Is the "American" Dream Overseas?

Bavan S
6 minutes ago
4 min read

“America is a place to make money, not a place to enjoy life.” — “***America is a place to make money, not a place to enjoy life.”***

A Ride I’ll Never Forget

A few years back, I hopped into an Uber on a regular weekday, expecting nothing more than a quiet ride. My driver, a middle-aged immigrant from a South Asian country, struck up a conversation that shifted my entire view of the American Dream.

We talked about life, work, and opportunity. And then he said something that stuck with me ever since: “America is a place to make money, not a place to enjoy life.”

He explained that he spends six months working here in the U.S., saving every dollar he can. Then, he flies back home and lives comfortably for the rest of the year. That single comment hit me like a freight train. Because deep down, I knew he was right.

A Nation Built by Immigrants

America’s rise was never a solo act. It was built by waves of immigrants—dreamers, thinkers, and builders—who brought their cultures, cuisines, languages, knowledge, and trades. They laid the literal and figurative foundations of the country.

Their hard work created thriving communities, innovative industries, and a diverse economy. This melting pot of energy and enterprise is what once made America the land of opportunity. But something changed.

*America was built by waves of immigrants—dreamers, thinkers, and builders—who brought their cultures, cuisines, languages, knowledge, and trades*

Post-WWII Prosperity and the Dream's Evolution

After World War II, America became a global economic powerhouse. A single income could buy a house, a car, and send kids to college. Unions were strong. Pensions were real. Healthcare was affordable.

This is when the idea of the “American Dream” was solidified: Work hard, buy a house, raise a family, and retire in peace. But that dream, once rooted in community and attainable success, was slowly hollowed out.

The Downward Spiral: Trickle-Down, Terror, and Tragedy

Then came trickle-down economics in the 1980s, a policy that promised wealth at the top would “trickle down” to everyone else. Instead, it widened the wealth gap and empowered corporations over communities.

Then came 9/11. Then the 2008 financial crash. Then COVID-19. Each event pulled more bricks out of the foundation of the American Dream—rising debt, stagnant wages, healthcare insecurities, housing costs, and growing corporate monopolies.

The Illusion of Freedom

Americans are told they’re free—but are they? On paper, maybe. In practice? Not really.

You’re not truly free if you can’t live freely. And in America, every “freedom” comes with a leash.

You don’t really own your home. You’re taxed on it for life. Miss a few payments, and the government can take it from you. That’s not ownership—it’s permanent renting from the state.
Even if you “own” it, zoning laws tell you what you can or can’t build. Want to turn your garage into a tiny home to help your aging parent? Zoning won’t allow it. Want a food truck or home-based business? You’ll drown in permits, fees, and “not in my backyard” pushback.
You can’t live sustainably. In many towns, you can be fined for installing solar panels, collecting rainwater, or trying to go off-grid. Utility companies lobby against your independence—and win.
You can’t start a small business without a billion-dollar competitor crushing you. Try opening a bookstore, clothing shop, or grocery store—only to find Amazon, Walmart, or Target undercutting your prices and buying up your suppliers.
You’re not free to rest. Take a break from work, and your health insurance disappears. Take too long, and your credit score plummets. In the “land of opportunity,” rest is punished.
You can’t trust the system. You’re forced to buy auto, health, renters, and homeowner’s insurance—but good luck making a claim without a battle. It's “coverage” in theory, not in practice.
You don’t really get to choose. Nearly everything you consume—media, food, tech—is owned by a handful of megacorporation's. “Choices” are illusions of diversity.
You can’t speak out without risk. Whistleblowers are punished. Protesters are surveilled. Journalists get jailed overseas, but here? They’re discredited, doxxed, or silenced by lawsuits.
You can’t even die freely. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy. Funeral costs are predatory. Your family pays for your death just like you paid to stay alive.

This isn’t freedom. It’s a managed illusion—just enough liberty to keep you working, spending, and hoping, but never enough to let you truly live.

In America, freedom is just another marketing gimmick.

So… Is the Dream Alive Elsewhere?

Let’s be real. The American Dream isn't dead. It just changed addresses. It's a bit ironic that many people left these exact same countries to experience a better life in the first place (now that's a 180).

Europe offers universal healthcare, robust public transportation, stronger tenant protections, and mandatory vacation time.
Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have clean cities, efficient transit, and low crime rates.
Scandinavian nations regularly top the charts in happiness, safety, and work-life balance.
In Portugal, Spain, Georgia, and parts of Eastern Europe, you can live well for a fraction of the U.S. cost—with visa options that encourage digital nomads to come and stay.

These countries aren’t perfect—but they’ve prioritized quality of life over unchecked capitalism.

What Gen Z Can Do About It

If you're Gen Z, you're not stuck.

Here’s how to reclaim your version of the dream:

Explore digital nomad visas in places like Portugal, Estonia, or Thailand. Many offer tax breaks and residency perks.
Build passive income streams—freelance, remote work, online sales, content creation, or rental property—and take it global.
Prioritize experiences over possessions. Don’t wait until 65 to see the world.
Rethink the script. Marriage, house, career? Flip the order. Or rewrite it entirely (a growing trend we discuss in other blogs as well).
Travel first. Spend one month abroad. It might change your entire life philosophy.

The Real American Dream Was Capital

As my Uber driver said, America is a great place to make money—but not necessarily to live. It’s not built for people. It’s built for profit.

The American Dream isn’t gone. It’s just not here. It lives in cities where you can walk safely at night. Where doctors don’t bankrupt you. Where your time matters more than your output.

So if you’ve ever felt like you're suffocating under bills, burnout, and broken promises, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy.

Maybe it’s time to chase the dream overseas.