Hacker News

I bailed on the US 3 years ago, and bought a house in Albania last year. It's hard to leave and stay gone. Sometimes I'm completely overwhelmed. Learning a second language when over 40 sucks. Not having a support network near is the worst.

In Albania at least, 50% of the American immigrants are missionaries, 25% are fascists, and a huge chunk of the remaining people are retirees. Trying to explain to locals that the words coming out of trumps mouth aren't what his actions are, is literally impossible.

There are huge benefits though. My house is mine. Forever. No ever increasing property taxes and insurance premiums on an already insane base price. I'm not scared of interacting with a cop. Food and utilities are cheap relatively speaking. Now that we have the house, we're able to squeek by on about $500/month with bills, food, and going out for coffee a couple of times.