Can You Have a Quality Life in America? My Thoughts on Life in the US After Living Abroad

[@rachelgregory888]

Very interesting Eva! I'm British and live in Italy. I agree that Americans seem very fearful, which is very very divisive. I also think that a lot of Americans think that other countries are envious of them, but it's really not true, not in Europe anyway, in my experience.

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Yes! The envy point is very true. I think it comes from constantly hearing that “America is the greatest country in the world” but it’s usually just other Americans saying that, although I know some immigrants who come here will use that phrase as well.

[@poorweakcua6372]

Most Americans are delusional and out of touch. That can happen when you spend most of your time in your mom’s basement.

[@ave383]

The only people who think other countries envy America are white nationalist.

[@fcasias7]

Americans are fed that lie that other countries are envious of them. And for some countries like third world countries there may be some truth to that. But for any first world country. There should be little reason to be envious of this backwards sliding country.

[@ajlive6419]

Yeah I don’t think they envision but in my experience they damn sure don’t like us.

[@roygarza3263]

I enjoyed your video and feel very much as you do. I'm a military retiree and lived in Germany 7 yrs total (20 yrs ago) . My wife and I were recently talking about our regrets in life (We're much older) and agreed that our greatest regret is that we came back to the U.S. for all the reasons you mentioned. Thanks for sharing .

[@evamariesolanges4848]

It’s tough to come back to the US after you’ve been abroad!

[@MiaCarter7]

Yea America isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But it is really good for people who enjoy stress, guilt about the amount of stress they can handle, covert racism in the cooperate work space, lack of work life balance, and always chasing a moving finish line to obtain the American dream.

[@MiaCarter7]

Here, it seems happiness and community aren’t a priority. It’s about money and basing your worth off of accomplishments and money. I want to move! Lol

[@kaysee482]

Ahh this whole video is the exact conversation I have with my friends on pretty much a daily basis. So many things I agree with you on. Especially the cost of living and food. Can I tell you, when I’m in America, I have food allergies (particularly to wheat and gluten, among other things), but when I went to Italy, I ate whatever I wanted and felt TOTALLY fine! That was such a shining moment for me in the difference in food quality. Also, I have lived in Japan and my mental health there was so much better compared with being in the US as a black woman. Here, there is this constant subtle oppression I feel, and I feel invisible when I go out and try to have a social life. But when I’m abroad, I just don’t carry those same burdens and people notice me more and smile and are friendly. The cost of a one-bedroom in even smaller cities has grown so much, too. Basic one-bedrooms in the suburbs of Arizona are averaging $1500-$1700 a month. It’s INSANE. All of this is telling me it’s time to go back abroad next year. I cannot.

[@evamariesolanges4848]

OMG yes! I usually have issues with dairy (mostly milk) and in Italy I never had any problems, which I found so strange. And being abroad can definitely help you relax, it’s just a totally different experience. I’m hoping you get to go abroad again soon! I know I’m missing it so much! 😩😅

[@bridgettemichele2386]

I’m so glad you brought up about not having enough sidewalks ,that’s one of things that I have always seen as being a problem and especially in small cities where you need to have a car. If more sidewalks were provided or more consistent transit systems was provided, people probably wouldn’t need to have to get a car. There would be more healthy people here in America if we did more walking. Love this video 🧡🧡

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Yes, its actually amazing how much weight you can keep off from walking, you probably wouldn’t need a gym membership if you could get in a certain amount of steps everyday!

[@KimmyDTV]

Great video I think in America it feels like I’m running on a treadmill trying to keep up with everyone, when I went to Italy in 2017 I loved to see people relax and enjoy themselves. I am in the suburbs of Texas now(Houston) it could be relaxed at times but still I miss 🇮🇹 hope to go back in 2022!

[@evamariesolanges4848]

I hope you get to go back soon! I know I want to! 💕

[@poorweakcua6372]

Italy is awesome i we there in October of 2017 and I will be back in October of this year. I love Rome. Especially hanging out near Fontana De trevi and eating Gelato.

[@KimmyDTV]

@@poorweakcua6372 yess!! I want to go back soon!!

[@poorweakcua6372]

@@KimmyDTV Italy is so awesome. As a whole I love Europe. The quality of life is cherished way more than in the states.

[@KimmyDTV]

@@poorweakcua6372 yess! the states is all about work work work until you are 65 and europe is about enjoying work life balance

[@AT-xm3jc]

I lived in Dublin for some years and I concur everything you've said, besides the 6 hour restaurant part lol .. The quality of life is better, period, no debate. I received 21 days vacation as a *temp,* and one hour lunches. Traveling there is so affordable with Ryanair, and there is less pressure to get a house you can't afford, to do any and everything for the dollar, etc. They're just living, and I love it, I miss it..

[@evamariesolanges4848]

I’ve heard so many great things about Dublin! I’m glad you enjoyed your time there. Experiencing that pace of living really opens your eyes so I don’t blame you for missing it. I miss it too!

[@christina9238]

Watching a few of your videos after the "feeling behind at 30"..which I related to so much. Im 33 and spent the last 4 years traveling and living outside of the US. now im back, and I feel so behind, but more than behind..I feel conflicted if I belong here. life offers alot more , for ALOT less elsewhere.

[@lifeexpanded]

I've been back in the US for a few years now and just needed to hear all of this as I plan my next exit. Thank you!

[@flovv9357]

Americans live to work.... Europeans work to live.

[@Flower.Power.1996]

Your videos are such breath of fresh air. Truly a joy to watch. After I finish school I am moving for good. Life is mean to be savored and the American life style is the opposite of who I am .

[@ChaiTogether]

I love that you made this video! 😊🎉

[@welikelethabo]

This was really insightful 💕

[@angelobisagno6792]

Hi! Thanks for your point of view on this interesting matter. While apologizing in advance for my grammar mistakes, i just wanted to say I've never been in the US so i can't really say if i agree or not but, as an italian, i think you understood better than the vast majority of foreigners our mentality... so i suppose you are a fair judge of US society aswell. Also i love your english! i can understand it really well without subtitles! Waiting for your next video, ciao!

[@lisaluxx4178]

I have to completly agree. I live in orange county and Rent for an apartment is 2,200 and up now for a 1 bedroom. And on top of that you have to be making 3x the rent and as a single female its almost impossible

[@evamariesolanges4848]

I love California but I know it’s so expensive! And 2,200 for a one bedroom is wild! But unfortunately that’s the norm in a lot of big cities in the US.

[@pdk9903]

... I'm sitting here at my kitchen table, in Helsinki, Finland, mending a sweater while having an aperitivo moment and stumbled on your video! You make many great points. Really interesting to hear about your experience!

[@ChaiTogether]

It’s the truth girl, don’t worry about it being too negative or tense lol 😂❤ love you!

[@mrclam954]

My American wife of 43 years had to have two knee replacement ops, total cost £0.00. I dread to think how much it would have cost in her native California!

[@NiaTalk]

WHEN I lived in Italy for school I realized that when I bought milk and it expired in a day! Everything there is super fresh. Also, yes, the American dream is so fake, agree. The amount of food waste is also insane in American. I have cut back on buying from stop and shop, price chopper and more markets that suck the money from us and we have to shop 24/7 with these companies. I decided to shop at BJs once every two weeks! I save more money and each visit I spend below 100 dollars for only what we need!

[@carlasamuels479]

I agree with you about how people eat here(🇨🇦 actually as well ) ...it's not about the conversation or the meal prep and care about ingredients ...dinner seems to be like a small celebration in Italy

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Mmm hmm 😊 food is like a glorious journey in Italy! I truly miss it!

[@notbugs]

I really enjoyed listening to your thoughtful insights. Cheers from Sweden!

[@Africanbeautyy93]

Absolutely love your channel! Thank you for this video❤️

[@rochellemckinney3220]

When are you going back? I look forward to your new adventures abroad 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Haha I wish I knew! I’ll be staying put a little bit longer but I definitely hope to start traveling again in the new year!

[@AdayBB231]

I think America obsession with wealth is because well America is expensive to live . Just to have decent life you need a lot of money . Healthcare like you mentioned , quality food cause if you wanna eat decently ( organic , unrefined oils , fresh produce ) etc . Then the clothing , housing .. the south ain’t even as affordable as it once

[@leonbodenstab2925]

And because it’s the „AmeRiCaN dReAm“

[@hannaabuhay7521]

loved everything about this video.

[@evamariesolanges4848]

💕 I’m so happy you liked it!

[@cheyturnervisuals]

It is so frustrating living in America and needing funds or money to simply just have a roof over my head. Basic needs here are so hard to cover. If you have a minimum wage job, your whole check is going to putting a roof over your head and with grocery prices going up, barely feeding yourself. On top of it, the pressure and shame of, if you aren't working all the time, where is your value? If you don't have certain needs met, it must mean you aren't working hard enough. These ideals are killing Americans today. The stress is so much.

[@acamiln8354]

I agree. But if you have pretty much money, a lot..., you cannt improve life more than about 30% than average.

[@aimeeevans1817]

I always feel guilty for wanting to just take a day off here and California.

[@funmijejelola1761]

Welcome Back 🙂. Great video

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Thank you!! ☺️

[@mdgarner1]

Nailed it! 👍🏽

[@evamariesolanges4848]

🤗

[@ChaiTogether]

Agree to all of this

[@leonbodenstab2925]

Awesome video

[@acamiln8354]

Georgia, US. We live in south GA, small city, 15K people. There is a condominiums complex here. Doctors, professors rented it. After some time government wanted to buy it. Owners did not want to sell it, but they had to(you know, US demarcation). Now tenants are "special kind of people", a lot of drugs, noisy, drug dealers, if you complain to police, police comes, but in fact nothing is changed, next week the same. There is a hotel in GA, called Staybridge Suites Atlanta We visited it long time ago, swimming pool, nice suites....polite people. After some time "special kind of people" started to visit it, we were surprised where did they have money from. Noise in swimming pool, noise next rooms.... So we stopped to visit it.

[@prenomnom364]

Really interesting. I always wanted to live abroad but I don't know where to go yet. I think the USA are not the best option for me but I would have loved to live in New York if I was rich though

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Yeah it can be hard to choose a place but luckily there’s platforms like KZbin where so many people share their experiences in different countries. That’s what has helped me in the past.

[@chanellaDaboss]

I definitely understand where you are coming from, I've lived in France for 12 years and there is definitely a difference between French culture and American culture. American culture is a lot about glamor whereas most European countries, people are more simple.

[@acamiln8354]

Not glamour, it is KITSCH in the US.

[@RuthlessAries_QueenofSwords]

9:35 your are not failing nor falling behind in life. You probably have more interesting life experiences than many people who all they’ve done all their lives is work and collect material things. I don’t know what your situation is in America but if you could go back to Europe maybe you will be happier with the lifestyle there. 😊

[@alciviaglam]

Wow I never thought america was like that. 😬

[@RuthlessAries_QueenofSwords]

I love your channel. Subscribed!! I agree with you wig everything you said in this video. Life in Europe is a bit better. Atleast everyone has access to healthcare.

[@fruitsarelife7073]

I don’t understand why things like food are double the price than in Germany. I think that’s on purpose.

[@dariann1661]

All valid points! I refuse to have a family here .

[@finefloridahomesbyfrancis]

🙏 Amen

[@acamiln8354]

"You might not be surprised to know that most of the 4.09 million miles of roadway are paved - but what might surprise you is that over a third - almost 35% - are not. These are typically unpaved Currently, some 42 million Americans have no access to broadband, according to Broadband Now, a data technology company. The FCC defines broadband as having download speeds of a minimum of 25 megabits per second (or Mbps) and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. Nearly 1 in 4 Households Don’t Have Internet-and a Quarter Million Still Use Dial-Up In the United States, an estimated 471,000 households or 1.1 million individuals lack a piped water connection and 73% of households are located in cities, close to networked supply." In my opinion, the highest ratio salary/standard is in the US. :)

[@voornaamachternaam5745]

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE FOOD RESTAURANT IN VIDEO ITALY ITS ALL CHEAP FLOUR PASTA PIZA ETC

[@fraternitas6363]

Very interesting!

[@alexnetick1834]

I've never been to Italy, but I visited Amsterdam. In general, the food wasn't that great, but I liked everything else. People seem less stressed than Californians. If I were younger, I'd move out of here.

[@flovv9357]

In America if a company can operate without you for a month, that means they don't really need you.

[@tanner293]

In italy the whole company closes for holidays

[@touriagasmi3525]

What do you mean by your Naturopath 35€ ? A month ? Explain please

[@welikelethabo]

What did u study at university?

[@evamariesolanges4848]

I studied Business Management! And I speak a bit about my experience in Italy in my first vid “black girl in Italy”. I did deal with some racist instances; nothing traumatizing though. I mostly had a really positive experience there.

[@welikelethabo]

@@evamariesolanges4848 thank you, I’ll ensure to watch your older videos. Also you are very very beautiful!

[@kappaxtv4686]

what camera do you use for your shoot.

[@evamariesolanges4848]

I use a Sony A7iii

[@welikelethabo]

Did u experience any racism in Italy ?

[@flovv9357]

Collect moments, not things.

[@SkLeRaTOO]

Quanto sei bella ❤️

[@cristianmorar5558]

Dolce far niente ❤

[@sanaatouzani3085]

Morocco is a also great and has European cultural values. America is really only about money and nothing else. There are no values in the United States.

[@evamariesolanges4848]

I gotta defend the US a little bit! 😅 I think the values are changing here especially because of the pandemic. But for sure, the US has a long way to go (we’re pretty ignorant here about how the world works but I think more Americans are trying to broaden their perspective). And I would love to visit Morocco, but haven’t had the chance yet.

[@acamiln8354]

@Evamarie Solanges Yes, values are changing HERE, young people do not want to work, they do not even care about money, houses, the most important is not to work a lot. My friend, I spent 30 years in my country(socialist-communist one), and this in US is copy-paste I know hat will be the end....total collapsing.

[@Madinatubes]

clap clap clap !

[@owurakobby1562]

Eva I love u

[@dennismd1]

What have you been up too haven't been giving content in awhile 😉

[@evamariesolanges4848]

Honestly, life has been rough for the past little while but I’m picking myself back up.

[@dennismd1]

@@evamariesolanges4848 am glad you're getting back on your feet. It's been rough all around since covid showed up. I really was wondering where you had gone because I tried IG you were not there too so I assumed you probably went to north Korea and had no access to anyone 😉🖖

[@voornaamachternaam5745]

SAFETY FOR BLACK PEOPLE SEEMS THE BIGGEST ISSUE !!!

[@fruitsarelife7073]

I don’t understand why things like food are double the price than in Germany. I think that’s on purpose.