Does anyone really love the country they live in or moved to? Is anyone happy with their taxes and government?

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badlydrawngalgo@reddit

I'm a bit older than you, in Portugal and I'm very happy with my life.

I pay much more tax here than in the UK where I lived for 30+ years but I'm happy to pay my share. I'm also (reasonably) OK with the government. I've not had any bureaucracy issues so far (4 years), I know some people have but we haven't, though there was a mother of all spreadsheets when I first moved.

I've only needed an advocada for a property purchase and to draw up some wills. I bought our own apartment so I'm not at the mercy of landlords. The apartment is really new but there's been a bit of renovation without problem other than a bathroom reno starting 3 weeks late because one of the main workers was in hospital.

I love the people , the countryside, the way of life and the weather. I'm happy.

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Top-Half7224@reddit

Also in Portugal, and honestly don't like a single thing about living here. Almost getting killed on the road every day, hatred of foreigners, annoying language, boring, bland food, stubborn close minded people, and also need lawyers for everything. AIMA not following EU rules, corrupt condominium, tax issues. Skin and hair dried to a crisp 5 months a year.

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Background_Tower_114@reddit

Can you share the city you are in? Have been thinking of moving there for years.

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badlydrawngalgo@reddit

I'm in Caldas da Rainha, an hour north of Lisbon

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vtccasp3r@reddit

Lisbon is amazing if you can afford it.

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Background_Tower_114@reddit

Thank you for your input

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Champsterdam@reddit

Moved to the Netherlands from America and honestly the government here is for the most part so rational and efficient. It’s surprised me.

Also the taxes are relatively high but it hits a lot different than the USA - and I feel like I get so much more for it here than home.

Here you have the VAT and income tax on your income but it’s included in the shelf price and your net pay is your net pay.

In America I had my pay and my federal taxes, then social security taxes, state taxes, Medicare taxes. I had to pay property taxes which were a ton where we were and then had health insurance coming out of my paycheck as well. Huge deductibles. Way higher house insurance. I don’t need a car here and that was like $10k at home.

The taxes here are high, but it’s that ONE tax on your income without all the other taxes attacking you from all sides and the health insurance bullshit. At the end of the day we pay just as much here as the USA and I can tell we get a lot more in return.

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hmich@reddit

It's definitely not just "ONE tax on your income", the Netherlands is famous for taxing unrealized capital gains.

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prancing_moose@reddit

Been in NZ for 20 years now. Love the place. Never needed a lawyer (knock on wood). And yes we have bylaws and taxes and everything else.

No matter where you are - you still gotta get up in the morning, go to work and pay taxes.

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kaosrules2@reddit

I live in the U.S and love it. I found a small town where I could afford to buy a house on 40 acres. Don't have to deal with many loonies, everyone just wants to live their lives in peace and is not concerned with what others are doing behind closed doors.

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DavidVegas83@reddit

I know it’s not trendy to say, especially on Reddit but I love America, I have zero regrets about moving to America and was incredibly proud to become a US citizen.

Sure there are things that frustrate me or things i disagree with but i love my life and I love this country, the country that’s become my country.

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Keats852@reddit

Same, except that I hate the IRS. Fuck the IRS.

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Anonymous30005000@reddit

And CPS. Too many cases of children being taken from their parents for bogus reasons, and then children that disappear that it seems like they’re involved in child trafficking. Meanwhile they leave kids to be killed in households with obvious abuse. I gave birth abroad and I’m honestly scared to move back with my kid partly due to CPS running unchecked.

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LizP1959@reddit

Thank you and we are sorry for the recent insanity; I’m glad you can still find good in it. Personally my heart is breaking over the disgusting things happening here. So I really needed to hear your kind post.

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Impossible-Snow5202@reddit

I live in Spain. I never planned to live here and don't love it, but I am highly satisfied with my local and community governments and the uses of my taxes.

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Haunting-Buy887@reddit

My biggest challenge here besides having to quickly become (more) proficient in Spanish in order to navigate daily life is the slowness of the bureaucracy. I have been waiting for my spouse TIE for awhile and I’m sure that I still have a ways to go. However, I feel like it’s a fair trade considering the stability, quality of life, amazing culture/food, and lack of panic I feel here as opposed to my home country.

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SandyFee@reddit

Same here. Been waiting for my husband’s TIE since May 2025. It’s been almost a year.

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Haunting-Buy887@reddit

Oh god. What community/province is processing it?

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SandyFee@reddit

Barcelona. Probably the busiest office in Spain 😭

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Haunting-Buy887@reddit

I was taken aback and then remembered that it’s the oficina de extranjería per province. My spouse’s one friend only recently got her TIE after 6 months in Madrid. I’m hoping Toledo isn’t as bad but I’ve heard people say there’s inconsistency in experience even within the same communities/provinces

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SandyFee@reddit

Yea it’s absolute insanity. When we applied I was told it would take 5-6 months. Now I’m being told the latest I can expect approval will be July(!!!) of this year. I honestly don’t know how this is possible

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LizP1959@reddit

No. Humans are discontentment machines.

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GeneSpecialist3284@reddit

I retired to Belize from Florida and I love it here. There is a lot of poor people here but they'd give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. I have many good local friends that are chosen family. It's the largest social circle I've ever had. The only taxes I pay are property tax at less than $100 usd per year and general sales taxes everyone pays. I live on SS so no US taxes either. My auto insurance is $250 usd per year. My household bills run about $300 usd per month if I need propane too. There is corruption in the various sectors of government but if they get caught or don't serve the people, we vote them out. I have permanent residency and no plans to return to the US. I certainly couldn't afford to be retired in the US, much less have a weekly housekeeper.

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VictoryUsed3927@reddit

I’ve been to Belize and have to agree with lots of areas being poor, but the people were so nice. The beaches and jungle are beautiful too.

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Embarrassed_Key_4539@reddit

Why are you needing lawyers all the time?

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

Most house and career related stuff. Bogus contractor, complicated career contracts, etc.

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rostbrot@reddit

fwiw , legal headaches are probably worse in the states. Less so around employment contracts maybe, but that's probably because workers barely have any protections down there and everything is basically "voluntary" (ie, the employer almost always offers the bare minimum required by law or even skirts it and there's little recourse). Overall it's maybe less bureaucratic but also more harsh.

HST up here is astounding though. Not just that it's high but also that it applies to services, not just goods. I really wish they were lower or non-existent and general taxes were higher instead, but that's just me. It's so high and such a pain it actively discourages me from spending or operating a small services based/freelance business. (I was US until early 30s, moved to CAN a couple years ago)

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JurgusRudkus@reddit

That’s my question. I am, ahem, older than this guy and I’ve never needed a lawyer for anything but putting together a will and living trust.

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3DGuy4ever@reddit

Older than what guy

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JurgusRudkus@reddit

Ah my bad, I misgendered.

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Great_White_Samurai@reddit

Probably got wrapped up with a gang of pigeons and has to keep a bird lawyer on retainer.

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Loose_Seal_II@reddit

You need to get the best when dealing in bird law.

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tickled_your_pickle@reddit

I hear Charlie Kelly is quite the expert in bird law.

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ReceptionDependent64@reddit

Or tree law. Arborist went rogue.

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MysAlgernon@reddit

Probably another typical expat who never learned the language and laws the country they immigrated to.

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

I still live in my home country so language isn’t the issue. I’m a homeowner and a business owner. We need lawyers sometimes and I didn’t need them before. Maybe I should go back to renting and being an employee.

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Tardislass@reddit

Seriously no one is happy right now and honestly never has been. We just didn’t have social media. Only propaganda radio and films which is pretty much what social media is.

I live in America own my home and have a decent job and family and love all the cultural stuff that’s around me. There’s also decent public transportation. While the government sucks as do the prices my life is not as bad as Reddit make America out to be. Honestly, please check your hormone level. Menopause will make your hormones go crazy and most women have feelings of depression that can be helped with diet or hormones.

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BlushHeat@reddit

it feels like every place has its ups and downs; sometimes I think we just romanticize the "good old days."

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Maleficent_Ruin_2457@reddit

try living as an ex-pat US citizen with IRS filing requirements.

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ScarletLetterXYZ@reddit

At 46 years of age, it may be a combination of perimenopause symptoms and difficulty with resilience and coping. Check your mental and physical well-being. A real concern, not a fake response.

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

I mean, you’re not wrong. As time goes by, I have a lower tolerance for a lot of things. But I see people my age and older in Costa Rica or whatever and they seem to be happy. I realize internal work is a major factor here.

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ElijahSavos@reddit

Well you’re looking for retirement then. You just wanna escape the hustle. Nothing to do with Canada, there are more issues in Costa Rica but you would probably avoid them by not working and just enjoying your life

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whitelikerice1@reddit

“Is anyone happy with their government” lol

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Missyfit160@reddit

I am, and I'm Canadian. I'm incredibly proud to live here and am happy with my Prime Minister. Canada is fucking incredible.

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CleverCrow_1919@reddit

I moved here last year, returned to school (over 40) and have had such an incredibly warm welcome. I am grateful to be here. : ) Good people.

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ottomatic77@reddit

Jealous US citizen. Much respect to Canada and leading by example.

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Connor_Olds@reddit

what a rhetorical question in the year 2026

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Swiss_bear@reddit

I immigrated to Switzerland in 2018 and love it love it love it love it love it. I will apply for citizenship in two years. I love my new home.

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rarsamx@reddit

I love to have moved to Canada as I see my taxes working, I enjoy the variety of weather. Unlike there are rules and you can challenge someone who breaks those rules.

I am also building a house in mexico. Some contractors are late by months, I'm sure if I hired a lawyer to ask for compensation they would laugh me out of their office.

However, my wife's son went back to their country of Origin as soon as he turned 18 because he lives life in easy mode there. He can break rules without worrying. Knowing how to break rules is a life skill.

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Crafty_Try_423@reddit

I thought all Canadians loved Canada? They all say it’s so much better than the U.S. They’re all out there with their Canadian flags stamped or sewn onto everything they own because they’re so terrified of potentially being mistaken for American…

More seriously though, I don’t think anyone is 100% satisfied with everything about the country they live in. For some reason it’s in our nature at humans to be unsatisfied. But everything in life is about tradeoffs and I think once you understand that, you can be happy where you are or you can make an educated decision where to move to increase your happiness. Most dissatisfaction is coming from the idea that you’re fleeing one country’s “bad” by moving to another country and not having any expectation of what “bad” that second country has.

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DustSilent908@reddit

I highly believe the guy from Nomad Capitalist when he says that brand-name countries suck. In South America there would only be a few cases where you'd need a lawyer: You're an imployer in Brazil or another communist country, you're a high income entrepreneur that may have missed some obscure or contradicting law and forgot to declare something in your tax forms, if there able to find your earnest mistake, Or you actually did something wrong (except in Brazil where Freedom of Expression is often a crime).

Maybe you should give South America a try. I imagine SEA might be similar.

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

What’s SEA? My husband is from South America, and wouldn’t go back unless it was temporary.

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DustSilent908@reddit

I understand he might've had a bad experience in South America, but it is worth considering if you can keep a NA/UE income source and have the means to spend some time in each country to see if any is to your liking.

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DustSilent908@reddit

Southeast Asia. I juat have not abbreviated South America, because SA would not sound good.

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Lucky_Astronomer_435@reddit

Southeast Asia

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martin_italia@reddit

I firmly believe that in the developed world most countries are pretty much the same.

One might not have problem X but it’ll have problem Y. One might so X perfectly but be shit at Y. And so on. Governments are mostly the same everywhere. There’s good politicians that come and go, most of them are inept or corrupt to varying levels or both. But on the whole it doesn’t have such a drastic effect on your day to day life to make it a fundamental factor in where to live.

No one likes paying taxes. Everyone feels like their tax money is misused. Everyone loves to complain and has a list of things they believe should be done differently.

This isn’t to say that moving to another country is pointless, the opposite, but to say that a problem free paradise on earth doesn’t exist and never will.

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dollhouss1@reddit

Moved to the US. Very happy with both taxes and govt.

Waits patiently for downvotes to pile up lol

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tickled_your_pickle@reddit

Canadian in Montreal here. No issues with Canada. It's not perfect but it's pretty good.

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glwillia@reddit

i moved from the usa to panama. i definitely don’t love it (crime, traffic, litter, heat/humidity), although id never move back to the usa and i like the zero tax on foreign earned income. debating where to go next, thinking half the year in europe and half the year in thailand after applying for DTV.

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Unable_Tumbleweed364@reddit

I live in the U.S. now. Don't love the government but I love the support I have with my children and the fact I can afford a house unlike Australia.

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Captlard@reddit

Love.. Somewhat.

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chachkas369@reddit

Your post history states you're Canadian. Why did you apply for citizenship if you're so unhappy in Canada? Post history also implies you may be European. If you're from the western half, I would have thought taxes to be much higher; they are in France, for example, once combined with social charges, and based on my readings of life in France, the government and assorted bureaucracy is far more exhaustive and intrusive than it is in Canada.

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

I was born in Canada and have lived here all my life. I travel a LOT, including to many developing countries where things are terrible but maybe the sun really helps with peoples’ mood despite their circumstances.

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chachkas369@reddit

I see. You posted this in expats which made me think you were born elsewhere and moved to Canada at some point.

I'm also in Canada on the west coast and the lack of sun is indeed hard. I'd almost prefer the snow of the prairies as they have sun pretty much all year around, but alas... they're the prairies.

I'm looking at France as I have dual citizenship, but the bureaucracy is a turnoff, as are the social charges. The medical system is much more expensive than it is in Canada, plus I suspect they have more 'medical deserts' than even Canada. The rest seems great, though, so I proceed with my plans.

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DarthPleasantry@reddit

Hey, OP, I hope you feel better soon, but this post isn’t really about expat life. You may get more pertinent info from r/IWantOut.

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ElijahSavos@reddit

I’m in BC, Canada. Not sure what exactly you mean by red tape, lawyers, bylaws, etc. compared to my home country the government reach is non-existent in Canada. The only time I needed a lawyer was a real estate transaction. They literally prep all the docs without your involvement and then you come and spend less than 30 mins to sign the docs. Same goes to prep taxes, very easy. There is basically no red tape i know of.

So answering your question, it’s going to be likely worse anywhere else especially for a person who is not familiar with a local system.

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Disastrous-Ad-7231@reddit

I'm in Alberta and I will say going from us companies to Canadian vendors for things like cell phones, insurance, tend to be friendlier with new customers than repeat. Jumping carriers for everything to save a few hundred a year is insane. I feel like I'm fighting for my life with everything going up in price the last 2 years. Was quoted $8k for car insurance after being here for a few years. Called a different broker and I'm back to $3k for tenant and auto. So that makes sense.

But I enjoy the 6 months of snow on the ground. Not sure what hats going on this year. Going from a high of 3 today to a high of 20 in a few days. Was in Texas so traded 6 months of 40+ for 6 months of freezing temps.

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

I get that perspective is everything. I’m feeling it this week especially hard because I had to hire two lawyers for two separate issues: one a homeowner issue (a shoddy contractor is taking US to small claims because we didn’t pay his final invoice which was over and above his quote and his work was already breaking and falling apart) and a complicated business contract. All of it on top of everything else makes me want to sell everything and escape (with the family) to somewhere warm and calm. If such a place exists.

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donac@reddit

Honestly, I think about this a lot. My suspicion is that literally no one is happy with their current situation right now, or at least very few.

Partially because the whole world is in large scale upheaval right now, and really has been since 2015 or so.

Secondarily, I think it's because every bit of information is so very "in your face" thanks to endless connectivity, and the information cycle is really rooted in the concept that outrage sells.

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Background_Tower_114@reddit

I’m in the US. I used to love this country but have been checking out other countries now that I retired. Not sure the US checks all my retirement boxes, so it doesn’t hurt to look around.

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Great_White_Samurai@reddit

Sounds like you're going to be miserable anywhere you go

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

Not really. I was happy here when I was younger, didn’t really have responsibilities and was just living life. As you get older I find the mail, the bills, the taxes, the parking tickets and everything really piles high. Not to mention parenthood in a broken education system. It all feels like a lot at the moment.

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curiousitycow@reddit

I live in South Africa and I love it here. Cost of living is so good compared to other countries and medical care is good. Taxes are around the same level of Canada but you get fewer services as many people are on government subsidies. Government admin is terrible though

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Sudden-Accident5850@reddit (OP)

How’s the crime there these days? I’ve heard mixed things.

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Alarming-Papaya2007@reddit

move to Alberta. fit right in.

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Alarming-Papaya2007@reddit

what are you fascist?

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minskoffsupreme@reddit

I live in Poland and I loved it.I have been here three yearsI am from Australia and previously lived in Brazil and this is my favourite. I love the country, I have friends and lots to do and I am generally happy. It's not perfect, I hate the winter and the Christmas markets, but everything and everywhere has its downsides. I don't pay tax though, since I am a true expat on a contract, my employer pays them for me. We also get help with rent and flights home, which definitely makes things easier. Healthcare is fine. I know I will have to leave eventually which is sad, but I have already renewed the original two year contract for another two and may get another year after that.

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neelvk@reddit

Anyone unhappy with red tape in a developed country should move to India for a year. Will never complain ever

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Flewoverthenorthpole@reddit

🎯

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livsjollyranchers@reddit

"I NEED SOME DAMN TAPE"

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MembershipQuirky8649@reddit

Originally from Australia but immigrated to Malaysia

Cost of living crisis was egregious with $2-3m for reasonable houses on the East Coast. The only way you can buy a property is to have extremely high income - at which point you're paying 47c on the dollar. Assuming $2m mortgage at 5% interest, $150k of your pre-tax income is going to interest payments alone.

All while I have NO idea where that 47% tax rate is going.

Meanwhile in Malaysia my rent is $1k AUD per month and properties are roughly 1/3-4 the price. Taxes are also significantly better and I can actually spend my money rather than trying to figure out where I can squeeze a dollar out of between interest payments and PAYG.

Knowing that the government I pay taxes to isn't actively working against me is a huge quality of life improvement (beyond actually being able to afford a place to live in)

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Proof-Associate-2257@reddit

I'd say our quality of life grew substantially after the move. The taxes are lower and the government is less unhinged so far.

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NoModsNoMaster@reddit

Perhaps a low bar at the moment. Where did you end up going for your more-hinged government?

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Proof-Associate-2257@reddit

The bar was in hell to begin with. Russia to Georgia.

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Medical-Ad-3660@reddit

I made the move from Canada to Thailand 7 years ago. I had a good paying job, amazing friends and family, house, vehicles, toys, everything us regular folk could hope and dream of and I was still miserable. I sold everything and started travelling. When I got to Thailand I fell in love it. I now know what it feels like to be truly happy. I get sun everyday, slow life, I have the bare minimum and am happy. Canada changed a lot over the past 15 20 years. I went back last year and couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't recognize it. I dont want to say bad things about Canada because it truly is a great country when you compare it with others.

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Historical_Rip_1848@reddit

Does anyone really participate fully in their government to make it the way they want it, or understand why things are the way they are? Aside from the weather, there are so many things people can do to make things the way they want, instead of just looking around for somewhere it exists.

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Sufficient-Job7098@reddit

You can love something even if it isn’t perfect. I love my parents, my kids, my spouse, my house, my state and I love both my country of origin and my host country. But they all have flaws.

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SchokoKipferl@reddit

Well don’t move to the US if traffic is an issue

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Caliopebookworm@reddit

I live in Canada and I love it. I've been here 26 years. Very involved in my community. There's better weather out there but I live in the most mild part of Ontario and there's only a short time each year where it's REALLY bad.

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callipygian0@reddit

I don’t live there, and never would, but lots of people who do are happy with the UAE government.

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SoggyWait7801@reddit

O finally found one after a bad experience in Prague

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Gunzhard22@reddit

Nobody likes taxes anywhere, but at least you live somewhere that a fair percentage of that tax revenue goes back to services that help the citizens. That used to be case in the US but no longer...

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ReceptionDependent64@reddit

I'm in Canada, have only needed lawyers for real estate transactions, find the tax burden eminently reasonable, have no idea what you mean by red tape, and have yet to encounter an unreasonable bylaw. Traffic isn't a major complaint since I work from home. I don't even mind the rain.

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Phronesis2000@reddit

Yeah pretty much. I love living in Germany and don't have major issues with the taxes or government.

People always have and always will whinge about these things. All in all, it's a good life.

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Jolly_Conflict@reddit

Oh god no, no country on earth is perfect.

You’re asking for a unicorn type of answer here lol.