I'm a Black Expat AMA

[Wiseborn]

International flight bargains.
There are some places that are known as hubs and usually you can get better deals there. It maybe worth it to use skiplagged get a flight to a hub city and fly out there Atlnta is a Hub but right now it's not cheap same for Chicago etc. It could be cheaper to fly out of New York than Atlanta if you're going to Latin America and it's cheaper to fly out of LA if you're going to Asia

DC ( expect for Reagan) is good for europe

 

[Wiseborn]

Is Living in Europe Cheaper Than Living in America?​

By
A.W. BERRY

Updated May 30, 2023
Reviewed by
EBONY HOWARD

Reviewed by Ebony Howard
Full Bio

Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. She has been in the accounting, audit, and tax profession for more than 13 years, working with individuals and a variety of companies in the health care, banking, and accounting industries.
Learn about our Financial Review Board
Fact checked by
SKYLAR CLARINE
Americans and Europeans are subject to very different fiscal regimes, but which is more cost-effective? Overall, Europe often has lower costs when measured against the United States. But these financial benefits should be weighed carefully against factors such as location, income levels, and monetary and economic conditions.

If you live in Europe, you may undertake considerable transatlantic travel, which involves costly time and financial commitments. Making such a move worthwhile takes good financial sense and planning.

KEY TAKEAWAYS​

• Overall, Europe has a lower cost of living due to lower healthcare expenses, a weakening euro currency, and low inflation.
• Europeans, however, tend to pay more of their income to taxes, and average wages tend to be lower than in America.
• Most European countries offer free healthcare for residents, which represents a huge saving.

​

Is Living in Europe Cheaper Than Living in America?

Discover the benefits of living in Europe and whether living there rather than the United States makes financial sense.

www.investopedia.com

 

[Wiseborn]

More Travel hacks

If you can aviod it don't buy the iphone 15 ( regular version) there's no slot for a Sim card so it's Locked

Secondly don't charge phones at charging stations at airports buy a external battery The charging stations can install malware on your phone.

Don't buy a Sim card at the airport they're extremely expensive, get a cab to the mall and buy one there.

If you buy an electronic item overseas ask for a Vat exception form take the form to the airport and you'll get the taxes back at the airport.

 

[Wiseborn]

Google Flights hack

Athough if you were only gonna use one sight Google flights is absolutely best especially for trip planning.

That being said there's several other sites to include ITA Matrix and Skyscanner

If you use Google flights always try to go through the airline's website Never use a third party site like Cheopoair, Kiwi.com of ifly,com etc especially not on non direct flights the airlines have nothing to do with your tickets anything goes wrong it's not on the airlines

 

[Wiseborn]

In most countries your US driving license will work fine.

In other countries you need an international driving permit.

The easiest way to get one is to go to a Triple A office show them your license and get one.
If you think theres any chance of you riding a motorcycle get a motorcycle endorsement on your license.

Also keep your rental contract on you whenever you drive.

#knowbeforeyougo

 

[Wiseborn]

Language Learnig Hacks:

Don't try to leaarn the rules of the language learn it the way babies learn the language Talk to people and when you learn a new word write it down and commit it to memeory. The most important thing is to speak the language as soon and as much as possible.

 

[Wiseborn]

If you decide to become an expat unless you're dead broke you're gonna be way richer than the vast majority of people you meet so act like it.

If you hang around poors they will be whores I'm not just talking about women I mean Men too meaning people will be your friend because of what you can do for them.

In a way it is good to have friends in low places but it's even better to have friends in high places. Link with the local elites whenever and how ever you can. Join volunteer groups, join the local country club, Beleive me this is benefit you in many ways and people won't alsways have their hands out.

 

[Diyhai]

More Travel hacks

If you can aviod it don't buy the iphone 15 ( regular version) there's no slot for a Sim card so it's Locked

Secondly don't charge phones at charging stations at airports buy a external battery The charging stations can install malware on your phone.

Don't buy a Sim card at the airport they're extremely expensive, get a cab to the mall and buy one there.

If you buy an electronic item overseas ask for a Vat exception form take the form to the airport and you'll get the taxes back at the airport.

I would suggest Airalo

Sign up

Sign up for an Airalo account by entering your email and selecting a password

ref.airalo.com

Most people should use esims at this point
Have your service before you even set foot in the country
if your phone is locked it’s locked and you can’t use a physical sim either

 

[Astroslik]

I would suggest Airalo

Sign up

Sign up for an Airalo account by entering your email and selecting a password

ref.airalo.com

Most people should use esims at this point
Have your service before you even set foot in the country
if your phone is locked it’s locked and you can’t use a physical sim either

I would suggest Airalo

Sign up

Sign up for an Airalo account by entering your email and selecting a password

ref.airalo.com

Most people should use esims at this point
Have your service before you even set foot in the country
if your phone is locked it’s locked and you can’t use a physical sim either

Or get the google fi plan

 

[Diyhai]

Or get the google fi plan

Google fi is trash imo
It had issues in multiple countries i used it in
Ended up buying a sim a few times cuz the service was so trash

 

[Wiseborn]

Answering more questions

You can pay your bills through World remit, Xoom or Sendwave (Africa only). You can pay through credit cards for more protection instead of sending directly from your bank account.

It's way easier to reverse a charge through a credit card and you can get points or cash back through credit cards. Also you can easily stop a subscription service easily by removing the credit card.

Paypal works in some countries I haven't seen cash app work overseas.

Remitly works in more countries than even paypal.

 

[Wiseborn]

I would suggest Airalo

Sign up

Sign up for an Airalo account by entering your email and selecting a password

ref.airalo.com

Most people should use esims at this point
Have your service before you even set foot in the country
if your phone is locked it’s locked and you can’t use a physical sim either

That's what's up never heard it it. I got a buddy touching down in a few days I'll mention this to him.

 

[Wiseborn]

Google fi is trash imo
It had issues in multiple countries i used it in
Ended up buying a sim a few times cuz the service was so trash

Yep should've updated that. I switched to skype for calling back to the states.

Google Fi only works on a short term basis and even then they throttle you early.

Then add in the fact that it only works on some driods makes it absolute trash.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Wiseborn]

Renting in Colombia Pro tip:

You do not have to pay a deposit or 6 months rent in advance, Paying 3 to 6 months rent will be suggested but you don't have to do it but maybe you'd want to if the exchange rates work in your favor at the time.

Deposits are illegal they can't make you pay it and if you do know that you're not getting that money back.

Theres a cleaning fee of no more than 200,000 pesos max. that's the most they could legally charge you.

Rent control is country wide they cannot raise the rent more than the Consumer Price Index on Inflation which you can look up this year it's 1.54% so that's the most that your rent could increase.

 

[DavidG]

IAMA Federal Agent with the Central Intelligence Agency - I want him to ask me every question known to man.