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(Comparatively) Rich people unaffected by a country's local social and economic woes want to live there because it's cheap and they can live like kings. Locals

(Comparatively) Rich people unaffected by a country's local social and economic woes want to live there because it's cheap and they can live like kings. Locals want to get out because costs are rising and they're used like slaves. You'll find similar problems in SE Asian countries. People want to escape their oppressive governments and lift their family out of crushing poverty and unaffordable living. People from North America and Europe see those countries as basically Disney World--just a world of beaches, forests, $1 meals and $100/month apartments, and they're more than happy to move in. Admittedly, I'm a person who also absolutely loved Vietnam (as a middle class white dude who has zero risk of ever running into political or social issues there and could afford anything I want easily), but I know countless Vietnamese people who have recently emigrated from there and hope they'll never have to return.

nine_zeros 4y ago
This is understated. Most people leaving cheap countries are leaving because they hate their own oppressive governments. Most people moving into cheap countries are going there to live a lifestyle that in unachievable to them in their home countries.
vmception 4y ago
I’ve thought a lot about that, and most “oppressive governments” only show their face if you are poor. Same for governments known as non-oppressive to be honest. I was thinking about Monaco, small town, but the actions are a high surveillance state with rigid rules, a monarchy. There simply are no poor people, but if there were, it would be seem as an oppressive autocrat (they have a congress/parlaiment, just like other autocrats do these days). But there aren't poor people, and its more like a perpetual gala.
- smw 4y ago
  If there are no poor people, who does the housekeeping in the hotel rooms? Or deals baccarat?
  - djbebs 4y ago
    People who live in France and commute to monaco
refurb 4y ago
I noticed this too. Some foreigners will rave about how much more sane the politics is than the US (or wherever home is) and don’t seem to realize: 1) they are out of the loop of local politics, 2) the media is tightly controlled and 3) certain things can’t be said without a visit by the police. They are so insulated from reality in their expat bubble that all the negatives locals see are actually positives to them.

nine_zeros 4y ago

This is understated. Most people leaving cheap countries are leaving because they hate their own oppressive governments. Most people moving into cheap countries are going there to live a lifestyle that in unachievable to them in their home countries.

vmception 4y ago

I’ve thought a lot about that, and most “oppressive governments” only show their face if you are poor. Same for governments known as non-oppressive to be honest. I was thinking about Monaco, small town, but the actions are a high surveillance state with rigid rules, a monarchy. There simply are no poor people, but if there were, it would be seem as an oppressive autocrat (they have a congress/parlaiment, just like other autocrats do these days). But there aren't poor people, and its more like a perpetual gala.

smw 4y ago
If there are no poor people, who does the housekeeping in the hotel rooms? Or deals baccarat?
- djbebs 4y ago
  People who live in France and commute to monaco

refurb 4y ago

I noticed this too. Some foreigners will rave about how much more sane the politics is than the US (or wherever home is) and don’t seem to realize: 1) they are out of the loop of local politics, 2) the media is tightly controlled and 3) certain things can’t be said without a visit by the police. They are so insulated from reality in their expat bubble that all the negatives locals see are actually positives to them.