17 "America Is A Scam" Stories From People Who've Lived In Other Countries

In 2024, we featured a viral TikTok that compared the cost of living between the US and Australia, prompting the idea that "America is a scam." While many people were shocked by the numbers, those in the BuzzFeed Community who've moved to or from the US to another country knew about the differences all too well. Here are some of the most insightful "America is a scam stories" people shared:

1."I'm always shocked by the high price and low quality of food whenever I'm in the US. The last time I was there, I cooked a meal for four people. What would have cost me $20 in the UK cost me over $100 in the US for the same (but worse) ingredients. I don't get how Americans get by."

2."About a year after moving to the UK, my husband and I went to my favorite cafe and sat at a table outside. A university graduation ceremony had just finished across the street, so a huge crowd of people was celebrating. Someone set off a confetti canon, which sounded like a gunshot. My husband and I, who both grew up doing active shooter drills in US schools (starting in kindergarten), immediately jumped up, ready to dive into the cafe, barricade the door, and hide in the back room. No other person in the crowd around us even flinched at the sound. It was a huge wake-up call to realize that the fear instilled in me as a 5-year-old wasn't normal. I could never go back and put my own children through that."

—Anonymous

3."Having to pay for dental, vision, and medical insurance is a scam of massive proportions. Are those not all interconnected? Is that not all healthcare? I shouldn't have to pick and choose. I moved to Canada and never looked back."

4."I was in Moldova when I realized my prescription medication was left behind. It was expensive in the US, but the same medication didn't need a prescription in Moldova. Plus, it was dirt cheap. I just walked into the pharmacy, and there it was on the shelf."

—homeykitten472

5."It's important to keep in mind the income difference. For example, rent is cheaper in France, but salaries are much lower. We don't have housing problems on the scale places like California do, but many folks still have problems with access to quality affordable housing. That said, it also doesn't take long outside the US to realize how many things such a wealthy country should be doing better. In France, public transportation in my city is affordable and efficient. When I started a new job at the beginning of September, I was told I had nine vacation days to use before the end of the year. People regularly take three- or four-week vacations here. When I was burnt out after 13 years in a tough career, I was able to live off unemployment for about a year and receive government funding for job training to move into IT. Yes, my taxes are probably higher in France, but it's worth it."

6."After a motorcycle accident and multiple surgeries in the US using my high deductible insurance, I was out of pocket over $20,000. The total bill was over $100,000, with insurance paying the remaining $80,000. Two years later, still in medical debt, I moved to Asia for work. While in Thailand, out of curiosity, I got some estimated costs for the two surgeries I had back in the US. Interestingly, I could have paid cash for approximately the same out-of-pocket amount I paid for both surgeries. This made me realize that the $600/month premium I was paying to the US insurance company for the last five years was a complete waste of money and a scam. We pay insurance to cover the inflated medical costs in the US. If I had been able to save the same $600/month for 5 years, it would have netted me $36,000 plus any interest. I could have paid cash for my surgeries and still had $16,000 in the bank."

—DJ

7."Dentistry. In Wisconsin, a 'reputable' dentist quoted my husband a fee of $100,000 to do necessary corrective dental work, including implants and crowns. His crony, in the same building, would do the actual surgery at $50,000, and the anesthesia would be billed in five-minute increments (so the quoted fee could increase depending on the length of surgery). Payment in full was required at the time of booking the appointment. Hearing this sum, I asked the appointment scheduler how people afford these costs, and she said they 'take out home equity loans.' Then, I researched and obtained quotes in Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy, and Croatia for this same work, and ultimately, we paid 13,000 euros in Croatia. These Croatian dentists sent a car to pick us up at the airport, provided a beautiful apartment for a week's stay, and were available throughout the process. The result? Beautiful work, and my husband's smile could not be wider six years later."

8."I moved to South Korea in 2018 but visit the US yearly (except during the COVID era) to connect with family and friends. There are many things that are better in SoKo than in America, but the biggest flex is that when their now-former corrupt President declared Martial Law to basically stop his impeachment, the citizens rebelled and the government acted swiftly to stop it. It pains me to say this, but from the looks of it now, Americans can't relate."

—Anonymous

9."I've lived in Germany and Austria. To be blunt, the experience was eye-opening. First, Germans are PROUD of their 'socialist' (as Americans would call it) education, healthcare, and civic institutions. While Americans would scream about the 'high tax rates' in Germany, Germans don't complain. They view paying higher taxes as the cost of living in their society, all while ensuring that ALL citizens benefit. And benefit they do! The things Americans pay out-of-pocket for are covered for German citizens. There are state-operated healthcare systems, Germany protects the environment and cultural centers, and employers must pay workers an actual LIVING WAGE with mandatory vacation leave, maternity AND paternity leave, sick leave, and more."

10."America is a scam, but for so many reasons other than the abhorrent healthcare system. What about forcing customers to make up servers' wages because employers don't pay them properly? Or the scam where Republicans scream about protecting a collection of cells they view as babies yet do absolutely nothing to protect them from school shootings? Or the scam where if you commit three relatively minor crimes, you could go to jail for life, but if you commit a major felon, you can become President?"

—whytryharder

11."Moving to China was the best thing ever! The incredible feeling of being safe to walk around anywhere at any time is worth it. The convenience of living here is amazing. There's one app to pay all your bills, buy things online, complete your work, communicate with others, and more. It's remarkable and free. The food is fresh and inexpensive. Public transportation is nearly flawless, rent is cheap, and healthcare is incredibly efficient and affordable. The people are very welcoming and helpful. I've been here for over 14 years and always dread visiting the US. I really loathe dealing with the pricey and political inconveniences of America."

12."I worked in a small city in Turkey for four years and was pleasantly surprised by the single-payer healthcare system there. I was expecting to have to 'rough it' and potentially travel to the big cities for health and dental, but once I figured out the learning curve of registering with our local family practice, everything became pretty easy and cost-free. We didn't have to make an appointment when one of us was sick. We just walked in and were seen in less than a half hour. Prescriptions were about $1–2 USD. We also had a baby there, plus I had an MRI, all paid by our taxes. Life was pretty tough there, and it's only gotten tougher for Turkey's citizens. But the people don't worry so much about going bankrupt and experiencing homelessness."

—Anonymous, 40, Arizona

13."While visiting Mexico on vacation, my wife fell ill with an infection. Our Airbnb host told me the private hospital down the street was good, so we went to the emergency room. We spent six hours in the ER. Three different specialists and a CT scan later, they found the cause of the infection. My wife was admitted to the hospital, where she spent four days in a private room that was comparable to a two-room hotel suite. For four days, she was on an IV drip of antibiotics and fluids. Nurses came in hourly to check her vitals, and she received two visits a day from a specialist. When she was discharged, she was given prescription meds for a month. The total cost for everything was $3,000. We now live in Japan. I'm 78, and my wife is 75. We each pay $10.50 a month for being in the NHS (National Health Service). It covers about 90% of our medical expenses, including prescriptions."

14."Having worked in Europe and Latin America, I've come to realize that the standard of living there is totally better. The harshness and greed in America were really brought home by the death of our disabled daughter this past year when she couldn't get an appointment to have her heart checked. In the next few years, we are likely to migrate elsewhere to get away from Trump and the Republicans."

—Steve, 76, California

15."I lived in France for 10 years. I moved there with three children who were in elementary and middle school. The US is NOT 'exceptional' in terms of lifestyle. In France, we paid high taxes (over 40% of payroll), but this covered so much. Ultimately, our standard of living was higher: an excellent healthcare system, subsidized vacations for the children (skiing no less!), subsidized subway and train fares, great food, and really, really good schools — tough but with great teaching strategies. My children had learned four languages. My company had a union that offered highly subsidized vacations and on-site classes at the company. My colleagues with new babies had much longer maternity leave than the US, and they also had subsidized daycare. It was great."

16."It takes me eight hours to change my Medicaid from one state to another. There's BS I have to go through just to change my driver's license from one state to another, and my car insurance goes up and down depending on where I'm living. Public transport is uncommon and expensive; I have to wait months just to see a specialist doctor. I lived in Central America for three years and enjoyed it much more. I need to get out of the US so I can be free from the BS."

—Richard, 72, Costa Rica

17.Lastly: "I'm from the US and have lived in my fair share of countries. I've been back in the States for almost three years now, and one thing that has now become a 'scam' is the concept that America is the 'land of the free.' Yes, Americans have privileges and rights that may be envied by those in other countries. But for a country whose people and government love to gush about freedom, there sure doesn't feel like a whole lot of it going around anymore. The freedom of religion, being who you are, and deciding what to do with your own body? A lot of people seem to only want freedom for the people who think the same as them."

If you moved from America to a different country or vice versa, what is your "America is a scam" realization story? Let me know in the comments, or you can submit your story anonymously using this form.

Note: Some stories have been edited for length and/or clarity.