American Expats!
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Awesome! My diet I just try to eat from each food group and healthy!0
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I am an Expat living in Canada. Yes I know that is not as much of a culture shock as US to Europe or Asia. I've been in Toronto for three years. I also moved here from NYC to be with the love of my life. But the immigration process has really soured me to whole thing and I am eager to return to the States. Fortunately, my husband feels the same way. I was able to sponsor him for a green card when we first got married and the process took four months. I still can't work or have access to healthcare in Canada. I am over it. Toronto is a cool city to visit, but in spite of the similarities to the US, I just can't see myself building a life or raising a family here. My husband is a Canadian and British citizen. I do want to live in England at least for a year at some point in our lives. Maybe when we are retired and work visas are not an issue.0
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You have to pass a language test to get citizenship? NO WAY. I'm glad it's not like that in Sweden. I just need 3 years with my fiance and I'm good.
Anyway, It's been hard for me here because I want to taste all of the good treats. I also have noticed that everyone is thin. How do they do it???
Yep, a language test. There are a few exceptions, almost exclusively for refugees who are illiterate in their native language.
If you immigrate here and are unemployed, you can get a year of full time language instruction that includes job practice. I found a job right away, so I'm floundering around on my own.
But yeah, I keep looking at thin people at work and wondering how they manage. I expect they just don't feel l like eating as much junk as I feel like eating.:laugh:0 -
I left the US to be with the absolute man of my dreams. Our 4 year anniversary is this coming Tuesday. It wasn't really a question of where to live once we started talking about raising a family, universal healthcare, free college, etc... the odds were heavily stacked against the US. Plus you know, I had a random person message me and tell me I was a traitor to my country for renouncing my American citizenship... yeah, not missing that sort of mindset either. =/
Wow. people suck.
I'm considering renouncing my citizenship because of the demands to file taxes and report all of my financial activities to the US government. I had nothing when I came to Finland, just a couple hundred Euros. Everything I have, I've earned since I came here. If I want to open an investment account for retirement, what business is that of Uncle Sam's? I'm not hiding any of THEIR money. It makes no sense to me why reporting my income got so hard. How much harder will it be when I'm 80?
It's not about love of America, I love my home country. For me it's starting to be about living my life without interference from a government that has nothing to do with me anymore.0 -
Does anyone else find dieting difficult outside of the US because of the cost of food? I drive across the border once a month to buy food in the States since meat and dairy are often 30-50% higher in Canada. Buying organic isn't even an option unless I hit the lottery. I do my best, but I imagine prices in other countries, particularly one's with small populations like Canada might be just as high, if not higher.0
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To all of you who don't know how Europeans remain so skinny---besides walking everywhere in the cities, they generally smoke alot.
I haven't noticed that people smoke more here than in the US. My friends who do smoke are, on average not thinner than people who don't, and they don't walk more than people who who are overweight. I am overweight, I walk a ton every day, and it hasn't made the weight fall off. I also used to smoke a pack a day and walk everywhere and I was overweight then.
I don't think smoking+walking is the whole answer.0 -
I have a question for those who have or are renouncing their citizenship. Do you ever have or think you will have a harder time passing customs when you go through immigration to come back to America for a visit? I mean, they are so cold to me every time I come back for a visit, GRILL ME, and I'm still a citizen!
And I love the Netherlands. I wish my husband was from there and not Germany, lol. The people are so much friendlier than they are here. Well, my experiences anyway.
Anyone can feel free to add me, especially if you are now in Europe. I would love to have friends in the same time zone and that I know are closer by.0 -
Thanks! That's good to know and sounds promising
Just under a year left until I finish my Master's, then on to figuring out how to get teacher certification without having to spend too much time in the US, haha
If you can get teaching certs. in the EU, it's so much easier to move around for work. It's also very good if you have fluency in another language. (europass can be used for your CV) International English Schools in Sweden also take American teaching certs. and we are in dire need of native speaking English teachers anyway. Or, if grade school ain't your thing, we need college professors as well. Good Luck! XD
That's about all I know. :O0 -
I live in the land of greasy meat......greasy everything really. My students are constantly eating processed sugary breads and of course a ton of plain white rice as well as other carbs. It blows my mind how so many are thin. Also, they are pretty blunt. Weight to them (my students, adults are tad bit better, so it doesn't happen as often) is a black or white issue. You're fat or you're not, just like you have black hair or blonde hair. lol. So it isn't too long before a student or a random person on the street will say to me in Chinese or English "WOW YOU ARE SO FAT!" This is after losing 80 pounds......sigh!
But then again I will never have the body of a Taiwanese person. lol.
But regardless of the problems I've faced in eating, working out (its hard to find good gyms or equipment and not pay through the nose) this is my dream. To travel and teach and see the world. I think my next adventure in Turkey will come with its own set of ups and downs, but will be a great experience none the less.
Wow. Over here I just feel really self conscious because I'm the overweight American out of all these Swedes. (in tennis mostly)
How difficult is it to get good food in China/Taiwan?0 -
I'm also another one that moved to Europe for love. My best friend I've known since pre-school in the US moved to Germany when he was 13, and he asked me last year to marry him. I said yes, and moved a month later. I have been visiting Germany every summer since he left though, so I was quite familiar with the culture and all that. I don't know any German yet, though.
Anyone is free to add me if they want, too.
That is really cute. The things we do for love.
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Too many things to quote! I don't think more people in Norway smoke but cigarettes are roughly 15 American dollars a pack, it's affordable here with the fair wages but it's a waste, 100kr could be spent somewhere else. They do walk everywhere though, myself included and it's the best! There is a mountain right out my door and a book you can write your name in when you reach the top. This summer it's my goal to have my name in it each weekend.
I haven't found it harder to diet because even though most of the fruit and vegetables are imported in Norway they are often on sale. There's also the fish, lots of fish on sale and it's the best. I can't wait to finish our balcony remodeling so we can get out and grill. I did an almond crusted chicken last night that I can't wait to try on some salmon. Beef is the most expensive meat here and it's because most cows are for dairy.
I don't think I'll have it harder reentering the US to visit, they're just doing their job. I never have anything to claim in customs so I never have to talk to anyone, just do my passport, etc. My husband didn't have a hard time visiting me when we first hooked up either. Same ole, same ole "Business or pleasure?" I've found that most of the time they are really nice about it especially since it's always "Pleasure, I'm spending Christmas/Thanksgiving/holiday with my family." I think it might have to do with which hub you fly into as well. Oh! I did notice that you now have to electronically file some sort of visa notification a couple weeks before your travel date.
The tax thing is so absurd! I read you didn't have to worry about filing in the US as well unless you made over a certain amount of money. I know the baby's stipend is tax free here and we're putting it all into a savings account for him. I want to try and double the amount for him once I get a job practice (totally jealous you get one right off the bat in Sweden) and we're going to switch it over at age 13, not only because we don't think a 13 year old is mature enough to be responsible with that kind of money but also because it will be reaching half a million kroner at age 18 and we don't want him to have to pay some sort of stupid fortune tax to the US government. It's silly we should even have to worry about that for him. >.<
I love seeing all the places where people have ended up and I can't wait to visit a lot of those countries myself! Last year my husband and I went with my youngest sister to Rome and it was lovely! Italy is so big with so much history it's definitely a multiple summer vacation to see it all.0 -
Yep, a language test. There are a few exceptions, almost exclusively for refugees who are illiterate in their native language.
If you immigrate here and are unemployed, you can get a year of full time language instruction that includes job practice. I found a job right away, so I'm floundering around on my own.
But yeah, I keep looking at thin people at work and wondering how they manage. I expect they just don't feel l like eating as much junk as I feel like eating.:laugh:
That's actually pretty lenient compared to over here. Funny thing, coffee breaks are so common over here and they eat sweets all the time. Every time I baked something for my in-laws, they avoid it like the plague. Because American = fat. :grumble:0 -
Wow. people suck.
I'm considering renouncing my citizenship because of the demands to file taxes and report all of my financial activities to the US government. I had nothing when I came to Finland, just a couple hundred Euros. Everything I have, I've earned since I came here. If I want to open an investment account for retirement, what business is that of Uncle Sam's? I'm not hiding any of THEIR money. It makes no sense to me why reporting my income got so hard. How much harder will it be when I'm 80?
It's not about love of America, I love my home country. For me it's starting to be about living my life without interference from a government that has nothing to do with me anymore.
I know what you mean. I've been reading up on what we have to do when we make a certain amount of money. Someday I will have to walk the same road as you.
Also, it was because of the wealthy people hiding their money in Swiss banks that WE ARE ALL PUNISHED.
Home will always be home. That is all I ever need to know.0 -
Does anyone else find dieting difficult outside of the US because of the cost of food? I drive across the border once a month to buy food in the States since meat and dairy are often 30-50% higher in Canada. Buying organic isn't even an option unless I hit the lottery. I do my best, but I imagine prices in other countries, particularly one's with small populations like Canada might be just as high, if not higher.
Yes, yes, and yes! Sometimes when my husband and I go to Estonia for the day, we bring coolers and bags and do some grocery shopping. Food here is much more expensive than in the US.
I lived near the Canadian border in the US (Seattle) and the only thing I ever bought there was Kraft Peanut butter :happy:0 -
That is all I ever need to know.
Exactly this. Home will always be home to me, and my friends and family will still welcome me there no matter what color my passport is. There's no real hurry for me to decide anyway.0 -
Does anyone else find dieting difficult outside of the US because of the cost of food? I drive across the border once a month to buy food in the States since meat and dairy are often 30-50% higher in Canada. Buying organic isn't even an option unless I hit the lottery. I do my best, but I imagine prices in other countries, particularly one's with small populations like Canada might be just as high, if not higher.
Food in Sweden is A LOT higher. Because our taxes go into quality protection of food stuffs, Sweden outputs better food. Except meat. We are paying for fat. : /0 -
Hello all, glad to join this thread. I am an American Expat currently living in Panama City, Panama. I moved here about 2 1/2 months ago with my wife, who is a dual Panamanian/American citizen. Really enjoy it. I've been eating healthier, and walking more, which has helped me shed a few pounds, but tomorrow we're kicking it into high gear by starting P90X3.
I'm a while a way from permanent residency, let alone citizenship, but I could never see myself giving up my American citizenship. The good news is that even if I do become a Panamanian citizen, I won't have to give it up. But to each their own, and I could never blame anyone for their reasons as to why they would want to give it up.
As for taxes: regardless of income level, if you are an American living abroad, you have to file income taxes with the IRS. If you are making below a certain level, you can get an exemption from paying any, but you still need to file. Also, if you have at least $10,000 in a foreign bank account for at least one calendar day out of a year, you need to declare that to the IRS, or face major fines and penalties. Additionally, if you have foreign assets over a certain level, you have to declare those too. It certainly is a pain, but it's part of the price of the benefits of US citizenship, which includes keeping the right to vote, consular services, social security, and medicare, among others.
Always looking to make more friends, whether they are expats or not. Happy to meet you all!0 -
Too many things to quote! I don't think more people in Norway smoke but cigarettes are roughly 15 American dollars a pack, it's affordable here with the fair wages but it's a waste, 100kr could be spent somewhere else. They do walk everywhere though, myself included and it's the best! There is a mountain right out my door and a book you can write your name in when you reach the top. This summer it's my goal to have my name in it each weekend.
I haven't found it harder to diet because even though most of the fruit and vegetables are imported in Norway they are often on sale. There's also the fish, lots of fish on sale and it's the best. I can't wait to finish our balcony remodeling so we can get out and grill. I did an almond crusted chicken last night that I can't wait to try on some salmon. Beef is the most expensive meat here and it's because most cows are for dairy.
I don't think I'll have it harder reentering the US to visit, they're just doing their job. I never have anything to claim in customs so I never have to talk to anyone, just do my passport, etc. My husband didn't have a hard time visiting me when we first hooked up either. Same ole, same ole "Business or pleasure?" I've found that most of the time they are really nice about it especially since it's always "Pleasure, I'm spending Christmas/Thanksgiving/holiday with my family." I think it might have to do with which hub you fly into as well. Oh! I did notice that you now have to electronically file some sort of visa notification a couple weeks before your travel date.
The tax thing is so absurd! I read you didn't have to worry about filing in the US as well unless you made over a certain amount of money. I know the baby's stipend is tax free here and we're putting it all into a savings account for him. I want to try and double the amount for him once I get a job practice (totally jealous you get one right off the bat in Sweden) and we're going to switch it over at age 13, not only because we don't think a 13 year old is mature enough to be responsible with that kind of money but also because it will be reaching half a million kroner at age 18 and we don't want him to have to pay some sort of stupid fortune tax to the US government. It's silly we should even have to worry about that for him. >.<
I love seeing all the places where people have ended up and I can't wait to visit a lot of those countries myself! Last year my husband and I went with my youngest sister to Rome and it was lovely! Italy is so big with so much history it's definitely a multiple summer vacation to see it all.
Personally, I think barnbidrag is silly. But that's just me. XD
I want to go to Norway so bad! I've been studying Viking history and to see all the sites in Norway would be fascinating!!!! I also wanna go to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium. It's so great that they're conveniently close! :O0 -
That's actually pretty lenient compared to over here. Funny thing, coffee breaks are so common over here and they eat sweets all the time. Every time I baked something for my in-laws, they avoid it like the plague. Because American = fat.:grumble:
The first time I visited my husband's family (before we were even dating, just friends), his grandmother would call her friends whenever I ate something and say something like "Americans put cream in their coffee" or "Americans don't eat popcorn all the time". I was so relieved when his cousin married a Thai woman.
But they do eat what I bake, and some of my dishes have become tradition in their house, like peanut butter cookies. It's nice that they are farm folk up north where people still eat butter and drink whole milk, they are not so judgemental like some of my friend's in-laws nearer the capitol area where people seem to be more health conscious.0 -
I also wanna go to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium. It's so great that they're conveniently close! :O
Well here I am in Helsinki and I go to Stockholm pretty often. Let me know if you are here and you would like to meet up for coffee 0 -
It's the same here in Finland. I only have to be here for 4 years total to apply for citizenship, plus I have to pass a language test. My confidence in Finnish speaking has taken a real beating lately, I'm afraid to talk to anyone right now. I handed someone off to my colleague rather than ask her to speak English, I'm pretty ashamed that I'm not fluent already!
American here living in Germany for...almost 8 years now, I have just realized...sweetmotherofmonkeymilk!! Among other pasttimes, I teach applied and comparative linguistics...Finnish is a CRAZY complicated language, so no worries on not being fluent ;-) I have a colleague here who's been married to a Finnish woman for over 20 years, and he can speak it well...but fluent? What can I say? It's tough!
As for the thread: also lived in Istanbul, sadly only for a couple of months, but hopefully I'll make it back there...went to Norway and loved it, so that's also on my list of places I plan on living for a while.0 -
Does anyone else find dieting difficult outside of the US because of the cost of food? I drive across the border once a month to buy food in the States since meat and dairy are often 30-50% higher in Canada. Buying organic isn't even an option unless I hit the lottery. I do my best, but I imagine prices in other countries, particularly one's with small populations like Canada might be just as high, if not higher.
Yes, yes, and yes! Sometimes when my husband and I go to Estonia for the day, we bring coolers and bags and do some grocery shopping. Food here is much more expensive than in the US.
I lived near the Canadian border in the US (Seattle) and the only thing I ever bought there was Kraft Peanut butter :happy:
Funny thing is that I learned in Swedish language classes that on the Norwegian/Swedish border, the Norwegians come to Sweden to buy food cause it's cheaper here XD.0 -
In Canada it is good old protectionism. It has helped in one way. I love ice cream, particularly Hagan Daaz, but since it is about $8 a pint, I find myself rarely eating ice cream. Granted fruits and veggies are priced well, but dairy, meat and fish are insane. Growing up in NYC, I never knew anyone to buy frozen fish, now unless it is a special occasion, I buy frozen because fresh fish costs so much.Does anyone else find dieting difficult outside of the US because of the cost of food? I drive across the border once a month to buy food in the States since meat and dairy are often 30-50% higher in Canada. Buying organic isn't even an option unless I hit the lottery. I do my best, but I imagine prices in other countries, particularly one's with small populations like Canada might be just as high, if not higher.
Food in Sweden is A LOT higher. Because our taxes go into quality protection of food stuffs, Sweden outputs better food. Except meat. We are paying for fat. : /
Some of you are in more exotic locations, which I find exciting. Maybe I wouldn't be in such a hurry to get back to the States if that was the case. I used to think Canada was so progressive and had figured things out better than we had, but I learned that wasn't true. I have become more patriotic since I've been here. My husband says when we return to the States, he plans to apply for citizenship. He would have triple citizenship, but says he has no problem renouncing his Canadian citizenship. I don't know if I could do that. My husband was born in England and came to Canada as a child, but still this is where he grew up. He just doesn't feel very connected to Canada. So I guess home means something different to everyone0 -
The first time I visited my husband's family (before we were even dating, just friends), his grandmother would call her friends whenever I ate something and say something like "Americans put cream in their coffee" or "Americans don't eat popcorn all the time". I was so relieved when his cousin married a Thai woman.
But they do eat what I bake, and some of my dishes have become tradition in their house, like peanut butter cookies. It's nice that they are farm folk up north where people still eat butter and drink whole milk, they are not so judgemental like some of my friend's in-laws nearer the capitol area where people seem to be more health conscious.
Sounds like you have great family going on. XD Nah, my fiance would make fun of me because I can't take my coffee black. Unfortunately, I stopped baking for them because it was just futile. They're so "health conscious" (total BS) that I always went home with a bunch of leftovers. Oh, and Swedes in general dislike new things. I brought in pumpkin pie for work because each week a section of the school has to bring in something for the staff (they hardly ever do it) and it just sat there, 1/5 eaten. Someone said, "It tastes like Pepparkakor!" Never again.0 -
Well here I am in Helsinki and I go to Stockholm pretty often. Let me know if you are here and you would like to meet up for coffee
Sure! Let's go when it's warmer though. XD0 -
I agree with you Bunbun85. I eat most things. Avoid cheese, which I love. I am in the Netherlands.
Current figures are for the started about 15 March.0 -
Why renounce your USA citizenship? Just become a dual citizen.0
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Personally, I think barnbidrag is silly. But that's just me. XD
I want to go to Norway so bad! I've been studying Viking history and to see all the sites in Norway would be fascinating!!!! I also wanna go to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium. It's so great that they're conveniently close! :O
I had to look up what that was, a monetary amount for a child when said child doesn't live with both parents? Is it the same in Sweden? He doesn't get that because my husband and I are still married/living together. He gets the barnetrygd. I think it's pretty much the same thing except that every child in Norway gets it regardless of income level. Universal Welfare for the win! It's not a lot of money, 970kr a month until he's 18 but that's enough if saved for him to be able to get a loan to afford a nice apartment somewhere when he's ready to move out. *tear* He just turned 2 months old a couple days ago!
I really love the cash for care benefits. If I stay home with him from age 13-18 months then I get 5,000kr a month and from 19-23 months, 3303kr a month. Again, it's not a lot of money when you consider the cost of living but it's just really nice that if I want to be home with my baby until he's 2 before putting him in daycare then I have a very small amount of income. I wish America had some sort of plan like that. It breaks my heart that so many mums have to return to work at 6 weeks after birth because of poor parental leave.0 -
Why renounce your USA citizenship? Just become a dual citizen.
Some countries do not recognize dual/multi citizenship, like the U.S.0 -
Why renounce your USA citizenship? Just become a dual citizen.
Some countries do not recognize dual/multi citizenship, like the U.S.
The US allows you to hold dual citizenship. The only way you can give up US citizenship is by formally renouncing it. I do not know if other countries will make you give up your citizenship to become their citizen, but the US will not make you.0
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