business decision he ever made.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

------------------
One Hundred.

"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

I could definitely see myself living there. Not sure what it's like for Black Americans though.

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

I had a layover there but wasn't able to spend any time there. I was in Andalucía in January, I would definitely recommend Malaga and Seville if you go back. Granada is beautiful but the people weren't as friendly.

“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”

Any must see/do/eat recommendations? I'm headed there next month on a visa run. Will be there seven days. Don't know much about it. I know there are some great parks and the street food is a must try but that's all I got lol

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

.

************************************************************

.

<----

Soundcloud.com/aquil84

(HIP HOP)
http://aquil.bandcamp.com

and moved to Cabo, after having gone on vacation last year. E'rbody on the STREET is shocked. I'm just mad the house is droppin' on the market (that was real selfish of me....I'm sorry)

It takes all kinds to make up a world, son. -My pops

I just live for the comments -Da wiz

My considered destinations are...

Panama (Panama City)
Singapore
Zambia
Dubai
Hong Kong

Honestly I don’t care what destination is best for blacks, because there aren’t too many places that want blacks around them. My move is strictly for tax reasons only.

the mix of nature and modern is beyond dope. their goal for 2020 ( i think that is the year) is to make sure everyone lives no more than 400 ft from some green space / park. from what i saw they are well on their way of reaching it. i'm seriously considering moving there. it's expensive though.

oh and it's so freaking clean lol like no trash anywhere. mad pristine public bathrooms. lol i was in heaven. just wish i saw more black folks. only saw a handful while i was there for week. mostly with who i assumed was their white boyfriend or girlfriend.

in reality though. i'm not sure i'd be able to deal with the humidity day in and day out lol it was mad hot yo.

edit: my cousin and her husband lived in zambia for three years and i'm still kicking myself for never visiting :/ none of our family did. smh.

the key to happiness is not being rich;
it's doing something arduous and
creating something of value and then
being able to reflect on the fruits of your labor

Tell me more about Panama City and Zambia, please

d

>My considered destinations are...
>
>Panama (Panama City)
>Singapore
>Zambia
>Dubai
>Hong Kong
>
>Honestly I don’t care what destination is best for blacks,
>because there aren’t too many places that want blacks around
>them. My move is strictly for tax reasons only.

beautiful and inexpensive place to live.

“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”

I can’t tell you much because I haven’t been to either place yet to check things out.

From some research that I have seen, the climate is good year around. The architecture there is beautiful from the pictures that I have seen. You can live modestly for $1500-2000K per month.

In Zambia the climate is a little more closer to moderate with two seasons... wet and dry. Cost of living is less than $1500 per month. From what I gather the economy is pretty stable.

and because of the war there, they have completely rebuilt the infrastructure around Kigali, which now enjoys the reputation as the cleanest city in Africa. If you plan ahead, R/T tickets are below $700 to the east coast in the US. And the internet is faster there.

------------------
One Hundred.

.

************************************************************

https://afro.com/ghana-welcomes-african-americans-back-home/

)))--####---###--(((

bunda
<-.-> ^_^ \^0^/
get busy living, or get busy dying.

The world is your oyster sis, don’t limit yourself.

http://perspectivesudans.blogspot.com/
instagram:@3rdworldview
Blessed be the Lord /who believe any mess they read up on the message board

My sister visited and fell in love with the place. Apparently its the most populated city in North America. But it doesn't look or feel like a NYC style metropolis.

I'm never leaving the states.

America has imported more warlord theocracy from Afghanistan than it has exported democracy.

Open SmartNews and read "This 33-year-old left the U.S. for Bali and lives a ‘life of luxury’ on $2,233 a month—how he spends his money" here: https://share.smartnews.com/ZMy36
To read it on the web, tap here: https://share.smartnews.com/CCrkH


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

We really need to go over our budget in our household.

Pretty sure we are overspending and not being as responsible as we could.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

It's a low-key country. Cheap food, beautiful beaches. And they already have black people there so you don't stand out.

--
Sometimes you have to look reality in the face and say 'No!'
-Ben (Reaper)

If you need any help, don't. Hesitate to ask.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>It's a low-key country. Cheap food, beautiful beaches. And
>they already have black people there so you don't stand out.

Lived in Montevideo for about 3 months in 2016 . . .

Uruguay is a special place. At that time, it was extremely low-key. Almost too low-key. It's on the come-up as far as things-to-do, but when we were there we felt a little starved for random entertainment.

Since Uruguay imports so much food, a lot of if was really expensive.

Finding good coffee was tough. (Mate tea is king here. It's part of everything)

And surprisingly, rent and electricity prices were extremely high while we were there.

Other interesting facts:
- I've been to many cities all over the world. I've never seen as many used/antique bookstores as I saw in Montevideo.
- People hold on to things for a long time there, so finding good deals on used items was tough.
- I did not see so many black people.
- It's a bird watcher's paradise.

I feel like a lot has changed since we left. A lot of young people are started to move back and that's sparking an entirely new energy in the country. Which is kind of charmingly dull!

____________

"If I ever run into any of you bums on the street corner, just let's pretend we never met before."

Belize
Cartagena
Panama City
Costa Rica

My top 4 potential spots

...be quickly relocating to one of those destinations.

yep

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Got his bags packed for when his mission is accomplished.

"I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time on Earth is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, each moment we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody what's us to say, then we are wasting our time

also, credit really only matters in the US, Canada, & some parts of Western Europe. Don't waste your time trying to clear up debt that only matters in the the place that you used to live.

Thailand is dope...quality of life is really high there. Bangkok is one of my 3 favorite cities to visit, and I might end up there long term


Costa Rica havent been yet, but my friends who live there say it's pretty cool, but it's definitely a slower pace of living. Will probably visit sometime this year.

Hong Kong is cool...but it is one of the more expensive place to be an expat. I liked it, but I don't think I'd live there long term as it's more Westernized than I like. It's kinda the western business portal for all the factories on the Chinese Mainland, so it's a lot of money moving around there, but a lot of cost of living is higher than normal as a result.

sounds like it could be a good fit.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>also, credit really only matters in the US, Canada, & some
>parts of Western Europe. Don't waste your time trying to clear
>up debt that only matters in the the place that you used to
>live.

makes total sense...fuck that debt lol

>Thailand is dope...quality of life is really high there.
>Bangkok is one of my 3 favorite cities to visit, and I might
>end up there long term

imma get over to that side next year when i go visit Vietnam...Thailand is right there so yeah

>Costa Rica havent been yet, but my friends who live there say
>it's pretty cool, but it's definitely a slower pace of living.
>Will probably visit sometime this year.

Not sure if i want super slow paced living but i'm open to try it out. my fast ass probably needs it LOL

>Hong Kong is cool...but it is one of the more expensive place
>to be an expat. I liked it, but I don't think I'd live there
>long term as it's more Westernized than I like. It's kinda the
>western business portal for all the factories on the Chinese
>Mainland, so it's a lot of money moving around there, but a
>lot of cost of living is higher than normal as a result.

now that its back under Chinese rule, HK is a no go for me

thanks for your insights!

d


"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

in places you consider.

------------------
One Hundred.

"I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time on Earth is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, each moment we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody what's us to say, then we are wasting our time

This pre-pandemic me was so cute LOL


so yeah I'm 50 now. I'm definitely in a good position to leave the country in the next two years so my plan is good. I have gotten rid of most of the "things" i own as I currently live in what used to be an AirBNB.

I'm not concerned at all with paying off debt. I work remotely and travel alot to Quebec (I've been here 5 times in the last 6 months) and my French is pretty good as I've been studying all this time and kinda have a boyfriend here (I'm writing this from Quebec)

I'd have to at least get a job in Montreal to actually emigrate here tho..we'll see. I'll put some more thought into that once its springtime

but yes, 52 is on track to be the fuck outta the US for a good minute.

d

"I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time on Earth is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, each moment we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody what's us to say, then we are wasting our time

I will check out Ghana in October, hopefully.

I'm still on track to be the fukk out this country by age 52.

d

"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

GTFOOH

This place....

Did you crossreference your list with areas that have a large black and Black expat population?

Having some sort of community aids the transition.

********************************

Get Out The Room!
http://getouttheroom.podomatic.com
@fakewilliamkatt

"You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do!" - Olin Miller