Living in America - update from an ex-expat

Now that I’ve been back in the U.S. for a few months it feels like it’s the right time to update you guys and assess whether this was a good or bad decision.

[@Oracle4DeAtlantis]

Dude, we’re glad that you and your family are safe.

[@GaryDerry11]

Thank you all for being a wonderful family!

[@jetsetradio7715]

You came back at a very interesting time, wish you the best.

[@clemfandango3925]

Trump baby

[@lindariskus5713]

Good to hear from you! Nothing is permanent… you can always change your mind. Understand how you made this change to offer your kids the best education/opportunities available. Sending my best wishes with that!

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks.

[@joshscott9905]

Props to ya for doing what's best for your family.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks.

[@juliebabin]

A diploma in a US University will open them much more doors in their working life, that's a big gift you give them.

[@es0teric76]

It depends on the degree. Some necessitate further education if you want to get a job in a related field, such as psychology or anthropology. You may have the upper hand in an interview if you have prior experience in the workplace, but often experience alone will get you further than most BA's. The same goes for a BS, but to a lesser extent.

[@BPe-ie9je]

great to see you!!!!

[@VentrueMinis]

Hey man! Glad to hear the US is going well for you! I think it's important to remember that a lot of your commentors here are other folks interested in your content: this means it's expats, folks who are frustrated with living in the US, looking for a different lifestyle, etc etc etc. As someone who's working at a major US university right now, I can tell you that you are absolutely on the nose about the OPPORTUNITY of having a US degree. Call it nepotism, but the kind of networks that having a university degree can give you, especially at decent ones, is invaluable for a lot of industries. Just one perspective, of course - vastly depends on field. Always love hearing about your life.

[@es0teric76]

It's definitely not nepotism unless all of your connections are from you paying to be in a fraternity/sorority. There is a skill/talent in making connections at a university. I have friends who make a load of connections due to being intelligent as well as sociable, and I have friends who made zero attempts at making connections and, of course, have none.

[@VentrueMinis]

@es0teric76 totally agree!

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

That's a super solid gig you've got there bro, glad you're happy with it and the company. There's definitely a lot of negatives with the economy and quality of life here right now for sure, hopefully that will improve over time, also the Technical Schools/ Colleges and Trade Schools are great here, that's excellent investment on the education side (Marine Biology is a fascinating field, but not a money maker by any stretch, lots of being stuck in Academia with grant funded programs and such). Cheers!!!

[@trainer2653]

People don't see the whole picture sometimes and you hit the nail on the head. There's a reason why people from 3rd world countries save up hundreds of thousands of dollars to send their kids to western universities. It's absolutely the correct move for someone like you who is in the position to pay for it.

[@msbeecee1]

Glad for the update! So far so good. I do see your point. Not sure ifnyounhsve kept up with how bad the drought/electricity/water/wildfire situation is escalating in Ecuador. Would be interested in hearing your take on it and how your family is faring

[@FallofftheMap]

My family seems to have adapted to the power outages. They rigged up a battery to run the router so they don’t lose internet. It’s only a mild inconvenience. Because of the drought we built a drip irrigation system on my farm in the mountains. Unlike most families in Ecuador we have the resources to adapt to the situation.

[@ericlawson4950]

My girls went to high school and college/trade school in America and during that time they got spoiled on shopping at Ross, TJ Max, Marshals and the outlet stores in the Orlando Florida area. They all have good jobs now here in America and they have expressed to us that they don’t want to move back to Ecuador with us if we decide to move back. That is one of the biggest regrets I have now. When we retire we won’t have enough to live here but we could afford Ecuador yet they would be here.

[@FallofftheMap]

It’s not an expensive flight if they’re in Florida. Cheaper to fly up once a month than to retire in the U.S.

[@DogeMcLovin]

Spot on about college. Networking is key, and the degree is a formality.

[@superfamilyallosauridae6505]

Whenever I get to a point in my life where I'm not legally obligated to be somewhere every so often (like military or essential career stuff) I'm going to try my damndest to get a job in Antarctica, and at some point become train crew out west somewhere. Your time in antarctica is really inspiring to me. You've seen and experienced a lot of stuff, and are very unusual for it. I hope to live a life as varied as yours. I'm glad you're so clear-eyed, and are doing what's right for your family ignoring any sunk cost or anything else.

[@dwDragon88]

You're right about education at a US university opening doors, especially when it comes to internships. Your kids will have much higher value internships available to them in the US compared to anywhere else in the world. As I'm sure you know, internship experience is often a huge differentiator when applying for jobs after school, or if they are lucky the internships will turn into full time offers with those companies. Unfortunately the job market is not the best right now in some sectors, but everything is cyclical. Best of luck with everything.

[@leehayes4019]

Yeah but then they will have been indoctrinated. Lol

[@cheifrocker09]

All the best!!!

[@Clads5]

Thanks for the update. Lots of big changes but you got to do whats best for the family. Unless your kids are going to an ivy league school sending them anywhere else is about the same education wise. Plenty of good and bad educators in every university. My partner went to University of Los Andes in Colombia - and from the way she described it sounded 10x harder than anything I experienced even in graduate school in the US. I wouldn't be surprised if universities in developing countries were more demanding on their students. No doubt your kids will find their own paths through university and life. And college is a great experience to develop oneself. I wouldn't worry about the culture war issues brought up by right wing people in regards to universities being bad for kids. It is a business afterall. Professors are more concerend about their own research funding than indoctrinating your kids. I teach part time social science classes and I am always surprised about how diverse the opinions of student's are - even when I teach Marx you will have conservative students agreeing with some things. People are complicated and students are not shy about their opinions.

[@octonion]

Glad things are working out. Don't know if you are establishing residency in a county/state but community/state colleges generally have significantly reduced tuition. Community colleges can be high quality and often feed into the state schools. Quality of education in US? For math/physics/engineering/science, just look at the number of foreigners coming to study at top schools vs. the number in reverse. Definitely agree that a US degree is needed to maximize earning power and opportunity in US - don't think an EC degree will open doors in US unless you are exceptional.

[@ExpatJourneyOnline]

Good for you for doing what you need to do for your family. I'm glad the job is working out for you. You're right--a US college degree will take your kids further.Then they can work anywhere in the world.

[@genearbogast7525]

Thank you dude. Some of us having very similar thoughts and really pay attention to your postings.....

[@AKuTepion]

You are a good father.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks

[@peterliggett5233]

Alot of degrees that are comparable to USA are in Europe. My kids are dual cirizens Colombia and Spain makes it easier to fund higher education for University. Cost comparision for USA and Europe Universitys can not compare.

[@graceaillon7776]

an exceptional father … 🫶…

[@misterweise]

Good luck. I'm happy for you.

[@GaryDerry11]

If the US has a 2008 or worse - what will living in Ecuador be like? Thanks!

[@Monterrico14]

Is coming. The backwards 2020 guy is heading to 2008.

[@FallofftheMap]

In the last Great Recession I left the U.S., made a lot of money overseas, and invested in land in Ecuador. I regret that I didn’t pick up several houses in the U.S. when they were cheap. If there is another recession and thousands of foreclosures again I won’t repeat my mistake, I’ll try to buy up at least 3 rental properties in the U.S.

[@Monterrico14]

@@FallofftheMap I did. I bought a few. I had a house in Lima and there was a real estate boom there and a depression here. So I sold there and bought a few here. Great investment. Positive passive income for 14 years now.

[@ericlawson4950]

We are traveling to Quito next Saturday 10/24. I was looking at trying to convince my wife to move back. She is worried about making money there though. As someone who’s oldest children grew up in Quito until their teens before moving here I will say that they got to Americanized with the price of clothing and shoes buying name brands at discount shops and now they do not want to move back. They’re girls so boys might not be as much into the fashion world.

[@LaCrudaDs]

Remember you are a human been, you are not a sheep, live your life without convince anyone to be you, but help them if they you!! We came to this world alone and we will leave this world in the way. Thinking about yourself is a good idea.

[@Amanda_downunder]

Hi - I haven't listened to whole video, but will u stay in USA ? a lot of work went into the farm, house, etc - best wishes

[@FallofftheMap]

@@Amanda_downunder my plan is to return to Ecuador once the kids are through college, though I tend to keep my plans pretty flexible.

[@Amanda_downunder]

@@FallofftheMap - ok, fair enough. I understand.

[@jdsantibanez]

It's not earning potential. It's social connections. MANY kids go to university in Ecuador and then get a Master's degree and PhD in the US or Europe. Greetings from Guayaquil.

[@Offgridwealthmanagement]

Of course, it was a good move; if I was making 200k, I would feel the same. Rock on!!

[@Whatsupbuddiebud]

This is a good video but a little irritating. Every one criticizes the US while taking from the US what is unavailable elsewhere then they leave. Ecuador is in a mess and so is the US but if not for the cost in the US I prefer home.

[@FallofftheMap]

I can understand why it’s irritating. For most of my life corporations have been profiting off the U.S. markets and economy while shipping their manufacturing and customer service jobs overseas to reduce their expenses. People are quick to criticize this behavior, but in a cutthroat economy they’re doing what they have to do to stay competitive. I tend to view my approach and how I compete in the economy the same way. I do what I can to maximize how much money I keep and externalize and reduce my costs whenever possible. Rather than being irritated by how people respond to economic realities and incentives, perhaps direct your frustration towards the system that created these hard economic realities.

[@geddon436]

People do what is best for themselves, weither it means to leave the U.S. or stay

[@Camm-h5g]

👍

[@FreemonSandlewould]

So they're never going to make their money out due to the expensive batteries going bad. Hardly resilient.

[@FallofftheMap]

Fortunately for everyone in the industry, your assumption is wrong.

[@lur3950]

I think you are going to make a lot of money. You are open minded & tech oriented . Do you need a serious sub helper?? We got Trump for 4 years. Let's do it! I speak Spanish & Portuguses

[@FallofftheMap]

I don’t control the hiring at this company, and because we work with voltages up to 34500 and massive power stored in lithium batteries, this is inherently dangerous work. This company requires you pass an electrical exam before they will hire you and there exam leans pretty heavy on electrical engineering questions.

[@FreemonSandlewould]

Yeah right. You're an electrical engineer. NOT.

[@FallofftheMap]

At no point did I say I was an electrical engineer.

[@kawaiiduck5924]

America taxes you worldwide on income. If scrub the part about evading taxes.

[@FallofftheMap]

US taxes you while overseas but provides an overseas earned income exemption. It was $120,000 exempt from federal taxes for last year.

[@taterrhead]

you contradicted yourself ... 'opportunities it opens up' is based on the past and before AI && mass immigration. If you look at the West the past 12 years and think the future is anything whatsoever like the West the prior 120 years then I dunno what to say ...

[@FallofftheMap]

I agree that the opportunities and outlook will be worse, but not just in the west, everywhere. I’m just trying to give them all the necessary advantage in a world where the future is going to be much more difficult than we experienced. If they have an education in the U.S., dual citizenship, a home in the U.S., homes and farmland in Ecuador I hope they will be positioned well to do ok in life. I don’t know how to prepare them any better than that.

[@acmhfmggru]

Honestly Trump will make America a greater place and your family will benefit, even if you don't consider his politics at all, and if it went the other way we'd be seeing more wars and managed decline instead. You made a wise choice in moving back. And please keep your kids out of university if you love them, or at least dont let them live on campus and be very involved for exactly the culture war reasons you alluded to. That's a sincere and honest warning coming from love, so please hear it.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

did you sell your place in Ecuador??? If you plan to 'send your kids to college' Teaching and legal must have a degree if they want any type of job in those fields. But today most college degrees CAN be done online if you are really creative. That would keep your kids out of the ideology BS going on in Universities. At retirement age, I am ready to leave the US. However, if DJT does all the things he's promised, it might not be necessary.. Because for me, at retirement, it's a necessity to leave.

[@FallofftheMap]

I’m not too worried about ideology BS at universities. They’ve learned to be skeptical because of some of the nationalistic and political teachings in Ecuadorian schools. Yes, they could go to school online and for some fields that may be adequate, but it’s pretty limiting.

[@LaCrudaDs]

"I’ve always been passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and for many, that dream is starting a new life in another country. Moving abroad is more than just packing bags; it’s about stepping into the unknown, embracing challenges, and finding a new home away from home. I love being a part of that journey. Whether it’s navigating the complex paperwork, finding the right resources, or simply offering reassurance during moments of doubt, I thrive on making the transition as smooth as possible. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone settle into a place where they can truly thrive, knowing I played a part in that transformation. For me, it’s not just about logistics; it’s about building connections, fostering hope, and helping people turn their dreams of a new life into reality." I would like to help you with your goals, let me know whatever you think. Regards