Expatriate or Expatriot?
Why I became an Expat
I get a lot of questions about how I could leave the USA and move to another land where I have no family and no friends. A couple of days ago I received an email asking if I would be returning to the states since Obama won the election.
My leaving the US had nothing to do with politics, I do greatly prefer American politics. There are lots of reasons why people leave their home land and most of the time it is not because they have issues with their home land. I think in most cases, the people that leave their home countries for that reason will find plenty to not like in their new country.
Before I say why I’m in the Philippines, I’ll start with a definition from Wikipedia:
An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing or legal residence. The word comes from the Latin ex (out of) and patria (country, fatherland).
Some expats intentionally spell it as expatriot to show their displeasure toward their homeland. I miss the US but not enough to return there to live. Many, if not most expats are ex-military and are very pro US. As they travel the world, they learn about other alternatives and most return after they reach retirement.
I’m in the Philippines for two reasons, finances and Filipina.
The women here are awesome, not only do they look great but if you treat them well, they will return it. They really appreciate being treated as an equal, heck they resist it to some extent. Of course there are exceptions. The main reason is I can’t afford to live in my homeland on my retirement income.
Now I could, but things would be pretty bleak. Dating is expensive and that would be difficult and most American women are looking for men that are a lot different than I am. So in a nutshell, that’s why I’m now living in the Philippines and I don’t see anything that’s likely to change that.
I recently wrote an article about why people become expats living in the Philippines. To view it visit Live In The Philippines.
I suspect that retirment as an expat is going to be a growing trend. There are magazines and many websites dedicated to the subject. There are a lot of scams too, so be careful about what you read.
I like the truth in this article. You say it out loud without being afraid to be judged.
North american women are demanding but they also provide income to a familly and contribute to a better living standard but many men find it hard to have a financial rival at home.
Personally I don’t mind to have a working wife for as long as there is peace at home.
The reality however is different, life is complicated, we live in a very fast paced, consumer oriented, egocentric society, what in my opinion is unsustainable and will eventually be our ultimate demise. That is why I am planning to leave Canada and will most likely settle in a country like Philippines.
It is not paradise, that I know, but at least I will try it.
Keep on writing Rusty, I like your articles.