7 Reasons Why I Don't Want To Move Back to the United States | American in Germany

Hi there! I am from the US and I have been living abroad for years. In this video. I discuss 7 reasons about why I (currently) do not want to move back to the USA. My reasons for leaving and not wanting to return have changed over the years and will probably continue to change - and who knows maybe one day I will want to move back.

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[dieterwohlers]

Ich habe 23 Jahre in den US gewohnt und mir den A***h aufgerissen, damit meine Kinder in einer guten Gegend wohnen konnten, krankenversichert sind (obwohl man das kaum vergleichen kann), auf bessere Schulen gehen konnten und sozial nicht ausgegrenzt waren. Mit 45 war ich dann so ausgelutscht von den 65-Stunden-Wochen, dem permaneneten Stress, Leistung erbringen und steigern zu müssen und der Isoliertheit von Suburbia, dass ich den Riss gemacht habe. Meine Kinder sind erwachsen und ich wohne jetzt seit einigen Jahren wieder in Deutschland, habe einen unbefristeten Arbeitsvertrag mit einer 38-Stunden-Woche und 7 Wochen Urlaub im Jahr. Klar verdiene ich weniger, aber man lebt auch wesentlich günstiger hier. Best decision I ever made.

[robwilliams]

Greetings from Nürnberg. I’ve been in Germany for nearly 22 years, became a citizen in 2013. 😉

[jon_nomad]

I totally agree with you. USA is not a citizen friendly nation anymore. Yes, it's heart breaking. Some other nations are just better for building a family, healthcare, personal safety, affordable education and overall peace of mind.

[caregiverinitaly]

I moved to Italy over 20 years ago and there is no way I could or would move back to the States. No country is perfect, but my Italian husband and I are better off here in northern Italy compared to the States. My husband had a series of strokes between 2016 and 2020 and is now permanently 100% disabled and unable to work. I stay at home and take care of him full-time 24/7. In the States I would have to put him in a nursing home where he'd probably be sedated and spend his final days in bed. What kind of "life" is that?!?!

[Lynne-]

Lovely explanation! Thank you, Jessie! I had the good fortune to live in various European communities for 3 years and have been in a sad & bewildering culture shock since returning to the USA. A country which seems embarrassingly immature & backward, yet arrogantly unwilling to learn from our ancestral sources.
Wise resources.
After attempting to "fit in" and re-acclimate, I admit that I long for more civilized, kind, caring and humane territories and plan to return to to la belle France when Covid 19 is gone. Shaping up my language skills now!!!🌻

[catmen]

You are more than welcome here. Enjoy your time in germany

[stephan]

Schön das du da bist!!!! Schönes Video!!!! Guter Beitrag!!!!

[movieedge]

I totally understand why you don’t want to move back to the US . If I could I would move to Europe for a year .

[karolduris]

Very nice video. I'm glad you like it in Germany. So, above all, make yourself feel good. Greetings from the nearby country of Slovakia

[jounik]

6:15 Not Just Bikes is a great channel. I was already preparing to recommend it in a comment after your words about walkability and suburbs. Especially its Strong Towns videos are great.

It seems there is some local movement in the US to reduce zoning only for single family homes. Nothing dramatic happens fast but a bigger shift away from suburbs is possible.

[Pikadb]

I'm so happy for you that you found home <3

[tia]

You're my favorite new expat channel! You are so articulate and have a calming presence. ♥️

[jenm]

The only two good things about living in America are: space and Christmas time. I have had the best Christmases ( decorating / everyone is nice and cheerful) and you have space, not too overcrowded, you can’t take a step without seeing someone or hearing someone in Germany. Supermarkets are super crowded and when there is too little space and too many people then people tend to get frustrated. Freedom also means to have space for yourself

[leDespicable]

Oh boy, the suburbs...as a German, I can't fathom how people are actually happy there. Yes, they're peaceful and quiet, but...honestly, I find them depressing. Streets upon streets upon streets, rows and rows of houses which all look similar, with rarely anyone out and about since everyone drives everywhere. You can't even leave the suburb without your car, since there's nothing but houses for miles and miles.
If I were to live there and had to describe the feeling, the German term "Einem fällt die Decke auf den Kopf" really hits the nail on the head. You sit there in your house, with absolutely nothing to do in the vicinity, in some suburbs you only barely know your neighbours, and if your car breaks down you're basically trapped in your own home and can't go anywhere, since taking the bike also isn't an option because of the lack of infrastructure and the long distances.

Not even talking about the fact that suburbia is a Ponzi scheme and will bankrupt most cities should their population ever stop growing, since suburbs can't financially sustain themselves through tax money, and the costs can only be covered by building more suburbs...it's a mess.

[ronbolrase]

I’m living in the US, but lived some very happy years in Germany. I do find the European lifestyle much better, without meaning that the American style is horrible. It is noxious to hear Americans blabber on about how everything is better here & they have no idea that it just isn’t true. Not just healthcare, but schools, living conditions. It’s not that there so bad here, but there not really better, just different, with a lot to dislike. Enjoy your life.

[easyhobo]

Sehr freundlich und ruhig gesprochen, Jessie Lina!
Vielleicht kannst du noch etwas verbessern an der Tontechnik.
Ich musste sehr genau hinhören, um alles zu verstehen.
Ich glaube, es lag nicht nur daran, dass ich Englisch nicht
jeden Tag höre.
Dir einen schönen Tag im spannenden Berlin,
herzliche Grüße aus Dortmund.

[normanmart]

This seems to be the norm for people moving away from US. It appears to be a very self-centred culture which is quite unique and prefers profit making companies to govt . I always feel so lucky living in Scotland, Europe. The US could be a shining example with its wealth but spends it like am immature teenage boy.

[tyronevaldez-kruger]

Can relate to having issues with a car. Made the licence and after about 3 years driving a car l really began to hate it. I feel independent without a car. Of course emotionally

[oscarm.]

I have lived in Europe for many years; I'm back in the wonderful USA now and people just can't seem to understand why I have this untamable nostalgia about living in a place where you actually feel alive.

[charlesheller]

Post WW2 car dependant suburban sprawl was a huge mistake on our part. We are now dealing with the consequences. Suburbs do not age well.