posted on Aug, 21 2012 @ 01:17 AM
I have traveled a great deal internationally. As someone raised in the US here are some general pros and cons from my own decision list.
Pros to living in a developing country
-things are far less expensive
-service is incredible compared to the US; workers do a great job and enjoy doing it.
-People form friendships more readily
-Leisure is respected: it is o.k. if lunch takes an hour and a half.
-frequently closer to nature
-easygoing attitudes
-history much deeper than US's 100-500 years.
Cons to living in a developing country
-Lack of an American sense of punctuality; inability to truly bust a ---- to get things done
-less access to quality dental and medical care
-corruption is often prevalent
-lack of standards in safety equipment, goods & services, etc.
-bureaucracy is often glacially slow and completely unresponsive to human need.
-lack of market specialization. Store carries one kind of deodorant, one brand of cereal, one brand of feminine product.
A lot of your experience derives from your attitude. I have traveled across a continent with a coworker who spent the whole time furious that things
didn't compare with America. And yet we stayed in lavish hotels that cost us about 20 bucks a day. Even with a catered breakfast in our suite, he
complained about how the maids had starched his blue jeans (they ironed and pressed SIX WEEKS of laundry for 5 bucks.....and besides, that's the
fashion there.) He couldn't wait to find a cheeseburger, and I ate more exotic (excellent, organic) food in 6 weeks than I have in the rest of my
life.
If you like adventure, Go.
If you value comfort, Stay.
and never look back---you can never go back, because no man steps into the same river twice.